He started cycling fast darting down the road toward their small apartment. All around him was chaos—citizens fleeing in terror, homes crumbling under fire, children screaming as mothers shielded them, and men standing frozen, uncertain of what to do.
"This could only be done by one thing—" Roni starred, then a voice from the crowd shouted louder:
"ARGHHH THE DEMON IS COMING!!!"
A fresh wave of fear gripped the crowd again, whispers turned into sobs, and people huddled together in dread. Towering over the flames, emerging like a nightmare from the smoke, stood a Level 6 Demon—something not seen in decades. Its crimson eyes glowed with malice, and its presence reeked of destruction.
"No wonder it caused this much damage…" Roni muttered, teeth clenched he was frightened.
But he didn't let the fear hold him—not when his grandmother was still out there.
He dashed through the crowd, ignoring the demon's roar, brushing past terrified onlookers, stumbling over debris, His only thought was to find her.
"Granny!!" he shouted desperately, over and over.
Then—he saw her.
Hunched on the ground near a collapsed fence, her frail body trembling, tears streaming down her face.
"Granny!" he cried, rushing to her side.
She looked up, eyes flooding with relief the moment she saw him.
"Roni!" she sobbed, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank the heavens, my boy… I was so afraid something happened to you."
"I'm here, Granny. I'm okay," he whispered, holding her tightly. She was all he had—after his parents died when he was just five, she had been everything to him.
But their reunion didn't go unnoticed.
The demon turned its gaze toward them. Its heavy steps echoed with dread as it began to advance.
The crowd screamed again and retreated, some hiding behind debris.
Roni stood, stepping protectively in front of his grandmother, arms spread wide. His legs shook, but he stood firm.
"I won't let it hurt you," he whispered. "Even if I have to fight it myself."
"No, Roni, please!" his grandmother cried, grabbing his sleeve. "You're still young. You must live. If you fight it, we'll both die…"
But Roni didn't move.
Whispers rose among the people.
"What's he doing?"
"He doesn't have any magic…"
"He's going to die…"
Roni heard them. But none of it mattered.
He bent down and grabbed a charred piece of wood, gripping it like a sword.
The demon roared and charged.
Just as it lunged forward—BOOM!!!
A blinding silver light tore through the smoke and struck the demon square in the face, sending it crashing through a stone wall.
Everyone froze.
Roni's eyes widened, and he turned toward the source of the light.
From the fading smoke, cloaked figures stepped forward, their armor etched with glowing emblems, their different weaponries just stood out unlike any they had ever seen.
The Shadowbane Warriors had arrived.
Roni exhaled deeply, almost collapsing from the wave of relief.
"I thought I was going to die…" he whispered, pulling his grandmother close again.
But deep in his heart, he knew—he would face death itself if it meant protecting her.
But unexpectedly the blow didn't keep the demon down. It rose again, even more violently it has leveled up. It stood staring at the Shadowbane warriors, its crimson eyes narrowing, analyzing them, planning its next move.
Hurin, the leader of the Shadowbane warriors, came forward. His presence alone was overwhelming—broad shoulders wrapped in shining armor, a long sword with intricate glowing runes strapped to his back.
"Hmm... impressive," Hurin muttered. "You survived a Hyosh Strike..." His voice dripped with irritation.
Hyosh Strike — [Level 5 Technique: Instant fatal damage to a single target].
"No demon I've fought has ever taken that blow and lived, hmm this is new" Hurin muttered, drawing his sword. " Well I have better things to do so let's end this quickly."
He charged.
[System Log: Hurin - Strength: 8 | Mana: 7 | Agility: 7 | Skill: Hyosh Strike, Blade Mirage]
[Enemy Detected: Level 4 Demon - Strength: 7 | Mana: 6 | Skill: Dark Regeneration, Berserker Rage]
The clash shook the ground. Sparks flew as blade met claw, shockwaves ripping through the air.
The demon was fast—unnaturally fast—dodging and countering with precision. Hurin moved like a ghost, each step calculated, every swing lethal. But despite his skill, the demon wasn't falling.
The other warriors watched nervously.
"Commander, let us help!" one shouted.
"No!" Hurin barked, slicing through a wave of dark energy. "I'll handle this!"
Meanwhile, Roni stood at the sidelines, eyes wide with awe.
One day… I'll be like him, he thought.
Becoming a Shadowbane warrior had always been Roni's dream. But he had no magic. He had tried countless times to apply the OCI—the legendary training ground for elite mages and warriors—but was rejected every time.
At the OCI , every applicant had to pass a duel, showing at least Level 4 potential. Roni didn't even have a flicker of magic. Not even enough to qualify.
Lost in thought, a heavy impact shook the ground.
The demon slammed Hurin hard, sending a shockwave that snapped Roni back to reality.
Shit! What's happening?
Hurin tumbled across the ground and staggered to his feet near where Roni stood, now Roni what caught between Hurin and the rampaging demon, he froze he didn't know what to do.
The demon roared, charging straight at him, aiming to crush both of them.
Roni raised his arms instinctively.
Suddenly—time froze.
Everything around him stood still—ash suspended midair, the crowd frozen mid-scream.
A cold, calm voice echoed in his mind:
[System Activation: Binding Host - Roni Specter]
[Analyzing opponent...]
[Target: Level 6 Demon | Strength 9 | Mana 6 | Skill: Dark Regeneration]
[Conclusion: Opponent manageable. Initiating control.]
"W-Who are you?!" Roni panicked.
[System: I am your guide.]
Roni's eyes widened as new strength flooded his arms—
It wasn't just adrenaline.
Something awakened within him.
The demon's strike resumed in slow motion, But Roni was ready now, his body moved on its own, being controlled from the inside —he grabbed the demon's massive claw mid-swing.
"ARGHHHH!!" Roni screamed.
With unnatural strength, he lifted the demon off the ground, spun, and smashed it with a powerful martial kick across the face—
BOOOOM!!!
The demon spiraled through the air, crashing into the ground with a thunderous thud.
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
The demon still stirred, groaning, trying to rise.
Roni—no, the System—didn't hesitate.
He jumped.
High.
Over 100 meters into the sky.
The crowd stood frozen, jaws dropped.
With a deafening cry, Roni smashed down with both feet onto the demon's head—
KRAKKK!!!
Dust exploded everywhere.
When it cleared, the demon lay motionless. No signs of life.
Roni… had won.
Against a Level 6 demon.
He stood there, panting, heart hammering against his chest. Then a screen pop up in his face System Notification: Threat eliminated. Reward: +10 HP. Current Progress: 10/100. Continue accumulating stats to level up you will gain control.
Roni stood in disbelief.
Could this be it...? he thought.
My chance... to prove I'm not weak. My chance... to raise my family name again. feels like magic wasn't as terrible has I thought, but how did this happen, Roni marvelled, but was carried away when the people erupted into cheers.
"Isn't that Roni?! The boy without magic?!"
"How did he...!?"
"Was he hiding his powers all along?!"
" How his he this powerful"
Granny stood at the back, tears in her eyes, unable to say a word.
Is that... really my grandson...?
Hurin, still recovering, approached Roni.
He smiled, a rare expression on his battle-hardened face.
"How did you do it boy?", hurin still trying to catch his breath.
"I don't know sir, it's just happened fast" Roni said.
"Anyway you saved my life boy", "what's the name?" Hurin asked.
"Roni, sir," Roni answered, happily.
Hurin raised Roni's hand high.
"BEHOLD YOUR HERO—RONI!!" he shouted.
The crowd roared.
"Roni! Roni! Roni!"
For the first time in his life, Roni felt what it was like to be celebrated.
He turned to Hurin, nervous but determined.
"Sir... it's always been my dream to become a Shadowbane warrior. Will you train me?"
Hurin chuckled, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I would love to, Roni. But first—you'll have to go through OCI. With the skills you showed today, I'm sure you'll get in. I'll personally put in a word for you."
Roni's heart burned with a new fire.
This was just the beginning.