The world had changed long ago. When the divine weapons descended upon Earth, they reshaped everything. Their power seeped into the land, the air, and even living beings. Portals—gateways to unknown realms—began to open, unleashing terrifying creatures upon humanity. Some people awakened mysterious abilities, their bodies adapting to the rising energy levels. Others, unable to awaken, sought different means to fight back. These warriors became known as the Vanguard, humanity's first and last line of defense against the monsters that poured through the portals.
But for Riven Kael, none of that mattered. He was just a university student, scraping by with part-time jobs, struggling to pay tuition, and dreaming of a life beyond mere survival. Unlike the Vanguard, he had never awakened any abilities. He was just... normal.
And now, he had nothing.
---
Riven stood frozen outside the café, heart pounding in his chest. Through the window, he saw her—Selina. The girl he had loved, the one who had promised they would always be together. But she wasn't alone. She was laughing, her fingers intertwined with someone else's. Darren Vaughn. The last person Riven ever wanted to see.
Darren was everything Riven wasn't. Rich. Strong. An awakened Vanguard. He had power, status, and now, Selina.
Riven clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe there was some explanation. But when Selina leaned in, pressing her lips against Darren's, the last shred of doubt shattered.
Something inside Riven broke.
He stormed inside, his voice caught between anger and pain.
"Selina… What the hell is this?"
She turned, her expression shifting from surprise to guilt… then indifference. "Riven… I was going to tell you," she said, standing up. "I just… I can't be with someone weak. You don't even have an ability. You'll never have a future in this world."
Darren smirked, stepping in front of Selina. "You should leave, loser. This world belongs to the strong. You don't belong in it."
Riven's rage boiled over. He threw a punch.
It never landed.
Darren grabbed his wrist mid-air, his grip tightening like an iron vice. Then—CRACK!
Pain shot through Riven's ribs as Darren's fist slammed into his gut, sending him crashing to the floor. The café went silent. No one moved. No one helped.
"Pathetic," Darren muttered, shaking his head. He leaned down, his voice barely a whisper. "Trash like you doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as us."
Selina didn't even look at Riven as she walked away.
He lay there, clutching his ribs, eyes burning. No one said a word as he stumbled outside into the cold night air.
And in that moment, he realized something.
He had nothing left.
---
The mountain peak was silent, the wind howling through the empty expanse.
Riven stood at the edge, staring into the abyss below. The city lights flickered in the distance, a world that no longer had a place for him. He had tried. He had struggled. But what was the point? He was just a powerless nobody in a world that only respected strength.
No one would care if he was gone.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.
And he jumped.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—wind rushed past his ears. The ground surged toward him, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly free.
But as the darkness swallowed him, a single thought crossed his mind.
This is it. I'm really going to die.
Except… he didn't.
---
Pain.
That was the first thing Riven felt when he woke up. His body ached, his limbs heavy as if he had been crushed under something massive. He groaned, forcing his eyes open. Blurred lights. A ceiling. A hospital?
His mind raced. I jumped. I should be dead.
But he wasn't.
Before he could make sense of it, the door creaked open. A girl stepped inside. She had long, silver hair and striking violet eyes that seemed almost… inhuman. She stared at him, her expression unreadable.
"You're awake," she said.
Riven tried to speak, but his throat was dry. "I… should be dead."
The girl tilted her head. "And yet, you're not."
He clenched his fists. "How?"
Before she could answer, something impossible happened.
A floating window appeared in front of him, glowing with ethereal light.
[ SYSTEM ACTIVATING… ]
Riven's breath hitched.
[ Welcome, Player. ]
Everything changed in that moment.