Chapter 0: The Weakest Awakener
It was chilly in the streets of Seoul with neon lights fluttering over rainy streets. The metropolis was alive in the glow of giant billboards with the most powerful awakeneres in society—faces symbolizing power and status.
The awakens were the chosen. The better. The most powerful among humankind, with elemental power and supernatural capabilities beyond those of ordinary mortals.
But not all awakers were powerful.
Some were failures.
And among them, placed lowest in the ranks… was Eun Sung.
An F-grade awakener
The lowest of the low.
He pulled his hood over his head as he walked around to the back door of the small run down café where he was working. He should have been done working earlier in the evening, but his manager had kept him behind to tidy while his fellow workers had since left.
It wasn't like he could refuse.
The F-ranks had no future, no options, no rights.
He pushed open the metal door and entered. Inside was darkness, lit only by the faint glow of an unstable hanging lightbulb above the counter. Eun Sung breathed in, getting behind the counter to take his bag, yet before he was leaving, someone spoke to him.
Oi, Eun Sung
The condescending rich tone.
He stiffened.
Three men sat in one of the corner tables, recognizable by their attire as C-rank guildsmen belonging to the guild named the Iron Fang. They frequented this spot—guildsmen who came to visit regularly after coming back from their dungeon crawl, drinking and laughing while ridiculing inferior awakens who waited upon them.
And their favorite target?
Eun Sung.
The tallest among them was this burly man with a scar through his cheek who was now crouched forward with an arrogant expression.
Dong Hwan
The C-grade fighter who derives pleasure in torturing defenseless individuals.
You're leaving in such a hurry? Stay and join us in a drink." Dong Hwan tapped his bottle of soju against the tabletop, his smile widening. "We just spoke about you."
Eun Sung didn't have to ask about what they had been talking about—he was sure he had overheard everything already.
The weakest awakener in Korea.
"A waste of space."
"A cursed child"
He kept his facial expression neutral. "I have an early workday tomorrow."
The smirk left Dong Hwan's face slightly, giving way to annoyance. "What work? You're nothing but a failed awakener who takes rubbish jobs in exchange for pocket money."
The other two men smiled.
"Maybe he's saving up for another awakening test."
Hah! Why go through the trouble? He has below 2% mana—this fellow is finished.
Gritting his teeth, he stayed quiet. Arguing was something he had understood was pointless since he was little. So he turned to leave.
But before he was about to take another step forward, Dong Hwan got up and grabbed his shoulder to prevent him from proceeding.
You know, I was just considering." Dong Hwan added his painful grab to his previous jab around Eun Sung's shoulder. "You should wish that your Sacrifice power hits someone beneficial for once. At least in that manner, you wouldn't be completely wasteful."
Laughter erupted around the table.
Eun Sung's jaw clenched.
Offering(Sacrifice)
His only ability
It was an attribute that transmitted his Dead to someone else.
Whatever number of stab injuries he got, was beaten to pulp, or was burnt alive—he wouldn't die. But someone in his vicinity would die in his place.
But most appalling part
He had no control over who it chose.
It could be someone unfamiliar to him, an enemy… or someone he most desired to protect.
That is because his ability was both something to be jeered at and cursed.
Dong Hwan grabbed his arm firmly. "What is the matter with you? I'm complimenting you. "You can't die properly, is that it? Must be fun to live while others die around you."
Taking in a slow breath, his tone remained unwavering. "Let go."
Dong Hwan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Touched a nerve, have I?"
The brute's other hand was coming towards Eun Sung's face, but before it could reach, an intruding voice was uttered.
"That's enough."
The woman got in between them and forced Dong Hwan aside.
Joon Woo
One of only two in the whole world who continued to stay by his side.
She was in her café uniform with black hair tied in a ponytail, eyes full of anger. As an F-rank like Eun Sung, she wouldn't yield to others who ranked above her.
Dong Hwan clicked his tongue in irritation. "Oh? Defending this loser yet again?"
You're inebriated!" snapped Joon Woo. "Leave him alone and get out before the manager catches you!"
Dong Hwan smiled. "Alright, alright. But keep in mind, Eun Sung," he continued, his head inches in front of his. "You'll always be a failure. And in this type of world."
That done, he turned to leave his goons in his wake.
Eun Sung was subdued, his fists clenched by his hips.
Joon Woo sighed. "You ought to have just ignored them."
I have.
She crossed her arms. "You were in danger of being hit."
Eun Sung shrugged. " Wouldn't be the first time"
Her expression softened slightly. "You're accustomed to this, Eun Sung. You act not to be disturbed by it, yet I can see that this does trouble you."
Eun Sung stayed quiet. For the truth was—she was in the right.
It did bother him.
Each. And. Every
The Harsh Reality of an F-Rank
Before Eun Sung came out to the cold evening air, Joon Woo had made her way home. He walked down black streets with his breathing visible in the freezing air.
His was a run-down one-bedroom rental that barely had room to fit both a workbench and a bed. Cracked walls loomed over him, and his heating system was not working properly.
But most of all
He still owed 700 million won.
The debt his father had accumulated before his dead. His mother died while giving birth to him, leaving him alone in this life. And because of this, people used to call him cursed child—boy born to bring tragedy.
Eun Sung was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands.
These hands that lacked power.
Hands that couldn't protect anyone.
He was an F-rank awakener, lowest rank among mankind. His Sacrifice ability made him nothing better than an expendable pawn. He had no future, no potential, and no expectation that things ever would change.
His fists were clenched.
"What's the point?" he muttered.
Used to dream. Dreamed to become powerful. Dreamed to be someone who protects others, not someone who is protected.
That was just an imaginary childhood dream.
Power was everything in this world.
And he had none.
Eun Sung leaned against the cold wall, his gaze directed upwards towards the ceiling.
Nothing would be altered this quickly.
He would always be the weakest with this pace.
But he was unaware.
He did not realize that destiny was in motion.
Did not suspect that in a short time his life was to be wrecked and reshaped in ways beyond his dreams. And shortly thereafter, he was to receive his ultimate chance to turn his fortune around.
End of Chapter 0