Two years after the mana injection procedure, or rather, an awakening that he hadn’t expected for 13 years since the gate opened and his parents passed away.
Jeonghyun, facing the notification window and attributes guidance indicating his awakening, didn’t show the typical reactions of joyous shouts or tears of ecstasy.
Instead, there was a sense of emptiness and bewilderment on his face.
“Alright, alright…”
Only short, said words expressing his difficulty in fully accepting the reality given so far came out from his slightly parted lips.
The persistent stench of the monster corpses, the rough texture of the worn-out quilt in his hands, and the ticking sound of the clock echoed in his ears.
All of Jeonghyun’s senses were telling him that this was reality.
Except for the sight of the system that appeared unrealistically as if it was augmented reality.
Jeonghyun had awakened.
Memories of the past flashed through his mind.
His once happy life that collapsed miserably due to the gates appearing, the childhood spent moving between various orphanages and schools.
The time when, with meager government support, he couldn’t even dream of going to college and only blindly searched for a job.
The days when, despite the nauseating smell that never seemed to fade, he still used knives and hammers in the slaughterhouse.
The time when he received the mana injection procedure, with the money scraped together and borrowed, filled with anticipation.
The recent two years that had been a hell of waiting.
It was true that awakening was the reward, but for Jeonghyun, being happy about that reward was too strenuous considering the hardships he had endured.
“Ahaha, ahahahaha…”
Once he got accustomed to the situation, laughter escaped from Jeonghyun’s lips.
It wasn’t the laughter of ecstatic joy, rather, it was laughter mixed with tears.
Jeonghyun collapsed, burying his face in the pillow, laughing and crying at the same time.
“Finally, finally, I succeeded… Mom, Dad…”
One year after the mana injection procedure, the possibility of awakening was slim.
Jeonghyun had become a living example of that slim chance.
And that happened just before his spirit was about to break.
It took a bit more time for Jeonghyun to rise again.
“Let’s check my attributes.”
Jeonghyun looked at the status window in the air.
If awakening was the essential gateway to becoming a hunter, the attributes obtained simultaneously with awakening were like a crossroads determining the path one should take.
There were two criteria for evaluating a hunter’s attributes: the rank ranging from F to S, dividing the attributes into seven levels based on quality and potential, and the level starting from 1, indicating the proficiency of the attribute and realistic combat power.
If one remained in a lower rank, not only did the absolute level of the attribute decrease, but the upper limit of the level, which could be considered the limit of growth, also decreased.
The known upper limit of the level so far was 7, but not everyone could reach that level.
Only S-rank could reach level 7.
A-rank to B-rank were 6.
C, D, E-rank were 5.
Finally, F-rank was 4.
Even at the same level, the effort required to level up varied greatly for each rank.
The effort required for an F-rank hunter to reach level 4, even after going in and out of the gates for ten years, was incomparable to that of an S-rank who reached level 4 in just a short time.
While most gates restricted entry based on level, there was no choice for lower-grade hunters.
Even if their level matched, with lower rank, it became difficult to join parties.
As the level increased, the proportion of higher-rank individuals also increased, so why bother including lower-rank hunters?
Ultimately, even as the level increased, the fate of lower-rank hunters remained miserable.
On the other hand, life reversed for those from B-rank and above.
Being scouted by famous guilds daily, not to mention the various ways to make a considerable profit even without belonging to a guild.
Although there were rare cases of hunters receiving attributes of a higher rank than usual, Jeonghyun knew it was impossible to count on such faint probabilities.
And when Jeonghyun read the name of the attribute given to him in the status window.
“Huh?”
Jeonghyun could only raise his head in confusion.
[Your ability is “Attribute Shop” (EX, Lv.1).]
Even Jeonghyun, who had thoroughly researched it in preparation for becoming a hunter, had never heard of such an attribute, let alone its rank.
* * *
If one has the ability, there are many ways to make money in this world.
This is especially true for hunters who became heroes overnight after the appearance of the gates.
“Well, when you first awakened? It must have been surprising, like it came out of nowhere.”
On the video streaming site ‘MyTV,’ there were millions of hunter-related videos uploaded daily.
Gossip and rumors about famous hunters, interviews, attribute demonstration videos, and even entertainment content featuring them as protagonists.
Jeonghyun was someone who diligently searched for videos about hunters more than anyone else.
In the videos, the hunters gathered and spoke.
“Attributes is like their other selves to a hunter. You can’t get another one, and you can’t change it just because you don’t like it.”
Of course, there were very rare cases of reawakening, but that’s another case.
That was the common belief.
It was common sense.
As certain as the fact that attributes are classified from S to F.
However, the attributes currently in front of Jeonghyun effortlessly shattered those two common beliefs.
“Attribute Shop? What’s this… EX rank? What’s that?”
Jeonghyun hastily closed the initial system window and opened the status window.
To properly see the attribute descriptions, he needed to open the status window.
[Jeonghyun
Attribute
-Attribute Shop (EX, Lv.1)]
A semi-transparent status window.
In reality, after awakening, the only way to increase strength was through practical experience and rigorous training, so the status window was only useful for checking characteristic effects.
“There’s nothing to see except when leveling up.”
Some hunter on MyTV once mentioned that, apart from the satisfaction of seeing the numbers rise when leveling up, there was no new information to gain.
“Check ‘Attribute Shop’ information.”
At Jeonghyun’s words, explanations about his attribute came flooding down.
Looking at the explanation, it wasn’t too complicated, but the text that came to mind wasn’t short.
[“Attribute Shop” (EX, Lv.1)
-You can use the shop to purchase attribute and related privileges with coins.
-Coins are randomly obtained when hunting monsters, with the probability increasing based on the monster’s grade.
-The probability of obtaining coins from the same type of monster decreases as you hunt more.
-The shop will provide 5 attributes, and you can spend coins to refresh it if you wish.
-The proficiency level of the “Attribute Shop” can be raised cumulatively through refreshing and purchasing, including total consumption.
-Collecting three of the same attribute can increase the rank.
-Depending on the equipped attribute combination, certain effects can be triggered.]
As Jeonghyun read through the explanation, he couldn’t help but curse with each line.
“Damn… Is this really not a dream?”
He should have recognized it from the moment he came across the unheard-of EX rank.
And what’s more?
Not only he can buy attributes, but also able to increase the rank of that attribute if he collect the same ones?
Even though the world had changed like a game, this seemed beyond the realm of a game.
It felt less real now after awakening than before.
Jeonghyun raised his right hand and smacked his right cheek with a satisfying slap.
“Damn… It hurts, so it’s not a dream…”
After the tingling shock passed through his cheek, Jeonghyun admitted the reality.
“Life reversal, damn!”
The fact that his life had changed drastically.
Jeonghyun couldn’t contain his excitement and shouted immediately.
“Attribute Shop!”
Although there was no need to call it to use attributes, now was not the time to hide that.
Even Jeonghyun, with his usually calm demeanor, couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the intensity of his attributes.
“Ah, be quiet at this late hour! You should play games quietly!”
A displeased voice came from the next room.
Due to the poor soundproofing of the shabby one-room structure, late-night noises were not welcome.
Maybe if the neighbor knew Jeonghyun had awakened, they would understand, but it was still an unimaginable thing.
Suddenly awakening in such a rundown alleyway.
Jeonghyun didn’t bother to respond, but the neighbor must have been somewhat dissatisfied.
While examining the Attribute Shop in front of him, Jeonghyun remained speechless with his mouth wide open.
[Attribute Shop (EX, Lv.1)
Coins needed to the next level: 10
Equipable attributes: 3
Saveable attributes: 8
Attribute rank probability: F 70%, E 25%, D 3%, C 1.5%, B 0.5%, A 0%, S 0%]
Although he grasped it somewhat while reading the explanation, seeing it directly was different.
There was a lot of information to take in—more than he had thought.
“Let’s see, equipable attributes, savable attributes… these must be usable and purchasable, right?”
Jeonghyun’s eyebrows furrowed briefly as he transitioned to the probability.
It was obvious, but it was obvious that the probability of higher-rank attributes was almost non-existent.
Even C rank was only 1.5%.
“Ah, Jeonghyun, you’re being greedy. What if the probability is low?”
It’s just a guess, but as the attribute level increases, the probability will naturally shift towards the positive side.
When Jeonghyun’s gaze reached the end, the system asked.
[Would you like to check the current list of purchasable attributes?]
And as Jeonghyun nodded, a list unfolded.
[Shop List (Refresh Cost: 2 coins)
“Meager Combat Sense” (F, Lv1), 1 C
“Reasonable Agile Body Movement” (F, Lv1), 1 C
“Worthy Sword Skills” (F, Lv.1), 1 C
“Worthy Fist Skills” (F, Lv1), 1 C
“Meager Mana Sensitivity” (F, Lv.1), 1 C
Current Coin Balance: 2]
With coins, he could buy any of the five attributes at any time.
Although they were all still F-grade, it was enough for him now.
Even those F-grade attributes, which he couldn’t obtain before, proved that Jeonghyun’s attributes were now worth refining, even by current standards.
“Let’s see, there are a lot of meager and worthy series for now.”
Looking at these F-rank attributes from their names, they weren’t that great.
With descriptions attached as if describing their only worth.
Among them, the most common ones are the ‘meager,’ ‘worthy,’ and ‘reasonable’ currently listed in the store.
‘And now I have two coins…’
Jeonghyun glanced down at the bottom of the shop window with a fleeting thought.
Perhaps the ‘1C’ written at the end of the attribute meant 1 coin.
With the 2 coins Jeonghyun had, he could purchase two attributes.
Alternatively, he could aim for a higher grade through an update, but that would risk turning the attribute into complete blanks.
‘Coins are like monster random drops…’
Jeonghyun carefully considered the choices given to him.
Though there were not many, he had to decide whether to save them or spend them all.
However, eventually, Jeonghyun made up his mind.
‘If it’s about probability, gaining as much as you hunt is the way to go.’
He decided to use both coins for attribute purchases.
Saving 1 coin would essentially make him no different from an ordinary F-rank hunter, and if he were to spend all the coins, it seemed better to increase hunting efficiency.
And there was a hidden belief within him as well.
“For now, skip Mana Sensitivity.”
Mana Sensitivity was an effective attribute under the Magic Attribute.
It allowed for simple and versatile magic and detection within gates.
However, the effects were limited with F-rank sensitivity.
Since all other attribute were physical, the combination wasn’t ideal.
Jeonghyun quickly moved his hand twice.
[You have purchased “Meager Combat Sense” (F, Lv1).]
[You have purchased “Reasonable Agile Movement” (F, Lv.1).]
[Since there is an available attribute slot, they will be automatically placed.]
Although Meager Combat Sense and Reasonable Agile Movement were mediocre even among F-rank attribute, they were relatively good.
Survival was the top priority for low-ranking hunters, and agility-related attributes were specifically for that.
‘These two attributes seem to go well together.’
Confirming Jeonghyun’s expectations as if to verify them, a few lines were added to the system.
[Due to the attributes synergy, “The best defense is evasion” (F) is acquired.
“Meager Combat Sense” predicts the enemy’s attack path more clearly.
“Reasonable Agile Movement” reflex speed increases.]
“Here it comes!”
Additional effects based on the combination were provided in the attribute explanation window.
Although, he gambled on whether they would be able to combine or not, right now it didn’t let down his expectation.
Of course, given the rank, the effects wouldn’t be extraordinary, but still.
“Indeed, this attribute, something… something is there!”
Certainly, the sensation of the entire body before applying the attribute was incomparable.
Just by clenching and unclenching his fist, he could feel how each of his muscle contracted and relaxed.
However…
“Ugh, how can this stench get worse?”
The stench of the monster emanating from somewhere in his body became even stronger.
And with the system message on the status window, the pain of physical enhancement, the notorious adaptation pain that made every hunter shudder and groan, began.
“Uwaaah!”
It felt like every bone in his body was dislocating.
The muscles around him felt like they were tearing apart.
But even as he writhed on the bed in the onslaught of pain, Jeonghyun laughed like a madman.
“Euhahaha!”
Each vivid pain proved one thing.
Now, Jeonghyun was truly a hunter!
Of course,
“Ah, hey, could you please be quiet!”
The peaceful late-night of his neighbor next door was being ruthlessly disturbed.
Oh I like that laugh at the end