"A World in Ruins"
The five of us—Emma, Mom, Dad, Lina, and I—walk through the streets, searching for shelter, a safe place to stay.
But there is none.
The city is in ruins. Buildings that once stood tall are now reduced to rubble. Cars are overturned, some burnt to a crisp. Bodies—both human and monster—lie scattered across the streets, a gruesome reminder of the nightmare we are living in.
What about our house?
Last night, a second wave of monsters came. The places that somehow remained intact after the first attack? They're nothing but piles of debris now. Our home was no exception.
If not for Emma and Dad, we wouldn't have survived.
No—if not for Emma, we wouldn't have survived.
She's the reason we're alive.
Emma: The Perfect Housewife?
Last night was… strange.
Emma, in front of my parents, turned into the perfect housewife.
She cooked for us, helped Mom set up a temporary place to sleep, even treated Dad's injuries. She bonded with Lina instantly, playing with her and making sure she wasn't scared.
And me?
I sat there, utterly confused.
Emma—shy, awkward Emma—was suddenly acting like she belonged with my family.
I pulled her aside and asked, "What's with this… behavior? You're acting like you've been with my family for years."
She hesitated before answering.
"I… I never had a real family," she admitted.
Emma's parents divorced when she was little. They hated each other, and in their fights, they ignored her completely. She was raised by her grandmother—until she passed away when Emma was twelve.
Since then, she had always been alone.
"This is the first time I've ever experienced something like this," she said, smiling softly. "A family. I'm… happy."
Hearing that, I didn't know what to say. I had known Emma for five years, but I never knew she felt this way.
Still, I couldn't focus on that now.
WSO: The Organization That Failed
Remember the World System Organization (WSO)? The people who declared themselves humanity's last hope?
Yeah. Their leader—the guy in the video—died.
Just like that.
The so-called "safe zone" we were in? It's now classified as one of the most dangerous zones.
But with Emma around, it doesn't feel that way.
She walks through the streets, eliminating monsters like they're nothing. Fire and lightning burst from her staff, reducing creatures to ashes in seconds.
While the rest of us struggle to survive, Emma dominates.
Mom and Dad keep praising her, calling her "amazing," "unbelievable," and "a blessing." Lina practically worships her, clinging to her like an older sister.
And me?
I feel like an outcast.
Emma is walking the parents' daughter-in-law route at full speed. It's like they've already decided she'll be my wife.
I should be happy, right?
But all I can think about is… power.
I NEED A SYSTEM
What if I never awaken a system?
How will I protect myself?
How will I protect my family?
And most importantly—how will I even survive?
Leon—the student council president—awakened an S-Rank system, the Savior System. It's one of the ten known S-Rank systems in the world.
And me? I have nothing.
I scream in frustration.
"I want a system too! Why the hell don't I have one?!"
Emma gently places a hand on my shoulder. "Ethan… even if you never get a system, I'll always be with you. I'll protect you."
I clench my fists.
That's not what I want.
I won't let Emma become my shield.
I won't rely on her to keep me safe.
I'll find a way—no matter what it takes.