I made my way back to my tiny apartment. It wasn't much—just a single room with a small kitchen and a bed—but it was enough for me. As soon as I stepped inside, another notification popped up.
[New Mission Update: Prepare for your training.]
I tapped on the notification, and the screen shifted to a checklist:
Purchase basic weapons (Sword and Gloves)Pack supplies for the mountain (Food and Water)Acquire proper clothing for training
"Great," I muttered. "This system expects me to have money."
My wallet wasn't exactly full, but I could manage something. Thankfully, Joon's guild might let me borrow equipment, which would save me some cash.
The first stop was a small weapons shop near my apartment. The bell chimed as I stepped inside, and an elderly man behind the counter greeted me.
"Looking for something specific?" he asked, his eyes scanning me.
"Uh, just something simple. A basic sword and some gloves for training," I replied.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like the ranker type."
"I'm not," I admitted. "It's… for a friend. They're teaching me self-defense."
He shrugged and led me to a section of modestly priced gear. I picked out a lightweight sword and a pair of gloves, both within my budget. After paying, I stuffed the items into my bag and headed to a convenience store to grab food and water.
As I left the bench, my phone buzzed with another message from Joon.
Joon: "Yo, you didn't answer my question. Why do you need the mountain? And what's this about an accident? Are you seriously okay?"
I typed a quick reply:
Me: "Long story. Can we meet later? I'll explain everything."
Joon: "Fine, but you better have a good explanation. You're acting weird lately."
He wasn't wrong. My life had taken a bizarre turn, and explaining it without sounding crazy was going to be tricky. For now, though, I needed to gear up for whatever the system had in store for me.
I made my way back to my tiny apartment. It wasn't much—just a single room with a small kitchen and a bed—but it was enough for me. As soon as I stepped inside, another notification popped up.
[New Mission Update: Prepare for your training.]
I tapped on the notification, and the screen shifted to a checklist:
Purchase basic weapons (Sword and Gloves) Pack supplies for the mountain (Food and Water) Acquire proper clothing for training
"Great," I muttered. "This system expects me to have money."
My wallet wasn't exactly full, but I could manage something. Thankfully, Joon's guild might let me borrow equipment, which would save me some cash.
The first stop was a small weapons shop near my apartment. The bell chimed as I stepped inside, and an elderly man behind the counter greeted me.
"Looking for something specific?" he asked, his eyes scanning me.
"Uh, just something simple. A basic sword and some gloves for training," I replied.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like the ranker type."
"I'm not," I admitted. "It's… for a friend. They're teaching me self-defense."
He shrugged and led me to a section of modestly priced gear. I picked out a lightweight sword and a pair of gloves, both within my budget. After paying, I stuffed the items into my bag and headed to a convenience store to grab food and water.
By the time I returned to my apartment, I was exhausted. As I unpacked my supplies, another notification appeared.
[Mission Progress: Basic preparation complete.]
Next Objective: Contact Joon and secure access to the mountain.]
I sighed. "Alright, system, I get it. You're eager for me to start this training."
I called Joon instead of texting this time. He picked up almost immediately.
"Took you long enough," he said. "So, spill. What's going on?"
"It's… complicated," I said hesitantly. "But I need a place to train, and your guild's mountain seemed like the best option."
"You? Train? You're not making any sense," Joon said, sounding skeptical. "Are you hiding something?"
"Look, I'll explain everything later. Just tell me if I can use the mountain or not," I said, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.
Joon sighed. "Fine, I'll talk to my guild leader. But you owe me an explanation, Jin. A proper one."
"Deal," I said, relieved. "Thanks, Joon. I mean it."
The next day, I got a message from Joon confirming that his guild had granted me temporary access to their training mountain.
Joon: "You're lucky I'm such a good friend. They said yes, but you'd better not mess around there. Some of the members are already suspicious about why I'm helping you."
Me: "I won't. Thanks again."
It was finally time. My training was about to begin, and for the first time in my life, I felt a flicker of hope.
As I packed my gear and prepared to leave, I couldn't help but smile.
"This is it," I muttered. "My chance to turn everything around."
With my bag slung over my shoulder, I stepped out of my apartment and headed toward the mountain, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me.
I stood in front of the towering guild building, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. This was a place where rankers—powerful individuals who dominated the world now—gathered, trained, and planned their expeditions. And here I was, someone who had just recently discovered he even had power, waiting to get a chance at proper training.
Joon had messaged me earlier, telling me to meet him outside so he could drive me to their training grounds—the mountain the system was relentlessly pushing me toward.
I glanced at my reflection in the glass doors of the guild building. Dressed in a plain hoodie and jeans, I looked completely out of place. People walking in and out of the building were clad in armor, sleek combat gear, or outfits radiating an aura of authority.
The sight reminded me of my insignificance.
"Hey, you made it," Joon's voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned to see him walking toward me. His tall frame and confident stride made him stand out, even in a place filled with extraordinary people. Dressed in casual clothes but carrying a bag slung over his shoulder, he looked more approachable than the others around us.
"Yeah," I replied, scratching the back of my head. "Thanks for doing this. I owe you."
"You're damn right you do," Joon said, smirking. "But seriously, what's with all the mystery? You've been acting weird lately."
"I'll explain everything," I promised, though I wasn't sure how much of the truth I could tell him. "Just… not here."
"Fine, fine," he said, motioning for me to follow him. "Let's go. The mountain isn't far, but you'll need to brace yourself. It's not exactly a walk in the park."
Joon's car sped through the winding roads leading out of the city. The further we got, the quieter and more isolated the surroundings became.
"So," Joon began as he drove, "are you gonna tell me why you suddenly want to train? I mean, don't get me wrong—I'm glad you're finally doing something for yourself. But it's… unexpected, to say the least."
I hesitated, unsure how to frame my answer. "Let's just say I realized I've been stuck for too long. If I don't change, I'll never move forward."
Joon glanced at me, his expression softening. "That's fair. Everyone's got their turning point, I guess. Just don't push yourself too hard, alright? The mountain's no joke, even for rankers."
I nodded, though his words didn't exactly ease my nerves.
After about an hour, we arrived at the base of the mountain. It was a sprawling area, fenced off with high walls and guarded by people who were rankers. Joon showed his guild badge at the gate, and the guards let us through without question.
The training grounds were massive. Paths wound up the mountain, lined with dense trees and jagged rocks. Small clearings here and there served as sparring zones or rest areas. I could see rankers scattered around, training intensely—some swinging swords, others practicing magic, and a few battling summoned creatures.
Each guild has its own mountain. You might be wondering, why mountains? What's so special about them? Isn't it just a pile of rocks and trees?
Well, you'd be wrong.
Mountains in this world are no longer just natural formations—they're battlegrounds, proving grounds, and survival zones. When the sudden changes to Earth occurred, dungeons and towers weren't the only things that appeared. Select mountains across the globe became host to unique ecosystems, overrun by monsters spilling out from dungeons.
These "training mountains," as people call them, are now the stepping stones for rookie rankers or anyone aspiring to join the elite ranks of humanity's defenders. The mountains serve a critical purpose: preparing individuals to survive the dangers of dungeons and towers by giving them controlled exposure to monsters and hazardous conditions.
For guilds, having control over one of these mountains is more than just a privilege—it's a necessity. It allows them to train their members in a semi-controlled environment while also maintaining a steady influx of monster materials and resources.
Unlike dungeons or towers, where death is often permanent, mountains provide a slightly more forgiving environment. There are rules and restrictions in place to minimize casualties—like emergency teleportation devices and guild supervisors monitoring key areas. That doesn't mean it's safe, though. Monsters are still monsters, and the mountain won't hesitate to weed out the weak.
For someone like me—a powerless front desk worker turned system user—this mountain might just be the key to unlocking my true potential. But looking at it now, towering and shrouded in mist, I can't help but feel a little intimidated.
This wasn't going to be easy.
"This is it," Joon said as he parked the car. "Welcome to the guild's training mountain."
I stepped out, feeling the weight of the place settle on me. This was where people became stronger, where they honed their skills to face the dangers of the world.
"Alright," Joon said, pulling his bag out of the car and slinging it over his shoulder. "I know you don't like me babysitting you, but I have to tag along—just in case something happens. You know, aside from the weak-ass monsters spawning around here, there's always the chance a higher-level monster shows up."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Higher-level monsters? Isn't this supposed to be a training ground? What's the point if it's not safe?"
Joon let out a small laugh, his usual cocky grin in place. "Safe? Bro, nothing's really safe anymore. This isn't some kiddie playpen. Monsters breaking out of the dungeon system are unpredictable, even here. That's why guilds always have backup plans—or in this case, me—to keep rookies from getting themselves killed."
"Great," I muttered under my breath, glancing at the towering mountain before us. The mist curling around the peaks made it feel even more ominous.
Joon slapped me on the back, nearly sending me stumbling forward. "Don't worry, Jin. I'll make sure you don't die on your first day. But before anything else. Explain to me what's going on. Why do you suddenly want to train?"
Joon's relaxed posture straightened, his brows furrowing in thought. "Wait… you're telling me you made a full recovery from that? Like, that fast? Are you saying… the Aura Circle activated?"
I blinked at him, confused. "Aura Circle?"
Joon crossed his arms, his expression serious. "The Aura Circle is what makes a ranker… well, a ranker. It's like a core inside your heart, surrounded by chains. Those chains represent the limitations of your power. When a ranker's Aura Circle activates or evolves, it means they've broken some of those chains and unlocked their true potential."
I stared at him, forcing a smile to mask my unease. "Yeah, I almost forgot about that. As you know, I've never even had an Aura Circle. My aura is so weak that no one's ever detected anything—not even a faint trace."
But in my mind, a different thought echoed: No, Joon. I still don't have an Aura Circle. I just have this so-called SYSTEM.
I trust Joon—he's been by my side through thick and thin—but I can't say it to him, not yet. Not until I fully understand what this power of mine is. For now, I had to play along.
Joon crossed his arms, studying me with a serious expression. "If that's the case, then how do you explain your recovery? Or the fact that you're suddenly interested in training? It doesn't add up, Jin."
I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I don't know. Maybe I just got lucky? Maybe whatever accident I had jumpstarted something in me, or it's just my body being stubborn enough not to give up."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Jin, we both know that doesn't happen. People don't just miraculously recover like that—especially people without aura. There's something else going on here, isn't there?"
I avoided his gaze, pretending to adjust the straps on my bag. "I don't know what to tell you, Joon. All I know is I'm alive, I'm recovering, and I want to get stronger. Isn't that enough for now?"
He sighed, relenting. "Fine, I'll drop it—for now. But if something's going on, you'd better tell me, alright? I'm not letting you do something reckless without backup."
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "Yeah, I get it. Thanks, Joon."