Two days ago, he died.
Now, he stood here—trying to become something this world said he couldn't be. An Awakener.
As Rain gazed up at the towering structure in front of him, the Awakened League Headquarters, a sharp breeze tousled his hair.
People streamed in and out of the entrance.
Warriors in gleaming armor, mages robed in elemental threads, and armed with weapons and staffs to signify their superhuman status.
He clenched the Ascender license tightly in his hand, a sense of anticipation rising within him.
There was a significant power difference between an Ascender, who could only use magical items, and Awakeners, who had awakened special powers.
As a result, Ascenders were considered rankless superhumans and received little respect.
As for Rain, the best he could do was heal slightly faster than an ordinary human.
He patted the Demon Razor strapped to his waist—a Knife-type magic item forged from an E-rank monster. It was all that the original body could afford.
He had transmigrated into this world two days ago, waking in a weak body with no power, no tangible skills, no talent, and no future.
Ten years ago, Ragnarok Origin, the most popular video game in this world mysteriously crashed, shattering the barrier between game and reality.
Apocalypse descended and dimensional holes called Gates which led to dungeons spawned monster races that humans thought they could only encounter in Role Playing Games.
These creatures spread chaos and waves of magical energy into the world, and humans started teetering on the brink of extinction.
However, a few humans managed to awaken powers that later led them to victory.
These heroes became known as Awakeners, and their powers were classified based on their abilities.
Awakeners were the salt of this earth; any idol who was able to awaken would see their popularity skyrocket.
In fact, these superhumans were idols in the eyes of everyone.
In this world, it was not an exaggeration to say that a single high-ranking Awakener could rival a country's entire military strength, so every country on the planet valued them highly.
The thought of this sent goosebumps down Rain's body as he continued staring at league building.
"That was why Awakened League was created, an organization affiliated with the government that exists solely to keep Awakeners in check"
Rain entered the building, his sneakers making a light squeak on the tile floor.
In this world, where Awakeners reigned supreme, he refused to accept that he was just a nameless extra.
For this reason, he had come today for a power evaluation.
Rain wore a determined expression as he approached the front desk.
All around him, there were some people clustered in front of a giant board with quest papers pinned on it.
Some were forming a party, negotiating on terms and conditions, but his mission here today was different, the only goal being to get evaluated.
As he approached the front desk, he noticed a lady who he recognized as the receptionist seated and scrabbling on paperwork.
As if sensing his presence, she raised her head and greeted him with a professional smile.
"Good morning, Mr Rain, how can I help you?"
At first, Rain felt hesitant to respond, no doubt, what he was about to say would bring questions, but then what could he possibly do?
He couldn't just accept that he didn't awaken any power after being tossed into this fantasy world, no never.
Rain clenched his fist and uttered his thoughts; it was now or never.
"I came to register for evaluation,"
"....."
Suddenly, the bustling hall was cloaked in perfect decorum, and every head turned in the direction of who had just spoken.
Of course, it wasn't that everyone was oblivious of his presence when he was entering.
Even though he wasn't greeted by anyone, there were still some faces he recognized as momentary acquaintances of this body.
"Sir?"
The dumbfounded receptionist tried to ask again, perhaps, she had misheard what this young man said just now.
In all the years she had been working here, only teenage youths had ever said something like that.
But this person was like twenty-three years of age according to his details as an Ascender, that was far from being a teenager, so he couldn't have said something like that, right?
"I came to register for evaluation"
Rain bent closer and repeated what he said earlier, This time, his voice was barely audible, almost like a whisper.
"..."
For a worker whose work dealt with communication, the receptionist was immediately at a loss for words, after all, it was an unreasonable request.
It was common knowledge that only humans in their teenage years could awaken powers.
When one had passed their teenage years, their chance to awaken any ability was zero percent.
Rain recognized a young man who strolled toward him, his red bandana bore a design of a wolf's paw embroidered on it.
His menacing silvery gauntlets were adorned with golden trims, giving him an air of luxury and dependability.
Stone Fang? Rain could remember him as the original body's classmates during his high school days.
One of those who sees other talentless people as lower life forms and seeks to establish a leader over them, despite the fact that they are no different.
He had a soft expression on his face as if he wanted to express his condolences to a mourning family.
"Rain, our chance is long gone, you should be content as an Ascender"
He patted him on the shoulder, then he turned to the receptionist.
"Miss, can we have this quest, It seems my buddy needs some monsters to vent his frustration on"
He slapped a quest note on the desk.
"Please, could you look into my request first"
Unable to accept this, Rain mustered enough courage to speak out, and that was when he saw Stone Fang's twisted expression.
It was one of reproach, as if he were looking down at a worthless ant flaunting its might.
"What is wrong with you, don't act like some chosen one!
You are just the last in our class and you will continue as such!"
Stone Fang shifted back in rage, annoyed expression written boldly on his face.
"It is alright, as there is no rule against evaluation of those above their teenage years"
The receptionist, noticing the shift in atmosphere, quickly spoke out in response to the main purpose of the Awakened League, which was to enable peace among non-superhumans and keep Awakeners in check.
A loud cackle escaped Stone Fang's mouth, There was now a crooked grin on his face, then he turned and went back to his minions.
"Worthless fellow should just act like one"
The others also laughed out loud in response to his words.
"Too bad for you, I'm not the same Rain you know"
Rain spoke in his mind as he followed the receptionist to the evaluation room.
This evaluation would determine his destiny.