There were people born under the spotlight.
And there were people who grew in the shadows.
Jin belonged to the second kind.
Orion High School — Ranking Test AnnouncementThe morning air was tense.
Students gathered in the main hall, whispering among themselves.
On the stage stood several instructors.
Behind them, a large holographic screen flickered to life.
"Listen carefully," the instructor said.
"This month, Orion High School will conduct its first official Ranking Test."
The hall stirred.
Ranking Test.
A system created after the Great Change.
It determined a student's true combat ability.
Not theory.
Not background.
Only power.
"Based on the results," the instructor continued,
"students will be divided into three groups."
The screen changed.
Elite Group
Advanced Group
General Group
"Top-ranked students may also be recommended to guilds and academies in advance."
The students' eyes lit up.
This was their chance.
To stand above others.
To prove their worth.
The Ones at the Top at the center of the hall, Aira stood quietly.
Students naturally made space around her.
S-rank.
That single word placed her far above everyone else.
Beside her stood several other high-ranked students.
A tall boy with sharp features and a confident expression.
His name was Kang Minjae.
Rank: A
Class: Swordsman.
He was known as the strongest male student in Orion High School.
"Ranking Test, huh?" Minjae said with a faint smile.
"Nothing interesting will change."
Someone laughed.
"With Aira here, the top spot is obvious."
Minjae glanced toward Aira.
She didn't respond.
Her gaze was elsewhere.
Toward the back of the hall.
Toward Jin.
He stood quietly, expression calm.
Minjae frowned slightly.
"…That guy again?"
Jin's PerspectiveJin listened silently.
Ranking Test.
A perfect stage.
But also…
A dangerous one.
If he showed too much power—
Everything would change.
Guilds would notice him.
The Hunter Association would investigate him.
And the Shadow Hunter identity…
Would become suspicious.
He lowered his gaze.
Not yet.
Jin's StatusThat night, Jin sat alone in his room.
Moonlight spilled across the floor.
"Status."
The black screen appeared.
Name: Jin
Class: Shadow Hunter (SSS - Hidden)
Strength: 25 (E)
Agility: 20 (F)
Magic: 11 (F)
Vitality: 22 (E)
Endurance: 16 (F)
Intelligence: 27 (E)
He was no longer purely F-rank.
But still far from S-rank.
Yet—
His growth speed was accelerating.
Physical Quest Activated
Objective: 5 km sprint
Reward: +3 Agility, +2 Endurance
Jin stood up without hesitation.
He knew one thing.
Every day he delayed—
He fell behind those standing in the light.
Training in SilenceLate night.
Empty streets.
Jin ran.
The wind cut across his face.
His legs burned.
But his body adapted unnaturally fast.
By the time he completed the sprint—
His breathing was steady.
✅ Quest Completed
Agility +3
Endurance +2
His stats changed.
Agility: 23 (E)
Endurance: 18 (F→E threshold)
He clenched his fists.
Faster.
I need to grow faster.
Aira's ThoughtsThe next day.
During lunch break.
Aira sat alone near the window.
She wasn't reading.
She was thinking.
Jin.
The quiet boy.
The F-rank student.
Yet…
Something about him bothered her.
He didn't act like other weak students.
He wasn't bitter.
He wasn't jealous.
He wasn't desperate.
He was calm.
Too calm.
Why?
That question stayed in her mind.
But she dismissed it.
After all—
Power didn't lie.
And Jin's rank was F.
⚔️ Ranking Test — Preliminary DayA week later.
The training field was packed.
Students gathered in excitement.
The preliminary evaluation had begun.
Instructors observed from above.
"First, basic combat evaluation," the instructor announced.
Students stepped forward one by one.
Magic users demonstrated spells.
Swordsmen showed techniques.
Aira's turn came.
She raised her hand slightly.
Mana gathered instantly.
A massive wave of magic surged forward.
The test machine shattered.
Gasps erupted.
"…S-rank output confirmed."
Students stared at her like she was a different species.
Then—
Jin's name was called.
A faint murmur spread.
"F-rank…"
"Why even test him?"
Jin walked forward calmly.
He stood before the measuring device.
The instructor looked at him briefly.
"Do your best," he said gently.
Jin nodded.
He raised his hand.
But he didn't release his full power.
Not even close.
He controlled his mana.
Compressed it.
Reduced it.
Then released it.
The device flickered.
Output: E-rank.
Whispers spread.
"Oh… E-rank?"
"Better than expected."
"Maybe he's not completely useless."
Jin stepped back quietly.
To them—
He had improved slightly.
To himself—
He had lied perfectly.
Jin's ChoiceStanding at the edge of the field, Jin looked at Aira.
She stood under the sunlight.
Surrounded by admiration.
He stood in the shade.
Surrounded by indifference.
Their worlds were still far apart.
But Jin knew—
This was temporary.
The Ranking Test was only the beginning.
The academy exam was approaching.
And by then…
He would no longer hide in E-rank.
He would reach S-rank.
Not to show off.
But to survive.
And when the time came…
Everyone in Korea would realize something.
The boy they ignored…
Had been climbing higher than anyone else.
In silence.