Jin Seohyeon ran her fingers through her hair, parting strands of raven hair between, a stark contrast to her pale skin.
"I refuse to believe it," she declared.
Then, after an uncertain moment of silence, "...Seriously?"
She let out an unsteady huff of air. She had awakened the System. How could this have happened? As far as she was aware, only a person deemed 'ready' by the System would awaken. But she was fairly confident that she was the same person that she was last year, and the year before that - a moody, grouchy, antisocial brat, as her older brother would very helpfully put it.
"Actually, there's no law saying that I'm obligated to deal with this." And there didn't need to be. Curiosity was enough to drive any individual into involving themself in the thrills of being a User.
The System had appeared 5 years ago - in 2025 - bringing with it Users who would awaken and gain powers. It worked a lot like the games Seohyeon enjoyed playing, with Users having classes and titles - and most fascinating of all, stat points that would allow them to invest in a particular attribute.
Jin Seohyeon once held an avid appreciation for the insight provided by leading Users in TV interviews and biographies. And that appreciation had slowly declined to indifference, just as it had with any hobby she tried to pick up.
But now, with the System bringing itself into her life, she knew instinctively that her interest would be rekindled.
It was only a matter of time.
At first, she ignored it. She ignored the bright blue, obnoxious rectangle and continued with her life.
She didn't need another thing to get tired of again. She didn't need her brother, Jin Baekhyeon, to see that initial excitement dim again. Seohyeon couldn't bring herself to see that grief and disappointment as she gradually lost that spark, once again.
But, just as she'd expected, she decided to confront the System.
Two weeks later, having read articles and online guides, she finally opened up her profile.
Assassin
Erebos' Heir (Mage)
Necromancer
Her brow furrowed.
'Who is Erebos?'
Her mind raced, and her heart began to pound in her chest. 'Really?' she swallowed, 'A hidden class?'
Her breathing became shallow. 'I've never heard of that one before. And it's a mage class?'
She rushed to her computer, searching 'hidden classes'. Amongst all that showed up, there was no mention of any Erebos. Seohyeon's fingers frantically typed, looking for any sort of clue. Eventually, she gave up, slumping against the back of her chair.
She let out a weak laugh. 'Why do I have the option of a hidden class, of all people?' She rubbed her hands over her face, unsure of what this meant.
At that moment, she heard knocking on her bedroom door. Seohyeon spun on her chair, closing the tabs. Jin Baekhyeon walked in, visibly exhausted. He pulled at his tie, glancing across the room.
"You're back?" she began. Her voice was almost shaky.
He raised a brow, but shook his head. "Yeah. I finished early today."
Guilt passed over her face at how worn out he both looked and sounded. "Busy day?" she asked.
He shook his head again. "Uneventful. Just some rookies again. Getting into things that are way over their heads."
"Are you hungry? I can get us some food," Seohyeon offered. The topic of her awakening lingered in her mind, but she couldn't decide whether to tell him. 'Perhaps later. He has too much on his mind right now.'
He massaged his temples, "I'll do it."
The finality in his voice quietened any protests she had. She nodded in understanding, despite the fact that it stung.
There had been a surplus of occasions where she'd attempted to order (in person or online), only to stutter on a word or two, and burn in mortification, mulling over it days - even weeks after. Seohyeon was the epitome of a socially anxious hermit.
She feared interacting with strangers about as much as the ordinary person feared spiders.
Her brother had been unbelievably kind about it all, and she feared she would never be able to make it up to him.
Just as he was turning to leave, she said, "Oppa?"
His head turned back to her. He gestured for her to talk.
"...I- uh, I awakened."
The silence was deafening.
Baekhyeon froze. His eyes were blown comically wide, and his mouth was parted, as if he had something to say, but was unable to get it out.
Seeing this, she continued, "I awakened two weeks ago. And I didn't check it, until today."
She gnawed on her lip, "I have the option of a hidden class."