ARC-1 AWAKENING
chapter-1: the lowest rank
The screen flickered, casting a cold blue light across the hall as names began appearing one by one under the glowing title—
[Awakening Ranking – Year 1].
Voices instantly erupted around him. "B-rank! I got B-rank!" "A-rank?! Top 10 this year is insane!" Excitement filled the air, laughter and pride echoing loudly. But he stood at the back, silent. Not nervous. Not hopeful. Because he already knew.
"Next—Raj."
There was a brief pause, almost like the system itself hesitated. Then the result appeared.
[Rank: F]
For a moment, everything went quiet. Then laughter exploded.
"F-rank?! That still exists?"
"He's worse than trash!"
Someone shoved his shoulder as he walked past. "Just drop out, bro." Raj didn't react. He didn't speak, didn't even look up. Because this… was normal.
In this world, rank was everything. It decided your power, your status, your future. And an F-rank meant nothing. No guild would accept you. No team would trust you. No one would remember you. You were already erased.
Raj walked out of the hall alone, each step feeling heavier than the last. "F-rank…" He clenched his fist—not in anger, but something worse. Resignation.
"Oi."
A voice called from behind. He stopped.
Three students approached, silver emblems shining on their uniforms. Top rankers. Untouchable.
"Well, well… the famous F-rank," one of them smirked.
Before Raj could react, a fist slammed into his stomach. The air was knocked out of his lungs instantly as he dropped to his knees. Laughter echoed around him. Another kick followed, this time to his back. Pain spread through his body like fire, but he didn't scream. He didn't fight back. Because he knew… he couldn't win.
"Say it," the leader said, grabbing his hair and forcing his head up. "Say you don't belong here."
Blood dripped from Raj's lips. His vision blurred, but his eyes remained empty.
"I… don't belong here."
The grip loosened.
"Good dog."
They laughed and walked away, leaving him on the ground—broken, alone.
Time passed. Minutes… or maybe hours. He couldn't tell. The sky above him darkened.
"This is it…" he muttered weakly, clenching his fist again. "No power… no talent… no future…"
Then—
A soft mechanical sound echoed.
[Condition Met: Host has reached absolute despair]
[Hidden System Unlocked]
His eyes snapped open.
"What…?"
The world froze. Even the wind stopped moving.
A translucent screen appeared before him.
[Welcome, Host]
[You have been granted the "Abyss Theft System"]
His heart began to pound—fast, uncontrollable.
[Core Ability: Steal what others possess]
Steal Talent
Steal Ability
Steal Luck
Steal Future
His breath trembled. This… can't be real…
[First Target Detected]
A red mark appeared in his vision—not far away.
One of the students who beat him… was still there.
[Do you wish to steal?]
His heart trembled. His mind raced. His instincts screamed.
Then slowly… very slowly…
A dark smile appeared on his face.
"...Yes."
(Chapter-1 ended)