Leveling at a Turtle's Pace

As Hee-Joon completed his daily task, he slowed down his pace and took a moment to catch his breath. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and reached for his water bottle, taking a refreshing sip as he hydrated himself.

With a towel draped around his neck, he glanced at his status window, his curiosity piqued. He wanted to see if there were any noticeable changes in his progress.

Hee-Joon sighed in disappointment as he observed his stagnant progress. Only 0.5 points had been added to each task, granting him a meager total of two points. It felt as if he were leveling up at the speed of a turtle. He glanced at his status window once again, contemplating where to allocate his precious points.

With a moment of contemplation, he decided to enhance his strength, hoping that an increase in physical power would lead to more effective combat and expedite his leveling process. With a click, he allocated one of his available points to strengthen his muscles, with this his strength was seating at 26.

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[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Hee-Joon

Title: None

Level: 5

HP: 500

- Strength: 26

- Agility: 16

- Stamina: 18

- Intelligence: 12

- Mana Power (MP): 21

Attribute: None

Skill: None

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As Hee-Joon sighed with disappointment, he couldn't help but question why he had been given such a low-ranking awakening.

He wondered why he hadn't been blessed with a higher rank like B or A, which would have allowed for more rapid growth and development. It seemed unfair to him that he had to put in so much effort without seeing significant progress.

In frustration, he muttered to himself, hoping for some answers or insights.

"Why am I the only one who can see the status window and level up?" He longed for some sort of explanation, a clue that would shed light on his situation. However, his questions fell on deaf ears, and the system remained silent, offering no response or guidance.

Hee-Joon yearned for a more immersive experience, one that mirrored the features found in video games. He wished he could receive new skills, level up more quickly, or even have an inventory system that would enhance his abilities.

But the harsh reality was that his journey was not as straightforward or rewarding as a game. He had to accept the challenges and limitations of his own unique awakening.

Disappointed with the reality of his awakening, Hee-Joon trudged his way back home. As he entered his small, worn-out apartment, he noticed how little it had changed since he was brought there. The peeling paint on the walls served as a constant reminder of the stagnant nature of his surroundings.

Inside, he saw his mother, Ji-woo, bustling around the kitchen, hurriedly preparing breakfast. His father, Evan, sat at the table, peacefully enjoying his meal. After freshening up, Hee-Joon approached his mother and inquired about her attire, curious about the sudden change.

"I am planning to work as a nurse from today onwards since you have now grown up" replied Ji-Woo with a gentle smile.

Drawing upon her nursing experience, she felt it was time to contribute to the family's livelihood. Hee-Joon nodded, appreciating his mother's determination.

But his curiosity lingered, and he couldn't help but blurt out his deeper questions. "Mom, why do people get awakened? And why don't both Dad and Mom have any abilities or powers like others do?"

Ji-woo and Evan exchanged hesitant glances, their eyes filled with hidden secrets. They had been hiding a significant truth from Hee-Joon, concealing their past identities as the guild leader and vice-leader of the strongest guild in America.

After the devastating attack on the hospital that resulted in the loss of their awakenings, they had chosen to shield Hee-Joon from the dangerous world they once thrived in. They held onto the hope that once Hee-Joon became as strong as they were in the past, they could reveal their true selves.

Ji-woo hesitated for a moment, then gently responded,

"Hee-Joon, awakening is a mysterious phenomenon, and each person's journey is unique. It's not something that can be easily explained."

"But remember, strength comes in many forms, and you have your own path to discover. Focus on your training, and when the time is right, we'll share more with you." Ji-Woo then continued.

As Hee-Joon hurried towards the training facility, known as "Seoul's Hunter Academy," a sense of excitement coursed through him.

Finally, the time had come for him to delve deeper into the world of dungeon raiding and learn the intricate details of battling various kinds of monsters. His mind buzzed with countless questions, eager to be answered.

Curiosity burned within him as he pondered the nature of these formidable creatures. How did they grow stronger? What factors contributed to their power? And why were dungeons ranked, with their rankings subject to change?

Hee-Joon yearned for a comprehensive understanding of these aspects, hoping to uncover the secrets behind the intricate workings of the hunter's world.

As he entered the academy, the halls echoed with the bustling energy of fellow aspiring hunters. Instructors and students alike moved purposefully, preparing for another day of rigorous training. Hee-Joon found his way to the designated classroom, anticipation building with every step.

For the remaining five months of their training, the curriculum at Seoul's Hunter Academy was carefully tailored to cover various aspects of dungeon raids, with a focus on F and E-rank dungeons.

As Hee-Joon stepped into the classroom, his eyes were drawn to the display board showcasing the detailed training schedule for the next five months. Excitement coursed through his veins as he absorbed the wealth of knowledge that awaited him.

The first month would be dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of monsters and dungeons, delving into their unique characteristics, habitats, and behavior patterns. He would learn how different dungeons were ranked.

The second month would focus on honing his combat skills, both in terms of weaponry and magic and next remaining months will be based on group combat and formations training.

And the last month will be on mock dungeon raid, Once completing all the training schedule, then only the hunter's license would be issued.