Min-jun woke up before his alarm.
For a few seconds, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet breathing of the apartment. Morning light slipped through the curtains, soft and ordinary.
Yesterday really happened, he thought.
The system window appeared as if responding to him.
[Daily Login Reward Received]
[Minor Health Potion x2]
He sighed quietly. "You're really persistent."
After washing up, he checked on Ji-ho. His younger brother was still asleep, one arm dangling off the bed, mouth slightly open. Min-jun pulled the blanket up gently.
I'll make enough money so you don't have to awaken early, he promised silently.
At breakfast, his mother watched him closely.
"You're going to the Association again today?" she asked.
"Yes," Min-jun replied. "I need to check dungeon schedules."
She hesitated. "Don't push yourself too hard. Your father—"
"I know," Min-jun said softly.
She nodded, eyes lowering. The conversation ended there, as it always did.
Outside, the city felt different to him now. People passed by, some awakened, some not. Above a few heads, faint numbers hovered—levels, visible only to hunters.
So people really can see levels, Min-jun thought.
A man walked past him.
Level 18.
Class: Shield Knight (Rare).
Min-jun looked down instinctively.
Level 6.
Common Necromancer.
The comparison stung.
At the Association, he checked the public board. Most teams were recruiting damage dealers or tanks. Necromancer wasn't even listed under "preferred classes."
"…Figures."
"Hey."
He turned.
A woman stood a few steps away, short hair tied back, wearing light leather armor. A bow rested against her back.
"I saw you yesterday," she said. "In the goblin dungeon."
Min-jun blinked. "You did?"
She nodded. "You're the necromancer, right? The one with the evolving skeleton."
Her eyes were curious, not mocking.
"…Yes."
"I'm Yoon Seo-ah," she said. "Level 14. Archer. Rare class."
She paused, then added, "I'm forming a temporary team for another F-rank gate. Interested?"
Min-jun hesitated.
Is this okay?
Am I ready?
The system chimed softly.
[Opportunity Detected]
[Recommended Action: Dungeon Entry]
He looked up again. "Yes."
Seo-ah smiled. "Good. Meet in an hour."
As she walked away, Min-jun felt it again—that strange sense of being watched.
He glanced around.
Across the hall, two men stood near the guild counter, speaking quietly. One of them glanced at Min-jun, then quickly looked away.
Above his head—
Level 32.
Min-jun's spine chilled.
Why is someone that strong here…?
The man leaned closer to his companion.
"That's him," he whispered. "The necromancer."
Min-jun pretended not to notice and walked out of the building, heart pounding.
Outside, he summoned his status window.
[Player Profile]
Name: Kang Min-jun
Level: 6
Class: Necromancer (Common)
HP: 180 / 180
Mana: 420 / 420
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Vitality: 14
Intelligence: 24
Luck: 8
Titles:
Undead Initiate
Skeleton Storage:
Basic Skeleton x1
Warrior Skeleton x1
"…So people are already paying attention," he muttered.
A new message appeared.
[Warning]
[Your Growth Rate Has Been Logged]
Min-jun's breath caught.
"Logged… by who?"
There was no answer.
He clenched his fists.
So it's not just about surviving anymore.
He looked up at the sky, then toward the direction of the dungeon gates.
"Then I'll grow faster," he said quietly. "Before they decide what to do with me."
Deep within skeleton storage, the warrior skeleton shifted slightly.
And far above the city, in places where only the powerful gathered, Kang Min-jun's name was spoken for the first time.