NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Chapter 4
The academy didn't waste time.
After the awakening ceremony, all "successful" students were shipped off into specific divisions—combat, tech, support, and specialist tracks. Each person was categorized and fitted into a system based on their power alignment.
Everyone, except him.
He was assigned to Maintenance Division 9. A dead-end zone filled with rejects, low-awakened individuals, or non-combat personnel. A place where talents supposedly went to rot.
Perfect cover.
---
"New guy. You're on waste disposal rotation today," the supervisor barked. "Don't make me call the techs to track you down if you slack."
He nodded. No complaints.
Deep down, he already knew: the system didn't want him to shine yet.
He wore a gray uniform, not even armor-grade. Swept behind reactors. Cleaned up failed potion experiments. Repaired sensor drones. Others saw trash.
He saw targets.
> [Mission Updated: Eliminate the Hunter Trainee Assigned to Sector 7-B]
Reward: Skill Upgrade – Stealth Veil (Tier 2)
Side Effect: Awareness Increase
Time Limit: 48 Hours
There it was again—another kill. Another mission. Hidden in plain sight.
The hunter trainee? A prideful loudmouth who'd already boasted of three beast kills and a silver-awakening rank. No one would suspect a janitor.
---
Night came. Power flickered across the compound from a minor storm.
He moved during system downtime—when sensors rebooted and patrol routes looped.
He found the target in the training yard, tired and resting near the edge.
No words.
No drama.
A swift needle jab to the neck with an experimental serum marked for disposal. His hands didn't tremble. His steps didn't echo.
The boy's body slumped.
By morning, a cover-up was already playing in the news.
> "Beast toxin residue detected in student's body. Cause of death: accidental contact in forbidden zone."
The staff mourned. Briefly. Then moved on.
But for him…
> [Skill Upgraded: Stealth Veil Tier 2 – Advanced Presence Suppression]
Enemies within 10 meters experience visual and auditory dulling.
Cannot be captured on low or mid-tier surveillance.
Mental fortitude slightly increased.
> [Strength +1]
He stared at his reflection in the metal panel.
Still the same dull uniform.
Still ignored.
Still invisible.
Exactly how he wanted it.
---
"Hey… uh… Janitor guy," someone called behind him. A girl. Low-tier awakened, but sharp-eyed. "You've been here two weeks and haven't even used your benefits. You sure you even awakened anything?"
He turned slowly. Voice calm.
"No need to waste benefits when you're not built for battle."
She frowned. "That's… honest. Rare."
He just nodded and walked away.
---
Later that night, the system pulsed again.
> [Mission Tree Unlocked: Tier I - Silent Fang Path]
Branch 1 – Shadow Step [Locked]
Branch 2 – Disruption Blink [Locked]
Branch 3 – Silent Weapon Forging [Locked]
Completion Requirement: Eliminate 5 System-Affiliated Targets.
Progress: 2/5
> Note: Each branch grants a unique ability upgrade. Mission branches will evolve depending on kill patterns and targets.
He smirked.
Others were learning how to fight.
He was learning how to erase.