The weight of betrayal was unbearable. Vell's life unraveled the moment his cousin accused him of murder—a crime he could never imagine committing. His hands trembled as the officers dragged him from the funeral, the echoes of sobbing mourners still fresh in his ears. The victim, Rynn, had been his best friend since childhood. They had grown up together, shared dreams, and now, his lifeless body lay beneath the earth.
The lie spread like wildfire, consuming everything in its path. Within days, the city whispered his name with venom. The headlines labeled him a monster, a wolf in sheep's clothing. His family disowned him, neighbors turned their backs, and the streets he once called home became hostile terrain.
But the betrayal that cut deepest was his cousin, kana. They had been inseparable once, practically siblings. When their parents were too busy or too absent, they leaned on each other. And yet, she had stood in court, tears streaming down her face, pointing at him. Her voice broke as she spoke: "I saw him… He killed Rynn."
The words had crushed him, more than the jeers, more than the police cuffs.
For reasons he couldn't fathom, she had severed their bond.
The strange thing is....there was no prison time for him, instead, he was thrown out of town and told to never return.... he found it strange but at the time, his emotions overwhelmed him to realize it.
---
Now, he wandered the streets, a ghost of his former self. He shuffled through alleys, his clothes in tatters, his face obscured by a mop of unkempt hair. The only sounds accompanying him were the faint hum of the city and the rumble of his empty stomach.
He crouched beside a dumpster, the pungent stench failing to deter him. Digging through the garbage, he unearthed half a sandwich, the bread hard and stale. It wasn't much, but it would keep him alive another day.
"Look at that. Another one of those players just cleared a rank 4 dungeon. What I wouldn't give to be in his position," muttered a passerby, tossing a few credits into his cup.
The coins clinked softly.
He glanced up, murmuring, "Thank you."
The man didn't look back, eyes glued to his phone.
Players. They were all anyone talked about now. People who had unlocked abilities, fighting monsters and exploring the mysterious towers and dungeons that had appeared worldwide. They were celebrated, hailed as humanity's last hope. Vell couldn't decide if he envied them or pitied them.
A sudden kick sent his cup flying, coins scattering across the pavement.
"Oops," sneered one of the bullies. "Didn't see you there, murderer."
Laughter erupted as they walked away, their taunts lingering in the air. He stayed on his knees, watching the coins roll out of reach. He didn't bother to chase them.
"Fucking loser," one muttered. "I heard he killed his best friend for some artifact or whatever."
Before Vell could process the insult, a deafening crash echoed from a nearby street. The ground shook beneath him, and panicked screams followed.
[Warning: E-rank monster has escaped its master's control. Evacuate until a player arrives at the location.]
The blaring alert flashed across the towering screens above, accompanied by red sirens. The crowd erupted into chaos, pushing and shoving in their desperate attempt to flee.
Vell stood, his heart pounding. "Monsters…" he whispered.
He followed the commotion, weaving through narrow alleys until he reached a clearing. There, amidst the debris and carnage, stood a grotesque beast—a hulking red-furred panda with claws like scythes and rows of jagged teeth. It feasted on the remains of a civilian, blood staining its fur.
He froze. His mind screamed at him to run, but his legs felt like lead.
"Why did I come here? Ah....." he muttered. He had no weapons, no power, and no will to fight. If this was how he died, so be it.
The monster locked eyes with him, its growl reverberating through the street. It charged, its massive frame closing the distance in seconds. He didn't flinch. He stood still, welcoming the end.
But before the creature could strike, a blur shot past him, slamming into the beast with incredible force. The monster skidded backward, crashing into a wall. He blinked, struggling to comprehend what had happened.
A figure stepped forward, wielding a glowing weapon. Her face was familiar, painfully so.
"Kana…" he whispered.
She glanced at him, her expression a mixture of shock and guilt.
"Vell? What are you doing here?" Her voice wavered, but her hands tightened around her weapon. "You shouldn't be… dammit."
He stepped back, his filthy clothes and gaunt face a stark contrast to her sleek armor and radiant presence. He saw her hesitation, the way she bit her lip and avoided his gaze.
"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice hollow.
She opened her mouth to respond, but the monster stirred, roaring in defiance. She turned, her eyes narrowing.
"Stay here," she commanded before rushing toward the beast.
He watched as she fought, her movements swift and precise. She was no longer the cousin he remembered; she was a player, a warrior. And yet, in her eyes, he saw the same guilt that had haunted him.
When the battle ended, and the monster lay dead, she looked around, searching for him but he was already gone.
---
As he wandered aimlessly, he stumbled upon something unusual—a golden tube inscribed with glowing symbols. It pulsed with energy, drawing him in.
"What is this?" he muttered, reaching out despite the voice in his head screaming at him to stop.
The moment his fingers touched the surface, a surge of power erupted, throwing him against a wall. Symbols lifted off the tube, attaching to his skin.
Pain wracked his body, and darkness oozed from his pores. He collapsed, writhing in agony as the transformation began.
[1st stage complete. Satisfactory results. Activating beast forge...]
The voice echoed in his mind, and as the pain subsided, he rose to his feet. His skin felt different, purified. He clenched his fists, feeling an unfamiliar strength coursing through him.
"What the hell?" he whispered.
And for the first time in months, his eyes showed promise of a future.