The story begins with Rion, a 14-year-old aspiring adventurer, waking before his family to start his day. His primary, and seemingly useless, skill is "Alarm Clock," which allows him to wake people up. This skill, considered a "dud" in a world where practical skills are valued, causes him immense self-doubt. He uses his meager earnings as an "awakener" to buy medicine for his sickly younger sister, Luicia, and his tired mother.
Rion's routine involves waking up the residents of his apartment building, earning him a meager wage. He then heads to the Adventurer's Guild to take on low-level quests, primarily herb gathering and monster extermination in the East Dungeon, the easiest in the capital. He is often ridiculed by other adventurers for his "dud" skill and his father's past reputation as a renowned adventurer.
One morning, while collecting his meager payment, Rion is gifted a gold coin by a kind old shopkeeper who appreciates his punctuality. This act of kindness is immediately overshadowed by an encounter with Gideon, a nobleman and former party leader of Rion's father. Gideon, harboring a deep-seated resentment towards Rion and his father, brutally assaults Rion, demanding repayment of an old debt with exorbitant interest. Gideon reveals his cruel intention to torment Rion and his family, mocking Rion's "dud" skill and his aspirations.
During the assault, Rion desperately activates his "Alarm Clock" skill. To his astonishment, the skill evolves, unlocking a new ability: "Seal Release." This power manifests through the gold coin, which transforms into a beautiful young woman named Solana, who identifies herself as the Sun Goddess. Solana intervenes, effortlessly defeating Gideon and his cronies. She explains that she was sealed within the coin and awakened by Rion's skill.
Solana, having lost much of her power and memory due to a world-wide "seal" placed on gods, seeks Rion's help. She reveals that her ability to heal and use her powers is dependent on having followers. Rion, witnessing his sister's worsening condition and remembering his father's teachings about protecting others, agrees to become Solana's follower. In return, Solana uses her "Sun's Blessing" skill to heal Luicia, who had been afflicted by a mysterious magical ailment.
As Rion's skills grow, he gains a new ability, "Golden Flame," which enhances his physical abilities. He also discovers a hidden, unreadable skill on his status screen. Driven by the need to free his family from debt and the desire to become stronger, Rion decides to venture into the more dangerous "Combat Zones" of the East Dungeon. He faces increasingly powerful monsters, including a "Warg," which he defeats using his enhanced abilities and the "Blue Crystal Dagger," another ancient item he "released" from its seal.
Meanwhile, Gideon, furious at his humiliation and Rion's unexpected strength, plots to ruin Rion and his family. He plans to have Rion's materials bought at a low price and to force Rion into servitude, leveraging the family's debt. He is unaware of Rion's burgeoning powers and the true nature of his allies.
Rion's journey in the Combat Zones becomes a "training" period, where he hones his skills with Solana's guidance. He learns to manage his newfound powers, including the ability to use "White Flame" for healing and "Golden Flame" for combat boosts. He also discovers that his skills are evolving, and that interacting with ancient items and potentially other sealed entities can unlock further abilities. The narrative concludes with Rion resolving to become a "gentle strongest," aiming to protect his family and achieve true strength, while Gideon's machinations continue to loom.
