Haru looked around repeatedly. Left. Right.
Behind him. Then shook his head hard.
But the window remained. Floating directly in front of him. Real.
A dark crimson screen suspended in the air with only one question written across it.
"Activate System?"
Haru cautiously waved his hand through it.
Nothing. His hand passed straight through the screen without resistance. No physical form. Yet he could still see it clearly.
Around him, a few pedestrians had already started staring. "…Is he okay?" "What's that guy doing?" "Did he lose his mind?"
To everyone else, Haru looked ridiculous—waving at empty air for no reason.
Haru ignored them. His eyes narrowed slightly as a memory surfaced. The shard.
The moment it merged with him.
"No physical body… Then maybe it responds through thought?" he said in his mind.
Slowly, Haru straightened himself.
His fist clenched slightly.
"…Activate."
Click.
A digital sound echoed sharply.
The window vanished— Then immediately reappeared. Different this time.
Daily Mission: Physical Training
Push-ups: 0/50
Sit-ups: 0/50
Rewards will be given upon completion.
Penalty will be applied if mission is not completed within 24 hours.
Time Remaining: 24:00:00
The timer immediately began counting down. 23:59:59 — 23:59:58
Haru frowned.
"…There's a penalty too?"
He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck in annoyance. "Well… rather than finding out what happens if I ignore it, I'm gonna do it at home." A tired groan escaped him.
Then another problem hit him.
"…How do I even close this thing?"
He tilted his head slightly before trying the most obvious answer. "…Close?"
The crimson window instantly disappeared.
Haru blinked.
Then stared blankly at the empty air for a second. "…Seriously?"
Then he took a taxi.
—
Somewhere in Japan—
Inside the TWA Headquarters.
Yumi Harakura walked calmly through the hallway as employees immediately stood and bowed upon seeing her. She only glanced at them once before lightly gesturing with her hand for everyone to continue working. The atmosphere remained respectful even after she passed.
A few moments later, she stopped before a large office door. 4th Division Commander's Office, Yumi Harakura, written within the door. She opened the door and stepped inside. Click.
The room fell silent as the door shut behind her. Yumi walked toward her desk and sat down gracefully, crossing one leg over the other while folding her arms.
Behind her, the massive glass wall revealed the city stretching far beyond the headquarters. Her eyes closed.
Silence.
Then—
A faint blush slowly spread across her cheeks. Her brows twitched slightly as if she were desperately suppressing something.
"Huh…?" A teasing male voice suddenly echoed through the office.
"That's a new expression from you, Yumi."
A man lounged casually nearby as if he owned the place. Well-built. Black hair.
Handsome face. A sleeveless black shirt hung open in the front, exposing his muscular frame, paired with loose dark pants. His grin widened immediately.
"I wonder who that man is…" He burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHA!"
Yumi's face instantly turned redder. She tried forcing herself back into composure— and failed. "HE'S SO HANDSOME!!"
The outburst exploded from her before she could stop it. Images of Haru flashed through her mind— His side profile.
The way he fixed his hair in the hospital before discharge. The quiet look in his eyes.
"…And he looks…" Her voice dropped into a whisper as she absentmindedly twirled the tip of her hair around her finger. "…Hot too…"
The man froze for one second.
Then nearly doubled over laughing.
"PFFT—HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Yumi's expression immediately collapsed into pure embarrassment and irritation.
She quickly cleared her throat and straightened herself again, desperately trying to recover her dignified image.
"…So, Venill." Her voice stiffened. "What brings you here?"
Venill finally stopped laughing, though the grin on his face remained.
"It's about the man who cut the Void Rift."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
Venill Ford Emuriell
SS-rank — Archbrid
2nd Division Commander.
"I also received the report about that incident." Venill spoke casually as he sat down on the couch in the middle of the office.
Yumi crossed her legs again, resting her chin lightly against her hand.
"Why are you interested?" she asked in her usual composed tone. "Wasn't I the only one assigned to this matter by the President?"
Venill leaned back lazily. "So what?"
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"That guy caught my interest."
Yumi sighed quietly after seeing that expression. "The Quinacity he has right now is barely above ordinary human levels," she explained. "But despite that… the President personally requested a Black Aberrant ID for him."
Venill's smile faded.
He slowly stood and walked toward the massive glass wall overlooking the city.
"A Black ID…?" His voice lowered slightly.
"Only one person in the world officially possessed a Black Aberrant ID. The President herself. To think she requested one personally for him…" Venill muttered.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Heavier. Serious.
Yumi closed her eyes briefly while sitting elegantly behind her desk. "I know."
Her voice softened. "The potential that man possesses has already caught the President's attention."
News of the Void Rift incident had already spread worldwide. A single individual splitting a Rift apart— and even affecting the real world beyond it was impossible to hide. Though thankfully, Haru's appearance had been kept confidential.
Venill stared silently at the sky outside.
"He could become a catastrophe comparable to the President herself."
The words settled heavily in the room.
Then Venill glanced back toward Yumi.
"But whether he becomes an ally… or an enemy…" His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…depends on you, Yumi." Yumi met his gaze quietly. "You'd better guide him well."
Venill started walking toward the door.
Then paused.
A smirk returned to his face.
"Now enjoy fantasizing about him."
Yumi froze. "…Wha—" SLAM. "HEY!!"
Her furious shout echoed through the office as Venill burst out laughing behind the closing door. Yumi's face turned bright red again. "Hmph."
She spun her chair away stubbornly like an irritated child, arms folded tightly.
But after a while— Her expression slowly calmed. Gazing at the sky.
The embarrassment faded.
Concern replaced it. Venill was right.
The responsibility placed on Her and Haru now carried terrifying weight.
Yumi turned back toward her desk and opened her computer. Files appeared across the screen one after another as she began preparing her official report for the President of the TWA.
—
Somewhere in China—
Drip.
A bead of sweat hit the floor.
A lean figure continued doing push-ups inside a small apartment.
"Forty-seven… forty-eight… forty-nine…"
His arms trembled slightly. "…Fifty."
A digital sound echoed softly.
The system window appeared.
A line crossed through the completed task.
Push-ups: 50/50
Sit-ups: 50/50
Haru collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. "It was harder than I expected…" he muttered between breaths.
"But manageable."
One arm covered his eyes as his chest rose and fell slowly.
Then—
The system notified him again.
Daily Missions Completed
"Collect Rewards"
Haru lifted his arm slightly.
"…Collect rewards."
The screen changed instantly.
Strength: 0
Durability: 0
Agility: 0
Stamina: 0
Mana: 0
Perception: 0
You have earned 10 points.
Haru slowly sat up from the floor.
"…Whoa." His eyes scanned the window excitedly. "I see…" He thought for a moment.
"Three points into Strength and Durability."
He pointed toward the remaining stats.
"One for the rest."
Click.
The system responded immediately.
Strength: 3
Durability: 3
Agility: 1
Stamina: 1
Mana: 1
Perception: 1
Haru's eyes widened. "…Perfect."
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Now… close.".The screen vanished instantly. And the change hit him immediately. His body felt lighter.
Stronger. More stable.
Even the exhaustion from training disappeared almost completely.
Haru stared at his own hands again—
and for the first time since awakening
He genuinely felt himself becoming something different.
After finishing his training, Haru spent the rest of the night cleaning the apartment.
Small things. Washing dishes. Folding clothes. Putting scattered items back where they belonged.
The quiet routine slowly settled his mind.
Eventually, he stopped in front of a portrait resting near the window. Yue.
Moonlight spilled softly across the frame as Haru picked it up carefully. His expression softened immediately. Longing quietly filled his eyes.
Then the memory returned. That day. That Rift. His hand desperately reaching toward her— Yue reaching back toward him—
Then— A distorted whip of warped space snapped around her arm. Then her waist.
Then her legs. The Rift glitched violently as it dragged her deeper inside. And just before it closed— Haru had seen it.
The space within the Rift itself had distorted unnaturally.
His fingers tightened slightly around the frame. Slowly, Haru lifted his gaze toward the night sky outside the window.
Cold wind drifted through the room.
His lips moved faintly. "…Yue."
After a while, he returned the portrait gently to its place and headed to his room. Soon—
Sleep slowly claimed him.
—
Meanwhile—
Inside the TWA Headquarters.
Soft keyboard typing echoed through the silent office. Yumi Harakura sat alone at her desk.
Click.
Her finger pressed the Enter key before she finally leaned back into her chair, stretching both arms upward tiredly. Under the office lights— She looked stunning.
A few buttons near the collar of her white polo had been loosened, revealing a faint glimpse of skin near her chest. Her black suit jacket now rested carelessly over the couch nearby.
With a quiet sigh, she moved there instead and relaxed into the cushions.
"Haru…" Her voice dropped softly into the empty room. "I wonder what he's doing right now…" A faint smile formed unconsciously.
"Is he sleeping…? Or training?"
Then realization hit her. Instantly. Her face exploded red. "W-What is wrong with me?!"
She grabbed both sides of her head dramatically. "N-No!! We only met for ONE DAY!!" She buried her face into her hands.
"H-Hold yourself together, Yumi!!"
After a few seconds, she slowly spread her fingers apart just enough for one eye to peek through. "B-Being concerned doesn't mean anything else… right…?" She muttered it weakly, desperately trying to convince herself.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound at the door instantly snapped her back to reality. Yumi quickly straightened herself on the couch and cleared her throat.
"Come in."
The office door slowly opened.
Another woman entered. Beautiful. Elegant.
Dangerous. She wore a black dress beneath luxurious white fur draped over her shoulders. Gold earrings, bracelets, and a necklace shimmered subtly beneath the office lights. Her black wolfcut hair framed sharp eyes filled with amusement.
Yumi's expression immediately turned serious. "What do you want from me… Aezeth?"
The woman smiled faintly before sitting gracefully on the couch opposite her, crossing her legs like royalty taking a throne.
Aezeth Velfie — SS-rank - Archmage
1st Division Commander.
Aezeth tilted her head mockingly.
"What? Am I not allowed to visit?" she teased lightly. "Come on, Yumi. I'm only here for a little fun information." Her head tilted to the opposite side.
Yumi's brows furrowed. "Get to the point."
Her tone turned cold.
Aezeth leaned back comfortably.
"My, my~ scary." She giggled softly. "Anyway… it's about that man. Haru."
Yumi's eyes sharpened instantly.
Aezeth noticed. And smirked wider.
"You know how much I enjoy having strong men around me." Her tongue lightly brushed against her lower lip.
"Well, sorry to disappoint your taste," Yumi replied flatly. "He's only F-rank."
"And this matter doesn't concern you. The President assigned me alone."
Her annoyance was no longer hidden.
Aezeth chuckled softly.
"Oh?" Her golden eyes narrowed playfully. "Potential never lies… sweetie."
Every word sounded like deliberate teasing.
Then she slowly stood and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she glanced back over her shoulder one last time.
"Bye-bye~ Yumi~"
Click.
The room fell silent again.
Yumi stared at the closed door for several seconds.
Then suddenly—
"I'M NOT LETTING YOU GET CLOSE TO HIM!" She threw herself dramatically back onto the couch, pouting furiously like a stubborn child protecting her favorite toy.
—
The moon quietly watched over the night.
Eventually— Morning came.
—
Birds chirped outside the apartment window.
Then— A familiar digital sound hummed softly. The crimson system window appeared before Haru once more.
Daily Missions
Push-ups: 0/70
Sit-ups: 0/70
Run: 0km/5km
Time Remaining: 23:58:34
The screen flickered. Then changed.
First Mission: Kill Monsters
Kill Monsters: 0/100
Rewards will be given upon completion.
Haru glanced at the floating system window while taking a sip of coffee.
"…Close."
The dark crimson screen disappeared instantly. He lowered the mug slowly.
"Daily missions first… then I'll head to a Rift."
The last of the coffee slid down his throat before he stood up from the chair.
A quiet stretch. Shoulders loosened.
Arms raised overhead. Then he began.
Push-ups—Sweat dripped steadily onto the floor beneath him as his arms pushed against the ground over and over again.
Sit-ups—His breathing gradually roughened while sweat rolled down his abdomen and neck— Then came the run.
By the time Haru collapsed onto a bench outside after finishing five kilometers, his entire body burned with exhaustion.
Sweat soaked through his shirt.
His chest rose and fell heavily.
"…Damn…"
The system window appeared again.
Lines crossed through every completed task.
Push-ups: 70/70
Sit-ups: 70/70
Run: 5km/5km
"Collect rewards?"
Haru lifted his head slightly.
"…Collect rewards."
The screen shifted into his stats again.
Strength: 3
Durability: 3
Agility: 1
Stamina: 1
Mana: 1
Perception: 1
You have 17 points.
Haru sat up properly this time.
His eyes carefully scanned the screen while he thought. "…Three points into Strength, Durability, Agility, Stamina, and Mana."
A brief pause. "Two into Perception."
The system hummed softly. Then updated.
Strength: 6
Durability: 6
Agility: 4
Stamina: 4
Mana: 4
Perception: 3
The change hit him instantly.
His exhaustion vanished. Again.
Haru slowly flexed his fingers.
His body felt noticeably lighter than earlier.
Stronger. Sharper.
Even the flow of mana inside him felt denser now—almost enough to reach E-rank.
What Haru still didn't know—
Was that every single stat point multiplied an attribute by three. Not merely adding strength— But exponentially increasing it.
Then—
The system window appeared once more.
This time, Not for the mission.
No reward. Only a single question.
"Switch to Voice Mode?"
Haru blinked at the screen.
"…Voice mode?" Confusion spread across his face.
—
Meanwhile—
Back at the TWA Headquarters.
A woman entered an office and quietly shut the door behind her.
"Madam," she spoke respectfully, "gathering more information about this man has become nearly impossible."
She stepped forward and placed several files onto the desk. "Ma'am Yumi Harakura restricted further access to his records. The only information I managed to obtain was the basic report regarding the Rift incident."
One file slightly slipped open across the desk. A name became visible. Haru.
Behind the desk sat a luxurious office chair resembling a throne, facing the massive glass wall overlooking the city.
Then—
"Very well." The chair slowly rotated around.
Aezeth Velfie crossed her legs elegantly while resting her chin against one hand.
Even seated, her presence dominated the room effortlessly. "Even if she hides him from me…" A slow, amused smile formed across her lips.
"…I know I'll meet him eventually~"
Her voice carried playful seduction as soft laughter escaped her.
Meanwhile—
Inside another office.
Yumi sat elegantly behind her desk, a satisfied grin spreading across her face.
"Let's see how you like that, Aezeth."
She leaned back proudly.
"I'm not sharing his information."
A small pause. Then her brows furrowed possessively. "Especially not with you."
And while all of this unfolded—
Venill was in his own office completely relaxed. Feet on the table. TV running loudly.
Several empty chip bags scattered around him. And more importantly—
Absolutely no paperwork left.
Out of all the Division Commanders, only Venill consistently finished first.
Thanks to his Dark Lightning ability, he could process stacks of documents at absurd speed. "HAHAHAHA—!"
He nearly choked on chips while laughing at whatever nonsense was playing on television.
Completely unaware—
or perhaps completely unconcerned—
That the entire balance of the world might soon begin revolving around one newly awakened F-rank man.