The world slowed to a heartbeat.

Thump… Thump…

A poisonous green orb streaked through the air, cutting through the fog of battle. Omega’s eyes widened as it neared. For a split second, he saw his life—his sister’s face, his father’s hand, the fire that swallowed their home.

Then—

A metallic clang! tore through the silence.

A glowing shield flared before him, stopping the attack an inch from his chest.

The pressure slammed against his ribs, throwing him backward.

“What the hell was that?!” James barked, veins bulging on his neck. “You’re F-rank, fine! But can’t you even jump?! No armor, no instincts—do you wanna die here?! Don’t drag our team’s name into the dirt!”

“James! Enough!” Clark’s voice cut sharp through the chaos. His sword gleamed under the flickering dungeon lights. “I need your help—now! We end this lizard in one strike!”

The air shivered with green mist as the Poison Ivy Lizard hissed, its tail whipping with venom.

Omega’s fists trembled.

He couldn’t look away.

He wasn’t scared of dying—he was scared of dying without purpose.

> You think I chose this life?

No. This life chose me.

If not for that night… everything would’ve been different.

---

Ten Years Ago

The sky had shattered.

Thirteen blazing crystals fell like meteor fire, ripping through the clouds and crashing into Earth. The light swallowed cities. The ground howled.

When the dust cleared, millions were gone. Thousands lay in endless sleep.

Among them… his sister.

His father never came home. His body was never found.

And when dawn rose, the world had changed.

Rumors spread—

The crystals grant power. Absorb one… and awaken.

Wars erupted overnight. Nations crumbled.

From the ruins, six Families rose—each claiming two of the divine crystals. They ruled continents not as leaders, but as gods.

Then came the dungeons—dark gateways that twisted space and birthed monsters.

Families claimed them too, selling “raid permits” to anyone desperate enough to fight for a fragment of power.

Ordinary humans couldn’t even touch low-level beasts.

So Families distributed multi-colored crystals—unstable, random, and weak.

But they kept the balance. The Families stayed untouchable.

And now… the only way to join a Family—was to prove your worth.

One kill. One beast. Alone.

> That’s why I’m here.

To awaken her.

To wake my sister from that endless sleep.

---

The Present

Clark’s blade cut through the air, slicing the lizard’s head clean off.

The beast’s screech died into silence.

James laughed as he flicked green blood off his armor.

“Man, are you just gonna sit there? The beast’s dead already! Don’t tell me you pissed yourself out of fear.”

Laughter rippled through the team.

Omega said nothing. His face flushed, but he held his tongue.

He was just an F-rank—a bottom-feeder.

Still, they had saved him. And for that… he was quietly grateful.

The group harvested the core, its glow reflecting off their armor.

The dungeon’s gate flickered open—its blue light pulling them home.

---

Later That Night

The door creaked as Omega stepped into his tiny apartment.

He dropped his bag and fell onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The room was silent—just the hum of the city beyond.

After a long pause, he reached into his pocket and unfolded a piece of paper.

The ink was slightly faded. The seal at the bottom read Academy Entrance Exam.

> “Tomorrow,” he whispered. “Everything changes tomorrow.”

---

The Next Morning

Sunlight crept through the window. Omega adjusted his worn-out jacket, tightening the strap around his arm. His sister’s photo hung from a small locket at his neck.

“For you,” he said quietly. “Always for you.”

He walked the cracked streets toward the academy, the city alive with noise and hope.

When he arrived, hundreds of students stood in lines across the grand marble courtyard. The walls shimmered with floating runes; each symbol pulsed with energy.

Omega joined the F-rank line—those who lacked power, praying for luck.

The multi-colored crystal at the center pulsed… then dimmed.

“Tch. Bad luck, kid.” The instructor barely glanced at him. “The energy’s gone. Come back next month.”

Omega’s chest tightened.

“Can I still attend the academy?”

The man shrugged.

“Only if you pass the entrance test. And by then—maybe we won’t take new students.”

Behind them, two other instructors whispered.

“Someone drained an abnormal amount from that crystal…”

“Could be a student. Or someone with clearance.”

Then a cheerful voice broke through.

“Hey!”

Omega turned. A boy with light-brown hair and sharp eyes waved.

“Name’s Hex. You look lost—come on, I’ll take you to the test.”

Omega blinked. “Thanks. I’m Omega.”

Hex smiled, but there was guilt in his tone.

“About the crystal… I kinda drained it. Sorry. I didn’t mean to steal your chance.”

Omega’s breath caught.

“You—? That was you?”

Hex raised both hands.

“Relax. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll help you pass. Promise.”

He grabbed Omega’s arm and pulled him toward the arena gates.

A deep voice boomed through the hall.

“Students!” Instructor Park’s shout silenced the crowd.

“Split into groups of five—the standard raid formation. Enter the gate. Defeat the boss. Finish early—E-class. On time—F-class. Fail or die—and you’re out.”

A blinding light surged as the blue gate opened.

The hum of power filled the air.

Hex gave a quick grin.

“Let’s go, partner.”

Omega stepped forward. His heartbeat matched the gate’s pulse.

A chill ran through him as the portal swallowed them whole.

The entrance exam had begun.