In the years following the catastrophic event known as "The Devastation," which marked the conclusion of a harrowing apocalyptic war among the nations of Earth, a remarkable phenomenon began to emerge: the rise of "The Gifted." This new class of individuals who possessed unique abilities that set them apart from the rest of humanity. Each Gifted person was endowed with specific talents and powers, manifesting in various forms based on their spiritual essence and personal inclinations. Some could wield the formidable powers of the mind, accessing abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis, and even precognition. Others harnessed the extraordinary capabilities of the body, enhancing their physical attributes—strength, speed, reflexes, and endurance to levels previously thought impossible. Still, there were those who could commune with the elements, summoning fire, water, earth, and air to bend nature to their will.

As the years passed and the remnants of humanity began to repopulate the scarred planet, the number of Gifted individuals steadily increased. What was once a rarity became commonplace, and society began to evolve around these extraordinary abilities. The world had changed irrevocably; the devastation of the war had left cities in ruins and nature reclaiming its territory, resulting in a landscape where the forces of evolution had gone unchecked. The flora and fauna mutated drastically, some plants developing aggressive defenses while others became entirely new species, and animals transforming into fierce predators with capabilities that would have astounded their ancestors. These newly formed Beasts posed a relentless threat to the fragile human settlements that struggled to rise from the ashes of their former civilizations.

During the war, the discovery of Xirilium—a highly toxic and volatile substance—had been both a boon and a curse. Nations sought to harness its power as a weapon, leading to the annihilation of entire populations and leaving the global death toll staggering. The war raged for nearly a decade, and when it finally subsided, the Earth was left with a sparse population and a rebirth of nature, reclaiming territories once dominated by human civilization. As cities fell to ruin, the once-familiar landscapes transformed into wild terrains teeming with mutated life forms. The remnants of humanity, now faced with the challenge of survival against these formidable Beasts, had to adapt or perish.

Despite their challenges, humanity began to rebuild. Ingenious individuals uncovered new technologies that allowed them to fight back against the aggressive wildlife. The Gifted, with their extraordinary powers, became essential allies in this struggle, utilizing their abilities to protect the burgeoning communities. Over time, entire cities sprang back to life, and with the resurgence of human civilization came an increase in the population of Gifted individuals. Society began to stratify, with those possessing the most powerful abilities ascending to elite status, while those without, like Zalin, found themselves at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

It is the year 2193, and my name is Zalin. In a world where everyone possesses some form of extraordinary gift, I find myself devoid of any talents or powers. This absence marks me as the weakest person on the planet, a title I wear like a shroud of shame. Despite society's harsh judgment, I have grown accustomed to my fate. In truth, I prefer my unremarkable existence. While the Gifted embark on grand adventures to remote corners of the planet to fulfill lucrative missions, I remain rooted in a life of anonymity, working a mundane job that involves maintaining various corporate websites from the confines of my humble one-room apartment.

Labeling my living conditions as "comfort" would be an exaggeration; the space is cramped, and my possessions are minimal. Nonetheless, it is sufficient for a single man in his early twenties. In a world where safety and comfort have become luxuries, I find solace in the simplicity of my routine. I've learned to navigate the constant bullying and disdain from those who see me as inferior, brushing off their taunts and snide remarks with a sense of humility. My daily life lacks the excitement and danger that others crave, but it is a life I have made peace with.

On a seemingly ordinary evening, after finishing my work for the day, I let out a soft sigh and threw myself onto my bed, exhausted yet content. My phone buzzed with an unusual notification, an occurrence so rare that it startled me. I had no friends, no family, and I was not involved in social networks—who could possibly be reaching out to me? Tentatively, I retrieved my black cellphone, its screen glowing with a red blinking light that beckoned me to investigate. Holding the device up to my face, the familiar robotic voice chimed, confirming my identity and unlocking the screen.

What appeared next was a notification from an app I had never encountered before: "What is The System App?" I muttered under my breath, curiosity piqued. Hesitantly, I tapped the screen, and to my surprise, the interface transformed, displaying a message that read, "Welcome to the System App. Would you like to know more about this app and what it does?" The options for 'Yes' or 'No' loomed before me.

I paused for a moment, contemplating the implications of engaging with something so foreign. Yet, with a resigned shrug, I clicked 'Yes.' What harm could it possibly do? The voice cheerfully informed me that this was no ordinary application; it had the potential to change my life instantaneously. All I needed to do was agree to the terms and conditions. I hesitated, realizing I had yet to see any terms, but curiosity got the better of me, and I clicked 'Yes' again.

"Great!" the voice chirped. "Now let's see what System you're compatible with..."

I watched as the screen flickered, a series of dots and dashes racing across the display. My heart raced as I wondered what this could mean. Moments later, the voice returned with an apologetic tone, "I sincerely apologize, User. It seems you are not compatible with the standard Systems that we offer." A bitter taste of disappointment washed over me. Even an application had deemed me unworthy.

However, the voice continued, "As an alternative option, would you like to see if we can create a brand new system tailored just for you, the User?"

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet skeptical. A new system? It sounded ridiculous, but I had come this far. I clicked 'Yes.'

"Opening scan mode..." the voice announced, and a radiant beam emerged from the front camera, enveloping my body in a soft glow. I felt a strange tingling sensation as the light scanned me from head to toe, and just as suddenly as it had begun, it disappeared.

"Scan completed... A New System has been created... First of its kind detected... You, the User, have gained exclusive access to The Empathic System... Do you accept the invitation?" The screen displayed a simple choice: 'Yes' or 'No.'

My heart raced with a mix of anxiety and excitement. What could this possibly mean for me? I clicked 'Yes.'

"Are you sure? Once the invitation is accepted, there is no way of changing your mind later. Do you still accept?"

Frustration bubbled within me. I felt trapped in this strange game. Yet, in a moment of defiance, I clicked 'Yes' once more.

"Confirmation confirmed... Spiritual Evolution is imminent... Restarting the User..."

My world began to shift, colors blending into a swirling vortex. Nausea gripped me as darkness enveloped my vision, and I succumbed to unconsciousness.

When I awoke, I found myself suspended in an expanse of inky blackness. Confusion clouded my mind as I scanned my surroundings, which revealed nothing but the endless void.

"Welcome to The Empathic System, user Zalin. Would you like to complete the System Tutorial to automatically be boosted from level 0 to level 1?"

A voice echoed in the void, and as I processed the words, I realized there was no one else here but me.

"Verbal confirmation is now accepted! Please choose Yes or No..."

Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, I hesitantly responded, "Yes, I accept."

"Excellent!" the voice chimed, as holographic panels flickered into existence before my eyes. The central panel displayed my stats, name, and level—all set at zero. To my left, an extensive list of abilities appeared, obscured in gray and barely legible. To my right, a talent tree loomed, equally shrouded in mystery.

"What is this?" I wondered aloud, and the system seemed to sense my confusion.

"Before you are your three main system screens. More tabs will be added as you progress. All abilities and talents will remain locked until you've reached an appropriate level to access them. You have been awarded 10 stat points to use as you please. Please be mindful of how you choose to use these points, as certain abilities require specific stats. You have also been awarded 1 ability point! The ability screen is now legible, transferring to your current language."

The words shifted before my eyes, transforming into a language I could comprehend. The ability screen became accessible, and I felt a surge of anticipation.

"Congratulations! The Talent Tree is now unlocked! You have been awarded 1 talent point! Complete your talent tree and gain new and enhanced abilities! Once the talent tree has been completed, new tabs will unlock."

As I processed this flood of information, the voice continued, "User Zalin, congratulations! You have gained 50 XP and reached level 1! Your Strength, Agility, Defense, Constitution, Charisma, and Luck stats have all improved. You've gained 5 stat points! You've gained 1 ability point! You've gained 1 talent point!"

My mind reeled as I tried to grasp the implications of it all. This felt surreal, like a vivid dream from which I couldn't awaken. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply as I attempted to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my head. This experience was exhausting, and I longed for the normalcy of my previous life, despite its simplicity. What lay ahead was uncertain, but deep down, a flicker of hope ignited—a chance for transformation in a world that had once deemed me powerless.