---
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Sealer Assessment Division – City 17
Rin stood inside a room glowing with blue rune circuits. At its center: the Sealer Rank Terminal—a silver monolith humming with magical energy.
> "State your name and place your hand on the panel," said a clerk, bored and chewing gum.
Rin did as told.
The machine pulsed, scanning mana, physique, soul thread, and dungeon potential.
Then it beeped.
> [Rank: E-]
Silence.
Even the clerk raised an eyebrow.
"...E minus? Damn, kid."
---
Shattered Expectations
Rin stared at the screen.
He wasn't hoping for A-rank. But E-?
Worse than average. The absolute bottom.
> "You sure the machine's not broken?" he asked quietly.
The clerk laughed. "Don't worry, you're still officially a Sealer. Just... barely."
---
He left the building without a word.
The Forkspear clacked softly against his back.
His stomach growled, but this time… it wasn't about food.
---
Home
A tiny apartment. Third floor. Smelled like old garlic and instant ramen.
"Rin?"
A girl peeked from the kitchen. Messy hair. Bright smile. T-shirt three sizes too big.
His little sister, Minako.
She ran over and hugged him tight. "You're back! You didn't die in a dungeon, right? I told the landlord you would pay the rent with heroic money."
Rin laughed weakly and patted her head. "I brought nothing but trauma and body odor."
---
They sat. She made tea. He stared at her quietly.
She was the only thing he loved more than curry buns.
> "Hey, Mii-chan... if I could give you anything to eat right now, what would it be?"
She grinned. "Hmm... real karaage chicken. Not the frozen kind. Extra crispy."
---
Rin opened his system silently.
> [EXP: 26]
[Convert 5 EXP to One Dish – Category: Street Food]
> Confirm?
Y/N
He clicked Yes.
A warm glow filled the kitchen. A bento box materialized on the table—crispy karaage, perfect rice, steamed greens.
Minako gasped. "WHAT? Is this a dungeon item?!"
Rin smiled. "Better. It's food made of victory."
She took a bite—and her eyes widened.
"I—this tastes like Heaven deep-fried guilt. Rin… are you a god?"
Rin sat back, letting the moment soak in.
> "No. Just a hungry guy with dangerous luck."
---
That Night
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
E-rank. Rock bottom. Everyone above him. Everyone watching.
But now… food was power. Food could heal. Food could give.
Even his rank didn't matter.
He whispered, "This system… it can help me live. And help her live better."
---
Next Morning – Dungeon Gate #13
Rain drizzled over the parking lot where rookies gathered in matching brown jackets.
A gate flickered nearby—small and cracked.
An E-Rank dungeon. Supposedly safe.
> "You! Chubby! You're the last," barked a Sealer instructor. "Rin, right?"
Rin nodded, stretching his back and gripping the Forkspear.
"Let's see what this belly can do," he muttered.
The system chimed.
> [New Quest: Clear Your First Dungeon as an Official Sealer.]
[Rewards: 15 EXP | 1 Mystery Ingredient | Cooking Upgrade Unlock]
He cracked his neck and stepped through the gate.
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TO BE CONTINUED
..