From the earliest moments of my existence, it was as if a cruel destiny had etched a painful truth deep into my soul: life was profoundly unfair. I was reminded of this harsh reality by my playmates, classmates, teachers, even by my own father. "Damian is so odd!", "Stop acting strange, Damian!", and the countless instances of, "Shut up, Damian!", echoed in my mind, ringing like an unwanted melody from a broken music box. I was the outcast, the one they couldn't comprehend, the child who danced to his own tune, albeit a tune they saw as odd and disturbing.In this unjust world, some were blessed with charming faces, eloquent speech, and charismatic personalities that drew people towards them. Others were born with the golden spoon, their wealth and influence making them untouchable. However, what I had come to understand was that the greatest fortune of all was sheer luck, something utterly beyond our control. If you were born lacking in looks, wealth, or sociability, there was littl
A sense of befuddlement permeated my consciousness as I came to grips with my current situation. "What's happening?" I whispered into the engulfing darkness, my voice bouncing back like an echo in an empty cavern.The assumption that I was dead seemed to crumble, leaving me confused and disoriented. I found myself secluded in an empty space, an abyss of darkness that stretched on infinitely in every direction.I was alone, surrounded by nothing but the void. The only exception to this was a shining anomaly that suddenly appeared before my perplexed eyes.In the midst of the darkness, a golden window manifested, casting a warm glow that sharply contrasted the black void around me. “What on earth could this be?" I mused, my voice barely above a whisper.[System Alert]- Will You Proceed?[Yes] [No][..]I was presented with a choice— a job. I remembered having a slot for it in my Status Window, although it had been blank up until now. This must mean that I was now eligible to select a p
During my tenure at the Sacred Hall, one of the most significant lessons I learned was the mechanics of the Demon Core 'explosion method.' This understanding was gleaned from closely observing the struggles of the Gifted, in their fierce battles against the Demons.Demon Cores are intriguing as they are the physical manifestation of a Demon's energy, condensed into a tangible form. This energy is distinctly demonic, and it inherently rejects any form of interaction with energy that originates from humans. Attempts to amalgamate these two contrasting energies have invariably led to an energy clash, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.Utilizing this knowledge to my advantage, I channeled my recently harnessed magic power, conveniently stored as 'MP', into each of the Demon Cores. This task was simplified by the fact that all of my possessions bear my unique 'Signature', enabling them to readily accept my infusion of Magic Power.The outcome of this strategic move was nothing short of
The broad grin on my face was a mirror reflecting my sheer delight as I surveyed my plentiful collection of Demon Cores. After a brief period of unconsciousness that I used to rejuvenate my weary body, I found myself still surrounded by the deserted expanse of the ground floor, a stark reminder of the grueling battle I had recently endured.Re-examining the items stored in my [Subspace], a grin crept across my face, almost involuntarily. The progress I had made within a mere couple of days was astonishing. I was no longer the terrified boy I had been a few weeks ago when I first stepped back into the world; my growth was undeniable."Yet, there's more to come…" I muttered, glancing at the entrance not far from where I sat. The sweet aroma of freedom was intoxicating. However, my journey was far from over."Patience is key! I can't rush this!" The external world surely held more dangers than I could possibly predict, and my only source of knowledge was my time spent in the Sacred Hall.
With an expression of distinct discomfort, a young woman groaned, "Urgh! I still can’t get used to this…” She seemed to be in her early twenties and was garbed in a form-fitting outfit studded with various pieces of survival equipment. Alongside her were four other figures, three males and another female, their clothes varied but their gear echoing the practicality of their apparent leader's.One of her crew swiftly admonished her, “It can’t be helped, also keep your voice down!” His voice echoed a little too loudly for his liking, earning him a swift, scathing glare from the leader. Sheepishly, he fell silent.“You’re the one making noise, stupid. Take your own advice…” she retorted, her voice trailing off as she scanned their surroundings. The scene before her was distressing, to say the least, with collapsed buildings and raging fires, but by now it was a familiar sight. The stagnant air was stifling, exacerbated by the sweltering sun and sporadic gusts of wind that only added to t
With a wide grin, I mused, "This has been well worth setting up. Now then… let's see what they're capable of!" [Flashback to Earlier]Upon conquering the entire building and stepping into the outside world, I was welcomed by a deathly silence. The tangible sensation of solitude seemed to permeate my very being, causing a peculiar tingling sensation on my skin.I scanned my surroundings, and even with my heightened senses, I couldn't detect a single sign of life for miles around. It led me to question, “Am I the sole survivor in this area?”I had barely walked a short distance from my apartment building when I surveyed the surrounding structures. Some stood defiantly against the sky while others lay collapsed, their once formidable heights reduced to rubble. Surprisingly, my surroundings were eerily devoid of any monstrous presence.What made my apartment so distinct, I wondered? The answer was already forming in my mind, “It must have been due to the Gate that had materialized in the
Chapter 4: An Unforeseen RevelationContemplating my next move, I recalled an intriguing strategy I had conceived for such situations. The approaching group was part of an expedition team, inherently implying their superior combat capabilities. My understanding of the expedition teams' ranking, courtesy of the knowledge I gained in the Sacred Hall, made me tread carefully. I had to assume they were on par with my strength, no matter their rank. One wrong move could give away my presence.The expedition team drew closer, their attire and gear strikingly different from what I had encountered before. Their lack of visible enhancements baffled me. The most potent energy I could sense emanated from the woman who seemed to be leading the group. Shrouded in mystery, their true strength remained an enigma. But the answers were imminent.With ten Skills at my disposal, a few of which I acquired after becoming a thief, I no longer needed to manually access my Subspace to use items. Conjuring th
In a dimension distinct from the familiar laws of time and space, the Sacred Hall stood. This realm, ruled by God Himself, was a breathtaking marvel untouched by worldly concepts and constraints.In this domain, mere thoughts were transformed into tangible reality. Fatigue, discomfort, and hunger were foreign, replaced by an endless stream of entertainment that kept boredom at bay. The primary spectacle was the Golden Screen, aptly known as the World’s Mirror. It was a divine conduit through which one could observe any person, place, or event occurring within the earthly realm.Observing the daily unfolding of life from this privileged vantage point, I realized that God's famed omniscience was enabled by this all-seeing mirror. Time, an illusion in this realm, allowed me to immerse myself fully in humanity's last struggle, presented without restriction on the screen before me.With an unsettling fascination, I watched the desperate battles, the rivers of spilled blood, and the mounting