Morning light leaked through the cracks in the blinds of Room 304.
Ji Han sat on the edge of his bed, hands wrapped around a chipped mug of cold tea he never drank. He stared at nothing in particular—just the peeling wall in front of him. His black hair was messy from sleep, and his school uniform was only half buttoned. The silence wrapped around him like a blanket… but it was never really quiet.
Not with his system online.
[Emotion Detected: Frustration – Level 4]
Source: 3 meters left – Female (Age: 17)
His neighbor again. Probably fighting with her parents. Her emotions leaked through the thin walls like smoke through cracks. He didn't absorb it. It wasn't strong enough, and he wasn't in the mood. He rarely was.
Instead, he just sat there, letting the emotions swirl around him—muffled anger, distant sadness, sharp embarrassment from someone down the hallway.
He was used to it.
Ji Han lived in Zone 6, one of the weaker Safe Zones near the border of the Chaos Zone. Nothing special. Crime was common. Most people kept their heads low, trained hard, and hoped to awaken a decent system by age sixteen.
Ji Han was seventeen.
No one knew his system.
He liked it that way.
He was offered to train at the training section on sector 3 to become a Responder 3 months ago.which makes him a Rift Responder who fight monsters and wrath that comes out of a Rift and close it to ensure the civilian's safety.
At school, he was known as the weird quiet guy who barely spoke, never fought, and always wore that same calm expression—like nothing could touch him. But inside… it was chaos.
The school bell rang.
Classroom 2-B buzzed with chatter and energy.
"Did you hear about Han Ji Won? He solo-cleared a D-rank Rift yesterday!"
"Flame of Fury, my ass. I bet it's just a strong fireball."
"Nah, his rage stat is insane. Boosts his whole body!"
Ji Han walked in and sat at the very back, near the window. His usual spot.
[Emotion Detected: Admiration – Level 5]
Target: Han Ji Won
Distance: 12 meters
Han Ji Won walked in like a storm—red hair, sharp eyes, and the kind of presence that made people straighten up without realizing. He laughed loudly, slapped backs, and grinned like the world belonged to him.
Ji Han lowered his gaze.
Even without using the system, Han Ji Won's presence felt like fire.
[Absorb? Y/N]
Ji Han thought for a second. Then tapped N in his mind. Not yet. Not worth it.
"Oi, Ji Han."
A voice called from beside him. He didn't look up.
It was Kang Ha Neul, his only… acquaintance? Friend? Something in-between.
Ha Neul sat beside him with a bored face, chewing gum. His silver hair always looked like he walked out of a K-drama with his golden bright eyes and his system? Unknown.He never spoke about it nor did he use it. Just like Ji Han's.
"Same dream again?" Ha Neul asked.
Ji Han nodded once.
He didn't dream. Not really. Just… felt things while sleeping. As if the world was sending him signals he couldn't translate.
That day, everything changed.
A first-year student lost control of her system during sparring class. Her fear exploded into panic. Her summoned beast—a shadow wolf—went berserk, attacking students left and right.
Screams filled the gym. People ran. Some froze. One boy got thrown across the room.
Ji Han didn't move.
[Emotion Detected: Terror – Level 9]
Source: Multiple
Absorb?
He chose Yes.
The moment he did, the fear surged into him like cold wind. His muscles tightened, his heart sped up—but his mind? Clear. Sharp. Focused.
He moved fast. Unnaturally fast. Ducking under claws, grabbing the girl by the shoulder, and pulling her out of the way before the beast could land another strike.
[Skill Unlocked: Panic Reflex]
[+30% Speed for 10 seconds.]
The gym teacher finally arrived and sealed the creature, but everyone had seen Ji Han move.
Too fast. Too clean.
Eyes turned to him. Whispers started.
He walked away without a word.
Later, alone on the rooftop, Ji Han stood with the wind brushing past his hair.
[Emotion System: Online]
New Record: 6 Absorptions Today
Daily Limit Approaching – Warning Issued.
He didn't smile. He never did.
But deep inside, something clicked.
The world wasn't ready for his system.
But one day, it would be.