The Association testing hall was louder than Min-jun expected.
Metal detectors hummed. Holographic screens flickered. Newly awakened players stood in uneven lines, some trying to look calm, others failing badly.
"Next! Kang Min-jun!"
Min-jun flinched slightly, then stepped forward.
He could feel it.
Eyes.
Not hostile. Not curious either.
Dismissive.
"Necromancer, right?" the staff member asked without looking up, fingers flying across the console.
"Yes."
The man finally glanced at him. Just for a second. Then his expression flattened.
"…Common class."
That single sentence felt heavier than an insult.
"Place your hand on the crystal."
Min-jun obeyed.
The crystal glowed faint blue, then stabilized.
A public screen lit up.
Name: Kang Min-jun
Class: Necromancer (Common)
Level: 11
A few quiet chuckles spread through the hall.
"Level eleven already?" someone muttered. "Must've been carried."
"Common necromancer though. Useless."
"Skeleton cleaners, that's all they're good for."
Min-jun's jaw tightened.
*Don't react. Not yet.*
The staff member sighed. "Any combat record?"
"Yes," Min-jun said. "Solo dungeon. Rank F."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Solo?"
"Yes."
That got a little attention.
The console beeped again.
"Stats?" the staff member asked lazily.
Min-jun hesitated for half a breath.
"May I… keep them private?"
A pause.
"…Huh."
The man shrugged. "As you like. But don't expect party invites."
Min-jun stepped away.
Behind him—
"Min-jun."
The voice was sweet. Too sweet.
He froze.
He knew that voice.
He turned slowly.
Lee Hye-rin stood there, dressed in a clean combat jacket, Association badge gleaming on her chest. Her hair was tied neatly, her smile practiced.
Beside her stood a tall guy with broad shoulders and confident eyes.
Name hovering faintly above his head.
Park Tae-ho
Class: Sword Emperor (Epic)
Level: 14
Epic.
Of course.
"Oh," Hye-rin said, covering her mouth lightly. "I heard you awakened too."
Min-jun nodded. "Yeah."
Her eyes flicked to the screen behind him.
Necromancer (Common).
Something shifted in her smile. Just a little.
"…I see."
Tae-ho laughed openly. "Necromancer? Man, that's rough."
Min-jun didn't answer.
Hye-rin stepped closer. "I thought… you said you'd awaken something strong."
Her words were soft.
Her tone wasn't.
Min-jun met her eyes. "So did you."
The silence stretched.
Then she sighed. "Min-jun, be realistic. We live in a different world now."
She took Tae-ho's arm.
"I can't afford to bet my future on a common class."
There it was.
Clean. Efficient.
Like cutting a thread.
"I understand," Min-jun said quietly.
That seemed to catch her off guard.
"…You do?"
He nodded. "You always wanted security."
Tae-ho smirked. "Smart guy."
They walked past him.
Hye-rin didn't look back.
Min-jun stood still for several seconds after they were gone.
Then—
"Hyung!"
Ji-ho came running, eyes bright. "I saw it! Your name was on the screen!"
Min-jun forced a smile. "Yeah."
Ji-ho frowned. "What's wrong?"
"…Nothing."
But the system didn't lie.
[Emotional State Detected: Instability]
[Hidden Condition Progress Updated]
[Resolve Increased]
That night, Min-jun entered the dungeon again.
Not for revenge.
Not for pride.
For clarity.
Inside the dark corridor, bones scattered across the floor.
He raised his hand.
"Come."
Mana flowed.
Slow. Careful.
A skeleton rose—basic, fragile, imperfect.
It wobbled.
Min-jun laughed softly.
"…You're ugly."
The skeleton tilted its head.
And for the first time—
Min-jun felt something close to companionship.
[Basic Skeleton Successfully Raised]
[Hierarchy Stability Improved]
[Commander Path: 14%]
"Let's grow," he whispered.
Together.