She remembered the basics: two decades ago, when the dungeons first tore open the world, monsters poured out—but so did hope.
Humanity was given systems, gifts of power, the birthright of survival. To the despair of some, not everyone received one.
Maria slid into the passenger seat, small enough not to bump her head. Han shut her door, circled around, and dropped behind the wheel.
As they drove off, Maria closed her eyes, "So?" she asked, stiff against the leather. "Where did you actually get this car?"
Those who failed to be given power were branded Gerarts. A worldwide minority defined not by race or skin, but by powerlessness and rejection from divinity.
The place Han and Maria lived, their homeland was both blessing and curse—the kingdom where the Mother of Dungeons, the first wound in the world, still bled.
"I told you, I finally awakened a system! Well despite its weird name and quests.. It's pretty good? It gave me around a million dollars as a sign in?"
Without the ability to grow stronger, without the chance to awaken later. Once the birthright passed you, it was gone forever.
"Impossible." Maria opened her eyes and turned toward Han, concern flickering across her face. "One can't acquire a system after birth.. Han, just tell me the truth.. You didn't..?"
He turned toward her too quickly, panic in his eyes. "Of course not! I'm not a thief, Mari. If I went to jail, who'd take care of my little Mari?"
Gripping the wheel, Han continued. "Look, you gotta trust me. It was dormant. I always had it—it just didn't show itself until now."
Her gaze drifted forward, catching the looming white truck. Headlights flared, blinding in the night, and the roar of its engine swallowed the road. "Forward! Look forward!" she shouted.
Han yanked the wheel, the Porsche veering just enough that the truck's headlights swept across Maria's face, her breath caught, heart slamming against her ribs as the truck grazed past them barely avoiding collision.
She sighed with relief. "Slow down—we're going too fast," she said in a bit of ecstasy, glancing at the dashboard: 188 km/h.
"Albeit it is exciting… my heart is thumping. But you drive too recklessly! Also—I didn't know you even had a license? This car is incredible though.."
"Can't do," Han said calmly. "Don't worry, it only happened because I turned my head. Oh, and who said I have a license?"
"Eh?" She looked at him, startled. "Han—I think I'm alright with walking, actually. Han?" But he ignored her, pressing harder on the accelerator.
"Brother—?"
Besides, if I fail the quest, what will happen? I can't risk it…
Letting aside her worries, putting trust in her brother who had a determined look she remembered a boy from her class, also a gerart show when the school organized a monster hunt, he hid behind others.
And when the guild recruiters came to scout potential geniuses for clans, they didn't even glance his way.
"Dormant..?" She thought for a bit, she has a system and from how much they knew, their parents were among the purgatory forces two decades ago.
Meaning they were also awakened.
"So.. You awakened? You really did.."
She said, finally relaxing in her seat. Grinning ear to ear not being able to hide shiny excitement behind her eyes. "What system did you gain? Is it as strong as mine?"
Han focused on the road, not knowing what to say. "Well.. Haha, it's too early to say.."
'How can I tell her it's a love system?'
She hummed, "Hmm.. Well I guess.. Wait, I didn't ask… Where are we going?" Maria opened her backpack, which she earlier rested on her knees then took a drink out.
Han looked at the times, four minutes left. The destination of the restaurant was ten minutes away. He needed to go faster. "Well about that, I've got a date!"
Maria's eyes widened, almost spitting out the sip of water, "A-A A date?!" First the Porsche, then the system. "What's next!? A luxury estate-"
She closed her mouth as the car slowed down, and the honk blasted out, the way into Luxury hills estate. "No way…"
***
In front of a lavish restaurant, a sleek black limousine rolled to a stop.
The first to emerge was a uniformed older woman—white hair neatly pinned, her face lined with age yet dignified, blue eyes scanning the crowd with quiet authority.
From the restaurant, ten servers rushed out in perfect formation, five on each side, creating a corridor of reverence.
Guests arriving in their own luxury cars paused mid‑step, curiosity rippling through the entrance.
"Wait—don't tell me… that's—?" muttered a sharply dressed middle‑aged man, his arm linked with a younger woman whose emerald eyes gleamed against her short black hair and matching green dress.
The limousine door opened wider. A single leg extended, clad in black heels with crimson trim.
The hem of a red dress followed, its black accents catching the light. And then she appeared—Mirai Nikki.
Her fiery short red hair framed a face lit by striking blue eyes, a contrast so vivid it silenced the crowd. In that moment, every gaze lowered, humbled by her presence.
Her gaze drifted across the crowd—men in tailored suits shamelessly letting their eyes linger on her figure, their partners stiffening beside them, faces tight with disdain. She ignored the silent drama, scanning past the luxury cars lined at the curb.
But the one she sought was absent. No gleam of red paint, no familiar Porsche.
A soft hum escaped her lips, amusement curling at the edges of her voice. "He calls me for a date, then he's late… well, whatever."
She raised her wrist, the blue diamond on her watch catching the restaurant lights, and whispered with a faint smile, "I'll wait until the given time, Han."
Behind the limousine, two black Mercedeses rolled up. From each, five broad‑shouldered men in black uniforms stepped out. Mirai and her assistant entered the restaurant, followed by the ten servers.
One young server, sheepish in look, came to Mirai. "Miss Mirai.. What do we owe the visit for? Will your father be joining us as well?" He asked in one short breath.
"No," she answered softly "It'll be just me for the night and a guy. Ah but of course prepare two tables for my bodyguards as well."
He nodded, his palms sweaty against each other. "But of course Miss Mirai! And for you, should we clean up the upper VIP floor?"
She thought for a bit, "No. That won't be necessary, the man I'm meeting for the night isn't of that caliber." She looked around the restaurant's elegant atmosphere.
Her gaze swept the restaurant's elegant interior. Soft piano notes drifted from the back, joined by the low hum of a cello, while a woman's voice carried gently over the tables.
Mirai settled into the dimly lit corner, the assistant sliding the chair back for her. The music wrapped around her, but her mind wandered.
Han Shu… huh.
She recalled the red Porsche she had glimpsed earlier, the miner she'd seen that same day—bold enough to ask for a date under the guise of an apology, then later spotted behind the wheel of a luxury car.
"Anne," Mirai addressed her assistant standing behind her, with crossed arms behind her back and a straightened posture. "Have you completed the task I assigned you?"
Anne inclined her head, placing a white document upon the table with deliberate care. "Yes, Miss Mirai."
Stamped in the upper left corner was the mark of a lion, its claw stretching toward a full moon. Across the page, a single word blazed in crimson ink, the seal heavy and absolute: REDACTED.