"Ah… Am I a loser in this life too?" Arjun whispered to himself, staring at his hands.
In this world, every soul manifested a unique form—called a Soul Nature. It could be a weapon, a beast, or an elemental force. Though many shared similar categories, each was fundamentally different—shaped by the soul's will, purpose, and potential.
He remembered the original idea behind this world. Back in high school, when he first wrote this story, it was meant to be simple. Just a revenge tale.
A weak boy, abandoned by the world, becomes powerful and gets even.
That was it.
But this—this was no longer a story.
It was reality. And the worst part? He couldn't write it anymore. He couldn't change it. He couldn't end it.
He could only live it.
And right now… he had nothing.
As that bleak thought crossed his mind—
Ding!
A translucent blue screen appeared in front of him.
> [Welcome to the Family Leveling System.]
Arjun blinked.
"What…?"
He stared at the floating panel, completely dumbfounded.
Then slowly, a grin broke across his face.
"…Something is better than nothing."
He stood up. The ritual was over. And just as he suspected, there was no glowing pillar beside him.
No Soul Nature.
No power.
He could feel the whispers again. Those cold, judgmental eyes.
The other kids… they didn't even bother hiding their disdain.
But Arjun didn't respond. He didn't even look their way.
He turned and walked out—head high, expression blank.
And outside, standing in the shade of a broken pillar, was Vhim.
The boy looked down, trying to hide his disappointment. His usual spark was gone.
Arjun's heart ached for him.
Then suddenly—
> [King-level candidate detected!]
[Do you want to add Vhim to your family?]
"What? Explain yourself," Arjun said quickly.
But the panel didn't respond.
> [Do you want to add Vhim to your family?]
"Tch… no dialogue, huh? Fine."
He glanced at Vhim. The boy who believed in dreams. Who never mocked. Who stood with him even when the world didn't.
"Okay. Add Vhim."
> [Vhim has been added to your family.]
[Please give a name to your family.]
Arjun looked up at the sky for a moment.
He remembered an old username he used as a kid. Something childish… something bold.
"…Xaboss."
> [Congratulations! You are now the Head of the Xaboss Family.]
(Vhim's Point of View)
I didn't understand it.
Why didn't I awaken anything?
The pillar… the glowing light that was supposed to represent my soul nature—it never came.
All the other kids had theirs. Some were small, some tall, some red, blue, green… swords, beasts, flames.
Even Arjun… even he didn't get one.
I opened my eyes, and everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
No one said anything, but I could feel it. The way they didn't look at me. The silence that got heavier with each second.
The monks looked away. The other children smirked behind their palms. Their souls glowed with pride.
And mine?
Nothing.
Empty.
I stood up and walked out. Quietly. Without looking back.
My legs felt heavier with each step. Not because I was tired—but because I was dragging along shame.
What did I do wrong?
Wasn't I supposed to be special?
I always believed I would be. That if I just kept dreaming—if I just kept wanting—someday, the world would answer me.
But I guess I was just a fool after all.
An unwanted orphan, dreaming about becoming the best adventurer.
"Hah…" I tried to laugh. It came out hollow.
The villagers always looked at me like I was a stray dog begging for scraps. Like I was delusional.
But… Arjun never did.
He always listened. He never mocked me, even when I talked nonsense about fighting dragons or exploring Boshusuka. He didn't believe in the dream—but he believed in me.
And now… he didn't get a pillar either.
Was it because of me?
Did I drag him down somehow?
I sat near the temple steps, hugging my knees, trying not to cry.
Then I heard footsteps.
When I looked up, I saw Arjun walking toward me. He looked calm. Focused.
Not angry. Not scared.
Just… sure.
And then, something strange happened.
I felt a warmth… like something invisible wrapped around my chest and pulled tight, like a connection being formed.
And at that moment, I heard a voice in my mind.
> [You have been added to the Xaboss Family.]
> [Your bond has been acknowledged by the Family Head.]
My heart skipped.
What… was that?
I looked at Arjun. He didn't say anything right away. Just sat next to me.
For a while, we didn't speak. Just sat in the silence of failure.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I guess we're in this together."
I didn't understand what he meant, but…
Something inside me felt okay again.
Maybe I wasn't glowing. Maybe I didn't have a beast or a sword.
But for some reason… I didn't feel like nothing.
I didn't know what Xaboss meant.
.
.
.
(Arjun's Point of View)
I walked over to him slowly.
Vhim was sitting on the temple steps, knees pulled to his chest, staring at the ground like it had all the answers he didn't. For a moment, he looked like a kid who'd just had his dreams shattered.
Then again… I guess that's exactly what he was.
When he looked up and saw me, his eyes filled with questions.
I didn't let him speak first.
I sat down beside him and sighed.
That's when he tilted his head, still confused.
"What?" I asked, keeping my tone light.
He squinted.
"What is Xaboss?"
I raised a brow. He saw that too?
"My family."
He blinked. "So... I'm a family member?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
His voice softened, curious and careful. "How did you do it? You didn't have a pillar when I saw."
I smiled at that. I didn't know the full answer myself yet.
"Secret," I said simply. "I'll tell you when I know. But right now, all I can say is… we're probably small pawns in a huge game."
I looked up at the sky. The clouds were moving faster than I liked. A storm was always coming in these stories, wasn't it?
"We need to get powerful." That part came out without me meaning to. But I meant it.
Just then, something unexpected happened.
A transparent screen blinked into view in front of both of us. This one wasn't like the others. It wasn't part of the temple's ceremony.
It was the system—my system.
† ★‡
Target 🎯 50 Power stone -2 ex chapter