System Notice
"Who are you?"
The man who had spoken first—tall, with sharp eyes that scanned the room warily—watched the others as he waited for a response.
One of the men shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. He had broad shoulders and a weathered face, slightly older than the rest.
"Manuel," he said simply. "I was a miner."
He glanced around before returning the question. "Who are you?"
"The name's Charles, a businessman," the first man answered.
His voice was steady, but there was a cautious edge to it, as if he was still processing the situation.
Another man, who seemed more at ease than the rest, let out a small chuckle.
"Jhon," he said. "Farmer. Though I suppose 'idiot' works too."
All eyes turned to the youngest among them. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Kiranu… Hunter-in-training."
Jhon tilted his head. "You hesitated."
Kiranu gave no response.
The last man remained silent, standing slightly apart with arms crossed. He hadn't moved much, watching the others with an unreadable expression.
Manuel frowned. "And you?"
A pause.
"Chris." His voice was calm, indifferent.
"...That's it?" Jhon asked, raising a brow.
Chris only shrugged.
"So, does anyone have any idea why we are here?" Charles asked.
"Honestly, no idea," Jhon said. "I was supposed to be dead, but somehow, I am here."
"So was I," Manuel added. His brow furrowed. "Did you die as well?" he asked the rest.
Kiranu hesitated before nodding. "I did."
"Yes," said Chris.
An uneasy silence settled over them. Then Charles exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"So, we all died," he muttered. "And now we're here."
Before anyone could respond, a golden shimmer flickered on one of the walls. A screen appeared, glowing with unfamiliar symbols before shifting into clear words.
————————————————————
[System Notice]
[Welcome, lost souls. You have died. Yet, your journey does not end here.]
[Before you lies a new fate—one beyond your past lives. You have been chosen for a second chance in a world unfamiliar to you. Survive, grow, and find your purpose.]
[Each of you has been granted a gift, shaped by your past lives. These abilities will aid you in the trials ahead. You may access your Status Screen at will—it is visible only to you.]
[When the time comes, the path forward shall be revealed. Prepare yourselves. Your new life begins now.]
————————————————————
A heavy silence followed as the message faded.
"...Well," Jhon muttered, crossing his arms. "That was ominous."
"Abilities?" Manuel repeated, deep in thought.
Kiranu glanced at his hands, as if expecting to feel something different. Charles was quiet, his expression unreadable. Chris, as always, said nothing.
Then, without warning, another shimmer appeared before them—this time, small rectangular screens, one in front of each of them. Their Status Screens had appeared. Each was translucent, only visible to its owner.
A moment of hesitation passed before Manuel, ever the pragmatist, reached out. The text on his screen sharpened into focus.
————————————————————
[Status Screen]
[Name: Manuel Riego]
[Age: 25]
[Ability: Guardian's Burden]
[Creates a protective barrier that absorbs damage. Each strike against it transfers pain to the user. When broken, the pain momentarily surges to overwhelming levels. Barrier visibility and strength scale with the user's emotional state.]
————————————————————
A dull hum filled the air as a faint, almost transparent blue shimmer flickered around him. Manuel clenched his fists as he tested the sensation.
"A barrier, huh?" he muttered. "And I can feel it…"
A sudden spike of pain shot through his hands, as if struck by something unseen. His breath hitched before the sensation quickly faded.
"Manuel?" Charles asked, narrowing his eyes.
"…It hurts when hit," Manuel admitted, flexing his fingers. "And if it breaks, it'll be worse."
Jhon whistled. "Sounds useful. Painful, but useful."
He glanced at his own screen, curiosity getting the better of him.
————————————————————
[Status Screen]
[Name: Jhon Calloway]
[Age: 21]
[Ability: Fool's Gamble]
[User receives maps that reveal paths to fortune. However, the chances of success are slim—most lead to disappointment or disaster.]
————————————————————
Jhon blinked.
"…Maps?"
He concentrated, and in his hand, a worn parchment appeared—lines shifting as if it were still being drawn. His excitement rose for a brief second before he noticed something.
The map led straight into a canyon.
"…Huh." He frowned, rotating it. "This better not be another scam."
Kiranu was next, staring at his own screen with uncertainty.
————————————————————
[Status Screen]
[Name: Kiranu]
[Age: 18]
[Ability: Tireless Frenzy]
[The longer the user stays awake, the stronger they become. However, prolonged sleeplessness dulls their focus and rationality. Additionally, they gain a heightened awareness of immediate danger.]
————————————————————
A strange feeling crawled over him, like a shiver down his spine. His breath felt lighter, his body oddly alert despite the stillness of the room.
His fingers twitched involuntarily.
"I… think I can feel something," Kiranu said. "Like… an instinct."
Chris, standing slightly apart, remained silent as he read his own screen. Unlike the others, he gave no reaction.
Charles, meanwhile, focused on his.
————————————————————
[Status Screen]
[Name: Charles Everett]
[Age: 23]
[Ability: Bloody Letters]
[Receives cryptic letters warning of impending danger. These letters vanish after reading but can be recalled at will from a mental mailbox. Their warnings are vague, providing insight into what might happen—but not when or how.]
————————————————————
"Letters?" said Charles, confused.
Chris closed his screen. "Is that all?" he asked, seemingly indifferent.
Jhon rolled his eyes. "Oh, sure, just completely ignore the part where we got supernatural powers."
Chris shrugged. "It's not like we can do anything about it now."
Charles gave him a long look but said nothing.
Kiranu, meanwhile, glanced between them before shifting his gaze back to the golden wall where the system message had appeared.
A waiting room between life and death. A second chance. A fate they had yet to understand.