Adam sat in his small apartment, staring at the screen of his laptop. The soft hum of the cooling fan was the only sound in the room. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating as he scrolled through the endless job listings. The world had changed drastically in the last five years, and yet, despite everything, the struggle to find a suitable job remained as frustrating as ever.
His younger sister, Mia, had awakened a powerful trait known as Shadow Walker. But she hadn't yet discovered the full extent of its abilities. Unlike Adam, who remained stuck in his stagnant life, she had joined a guild with her friends and barely discussed her daily adventures. He understood, of course—power meant opportunity, and opportunity led to independence. She didn't need to share her struggles because she was thriving in this new world.
Their mother, on the other hand, had awakened a trait related to nature. Now, she worked as an alchemist, crafting potions and medicines infused with mana. Her abilities allowed her to accelerate the growth of plants, making her invaluable in the production of rare herbs and elixirs. The once-ordinary woman who had raised them was now a respected member of the community, her work in high demand.
Meanwhile, Adam remained an outlier.
Powerful people had formed guilds, establishing their dominance over the Gates. Some preferred to work in parties, while others went solo, risking everything for the chance to grow stronger. Associations had been created to register abilities, track awakened individuals, and organize expeditions into the unknown. It was a world driven by strength, and those without combat prowess were left struggling to carve out a place for themselves.
Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair. He continued scrolling through job listings, filtering out the ones he had no chance of qualifying for. Most positions required combat-related abilities—something he lacked entirely. He had to be realistic. If he couldn't fight, he needed to find another way to make himself useful.
Then, one listing caught his attention.
Expedition Member Needed: Ruins Exploration
Seeking an individual with abilities related to appraisal, deciphering, or knowledge-based skills.
Mission: Investigate and decode ancient inscriptions within an unexplored ruin.
Affiliation: Adventurer Association
Compensation: Negotiable, based on contributions.
Adam leaned forward, reading the description carefully. Unlike the majority of postings, this one didn't require combat prowess. Instead, it sought someone with knowledge—a rare demand in a world increasingly obsessed with brute force. His ability, Insight, allowed him to analyze and understand things on a deeper level. Perhaps this was the kind of job he had been waiting for.
Without hesitating, he clicked Apply and submitted his information. A confirmation popped up almost immediately:
Meeting Scheduled: 4:00 PM
Location: Adventurer Association, District 3 Headquarters
Adam exhaled, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. He had taken the first step. Now, he needed to prepare.
---
He pushed his chair back and stood, stretching his stiff limbs. Before heading out, he needed to inform his mother.
Stepping out of his room, he walked into the small kitchen where his mother was carefully measuring ingredients for a new batch of potions. The warm scent of herbs and alchemical compounds filled the air.
"Mom, I applied for a job," Adam said.
She glanced up from her work, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Oh? What kind of job?"
"It's an expedition through the Adventurer Association. They're looking for someone with appraisal and decoding skills for a ruin exploration."
She set down the vial she was holding, wiping her hands on a cloth. "That sounds dangerous, Adam. Are you sure about this?"
"I don't have many options," he admitted. "I need to start somewhere, and this is the first job that actually fits my abilities."
His mother studied him for a long moment before nodding. "If this is what you want, then I won't stop you. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I will."
"Good. Then go freshen up—you want to make a good impression."
Adam smiled. "Right."
---
After showering and changing into a clean outfit, Adam checked the time. 3:15 PM. He had enough time to make it to the association without rushing. He grabbed his bag, making sure he had his identification and necessary documents before heading out.
The streets were bustling with activity, as they always were. People moved with purpose, whether they were heading to work, training, or preparing for expeditions. Billboards displayed advertisements for new mana-infused weapons, alchemical potions, and recruitment posters for guilds seeking new members.
The world had evolved into something completely different from the one he had grown up in.
After a short commute, he arrived at the Adventurer Association headquarters. The building was massive, constructed from reinforced steel and mana-infused materials to withstand any potential attacks. A towering structure, it loomed over the surrounding district, its entrance guarded by security personnel clad in enchanted armor.
Adam took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. The lobby was vast, with high ceilings and walls lined with holographic screens displaying mission postings, guild rankings, and news updates. Adventurers of all ranks moved through the space—some in casual attire, others in full battle gear, their weapons gleaming under the bright lights. The energy in the air was palpable, a constant buzz of anticipation and ambition.
To his right, a reception desk was manned by association staff, guiding newcomers and handling administrative work. A separate line led to mission registration, where teams signed up for expeditions. Further inside, there was a training area visible through glass walls, where fighters practiced their skills against automated dummies and sparred with one another.
Adam approached the main desk. A young woman with sleek brown hair and a professional demeanor greeted him.
"Welcome to the Adventurer Association. How can I assist you?"
"I have an appointment for a job interview. Adam Carter."
She tapped on her screen, scanning the records. "Ah, yes. You're here for the ruin exploration expedition." She gestured towards a waiting area. "Please take a seat. Your interviewer will be with you shortly."
Adam nodded and walked over to the seating area, settling into a chair. He exhaled slowly, trying to calm his nerves. This was his first real opportunity to carve out a place for himself in this new world. He couldn't afford to let it slip away.
As he waited, he observed the people around him. Groups of adventurers discussed upcoming missions, their voices filled with excitement and confidence. Some carried weapons that pulsed with mana, while others exuded auras of raw power. They belonged here. They were part of this world in a way that Adam wasn't—at least, not yet.
But that was going to change.
No matter what, he would find a way to prove himself.