10 Years Ago...
The internet was in an uproar. People from all over the world were sharing the same strange experience—a dream.
"Hey! Last night I dreamed I met a goddess. She told me to choose a weapon and defeat goblin monsters," wrote one user.
Replies poured in.
"What?! I had the same dream!"
"I thought I was the only one who had that weird dream," added another.
Amid the confusion, someone spoke up with a revelation.
"Hey, I tried something and it worked. Try saying 'Status.'"
Curious, people followed the suggestion. Instantly, a transparent screen appeared before each of them, showing their name and level.
"Whoa! This is real! I'm a level 25 fire mage, just like in my dream!" shouted one user.
"I'm a level 31 warrior!" replied another.
"I'm a level 20 assassin!"
Excitement spread like wildfire. People began showing off their new abilities to friends and family. Some could shoot fire from their hands, others ran faster than lightning, and some displayed inhuman strength. Yet, no one understood the true meaning behind their newfound powers.
---
One Year Later...
Thick black clouds loomed over every nation. People gathered, staring anxiously at the ominous sky. Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the clouds, and a goddess—the same one from their dreams—descended.
"Greetings, Awakeners," she said, her voice echoing across the world. "I am Goddess Helen, your guide."
"You must have realized by now that the powers you gained in your dreams have become reality." Helen smiled mysteriously. "And so… the game shall now begin!"
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Dozens of dimensional gates appeared in the sky, each with a timer displayed above it: 30:00:00.
"This is your first battle, Awakeners. Defeat the monsters inside the gates before the time runs out!"
Terrifying creatures began emerging from the portals—massive dragons, minotaurs, sirens, gryphons. However, magical chains restrained them, preventing them from escaping.
"You see? These monsters cannot leave the gates. But if the timer reaches zero, they will break free and destroy everything."
"Defeat them to level up and obtain valuable items."
Whoosh!
The black clouds parted, revealing hundreds of shining stars.
"Your actions will be watched by the 'Stars.' If they take interest in you, you may become their Apostle and gain even greater power."
Some stars shone brightly, sending their light toward selected Awakeners.
Brrrr!
Power surged within them, raising their levels and amplifying their strength.
"Ah, looks like some Awakeners have already been chosen. That's what happens when you receive a 'Grace' from them."
From that day onward, many dared to challenge the gates—and some succeeded. Those chosen by the Stars built temples in their honor, gathering followers and growing even stronger.
---
Five Years Later...
Shion, a 20-year-old young man, worked as a monster butcher for the renowned guild Knight. His job was to carve monster meat and extract valuable crystals from their bodies.
That day, he had finished his quota—twenty Ironchicks, chicken-like monsters with iron claws and beaks. After receiving his 20 gil payment, he walked home while scrolling through his phone.
In his old school group chat, he saw that all his friends had become successful Awakeners. He was the only one who hadn't awakened.
"Damn it… am I the only one who can't become an Awakener?" he muttered in frustration.
Drop!
His phone slipped from his hand.
"Ugh! What the—?"
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head. His vision blurred, his body weakened, and he collapsed.
---
Inside His Dream...
Shion stood in a dark, empty space. He called out, but no one answered. In his hand was the knife he used for butchering monsters.
Oink!
A pig appeared out of nowhere and charged at him.
Shion dodged to the side and decapitated it in a single swing.
"What the hell is happening?"
Crash!
The pig's body disintegrated into dust and was absorbed into Shion's body. Soon, two more pigs appeared and attacked.
Shion rushed forward, leaping and slashing one's head midair. When the other tried to strike, he threw the severed head at it.
The head hit its face, stunning it for a moment.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Shion seized the chance and split its head in two.
The pattern repeated endlessly, with more and more creatures appearing. By now, he had butchered:
999 pigs
999 chickens
999 sheep
999 bulls
"I don't want to cut anymore!!!" Shion screamed in despair.
People around him gasped at his sudden outburst. Shion jolted awake.
A doctor examined him. "Someone found you unconscious on the street and brought you here. There's nothing wrong with your body. It seems you simply overexerted yourself. Please rest."
Shion walked home from the hospital with some medicine in hand. His palms trembled as he recalled the blood and flesh from his dream.
"Ugh… I don't ever want to dream that again," he muttered.
On his way home, he stopped by a supermarket. The news was playing on a nearby TV.
The guild Dawn had just conquered the 24th dungeon out of 150 in the southern continent of Biria. The number of total gates and conquered ones appeared in the sky, visible to everyone.
Back home, Shion placed his groceries on the table and went to the bathroom to wash his face.
"Hah… If only I could be an Awakener. I'd say it just like in the stories…"
"Status!"
Ding!
A transparent screen appeared before him.
"Uwaaaah!!"
Thud!
Shion fell backward in shock, staring at the glowing screen floating in front of him.
"What is this?"
[name: Shion]
[age: 20]
[level: MAX]
[job: Butcher]
[title: God Butcher]
"M-me…?"
"I'm level MAX?!"