[Year 100 Since the Cataclysm – February 20 ]
"My shadow trained all night and I didn't feel a thing—yet I just got stronger. This kind of strength boost… it's ridiculously low-effort. But damn, it works."
[February 21 ]
"I added more exercises for the shadow. Same result: really good. In just two days, I now have six sharply defined abs and lean, flowing muscle lines. At this rate, I could probably knock Rina Carver out with one punch. No—time to start actually working hard."
[February 22]
"Uncle Dave came by today. He works for The Dawnhall. I hope he didn't notice anything weird. He's older and missing an arm. I bet I could kill three Uncle Daves or ten Rina Carvers with a single strike."
[February 23]
"Enough of this easy living! I've got these powers—I've got to train harder. I can't just let my shadow do all the work."
[February 24]
"The shadow trains. I reap the benefits."
[February 25]
"Shadow still training. I'm still enjoying it."
[February 26]
"Good—today I did ten push-ups myself. Enjoying the strength."
[Also February 26]
"Ability Points are slowly piling up. Only eight so far after several days—first day got four, and that's it. I need ten to unlock the Existence Tier. Maybe if I step into the darkside, I can accumulate faster?"
[February 27]
"Tried using Voidpiercer Eye to teleport inside the world's darkside. Fuck—its gate was harder than steel. I had to sneak in from outside the building…
Inside, my neighborhood was shrouded in smoke. No way out. No way in. I ended up entering the shadows from outside the compound.
What the fuck—there was a two-meter tall spirit at the gate, with scythe-like arms, chasing me down. It even tore my pants before I escaped."
[February 28]
"That ghost blocked me right at the gate! I can't take that shame! Gotta kill it!"
[February 29]
"Revenge failed. Took a hit to the chest—my ribs nearly fractured."
[February 30]
"Still failed. The thing scratched my butt. I managed to remove 6% of its health bar. Keep it up!"
[February 31]
Rina Carver been carefully applying ointment on Damian's arm and face.
"Were you fighting with people these past few days?" she asked, eyes sharp.
"You wouldn't understand," Damian replied. "Scars are a man's honor."
"Honor?!" Rina pressed her finger hard into his bruised arm.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"You still feel pain, huh."
Feeling the underlying muscle, she retracts quickly—like she was shocked by an electric jolt.
"Hey, the Combat Evaluation Test is a month away. What are your plans? Planning on taking it?"
As the daughter of a high-ranking member of The Dawnhall, Rina was almost guaranteed to qualify—but it depended on her own decision.
"I… actually want to study music."
"Then go for it," Damian said with a grin. "Uncle Liam okay with that?"
It would make sense if he wasn't supportive. After the Cataclysm, art careers had limited prospects. Few job opportunities, low status. The Dawnhall was still busy hunting Aberrants—not leisure and culture.
The headlines were all state affairs. Not entertainment like in old days.
"It's not him refusing," Rina said, pausing mid-application of iodine. Her eyes dimmed. "Don't tell anyone."
"Tell me."
"It's policy now," she whispered. "If you qualify this year, you must take the Combat Evaluation and apply for a Transcendent track."
"Wait—seriously?" Damian froze. "I thought personal choice still applied. Average students could go to normal schools."
"The Dawnhall's facing pressure," Rina sighed. "Unless something changes, I have to take the Combat Evaluation."
Damian wasn't sure what to say.
The qualification test for senior year determined eligibility for Combat Evaluation and future Transcendent training. Rina's finger clip device nearly screamed when she used it earlier.
That test instrument would be more precise. As soon as he entered, sensors would detect him—and all the Watchers in the room would point guns at him in two seconds and open fire with eighty rounds?
His heart hammered at the thought.
This weird cheat he got—what if it tipped him toward Aberrant?
"That clip thing you gave me… how did it work?" he asked. "Could it detect Aberrants?"
Rina laughed. "It's just a simple contamination detector. Nothing that takes down Aberrants. It just reads Aberrant or Transcendent energies."
"Did Dave uncle not tell you? If you're facing an Aberrant and can't run—call emergency services before you get killed."
"Transcendent?" Damian lingered on that word.
"Mhm." Rina didn't elaborate.
She folded her arms.
"Give it to me," Damian requested. "I mean—your house must have some basics on Aberrant and Transcendent. Let me check them out."
She cocked a suspicious eyebrow. "Aren't you off interest in the Transcendent track? Planning to take a regular college exam?"
"People change," Damian replied evenly. "And since it's forced this year… what if I have talent? I want to prepare."
"Also—I got a new idea. I'm going to draw a HOT-BLOODED manga about Transcendents and Aberrants."
Rina's eyes lit up—maybe it was the word "Transcendent," or "hot-blooded manga."
"Yes! Tell me about it!"
…
Scene: Rina's Room at Dusk
The pale blue curtains are tied back. Golden light floods the white desk.
A milky-white rug fades into gray beside the bed. Two round cushions sit at a small table.
A pastel-pink wardrobe holds her clothes, a guitar, sheet music, and a flute—some gathering dust.
This was Rina Carver's space.
Their apartments were across the hall—barely ten meters apart.
After Damian talked her into it, Rina led him inside to find her father's files.
Her pink bedspread was immaculate. A manga titled "Love Girl" lay at her bedside—clearly binge-read.
"Don't look!" Rina threw it under a pillow, cheeks flushed.
"Rina Carver—don't want your dad to find your manga habit, do you?" Damian teased.
"Shut up!" She glared. "Sit still! I'm getting my dad's stuff. Don't touch anything."
"Sure, go ahead," Damian waved.
Rina walked out, returning moments later with a USB drive and a cassette.
Damian plugged the USB into his laptop and inserted the tape in a player. With a click, gentle music filled the air—piano, guitar, drums… honestly, most instruments were lost on him.
The melodies washed away tension, like liquid calm.
He gazed at the screen. The USB opened to show info on Aberrants:
…
[Aberrant]: Powerful creatures from the Abyss. Slaying one comes at a cost—without exception…
"Slay an Aberrant, pay the price, grow stronger, become Transcendent…"
He scrolled further.
Becoming Transcendent was far riskier than anyone might expect.
If you couldn't resist—mentally or physically—you could mutate into an Aberrant.
Damian's expression darkened.
…
[World's Dark Side – Shadow Layer]:
Discovered fifty years ago by warhero Luke Brown.
Called a layer between reality and the Abyss.
This shadow side perfectly mirrors real-world buildings, but its structures are unyieldingly hard.
Abyssal rifts allow Aberrants to cross from this layer into our world—even with Dawnhall defenses, some slip through.
Note 1: Every month, the Shadow Layer resets and replicates real-world scenes. Aberrant numbers spike—must be cleared swiftly.
Note 2: Pollution exists in the Shadow Layer. Extended exposure deepens contamination—leading to aberration.
Note 3: Starting from Tier 4, entering the layer reduces your power and greatly increases contamination risk. Not recommended unless necessary.
Note 4: Visual range is 3–5 meters, expanding with power.
So… that's the world's dark side. Also contaminated.
He paused to think.
He'd entered casually via Voidpiercer Eye. No discomfort. It felt… familiar. Easy to see clearly. No harm.
Too bad points were limited.
Soft music continued.
Damian leaned closer.
…
[Transcendent]: A species with a human body.
Rina's animation paused his reading.
He looked up. Rina remained calm—not surprised.
"Not at me—the info." Rina gently corrected.
…
[Transcendent]: Killing Aberrants has a cost. Transcendents gain power—but are consumed by that same power.
Unlike ordinary humans who risk pollution, Transcendents who lose control become full Aberrants—mindless monstrosities.
Note 1: Transcendents are walking pollution cores, constantly fighting their own corruption.
Note 2: If a Transcendent dies, there is a high chance of aberration upon death.
Note 3 (Important): If you realize you are dying… USE ALL YOUR POWER BEFORE DEATH.
…
Damian's breath slowed as he read the bold text.
He thought of the senior year qualification test: the gateway to Combat Evaluation and university Transcendent training.
He wasn't sure why this setup existed. But if Dawnhall and Veylund placed such stipulations—they parted with purpose.
"This is… a lot to absorb." Damian rubbed his forehead.
He scrolled further—twenty slides or more. The PPT seemed endless.
"Come here. Give my back a massage," he said suddenly.
Rina froze. "You said that again?"
"Give me three polished concept arts. Ultra-high quality. You choose the setting."
"Deal."
Rina's small hand kneaded his neck. "Why so stiff?"
"I've been training."
The shadow training was syncing to his body. Strength continued to grow, though the physique change remained subtle. Simply, he looked more powerful in his shirt.
"Got abs yet?"
"Of course. Want to feel?"
"Click."
They froze as the door opened.
Liam Carver — HP: 97%
He had been listening. His face was thunder-dark. A flicker of menace hovered.
Rina pulled back.
Damian's grin stiffened.
…
Dinner Scene,Living Room Table
Scented dishes and three bowls of rice. Each person sat in their own place.
They ate in silence—forks clinking, rice being swallowed.
Liam, wearing his Watcher uniform, glared.
Damian across from him remained calm, eating.
Liam's expression darkened.
"Dad, please don't misunderstand." Rina whispered.
"Misunderstand?" Liam laughed. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"It's not like—" Rina struggled, cheeks burning.
Nothing more humiliating than being caught touching her male classmate's abs. But there was something worse—it was her admitting she stayed up all night reading hot-blooded manga.
"You let him explain." Liam spoke quietly.
"Dad… ahem," Damian cleared his throat and raised his glass. "Uncle Liam, I'll drink three cups in penance."
He had guts. Big guts.
Wait—where was his blade?!