Lost in thought, Arin didn't notice the bulky figure barreling toward him until it was too late.
The man's shoulder slammed into him with the force of a truck, sending Arin sprawling to the ground. Groceries scattered across the pavement, an apple rolling into the gutter. Pain shot through his ribs as he groaned, clutching his side.
Arin barely had time to rise before the man's meaty hand grabbed him by the collar, yanking him up like a ragdoll.
"Not this again…" Arin winced, his gaze locking onto the man's piggish eyes. Old Gan.
"Of all the unlucky days," Arin muttered under his breath.
Old Gan leaned in closer, his breath hot and stinking of cheap liquor. "You think you can just walk around bumpin' into people like me? Huh, brat?!"
The grip around Arin's collar tightened, cutting into his throat. He choked, clawing at the fabric, his mind racing.
"Watch where you're going, freak," the man growled.
Arin looked up, meeting the gaze of Old Gan—a well-known brute in the neighborhood. The man's bald head gleamed under the setting sun, and his massive frame towered over Arin like a predator over its prey.
"I... I didn't mean to…" Arin began, but the words died in his throat as Old Gan grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground effortlessly.
"Didn't mean to?" Old Gan sneered. "You think an apology is enough? Someone like you shouldn't even be walking these streets!"
The crowd around them grew, yet no one stepped forward. Whispers filled the air.
"Look, it's that cursed kid again…"
"Serves him right. Nothing good ever happens around him."
Old Gan's fist connected with Arin's stomach before he could react. The force knocked the wind out of him, and he crumpled to the ground like a rag doll.
Pain lanced through Arin's back as he hit the ground hard. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the growing crowd of bystanders, but no one moved to help.
"Should've known it was that useless brat," someone whispered loudly enough for Arin to hear.
"Yeah, the one without powers. A curse, through and through."
"You're kidding me! You mean that cursed brat? The one without any abilities?"
Another man scoffed, his lips curling in disdain. "Just ignore him. Who knows if his curse would spread to us if we interfered?"
"Definitely," the first man sneered, shaking his head in disgust. "My son's got a bright future ahead of him. He's even preparing to take the entrance exam at TSA—The Sovereign Academy. How will I enjoy the fruit of my labor if I get cursed?"
The group burst into laughter, their mocking voices ringing in Arin's ears.
Arin's chest heaved, not just from the pain but from the searing humiliation that burned deep within him. He glared at Old Gan, who loomed over him with a sneer of satisfaction.
"Had enough, freak? Or should I teach you another lesson?" Old Gan raised his foot as if to stomp down.
"Do it," Arin hissed, his voice filled with venom. "Get it over with."
"Get up, freak!" Old Gan barked, delivering a brutal kick to Arin's ribs.
Arin's body screamed in protest, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to give his tormentor the satisfaction of hearing him cry out.
"Useless brat," Old Gan spat, giving him one last shove. "Your life's already screwed up as it is. Don't bother polluting the rest of us."
The crowd dispersed quickly, their murmurs fading into the background. Arin lay still on the ground, his fingers curling into fists as he bit back tears.
"Damned bastard…" he whispered, his voice shaking with rage. He stared at the spilled groceries meant for his grandfather's memorial, the frustration and despair clawing at his chest.
When the brute finally left, Arin lay on the pavement, battered and broken. His crimson eyes welled with tears as he forced himself to his knees, gathering the scattered groceries with trembling hands. The crowd dispersed, their disapproving murmurs fading into the distance.
Dragging his aching body forward, Arin made his way to the cemetery.
The path to his grandfather's grave was overgrown, forgotten by all but him. He knelt before the weathered headstone, placing the groceries—a meager offering—at its base. His hands traced the carved letters, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"Grandpa… I don't know how much longer I can do this," he whispered. "I'm so tired. Every day, it's the same thing. The beatings, the stares, the whispers… It never stops."
Tears streamed down his pale cheeks, and his fists clenched the damp earth. "What's the point of being alive if all I bring is pain? I couldn't save you… I couldn't save Mom and Dad. I'm useless."
The wind howled through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. Arin chuckled bitterly, his lips curling into a hollow smile. "Maybe… maybe it's better this way. Better to end it all and join you. At least then, I won't be a burden anymore."
The riverbank wasn't far. Its murky waters reflected the dim light of the rising moon, swirling ominously as if beckoning him closer.
Arin stood at the edge, staring into the abyss below. His mind replayed every painful memory: the loss of his family, the hate-filled eyes of strangers, the relentless beatings.
No memory was enough to stop him.
"Maybe this is what fate had in store for me all along," he murmured.
He took a step forward, his toes brushing the edge of the riverbank. The cool breeze ruffled his hair as he closed his eyes, ready to let go.
Then, his phone vibrated.
The sudden buzz jolted him out of his thoughts. His crimson eyes snapped open, and he glanced at the glowing screen in his hand. A strange notification filled the display:
-[Your cry of anguish has been heard. The heavens have deemed your fate a truly tragic one and wish to rectify such.]-
Arin stared at the words, his mind reeling.
"What...?" he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of rushing water. His thumb hovered over the screen as the text updated.
-[But that depends on whether you would like to seek redemption.]-
-[Yes/No]-
Confusion clouded his face. "Redemption? What kind of sick joke is this?"
He looked around, expecting to see someone—anyone—lurking in the shadows, playing a cruel prank on him. But the riverside was desolate, save for the occasional whisper of wind and the rustling leaves.
"Am I going crazy?" he muttered, clutching his phone tighter. His other hand shook as he wiped his damp eyes, his breath hitching.
The screen blinked again, impatiently this time.
-[Tick-tock. The heavens don't wait forever.]-
The sass in the words caught him off guard. His brow furrowed. "What the hell? Is this some kind of AI? Who programmed this?"
Despite his confusion, something about the message felt... different. It wasn't just the timing, though that was eerie enough. It was the way the words resonated deep within him, tugging at the raw wounds of his heart.
Hesitating, he placed his thumb over the Yes option but froze. "What if this is some virus? Or a scam? Or worse..." He chuckled bitterly, "What could be worse? My life's already ruined."
The screen blinked again, brighter this time.
-[Oh, for crying out loud. You've hit rock bottom. Do you really have anything left to lose?]-
-[This is your final opportunity. Miss this, and you'll return to being the helpless, useless outcast you've always been.]-
-[Make your choice.]-
Arin's jaw clenched. "Helpless... useless..." The words stung more than they should have. His thumb trembled as it hovered over the screen.
"Why me?" he whispered, his voice breaking. "Why now? Why not... before they died?"
-[Questions later. Action now. Unless you'd prefer to wallow in your misery a little longer.]-
The sheer audacity of the message pulled a startled laugh from his lips. A dry, humorless laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.
"You're really something else..." he muttered, shaking his head.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and pressed Yes.
The phone screen flickered wildly as a new series of notifications appeared:
-[Downloading Unknown Application...]-
-[10%]-
-[50%]-
-[99.99999%]-
-[100%]-
The glow from the phone intensified, casting strange shadows across his pale face.
-[Congratulations. Your fate has now being changed, you have been chosen as the sole user of the Cosmic System.]-