The System

"So, how did it go, bro?"

Lior's voice rang out the moment Amari stepped out of the Sanctum of Judgment, the golden doors sealing shut behind him.

Amari barely glanced up, his mind still racing with the events inside.

"They said my Faith power is E-Ranked." His voice was blunt, emotionless.

Lior froze. "Wait… E-Ranked? That shit can't be true. Especially after what we witnessed!"

Amari let out a dry chuckle. "I said the same thing."

Lior looked like he was waiting for Amari to say just kidding. But when that moment didn't come, his face twisted in frustration.

"So what are you gonna do?"

Amari's steps slowed. "I actually plan on sneaking inside a Threshold."

Lior stumbled mid-step. "You didn't just say what I think you did… oh wait, you did. Are you fucking insane?"

Amari shrugged. "Just a tad."

A smirk tugged at his lips, but his mind was already set. If the Judicators weren't going to give him answers, he'd find them himself.

Power wasn't given. It was taken.

And he intended to take it.

Lior groaned, rubbing his temples. "Man, I just got my Faith power, and you're already trying to get us killed."

Amari raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of which—what did you get?"

At that, Lior's frustration vanished, replaced by a massive grin.

"Oh man, you're gonna love this—my beast is a Silver Tiger, and my Faith power is Elemental Control."

His excitement was palpable—the raw energy behind his words making it clear how much he was already falling in love with his power.

Amari grinned. "Hell yeah, I'm happy for you. That's badass."

"Right?! I can literally control fire, wind, water, earth, and probably more! The possibilities are insane!"

Lior clenched his fists, excitement still running wild. But then, his eyes flickered toward Amari, and the reality of his situation seemed to settle in again.

E-Rank.

A classification that didn't make sense.

Because if anyone had witnessed what happened in that chamber, they'd know—Amari Elian was anything but weak.

Still, Amari acted as if it didn't bother him. Instead, he threw Lior a casual glance. "Wanna join me?"

Lior blinked. "You're serious about this? Sneaking into a Threshold?"

Amari just stared at him, waiting.

Lior sighed. "Psh. Do you even have to ask? Of course I do!"

He pulled out his Faith-linked ID, and with a few quick taps, his number was transferred directly to Amari's device.

"Here. Hit me up later. But first, I need some rest. I'm still a little tired from staying up all night."

"Fair enough." Amari smirked, slipping his ID back into his pocket. "I'm leaving around 8:30."

"Perfect. See ya later!"

With that, Lior waved, disappearing into the distance.

Amari watched him go, hands in his pockets.

He felt the weight of the Sanctum behind him, the silent hum of Faith energy still lingering in the air.

And somewhere in the shadows—

Someone was watching.

A lone figure stood atop a distant rooftop, concealed by the faint glow of the city's golden streetlights.

She had been listening.

Watching.

The same gothic girl from earlier on the bus—the one who had dismissed Lior without a second thought.

Now, her silver eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Sneaking into a Threshold…?"

Her lips curled into a small, intrigued smile.

"Interesting."

With one last glance in Amari's direction, she turned and vanished into the night.

Amari exhaled as he stepped into his one-bedroom apartment, locking the door behind him.

He tossed his jacket onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. "Back at my humble abode. Looking peaceful as alw—"

DING!

"—THE FUCK?!"

Amari jumped so hard his head slammed against the ceiling.

Pain shot through his skull, and he rubbed his head furiously. "Damn that hurt—"

Then, he froze.

His vision blurred for a second, and then—

[The System has activated now that you are alone.]

[Player Stats, Skills, Beasts, and etc. are now loading…]

A translucent blue screen hovered in front of him, its glowing text flickering as if it had just been activated.

Then, a faint pulse of warmth spread through Amari's chest, deep beneath his skin—like something had been there all along, just waiting to wake up.

[Complete!]

[Player Status]:

[Name] Amari Elian LV. 1

[Title] None

[Rank] E

[Health Points] [??]

[Faith Points] [??]

[EXP] [0/500]

[Stats]:

[Agility] [??]

[Strength] [??]

[Dexterity] [??]

[Intelligence] [??]

[Endurance] [??]

[Luck] [??]

[Faith Skill]:

[Plunder]

[Beast Synchronizations]:

[White Jaguar – Translated Trait: Strength]

The power of the White Jaguar grants immense bite force, capable of crushing bone. This trait has been converted into raw physical strength, vastly enhancing Amari's power beyond human limits.

[Red Pistol Mantis Shrimp – Translated Trait: Speed]

The Pistol Mantis Shrimp strikes with explosive force, capable of breaking through steel with a single hit. This trait has been converted into blinding speed, allowing Amari to move and strike faster than the human eye can track.

Amari stared.

"…What the hell is this?"

It looked like a game interface. But this wasn't some virtual reality sim—this was real.

And why were all of his stats hidden?

His mind raced.

The Judicators had called him weak.

They had said he was an E-Rank.

But now, a System had appeared—something no one else had mentioned.

Something meant only for him.

His eyes flickered toward Plunder, the Faith Skill that had made the altar shatter.

For the first time since awakening, he focused on it.

And in that moment—

The screen changed.

[Skill: Plunder]

[Skill Type]: Unique

[Rank]: ??

[Description]:

A power that takes, rather than gives.

Plunder allows the user to steal attributes, skills, and Faith abilities from others.

Effectiveness is determined by compatibility and the target's strength.

Plundering a target fully may result in the loss of their ability to use Faith.

Certain conditions must be met before full activation.

[Status: Locked]

Amari's breath hitched.

He could steal powers?

His mind raced, connecting the pieces together.

The altar had shattered because it had tried to give him a power—only for Plunder to take more than it should have.

And now?

The Judicators had no idea what he was capable of.

A slow smirk crept onto his lips.

"E-Rank, huh?"

If Plunder really worked the way it said—

Then it wouldn't be long before he proved them dead wrong.

But first—

He had a Threshold to sneak into.