Eren stood in his dimly lit apartment, adjusting the straps of his backpack. The cold, damp air of New Dawn City seeped through the cracked window, but his focus was on the glowing interface hovering before him.
--
[Quest: Taste of Devourer]
Objective: Devour 3 goblins.
Failure: Death.
Time Remaining: ---
--
The timer suddenly blinked and turned red.
[Quest Update: Time Limit Added.]
[Failure of this quest will result in the immediate cessation of your existence. You have 48 hours remaining.]
Eren scowled. "You're giving me a damn deadline now?"
The System's voice purred, dripping with disdain.
[A devourer should always hunger for growth. Yet here you are, wasting precious time skulking in this miserable apartment.]
"I'm going to complete it!" Eren snapped. "But first, I need access to dungeons, and to do that, I have to register as an awakener. You know, like a normal person."
The System laughed, a low, mocking sound.
[Normal? You think registering under mortals will make you stronger? You have me, mortal. You don't need to grovel at their feet.]
Eren shook his head, pulling his hood over his messy hair. "I'm not going to be under anyone," he replied sharply. "I'm just registering so I can use their resources. Dungeons, Rift access, perks—things that'll help me get stronger faster."
The interface flickered, and the System's tone turned scornful.
[Pathetic. You speak of strength but rely on human infrastructure? How weak you are, my dear host.]
Eren gritted his teeth. "Say whatever you want. You're just a tool. I'm the one who has to survive this world."
The System didn't respond, though he could almost feel its disdainful silence as he slammed the door behind him.
---
At the American Hunter Association
The American Hunter Association's New Dawn City branch was a towering glass building that stood in stark contrast to the crumbling infrastructure around it. Eren glanced up at its sleek facade, watching as armed guards and drones patrolled the entrance.
He took a deep breath and walked through the automatic doors.
The interior was polished and modern, with marble floors and glowing screens displaying the latest dungeon clear rankings. Hunters of all shapes and sizes moved about, some clad in armor, others in casual attire, their presence exuding confidence and power.
Eren felt a pang of unease. Among these people, he felt small—insignificant. But he pushed the thought aside and approached the reception desk.
A young woman stood there, her long, blonde hair tied neatly behind her. Her tailored suit accentuated her sharp features, but it was her warm smile that disarmed him.
"Welcome to the American Hunter Association," she said, her voice smooth and professional. "How can I assist you today?"
Eren hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm here to register as an awakener."
Her eyes lit up. "Of course! Please follow me. I'll guide you through the process."
She stepped out from behind the desk, gesturing for him to follow. Eren couldn't help but notice the elegance in her movements, but he quickly shook the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.
---
The staff member led Eren to a quiet testing chamber, where a large, glowing crystal sat atop a pedestal. The room was lined with intricate runes that pulsed faintly, giving the space an otherworldly feel.
"This is the Awakening Crystal," she explained. "It'll measure your innate talent rank and identify any special abilities you may possess. Just place your hand on the crystal, and it will do the rest."
Eren nodded, his palms slightly clammy. He glanced at the System's interface, but it remained silent.
He stepped forward, placing his hand on the smooth, cool surface of the crystal. It began to glow softly, the light growing brighter with each passing second.
The staff member smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry if it takes a moment. Some people—"
CRACK!
The crystal suddenly shattered with a deafening sound, sending shards flying across the room. The staff member yelped and jumped back, her eyes wide with shock.
"What the…?" Eren muttered, staring at the fragments.
The glowing runes around the room dimmed, and the faint hum of the machinery came to an abrupt halt.
On the nearby monitor, the test results flickered for a moment before stabilizing.
[Rank: E]
The staff member blinked in confusion. "That's strange. It registered you as an E-Rank, but…" She hesitated, her brow furrowed. "It failed to identify your talent type."
Eren frowned. "Is that normal?"
"Not at all," she admitted, glancing nervously at the shattered crystal. "I've never seen the crystal behave this way. It's… unusual, to say the least. I'll have to register you manually."
She typed something into her tablet, her demeanor noticeably less respectable than before. "Since there was no confirmed talent type and your rank is on the lower end, we'll have to place you as an F-Rank for now."
Eren clenched his fists but said nothing.
As Eren prepared to leave, a tall figure entered the room. The air seemed to shift as the newcomer strode in with an aura of quiet authority.
It was Senorita, one of the Association's top S-Rank hunters. Her presence alone demanded attention—her crimson armor gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her piercing gaze swept over Eren like a predator sizing up its prey.
"I heard the Awakening Crystal exploded," she said, her tone calm but commanding.
The staff member stammered. "Y-Yes, ma'am. This young man—he caused it, but the test marked him as an E-Rank."
Senorita raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "Interesting. That doesn't happen every day."
She turned her gaze to Eren. "What's your name?"
"Eren," he said cautiously.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were trying to see through him. After a moment, she gave a small nod. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, Eren. Don't disappoint me."
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Eren feeling both intrigued and unsettled.
---
As Eren exited the building, he felt the familiar buzzing in his head.
[Pathetic.]
the System sneered.
[Look at how they turned on you the moment they labeled you weak. Humans are such predictable trash.]
Eren gritted his teeth. He'd noticed the shift in attitude from the staff. They had been warm and welcoming when he walked in, but now their glances were filled with indifference—or worse, pity.
"I don't care what they think," he muttered.
[You should care.]
the System retorted.
[You could have shown them your true power. Instead, you let them treat you like dirt.]
Eren clenched his fists. "I didn't come here for validation. I came here to get stronger. And I will, with or without their approval."
The System chuckled darkly.
[Then prove it. Complete the quest already. Time's ticking.]
Eren ignored the taunt and walked toward his next destination, his resolve hardening with every step.