Previously in The Toymaker's Awakening…
Damien Clay was just an ordinary gamer—until a freak accident ended his life. But death wasn't the end. Instead, he awakened in a mysterious white void, where he unknowingly inherited the legacy of a Toymancer—a power capable of bringing toys to life. Before he could make sense of it all, he was thrown into an unfamiliar world… a world he recognized from an anime he once watched.
Now, stranded in the dangerous universe of Solo Leveling, Damien faces an unexpected revelation—Sung Jin-Woo, the future Shadow Monarch, just called him little brother!
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"Sun Jin-Woo," Damien called out, his voice uncertain yet familiar. As the name left his lips, a sudden rush of memories surged through his mind—memories that had been locked away, sealed by the Legacy of the Toymancer. Now, with the legacy fully assimilated into his body, the barriers were lifted, and everything became clear.
He hadn't just been transported into this world—he had reincarnated here. This was his new life. And the person standing in front of him wasn't just some protagonist from an anime he once watched. Jin-Woo was his brother.
As the flood of memories settled, Damien recalled his past in this world. He had been adopted by Jin-Woo's father shortly before the man disappeared—trapped in a dungeon from which he would one day return. In his absence, Jin-Woo had shouldered the responsibilities of their family, caring for their mother and younger sister, Jin-Ah.
Damien had tried confronting Jin-Woo once, telling him that he didn't have to carry the burden alone. But Jin-Woo had simply smiled and said, "I'm the eldest. It's my responsibility." Since their mother's health had deteriorated, Jin-Woo had taken it upon himself to protect and provide for them, never once letting Damien or Jin-Ah bear the weight of his struggles.
And today… today was the day he and Jin-Woo would awaken as hunters.
Damien and Jin-Woo walked toward the tallest building in the area, the headquarters of the Korean Hunters Association. The massive structure stood at the center of the city, its glass facade reflecting the bright morning sun. Above the grand entrance, a gleaming emblem of the Hunters Association marked it as the place where ordinary people had the chance to step into the world of the extraordinary.
As they approached, the streets grew busier, filled with hopefuls eager for their awakening. The crowd was diverse—some looked nervous, others overflowed with excitement, dreaming of becoming powerful hunters and stepping into a life of wealth, strength, and prestige like the top-ranked awakeners.
Fully equipped hunters passed by, their imposing armor and weapons hinting at their experience. Some walked with confidence, others radiated raw power, leaving the crowd in silent admiration.
After weaving through the sea of people, Damien and Jin-Woo reached the registration desk, where an officer in a sharp uniform was in charge of guiding new awakeners.
"Names?" the officer asked in a formal tone.
"Sung Jin-Woo."
"Damien Clay."
The officer checked their information and handed them two numbered slips before motioning toward a hallway.
"Follow the signs and head to the testing area. The process will begin shortly."
They nodded and proceeded inside, following the same steps as in the original manhwa when Jin-Woo went for his re-awakening:
1️⃣ Registration Confirmation: They had their identities verified and were given tracking bands for monitoring their vitals.
2️⃣ Physical Tests: A brief but thorough fitness evaluation, measuring speed, endurance, and strength.
3️⃣ Mana Resonance Scan: The most critical part. The two stood inside large cylindrical pods, similar to MRI machines, designed to measure latent mana affinity.
As Damien stepped inside his pod, he took a deep breath. This was it. The moment that would decide his future.
The room was silent, save for the hum of the scanning device. Damien stood still, watching as his stats and rank were being evaluated. Sun Jin-Woo stood beside him, his hands in his pockets, looking just as nervous—if not more—than Damien himself.
The machine beeped, and the results flashed on the screen.
Name: Damien Clay
Rank: C
Ability: Toy Manipulation (Summoning Subclass)
Damien frowned. He had expected something low, but C-rank? It felt... off. He could sense the power within him, but the system had barely scratched the surface.
Sun Jin-Woo's result came next. As expected—Rank E.
Jin-Woo stared at the screen, his expression unreadable. He had already expected it, but seeing it displayed so coldly still stung.
"Well, that's that," Jin-Woo forced a smile, nudging Damien's shoulder. "Looks like you're the stronger one between us, huh?"
Damien sighed. "It's just a letter, Jin-Woo. It doesn't define what we can or can't do."
Jin-Woo chuckled, but there was something heavy in his eyes. "Yeah… easy for you to say. You're at least a C-rank, you'll get work. Meanwhile, I'll be stuck doing low-tier dungeon runs, barely making enough to survive."
Damien turned to him, his voice firm. "It doesn't matter what the world says. It doesn't matter what rank they give us. You're my brother, and I know you. You never give up, Jin-Woo. That's what really matters."
Jin-Woo blinked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. Then, a grin broke across his face. "Since when did you become the older brother?"
Damien smirked. "Maybe I've always been wiser, just waiting for the right moment."
Jin-Woo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let's get out of here before people start thinking we're weird."
The Road Home
The walk home was quieter than usual. The evening sky was painted in hues of orange and purple, the city streets buzzing with life.
They stopped by a small convenience store, grabbing some groceries before making their way back to their small apartment.
As they reached the doorstep, Damien hesitated. He turned to Jin-Woo.
"Do you think… Mom's awake?"
Jin-Woo sighed. "Doubt it. Her condition hasn't changed in years."
They stepped inside. The air was still, the familiar scent of home surrounding them.
In the small bedroom, their mother lay on the bed, asleep. Her breathing was slow but steady. Machines beeped softly beside her, keeping track of her vitals.
A small voice called out from the living room.
"Oppa! You're back!"
A young girl, Jin-Ah, ran toward them. She was barely in middle school, her big eyes filled with excitement.
"Did you guys pass? Are you super strong now?" she asked, her gaze bouncing between them.
Jin-Woo ruffled her hair, forcing a grin. "Of course! Your big brothers are going to be amazing hunters!"
Damien watched the exchange, feeling a strange warmth in his chest.
Their family was small, their struggles many, but at the end of the day—they had each other. And that was enough.