The Useless One Chosen by Darkness

The next morning…

"Where is that brat Jihoon?" the Shadow growled, voice laced with irritation. He floated around the realm, pacing restlessly.

"I told him to come early!" he muttered, his voice echoing through the empty void. "Still not here. Tch - he's probably gone back to sleep. I swear, I won't let him off easy today."

Just as the Shadow turned toward the human world, preparing to storm into Jihoon's house, a figure appeared in the distance.

Jihoon stepped forward, yawning.

"You barely escaped punishment," the Shadow snapped.

"I know," Jihoon replied, rubbing his eyes. "But Shadow… I've been thinking. What am I even supposed to do with this power?"

The Shadow sighed. "You truly don't know, do you?"

He hovered in silence for a moment, then spoke.

"Ten months from now, a great calamity will strike Earth. Gates will open. Monsters and demons will pour into your world, and humans will awaken with powers to fight back. Some will receive low-tier abilities, some higher—but all will be limited by fate."

"…But not me?" Jihoon asked quietly.

"No," the Shadow said firmly. "You are different. You won't awaken naturally like others. Instead, I'll grant you something far more powerful—your own system."

Jihoon blinked. "A system? Like in the manhwas?"

"Yes," the Shadow confirmed. "Though I originally wanted to give you my power directly… I can't."

"Why not?"

The Shadow's voice turned solemn. "Because my powers are cursed. If I give more than ten percent of my soul's energy… or if anyone tries to steal it… my soul will begin to collapse."

"That's why I created the system. It's crafted from fragments of my power. If you survive the path… it will take you all the way to my level."

Jihoon's eyes narrowed. "Who cursed you? You're stronger than gods or demon kings. Who could possibly—?"

"I did it myself."

"What…?" Jihoon whispered. "Then… can't you destroy the curse?"

"No. Even I can't undo it. There is no cure. Not even in my hands."

"…Why would you do that to yourself?"

"You want to know?" the Shadow smirked. "Then reach the power of a low-level god. When that day comes… I'll tell you everything. And when that day comes… you'll take revenge for me."

"Revenge? For what?"

"You'll understand… when the system's final mission is complete."

Jihoon clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes."I'll do it. I'll take your revenge—no matter what it costs."

"Good," the Shadow said. "But first… you must awaken."

Suddenly, a screen appeared before Jihoon with a mechanical chime.

[DING]Welcome to the Shadow System.You are the host and successor of the Shadow.Would you like to check your status?YES / NO

"…Yes," Jihoon said.

The screen flickered.

[STATUS]Name: Han JihoonRace: HumanLevel: - ??

Attributes:Strength: - ??Agility: - ??Intelligence: - ??Mana Storage: - ??Dark Affinity: - ??

you have not awakend . please awaken to access your attribute 

Jihoon looked at the Shadow. "What's going on?"

"I told you yesterday," the Shadow said. "You need to unlock your mana nodes before awakening. Normally, it takes years. But you don't have that luxury. You'll awaken now—forcefully."

He raised a hand, summoning a glowing projection of Jihoon's body.

"There are seven mana gates in the human body," he explained. "Each controls a vital flow of energy."

The Seven Mana Gates:

Crown Point (Heaven's Gate): Top of the head - allows mana to enter the bodyThird Eye: Forehead - unlocks mental focusCore Point: Heart - source of emotion and raw energyDantian: Navel - the main storage; determines awakening rank (yours is limitless)Spine Gate: Base of spine - stability and balancePalm Gate: Hands - releases mana outwardFeet Gate: Legs - controls agility and speed

"I'll help you unlock the Core Point first," the Shadow said. "Sit down."

Jihoon obeyed.

The Shadow stepped behind him and placed a hand on his back. Dark energy surged through Jihoon's veins like liquid fire.

"Guh…!"

His body convulsed. Veins glowed blue. Sweat poured like rain.

[DING]Core Point being forcefully opened.Risk: Permanent damage possible.Unlock Progress: 30%…

"Jihoon, can you endure it?" the Shadow asked.

"Y-Yes! Just push harder!"

[DING]60%...80%...

Blood leaked from Jihoon's lips as he screamed.

[DING]Core Point successfully unlocked.Awakening Progress: 15%

Jihoon collapsed.

Hours later…

He stirred. "Am I… dead? Heaven? Hell?"

WHACK!

"AAAGH!!"

He jolted upright.

"Oh… right. Still in the Shadow Realm."

The Shadow chuckled. "You finally woke up. Your Core Point is open."

[DING]Core Point: UnlockedAwakening Progress: 15%

Jihoon sat up, dazed. "What does this awakening progress mean?"

"You must unlock all seven mana gates," the Shadow explained. "Once all are open, you'll be fully awakened."

"I see… Then let's keep going!"

He closed his eyes, channeling mana upward.

[DING]Crown Point being forcefully opened…10%... 50%... 90%...

"Yes… just a little more!"

[DING]Crown Point unlocked.Awakening Progress: 35%

Jihoon kept going:

-Third Eye: Unlocked-Spine Gate: Unlocked-Palm Gate: Unlocked-Feet Gate: Unlocked

"All that's left is… the Dantian," Jihoon muttered. "But no matter what I do, it won't open. I've tried five times…"

"Behind you."

"Wahh! Don't scare me like that!" Jihoon jumped.

The Shadow laughed. "Still stuck, huh? The Dantian requires something more. You need to gather mana from all six points and direct it into your core. It's harder than it sounds."

Jihoon smiled. "You know, Shadow… I should start calling you Teacher."

The Shadow blinked. "Why?"

"No one ever taught me anything. Everyone just looked at me like garbage. But you… you've actually guided me."

The Shadow looked away. "…Call me whatever you want."

"Okay then… Teacher," Jihoon said with a grin.

One Month Later

Jihoon sat cross-legged once again.

"Today… I'll unlock it."

He pulled mana from all six gates. Sweat trickled down his face.

[DING]Dantian Gate being forcefully opened.Risk: Permanent damage.50%… 80%… 90%...

His mana dropped. Pain exploded through his chest.

"I… I can't… I failed again…"

[DING]External dark mana entering host…

"Dark mana? Wait… this is Teacher's mana!"

A voice echoed in his mind.

"Jihoon, don't give up. I'm here. Let me help you."

Dark energy surged from behind, flooding his core.

[DING]Dantian Gate: 95%... 97%... 99%...DANTIAN GATE UNLOCKED!

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY AWAKENED!

Jihoon's eyes opened wide. He cried, trembling with joy.

"Teacher… I thought I'd never do it. Thank you."

The Shadow smiled faintly. "It's a teacher's duty—to stand with his student during their darkest moment."

[DING]Awakening Complete.Status has been updated.

Jihoon stood tall. Hope lit his eyes.

"I've awakened…!"

He raised his hand high.

"System—show me my status!"