Seoul - Midnight
Min-ho Kim trudged through a cold, empty alleyway, his eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. Worn-out sneakers scuffed along the concrete. He stared at his phone's faint glow.
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[Congratulations! You have been chosen as the Last Player]
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His brows furrowed. Was it a prank app? Or a spam notification? He tapped the screen trying to dismiss it.
But the message wouldn't disappear.
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[System Notification]
[Warning: Hostile Entity Detected. First Trial Begins in 3...2...1...]
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"What the–"
Suddenly, the alley twisted. Blue light fractured the world like broken glass. The next second, Min-ho stood in the same place, but everything felt... off. The air pressed down on him. It was heavy with unnatural stillness.
Emerging from shadows ahead was a creature not belonging. Its gaunt frame stretched unnaturally tall. Crimson eyes glowed beneath a veil of darkness.
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[System Notification]
[First Trial: Defeat the Shadow Scout. Reward: Basic Combat Skills Package]
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"No, no, I didn't sign up for this!" (His voice was shaky).
There was surprise that Hit Min-ho.
*hissssss*
The Shadow Scout suddenly appeared, causing jagged claws to gleam under flickering alley lights.
And the Shadow Scout lunged at Min-ho.
"Wait!"
"I DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY POWERS!"
He instinctively threw his arms up–
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[System Notification]
[Emergency Protocol Activated. Basic Defense Skill Unlocked: Energy Barrier]
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A shimmering shield formed in front of him. It barely deflected the Scout's attack. Force rattled his bones. The shield cracked under pressure.
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HP: 73/100
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Min-ho's heart pounded in his chest.
"Is this real...?" His fingers trembled against the glowing barrier.
"I can feel it… this energy… flowing through me."
The energy was there, and it flowed through him. But the Shadow Scout wasn't done.
It circled Min-ho like prey. Eyes glowed brighter as the barrier began to shatter.
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[System Notification]
[Player Status]
HP: 48/100
Energy: 17/50
Available Skills: Energy Barrier (Novice)
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"Min-ho's eyes darted around. Come on! Think!."
"Games like these always have weak spots."
Gaze locked onto red crystal in creature's chest.
"That's its."
"Not good," Min-ho muttered.
The Shadow Scout had moved slowly towards him.
It was almost upon him. He tightened his grip around a rusted metal pipe he found near his feet. Inhaled a sharp breath.
"If I can't win with magic… I'll win the old-fashioned way."
Shadow Scout lunged. At the last moment, Min-ho dropped his barrier and rolled to the side. The Shadow Scout's claws swiped through the air thin.
"Now!"
"HAAAAAH!"
Minho swung with maximum power. A single blow shattered the red crystal.
"Haa, haa, haa..." (His chest become heavy, sweat dripping from his brow as the Shadow Scout collapsed.)
The Shadow Scout screeched, dissolved into dark mist, and silence returned to the alley.
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[System Notification]
[Trial Complete Rewards Obtained:
-Basic Combat Package
- Level 1 Achieve
- New Skill: Energy Manipulation (Basic)
- Status Window Unlocked]
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Min-ho dropped the pipe. He collapsed against the alley wall. Ragged breaths escaped his mouth.
"Haaaaa... it's finally over, it's my first time. To think that I actually killed a monster in real life not in game."
"I think that monsters name Shadow Scout was probably just a weakest amongst another monsters creatures."
Eyes glued to the glowing system screen hovering in front of him, it was a breath of fresh air for him. But for his senses it was confusing.
"What… what have I gotten myself into?"
Above, perched on the rooftop, a figure watched silently. Their gaze lingered on Min-ho.
The figure was unreadable and had a purpose.
He's the one.
[System Notification]
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[Warning: Multiple Hostile Entities Detected in Seoul time until emergence: 23:59:59]
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Min-ho's eyes narrowed.
Countdown started.
This is just the beginning, isn't it?
[Min-ho's Small Apartment]
The soft hum of traffic outside barely registered as Min-ho sat cross-legged on his worn floor mat. His phone lay discarded on the table, the faint glow of the system screen hovering in front of him.
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[System Notification]
[Player Status]
-Level: 1
-HP: 100/100 (Recovered)
- Energy: 50/50
-Skills: Energy Barrier (Novice)
- Energy Manipulation (Basic)
- Available Skill Points: 3
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Min-ho's eyes flicked over the information, lips pressed into a thin line.
Alright… I survived the first trial. Now what?
His thoughts raced. Manhwa protagonists always hit the books—or screens—right after unlocking their powers. Basics first.
He stretched out his hand, fingers trembling slightly as he focused.
"Concentrate… concentrate…"
Seconds passed. Nothing happened.
"WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING?!"
The system, cold and indifferent, responded almost instantly.
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[System Notification]
[Tip: Energy Manipulation requires proper mental visualization and emotional control]
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Min-ho blinked. "Emotional control? I'm calm!"
The moment the words left his mouth, his half-empty coffee mug rattled dangerously. With a sharp crack, it shattered across the table.
"…Okay, maybe not."
Minutes Later...*
Min-ho sat still, legs folded under him. His eyes shut tight as he took slow, measured breaths.
Visualize it… like water flowing through my veins.
He exhaled softly, picturing thin streams of blue light circling his arm. His fingertips began to glow faintly, crackling like static electricity.
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[System Notification]
[Energy Control: 2% efficiency]
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His eyes shot open.
"Two percent?! That's worse than my last physics exam!"
The blue light flickered and died instantly.
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[System Notification]
[Tip: Frustration detected. Emotional stability decreased. Energy Control dropped to 0%]
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Groaning, Min-ho dragged his hands down his face.
"How am I supposed to fight monsters if I can't even keep a little energy under control?"
As if mocking his plight, his phone buzzed on the table.
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[University Announcement: Classes Canceled]
Due to unexpected phenomena across Seoul, all classes are suspended until further notice.
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Min-ho's brows furrowed. Unexplained phenomena…?
He dropped the phone and reopened his status window. His gaze hovered over the skill descriptions.
"Games always have skill combos… Maybe…"
Stretching his arm forward, he summoned the Energy Barrier. A familiar blue shield materialized in front of him, shimmering faintly.
"Now…" He extended his other hand, drawing energy from his chest. This time, he didn't aim to create something new. Instead, he poured the crackling energy into the barrier.
The surface of the shield rippled, spikes protruding along its surface like jagged teeth.
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[System Notification]
[Skill Evolution Discovered!
New Skill Formed: Reactive Barrier (Novice)
- Barrier can now return 10% of damage received.]
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Min-ho's eyes widened. "Oh… I like this."