The bustling city of Arden was alive with the sounds of clashing swords, crackling magic, and the laughter of young warriors boasting about their recent victories. Among them walked Jae-Hyun, a 17-year-old outcast with no talent for magic or combat. Unlike his peers, who trained to become knights, mages, or mercenaries, he was weak—laughed at, ignored, and destined for failure.
As he passed the training grounds, Jae-Hyun watched in silence as students practiced, their swords swift, their magic powerful. His heart ached with frustration and envy, but he clenched his fists and kept moving.
"Hey, look who it is," a voice sneered. Doran, a student from the warrior academy, smirked as he stepped forward. "Still pretending you'll ever be more than a punching bag, Jae-Hyun?"
The surrounding students laughed. Jae-Hyun said nothing. He had heard these words a thousand times before.
A deafening roar shattered the laughter.
The ground trembled as a massive Chimera—a towering beast with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a venomous serpent—emerged from the nearby forest, its red eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Panic erupted. Warriors scrambled to fight, but the Chimera was too strong. Swords barely scratched its hide, and magic attacks only made it angrier. With a single swipe of its claws, it sent seasoned fighters flying like ragdolls.
Jae-Hyun's breath hitched. Fear paralyzed him.
Then, he saw them—a group of children trapped beneath fallen debris, crying as the Chimera loomed closer. The stronger warriors were too busy fighting to notice.
Something inside Jae-Hyun snapped.
Ignoring his terror, he sprinted toward the children. His legs felt heavy, his lungs burned, but he pushed forward. With sheer desperation, he pulled at the debris, barely managing to move it before a massive shadow loomed over him.
The Chimera's claws descended toward him—
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Activate: Trial of the Ascendant."
A blinding light enveloped him. His body tingled as a strange crystal materialized in his hand, pulsating with ancient energy. A screen appeared before his eyes.
[ Trial of the Ascendant: Activated ][ Objective: Defeat the Chimera ][ Rewards: Stat Increase, Skill Unlock, System Integration ]
Jae-Hyun barely had time to process it before a basic sword materialized in his grip. The Chimera lunged.
[ Weak Point Detected ]
Jae-Hyun's body moved on its own, his sword slicing into a soft spot beneath the beast's neck. The Chimera roared in pain. His arms shook from the impact, but for the first time in his life—he had landed a real hit.