A skyscraper towered 200 meters high, its magnificent architecture gleaming under the warm Indonesian sun.
But this was no ordinary building.
Inside, two figures—the same ones previously introduced as Cool and Yapper—were walking toward the elevator on the second floor.
"Mr. Cool, should we report it now?" Yapper asked lazily.
"Of course, you idiot. We've been watching him for so long—what's the point if we never report anything?" Cool replied dryly.
"Ah, you're no fun, Mr. Cool. Wouldn't it be better if we just wait and file a report later?" Yapper grinned teasingly.
"Shut up. Don't talk." Cool's sharp tone immediately silenced him.
They entered the elevator—but instead of going up, the button they pressed sent it down.
Below was a long corridor.
Dim lights flickered overhead, casting faint shadows on the concrete walls. Several doors lined both sides—numbered, locked, and silent.
The two walked through the hallway, masks on their faces, until they stopped at Door No. 15—marked with a sign: "Conference Room—Prohibited."
Cool entered the code. The door hissed open.
"Hey, guys! Your spies have arrived!" Yapper said cheerfully as they entered.
Inside, several masked individuals were already waiting around a holographic table, their faces hidden, their attention focused on the two newcomers.
"Cut the crap, Yapper. Give us the report," one of them said firmly—codename Allright.
"Relax, Mr. Allright! We just arrived—flying from Korea to Indonesia isn't a short trip, you know?" Yapper stretched exaggeratedly.
"Enough. Let me handle this," Cool interrupted.
He stepped forward, his tone cool and professional. "From what we've observed—he's still not fully as predicted. His condition is still unstable, too weak. So far, he's been beaten twice—very badly."
"What ability does he have?" asked another figure—codenamed Faker, who was sitting near the head of the table.
"His ability allows him to copy other people's skills—but only the weakest versions," Cool explained.
"Oh… interesting."
The man sitting apart from the others—clearly their leader—finally spoke. His codename: Gone.
"You two will keep an eye on him," Gone ordered calmly.
"Yes, sir," both replied in unison.
Then their holographic projections flickered—and disappeared. The meeting had been virtual from the start.
Meanwhile, in South Korea—
A young man walked down the sidewalk toward the bus stop, neatly dressed in his academy uniform.
The young man was Kang Ryumin.
After returning from the hospital, I spent three more days resting… which meant I had been absent from the academy for a full week.
My instructor nearly lost control—threatening to expel me if I didn't show up soon.
"Thank goodness my body isn't as stiff as it was after my spar with Beom Seok," I muttered as I walked toward the bus stop.
On my day off, something still bothered me—Who were those two people tailing our group at the final gate?
They followed us but never attacked. Why? What did they want?
"Sigh… and to make matters worse, my mom took all my hard-earned money." I groaned, staring at my phone. My account balance: 10,000 won.
When the bus arrived, I got on and found a seat near the back.
As the bus sped along, I opened my ability list.
[Subspace Ability]
[1. Ember Rune (Copy)]
[2. Gale Maniac (Copy)]
At the hospital, I secretly devoured Jong-Jun's abilities to supplement my Subspace.
[Gale Maniac]
[Description: The user enters a drunken state, becoming immune to all debuffs and converting them into buffs. However, any buffs received become debuffs for 60 seconds.]
[Gale Maniac (Copy)]
[Description: The user enters a mild drunken state, becoming immune to minor debuffs such as Slow and Fatigue for 60 seconds.]
"I need two more abilities to create a new fusion," I muttered excitedly.
The bus stopped near the academy. I got off.
Before me stood Arcvale Academy—the second largest academy in all of South Korea.
Founded by my idol, S-Rank Ability User Choi Ju-Min, Arcvale was my dream.
The main building stretched seventy meters across ten hectares of land—elegant, modern, and awe-inspiring.
The school had three sparring arenas, countless sports fields, and twenty-five classrooms—each capable of accommodating up to one hundred students.
Classes were divided from Semesters 1 to 5, and each semester had five grade divisions, labeled A to E.
The higher the letter, the better the facilities—and the stronger your classmates.
During the entrance exam, I only got a D.
Not the worst… but still close to the bottom.
That made me a Class D-5 student, at almost twenty years old.
As I got off the bus, two familiar voices called out.
"Ryumin! Come here!"
It was Kang Hyuri and Na Jong-Jun, waving at me near the crosswalk.
"Hey, you guys waiting for me?" I asked as I crossed the street.
"Yeah, we've been waiting forever, idiot," Jong-Jun grinned.
They've been my best friends since high school. When they heard I was planning to enter Arcvale, they followed without hesitation.
But during the tryouts… luck wasn't on my side.
Hyuri got into Class A. Jong-Jun got into Class B. And me? Class D.
"Class D means Sleeping God, you know?" I joked as we walked. "Because this is where the legends sleep."
Hyuri snorted. "Sleeping God? More like Stupid but Determined."
Jong-Jun burst out laughing. "When the exam system sees your name, it probably asks, 'Is your friend human?'"
"I swear, I'm transferring schools," I sighed.
The three of us laughed, the sound echoing through the campus gates.
Arcvale isn't just a school for ability users. It's a place where latent potential awakens.
Even non-users eventually reveal their unique powers through constant exposure and training.
That's why the academy accepts both awakened and unawakened students.
Soon, we parted ways at the stairs—to our respective classes.
I studied hard, even though the lectures in Class D were boring and the equipment outdated.
When the lunch bell rang, I headed straight to the cafeteria—where Hyuri and Jong-Jun were waiting.
"Ugh… today's class is draining me," Hyuri complained, her head resting on the table.
"What are you studying?" Jong-Jun asked.
"Gate mechanisms and monster behavior patterns," she muttered. "Just theory. No field practice."
"Class A sounds intense," I chuckled.
"At least I'm in the top class. You're in D—the bottom level!" she replied, sticking out her tongue.
Before I could answer, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Okay, okay, Hyuri…"
It was Beom Seok—and his gang.
"I already beat up your boyfriend once," he grinned, leaning in closer. "What about that date you promised?"
"My boyfriend?" Hyuri blinked, confused.
"Yeah. That loser." She pointed at me.
"Pfft—" Hyuri burst out laughing. "He's not my boyfriend. He's my friend."
"I don't believe it. You always used to follow her around. She was clearly yours."
Beom Seok turned to me. "Hey, you. She's not your girlfriend?"
"Of course not," I said as I continued eating.
While they were talking, I secretly activated my abilities.
[Greedy Starfall]
[List of Devourable Skills]
[1. Muscle Addict (Goo Beom Seok)]
[2. Grave Mind Vein (Ryu Dae-Gil)]
[3. Spectral Step (Kwan Ho-Su)]
[4. Crimson Pulse (Park Jin-Wo)]
[5. Echo Howl (Kim Hae-Do)]
[Choose one to copy]
I chose Spectral Step.
[Spectral Step]
[Description: The user leaves behind an astral shadow that mimics the final move for 3 seconds.]
[Spectral Step (Copy)]
[Description: The user leaves behind a faint shadow that mimics 25% of the final move's power for 1 second.]
I stood up and placed my hand on Beom Seok's shoulder. "Then how about a rematch?"
Hyuri and Jong-Jun both froze.
"You're crazy! You could be hospitalized again!" Jong-Jun snapped.
Beom Seok grinned. "Fine. In an hour, during the joint physical training session—in the arena."
He and his cronies left laughing.
Hyuri grabbed me by the collar. "Are you crazy? He almost killed you last time!"
"Don't worry. This time I'm ready," I said confidently.
"Let that idiot do as he pleases," Jong-Jun sighed. "He'll learn the hard way."
One Hour Later
The joint training period began.
I asked the instructor for a sparring match — and surprisingly, he allowed it.
In the arena, we faced each other once again.
The instructor raised his hand. "Begin!"
As expected, Beom Seok lunged first — at full speed, without hesitation.
But this time… I dodged it easily.
"When did my body become this light? I haven't even used any abilities yet," I thought.
"Is dodging the only way to defend?" Beom Seok growled, swinging his fist again.
"If you're this weak, you shouldn't have challenged me in the first place!"
In the stands, Hyuri and Jong-Jun shouted.
"Ryumin! I know you're trying to defend me, but don't get yourself killed!" Hyuri shouted.
"Hey, idiot! If you lose again, don't even try to come to my house!" Jong-Jun added.
Beom Seok's friends jeered from the sidelines.
"Destroy him, Beom Seok! Show that loser who's boss!"
I smiled, dodging another blow. Finally, one of his attacks was a near miss—too close to avoid.
Dust flew across the arena, blinding the audience.
When the sky cleared—everyone gasped.
I stood my ground, blocking Beom Seok's attack with my arm, which glowed faintly red.
Five Minutes Earlier
[Greedy Starfall]
[List of Devourable Skills]
[1. Muscle Addict]
[2. Grave Mind Vein (Ryu Dae-Gil)]
[3. Crimson Pulse (Park Jin-Wo)]
[4. Echo Howl (Kim Hae-Do)]
[Choose one to copy]
"Better choose quickly before the match starts." I chose Crimson Pulse.
[Crimson Pulse]
[Description: Each successful attack increases the power of the next attack by 5%, which can stack up to 25%. The effect will reset if no attack is made within 10 seconds.]
[Crimson Pulse (Copy)]
[Description: Each successful attack has a 63% chance to increase the power of the next attack by 3–17%. The stack will reset if no attack is made within 10 seconds.]
"With this, I have four abilities in my Subspace," I thought.
The system beeped.
[Four Abilities Detected in Subspace]
[1. Ember Rune]
[2. Wind Maniac]
[3. Spectral Step]
[4. Crimson Pulse]
[Initiate Fusion?]
[Y/N]
I pressed Yes—because I needed something new.
[Creating a Unique Ability…]
[Success]
[New Ability Created]
[Name: ???]
[Description: ???]
To be continued