In the land of Valtheris, every person was born with a unique superpower called an Aspect. Some could control fire, others could bend shadows, and a few even manipulated time itself. Strength determined one's place in society, and those with weak Aspects were shunned. But no one was more hated than Kael Draven, the only known human born without an Aspect.
Kael's own clan, the Dravens, were once noble warriors blessed with powerful combat Aspects. However, they viewed Kael as a disgrace, an embarrassment to their bloodline. His cousins, his elders—even children younger than him—mocked him daily.
"You're nothing, Kael. A mistake of nature."
"Maybe if you beg hard enough, the gods will give you an Aspect!"
At fifteen, Kael had given up on proving himself. He had no friends, no power, and no future. But his fate changed when his clan, eager to be rid of him, sent him on a suicide mission. His task? To enter the Abyssal Dungeon, a ruin so dangerous that only the strongest warriors returned alive.
Alone and weaponless, Kael ventured into the dungeon. He didn't even try to fight the monstrous creatures inside; he simply ran. But as he stumbled through the dark, cold corridors, something called to him.
A whisper. A presence.
"You are broken… but I can fix you."
Kael's vision blurred. His body trembled. Then—
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
A glowing interface materialized before his eyes.
[Welcome to the Forsaken System.]
Kael gasped. He had never seen anything like this. The screen displayed a list of stats:
Name: Kael Draven
Level: 1
Strength: 2
Agility: 3
Endurance: 2
Intelligence: 5
Skills: None
And then, a quest appeared.
[New Quest: Survive.]
Objective: Defeat an Abyssal Wraith.
Reward: +50 XP, System Integration (Phase 1)
"Defeat a Wraith?!" Kael's blood turned cold. These creatures were terrifying, even to warriors with Aspects.
But the voice in his mind chuckled.
"Fear not, Kael. You may have been forsaken by this world… but now, you are mine. And I will make you stronger than them all."
With no other choice, Kael clenched his fists. For the first time in his life, he wasn't entirely powerless.
Kael stood frozen in the darkness, his breathing ragged as he stared at the glowing text before him.
[New Quest: Survive.]
Objective: Defeat an Abyssal Wraith.
Reward: +50 XP, System Integration (Phase 1)
"What the hell is this?" he muttered. His hands were trembling, not from fear—but from something else. A strange energy pulsed through his veins, making his body feel lighter, stronger.
The voice in his mind echoed once more.
"I am the Forsaken System. I have chosen you."
Kael scowled. Chosen? No one had ever chosen him for anything. He had always been the outcast, the weak one.
"Why me?" he asked aloud. "Why would some ancient system pick someone like me?"
The voice chuckled. "Because you are empty. And emptiness can be filled."
Before Kael could question it further, a chilling screech tore through the dungeon. A dense fog rolled in from the shadows, and a black, wraith-like figure emerged. Its form flickered like smoke, glowing eyes fixated on him with malice.
[Abyssal Wraith – Level 5]
Kael's heart pounded. A Level 5 monster? He was barely Level 1! He reached for a weapon—only to remember he had nothing.
"Great. I'm dead."
The Wraith lunged. Kael barely dodged, rolling to the side as its clawed hand slashed where he had stood a moment before.
And that's when he felt it.
His movements—faster. His reflexes—sharper.
[System Integration – Enhancing Physical Capabilities]
"This is real," Kael realized. The System was making him stronger. He clenched his fists, energy surging through him.
"Maybe… maybe I can actually do this!"
He pivoted and threw a punch at the Wraith's form. But the moment his fist made contact—
Nothing.
It passed through as if hitting air. The Wraith let out a guttural laugh and lashed out. Kael barely had time to react before a claw raked across his chest. Pain erupted through his body as he was flung against the dungeon wall.
[HP: 7/10]
"Damn it!" He gasped, clutching his wound. "I feel stronger, but I still can't hurt it!"
The voice in his mind spoke again.
"Power alone is not enough. You must use it correctly."
Kael gritted his teeth. Correctly? He had no weapons. No Aspect. No idea how to fight a Wraith.
And yet—he refused to die here.
He forced himself up, breathing heavily as the Wraith approached.
"Think, Kael. You can't hit it. But that doesn't mean you can't hurt it."
His eyes darted around the dungeon. Shadows. Ruined pillars. Loose stones.
An idea struck him.
Kael grabbed a jagged rock from the ground and clenched it tight. He waited. The Wraith lunged again—this time, Kael ran toward it.
At the last second, he slid beneath its attack, pivoting around its misty form. Then, before it could react, he slammed the rock into a crumbling pillar beside him.
The structure gave way instantly. A rain of stone and debris crashed down onto the Wraith. It screeched, writhing in agony as it was buried beneath the rubble.
[Enemy incapacitated. Weak point exposed.]
Kael's system flashed. He saw it now—a small glowing core floating within the Wraith's flickering body.
"That must be its weakness!"
Ignoring the pain in his chest, Kael dashed forward and plunged his rock straight into the core.
The Wraith let out a final, ear-piercing shriek before its body collapsed into nothingness.
[Enemy Defeated. +50 XP Earned.]
[Level Up!]
Kael collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air as the screen glowed before him. His body ached, but he did it.
He survived.
And for the first time in his life—he won.