Sung Dracon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of his small room, the faint rays of morning sunlight filtering through the curtains. It felt surreal to be alive again, to have a second chance. He had vivid memories of his previous life—of laughter, pain, and love. Although he cherished those memories, he was eager to begin his true journey. Today was the day they would discover whether they would become Hunters.
Reflecting on his past, Dracon thought about how much he valued his childhood with Jinwoo. They had spent countless hours dreaming about adventure and strength, pretending to be heroes who could save the world. Despite the joy of being back, a part of him felt anxious. Would he be able to protect Jinwoo this time? Would he be strong enough to ensure that their family never faced the hardships they had before?
Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Who is it?" Dracon called out, his heart racing slightly at the thought of what lay ahead.
"Brother, it's me! We need to leave soon! Please get ready," Jinwoo's voice rang out, filled with urgency and anticipation.
Dracon smiled softly, pushing his lingering thoughts aside. "Alright, I'll be out in a second," he replied, quickly dressing. He carefully chose his outfit—a simple yet comfortable pair of jeans and a hoodie, hoping it would reflect his determination and readiness.
Jinwoo's voice echoed through the door again, "Okay, see you soon!"
As Dracon finished getting ready and left his room, he saw Jinwoo pacing nervously, practically bouncing off the walls. It was hard not to laugh at how fidgety his little brother was, his excitement palpable.
"Jinwoo, calm down," Dracon chuckled, ruffling Jinwoo's hair affectionately. "You're way too excited about this."
"Of course I am, brother! Today we find out if we'll become Hunters! I can't believe you're not more nervous. This is huge!" Jinwoo replied, his eyes sparkling with anticipation, filled with the innocence of youth.
Dracon shook his head, amused by his brother's enthusiasm. "We'll be fine. We'll get through this together. Come on, let's go."
As they stepped outside, a gentle breeze rustled the trees, a reminder of the world they were about to enter. The sky was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, symbolizing the potential of the day. They walked side by side, exchanging small talk about their hopes for the future, the weight of the upcoming test hanging lightly between them.
"Hey, what if we both awaken as A-rank Hunters?" Jinwoo joked, eyes wide with excitement. "Imagine the looks on everyone's faces!"
Dracon laughed, though a part of him realized the pressure they faced. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll take it one step at a time. Besides, being an A-rank means a lot of responsibility. I'd rather we just focus on being the best Hunters we can be."
After a short walk, they arrived at the Hunter Association, its towering structure casting a long shadow over them. Dracon felt a sense of awe wash over him as he looked at the building that held the dreams of countless aspiring Hunters. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation and anxiety; hopeful candidates waited nervously, their faces reflecting the same mix of hope and fear he felt.
"Look at all these people," Jinwoo whispered, his wide eyes scanning the crowd. "Do you think they're all going to become Hunters too?"
"Most likely," Dracon replied. "But remember, it's not just about becoming a Hunter; it's about what we do afterward. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way."
After registering, they were led down a long hallway, where other hopefuls sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. Dracon couldn't help but feel the pulse of excitement that buzzed through the room, and he could see that many of the others were as eager as he was.
As time passed, Dracon could feel the tension building. After about half an hour of waiting, Jinwoo's name was finally called. "Good luck, little brother," Dracon said, giving him an encouraging nod and a reassuring smile.
Jinwoo gave a nervous smile, his heart racing as he stepped into the testing room. Dracon waited outside, feeling a knot form in his stomach as he watched the door close behind his brother. He felt protective of Jinwoo, wanting him to succeed but knowing the challenges that lay ahead.
When Jinwoo came back out, his expression was a mixture of disappointment and quiet relief. Dracon immediately recognized that look—just as in the story he knew, Jinwoo had awakened as an E-rank Hunter.
"Hyung!" Jinwoo rushed up to him, his voice trembling slightly. "I got E-rank. I—I tried my best."
Dracon placed a comforting hand on Jinwoo's shoulder. "It's alright," he said softly. "You have so much potential, and this is just the beginning. You'll grow stronger, just like we always dreamed."
"Really?" Jinwoo asked, his eyes searching Dracon's for reassurance. "Do you really believe that?"
"Of course. Your heart is what makes you strong. Just wait and see what you'll achieve," Dracon replied, trying to instill confidence in his brother. He could see Jinwoo's spirit lifting, the flicker of hope returning to his eyes.
Jinwoo managed a weak smile, feeling comforted by his older brother's presence. "Thank you, Hyung. That means a lot."
Just then, he heard his own name called. "It's my turn," Dracon said, stepping toward the Awakening Room with determination. Jinwoo wished him luck as he walked through the doors, the weight of expectations now resting solely on him.
Inside, the room was vast, dominated by an enormous machine that hummed with power. The walls were lined with monitors displaying various stats and results of previous tests. The atmosphere was electric, and Dracon could feel the tension in the air as he prepared for the test.
A man in a white lab coat approached, his expression neutral but his posture professional. "Surprised by the size, huh? Everyone is the first time they see it. Please follow me," the technician said, gesturing toward the machine.
Dracon nodded and followed him, taking a deep breath as he approached the machine. He felt a mix of excitement and nerves tingling in his stomach. This was it. This was the moment where he would prove himself.
The technician gestured toward the large crystal at the center of the room. "Place your hand on the crystal, and the test will begin. Don't be alarmed if you feel a bit of discomfort—it's normal."
Dracon complied, feeling the cool surface of the crystal against his palm. As soon as he made contact, a wave of energy surged through him, overwhelming his senses. It was different from anything he had ever felt—like a deep hum, vibrating through every cell of his body. He became absorbed in the raw power flowing into him, experiencing moments of clarity and strength he had only dreamed of.
Images flashed in his mind—memories of battles fought, friends made, and sacrifices endured. He saw the faces of those who had suffered in silence, the innocent who needed protection. A fierce resolve filled him. He was not just fighting for himself; he was fighting for them.
Suddenly, the sound of the technician's excited voice broke the trance. "Congratulations! You've awakened as a B-rank Hunter!"
Dracon's eyes widened in shock. He had expected to awaken, but the realization of his rank sent a rush of adrenaline through him. "B-rank…" he muttered, trying to wrap his mind around it.
The technician handed him a card that read: Sung Dracon - B-Rank Hunter.
Dracon accepted the card, his hands shaking slightly with excitement. "Thank you," he managed to say, feeling a mixture of pride and relief.
As he walked out of the Awakening Room, his heart raced with exhilaration. He was ready for whatever came next. As he stepped outside, he was met by Jinwoo sprinting toward him, a look of curiosity and eagerness on his face.
"Hyung! What rank did you get?" Jinwoo asked breathlessly.
Without saying a word, Dracon handed his brother the ID card. Jinwoo's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped in disbelief. "A B-rank?! That's incredible! We're going to be okay now. We can finally pay Mom's medical bills... and we can take care of our sister."
Dracon smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him. They had worked hard to support their family, and now it seemed fate was on their side.
"I knew you could do it," Jinwoo said, his voice filled with pride and relief. "We're in this together, right?"
"Always," Dracon assured him, clapping Jinwoo on the back. "We'll make it work, together."
As they walked home, the sun set behind them, casting a warm glow over the streets. They exchanged stories, laughing about their childhood adventures, reliving the innocence of their past even as they stepped into a future filled with challenges and excitement.
"I remember that time you tried to build a treehouse and it ended up falling apart," Jinwoo teased, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
Dracon chuckled. "Hey! That was a learning experience. And besides, I had to get the wood from somewhere, didn't I?"
They continued to share stories, the bond between them growing stronger with each shared memory. As they approached their home, Dracon felt a sense of purpose swell within him. They were on the cusp of something incredible, and he couldn't let anything derail their plans.
When they arrived at their small apartment, Dracon excused himself, heading to his room to rest. "I'll lie down for a bit," he said, watching as Jinwoo began preparing lunch.
"Okay!" Jinwoo replied, already busy making sure their sister wouldn't starve waiting for her meal.
Once inside his room, Dracon locked the door behind him and exhaled deeply, letting the adrenaline of the day settle. He leaned back against the door, feeling both accomplished and eager for what lay ahead.
Suddenly, a transparent panel appeared before him, displaying his stats. His heart raced with excitement and curiosity as he examined the information before him.
Sung Dracon
Level: 1
Vitality: 55
Strength: 57
Magic: 53
Spirit: 59
Agility: 54
Skill:
Gluttony (non-upgradable)
"Decent stats," Dracon muttered to himself with a grin, pride swelling within him. "Looks like I've got a good start ahead of me."
As he absorbed the information, he contemplated the implications of having a skill like Gluttony. He had heard of its potential—enhancing his abilities, making him a formidable Hunter—but he also remembered the dark stories surrounding it. Could he control this power without losing himself?
With renewed determination, he started to think about the path ahead. His thoughts drifted to the bond he shared with Jinwoo. They were not just brothers; they were partners in this new world, and together, they would navigate the challenges that awaited them.
Suddenly, a loud knock interrupted his thoughts. "Dracon! Lunch is ready!" Jinwoo called out, his voice echoing through the small apartment.
"Coming!" Dracon replied, quickly smoothing out his expression. He didn't want his brother to see him deep in thought about the burdens of the future.
As he joined Jinwoo at the table, the warm aroma of rice and stew filled the air. Their little sister was already digging into her meal, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. The sight made Dracon smile; it was moments like these that reminded him of what they were fighting for.
"Did you hear back from the doctor about Mom?" Jinwoo asked between bites, his voice slightly muffled.
"Not yet, but we'll figure it out. Now that I'm a B-rank, I can take on some missions and help bring in more money," Dracon reassured him, determination in his voice.
"I know, but I still worry," Jinwoo admitted, looking down at his plate. "I want to make sure we can help her as soon as possible."
Dracon reached over, placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "We will, Jinwoo. I promise. We'll do this together."
After lunch, the brothers cleaned up, the simple act of washing dishes grounding them in the moment. Dracon felt the weight of the day's events, but he also felt a sense of hope blossoming within him.
"I'll start training tomorrow," Dracon declared, determination in his voice. "I want to get stronger and learn how to control this power I have."
"Can I join you?" Jinwoo asked, his eyes lighting up at the thought of training alongside his brother.
"Absolutely. We'll work together," Dracon said, feeling the warmth of camaraderie fill the room. "We'll make sure to set aside time for both training and fun. We can't lose sight of what's important."
After cleaning up, they both settled into their respective corners of the living room, and Jinwoo began flipping through the channels, his enthusiasm infectious. Laughter filled the apartment as they watched an old action movie, the dramatic fight scenes drawing their attention away from their worries.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across their home, Dracon felt a sense of peace wash over him. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew that as long as they had each other, they would face them together.