Rank "E-", or It Can't Get Any Worse

Visual: Park Min-Ho is still standing in front of the ill-fated crystal, not knowing what to do. The murmur of voices in the hall grows louder. The instructor and his assistant continue to confer.

— Well, shall we try again? - the System asks, breaking the prolonged silence.

— Is there any point? — replies Park Min-Ho with doubt. — It seems like this crystal is just ignoring me.

— Not exactly, — the System objects. — It's not you, it's... how should I put it... your peculiarity.

— Peculiarity? — asks Park Min-Ho. — What are you talking about?

— Remember that thing that's sitting inside you? - the System asks. — The one that scattered the Sirens?

— You mean the Hate King? — clarifies Park Min-Ho.

— That's the one, — confirms the System. — So, this "neighbor" of yours is blocking the crystal's normal operation. It's like... shielding your true potential.

— And what should I do? — asks Park Min-Ho.

— Try to "turn it off," — suggests the System. — Temporarily, of course. Just tell it not to interfere.

— And it will listen? — asks Park Min-Ho doubtfully.

— Does it have a choice? - the System chuckles. — You're the host. You're in charge. So come on, pull yourself together and give it an order.

Park Min-Ho closes his eyes and mentally addresses the Hate King: — Hey, you in there... Can you not interfere, please? I need to pass this test.

Silence.

— Can you hear me? - repeats Park Min-Ho. — I need you to... be quiet for a while. Understand?

Suddenly, he feels something stirring inside him. As if a huge beast, awakened from a long sleep, is turning restlessly, unwilling to obey.

— Come on, you can do it, — the System encourages him.

— Shut up and don't interfere, — Park Min-Ho mentally growls, addressing not the System, but the Hate King. — It won't be for long. Just let me pass this damn test.

After a few more seconds of struggle, Park Min-Ho feels the tension inside him subside. The beast calms down, curling up somewhere in the depths of his consciousness.

— Did it work? — asks Park Min-Ho uncertainly to the System.

— It seems so, — replies the System. — Try again.

Park Min-Ho places his hand on the crystal again. This time, the crystal flares with a dim, barely visible gray light.

— What does that mean? — asks Park Min-Ho, looking at the crystal with disappointment.

— Congratulations, — the instructor's voice rings out. — You are officially registered as a Hunter. Your rank is...

The instructor pauses, exchanging glances with his assistant.

— What's his rank? — asks the assistant, looking at his tablet.

— E-, — replies the instructor, shrugging his shoulders. — The lowest possible.

Loud laughter erupts in the hall. The applicants point fingers at Park Min-Ho, not hiding their contempt.

— E-? — repeats Park Min-Ho. — Is this a joke?

— No, it's not a joke, — replies the instructor. — That's your rank. Rank E-. It can't get any worse.

— Well, hero, how do you like your triumph? - the System asks sarcastically. — It seems you've outdone yourself. Even I didn't expect you to be so... useless.

Park Min-Ho remains silent, overwhelmed and humiliated. He dreamed of becoming a Hunter, and as a result, he became a laughingstock.

— Don't worry, — says the instructor, noticing his অবস্থা. — Rank E- is not a death sentence. You can develop, train, and eventually increase your rank.

— Yeah, right, - comments the System. — With your abilities. You're more likely to die in some dungeon than to raise your rank.

— Thank you, — mutters Park Min-Ho, not knowing what else to say.

— Here's your Hunter card, — the instructor continues, handing him a plastic card. — From today, you can officially visit entry-level dungeons. But be careful. Even the weakest monsters can be dangerous for a Hunter of your rank.

— I understand, — nods Park Min-Ho, taking the card.

— Good luck to you, — says the instructor, shaking his hand. — And don't give up.

— Yeah, good luck, worthless, - the System adds mentally. — You'll need it.

Park Min-Ho leaves the hall, feeling the contemptuous gazes of the other applicants on his back. He has officially become a Hunter. But there was no joy in it.

— So, where to now? - the System asks when Park Min-Ho is outside.

— I don't know, — he replies honestly. — Home, I guess.

— Home? - the System asks, surprised. — What about dungeons? Adventures? Glory and riches?

— Who needs that glory if I'm the weakest Hunter in the world? — Park Min-Ho chuckles bitterly. — I'll be killed at the first encounter with a monster.

— Well, it's not all bad, - the System tries to cheer him up. — At least you're special. One of a kind. Be happy.

— Happy about what? — asks Park Min-Ho. — That I'm a walking joke?

— Well... - the System falls silent, not knowing what to answer.

Park Min-Ho sighs and heads home. He doesn't know what awaits him in the future. But one thing he knows for sure - his life won't be easy. Especially with such a "wonderful" rank and such a "supportive" System.

Visual: Park Min-Ho, the newly minted E-rank Hunter, walks down the street, dejected and disappointed. His dream of becoming a Hunter has turned into a bitter mockery.