"Next..."
What the hell? Where am I?
An Awakening Stone? In a school?
I remember drinking heavily last night. Five liters of whiskey, twenty bottles of beer, and a bottle of top-shelf imported liquor. No wonder I'm hallucinating. How many years has it been since high school? Why am I standing on a damn school playground?
This Awakening Stone is probably just some prank. Someone scribbled on a garden rock.
Heh. Case closed.
I'll close my eyes, open them again, and I'll be back in my apartment.
Just as Max Steel was lost in that thought, a sharp pain exploded through his skull. The agony dropped him to his knees as he clutched his head with both hands.
His childhood friend saw it and called out with concern, "Max, you okay? You're not about to die on me, are you? Today's Awakening Day. At least awaken before you kick the bucket. I'm counting on you to get rich so I can ride those coattails."
Hearing this sharp-tongued remark, he knew this was indeed a 'bad' friend.
But Max had no time to reply. A flood of foreign memories crashed into his mind.
Fortunately, his name in this new world was still Max Steel.
"I've transmigrated? Just from drinking? At least I didn't have to change my name."
After sorting through the memories, Max looked at his friend with annoyance.
"Don't worry. I'm not dying yet."
Chris Kane, his childhood friend and classmate, grinned. "That's right. My boy Max is destined to live in infamy for ten thousand years. No way you'd fall on Awakening Day."
"You calling me a walking disaster? Once I awaken a strong class, you're first on my list."
"I didn't say that. I meant you'll live forever." Chris flashed a cheeky smile.
"Next, Max Steel."
The principal on the Awakening Stage called his name.
The older man sighed. "It gets worse every year. Halfway through the awakenings and not a single Epic class yet. I hope this kid brings some hope. His grades were excellent."
"Good luck, Max. Awaken a Legendary class and carry me." Chris shouted.
Max walked up to the stage, heart pounding. This was the one chance for an ordinary person to change their fate.
Everyone held their breath as he placed his hand on the Awakening Stone.
At first, nothing happened.
Whispers spread through the crowd. "Did it fail? That's a first."
Just as the principal began to turn away, the stone erupted with blinding light. Everyone shielded their eyes.
When the light faded, only a faint white glow remained.
"Common Class: Recruiter. Category: Unknown."
Laughter exploded from the students. "Hahaha. All that buildup for a white-tier Recruiter? An unknown one at that. Zero combat power."
Chris immediately jumped up. "What do you idiots know? The 'Unknown' tag means something. One day you'll all be begging to join Max's crew."
"Hahahaha. Keep dreaming. He's just a common white class. That day will never come."
Max ignored the mockery as he stepped down from the stage. His only hope rested on that single word: Unknown.
The system panel appeared before him.
[Recruiter: Can recruit awakened classes into Potential Classes based on the professional's potential. Note: Limited to this class's rank and below. Current recruitment capacity: 1 person.]
It sounded powerful at first glance, but the limitations hit hard.
Max cursed inwardly. in his heart: You damn heavens, you give me such a powerful class, but you set the rank to the trashiest 'Common' level. What am I supposed to recruit? Recruit a chicken-slayer and turn them into a pig- butcher? And only one slot... I'm tired, just let the world end
At least his family had money. He was still a rich kid. Might as well live a life of luxury and accept his fate.
"Ding. Detected that the host has successfully awakened a class. Infinite Multiverse Recruitment System is binding…"
Max's eyes widened. "A system? Standard transmigrator gear. Better late than never. Looks like I'm still destined for greatness."
Chris saw Max's dazed expression and thought he was crushed. He patted his shoulder. "Don't lose heart, Max. Maybe your Recruiter class has hidden potential. Even if it doesn't, it's fine. I awakened as a Rare-tier Blacksmith. As long as I eat, you won't go hungry."
Max gave his friend a grateful look. This was a real brother. Don't worry, I'll carry you to the top.
He focused on the system.
"Ding. Binding successful. Host's class has been corrected to Unique Hidden Class."
Class ranks in this world were: White (Common), Green (Advanced), Blue (Elite), Purple (Rare), Yellow (Epic), Orange (Legendary), Red (God-tier), and the highest, Iridescent (Unique Hidden Class).
"Wait, System. Why 'corrected'?"
"Host, Recruiter was originally a Unique Hidden Class. This world lacked the power to awaken it properly, so it downgraded to Common."
"I knew I was special."
View Class:
[Recruiter: Can recruit awakened classes into Potential Classes based on the professional's potential. Note: Limited to this class's rank and below. Current Class Rank: Unique Hidden. Current recruitment capacity: 10.]
"Perfect. Ten times the slots. That's enough."
"System, is this capacity fixed?"
"Ding. Host can increase recruitment capacity through recruitment points."
"Recruitment points?"
"Points are awarded when recruited professionals clear dungeons, excel in major competitions, claim large-scale secret realm resources, and similar achievements. Points can expand capacity, be exchanged in the System Mall, and unlock other functions."
"How many points to increase capacity?"
"The next level is 50 people. It requires 10,000 recruitment points."
"Good. Straight to fifty. I'll be building an army. Ten thousand points… that's doable."
"Wait, System. Why can't I see everyone's potential?"
"Professionals with potential below Epic rank have been automatically filtered."
"Why filter? Open everything."
"Ding. Permissions opened."
A flood of information appeared.
[Name: Troy Blaze. Class: Construction Worker. Rank: Common. Potential: None]
[Name: Dean Frost. Class: Chef. Rank: Elite. Potential (Blue): Can be recruited as a Warrior.]
[Name: Shawn Cross. Class: Outlaw. Rank: Advanced. Potential (Blue): Can be recruited as a Priest.]
Max's eyes burned from the overload. "Alright, System. Filter them again. Hurry."
"Ding. Information for professionals below Epic potential has been filtered."
"Even those whose potential lowers their rank… no point recruiting them. A stronger Mage is nice, but not if I'm stuck with trash."
Max hadn't checked Chris yet. He heard his friend awakened as a Rare-tier Blacksmith, so it should be solid.
He turned his gaze toward Chris.