ch3

The manager, a striking woman with eyes that seemed to pierce through Mu Jin's very soul, gestured towards a crystal ball resting on a polished obsidian pedestal. The ball pulsed with a faint, inner light, its surface shimmering with an almost imperceptible energy.

"Touch the crystal ball," she instructed, her voice calm yet authoritative. "It will awaken your Ranker class. E-class is... normal. You gain nothing. You are essentially a mortal. D-class can break stones with their bare hands. C-class awakens body-type abilities. B-class awakens elemental affinities. A-class awakens specialized warrior, assassin, archer, or healer types, often with iron body enhancements. S-class awakens control over time or elements. SS-class awakens control over major elements like lightning or shadow. SSS-class awakens control over area-of-effect powers and abilities."

Her explanation was clinical, devoid of any warmth or encouragement. Mu Jin, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, stepped forward. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the smooth, cool surface of the crystal ball. A wave of energy surged through him, a tingling sensation that spread from his fingertips to the very core of his being. A brilliant white light erupted from the crystal ball, engulfing him in its ethereal glow. The light felt both intensely hot and intensely cold simultaneously, a bizarre paradox that left him breathless.

When the light subsided, the manager's voice, as emotionless as ever, cut through the silence.

"E-class," she stated flatly. "You may proceed to the miner work detail."

Mu Jin's heart sank. E-class. The lowest rank. The utter insignificance of it hit him like a physical blow. He had hoped, however faintly, for something more. He had faced death, he had protected his sister, and this was his reward? A crushing wave of disappointment washed over him. He felt a surge of anger, a bitter resentment towards the unfairness of it all. He had expected a higher ranking, a recognition of his resilience, his strength. But the crystal ball had deemed him unworthy, relegated him to the lowest rung of the ladder. He glanced at Mu Yiner, who stood silently beside him, her face a mixture of worry and apprehension. He forced a reassuring smile.

He made his way to the designated mining area, his steps heavy, his heart burdened. He picked up a pickaxe, its weight familiar, its feel strangely comforting in its simplicity. He began to break stones, his movements methodical, his focus unwavering. He worked tirelessly, his muscles burning, his body aching. He was determined to prove himself, to show them, to show *himself*, that he was more than just an E-class miner.

As he swung his pickaxe, it struck something hard, something unusual. A sharp crack echoed through the air as the axe head shattered, splintering into a thousand pieces. Embedded in the rock was a small, ominous gem, its surface pulsing with a faint, dark light. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before; it seemed to throb with a malevolent energy, yet also held a strange allure. Mu Jin stared at the gem, his mind reeling. He reached out, his fingers brushing against its smooth, cool surface. He felt a surge of energy, a strange, intoxicating power. He picked up the gem, his curiosity overriding his caution. He brought it to his lips and swallowed it whole.

The world dissolved into a blinding flash of light. Mu Jin collapsed, his body convulsing, his mind reeling. When he awoke, he felt different, stronger, more powerful. A system notification appeared before his eyes, its message both shocking and exhilarating:

**Congratulations, Host! You have awakened the Multiverse System.**

Mu Jin stared at the notification, his mind reeling. The Multiverse System? What was it? What did it mean? He looked around, but no one else seemed to notice the notification. It was visible only to him. .

To be continued…

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