It was a normal day in the city.
The endless voices echoing the shops—struggling, surviving, blending with the chaotic chants of people of every kind: Human, Elf, even a few monsters.
In the alley lay the motionless bodies of those who had lost their home—the weaker beings that lost their hopes.
It had been like this since the Great Fall—The Apocalypse that shattered the civilization, erased progress, and claimed nearly half of the world's population.
The otherworldly sight of the catastrophe were described in books, "the world barrier shattered, causing the world's civilization to fall." Yes. The world fell.
But, The Great Fall could be said to be a blessing in disguise. In exchange for wiping out a thousand years of progress, humans were granted the power to thrive—Resonance.
Resonance is a gift from deities.
It is the ultimate form of power. The more resonance you possess, the more power and authority you command. Resonance typically awakens between ages 10 and 15, though rare prodigies, blessed directly by gods, may awaken earlier.
Because of this widely known fact, it has become such a norm.
Yes, it was normal.
Except for me.
How does it feel to hold such prowess…
With such a thought, my body slumped on the ground, eagerly waiting for blessings to come.
My hand stretched out, ragged clothes covering the cold pavement. A battered can sat beside my belly, barely containing a few coins.
Should I receive a dime, it'd be just enough to get me through the day. But even that is a struggle... for someone like me deemed unblessed.
I've always thought I was normal among people, but to think that I would be one of those to not possess such power that others do… It's quite annoying when I think of it.
The alley where I dwell is a home for those similar to me—the sanctuary of the weak. The unblessed. There's little demand for people like us—but at least no one tries to work us to death. For some, a safer means is as good as living.
Someone's coming.
Thud. Thud.
For some to set foot into this specific alley is a rare sight… I recall that many are scared to walk in here because of them.
Clang.
The can beside me trembled. A sudden chill crept up my spine—yet, strangely, I felt a smile begin to form. Then I froze.
I was shocked.
For someone to give their money, they probably earn more than enough to spare. A mercy I hadn't even realized I'd been hoping for.
It may be because of the rule of this world where the weak are casted aside that I am here in this cold o so familiar alley.
I grew up in this entirely chaotic alley. I do not have the slightest memories of my parents, nor was I taken to an orphanage.
Of course. This is the world I live in.
At a young age, every child is tested for their aptitude for Resonance; the weaker the pulse from a crystal tester, the lower the talent is, conversely, when the pulse is strong.
I was tested with no response, thus discarded.
As I slowly let go of the thought, I clutched the can that laid beside me hoping to find a dime. But my expectations betrayed me.
It was empty.
Even the little I had was stolen.
As my anger threatened to rise, my gaze shifted. A folded paper lay beside me. A newspaper, tattered, but delivered with utmost precision, at the same time as the can trembled.
I never noticed when, nor did I bother to find out how anymore. I guess I've gotten used to it.
In this world where power is valued more than anything, nowhere along this alley is safe. It has happen for numerous time... I know I'm weak, I'm powerless—in this world, I am but a shadow of those above.
The demand for service for someone like me is by no means high. It comes with a risk of getting exploited.
Nonetheless, I've never had the thought to rise… even once. Perhaps it's self inflicted—no, I'm certain it is.
I've never had the energy—or maybe the courage—to challenge that reality. And maybe...
Just maybe...
Today would be different.