Hyunwoo felt his body ache, his muscles tense after spending hours inside the Void. Though this was the first time he had successfully defeated a monster, a mixture of pride and doubt swirled within him. The goblin now lay lifeless at his feet, its body marred with wounds from his sword. For the first time in his life, he truly felt the weight of having power. Yet, fear continued to gnaw at him.
He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, staring at the blood still dripping from its tip. A stark reminder of reality—this was the only way he could survive, the only way he could protect his younger siblings. But as time passed, he became more aware of how fragile his position in this world truly was. He was still an F-rank Hunter—the lowest of the low.
"Hyunwoo, are you alright?" Sangho's voice pulled him from his thoughts. Turning around, Hyunwoo saw the D-rank Hunter scanning the area, ensuring the battle was truly over. Concern flickered in Sangho's eyes, though he masked it behind a small, casual smile.
"I-I'm fine," Hyunwoo replied, forcing himself to sound composed, even though his emotions told a different story. He didn't want to appear too exhausted or shaken. "Just… a little tired."
Sangho chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of condescension. "Of course you're tired. It's normal to feel like this after fighting your first monster. Everyone gets anxious at first, but trust me, that feeling fades with time."
Yet, there was something else beneath Sangho's words—a subtle judgment about Hyunwoo's rank. To most Hunters, an F-rank was nothing more than a burden. Sangho hadn't meant his words to be cruel, but Hyunwoo still felt the weight of them.
"Not much to learn from a low-level goblin, huh?" another Hunter, an E-rank, remarked casually. He was a young man with an air of indifference, his arms crossed as he eyed the fallen creature. "A few swings, and even an F-rank can take one down."
A sharp pang of humiliation hit Hyunwoo's chest. "I-I…" He swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. "I didn't underestimate it."
"Of course," Sangho said, suppressing a chuckle. "You defeated it, after all. That's a good start. But remember, you're still far from the level needed to survive in higher-tier Voids."
Hyunwoo felt heat rising to his face. He could sense it—the way the other Hunters barely took him seriously. Even if they offered him small words of encouragement, their expectations of him were nonexistent.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Hyunwoo," Sangho continued. "Everyone starts from the bottom. With time, you'll learn. I'm sure you'll adapt."
But deep inside, Hyunwoo knew this wasn't just a matter of time. It was about survival in a ruthless world where strength dictated one's worth. As an F-rank, he was nothing. To them, he was only here because there was no other choice.
Once they finished gathering what little loot they could find, the team prepared to return. Hyunwoo trailed behind, feeling the weight of their silent gazes. Even though they acknowledged his small victory, it wasn't enough to erase the crushing sense of insignificance.
Upon arriving at the inn, he was greeted by Seyeon and Minjoon. They both understood how important this moment was for him, yet Hyunwoo couldn't shake his disappointment. Not because they didn't support him, but because he knew they, too, were beginning to worry about his capabilities.
Seyeon, ever the optimist, tried to brighten the mood with a cheerful smile. "Oppa, you're back earlier than I expected! That means you did well, right?"
"Ah… yeah, I'm fine," Hyunwoo said, though he knew his siblings could see through his facade. Minjoon, the youngest, always tried to be encouraging, but even he was starting to show concern.
That night, as Hyunwoo lay in bed, his thoughts refused to quiet. He had survived his first battle, but the fear of what lay ahead still lingered. He was only an F-rank—too weak to face the true threats of this world. And while he knew he had to train harder, he couldn't ignore the reality that everyone around him saw him as little more than a child fumbling in the dark.
But there was one thing he was certain of—he wouldn't give up. For his siblings, for their future, he would fight with everything he had. No matter how difficult the path ahead, nothing would shake his resolve.