Void_master62

"In a world of shattered skies and broken souls, survival is not a gift—it’s a gamble."


In the aftermath of the catastrophic Aurora Event, the world is forever changed. Strange energies from the auroras gifted humanity with extraordinary abilities, but at a cost—chaos, division, and a brutal new order. Amidst the turmoil, our protagonist, Kim Min-ju , awakens to find himself bound to a mysterious Proficiency Panel, a system that allows him to analyze, adapt, and master skills at an inhuman rate. But in a world where power is both a blessing and a curse, He must navigate a treacherous landscape of warring factions, rogue superhumans, and the ever-looming threat of the Aurora's lingering influence.

As He struggles to survive, he discovers that his Panel is more than just a tool—it’s a key to something far greater, something that could either save what’s left of humanity or doom it entirely. With enemies closing in and his own abilities evolving in unpredictable ways, He must decide whether to use his power to rise above the chaos or risk losing himself to the very system that sustains him.

Aurora's Gambit: Survival of the fittest

The Mullae-dong clinic was a crumbling brick building wedged between a noodle shop and a pawnbroker. Its neon sign flickered faintly, the word 'Clinic' reduced to 'inic'. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and cigarette smoke. A grizzled surgeon with a scarred face and a cigarette dangling from his lips gestured for Min-jun to lay Hae-won on the operating table.

"Another one," the surgeon muttered, peeling back Hae-won's sleeve to reveal the violet veins. "Third this week. What'd you idiots do? Swallow a core?"

"He got splashed with something," Min-jun said, keeping his tone neutral. "Black-market gear exploded."

The surgeon snorted. "Of course it did. Those bastards are selling junk to anyone with a pulse." He rummaged through a drawer, pulling out a syringe filled with glowing blue liquid. "This'll stabilize him. For now."

"[Item Identified: Aurora Suppressant (Tier-2)]"

"[Effect: Reduces mutation progression by 48% for 72 hours.]"

The surgeon jabbed the syringe into Hae-won's arm. "You will."

The next morning, Min-jun returned to work as if nothing had happened. The other porters avoided him, whispering about the "incident" at his apartment. Dae-ho cornered him in the break room, his guild jacket pristine.

"Heard you had a rough night," the berserker sneered. "Pity. Would've been one less Mudeok to deal with."

Min-jun sipped his coffee, his expression blank. "Thanks for the concern."

"You think you're clever, don't you? Surviving that hybrid. Dodging guild inspections. But luck runs out, trash."

Dae-ho's fist slammed into the wall beside Min-jun's head. "Watch your mouth."

Min-jun didn't flinch. "You're blocking the sugar."

The berserker stormed off, muttering about "ungrateful vermin."

Over the next few days, Min-jun kept his head down. He took on extra shifts, avoided black-market dealings, and let the rumors about his "luck" fade. Hae-won recovered slowly, his mutation suppressed but not cured.

Kang Ji-woo visited once, her frosty demeanor unchanged.

"Ironfang's dropping the investigation," she said, leaning against his doorframe. "Too many loose ends. But if I catch you near another corrupted core…"

She studied him for a long moment. "You're either the dumbest Mudeok I've met or the smartest. Either way, stay out of my way."

When she left, Min-jun's system flickered:

"[Threat Neutralized: Guild Suspicion Reduced to 12%]"

With the incident behind him, Min-jun turned his attention to the system. The corruption in his veins was a ticking time bomb, and the Mullae clinic's suppressants were a temporary fix. He needed a permanent solution—and answers about the Aurora.

The burner phone Seung-ho had given him buzzed with a message:

'Gangnam hotspot active. Meet at coordinates tonight.'

Min-jun stared at the screen, the fire in his chest flaring.

"[Warning: Stabilization Required Within 48 Hours]"

He pocketed the phone and grabbed his jacket.

The Mullae Clinic