A pale-looking man sat on a rusted bench, eyes hollow and rimmed with bruises from sleepless nights. The sun was hidden behind thick clouds, and a slow drizzle fell cold, steady. Joo Donghyun had just finished an overnight shift at the convenience store. For once, he had a moment to breathe without the weight of his boss's threats-sell more, or get kicked out.
The air was crisp. The scent of wet mud rose with the rain, oddly soothing. Like a shot of dopamine, it gave him just enough calm to prepare for another shift.
"....Refreshing," he muttered under his breath.
He turned at the sound of children's laughter-kids pretending to be Awakeners and monsters, swinging sticks and shouting skill names. A faint smile tugged at his lips. Then, without a second thought, he stood and began walking toward the massive building ahead pillars lined its entrance, bold and proud.
The Guild headquarters for Awakeners.
He'd been here too many times.
Inside, the floor gleamed. Dozens of Awakeners milled about, and a large machine stood near the entrance, scanning people for their ranks. At the counter, an old man nearly ancient sat slouched in his chair. His sharp gaze landed on Donghyun.
"You again," the old man sighed.
He bowed deeply, eyes burning with false confidence-at least he hoped it looked that way.
"Please.... examine me again."
The old man gave a tired glance, waving him off. "Go home."
Donghyun didn't move. His head stayed low, voice firmer this time. "Please."
Eventually, the old man stood, greeted in passing by several Awakeners with respectful nods. Together, they entered a wide chamber at the back. The machine here was even larger, glowing crystals flanking its sides, cables trailing into a computer system. Several Awakeners waited in chairs near the wall. He sat quietly among them.
The man next to him bounced his legs nervously. Donghyun didn't care,this might be his last chance. If he failed this test again, he would never set foot in the Tower of Trials.
A loud cheer erupted as the nervous man exited the room, grinning like he'd just won the lottery.
"D-rank, and he acts like he's S," someone muttered.
Donghyun's name was called. His heartbeat quickened as he stepped forward. Each footstep echoed too loudly. He swallowed hard and approached the machine.
A woman in uniform stood beside it, holding a clipboard.
"You've done this twelve times. You know the procedure," she said without looking up. "Place your hand on the crystal."
He nodded and reached out. The crystal didn't react. He gave an awkward laugh and pressed his hand harder-nothing.
Security eventually arrived. He didn't resist as they dragged him out.
His back hit the concrete outside the Guild with a dull thud. Cold rain soaked through his thin clothes. People passed by, barely sparing him a glance.
He just lay there, staring up at the sky.
Rising slowly, joints stiff, shirt clinging to his back like second skin, he trudged forward. Rain still poured, but the cold didn't sting anymore-it had settled into his bones.
The streets bustled with life. Holographic ads lit up the walkways, promoting guilds, potions, and the newest gear for Awakeners. Storefronts shimmered with mana-resistant glass, and drones buzzed overhead, scanning for monster traces.
He moved down the sidewalk, avoiding puddles where he could, passing cafes packed with people and Awakeners.
One leaned against a glass window, armor half-equipped, a longsword on his back. A group of civilians stood nearby, eyes wide, phones out, taking pictures. The Awakener smirked, letting them, not even pretending to be modest.
At a street crossing, traffic paused not for civilians but because a woman in a guild cloak stepped forward. Her feet barely touched the ground, levitating a few inches above it, the guards stationed at the sidewalk snapped to attention. A barrier flickered open just for her.
Donghyun waited behind a crowd, soaked and ignored, the stares passing right through him.
They walked differently, Awakeners. With weight and pride, like the world bent slightly to make space for them.
He stopped in front of the plaza's largest screen, water dripping from his chin. The LED display stretched across the guild's outer wall, constantly looping news: dungeon break reports, floor clear times, and the newly updated Awakener Rankings.
A face appeared on screen-young, handsome, eyes glowing faintly with mana.
#3: Seo Jinhyuk. S-Rank. Flame Sovereign.
Just below him, a new entry climbed into the top ten.
#9: Kim Ara. A-Rank. Spirit Tamer. Promoted after clearing the 17th Floor solo.
Crowds murmured in awe. Some cheered. Cameras clicked. Donghyun just watched.
His reflection shimmered faintly in the rain-slick glass-blurry, colorless. Like a background extra in someone else's story.
"….Bastards," he muttered, barely audible.
Before the Towers appeared, before "Awakener" meant anything, he was just a high school student with a mother who worked two jobs and coughed blood when no one was watching.
Back then, he had fire. He had hope. Not for wealth or glory-but for a cure. A way to fix the system that decided who lived and who didn't based, on wealth.
She wasn't chosen. Neither was he.
He remembered the hospital bills stacked higher than the rent. The one time he stole to buy her medicine and got beaten half to death by store security. The way her hand trembled when she touched his face after, whispering "sorry" as if it were her fault.
And the night she died, eyes open, staring past him like she'd already left long before her body did.
The Tower rose a year later.
And now, five years had passed. Five years of failing the Awakening test, of being told "You're not meant for this." Working night shifts and collapsing from exhaustion just to try again the next day.
[Tower of Trials – Season Opening]
Gate Access Opens: 01:45:00 Tonight
He barely reacted, eyes drifting past the glowing text. He'd seen these announcements too many times. Every year it was the same-Awakeners called up like lottery winners, cameras flashing, broadcasts hyping the "Chosen Ones."
But then, a second line followed.
[Special Entry Trial– Non-Awakened And E-Rank Candidates (7 Selected)]
The crowd around him stirred.
"What the fuck? Normals?"
"Is this real?"
"Maybe a publicity stunt."
Donghyun's brows pulled together.
Names began to scroll. Slow, like the system itself wasn't sure.
One...
Two...
Three...
He didn't expect anything-until he saw it.
#5. Joo Donghyun.
His breath caught. He stared at it for a long time. As if it might vanish and it wasn't real.