Kaito stood paralyzed in front of his apartment door.
The system's words echoed in his mind:
[PARTNER IS EN ROUTE TO YOUR LOCATION.]
[PLEASE PREPARE FOR COHABITATION.]
He hadn't brushed his hair. He was still wearing his old "Sleep = Power" hoodie, stained with instant curry from three nights ago.
And now, Earth's strongest Awakened was about to step into his disaster of a life.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang again—less like a polite chime and more like a countdown to execution.
He opened the door slowly.
Standing there was a goddess.
Long silver hair flowed like silk down her back. Her piercing violet eyes scanned him like he was dirt on her boots. She wasn't in battle gear—just a fitted black turtleneck and high-waisted jeans—but somehow she looked more dangerous dressed down than she had on live TV melting a wyvern.
"...You?" she said, eyes narrowing.
Kaito blinked. "...Me?"
She scowled. "There must be a mistake. You don't even have presence."
"Well, thanks," he said. "Most people say 'nice to meet you' first."
She didn't move.
He didn't either.
It was the world's most awkward staring contest.
Then the system chimed again:
[PARTNERS MUST BEGIN COHABITATION IMMEDIATELY.]
[FAILURE TO ESTABLISH SHARED LIVING CONDITIONS WITHIN 24 HOURS WILL RESULT IN PUNISHMENT.]
"Ugh. Fine." She stepped inside like she owned the place. "Don't get in my way."
"Yes, your majesty," he muttered under his breath.
---
They sat in silence in his cramped living room. The only sound was the electric hum of his fridge, somehow repaired from the slime incident.
She sat perfectly upright, legs crossed, examining him like a particularly unappealing bug.
"I'm Aya Shirogane," she said finally. "UR Rank. God Class. Class: Cosmic Control."
Kaito raised a brow. "Do people normally announce their powers like they're reading out their stats in an RPG?"
"It's called transparency," she snapped. "The System is watching. We're being evaluated."
Kaito leaned back, hands behind his head. "Then let's be honest. I don't know my rank, my ability, or even how to open a proper menu. I just got slimed yesterday."
She blinked. "...You what?"
"Never mind."
She folded her arms. "This is ridiculous. I was supposed to be paired with someone worthy. Not… this."
Kaito offered her a cup of tea. "You're welcome, by the way. I deep-cleaned that mug just last year."
---
A flash of blue light spread across the wall.
[AWAKENER SYSTEM – GLOBAL ACCESS UPDATE]
[NEW INFORMATION UNLOCKED: RANK SYSTEM]
[ALL AWAKENED MAY NOW VIEW GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS.]
A holographic panel floated in front of them both.
Aya's eyes lit up as she scanned it.
---
System Overview: A Crash Course
[AWAKENER SYSTEM – ACTIVE]
Every human on Earth has undergone a forced scan, triggering dormant potential based on individual compatibility with the System.
Ranks Identified So Far:
• E to A – Enhanced humans with above-average strength, speed, or minor elemental affinities.
• S Rank – Users capable of limited supernatural abilities: fire, wind manipulation, minor healing, etc.
• SS Rank – High-tier awakened. Capable of large-scale ability use. Often control an element fully or possess regeneration, teleportation, etc.
• SSS Rank – Rare elite awakeners. Bend reality on a small scale. Territory creators. Psychic dominators.
• UR Rank – "God-Class." Only a few exist. Possess overwhelming power, often rewriting laws of physics, time acceleration, or elemental dominance. Requires immense energy control.
---
Aya looked smug. "As expected. I'm at the peak."
Kaito scratched his head. "So... where do people with triple question marks fall?"
She tilted her head. "Triple question marks?"
He quickly changed the subject. "You know, I think I'm more of a vibes-based fighter anyway."
"You're a hazard," she muttered.
---
They sat in silence again. Aya finally broke it.
"I don't like this. I didn't choose you."
Kaito sipped his tea. "Me neither. I was hoping my soulmate would be a pizza delivery girl."
She glared.
He smiled.
Then the system dropped another bomb:
[NEW CONDITION ACTIVATED: PARTNER BONDING]
[YOUR LIVES ARE NOW CONNECTED.]
[IF ONE DIES, THE OTHER DIES IMMEDIATELY.]
[AFFECTION LEVEL: 0%]
[COHABITATION TIME LEFT TO PENALTY: 23 HOURS, 15 MINUTES]
Kaito's cup slipped from his hand.
"…Oh," he said, voice suddenly serious.
Aya's eyes widened. "They're... tying our lives together?"
The two stared at the floating message.
"No pressure, right?" Kaito laughed nervously.
For once, Aya didn't have a comeback.
---
Outside, the sky darkened.
In the distance, the Tower of Trial loomed—an obsidian monument cutting through the clouds, humming with unreadable power.
Humanity had just begun its first day in the System.
And two of its unlikeliest partners were now forced to survive it together.
---