I didn’t think.

  I just moved.

  One moment, I was sitting, absorbing the situation, the next, I was on my feet, walking toward the nearest exit like my body had made the decision before my mind could catch up.

  Then, I felt it.

  The weight of a hundred eyes pressing against me.

  Conversations that had been happening moments ago fell silent, replaced by hushed whispers.

  The murmurs were subtle, but I could still hear them, feel them crawling along my skin.

  “Is he an awakened or a hunter?”

  “Why’s he getting up?”

  “He doesn’t look that strong…”

  I wasn’t someone who enjoyed being the center of attention.

  I liked staying unnoticed, blending into the background where no one would expect anything from me.

  Just like an extra.

  But now, standing here in the middle of the train, all that unwanted attention bore down on me like a crushing force.

  Attention is my enemy...

  One of my greatest enemy.

  My steps slowed.

  Maybe this was a bad idea.

  Maybe I should just sit back down, wait for someone else to step up.

  It wasn’t like I had to do this.

  I wasn’t a hero, neither was i interested in becoming one.

  For a brief moment, I considered turning back and abandon the thought of testing my ability.

  But then…

  Why had I stood up in the first place?

  I clenched my fists.

  Right.

  Because I knew I was capable of doing something.

  The system had just given me an ability, Lightning Life.

  A skill so absurdly overpowered that, as long as even the faintest trace of electricity existed, I cannot truly die.

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  It was a level of immortality that didn’t even sound real.

  I had a chance to test it now.

  I had to study how it works, to learn more about it.

  And it would seem childish to go back.

  I exhaled through my nose and took another step forward.

  The murmurs grew louder.

  Some passengers who were standing moved aside, clearing a path, while others simply watched, wide-eyed, probably expecting something dramatic to happen.

  I ignored them.

  Even though every step felt like I was wading through thick air, I kept moving.

  Because if there was one thing I knew for sure...

  I hated this.

  As I walked, the murmurs didn’t stop.

  If anything, they grew louder, more pointed.

  “He doesn’t even have a weapon.”

  “Is he really an awakened?”

  “He looks too normal.”

  I didn’t need to turn my head to know that all eyes were locked onto me, scrutinizing every detail of my appearance.

  Their voices were hushed, but I could still make out the doubt and disbelief laced within them.

  And honestly?

  I couldn’t blame them.

  Looking down at myself, I saw exactly what they saw, a guy dressed in a plain hoodie, jeans, and simple sneakers.

  No armor.

  No tactical gear.

  No weapons strapped to my waist or slung over my back.

  Just me, and my dagger which they can't see with me currently.

  Compared to the image most people had of hunters, a warrior draped in sleek battle suits, carrying enchanted swords or futuristic firearms, I probably looked like some reckless civilian who had no idea what he was walking into.

  For a moment, an old familiar feeling crept in.

  That nagging discomfort of being underestimated.

  Of being judged for what I seemed to be rather than what I actually was.

  It wasn’t the first time.

  I had been just an ordinary guy, no special skills, no impressive physique, no heroic background.

  And even now, after everything I had experienced, I still looked ordinary.

  No one here knew what I had been through.

  They didn’t see me standing before the Sixth Orc Lord.

  They didn’t see me witnessing the Harbinger of Oblivion himself descend upon the battlefield like a walking calamity.

  They didn’t see me escaping a collapsing dungeon with nothing but my instincts and sheer will.

  None of those are the greatest achievement in existence, but they are something at least.

  But all they saw was someone who, by all appearances, didn’t belong.

  I exhaled slowly.

  It was fine.

  Let them judge.

  Let them doubt.

  In the end, it didn’t matter what they thought.

  Because the moment I stepped off this train and into that battlefield, my actions would speak louder than their words ever could.

  But still, I kept walking, expecting, hoping, that someone else would stand up.

  Any second now, another awakened would rise from their seat, maybe some well-equipped hunter or a seasoned warrior with a confident smirk.

  Maybe even one of those arrogant types who thrived on showing off, eager to prove themselves.

  But no one moved.

  The train was packed, yet the silence among the passengers was suffocating.

  The only sounds were hushed whispers and the faint hum of the overhead lights.

  I could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on me, a mixture of doubt, curiosity, and fear.

  I glanced around, scanning faces, searching for someone, anyone, who looked like they had the strength or courage to step forward.

  Nothing.

  No one.

  Some were avoiding my gaze, pretending to be distracted.

  Others were outright staring, waiting for me to sit back down, as if this was all just some misunderstanding.

  So that’s how it is.

  I sighed.

  This situation was ridiculous.

  A dungeon portal opening on a railway?

  That wasn’t normal.

  Usually, they appeared in isolated zones, close to abandoned buildings, or deep underground or just somewhere in the city.

  But here?

  On an active transportation route?

  That was new.

  That was wrong.

  And still, no hunters present?

  Not even one?

  I know that, statistically, at least one or more people on this train would have some kind of ability.

  Even a low-rank hunter would have been something.

  But the reality was staring me in the face.

  I was alone in this.

  No one would to stand up.

  I don't blame them.

  I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair.

  Fine, even just better.