If I failed today, my family wouldn't survive.
That was the only thought echoing in my head as I stood inside the Awakening Hall, staring at the massive crystal sphere floating at the front of the room.
Students filled the hall—laughing, chatting, confident. Most of them came from wealthy hunter families. From the moment they were born, their futures were guaranteed.
I was the exception.
My name is Han Joon. I'm sixteen years old, poor, and the only reason I attend this academy is because the principal owed my father a debt.
A life debt.
I never knew the details. My father never liked talking about it. All I knew was that without it, I wouldn't even be standing here.
And because of that, ever since I enrolled—
School had been hell.
"Next."
The teacher's voice cut through my thoughts.
My body stiffened as I stepped forward. Whispers followed me like shadows.
"That's the debt kid."
"Right, the one who shouldn't even be here."
"What a waste of resources."
I stopped in front of the crystal.
My reflection stared back at me—thin frame, tired eyes, fear I couldn't hide.
Please… just give me something.
I placed my hand on the crystal.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
The crystal flashed with a dull gray light.
Letters appeared in the air.
[Skill Awakened]
D-Rank Skill: Absorption
The glow vanished.
Silence.
Then laughter erupted.
"HAHA—D-rank?!"
"Absorption? That's trash!"
"So that's what a debt slot awakens?"
My ears burned.
But my heart didn't completely sink.
It's bad…
But it's not nothing.
I let out a slow breath.
With this, I could still become a hunter. Even a weak one could make money—scavenging dungeon leftovers, absorbing residual mana, doing the dirty work no one else wanted.
It might be enough.
"Enough."
The teacher slammed her staff against the floor, the sound echoing sharply.
"Settle down. As you all know, after today's skill assessment, you are officially permitted to enter dungeons and begin leveling."
Excited murmurs filled the room.
"We will be conducting a dungeon training expedition tomorrow. Do not worry—A-Rank Hunters will accompany you to ensure no one gets seriously hurt."
Tomorrow.
My fingers curled into fists.
This is my chance.
That evening, the door to my house creaked open.
"I'm home."
Before I could take another step—
"Big brother!"
My little sister ran straight into me, hugging my waist tightly.
"You're late! Mom cooked!"
Warm smells filled the house, wrapping around me like a blanket.
My father sat at the table, sleeves rolled up, his face worn but calm.
I sat down slowly.
He looked at me. "So… your skill?"
My throat tightened.
"…It's a D-rank skill. Absorption."
The room went quiet.
He stared for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Well… okay."
My chest sank—
"But no matter what," he said, smiling faintly, "we're proud of you, son."
My mother placed the dishes down and lightly kicked my father under the table.
"You'll make a great hunter with that skill."
She smiled warmly at me.
"Any skill can shine in the right hands."
That night, lying on my bed and staring at the cracked ceiling, her words echoed in my mind.
Any skill can shine…
Tomorrow, I would enter a dungeon.
Tomorrow, I would learn whether this D-rank skill was truly worthless—
Or if everyone else was wrong.