The comet blazed across the heavens, a streak of light that split the night sky and left the world holding its breath. When the dust settled, strange gates had appeared all over the world silent, towering structures that pulsed with an eerie light. They were dungeons, the first of many that would reshape the course of history. Monsters poured forth, fierce and unrelenting, and no weapon of man could hold them back.
In the face of these new threats, a rare few returned from dungeons with power beyond imagination. They were the first Awakened, humanity's only hope against the relentless wave of monsters. The dungeons, both a curse and a blessing, became places of danger and salvation alike. Those who could conquer the darkness within emerged transformed, gifted with strength, skills, and abilities far beyond ordinary men.
And so, the Age of Awakening began.
The world was quick to classify these powers. People were ranked based on their strength, their number of skill slots, and their combat prowess. From the lowest rank, F, to the legendary EX Rank, each level separated the ordinary from the extraordinary. While most Awakened remained at the F or E ranks, only a select few had the determination, resources, and talent to climb to higher ranks.
At the pinnacle were the *SSS* and *EX* ranks, legendary figures with access to the mysterious Titan Tower. Little was known about these figures or the Tower, but rumors spoke of power beyond mortal limits, of realms only the strongest could enter. For the Awakened, the ranks were more than just numbers; they were milestones on a journey to true strength, each step bringing them closer to the realm of legends.
In this new world, children were born as **sparks**—potentials waiting to awaken. Every spark held the possibility of becoming Awakened, a faint ember that could be kindled into power. But not every spark survived the test of time. By the age of nine, every child was tested, and those who showed no signs of awakening were labeled **duds**. They would live quiet, unremarkable lives, respected but always watching from the sidelines.
Among the sparks, hope and fear mingled. Some dreamed of fame and fortune, others simply longed to survive the trials they'd face. For many, the dream of awakening was everything; for others, the fear of becoming a dud haunted them.
With power came order. Guilds rose to prominence, forging new paths for the Awakened. Among them were the elite **Titanium Guilds**—nine dominant forces, each ruling a continent and wielding influence that rivaled that of entire nations. These guilds were feared and revered, each led by Awakened whose power and reputation struck awe into the hearts of all.
Under the Titanium Guilds were the **Platinum Affiliates**, smaller yet prestigious guilds that acted as scouts and training grounds, constantly on the lookout for talent. They were the stepping stones for any aspiring spark, a path to reach the Titanium Guilds if one had enough skill and determination.
The **Stormclad Guild**, one of the most revered of the Platinum Affiliates, was known throughout the region. Its leader, an EX-rank Awakened, had been one of the first to awaken during the comet's appearance. To join Stormclad was to follow a path that led directly to the ranks of the legends—a path that every spark dreamed of.
To enter a guild, however, one first had to pass through the academy. These institutions were scattered across the continents, prestigious and selective, open only to sparks with true potential. There, sparks learned the art of combat, survival, and skill mastery, preparing to face the dungeons that would shape them into true Awakened.
For an Awakened, **dungeons** were both the battleground and the reward. Within them lay **skill cards** and **mana stones**—items that could increase an Awakened's power. Skill cards were coveted treasures, each one unlocking a unique ability for those who could wield it. Mana stones were rarer still, each one increasing a player's mana capacity, the very essence that determined their rank.
But dungeons were unforgiving. Some emerged with treasures; others returned empty-handed or not at all. To step into a dungeon was to risk everything, to wager one's life against the possibility of power.
In this world, where strength defined destiny, there were still those whose lives revolved around survival, far from the grand tales of dungeons and guilds. Not every spark could reach the stars, and not every child could bear the weight of awakening.
Yet, in a small village, hidden far from the bustling cities and towering guilds, a boy named Alex looked up at the stars with quiet determination. With nothing left but dreams and a promise made to his late grandfather, he held onto the belief that his fate might hold more than the world had decided for him.