### **Chapter 4: The Pressure of Time**
The next day arrived far too quickly for Jae-min's liking. His body ached from the previous night's training, but there was no room for complaints. He had only two days left until the talent awakening ceremony, and he needed to reach the threshold of 20 Star Power if he wanted even a sliver of a chance to awaken.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, staring at the system interface hovering in front of him.
**Name: Jae-min
Star Power: 15
Status: Weak
Next Mission Available: Yes**
The glowing "Yes" pulsed faintly, as if beckoning him to press forward.
**"System,"** he asked, his voice hoarse from exhaustion, **"is there a faster way to gain Star Power?"**
The response was immediate.
**"Faster methods exist, but they come with increased risk. Mission difficulty scales with potential reward. Do you wish to accept an advanced mission?"**
Jae-min hesitated. His body was still sore, and his skills were nowhere near refined. But the image of his classmates, all standing tall at the ceremony, filled his mind. He couldn't let himself remain at the bottom.
"Yes," he said firmly.
The system screen flickered, displaying a new mission:
**Mission: Eliminate the Rogue Shadow Beast.
Reward: +10 Star Power.
Penalty for Failure: None.**
His breath hitched. A *Shadow Beast*? That didn't sound like something suited for a beginner. He frowned. "Why is there no penalty for failure?"
The system's response was unsettling.
**"Failure means death. No further penalties are required."**
A chill ran down his spine. For a moment, he considered declining the mission. But then he thought of the talent ceremony. If he didn't take risks now, he would remain weak forever.
"I accept," he said, his voice steady despite the unease bubbling inside him.
---
The room warped again, and Jae-min found himself standing in a dense, dark forest. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their gnarled branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the light. The air was thick and damp, carrying the faint, metallic tang of blood.
A low growl echoed from the shadows, and Jae-min's heart began to race.
**"The Rogue Shadow Beast is near. Be cautious."**
A sword materialized in his hand once more, but this time, it was different. Its blade shimmered with a faint, pulsing glow, as though it were alive. The system's voice chimed again.
**"Temporary weapon enhancement applied. Utilize it effectively."**
Jae-min tightened his grip, his eyes scanning the darkness. The growl grew louder, more guttural. Leaves rustled, and a pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows.
The creature stepped into the faint light, and Jae-min's stomach churned. The Shadow Beast was massive, its form resembling a wolf with jagged black fur that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Its claws glinted like obsidian, and its fangs dripped with some kind of viscous black liquid.
"You're kidding me," he muttered, sweat dripping down his brow.
The beast crouched low, its eyes locked on him, and then it lunged.
---
Jae-min barely dodged, rolling to the side as the creature's claws slashed through the air where he'd been standing. The ground where its claws struck cracked, a testament to its sheer power.
He scrambled to his feet, raising his sword defensively. The beast growled, circling him like a predator toying with its prey.
"Think, think," he muttered under his breath, his mind racing. He couldn't match the beast in strength or speed. If he wanted to win, he needed to outsmart it.
The beast lunged again, its claws swiping at his chest. Jae-min raised his sword, the blade colliding with the claws in a shower of sparks. The impact sent him stumbling backward, his arms trembling from the force.
"Damn it!" he hissed, his heart pounding. He had to find a weakness—something he could exploit.
As the beast lunged again, he noticed something. Its movements, while fast, were slightly predictable. It always led with its right claw, leaving its left side exposed for a split second.
"That's it," he thought, determination hardening his resolve.
The beast attacked once more, its claws aiming for his throat. This time, instead of retreating, Jae-min stepped forward, ducking under the strike. With a roar, he drove his sword into the beast's exposed side.
The blade sank deep, and the beast howled in pain, its cry shaking the forest.
---
Jae-min didn't let up. He twisted the blade, pulling it free and slashing again. The beast staggered, its movements growing erratic. Black liquid oozed from its wounds, pooling on the ground.
But it wasn't over yet. The beast's eyes burned brighter, and it let out a deafening roar. Shadows gathered around it, coalescing into sharp spikes that shot toward Jae-min.
He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The spikes impaled the ground where he'd been standing, leaving deep craters in their wake.
"Damn it, it's stronger than before," he muttered, panting.
The beast charged, its speed even greater than before. Jae-min barely managed to block its claws, the force sending him skidding across the ground. His arms screamed in protest, his grip on the sword faltering.
For a moment, despair threatened to consume him. But then the system's voice rang out.
**"Final guidance: Exploit the heart. The Shadow Beast's core resides within its chest. Strike true."**
Jae-min's gaze locked onto the faint glow emanating from the beast's chest. He clenched his jaw, his resolve solidifying.
"This is my only chance," he thought.
As the beast lunged again, Jae-min dodged to the side, using the momentum to position himself near its chest. With every ounce of strength he had left, he drove his sword forward, aiming for the glowing core.
The blade pierced through the beast's chest, and the creature let out a final, ear-splitting howl. Its body convulsed, the shadows around it dissipating as the glow in its chest faded.
With one last shudder, the beast collapsed, its form dissolving into particles of light.
---
Jae-min dropped to his knees, his chest heaving. His sword vanished from his grip, and the system's voice echoed in the now-silent forest.
**"Mission complete. Reward: +10 Star Power."**
His status screen appeared before him.
**Name: Jae-min
Star Power: 25
Status: Weak**
He let out a shaky laugh, his body trembling from both exhaustion and relief. He had done it—he had surpassed the minimum threshold for talent awakening.
As the forest faded and his apartment reappeared, Jae-min collapsed onto the floor. His vision blurred, and darkness crept in at the edges.
But before he lost consciousness, a single thought filled his mind:
"I'm not weak anymore."
**To be continued...**