Jin Takashi didn't head straight to the Hunter Association.
Not yet.
He knew how the system worked: F-Class applicants were laughed at, ignored, or thrown into fodder squads. Worse, he'd get assigned to some weak guild where his potential would rot.
No—he needed strength first. Quiet, hidden strength.
So he disappeared.
For one whole month.
---
**Secluded Quarry – Incheon Mountains**
"Status window," Jin whispered.
---
**Name:** Jin Takashi
**Level:** 2
**Class:** Unawakened
**Skill:** \[The Maker] (SSS-Class)
**Gear Equipped:**
* Iron Sword (Common) \[+5 ATK, +Atk Speed]
* Leather Boots (Common) \[+2 DEF, +3% Move Speed]
* Iron Ring (Common) \[+1 STR]
---
"Not enough," he muttered, panting.
In front of him, the shattered body of a forest wolf faded into light. One of a dozen that had attacked him today.
He had no mana-based offense. No flashy abilities.
Just a basic sword and the hunger to win.
But each day, he crafted.
He experimented.
He upgraded.
---
**\[Item Created: Reinforced Iron Sword (Rare)]**
**ATK:** +12
**Durability:** 140/140
**Effect:** +5% Critical Chance
**Special Trait:** "Piercing Edge" – Attacks ignore 10% of target's defense.
---
His first **Rare-tier weapon**. It took him a week to gather the materials and refine the blueprint. He did it in secret, deep in the forest under starlight.
And it was glorious.
He could now kill a beast with three strikes instead of ten.
Next, he upgraded his boots. Then a leather vest. A copper necklace.
Each item carried small buffs: stamina recovery, dodge speed, even weak resistances.
And still—he stayed hidden.
No social media posts. No guild contact. Just the forest, the beasts, and his blade.
---
One night, under a heavy downpour, Jin stood shirtless in front of a cliff wall, panting, muscles trembling. Cuts lined his arms, but his eyes burned with quiet fire.
Ten wolves. One mutated lizard. And a boar the size of a truck.
All dead.
"Level 5," he said, watching the blue numbers rise.
His hands closed around his sword.
"I'm not that F-class punching bag anymore."
---
The next morning, he left the forest—gear cleaned, appearance plain.
He wore a second-hand jacket and hid his sword in a worn-out case.
Time to rejoin the world.
---
**Hunter Association – Seoul HQ**
The front desk clerk barely glanced at him.
"New applicant?"
"Yes," Jin said quietly.
"Name?"
"Jin Takashi."
She yawned, sliding a form forward.
"Good luck not dying."
Jin smiled.
"I won't."