The morning after the creature's rampage, the city felt different—vibrant, restless, and alive in a way that made Nova's veins hum with electricity. The streets were quieter than usual, yet every passerby seemed to carry an invisible weight of curiosity and fear. Something had shifted. Something in the air told people that the city had been touched by the extraordinary.
Nova moved through the urban maze, coat clinging to him, hands twitching with sparks he barely restrained. Every billboard, every reflected neon sign, every rippling puddle seemed to vibrate with latent energy. His mind replayed the previous night's battle—the monster, the sparks, the humans frozen in awe. And then, like an electric pulse, realization struck him: the world had witnessed him.
The first wave of believers came not through direct acknowledgment but through digital whispers. Videos of the fight circulated across social media, shaky camera angles capturing the glowing sparks and the creature's retreat. Comments ranged from awe to panic, some calling him a savior, others calling him a demon.
[System Notification] Indirect Belief Accumulation Detected
Belief Points: +7 (Multiple Witnesses via Social Media)
Current Power: 4.5%
Followers: 1 confirmed, 5 indirect
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 4
Nova flexed his fingers, sparks dancing faintly along his skin. Even those who didn't directly see him now fed his growth. Faith had become currency; acknowledgment had become power.
A sudden tremor in the nearby alley made him tense. From the shadows emerged another supernatural anomaly—smaller than the previous creature but faster, more erratic, and visibly aggressive. Its eyes glowed like molten gold, and a low growl emanated from its throat, vibrating the concrete beneath its feet.
Nova leapt into action, sparks arcing across his fingertips. He intercepted the creature before it could reach a small crowd of early commuters, forming a protective cocoon of energy around them.
[System Notification] Minor Threat Detected: Supernatural Entity
Threat Level: Moderate
Recommended Response: Engage
The creature lashed out, striking Nova's barrier with claws that sparked against the energy. Each impact sent tremors through the surrounding street. Nova retaliated, shaping sparks into sharp, crystalline shards and firing them at the beast. It screeched, leaping backward, but instead of fleeing, it darted into the crowd, creating chaos.
Screams rang out. Phones lifted to capture the unfolding spectacle. Nova's heart raced—he could feel the surge of belief flowing toward him, tangible and heavy, each witness strengthening the spark inside.
[System Notification] Belief Points +10 (Witnessed Miracle)
Power Increased: 5.2%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 5
Quest Update: Protect Civilians #1 – Completed
From a rooftop above, a figure observed, hidden in shadow. The presence was familiar—a rival candidate, unseen but palpably powerful. Nova felt a chill run down his spine, sparks momentarily flaring in defense.
[System Alert] Rival Candidate Detected
Location: Nearby Rooftop
Threat Level: Moderate
Recommendation: Caution
The rival did not intervene yet, only watched. Nova knew they were measuring his abilities, waiting for a moment to challenge or provoke him. The city below erupted into whispers, some running, some frozen in awe, some filming for proof.
Nova pushed the creature back with a concentrated surge of sparks, forcing it to retreat into a narrow alley. It hissed and disappeared into the shadows, but the warning was clear: the city was no longer safe, and neither was he.
[System Notification] Supernatural Threat Neutralized: 1/1
Belief Points Gained: +12 (Direct Witnesses)
Power: 5.8%
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 6
Observers Detected: 5
Even as the adrenaline faded, Nova felt the weight of exposure pressing down. Each act of heroism had a price—attention, scrutiny, rivals, and supernatural entities lurking just beyond sight. He flexed his hands again, sparks dancing across his skin, the hum of the Divine Spark pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
By mid-afternoon, the videos were viral. Headlines called him everything from "The Glowing Savior" to "The Demon of Downtown." Social media influencers debated his nature, some claiming it was a publicity stunt, others warning of imminent disaster. Followers—real believers—had begun to appear, offering small gestures of faith, belief, or curiosity.
[System Notification] Indirect Belief Accumulation Detected
Belief Points: +8
Current Power: 6.3%
Followers: 1 confirmed, 10 indirect
Minor Authority: Sparks Shaping Level 6
The notifications were constant, mechanical, precise. Nova could feel the Divine Spark growing, feeding on acknowledgment, shaping him into something more than human. And yet, the Rival Candidate lingered, patient, observing, a shadow of intent that reminded him that power came with danger.
Evening fell, and the city lights flickered on. Nova climbed to the rooftops, surveying the web of streets below. Sparks leapt from his fingers like dancing fireflies, reflecting the electricity in the air. He could see the humans, their tiny lives, the ripple of belief already forming chains he barely understood.
From the far edge of the skyline, another movement caught his eye—a second, more powerful supernatural anomaly, larger than the one from the alley, moving swiftly toward the city. Nova's chest tightened, and the system chimed mechanically in his mind:
[System Alert] High-Level Supernatural Threat Approaching
Threat Level: High
Recommendation: Immediate Engagement
Belief Points Pending: Witnesses Unknown
Nova's heart pounded. He had survived, grown stronger, and gained believers—but the world had begun to push back. Rivals were watching, supernatural entities prowled the streets, and unseen ancient eyes turned toward him, weighing his potential.
He looked over the city once more, sparks illuminating his clenched fists. The Divine Spark pulsed in response, hungry for faith, ready to grow stronger with every acknowledgment, every believer.
> "Let them watch," he whispered to the empty streets. "Let them believe. Let them challenge me. I… I will become more than a man."
Above, in the shadows, both rivals and unseen gods stirred. The stage was set. The public had witnessed the first miracles, and Nova had revealed his hand. But the real trials—the rivals, the gods, and the growing faith of the city—were only beginning.
---