Chris moved like a shadow through the dusk-lit alley behind the apartment complex. His body buzzed faintly with the aftermath of his latest Tower dive. He'd been training harder each day, diving deeper into its reconstructed challenges, claiming more lesser souls, and sharpening his instincts for the war to come—Mars loomed closer with each breath.
Yet for all that divine effort, Earth hadn't paused to admire him. Bills still existed. Water still ran cold. And groceries didn't spawn out of thin air—yet.
His key clicked into the apartment door. But the moment he stepped inside—
"About time," Nia called from his worn-out couch, arms folded.
Chris blinked. "I locked that."
"You think a lock can stop someone who just saw you warp into your room from thin air?"
That stopped him. His shoulders slumped. "…Damn."
"Yeah," she said, standing. "So now you're gonna tell me what's going on."
Chris rubbed the back of his neck. For once, he had no snark ready. No excuse. She'd seen too much. Hiding wasn't an option anymore.
And yet… he didn't want to throw her into the abyss that was his new reality.
Just enough to keep her safe.
"I've got… abilities," he said slowly. "Something happened during the school fire. I ended up in a place—another world. It changed me. Gave me powers."
Nia crossed her arms again. "And I'm supposed to believe that because…?"
He hesitated—then activated his Party Skill.
A notification shimmered before him. But before it could finalize—
[System Alert: New Awakening Detected]
Human Core Skill Awakened: Arch Healer
The glow around Nia intensified. Chris blinked.
She staggered back, breath caught in her throat. Her eyes flashed with a faint teal hue.
[Party Buff Engaged]
– 20% Stat Sync initiated
– Access granted: Echo Pulse (Lesser)
"What the hell…?" she whispered.
Chris stepped forward. "You just… awakened. That shouldn't have happened."
She held her hands out. "I feel… different. Like I can hear your heartbeat. The water in the pipes. And this heat in my chest—it's warm."
Chris exhaled. "It's called the Chris System," he said. "You didn't have one before. Now you do… because of me."
Nia lowered her hands slowly, eyes still wide. "What do you mean… because of you?"
Chris sat down on the edge of the bed, exhaling. "I told you, my power doesn't just affect me anymore. It warps reality. When I got stronger, something started to ripple across the world—people waking up with powers. Not many yet, but it's happening. And when I added you to my party…"
"…You triggered it in me," she finished, still stunned.
He nodded. "And I don't know why you got something that strong. An Arch Healer? That's not normal."
Nia paced the room, her energy humming like electricity. "You said it's called the Chris System?"
"That's what your system calls itself. Mine's different. But it's born from me somehow."
She closed her eyes. A soft blue glow pulsed from her chest. "It says I've reached Level 1. That I can gain experience now. At Level 20 I can pick a specialization. I only have access to healing magic and some kind of light-based attacks. Nothing more."
Chris leaned forward. "That's your core ability. Everyone who gets a system like yours will be stuck with just their core. You're lucky—it's a rare class. Most people will get weaker stuff. Defensive types. Utility."
Nia looked at him carefully. "So… when you said I can't use your Soul Consumption thing…"
"It's an innate ability," Chris said quietly. "Only I can use it. You got the Echo Pulse because I use sound to fight and map space. You're hearing everything right now, right?"
She nodded, visibly overwhelmed. "It's like… I can feel the world breathing."
Chris hesitated. "Can you promise to keep this secret?"
Her eyes snapped back to his, sharp and serious. "I'm not stupid. If this is real, then someone's going to want it. Want you. I won't say a word."
A sudden notification flashed in Chris's vision.
[Follower Acquired: Nia Zaire]
+1 Divinity Gained
He froze.
The system had just rewarded him for her trust. For forming a bond that resonated beyond a party link. Nia was now officially a follower. And with that came… responsibility.
She turned back to him and grinned. "So now that I'm a magic healer, does that mean I get a cool staff or something?"
Chris barked a laugh, breaking the tension. "We'll work on that. You'll need to train. Mars is coming, and I'm going to need you at full strength."
"Wait. Mars? Like the planet?"
"You don't want to know. Yet."
Nia narrowed her eyes, then smirked. "Fine. But you're going to tell me eventually. And hey—about your whole 'being broke' thing?"
Chris groaned. "Here it comes."
"You should use your powers to build wealth. Minerals, rare items, materials. Start a company. You want real power on Earth? Be a tycoon."
He stared at her, eyebrows raised. "A healer and a strategist?"
She winked. "Better than being broke with divine powers."
Chris chuckled. But beneath the smile, the truth weighed heavy. The system had shifted again. The path forward was gaining clarity—and the burden of being Earth's anchor was only growing heavier.
But maybe… just maybe… he wouldn't walk it alone anymore.