Chapter 4: Summoning Mysteries
The Awakening Mandatory Program concluded once everyone had been tested. In the end, only two individuals successfully awakened, becoming Ascendants. Even if the chances of awakening were slim, this bunch was undoubtedly a complete failure, no matter how you sliced the cake.
A wave of young graduates flooded out of the military base with defeated expressions. It was an understandable reaction.
Their dreams had been shattered the moment they failed to awaken. They knew what awaited them were menial jobs under some Corporation if they were lucky enough to survive.
Whatever the future held, one thing was certain: they no longer had the right to dream big.
Among the retreating crowd was a black-haired young man, distinct from the others. He wore a long-sleeved black shirt with a simple red skull design, paired with black jeans and white sneakers. While those around him radiated despair, he exuded an air of indifference, casually scrolling through his smartphone.
An old-model earpiece rested in his ear, playing the latest hit song. He had been saving money, but it wouldn't be long before he replaced it.
What now? I never expected to awaken, so my plans have been completely thrown off course.
Now that I was officially classified as an Ascendant, challenging the Shadow World is inevitable.
To survive, I needed to be fully prepared and properly equipped.
I could use the government funds I had just received to buy equipment, but rushing into it felt unwise.
I don't even know what's good or bad yet. I wouldn't be able to separate gold from trash. Not to mention, all the good stuff would be ridiculously expensive.