Lim's heart pounded as he jolted awake, his mother's voice echoing through the house. "It's almost time for school, wake up!" she called. He sprang out of bed, the morning light streaming through the window, casting a golden glow on his small room. He hurried downstairs, grabbed a quick bite, and dashed out the door, eager to see what the day would bring.
As Lim made his way to school, he noticed a commotion ahead. An old woman was shouting for help as a man tried to snatch her purse. Lim's heart raced, and just as he considered what to do, an imposing figure appeared. An S-rank hunter, known for their incredible strength and agility, intervened. With a single punch, the hunter incapacitated the thief. Lim watched in awe, his admiration for the hunter growing with each passing second. He wanted to approach and thank the hero, but a crowd quickly gathered, making it impossible for him to get close.
Despite the thrilling encounter, Lim hurried to school. By the time he arrived, the gates were closed. The guard eyed him suspiciously. "You're late. Do you have a good reason?" the guard asked. Lim, catching his breath, recounted the morning's events. Intrigued, the guard nodded and let him pass.
In class, Lim found it hard to focus. The excitement of the morning was still fresh in his mind. But soon, his attention was drawn to three boys at the back of the room. Mark, Ben, and Rin, notorious for their bullying, were throwing paper balls at him. Lim clenched his fists, wanting to retaliate, but he knew their wealthy families held sway over the school. He bit his tongue, deciding it was best to stay silent.
The bell rang for recess, and Lim tried to avoid the bullies, but they cornered him. "Meet us behind the school at lunch, or else," Mark hissed. Lim, bewildered and anxious, nodded reluctantly.
Lunch came too quickly. Lim walked to the back of the school, where the bullies awaited him. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Mark stepped forward, his eyes burning with anger. "Are you the one who took a photo of us punching Ken?" he demanded. Lim opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a fist connected with his face.
Mark continued, "Because of you, our families took away our phones and credit cards. They said we have to behave nicely to get them back. Do you think you can get away with that?"
Despite the pain, Lim couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not the one who did it, but thank you to whoever did. You all deserve it," he said defiantly. Enraged, the bullies launched a coordinated attack. However, they soon realized their blows were ineffective. Lim's innate magical defenses absorbed every hit.
The bullies, confused and frustrated, continued their futile assault until exhaustion set in. Lim seized the moment. With a single punch, he knocked each of them to the ground. "Never tell anyone what happened today, or else," he threatened, his voice cold and menacing. The bullies, terrified, promised to keep the incident a secret.
Back in class, the bullies returned with faces covered in bandages. The room fell silent as they took their seats, their humiliation apparent. From that day forward, they never bothered Lim again.
Weeks passed, and Lim's life returned to a semblance of normalcy. But the encounter with the S-rank hunter had ignited something within him. He began to train in secret, honing his skills and pushing his limits. He wanted to be like the hunter, someone who could protect others and stand up to bullies.
One evening, as Lim practiced in a secluded part of the forest, he stumbled upon an old, hidden entrance covered in vines and moss. Intrigued, he cleared the way and found himself staring into the darkness of an ancient dungeon. His heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement. This could be the adventure he had been yearning for.
Armed with nothing but his determination and a makeshift weapon, Lim stepped into the dungeon. The air was damp and cold, the only light coming from the faint glow of luminescent fungi on the walls. As he ventured deeper, the passageways grew narrower, the silence broken only by the distant drip of water.
Suddenly, Lim heard a growl. He turned to see a pair of glowing eyes staring at him from the shadows. A beast lunged at him, its claws glinting in the dim light. Lim dodged and struck back, his training paying off as he fought the creature. After a fierce struggle, he managed to defeat it, panting heavily as he stood over its fallen body.
Pressing on, Lim encountered traps and puzzles that tested his wits and agility. He narrowly avoided being crushed by falling rocks, deciphered ancient runes, and used the key that was dropped by the beast to unlock hidden doors. Each challenge made him stronger and more determined.
Hour turned into day as Lim delved deeper into the dungeon. He faced more beasts, each one more formidable than the last. But with every victory, he gained confidence and skill. He found ancient relics that enhanced his powers and scrolls that taught him new spells.
One day, after what felt like an eternity of battling and exploring, Lim arrived at a grand chamber. In the center stood a massive door adorned with intricate carvings. He could feel the immense power emanating from it. This was it—the final challenge.
As he approached, the door slowly creaked open, revealing a colossal wolf, its fur shimmering in the torchlight. The wolf's eyes locked onto Lim, and it growled, shaking the very foundations of the dungeon. Lim's heart pounded, but he stood his ground.
The battle was fierce. The wolf's fangs glinted as it lunged, and its massive paws struck with incredible force. Lim used every skill and spell he had learned, dodging, striking, and casting powerful incantations. The fight seemed endless, but Lim refused to give up.
With one final, desperate surge of energy, Lim unleashed his most powerful spell. A beam of pure magic shot from his hands, hitting the wolf square in the chest. The beast howled in agony and collapsed, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
Exhausted but victorious, Lim approached the wolf's hoard. Among the treasures, he found a glowing amulet. As he picked it up, he felt a surge of power course through him. This was no ordinary trinket—it was a rare relic of immense power, capable of enhancing his abilities beyond imagination.
Curious about his newfound power, Lim whispered, "Status," and used the rare relic.
Name: Lim
Level: 18
HP: 300/300
MP: 200/200
Strength: 88
Agility: 86
Magic: 80
Defense: 88
*rank B*
The numbers were higher than he had ever seen them before. The amulet had indeed amplified his abilities. With renewed determination, Lim made his way out of the dungeon. The journey back was arduous, but he felt a newfound sense of purpose. He had faced his fears, conquered formidable foes, and emerged stronger than ever.
He knew he had been gone for 3 days, and his heart ached to see his mother again. He hurried home, his feet barely touching the ground as he ran through the familiar streets.
As he approached his house, he saw his mother standing on the porch, her eyes red and puffy from crying. When she saw him, she let out a choked sob and ran to him, enveloping him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, Lim! Where have you been? I was so worried!" she cried, her tears soaking into his shirt.
Lim hugged her back, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. "I'm sorry, Mom. I found a dungeon and... I had to explore it. But I'm back now. I'm safe."
His mother pulled back, holding his face in her hands. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," she said, her voice trembling.
"I promise," Lim said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I won't. And I have something to show you." He opened his palm to reveal the glowing amulet.
His mother gasped, her eyes widening. "What is that?"
"It's a relic I found in the dungeon. It makes me stronger," Lim explained. "I want to become an S-rank hunter, Mom. To protect people, just like the one who saved the old woman."
His mother smiled through her tears, her heart swelling with pride. "I believe in you, Lim. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," Lim said, hugging her tightly.
Every day, Lim grew stronger, his heart filled with the fire of determination. He knew that his journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The world is in danger and he has to save the world.