《Avatar Awakening》 The Breach: How It All Started [Year: 1980][Location: An Undisclosed Monastery, Japan] The winds howled through the desolate temple, carrying with them the whispers of something unnatural. The room was dimly lit, a circle of candles flickering violently as if resisting the power that threatened to engulf them. In the center stood five figures, their faces hidden beneath tattered hoods, surrounding a massive stone tablet that pulsed with an eerie blue glow. Inscribed upon it were ancient markings, pulsating as though alive. One of the figures stepped forward, his voice calm but heavy with authority. "Tonight... we rewrite fate." Another scoffed, his voice sharper, filled with impatience. "Spare the theatrics, Master Renzou. We all know why we''re here." Renzou¡¯s gaze lingered on the tablet. "Do we?" he murmured. "Do you truly understand what it means to force open the gate?" A third voice, softer yet filled with unshaken resolve, spoke from the shadows. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "The Life Scale keeps us separated... humans and spirits. But if we succeed tonight, we will ascend. We will become more than human." A tense silence followed. Then, the fourth figure¡ªa woman¡ªspoke, her voice laced with reverence. "The spirit world holds power beyond imagination. The monks of old feared it, but we..." she stepped closer to the tablet, her hands trembling, "...we will wield it." The fifth figure remained silent, his hands gripping a ritual dagger. He had no words¡ªonly conviction. Renzou exhaled, closing his eyes. "Then let it begin." He raised his hands, and as he did, the markings on the tablet flared to life, their glow intensifying. The others followed suit, chanting in unison¡ª A language long forgotten, forbidden. Then¡ª Crack. A single fracture split across the surface of the tablet. The candles snuffed out instantly. The air turned heavy, as if the entire temple had sunk into an ocean of pressure. The silence that followed was suffocating. Then¡ª A scream. Not human. Not of this world. The room erupted in an explosion of dark energy, sending the five figures flying across the temple. The stone tablet shattered, and from its broken remains, a black mist began to seep out, twisting, growing¡ªalive. Eyes.Dozens of them.Opening within the mist. The first spirits had emerged. Renzou, coughing blood, tried to push himself up. His voice was weak, filled with horror. "What... have we done?" But there was no answer. Only the sound of laughter¡ªlow, inhuman, endless. And thus, the first crack in the Life Scale was made. The world would never be the same again. Chapter 1: Evaluation Day [Year: 2025][Location: Tokyo, Japan] The Grand Spirit Evaluation Center stood as a towering symbol of both hope and despair in Tokyo. The facility, built after the Breach, was one of the few places where humanity determined its warriors¡ªthose who could see, fight, and control spirits. For Takami Ryusei, today wasn¡¯t just another day. It was the day that would determine his worth. Beside him, Yuri Hikaru adjusted the strap of her bag, her expression unreadable. "This place is bigger than I expected." Takami let out a slow breath, his eyes fixed on the metallic structure before them. ¡°Yeah¡­ but size doesn¡¯t matter. What¡¯s inside does.¡± Yuri smirked. ¡°That¡¯s deep. Too bad it won¡¯t change your evaluation.¡± Takami shot her a mock glare, but before he could fire back, a voice cut through their conversation. "You two are blocking the entrance." A tall boy with dark brown hair and sharp eyes walked past them, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. His posture was relaxed, but his confidence was undeniable. Takami frowned. "And you are¡­?" "Park Jimin." His smirk widened slightly. "You guys here for evaluation too?" Yuri gave a nod. "Yeah. I¡¯m Yuri, this is Takami." Jimin¡¯s gaze flicked to Takami. ¡°You look like you¡¯re gonna pass out.¡± Takami scoffed. "From excitement? Please." Jimin chuckled. "Let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t embarrass yourself in there." Before Takami could snap back, a robotic voice echoed over the speakers above. "All evaluation candidates, please proceed inside." Takami swallowed hard. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. This was it. --- The Evaluation Hall was vast, its white walls glowing under artificial lights. Hundreds of candidates stood before the circular platforms, their bright white floors humming faintly with energy. The process was simple¡ªstep onto the platform, let it scan your Grant Level, and wait for the result. The floor would turn black during evaluation, and when complete, a holographic display would reveal the final rank. Takami felt his pulse quicken. Then¡ª A sudden hush fell over the crowd. Someone had stepped forward. The man was tall, his face calm and composed. He wore a standard evaluation uniform, blending in with the other candidates¡ªyet something about him made the air feel heavy. Whispers broke out. "Who''s that¡­?""Some new guy?""He looks¡­ different." Takami watched as the man silently stepped onto the platform. The white floor turned black. A heavy hum filled the hall. The scan was taking longer than usual. Then¡ª [Evaluation Complete.] The black floor shifted back to white, and the holographic screen above flickered to life. A single word appeared. [Category: Spirit Keeper.] The silence was deafening. Then¡ªchaos. "Wait¡ªhe¡¯s a Spirit Keeper?!""How did no one recognize him?!""Another one has appeared¡ª!" Guild scouts surged forward, scrambling to offer contracts. The man, however, didn¡¯t even acknowledge them. With a calm expression, he stepped off the platform, walking past the recruiters as if they didn¡¯t exist. Takami exhaled slowly. Yuri nudged him. ¡°That¡¯s the level people dream of reaching.¡± Takami nodded, a tight knot forming in his chest. Could he even come close? The evaluation continued, candidates stepping up one by one. Some were deemed high grant level, instantly swarmed by recruiters. Others were low grant level, receiving barely a glance. Then¡ª "Next batch. Takami Ryusei, Yuri Hikaru, Park Jimin. Step forward." Takami¡¯s hands clenched into fists. Now or never. The three stepped onto the platforms, their reflections staring back at them from the white floors. A robotic voice filled the air. "Evaluation commencing." Takami felt an odd pressure pressing down on him, as if something unseen was scanning his very soul. His surroundings blurred. His pulse thundered in his ears. Then¡ª The holographic text flickered to life above them. [Evaluation Complete.] Takami¡¯s eyes darted to his result. His stomach dropped. [Category: Low Grant Level.] Silence rang in his ears. Beside him, Yuri¡¯s screen flashed: High Grant Level.Then Jimin¡¯s: High Grant Level. The room erupted in noise. Guild scouts rushed forward, surrounding Yuri and Jimin. "Your combat potential is excellent!""Join our guild¡ªwe¡¯ll double the offer!""We need strong fighters like you!" Takami? No one looked at him. No one even acknowledged his existence. Then, a single word from the staff confirmed his worst fear. "Dismissed." It hit him harder than anything else. Low Grant Level. The weakest rank. Takami clenched his fists. He had to be strong.For his family.For himself. But right now¡ª It felt like the world had already left him behind. Chapter 2: Unyielding Resolve At Yuri''s family cabin, The news anchor¡¯s voice echoed throughout the living room as Takami sat quietly on the couch, his eyes glued to the television screen. The image of a tall, calm-looking man appeared¡ªhis features sharp, almost serene, with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The caption read: Shougo Matsuda, Japan¡¯s 13th Spirit Keeper. The man, who had been evaluated just hours earlier at the Grand Spirit Evaluation Center, was now the talk of the entire nation. Takami sat motionless, hearing the voice of the reporter continue in the background, explaining how Matsuda had been evaluated and immediately offered contracts by several of the country¡¯s most prestigious guilds. "Spirit Keepers are rare," the reporter¡¯s voice chimed. "But Matsuda is something even more exceptional¡ªhis power is beyond even the strongest of us." Takami¡¯s fists clenched. It felt like a punch to his gut. Every day since his evaluation, the weight of his low rank had been bearing down on him. But now, seeing the excitement around Matsuda¡¯s evaluation, it only reminded him of how far behind he was. Even with the natural talents that set him apart from other low Grant Level humans, it still wasn¡¯t enough. Yuri noticed Takami¡¯s stiff posture as he turned off the TV and sat in silence. "Hey, you¡¯ve got to stop sulking," she said, her usual playful tone softening just a little. "You¡¯ll get there eventually. Trust me." Jimin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, and don¡¯t forget¡ªwe¡¯ve got your back. No matter what happens. Besides, who else would be there to protect us if you just stayed home all the time?" Takami managed a weak smile, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. The truth was, he couldn¡¯t afford to sit idly by. Every mission he joined with Yuri and Jimin wasn¡¯t just about getting stronger¡ªit was about proving to himself, and to everyone around him, that he wasn¡¯t some weak low Grant Level human. Later that evening, when Takami returned home, the atmosphere was different. His mother, who was always so busy working, was sitting at the dinner table with his younger brother and sister. The meal was simple, but it was filled with the warmth of family. Yet, beneath the surface, Takami could feel the weight of the unspoken words¡ªthe burden of his mother¡¯s struggle to raise them all on her own. "Takami," his mother said softly, as she set down a bowl of rice in front of him. "I know you''re doing your best, but please¡­ don¡¯t push yourself too hard. I can handle things here. You don¡¯t have to be the one to save us." Takami looked at her, his heart aching. He wanted to say that he understood¡ªthat she was just trying to protect him. But the words that came out were raw, full of emotions he had buried for so long. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "No, Mom," he said, his voice trembling. "You shouldn¡¯t have to handle everything on your own. You¡¯ve already done so much. You work all the time, barely have time to care for yourself, and I just¡­ I can¡¯t even help in anyway, I''m 20 for crying out loud, no job, no little chips to make money and now my evaluation sinks my boat deeper into the vast ocean of helplessness and defeat, I wanna help more than you think ." His chest tightened, and the tears that had threatened to fall all evening finally broke free. "I''m not planning on losing any of you. I don¡¯t want to lose you the way I lost Dad." His mother¡¯s face softened, and she reached across the table to take his hand. "Takami¡­ I know you¡¯re trying to protect us, but you can¡¯t carry the weight of the world alone." Takami sniffed, wiping his eyes. "I¡¯ll be okay, Mom. I just want to make sure none of us have to go through what we went through before." His younger brother and sister were quiet as they ate, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. The rest of the evening was spent in silence, each of them reflecting on what Takami had said, each of them understanding in their own way how much his family meant to him. --- Time had passed since that evening, and Takami had faced countless dangers on his path to becoming stronger. Each mission with Yuri and Jimin pushed him further, brought him closer to death, and taught him the true cost of power. He had nearly died on several occasions, each time returning with a new scar to add to the collection. Takami''s only natural talent was his ability to sense the presence of any kind of spirit that he couldn''t see, it''s movements, size, posture and even hear them at times. But he wouldn¡¯t stop. Not now. Not when his family¡¯s future was on the line. "Takami, we told you to stay home," Yuri said one evening, her usual carefree attitude replaced with concern. "This isn¡¯t some game. You¡¯ve already been through enough." Jimin stood beside her, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "You¡¯re pushing yourself too hard. We¡¯ll bring you the spoils. Just stay out of this one." But Takami shook his head. "I¡¯m not staying home. I can¡¯t. I won¡¯t be a burden." Yuri sighed. "You¡¯re not a burden. You¡¯re our friend. But if you die out there, how does that help anyone?" Takami met their eyes, determination in his gaze. "I¡¯ll do whatever it takes. I won¡¯t sit around waiting for things to change. I¡¯ll make it happen. I¡¯ll make sure I¡¯m strong enough to protect all of you." Despite their protests, they finally relented, and the three of them set out for their latest mission¡ªa dangerous task that had already claimed the lives of other guilds. The mission was clear: they had to hunt a high-class spirit that had been terrorizing a small town on the outskirts of Tokyo. As they arrived on the outskirts, the town was eerily quiet. It had been abandoned, its streets littered with debris, signs of destruction left behind by the spirit¡¯s wrath. Takami¡¯s heart raced as he followed Yuri and Jimin down the narrow streets, their eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. "This doesn¡¯t feel right," Jimin muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the empty buildings. "I know," Takami whispered, his instincts on high alert. "Something¡¯s wrong." The air seemed to thicken as they entered the heart of the town, and suddenly, a dark figure appeared in the distance¡ªits eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It was the spirit. And it was waiting for them. Takami felt the surge of adrenaline in his veins as the spirit advanced, its form becoming clearer with every step. It was a high-class spirit, powerful, dangerous, Takami feeling it''s presence alone as not all low grant level humans can see high class spirits, and he was among the weak few who couldn''t. But Takami wasn¡¯t afraid. Not anymore. He had to fight. He had to be strong. The battle that followed was brutal. Every strike, every blow, felt like it could be his last. Takami was pushed to his limits, barely dodging the spirit¡¯s attacks, his heart pounding in his chest. But through it all, he refused to back down. He wouldn¡¯t stop. Not for his family, not for Yuri, not for Jimin¡ªhe was doing this for himself. And as the battle raged on, Takami knew that this mission would be the one that changed e verything. The stakes had never been higher. The risks had never been greater. But it was a risk Takami was willing to take. Chapter 3: Player? The aftermath of the battle against the high-class spirit left a strange tension in the air. Something still felt off. The oppressive weight of an unseen force pressed down on them, an instinctive dread creeping into their bones. Yuri, sensing the unease, closed her eyes and extended her hand, summoning the winds to scan the area. But before she could complete the search¡ª THUD! A heavy impact shook the ground in front of them. Dust exploded into the air, momentarily blinding their vision. As it cleared, a massive figure emerged. It was hunched forward, its body thick with grotesque muscle, its grayish skin layered with cracks like dry stone. A long, snake-like tongue lolled out of its jagged-toothed mouth, swaying as it breathed. But what stood out the most was the sheer pressure it exuded¡ªfar beyond what they had faced before. This wasn¡¯t just a high-class spirit. It was high-class 2. Takami¡¯s chest tightened. His body screamed in protest from the wounds he had already suffered, but something deeper within him¡ªthe primal fear of death¡ªurged him to run. His voice cracked as he shouted, ¡°RUN!¡± But it was too late. The spirit vanished from sight. A blur¡ªthen a shadow loomed over Yuri. Its massive fist was already descending. ¡°YURI, MOVE!¡± Jimin lunged forward, shoving her out of the way. The spirit¡¯s punch connected with his side instead. BOOM! The impact sent Jimin crashing into the rubble like a ragdoll. Yuri gasped, summoning razor-sharp wind to strike back, but¡ªnothing. The spirit didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, it shot forward, grabbing Yuri by the leg and slamming her into the ground with a sickening CRACK. Jimin coughed up blood, forcing himself to his feet. His three-pronged spear, a Trident of Will, materialized in his grasp. His stance was shaky, but his eyes burned with determination. ¡°Bastard¡­¡± he spat, wiping blood from his mouth. The spirit sneered, its tongue flicking in amusement. Jimin charged. His trident gleamed as he thrust forward¡ªonly for the spirit to catch it mid-air. A sickening crunch echoed as the spirit¡¯s grip bent the weapon slightly before it lifted Jimin off the ground¡ªits fingers tightening around his torso like a vice. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "TAKAMI, RUN!!" Jimin¡¯s scream was raw, desperate. Takami froze, his heart pounding like a war drum. Jimin was lifted higher¡ªthen tossed like trash. His body smashed against a crumbling wall before he collapsed, unmoving. Yuri, through sheer will, summoned a wind chain around the spirit¡¯s leg¡ªa last attempt to buy time. The spirit paused, glancing down at the glowing restraints. Then, without hesitation, it yanked the chain and swung Yuri into the ground. Again. And again. And again. Takami watched in horror as blood splattered the dirt. His body moved on its own. He grabbed his dagger and hurled it straight at the spirit¡¯s head. The blade connected¡ªbut barely left a scratch. The spirit caught the dagger, tilting its head in amusement before hurling it back. Takami barely had time to react as the weapon stabbed into his shoulder. ¡°GAAH¡ª!¡± His vision blurred from the pain. Then the spirit was in front of him. Its fist drove into his stomach with monstrous force continuously. The air in his lungs vanished. His body was flung like a broken doll, smashing through a concrete wall. He crashed onto the other side, landing in a sitting posture, his head bowed. His body was failing him. He was covered in his own blood. And the spirit was approaching, its glowing eyes cutting through the dust. Death was knocking. Takami¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps. His fingers twitched weakly. ¡°This¡­ is it¡­ the end?¡± Tears slipped down his face. ¡°Why are the weak always treated this way?¡± His voice trembled, thick with grief and anger. ¡°We¡¯re nothing but stepping stones for the strong. Just lab rats for their evolution.¡± His fists clenched. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t want to be weak. I don¡¯t want to leave my family behind. I just watched helplessly¡­ as my only friends were nearly wiped out. I¡­ don¡¯t want to die.¡± The spirit raised its foot, aiming to crush his skull. Takami¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Forgive me, Yuri¡­ Jimin¡­¡± ¡°Forgive me, Yosuke¡­ Tomoe¡­¡± ¡°Forgive me, Mom¡­¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t keep my promise¡­ as a son¡­ or a big brother¡­¡± The spirit¡¯s fist came down for the final blow. But¡ª SLASH! The spirit¡¯s arm was severed. It stumbled back, its grotesque mouth widening in shock. Takami¡¯s blurry vision barely registered the figure standing before him. A hooded individual, their tattered coat swaying in the moonlight. The spirit lunged at them. But before it could land a hit¡ª It burst into pieces. Silence followed. The hooded figure stepped closer, crouching in front of Takami. Their voice was calm, almost amused. "You don¡¯t have much time left." A small, glowing orb appeared between their fingers. "Here¡¯s a gift from me." They slipped the orb into Takami¡¯s pocket. His consciousness was slipping, but he heard them whisper¡ª "That gift is called growth." The figure stood up, walking away. Takami tried to move, to speak¡ªbut his body refused. The figure glanced back, their face hidden by the hood. "But beware¡­ a second chance always comes with consequences." They took another step, their form fading into the moonlit night. "This never happened. When you''ve learned enough, we shall meet again." Then they were gone. ¡ª Takami¡¯s eyes snapped open. He was in his room. The morning sun shone through the window. His body¡ªunharmed. His mind raced. Was it a dream? A hallucination? The door burst open, and his siblings rushed in. ¡°BIG BROTHER!¡± His little sister, Tomoe, jumped onto his bed, wrapping her arms around him. ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± Yosuke stood by the door, watching . ¡°Tch, finally thought you were poisoned.¡± chuckles Takami blinked. ¡°How¡­?¡± ¡°You were found unconscious in a village,¡± Yosuke said. ¡°Some people brought you and your friends back.¡± Tomoe pulled away, tilting her head. ¡°Are you okay, Nii-san?¡± Takami forced a smile, ruffling her hair. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m okay.¡± As she ran off to play, Takami sat up, exhaling. "It was all a¡ª" His hand brushed his pocket. His heartbeat spiked. Slowly, he pulled out the orb. "Dream?..." His breath hitched. Then¡ª A translucent screen appeared before him. ¡ª [Become a Player?] [YES] | [NO] ¡ªTakami¡¯s hands trembled. His lips parted as he whispered¡ª ¡°¡­What the hell?¡±. -CHAPTER 4 : I GET IT NOW- I Get It Now Takami sat frozen on his bed, eyes locked on the floating text in front of him. [Become a Player?][Yes] [No] His mind raced. A player? What does that even mean? And why does it feel like this is real? He reached out hesitantly, stopping just before touching the words in the air. ¡°What happens if I say yes?¡± he muttered. ¡°Or no?¡± Before he could decide, a knock on the door made him jolt. ¡°Takami?¡± His mother¡¯s voice. ¡°Are you awake?¡± His eyes darted to the orb, then to the message hovering in the air. In a panic, he shoved the orb under his pillow, but the pop-up stayed, floating clearly above the bed. "Uh¡ªyeah! One sec!" He threw himself onto the bed, covering the glowing text with his body just as the door creaked open. His mom peeked in, scanning him with that knowing, motherly gaze. "How are you feeling? You were out cold when they found you. Do you remember what happened?" Takami hesitated. "Uh... we were on a mission and... boom. I woke up here." His mother raised an eyebrow. She didn¡¯t look convinced. After a few seconds, she smiled warmly. ¡°Well, I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re okay. Try not to push yourself too hard.¡± She closed the door behind her as she left. Takami exhaled, flipping onto his back. "That was close..." He reached under his pillow and grabbed the orb. Annoyance flickered across his face. "This stupid thing¡­" He threw it at the wall, expecting it to shatter. BOOM. His wall cracked, the orb lodged into it. Takami blinked. "...What the hell?" He pried it out, staring at it like it was some kind of cursed relic. Sighing, he dropped it on his study table and decided to ignore it for now. A bath first. Then breakfast. Then... I¡¯ll figure this out. --- Strange Gaps in Memory Later that morning, Takami met up with Yuri and Jimin at Yuri¡¯s cabin. He expected tension, confusion¡ªmaybe even fear¡ªafter what had happened last night. Instead, they looked... normal. Too normal. "Yo," Jimin greeted lazily, leaning back in his chair. "What¡¯s up?" Takami narrowed his eyes. "Are you guys seriously acting like nothing happened last night?" Yuri tilted her head. ¡°Last night?¡± ¡°The mission! The spirit! You guys almost¡ª¡± He stopped. Their faces were blank, like they had no clue what he was talking about. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Jimin scratched his head. "Dude... we just had some drinks, passed out, and woke up in the village. You sure you didn¡¯t dream all that?" Takami¡¯s stomach dropped. He could tell when Jimin was lying¡ªbut right now, there was nothing. No hesitation. No attempt to hide the truth. They genuinely didn''t remember. ¡°This has to be a joke,¡± he muttered, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the orb and held it up. "Then tell me¡ªwhat is this?" Jimin squinted at his empty hand. ¡°What is what?¡± Yuri nudged Jimin. "Stop messing with him." Jimin raised his hands. "I swear, I don¡¯t see anything!" Takami looked between them, heart pounding. They can¡¯t see it...? Maybe he really was losing his mind. Yuri stepped closer, inspecting his face. "You sure you didn¡¯t hit your head somewhere?" Jimin smirked. ¡°Dude, let''s get you some cake. Maybe sugar will help.¡± Takami stared at them for a long moment before sighing. "Fine, whatever." The three of them laughed as they left for the caf¨¦, but in the back of his mind, Takami couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right. --- Becoming a Player That evening, Takami sat alone in his room, staring at the floating message again. [Become a Player?][Yes] [No] "...Screw it." He tapped [Yes]. The orb melted into his skin, spreading through his veins like liquid fire. His vision blurred. His body seized. A surge of energy coursed through him¡ªpainful, electric, like he was being torn apart and stitched back together at the same time. [Full body scan in progress...] His limbs locked up. His breath hitched. The pain intensified. "GRRRAAAAHHH!!" He collapsed onto the floor, convulsing. His body felt like it was experiencing every possible injury at once¡ªburning, freezing, suffocating, being electrocuted. Then, suddenly¡ªsilence. He lay there, chest rising and falling rapidly, drenched in sweat. [Full body scan complete.][Player is now eligible to level up.] Takami coughed, groaning. "That... sucked." A new screen popped up. [Open Starter Pack?] "...Might as well." The screen listed his rewards: Slayer Blade (A dagger with jagged edges like dragon scales) Healing Potion Level 1 Cloak As he tapped OK, a note appeared. [All items can be found in Inventory.] Takami wiped his face. "Okay¡­ so this is basically a game system? In real life?" His main status screen appeared: [Current Level: Low Grant Level User (Red)][Stats: Strength 10 | Agility 10 | Intelligence 10 | Perception 10 | Stamina 10][Daily Quest: Unavailable][Mission Search: Available] He was so focused, he didn''t realize people in the park were staring at him. Realizing how weird he looked, he quickly dismissed the screen and walked off. --- The First Hunt Back in his room, Takami sat cross-legged, bringing up the system. His eyes landed on [Mission Search]. He selected it. A scan began. Then¡ª [Low-Class Spirit detected nearby.][Accept Mission?][Yes] [No] A smirk formed on his lips. "Time to see what this thing can do." After telling his mom he¡¯d be back before dinner, he dashed out. As he ran, a note appeared. **[Color Codes for Enemies: Blue: Easy Green: Equal Level Yellow: Hard Red: Impossible]** His target¡¯s name was blue. Easy prey. But when he arrived, the spirit¡ªa grotesque, skeletal figure¡ªturned toward him, locking its soulless gaze on him. It lunged. Takami threw his old dagger. It dodged and lunged at him instead. "Shit¡ª!" He turned to run, trying to summon his new weapon. Nothing happened. The spirit gained on him. "Come on, come on!" He willed the Slayer Blade to appear¡ª It materialized in his hand. Takami smirked. "Finally." The spirit swiped at him. He ducked and slashed. The blade cut through the spirit¡¯s arm cleanly. Takami¡¯s eyes widened. "That worked?!" The spirit shrieked and lunged again, this time slicing through his side. Pain shot through him. Blood dripped down his waist. He staggered back, breath heavy. The system asked: [Use Healing Potion?] "Yes!" A warm sensation washed over him, sealing the wound instantly. Takami grinned, eyes sharp. "I¡¯ve never won a fight before." He tightened his grip on the blade. "But this time... I see it." He dodged the spirit¡¯s next attack, flipping over it. He twisted midair, throwing the Slayer Blade¡ª The dagger embedded into the spirit¡¯s skull. POOF. It disintegrated. A notification popped up. [Player Leveled Up.][Stats Increased: Intelligence +1 | Perception +1] Takami stood there, breathing heavily, then let out a laugh. "I get it now." He turned, walking home with a smirk. "Who knew I''d become a video game character in real life?" --- -CHAPTER 5: LEVEL UP- Level Up Takami was about to head home when a stranger blocked his path. The man, wearing a dark coat and a cold expression, scanned Takami from head to toe. ¡°You¡¯re the one who took care of that spirit?¡± the man asked. Takami tensed up, unsure of the stranger¡¯s intentions. ¡°Yeah¡­ why?¡± The man sighed and pulled something from his pocket¡ªa small stack of cash. ¡°That job was supposed to be mine, but since you already handled it, take the reward.¡± Takami hesitated but eventually accepted it. ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡± As he walked away, the stranger narrowed his eyes. "He has a low Grant level¡­ so why does he feel different?" He turned and vanished into the shadows. Takami stopped by a store, bought some supplies, and headed home. As soon as he stepped inside, his family froze, staring at him in shock. ¡°Where did you get the money for that?¡± his mother, Akane, asked cautiously. Takami felt a lump in his throat. He hadn¡¯t told them about his mission, and explaining everything would only make them worry. So, he lied. ¡°I¡­ sold my weapon to someone who really needed it,¡± he said. Akane didn¡¯t seem convinced. She had always feared that one day, desperation might push him toward the wrong path. But after a deep breath, she nodded. ¡°Just don¡¯t do anything reckless.¡± They ate dinner in relative peace, but Takami felt his mother¡¯s lingering doubt. After showering, he collapsed onto his bed. "Let¡¯s see what happens next¡­" The next morning, he woke up groggy but felt¡­ different. Stronger. As he sat up, a faint glow pulsed in his hand. ["Growth Recorded."] A strange warmth spread through his body, and then¡ªinformation flooded his mind. [¡ª "Physical strain recorded. Enhancing endurance."¡ª "Combat engagement recorded. Refining reflexes."¡ª "Spiritual confrontation recorded. Grant level stabilizing."] Takami gasped, clutching his chest. It wasn¡¯t a game-like system telling him what to do¡ªit was something analyzing his actions and rewarding him based on real growth. Staring at the glowing interface before him. The system had been quiet since his first mission, but now¡­ it had changed. A new section had appeared. The Daily quest. [Growth Imprint ¨C Awakening Phase|Current Level: Low Grant Level (Yellow)Quests: This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. |[Daily Growth Challenge]: Increase reaction speed by 0.2 seconds. (0/1) |[Combat Adaptation]: Engage in a battle lasting over 2 minutes. (0/1) |[Spirit Recognition]: Identify a hidden spirit presence without visual confirmation. (0/1)] Takami frowned. ¡°These aren¡¯t just random tasks¡­ They¡¯re based on my weaknesses from yesterday.¡± He then took out all his quests with some extras. A thin, translucent interface appeared before him, different from last time. [ Growth Imprint Active|Current status: Low Grant Level (Yellow)Stats:|Strength: 24 > 27|Agility: 22 > 26|Perception: 20 > 24|Stamina: 25 > 30|Intelligence: 21 > 24] His hands trembled as he stared at the numbers. "Did I¡­ level up?" Meanwhile, at Azure Dawn Headquarters, the guild Yuri and Jimin worked for, Guild President Sora Tenma addressed the gathered members. ¡°The spirits have changed,¡± he announced. ¡°They¡¯re evolving at an alarming rate. We¡¯ve discovered a new phenomenon¡ªDorms.¡± A tense murmur spread through the room. Sora continued, ¡°Spirits are now congregating and forming territories. Within these Dorms, they devour humans and absorb their Grant. Once they¡¯ve evolved, the Dorm collapses, and they attack in a swarm.¡± A guild member raised his hand. ¡°How do we stop them?¡± ¡°If you encounter a Dorm above your Grant level, report it immediately. If your level matches or exceeds it, form a team of at least five before engaging. Do NOT enter alone.¡± Yuri Hikaru and Jimin Park exchanged glances. ¡°Have you heard from Takami?¡± Yuri whispered. Jimin shrugged. ¡°No. Why?¡± She frowned. ¡°I texted him, but he hasn¡¯t replied¡­¡± ¡°Pfft. You think he¡¯s mad about yesterday?¡± Yuri glared. ¡°Of course not, idiot.¡± Takami, unaware of the meeting, decided to test his strength. He stepped outside and focused. Immediately, the Growth Imprint responded, showing nearby spirit activity. Then, he felt it. A strange, eerie wind carried the scent of spirits. At the end of the road, he saw it¡ªa Dorm. A large, circular space cloaked in pulsating darkness, something he had never seen or heard about. His body tensed, but instead of fear, he felt¡­ drawn to it. As he stepped forward, all his fatigue vanished. A new notification flashed: [ Growth Triggered: Entering Dorm.All physical limits temporarily lifted.] Takami smirked. "Now this is getting interesting." Inside the Dorm, spirits immediately noticed him. Their twisted forms lunged, shrieking, but Takami¡¯s reaction speed was sharper than ever. He dodged, countered, and struck down each spirit with a deadly efficiency he never had before. He clenched his fists. ¡°So this is what power feels like¡­¡± As he took down the final spirit, his body pulsed with energy. The Growth Imprint recorded his progress. [Dorm Cleared. Level Increase.|Strength: 27 > 31|Agility: 26 > 30|Perception: 24 > 28|Stamina: 30 > 33|Intelligence: 24 > 27] The Dorm collapsed, and a dust cloud exploded outward. Just then, a guild attack team arrived, but by the time the dust cleared¡­ Takami was gone. At home, Takami sat on his bed, staring at his hands. His heart pounded. He decided to check the Mission search The Mission Search tab pulsed, revealing new options. Unlike last time, they weren¡¯t simple extermination requests. [|Available Missions: |Low-Class Spirit Subjugation ¨C Reward: 500 yen |High-Class Spirit Observation (Stealth Required) ¨C Reward: ??? |Guild Evaluation Request (Requires Background Check)] Takami¡¯s grip tightened. The system wasn¡¯t just guiding him¡ªit was adapting to his own path. A message flickered. "Your Growth is Yours. Choose Wisely." For the first time, he felt like this wasn¡¯t just about getting stronger. This system wasn¡¯t controlling him¡ªit was responding to him. And that was terrifying. ¡°I¡¯ve come too far to call this a dream,¡± he muttered. His fingers clenched. ¡°From a weak low Grant Level human¡­ to someone who cleared a whole Dorm or whatever it''s called, alone.¡± He checked his level again. [Current status: Low Grant Level (Green).] He grinned. ¡°If colors mark my growth¡­ then I¡¯ll just keep going up.¡± His reflection in the window twisted slightly. For a moment, his eyes didn¡¯t look human. And for the first time, he realized something. Power¡­ was addicting. --- -CHAPTER 6: THE 6TH SEAT "NYX"- The Sixth Seat, Nyx Takami had fallen asleep the night before without checking his phone. When he woke up, the system performed its usual scan, but this time, there were noticeable improvements to his daily quest. Curious but still groggy, he picked up his phone¡ªonly to be bombarded by dozens of missed calls and messages from Yuri and Jimin. Before he could even return their calls, a sudden knock echoed from his door. "Come in," he called out. The door swung open, revealing Yuri and Jimin, their expressions a mix of frustration and concern. "What the hell happened yesterday?" Yuri demanded. "You weren¡¯t answering your phone," Jimin added. Takami sighed, running a hand through his hair. He walked over, locked the door, and sat down. He knew they wouldn¡¯t let this go, so he laid it all out¡ªhis encounters, the system, the dorm clearing. But as he explained, their expressions turned skeptical. Without being able to see the system¡¯s interface, to them, it sounded like he was recounting a vivid dream. "Then let¡¯s test it," Takami proposed. "I¡¯ll prove it to you." Jimin crossed his arms. "How?" "A bet. If I can kill five spirits alone, you¡¯ll believe me. If I can¡¯t, then I was just hallucinating." Takami replied. Yuri and Jimin exchanged looks before nodding. They agreed to meet in the afternoon. That afternoon, they gathered at a known training ground where low-class spirits swarmed¡ªusually a place for rookies. Without hesitation, Takami charged in. The spirits lunged, shrieking, their ghostly forms twisting as they attacked. Takami moved effortlessly, his instincts sharper than ever. His fists and weapons found their marks with precision, each strike cutting through the spirits like they were paper. One after another, they dissipated, leaving nothing behind but faint traces of their energy. By the time he reached ten kills, Yuri and Jimin were speechless. A notification flashed before Takami¡¯s eyes: [New Skill Unlocked: [Seeker''s Eye]Player can now see and interact with all spirit types.] Takami¡¯s eyes widened. "I got something new!" Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "What is it?" Jimin asked. Takami grinned. "Now I can see every type of spirit!" Yuri and Jimin exchanged glances before bursting into excitement. "You¡¯re seriously leveling up," Yuri said, impressed. "And it even pays me for missions," Takami added with a smirk. "So you guys don¡¯t need to keep cutting your pay for me anymore." Jimin waved him off. "Who cares? The important thing is that you can handle spirits on your own now." With Takami gaining a mission provider of his own, Yuri and Jimin decided to focus on their guild work while he continued leveling up. Days passed. Weeks, even. Every battle felt easier, his movements sharper, his instincts keener. But then, as he sat on a park bench after another completed mission, he checked his level¡ª [Growth Imprint Active |Current status: Low grant level (green).] He frowned. "Am I already at my limit?" The thought unsettled him. If he was stuck here, what would happen against high-class spirits? He made up his mind. He had to find one. --- Meanwhile, at Shurin Guild, the atmosphere buzzed with tension. As the country''s most prestigious guild, its headquarters was always lively. But today, something felt¡­ wrong. In the conference hall, guild members went about their business¡ªuntil a woman entered. She wore dark, stylish clothing, with a hood, her face radiating innocence. But the moment she stepped in, the air shifted. It felt like dozens of great spirits had entered at once. A wave of fear swept through the room. Weapons were drawn, but hands trembled. No one dared to attack. The woman looked around, her eyes wide with what seemed like fear. But then¡ª "Tch." Her lips curled into a devilish grin. "Why are you all pointing weapons at each other?" she asked playfully. Before anyone could react, their grips shifted. In a heartbeat, every single person turned their weapons¡ªnot at her, but at each other. Eyes widened in horror. Their bodies refused to listen. Their hearts pounded. This wasn¡¯t a person. She was a nightmare given form. Her expression brightened. "Relax. I¡¯m just here to deliver a message." She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Firstly, I¡¯m Mayonaka Kurozuki¡ªbut you can call me Yona. I¡¯m an Avatar." A cold silence settled over the room. That meant only one thing. She was already a vessel to one of The 12 Seats. She continued, voice calm yet heavy with authority. "If you come across Chronix, tell him to return." The pressure in the room intensified. "Or¡­" Her playful smile vanished, replaced with something far worse. "You might as well summon me¡ªthe Supreme Goddess of Darkness¡­ Nyx." Her voice carried no malice. But the weight of her words crushed them. "Understood?" They nodded. Her grin returned. "Byee~" And just like that, she dissolved into dark matter. The room remained silent, weapons still raised. Not a single one of them had been able to resist. And they knew¡ªnone of the guild elites, not even the president, had been around to have witnessed it. --- Elsewhere, Takami had succeeded. He had taken down a high-class spirit. The battle was grueling, but the victory was his. And with it, his system flashed once again: [Level Up!Player has reached High Grant Level (Red).] He smirked. "So I need to keep challenging myself to break through, huh?" Satisfied, he headed home. As he walked through the streets, a hooded lady passed him. For a split second¡ªhe felt it. A presence unlike anything before. Overwhelming. Crippling. Beyond terrifying. His instincts screamed at him. He turned his head¡ª But she was gone. Takami quickly ducked into a nearby alley, heart pounding. "She¡¯s definitely a Great Spirit¡­ or an Avatar that''s already a vessel. That pressure was insane." He stayed hidden, watching if the lady was anywhere close. Meanwhile, on top of a nearby skyscraper, Nyx was sitting cross legged and removed her hood. She ran her fingers through her hair, a smirk playing on her lips. "So that was your idea of ¡®hiding,¡¯ huh?" she muttered. Her gaze lingered where Takami had disappeared. "Interesting¡­" She leaned back, eyes narrowing. "He was the only one who noticed my Grant leaking... What are you, exactly?", she sighed "I guess I''ll be in Tokyo for a while " A breeze passed. And then, she was gone¡ªswallowed by the darkness itself. --- -CHAPTER 7: The Hunter And The Hunted- The Hunter And The Hunted The encounter with Nyx had left Takami shaken. He had faced countless spirits before, but that¡­ that was something else entirely. It wasn''t just power¡ªit was control. Even now, in the silence of his room, he could still feel the taunts of her presence pressing down on him. His hands clenched into fists. He had leveled up, reached High Grant Level (Red), yet she had made him feel like an insect. His system remained silent, offering no guidance. "If I want answers, I need to go looking for them." Takami grabbed his coat and stepped out into the night, telling his family he wouldn''t be gone long. --- Chaos erupted behind closed doors. "What do you mean an Avatar walked in and left unscathed?!" A massive, muscular man slammed his fist against the meeting table. Daigo Shiba, one of the guild executives, glared at the shaken officers before him. A Rank-1 High grant level human, his tactical use of brute force superior to his peers earned him his position. His sharp eyes scanned the room, filled with silence and shame. Then, a calm voice broke through. "Nyx¡­ The Sixth Seat." All heads turned toward Rei Hanekawa, the second-in-command of Shurin Guild, Japan''s 7th spirit keeper. Unlike the others, he was eerily composed. "She didn''t kill anyone," he continued, fingers interlocked. "She gave a message." A hush fell over the room. "She''s looking for someone named Chronix." The tension thickened. "The problem isn''t that she came and left," Rei said, his voice cold. "The problem is that she made every single one of you turn on each other like puppets¡­ and you all let it happen." Shame spread across the room like a disease. A younger officer hesitantly spoke up. "W-What do we do?" Rei stood. "We find out who Chronix is¡­ and eliminate anyone who gets in the way. If Avatars are making moves, we don''t have the luxury of hesitation." He scoffed. "You should be grateful the president isn''t here." He turned to one of the intelligence officers. "There was an unusual report today. A high-class spirit was killed¡­ by a rookie." Silence. "Name?" "Takami Ryusei.", the officer replied "Guild?" "None, sir. Says here he''s a low grant level user¡­ Rank 3.", answered the officer Rei''s eyes narrowed. He smirked. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "A Rank-3 low grant level human killed a high-class spirit alone?" He leaned back in his chair. "If he didn''t fake his status, then¡­ it means he''s not human at all." He exhaled, a dark amusement in his tone. "Looks like we found our starting point." --- On a distant rooftop, Nyx gazed down at the streets, the wind tugging at her coat. Her thoughts lingered on the young man she had passed earlier. "Takami Ryusei, huh¡­" She had barely leaked any Grant, yet he had felt it. Even high-ranking guild members wouldn''t have reacted that quickly. "A High Grant Level human with a sharp sense for spirits¡­" She tapped her chin, a grin forming. "Or maybe¡­ something more?" Her fingers traced a dark, glowing sigil in the air. "I''ll test him." Darkness swirled around her, and she vanished into the night. --- Takami arrived at the Sub-Market, an underground black-market for spirit-related goods, information, and contracts. He needed answers about Avatars and The 12 Seats. But the moment he started asking, he felt eyes on him. "New to the game, eh?" A deep voice interrupted. He turned. A man in a long coat and sunglasses leaned against a nearby wall, cigarette in hand. "The name''s Kurogane. I hear you''re looking for information about Avatars." Takami remained cautious. "You know something?" Kurogane smirked. "Maybe. But knowledge isn''t free." He flicked his cigarette. "You want answers? You do a job for me." Takami clenched his fists. "What job?" Kurogane pulled out a photo. A spirit. High-class, maybe even high-class 2. "Kill it." Takami narrowed his eyes. "Why me?" Kurogane exhaled smoke. "Consider it a test." Something about this felt like a setup. But Takami was out of options. "Fine. I''ll do it." --- Late that night, Takami arrived at the factory¡ªan eerie, deserted structure at the city''s edge. Something was wrong. The shadows shifted unnaturally. The air felt thick, heavy. Then¡ª CLANG! Metal pipes crashed behind him. A twisted figure emerged from the darkness, its eyes glowing red. But that wasn''t the real problem. The real problem was the second presence watching from above. A cloaked figure stood on the rooftop, arms crossed. Takami''s gut twisted. "Kurogane set me up." The figure leaped down, landing with an effortless grace. The hood fell, revealing sharp features and piercing golden eyes. Takami recognized that face¡ªhe had seen it in the guild rankings. A Rank-2 High Grant Level user. A Shurin Guild assassin. The man smirked. "Orders are orders, mister." Then, in a flash, he moved. --- The assassin''s first strike was lightning-fast. Takami barely dodged. "He''s way above me." The spirit attacked from the other side. Takami was outnumbered. Then¡ª A pulse of Grant erupted from his body. His Eye flared¡ª And suddenly¡ª He could see everything. Not just the attacks. He saw intent. The assassin''s next move played out in his mind before it even happened. Takami ducked. A blade missed his throat by inches. The assassin''s eyes widened. "Oh?" Takami twisted mid-motion and countered¡ªsomething he shouldn''t have been able to do. The assassin barely blocked. Takami landed, panting. "What was that?!" The system flashed. [Skill Unlocked: Predator''s Insight.|Allows the user to predict enemy actions based on their intent.] Takami grinned. "Alright then¡­" He cracked his knuckles. "Let''s go for round two." The assassin smirked, drawing a second dagger. The battle intensified. Takami dodged strike after strike, his instincts sharpening. But he knew¡ªhe couldn''t keep this up forever. "I can''t keep dodging¡­ Even if the assassin tires, the spirit won''t." The assassin lunged."That all you got?" Takami stood still with a rather unexplainable expression¡ªthen, effortlessly deflected his attack, as if training a student. The assassin''s eyes widened. BOOM! A devastating uppercut sent him flying. Takami exhaled. "If your intent to kill hadn''t gotten stronger¡­ maybe I would''ve still struggled." The spirit lunged¡ª Takami dodged, driving his Slayer Blade through its skull. It disintegrated. He walked toward the fallen assassin, blade at his throat. "Why did they send you to kill me?" The assassin smirked. "Kill me. I''ll never tell." Takami sighed, sheathing his blade. "Ok, nice fight though " Then, he disappeared into the night. The assassin was shocked that Takami really let him live.--- From the shadows, Nyx watched. She had planned to test him later. But this? This was better. A dark chuckle escaped her lips. "Oh, you''re definitely interesting." She traced a sigil in the air. "Let''s see how far you can go, Takami Ryusei." And with that, she vanished into the night. --- At the Sub-Market, Takami handed one of the assassin''s dagger he took to an old liquor vendor as payment for answers. The old man hesitated, then handed him a dusty book. As Takami left, the old man picked up his phone and made a call. "He''s still alive." --- -CHAPTER 8: BOUNTY HUNT-