The figure in front of him spoke, her voice sharp and unwavering.
"Welcome to the Liminal." she said.
"This is where the mighty Index allows challengers to prepare for their Scenario. You will be taught the rules and be given the opportunity to test your limits.", she continued.
Bane froze. "Wait what? I was chosen by the Index?" His mind raced. He was a slum rat, barely able to eat, how in the hell was he chosen?
"And... what the hell does she mean to test my limits? I am a nobody", he muttered under his breath
Though it seems like the being heard him…
Her eyes pierced the darkness and then moved to him.
"You have been granted a system," she said calmly. "Because you were chosen by the Index you have been given an opportunity to show your potential, a small enhancement.".
However, Bane wasn't convinced - and his mind raced. "I shouldn't have been chosen - after all, I could definitely not survive if something were to attack me right now."
Suddenly, symbols and numbers spiraled into existence before his eyes.
"This is.."
A window appeared in front of him which showed details about him
─────────────────────────────
CHALLENGER STATUS
─────────────────────────────
Name: Bane Riven
Age: 16
Title: Slum Rat
─────────────────────────────
Stats
─────────────────────────────
Strength [F]
Speed [F]
Defense [F]
Endurance [F]
Intelligence [F]
Charm [F]
─────────────────────────────
Abilities
─────────────────────────────
[ Will of Serun ] [?] - Level 0
(Description: ???)
[ Ember Flame ] [F] - Level 1
(Description: Emanates a tiny flame from the tip of a finger; purely cosmetic and cannot cause harm to anyone)
─────────────────────────────
Inventory
─────────────────────────────
[ Rusted Sword ] [F]
(Description: A rusted long-sword that has seen better days.)
─────────────────────────────
Curse
─────────────────────────────
[ Pain Amplification ] - All physical pain is magnified. Even the smallest scratch will cause excruciating pain - making every injury a severe hindrance.
─────────────────────────────
Gifts
─────────────────────────────
Empty
─────────────────────────────
Notes
─────────────────────────────
- You have been granted a System by the Index.
- Survival depends on your skill, instinct, and will.
- Unknown potential may be revealed with experience.
─────────────────────────────
*
Bane squinted at his stats.
"They're all at F…" he muttered, his voice in disbelief. "Seriously??? Is this a joke?! I've seen kids stronger in the slums!"
His gaze then shifted to the Abilities, noticing Ember Flame.
"Emanates a tiny flame… for decoration? That's it? I could've just rubbed two sticks together back home and done the same thing!" He scowled. "And what the hell is the Will of Serun??", he almost screamed, "Level 0?? How is that even possible??", his voice rose, getting irritated
His gaze shifted once again, however, this time he froze.
His eyes locked on the Curse. Pain Amplification.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. His hands flexed nervously as if testing the air itself.
"So I'm basically screwed If I even stub my toe.."
Bane's stomach twisted. He swallowed hard, his heart hammering in his chest. The fear he'd felt upon arriving in the Liminal surged again. Even a simple scratch could possibly cripple me.. The thought made his palms sweat.
Finally, his eyes landed on Gifts, hoping for something, anything, after all the disappointment
Empty.
"Just my luck..", he muttered
"Miss.." he coughed awkwardly, "Ma'am, What are gifts supposed to be?"
The figure's gaze didn't waver. "Gifts are granted upon the completion of a Scenario. Each is unique, tailored to the challenger."
"I see"... he thought to himself.
Bane then stared back at the window, still sulking over his terrible stats.
"Get this out of my face! I don't even want to look at it!!"
"Status Close!"
Nothing..
"Close!"
Nothing.
"How the hell do you close this?", accidentally shouting.
His eyes then shifted back to Ember Flame..
On a whim, he held up one hand and willed it.
A tiny flame appeared at the tip of his index finger, flickering dimly.
"I'm a portable candle.." he chuckled, waving it higher then lower, and then poking at it. Expecting some sort of pain but then he remembered, "right it's harmless.." he murmured.
Attempting to extinguish it, he jerked his hand down and accidentally brushed his hand with the floor of the void. A sharp sting shot up his side. He yelped, jerking back.
"Oh yeah", he groaned, "Pain Amplification, every bump feels like I just got run over".
The figure's voice cut through the darkness, calm and deliberate.
"The System responds to your will", she said with her gaze fixed upon him. "The abilities that were gifted to you are your tools. Do not underestimate them".
"You are to prove yourself in the first scenario - and if you succeed, expect something special."
"Yeah right.. what am I-"
"Your first Scenario is ready, challenger," she interrupted sharply, cutting him off.
"Wait what??"
A cold, measured voice echoed around him.
"5"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Bane yelled, waving his hands. "I'm not ready—"
"4"
"3"
"2"
Bane's stomach twisted. His flame flickering nervously. "I don't even know what I am supposed to do!!"
"1"
Before he could finish, the void dissolved around him, shattering like glass. The Liminal stretched and dissolved into streaks of glass until it was gone.