Chapter 1: Twenty Years After the Awakening
The radio crackled to life, a cheerful voice slicing through the stale air of Xavier's old, rattling car.
"…and today marks the twentieth year since The Awakening. Humanity has transformed—dungeons have opened across the globe, monsters roam freely, and almost half of the children born after the event manifest powers. Heroes have risen, and the world has—"
Xavier Cross slammed the volume down.
"Yeah, right," he muttered, glaring at the dashboard. The cheerful announcer's words felt like a personal insult. Twenty years after the Awakening, and he had nothing. No powers. No recognition. Just this old car, two arms, and a delivery job that barely kept him fed.
He sighed and checked the delivery slip again. Condom delivery to a hotel. Broke as he was, he couldn't afford to refuse a job. Not today, of all days, when his old clunker decided to work properly for the first time in months. That was something, at least.
Pulling into the hotel parking lot, Xavier felt out of place among the luxury cars and the occasional armored vehicle patrolling the entrance. He parked as far from the doors as possible, grabbed the small package, and headed inside, trying to ignore the curious glances from guests and Awakened people alike.
At the reception desk, he signed in, muttering a quiet apology when the clerk raised an eyebrow. The clerk directed him to the second floor.
Xavier climbed the stairs, each step echoing his own nervous anticipation. Finally, he arrived at the room where the order had been placed. He knocked lightly and stepped back, holding the small package awkwardly.
Footsteps approached.
The door swung open.
And there stood Justin Hall—the same bully who had made Xavier's school years miserable. From elementary school to college, Justin had always been stronger, faster, and smarter, and now he was an Awakened, and Xavier was… not.
Xavier forced a sigh, extended the package, and tried to retreat politely.
"Hey," Justin said, a devilish smile curling across his face. He grabbed Xavier by the shoulder.
Xavier froze. One Awakened grip was enough to hold a normal human immobile.
Turning back, Xavier noticed another figure in the room. His heart skipped.
Vicky Davis. His girlfriend for two years. His Vicky.
And she wasn't alone.
Their eyes locked. Xavier's anger flared hotter than anything he had ever felt. Betrayal cut sharper than any wound. He didn't even think—he acted.
A punch shot forward, wild and reckless. Justin easily dodged. Vicky called his name, her voice pleading, but Xavier ignored her. He didn't need her. He didn't need her excuses.
Rage drove him forward, swinging at Justin again and again. Every strike missed, every effort futile. Justin was laughing now, effortlessly evading the flailing punches.
Then, somehow, Xavier landed one solid blow to Justin's face. A smug smile spread across his lips—a victory, however small.
It didn't last.
Justin's eyes narrowed, and with terrifying strength, he grabbed Xavier, slammed him against the wall, and lifted him off the ground. The wind was knocked from Xavier's lungs.
Dizzy, breathless, he struggled to stand again. Justin didn't hesitate. A powerful kick shot toward Xavier's head.
Desperation gave him one last chance. Xavier rushed forward, trying to grab Justin. But Justin lifted him effortlessly and threw him toward the open window.
Xavier's instincts kicked in. He reached out and grabbed the ledge. A fall from the second floor would be certain death.
He looked up. Justin's grin was wide, cruel. Slowly, deliberately, Justin began peeling Xavier's fingers off the ledge. Panic flooded Xavier's mind. He struggled, but it was useless.
The world tilted, spun, and then let go.
Pain exploded through Xavier's body as he hit the ground. Bones broke. His vision blurred. His leg screamed in agony.
He crawled, dragging himself through an alleyway, each movement agony. Voices faded around him. The world dimmed.
He thought about his life. Nothing achieved. Nothing earned. A nobody in a world that celebrated heroes.
And yet, as consciousness faded, one thought pierced the darkness: a second chance.
[Ding]
[Conditions Met]
[Magical Delivery System Initializing…]