I didn't know how long I'd been out. But when I finally opened my eyes, the room was dim moonlight spilt through the curtains.
I sat up slowly, flexing my fingers as I unwrapped the cloth around my palm.
The cut had sealed, but the scar left behind was black, like ink spilt under skin.
I shook my head and swung my legs off the bed. They nearly buckled under my weight.
'Pathetic.'
Still, I forced myself upright and shuffled to the kitchen.
"Light's on," I said.
The ceiling hummed to life as warm light filled the room.
My eyes landed on the potion from earlier.
It wasn't black anymore.
Now it looked like water—clear, colourless, scentless. Innocent.
If someone didn't know better, they'd think it was just a glass of purified water.
Carefully, I poured it into a vial and tucked it into the refrigerator.
It was night, but I wasn't sleepy.
I moved to the counter and started brewing coffee. The smell helped keep me grounded. A ritual, small but essential.
Cup in hand, I stepped out onto the balcony.
The city unfolded beneath me—neon signs flickering on sleek skyscrapers, roads still buzzing with traffic. The moon cast a silver glow over it all, making the steel and glass shimmer.
Below, a group of people were shouting about something. Drunken voices? Petty squabbles?
'They never change.'
I let it fade into the background.
The wind tugged gently at my hair. The air was cold, but I didn't mind.
I sat back, sipped my coffee, and let the night wash over me.
This... this was peace.
But it wouldn't last.
Once I cleared that dungeon, once I got what I needed, everything would change.
Quiet moments like this wouldn't last. Not with Ember Academy on the horizon.
I didn't want to go, but the Eclipse Council made it mandatory. All newly awakened at sixteen had to attend an academy. If not, their license would be revoked.
Strict, yes. But necessary.
Three years from now, humanity's turn would come again at the Borderlands. A decade of war, facing the demons head-on, while the other races stepped back.
The good part? There won't be another rotation after ours. Even humanity's turn only lasts five years.
Because Leonard Shade, our so-called protagonist of this world, would trigger the Second Great War involving all races.
As for the bad part, the brutal war starts during the third year in humanity's rotation.
In short, 3 years in the academy, 3 years in the borderlands, 2 years of war. Total of 8 years timeline.
So all I had to do was survive. Keep my head low. Let him play the hero while I stayed out of the mess.
Let him fight the demons and threats.
Three years. That's all I had to get strong enough to survive.
After the war?
Peace. Quiet. A life of my own.
For now, though, I sipped my coffee and watched the city breathe.
Time passed quietly. Before I knew it, the sky had shifted from deep indigo to the soft orange of dawn.
The sun was rising.
I sat there, empty cup in hand, watching it climb over the city skyline.
I had no grand dreams. No lofty goals.
Not yet, anyway.
Survival doesn't count as a dream, does it?
But deep down, I had a strange feeling—like this new life would eventually give me something worth chasing.
A real reason to move forward.
For the first time in both of my lives... maybe I'd find a dream.
But that was for later.
Right now, I have a dungeon to prepare for.
I stepped into the bathroom and turned the knob all the way to cold. The water hit me like a slap—sharp, clean, punishing.
But it wasn't nearly as cold as the river I drowned in.
"...Fuck."
The water poured over me, dragging old memories to the surface like debris in a flood.
I knew thinking about the past was useless.
But even now, even after all this time, I couldn't fully believe this was real.
This body. This second chance.This cursed miracle.
I dried off, grabbed a fresh set of clothes, and got dressed.
My stomach grumbled loudly.
But all I had were a few pieces of junk food. Stale crackers and a half-eaten bar. Should've stocked up yesterday.
Too late now.
I grabbed the potion and poured it into a plastic bottle. I had no fancy artifacts, no spatial ring.
Just an old backpack and the will to keep going.
I slipped the bottle inside, zipped it shut, and slung the bag over my shoulder.
Then I stepped out of the apartment.
And began my walk toward the dungeon.
A small smile formed on my lips as I muttered,
"Let's see if death still remembers me."
For the record, I am not joking.
I walked toward the nearest train station.
There was a shortcut I knew, a tight alley between buildings. It could shave off twenty minutes, and considering my current condition, I needed to save every bit of energy I could.
So, I took it.
The narrow path smelled like damp concrete and old trash, but I didn't mind. It was quiet.
Until it wasn't.
My steps came to an abrupt stop. Not because I was tired or blocked.
But because of them.
Two lovers. Mid-kiss. Deeply committed.
"Oh, honey, stop it. People might see us," the girl giggled, breathless.
Too late. I was already here. Watching. Accidentally.
The guy smirked and replied, "I've been taking this way since I was little. Trust me, babe—no one comes through here."
Brilliant. Genius move. Maybe check next time before narrating your stealth make-out session.
They didn't even notice me. And unfortunately, they were right in my path.
Then the guy's hand moved under her shirt.
Seriously?
I didn't want to backtrack.
So I cleared my throat. Loudly.
"Ahem."
They froze.
Then came the slap. Not on me—on him.
Smack.
"You said no one would be here! Don't ever call me again!"
And just like that, she stormed off, leaving the two of us behind.
Silence followed.
The guy turned to me slowly. His face screamed defeat, like a kicked puppy on the verge of tears.
Now that I had a better look at him, he seemed about my age. Maybe sixteen.
Must be the stats, might be due to his Strength or Endurance. Some awakened kids looked older or younger than they were.
Still, that reminded me, I really needed to brush up on the world's common sense.
I judged him by his build without even thinking. That was a mistake. Got to work on that.
He gave me a sheepish nod.
"Ahem… Have a good day."
Then he walked off, rubbing his cheek.
I shook my head and kept moving.
City's weird. People are weirder.
But at least the shortcut worked.
***
Walking out of the train station, I was immediately greeted by a crowd, elves with silver hair and flowing robes, beastfolk with sharp ears and twitching tails.
The city was alive with all kinds.
The train ride was surprisingly smooth.
Two hundred miles in ten minutes. Not bad at all.
I scanned the area and spotted it: a sleek blue hover car, humming lightly just across the street.
That was my ride.
I approached and knocked on the window a few times.
"What kind of idiot knocks on a hover car?"
The door slid open with a hiss, and a huge man stepped out. Broad shoulders, arms like tree trunks—he looked like someone who could kill a bear with a handshake.
David. Party leader.
"I'm your final member for the raid," I said before he could bark again.
He gave me a once-over, then asked, "Why the hell didn't you just use the caller button?"
Caller button?
Ah. So that's a thing.
I played it off quickly. "Forgot it. Everyone here already?"
David grunted and nodded. "Yeah. You're the last. Get in."
He turned and stepped back inside. I followed, keeping my expression neutral.
The air inside smelled faintly of mana oil and metal polish. A few heads turned as I entered, but no one said anything.
Good.
Let's just get this over with.
There were five of us in the car, including me.
All Awakeners.
And I was the weakest one here.
I set my bag down beside me, the weight of it heavier than usual.
There's no going back now.
Quietly, I unzipped it just enough to slip my hand inside. My fingers brushed against the cold surface of the potion bottle.
Found it.
I wrapped my hand around it and took a slow breath, steadying myself.
The car hummed to life as David spoke from the front, "We'll be at the dungeon in an hour."
Everyone nodded.
I twisted the bottle cap, not all the way. Just enough to let it leak.
Not liquid. Just presence.
The windows were sealed tight. Airlocked.
Perfect.
Slowly, I slid my hand out of the bag, careful not to make a sound.
The bag was waterproof. No risk of actual leakage.
But this potion... didn't need contact. Just scent.
It worked in subtler ways.
Invisible. Undetectable.
First step complete.