“Wha-wha-wha-wha!”

    Park Goong was still just a teenager.

    Caught off guard, his voice instinctively rose in shock, but before he could let it out fully, his mother appeared and clamped a hand over his mouth.

    “Shhh!”

    “Mmm, Mom?”

    Wearing her rubber gloves, she pressed a finger to her lips in a gesture to keep quiet. Only when Park Goong nodded did she finally let go of him. She whispered softly, “Don’t go bothering our guest while he’s eating.”

    “Ah...”

    It was only then that Park Goong noticed Suho sitting at a table, eating.

    Two kimbap rolls and a bowl of ramen.

    Since it was a quiet time of day, Suho was the only customer. Realizing he had almost interrupted such a peaceful moment, Park Goong nodded apologetically.

    “Got it. Sorry, Mom.”

    “Good. Now, why are you here? Shouldn’t you still be at practice?”

    “They let us off early since the competition is tomorrow.”

    “Then you should be resting or hanging out with your friends. Why are you here at the shop?”

    “Mom, I know you’re working here alone. How could I not come help?”

    “Well...”

    “It’s fine. I’ve never taken time off just because of a competition. Speaking of which, Mom—”

    “Yes?”

    “You haven’t taken that guest’s payment yet, right?”

    “No, not yet.”

    “Then can I handle it?”

    At his request, his mother chuckled.

    “Sure, go ahead.”

    “Awesome.”

    Grinning from ear to ear, Park Goong eagerly hovered near the counter, waiting.

    Not long after, Suho finished his meal and approached the register.

    “Time to pay.”

    “Yes, that’ll be 10,000 won!”

    “Here you go.”

    “Would you like a receipt?”

    “No, that’s fine. By the way...”

    “Yes?”

    “Are you, by any chance, Park Goong?”

    “Huh? Wha—what?”

    “If not, forget I said anything.”

    “N-no! That’s me! I’m Park Goong.”

    Just as Suho finished paying, he suddenly recognized Park Goong and addressed him, leaving the boy utterly stunned.

    It was a natural reaction.

    After all, this wasn’t just anyone—this was Ahn Suho, the Sword God, and he knew his name.

    Suho smiled and asked, “Do you have a moment to talk? I’m Ahn Suho, from the Great Awakening Association, and I’d like to speak with you privately for a bit.”

    “Ah, sure, of course... Wait, what? From where?”

    “The Great Awakening Association.”

    “...Ah?”

    In that instant, Park Goong’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had hit.

    He began to back away awkwardly, mumbling excuses.

    “Ah... haha... I’m sorry, but I’m really busy right now...”

    “It’ll only take a moment. Are you sure?”

    “I-I’m sorry!”

    With that, Park Goong turned and bolted.

    His mother noticed the scene but by the time she approached Suho, her son was already far from the shop.

    Panting heavily, Park Goong finally stopped after running as far as he could.

    Once he felt safely distanced from the shop, he hid and tried to catch his breath.

    “Huff... huff...”

    As his breathing slowed, he crouched down, burying his face in his knees.

    “Why now, of all times...”

    The reason for his escape was simple: guilt.

    The boy couldn’t outrun his own conscience. Slowly, he lifted his head and stared at the empty air in front of him.

    [ Choose the power you wish to pursue. ]

    [ Warrior ]

    [ Mage ]

    [ Archer ]

    [ Healer ]

    What appeared before him was none other than the job selection screen.

    Park Goong was an Awakened.

    Specifically, an Unclassed Awakened who had deferred selecting a job.

    He had awakened only a few days prior, but he had kept it a secret.

    From everyone.

    Even from his beloved mother.

    Why?

    For one reason alone.

    “If anyone finds out I’m an Awakened, I’ll have to quit archery.”

    And it was true.

    The law prohibited Awakened individuals from participating in professional sports for non-Awakened people.

    Why?

    “Hey, Goong. Where are you?”“Well, Hunter Ahn Suho said he wanted to talk to you, but you just ran off. Is something wrong?”“Hmm?”“Of course. Why? Is there something else I should know?”“What about dinner?”“Alright, if you say so... but are you sure everything’s okay?”“Geez, no need to yell. Fine, I get it.”

    “Goong, the coach wants to see you.”

    The coach’s summons.

    Time to head out?

    Hearing the call, Park Goong quickly made his way to where the coach was waiting.

    But—

    “...What?”

    Behind the building, where the coach stood waiting, there was someone else.

    Someone he had absolutely no desire to see.

    Suho.

    “Why... why is he here...”

    Goong’s chest tightened, his heart pounding violently.

    Why?

    Why now?

    Even as he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn’t believe it.

    Why?

    Why?

    The coach noticed Goong and gestured for him to come over.

    “Hey, Goong! Come here for a second.”

    His limbs trembled, his jaw quivered.

    His stomach churned, his head spun.

    The world before him blurred and tilted.

    But his feet wouldn’t move.

    He had nowhere left to run.

    Like a lamb being led to slaughter, Goong slowly shuffled toward the coach and Suho, trembling all the way.

    When he finally stood before them, the coach gave Suho a slight nod before stepping aside.

    Suho spoke calmly.

    “Park Goong.”

    “Yes, yes?”

    “Were you very busy yesterday?”

    “That’s... um...”

    “You’ve awakened, haven’t you?”

    Awakened.

    That one word made Goong’s vision go black.

    His lips trembled.

    He was so shaken, he couldn’t speak.

    But he had to answer.

    Should he tell the truth?

    Or should he lie?

    In a few moments, the competition would begin.

    If he could just compete, he was confident he’d win.

    With the prize money, he could pay for his grandmother’s hospital bills.

    At least, that’s what he believed.

    Suho, his voice calm and firm, spoke again.

    “Be honest. This is a very important matter.”

    An important matter.

    Having someone from the association would have been nerve-wracking enough. But having the Sword God himself standing before him was overwhelming.

    Goong shrank even further.

    The courage to lie convincingly vanished.

    After a long, agonizing silence, Goong finally admitted it.

    “...Yes, I’ve awakened.”

    “Thank you for being honest. I recommend you file your awakening report now and withdraw from this competition. If you’d like, I can ensure the coach and others won’t hear about this.”

    “Excuse me!”

    “Yes?”

    “Can’t... can’t I compete just this once? I haven’t even chosen a class yet, and I’m still level 1. You know as well as anyone—level 1 players are no different from regular people! If I don’t compete, I’ll—!”

    “No.”

    “What?”

    “I understand your situation and what you’re trying to tell me, but the law is clear. And even if I overlooked this now, reporting your awakening after the competition would invalidate all your results from the past two months.”

    “What? Really?”

    “Yes. So reporting now is the better option.”

    “How is that even...”

    “Let’s head to the association now.”

    “....”

    Defeated, Goong hung his head.

    Suho quietly escorted him to his car.

    This was, in Suho’s view, the best course of action.

    Because in his previous life, after this competition, Goong had indeed won, just as he’d hoped. But shortly after, his supposed friend and teammate Hong Wonsuk reported him, leading to his disqualification and the revocation of his award—a disgrace that haunted him.

    ‘And that’s when he spiraled, turning into a full-fledged villain.’

    Not just any villain, but the notorious Bow Demon.

    ‘Better one wound now than two later.’

    Suho climbed into the car with Goong.