The Time Is Ticking

6 hours before the disaster calmed down.

Baram Soo-kyung was biting her lip at the sight of the heroic act. She was inside the apartment, on the left side of the alley, watching Lu Jae-sung from a window on the fifth floor. While she was sitting on the parapet, behind her, the poor middle-aged man had an ice stab wound on his torso, heart pierced, with face burned to a crisp by her flames, lying by a strange device that she had put aside. She ignored the burned smell of the corpse, as she was too preoccupied.

During the watch, the girl was hugging herself, showing psychopathic interest as her cheeks blushed.

"Show me more of what you've got! Struggle, fight, die by my puppy!" Her mind raced, chaotic thoughts pouring into her mind.

The stimulation increased, and she readjusted her hands. When Lu Jae-sung defeated the Gatorhawk, she was frozen in the spot by her shock. Her hands stiffened while pushing her stomach, excitement overflowing from her heart until it hurt.

"Ahhh, how much will you grow in a month? Just a week ago, you said you were nothing else but an ordinary guy, bullied and left with your remarried mother. My toy will be just perfect for me!"

Despite not knowing his ability and skills, the excitement grew stronger within her.

"If only I could bite and kiss him this instance!"

Before, when she spoke to her boss, the killing intention was sky-high, but now, her personality has shifted to a degree of no return. Her emotions were beyond understanding. Was it love? Obsession? Both of them combined? She was mad and crazy.

Lu Jae-sung ran away, leaving the direct sight of his watcher.

"This soon? Why? Why won't you fight longer?" she said out loud.

Since her 'toy' had escaped, she kicked the body upwards. It flew straight on her shoulder. However, the head couldn't manage the stress, being burned to charcoal, pieces of it crumbled on the ground as she left the building to burn the other corpses in the alley.

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He checked his system during the limo ride home.

Stats:

- Level: 20 (350/10000 XP)

- Stat Points: 2

Passive Skills:

- Enhanced Vision Lv1 (3/10) (NEW!)

"Hmm, as I had thought."

With a 100-point increase per level until he reaches his first tier-up in a few weeks would feel like a cheat code. He closed the interface, knowing the special contract would solve the problem if, of course, he could get to sign it.

The system each person received after awakening behaved differently, even when hunting beasts. Levels needed for a tier up, XP gained from monsters, and other features developed from their special abilities.

He later dismissed his thoughts and looked through the car's window. To see his vision improved, the ability to perceive smaller details even in darkness, led him to feel like a vampire. He scanned the dark surroundings, finding it easier to read signs that were further, even if shadows covered them. This skill progressed from simple nighttime strolls.

"I might see a few kilometers ahead if I continue leveling it up."

That's when he noticed they were driving by the orphanage where Yoon Dong was living.

"Could you please stop here? I need to check something. I can walk home from here."

The chauffeur stopped, exited, and bowed. Lu Jae-sung was glad that he respected him, which warmed his heart.

*Thud* *Thud*

"Let's just look at how he's doing."

He walked closer to the front side of the orphanage. Interestingly enough, his room lay three windows to the entrance's left.

*Hop*

He landed softly, sparing the sleeping children. However, the desk light shone on the side of the shared bedroom.

It turned out to be Yoon Dong. He was reading a history book about the sudden revelation of rifts.

"Good, he seems to be motivated to study." He thought, moved by the kid's determination, he inspected if he wasn't injured at all.

Once he confirmed his well-being, he slid down the parapet and ran home.

*Ding*

The elevator stopped, and he was prepared to go straight to his room. However, when he got off, Bu Bujeo stood there with his arms crossed, staring straight into his eyes without any hard feelings.

Before he stood there, he was passing the hallway, going to the common dining room to wait for dinner. But, as soon as he stepped descended the stairs, the elevator's light was shining, which meant Lu Jae-sung was riding it. Everyone was at home after some of them were released from the secure shelters. That's how he identified it was him.

"Where were you? The school called you didn't take the school shelter during the ruckus outside. There were a few others, but I found it strange since you should have arrived at school before the alarm sounded throughout southern Gongchun." His head was slightly tilted, and showed a questionable look, waiting for an answer.

"Father, forgive me, but something unforeseen had happened. When I was about to reach the school, the monsters appeared in front of me, but some high-ranking adventurers saved my life when I stood there waiting for my death." He lied, thinking his stepfather would let it slide.

*Shatter* *Creak*

Next to him, the flowerpot that stood on the small popped like a balloon, leaving soil over it. A small table creaked loudly as gravity pulled down the pictures.

Lu Jae-sung just stood there. He forgot to pretend to be weak, although he still wouldn't be able to force out blood, which he might have been able to analyze. He wasn't that stupid.

Bu Bujeo's face grew grimmer as the pressure increased. Wall plasters pealed around them, making piles of shattered paint and grout beside the carpet.

"I won't back down anymore. Let's see how strong your ability is, fucker!"

Bravery gushed from his stance, as he resisted the weight of his clothes, which slowly tattered up.

Sheer power dwelled from Bu Bujeo, his mana dropping faster each time he intensified his force field. However, he had a lot of reserves. His weakness was his figure, but in terms of intelligence and mana, he reached the bottom of D-rank adventurers.

After 30 seconds, he couldn't withstand it anymore and got on his knees. He knew the force got stronger each second. He soon lay down, blood dripping from the nook of his lips.

Saying nothing, Bu Bujeo turned away from him and walked off. He directed a maid to clean his mess before going upstairs.

"???" Question marks filled his thoughts, as he looked at the diminishing person with a strange look.

He stood and brushed himself off, pondering the occurrence.

"Why didn't he say anything? What is going through his head?" He asked himself inside his thoughts.

Hence, he abandoned the thought and went to his micro-apartment, leaving the maids who had started cleaning behind.

"Wait, what time is it?"

He lost track of time. The thought of missing out on his daily tasks was unthinkable. Therefore, he turned his head in the direction of a wall clock above the entrance to the kitchen.

10:20 pm on the clock signaled he should hurry. As he looked at his tasks, the strangest thing appeared inside the interface.

Daily:

< Update in process. Follow the main task to finish it. >

Main:

Reach level 40 in two weeks. (20/40) (337:39:28) (Reward: System update, 5+ of every stat) (Penalty: System termination)

"I am so screwed if don't get the contract!" He raised his hands and grasped for his head. "I have to make some progress before he contacts me!"

Noticing such a major event at night, when he could do nothing else than sleep, he panicked. He walked fast around the whole micro-apartment, rage breaking his mind.

Lacking worldly knowledge, he could not hunt beyond the walls. The same goes for rifts. Besides, he felt drowsy from all that had happened during the day, even if he rested for several hours after the fight.

The next day, he had to aim for the Adventurers Guild for some missions, otherwise his trouble would be tenfold.

"Ok. Take a breath Jae-sung, just breathe. Everything is going to be fine, right? I will contact the teacher, that I don't feel well, he should let me be, even if the end of the semester is close by. I am the smartest in the class, haha." His laugh pictured the irony in his voice, as he still was flustered by what his system had prepared for him.

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"What is it, Jeonsa? You always invite me for dinner, when something either interesting goes on, or you want a loan that you hardly ever pay. I swear if it's the second one, I will send you flying over to Auridon."

Jeongsin Geodae, the leader of The Ravens clan, placed 10th of all clans in Haneulguk. He wasn't that tall, some would consider his height to be small. Despite his 54 years, his face remained wrinkle-free. His hair was short and gray, yet it suited his wise-looking green eyes and the traditional green and white 'hanbok.'

"Haha, what? You probably forgot about the time I invi…" he stopped talking, as he perceived an immense murderous intent.

When he got silenced, he changed his attitude and tone to a more serious vibe.

"Uhm. Well, I found someone with high potential, but he has…"

"Then why didn't you bring him straight to the clan?" He interrupted Jeonsa.

"Well… you know… we had found him injured during the breach. When he woke up, we figured he was tired from what had happened."

Silence filled their spot in the corner inside the expensive-looking sushi restaurant, which was themed with dark colors, black being the primary of all of them. The place smelled of a mix of flowers, which was a pleasant addition to a sushi restaurant. The seats were gray-cushioned benches.

"So, what is so 'special' about him?" Jeongsin Geodae asked.

"The thing is, he killed Common Adept, but wait…"

He knew Geodae would try to disturb him again, signaling him off.

"He did that after a week from his awakening, using no ability."

After hearing the last part, he was left speechless. He doubted anyone would risk their life just after awakening while using no abilities.

"How strong is he?"

"Haha. That's a good question. He penetrated Gatorhawk's scales on its side. The power output must have been huge, even if he barely penetrated it."

The Gatorhawks were known for their insane defense within their rank. They are a threat even for some of the top F-rank hunters. Their attack pattern is simple, but it rarely shows its weak spot. They only reveal their lower body when frustrated with missed attacks. Otherwise, they would have been considered stronger than some Common Master monsters.

"To get back on track, I wouldn't talk to you for nothing. He has some conditions. In my opinion, they are not a big deal, but it still is a matter that needs to be consulted with either you or the vice-leader, and speaking with that guy would be a hassle."

They then reviewed the conditions. At least, that's what it should have been.

"Yeah, just accept it. Those are completely fine by me. Bring him tomorrow to my office. Also, send his school a notice," he said, showing interest by stroking his chin.

"Yes, sir!"