BERSERK SYSTEM
Chapter 1: The Awakening That Never Came
The Awakening Ceremony.
For centuries, it had been the most anticipated day in any teenager's life — the day they turned sixteen and learned what System they were born to wield.
Warriors gained strength. Mages summoned elements. Healers bent reality with their will. Every human was born with the potential to awaken, and when they did, their entire life changed.
Rayden stood in the cold marble hall with thirty-four other teens, each of them buzzing with nervous energy. He stood out — not for being special, but for being... ignored.
The High Seer, clad in golden robes with glowing blue runes running down her sleeves, stepped forward. "One by one, you shall receive the mark of your System."
One by one, the names were called.
"Selva Lornhart – System Type: Shadowblade." "Marik Denholm – System Type: Iron Body." "Sena Valcroft – System Type: Beast Whisperer."
Cheers erupted. Parents clapped. Friends hugged. But Rayden stood silently, waiting.
Finally…
"Rayden Kael."
He stepped forward. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. His hand brushed against the Seer's, and a circle of runes ignited below his feet.
And then…
Nothing.
The glow died. The hall fell silent. Whispers began to form like mist.
"Error… no system detected," the Seer murmured, eyes narrowing in confusion. "Repeat scan."
Again — nothing.
A cruel snicker came from behind him. "Guess someone's defective."
Rayden clenched his fists, eyes burning, jaw tight. He turned, storming out of the temple before the laughter swallowed him whole.
The cold wind of the mountains whipped across his face. He didn't care where he ran — only that he ran far enough.
Away from the looks. Away from the pity.
He tripped.
Tumbled.
Hit the ground hard.
Groaning, Rayden pushed himself up. The earth below him was not dirt… it was stone, buried beneath the moss. A strange symbol was etched on the surface — a twisted eye with black tendrils.
A tomb.
Curious. Angry. Desperate. He began scraping away at the moss and soil. An iron lid revealed itself, with a skeletal hand carved gripping a closed book.
As his fingers touched the surface — a pulse ran up his arm.
Then...
[SYSTEM DETECTED]
Establishing Connection…
WARNING: SYSTEM TYPE: UNKNOWN
Name: BESERK SYSTEM
Status: LOCKED | Fragmented | Sealed
Rayden's eyes widened.
[INITIATING SOUL BOND]
Processing Soul Affinity… 89% Compatible
Warning: System carries Corruption Risk
Proceeding anyway…
"You are mine now, Rayden."
[SYSTEM ACQUIRED: BESERK SYSTEM]
Quest Unlocked: First Bloodlust
His breath caught in his throat. The voice wasn't just text. It whispered in his mind.
Cold. Metallic. Unforgiving.
Quest: First Bloodlust
Objective: Spill blood in rage
Reward: Unlock Skill – [Unchained Fury Lv.1]
Note: Resistance to the system will cause severe mental backlash.
He staggered backward, heart pounding.
"What… what is this thing?"
The book in the tomb pulsed again, rising into the air, pages flipping by themselves. Flames licked its edges but it didn't burn. A face appeared — distorted and hollow-eyed.
"You are the second," it whispered. "The first tore kingdoms apart. You… might do worse."
Rayden should have run. He should've screamed.
But instead… he smiled.
Let them laugh now.
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