Marcus's POV
A faint chime echoed in my head as glowing panels appeared before me.
> [Quest Complete.]
[Reward Acquired: Beginner's Gift.]
[Status Unlocked.]
My heart raced. Hands trembling, I whispered:
"Status."
The window unfolded before me.
Name: Marcus Reed
Title: —
Rank: Apprentice
Path: Iron Guardian (Rare)
Unique Skill: Indomitable Will (B)
Skills: Basic Endurance (E), Weapon Mastery (F+)
Stats:
Strength: D-
Agility: E-
Endurance: D-
Intelligence: F+
Willpower: C+
Mana: F
---
I blinked at the screen. My whole life, I'd just been the "muscle head." Now… this?
"Indomitable Will…" I muttered. The words felt heavy, like steel anchoring my chest.
Another panel appeared.
> [Beginner's Gift: Acquired – Heavy Sword (Rank E-).]
A massive blade shimmered into existence before me, its weight settling perfectly into my hands. It was heavy, yet familiar. Like it belonged to me.
A grin split my face. "Heh… guess brute force wasn't such a waste after all."
---
Lucian's POV
Around me, students gasped and cheered as their own panels appeared. Some cried in relief, others raised their newly acquired weapons like trophies.
I breathed slowly, masking my anticipation behind a calm smile. Then I whispered:
"Status."
The panel bloomed.
Name: Lucian Rowen
Title: Chosen One (SSS+)
Rank: Apprentice
Path: The Hero (Mystical Rank)
Unique Skill: Hero's Will (++S)
Skills: Light Affinity (S) [Unawakened], ???
Stats:
Strength: E+
Agility: F+
Endurance: E-
Intelligence: D-
Willpower: S
Mana: D+
Charm: B+
---
A ripple of satisfaction coursed through me. Mystical Path. An SSS+ title. Even my Unique Skill glowed with divine brilliance. It was as if the heavens themselves had carved me into the role of hero.
And then another notification rang out:
> [Beginner's Gift: Acquired – Silver Longsword (Rank E).]
The blade appeared in my hand, gleaming with divine light. Not heavy like Marcus's brutish weapon—this was elegance, precision, authority.
But that wasn't all.
> [Connection Established: HERO SYSTEM Activated.]
[Welcome, Chosen One. You are the destined savior. Special quests and rewards will be provided.]
My lips curled into a faint smile, though I kept my expression serene for the others.
A system, too? So I truly am the chosen one. No one else can compare… not Marcus, not Emily, not anyone. This world belongs to me.
---
Meanwhile – Storeroom
The stench of blood was suffocating.
Julian Cross knelt over the crawler's corpse, a jagged pole still jutting from its ruined skull. His chest heaved as he forced himself not to vomit.
Slowly, he reached out, cutting through the monster's body with trembling hands. Warm, slimy flesh clung to his fingers, the sensation crawling into his very bones.
"Urgh…" He swallowed hard, biting his lip until it bled. "Don't puke. Don't puke. Adapt… or die."
The blue panel flickered in front of him again, glowing cold against the dark storeroom.
And unlike the others, his awakening had no cheers, no witnesses, no one to reassure him.
Only silence.
Only blood.
Only him.