Abdul Rehman was just another student in a world that had changed beyond recognition. One year ago, something happened that shook the foundation of reality—the Awakening. One by one, people across the globe started gaining supernatural abilities. Some could manipulate fire, others could freeze time, and a select few could twist the very fabric of existence. Governments collapsed, chaos spread, and for a short while, the world became a battlefield.
But then, as quickly as it had begun, order was restored. The government—rebuilt and now more powerful than ever—classified and ranked every ability holder, placing them under strict control. The ranking system was simple: S, A, B, C, D, and E. Those at the top became legends, while those at the bottom were nothing more than cannon fodder.
And then… there was Abdul.
Unlike the others, he hadn't awakened anything. Or so everyone thought. In a world that worshipped strength, Abdul was nothing. A target for mockery. A punching bag for the strong.
His life at college was miserable. Every day, he walked through the halls, knowing he was different. Weak. Powerless. He was often shoved into lockers, had his books thrown away, and was called names.
"Pathetic."
"Trash."
"Why do you even bother coming to class?"
He endured it all. Not because he was used to it, but because he had no other choice. No one stood up for him. No one cared.
No one… except Anas.
His older brother was one of the lucky ones. Anas had awakened the ability of Death. An S-rank ability. He was feared and respected. Yet, unlike the others, he never looked down on Abdul. He always treated him as his equal, as his brother.
Whenever Abdul was cornered by bullies, Anas was there to help. Whenever he felt like giving up, Anas was there to push him forward.
"It doesn't matter what others think, Abdul. Your time will come. And when it does, make sure it's worth it."
Those words kept him going.
But deep down, a storm was brewing.
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One day, after yet another humiliating encounter with a group of bullies, Abdul sat on the college rooftop, staring at the city below. His fingers clenched into fists. His heart pounded in his chest.
"Why am I so weak?"
His mind screamed at the unfairness of it all.
"Why do I have to suffer while everyone else gets to be strong?"
A part of him wanted to give up. To accept that this was his fate.
But another part… a darker part… refused.
"No… I won't accept this. I won't be weak forever."
At that moment, something stirred.
Deep within his soul, something ancient… something forgotten awakened.
For a brief second, the world around him flickered. The sky darkened. The air grew heavy. He gasped, clutching his chest as an unbearable weight pressed down on him. His vision blurred, and then—
A screen appeared before him.
[System Initialization Complete…]
[Welcome, Successor of the Void.]
Abdul's eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat.
"Void?"
Before he could react, his surroundings shattered like glass, and he was pulled into darkness.
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End of Chapter 1