Chapter 5: Cold Numbers in a Dry World
Jino sat on a creaky wooden bench in the corner of the dining hall, where the walls echoed with the rowdy shouts of children and the clatter of plastic spoons against bowls. He ate in absolute silence. His body, having lost a massive amount of weight, still felt surreal as he sat on the very seat that used to groan under his heavy burden.
As he chewed his meager meal mechanically, his eyes weren't on the people around him. Instead, they were fixed on the translucent, glowing screen that only he could see. The screen displayed his bitter reality in cold, hard letters:
[Status Window - Park Jino]
Singing: F
Dancing: F
Visuals: F-
Talent: F
Intelligence: B-
Charisma: F-
Strength: F
Wealth: F
(Note: Rankings range from F to SSS)
Jino paused his chewing for a moment, staring at his Intelligence rank (B-). A faint, mocking smile played on his lips. Intelligence was the only thing the "Original Jino" had managed to cultivate. In a world where everyone fled from him because of his appearance, he found no refuge except in books. Knowledge was his only weapon—the sanctuary where he hid from the gazes of contempt.
His train of thought was shattered by a sharp, mocking voice piercing through the hall's noise. One of the orphanage workers stood nearby, speaking loudly on purpose while glancing in his direction. "Some people are turning nineteen soon and are still glued to their seats here... How long do they think this place will keep sheltering them? The orphanage isn't a lifelong hotel."
Her tone was dripping with venom, and it was crystal clear she meant him. The matron, Auntie Lian, tried to stop her with a touch on the arm and a look of reproach, but the worker didn't care, turning away while muttering unintelligible words.
Auntie Lian turned toward Jino, looking at him with that same friendly gaze he was used to, and said softly, "Jino... Have you thought about your next step? The university entrance exam results will be out in three days. You studied hard all year, so don't worry. We won't make you leave until a college dormitory is secured for you."
Jino looked at her with an unfamiliar calmness. His voice was steady and composed. "I know, Auntie... Thank you."
He stood up from his seat, feeling his shirt hang loosely around his frame, clutching the fabric with his hand. He realized with a tinge of bitterness that no one here had noticed his weight loss yet. To the workers, the orphans were just a tedious daily chore. Even Auntie Lian, despite her kindness, didn't look closely at the details behind his pale face. To them, Jino was just a faded "background" in this place.
He went out to the courtyard to walk for a bit and breathe the cold air. Suddenly, a sharp metallic sound rang in his mind:
[Ding! A New Idol Mission Has Been Issued]
Mission: Glory cannot be built without a solid foundation. A perfect idol must be among the elite in everything.
Goal: Pass the university entrance exam and get accepted into a prestigious university.
Reward: 5 Status Points + 1 Random Rune Spin + 100,000 Yuan.
Jino stopped walking, placing his hand on his chin in thought. "One hundred thousand yuan and a spin chance?" He searched the memories of the body's owner, remembering the long nights Jino had spent hunched over his books. The original Jino had performed heroically on that exam; he saw it as his only ticket to escape a life on the streets.
Jino's (Rian's) eyes sparked with a new light. "According to these memories, the exam was a success... All I have to do now is wait three days for this silence to explode."