No one knew when or why the Demon Gates first appeared.
One day, cracks formed in the sky—dark, pulsating rifts that oozed with an eerie red glow. From these gates, creatures beyond human understanding descended upon the world. Towering monstrosities with horns like spears, claws sharper than steel, and eyes that burned with pure malice tore through cities, reducing them to nothing but rubble and corpses.
The world as humans knew it was over.
Governments fell. Nations collapsed. Millions perished in the first Three Months of Terror. The military fought back, but bullets did nothing. Tanks were torn apart like paper. Airstrikes turned cities into wastelands, but the demons kept coming.
Then, something changed.
When all hope seemed lost, the First Awakened appeared—humans who could wield powers beyond normal comprehension. No one knew how or why, but they could fight back. Some controlled fire, others could slice through steel with their bare hands, and some could even heal fatal wounds.
And at the heart of this miracle—Magical Crystals.
These radiant stones were discovered inside the corpses of high-level demons. With time, humans learned that Magical Crystals could be refined, absorbed, and even turned into weapons. They became the source of all power, the key to survival.
Thus began the Era of Demon Hunters.
For years, the Awakened fought back, pushing the demons to the brink of extinction. Thousands of hunters fell in battle, sacrificing themselves to protect humanity. Their names were never forgotten—warriors, heroes, legends.
But just when they thought victory was near, the Demon Gates changed everything.
At first, they were rare—massive structures of swirling black mist that formed in every corner of the streets of Seoul. The first hunters who entered never returned. But soon, they realized the truth.
If the Gates were left alone… the demons inside would spill into the real world.
From that moment, the rules changed. It was no longer about waiting for demons to appear—it was about going inside, hunting them down, and closing the Gates before it was too late.
The first Guilds were formed. The strongest warriors banded together, each claiming different territories to clear Gates and protect humanity. Hunters were no longer just soldiers—they were celebrities.
Especially the S-Class Hunters.
They were the strongest of all. Walking disasters. Living legends. People revered them like gods, and nations fought to recruit them. The world changed overnight.
Everyone wanted to be a hunter.
Fame. Power. Money. Strength. It was all there—if you had the talent.
And then came the greatest discovery of all.
The First Generation of Hunters, the ones who saved humanity, had passed down something to their descendants. Their children, their grandchildren—they awakened a mysterious system-like interface. Even if they weren't naturally gifted, the moment they awakened their system, they were instantly recognized as hunters.
From F-Class to S-Class, their potential was determined at the moment of awakening.
And today… was the day the next generation would awaken.
Seoul's Grand Awakening Hall was packed.
Over 500,000 people had gathered—students, families, reporters, and even elite hunters. The S-Class Hunters, the Generals, the President—everyone had come to witness history.
Because today…
Every single person above the age of 15 would be tested.
Today… the next generation of hunters would be born.
The Grand Awakening Hall was a sea of restless energy.
The massive stadium, built to accommodate over half a million people, was packed with families, students, and government officials. The air buzzed with nervous whispers, hopeful prayers, and the occasional outburst of excitement whenever someone successfully awakened their system.
At the center of the hall stood a massive Obelisk of Awakening—a towering pillar of shimmering crystal, pulsing with golden light. This artifact, said to be crafted from the remains of the first-ever Demon Lord, was the key to unlocking one's potential.
One by one, names were called.
Each person would step forward, place their hand on the Obelisk, and await their fate.
Would they awaken a Hunter System? Or would they remain powerless forever?
"Next—Baek Jin Hwan!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
People knew that name.
The Baek family wasn't just any lineage—they were legends. Their ancestors had been among the very first warriors to stand against the demon invasion. It was said that the blood of great heroes ran through their veins.
Jin Hwan exhaled slowly, stepping forward.
Whispers erupted from the crowd.
"That's the Baek family's eldest son, right?"
"If he's from that bloodline, he'll definitely be at least an A-Class!"
"No way he'll be anything less than an S-Class. That family is built different."
Jin Hwan ignored the noise.
He reached out. His fingers brushed against the cold surface of the Obelisk. The golden glow intensified, swirling around him like a storm.
Then—
Nothing.
The golden light vanished. The hall was silent.
Then came the voice.
[No Awakening Detected.]
A single sentence. A death sentence.
Gasps filled the room. People turned to each other, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Did he just… not awaken anything?"
"But he's a Baek! That doesn't make sense!"
"Even the weakest descendants get at least an F-Rank…"
"Is he defective?"
Jin Hwan stood there, staring at the Obelisk. Not in shock, not in sadness—just acceptance.
It is what it is.
He let out a small breath, stepping back just as the next name was called.
"Baek Yun Hee!"
Jin Hwan turned as his younger sister, Baek Yun Hee, stepped forward.
She was only 15—young, but confident. She didn't hesitate, placing her hand on the Obelisk. Instantly, the entire hall was bathed in blinding light.
[Hunter System Awakened.]
[Class: A-Rank]
The reaction was immediate.
Cheers erupted. The officials clapped. The S-Class Hunters nodded in approval.
"An A-Rank? That's insane!"
"The Baek family's legacy continues!"
"At least someone in the family isn't a disappointment."
Jin Hwan turned to see Yun Hee looking at him, her expression uncertain.
She didn't smile, didn't celebrate. Instead, she looked… conflicted.
Jin Hwan stepped forward and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair.
"Congratulations," he said with a small smile.
Yun Hee blinked. "O-Oppa…"
"An A-Rank, huh? That's impressive." His voice was calm, genuine. "You worked hard for this. You deserve it."
Yun Hee's fingers clenched into fists. "But… but you…"
Jin Hwan shrugged. "It's fine. This is your moment—enjoy it."
The whispers grew louder around them.
"The younger sister awakens as an A-Rank while the older brother is nothing?"
"Damn, that must be humiliating."
"I'd die of shame if I were him."
Jin Hwan ignored all of it.
He wasn't miserable. He wasn't broken.
This was just the reality of his life.
For some, power was granted at birth. For others, it was earned.
And for Jin Hwan… his path had yet to begin.
The streets of Seoul were quiet at night.
Baek Jin Hwan and his younger sister, Baek Yun Hee, walked side by side, their steps echoing under the dim glow of streetlights. The earlier cheers and celebrations had long faded, replaced by an uneasy silence.
Yun Hee kept sneaking glances at her brother. His face was unreadable, his posture relaxed—too relaxed.
"…Oppa," she finally spoke.
"Hm?" Jin Hwan turned slightly toward her.
"Are you really okay?" Her voice was hesitant, unsure. "I mean… back there, with the Awakening… with what everyone said…"
Jin Hwan let out a short breath. "What's there to be upset about?"
"You didn't awaken a system."
"I noticed."
Yun Hee frowned. "Stop joking."
Jin Hwan stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried something deeper—something Yun Hee couldn't quite read.
"Listen," he said, his voice steady. "You awakened an A-Class Hunter System. That's a huge deal."
Yun Hee bit her lip. "But that doesn't mean I'm strong yet…"
"Exactly." Jin Hwan nodded. "The system didn't give you strength. It gave you potential. There's a difference."
Yun Hee looked up at him, confused.
"You know what happens to most A-Class Awakeners?" Jin Hwan continued. "They get arrogant. They think their ranking means they don't have to work for it. Then, when they step into their first real fight, they die."
Yun Hee swallowed.
"That system is showing you what you can become. But if you don't train, if you don't put in the work, then you'll never reach A-Class strength." Jin Hwan met her gaze. "Understand?"
Yun Hee hesitated, then slowly nodded.
"…Yeah. I get it."
Jin Hwan smiled faintly. "Good. That means you're already ahead of half the idiots out there."
For a moment, Yun Hee felt relieved.
Her brother was fine. He really was.
Then—
"Oi, Baek Jin Hwan!"
A voice rang out from the alley ahead of them.
Three figures stepped into the dim light.
They were young—probably a few years older than Jin Hwan. Their jackets were marked with the symbol of a local Hunter Academy, one of the smaller schools for aspiring hunters. Even without a system, they carried an air of arrogance.
Jin Hwan sighed. Here we go.
"You're that failure, right?" one of them sneered. "The Baek family's biggest disappointment."
Jin Hwan didn't respond. He just kept walking.
A hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Hey. We're talking to you."
Yun Hee tensed. "Oppa…"
Jin Hwan slowly turned his head. "What?"
The guy smirked. "Not much of a fighter, huh? Makes sense. No system, no skills, no power."
Another thug laughed. "Man, I can't believe this. The great Baek family produces a loser like you?"
"Maybe he is even adopted, cause there is no way the legendary Baek family can produce a disappointment like you, even your sister awakened an A Class System, how useless can you be."
Yun Hee stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Shut up."
"Ooh, the little sister's got bite," the leader chuckled. "Relax, princess. We're just reminding your big bro of his place."
Jin Hwan sighed. "Are you guys done?"
"No." The thug grinned. "Not yet."
A fist slammed into Jin Hwan's stomach.
He doubled over, coughing. Before he could recover, a kick landed on his side, sending him to the ground.
Yun Hee's eyes widened. "Oppa!"
"Stay out of this," one of the thugs warned her.
Jin Hwan coughed, wiping his mouth. His body ached, but he didn't fight back. What was the point? He had no system. No strength. He was nothing.
Another punch landed on his face. Then another.
The world blurred.
"Weak."
"Pathetic."
"Disgrace to the Baek name."
Jin Hwan gritted his teeth. Yeah. I know.
But then—
BANG!
A burst of wind exploded from behind them.
One of the thugs was thrown off his feet, crashing into a streetlamp. The others turned in shock.
Yun Hee stood there, her fists clenched.
Her system was active.
"Touch my brother again," she said, her voice trembling, "and I'll break your arms."
The thugs hesitated.
Jin Hwan slowly pushed himself up, glancing at Yun Hee.
She's scared.
She was shaking. Her breathing was uneven. But she stood her ground.
The thugs cursed. "Tch. Whatever. Not worth the trouble."
They turned and disappeared into the night.
Yun Hee rushed to Jin Hwan. "Oppa! Are you okay?"
Jin Hwan chuckled, wiping his bloody lip. "I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced.
He patted her head. "You did good."
Yun Hee frowned. "I was scared."
"I know."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with guilt. "You should've fought back."
Jin Hwan didn't answer.
Because deep down…
He knew she was right.
Later That Night
Jin Hwan sat alone in his room.
His face was swollen. His ribs ached. But none of that hurt as much as the truth.
He was useless.
He wasn't strong. He wasn't talented. He wasn't even a proper Baek.
He gripped his bedsheets, his teeth grinding together.
"Fucking useless…" he muttered.
He clenched his fists.
"What the hell am I even doing…?"
His breathing was ragged. His thoughts spiraled.
"I let them beat me."
"I couldn't even protect my sister."
"I'm nothing. A waste of space."
"I—"
[DING!]
Jin Hwan froze.
A soft, mechanical sound echoed in his ears. A faint glow illuminated the room.
Then—
[Qualifications Met.]
[Would you like to activate the Ranking Up System?]
Jin Hwan's breath caught in his throat.
His own system.
His hands trembled.
For the first time in his life—
He had a choice.