[SYSTEM: DAY 2 COMPLETE. INITIATING GLOBAL SYNC.]
The world had changed overnight. Again.
Across continents, cities were split between panic, rebellion, and strange new power shows. The appearance of the Tower wasn't just a global threat—it had become the center of every conversation, broadcast, religion, and meme.
---
In New York:
A man levitated over Times Square, shouting, "I AM THE WIND GOD! KNEEL, PEASANTS!"
He was then hit by a bus. Turns out, flight wasn't part of his abilities—just strong leg muscles and delusion.
---
In Berlin:
The government rolled out mandatory identification chips for all Awakened citizens. Anyone who refused was "politely" detained.
A rebel group called FLOOR-BREAKERS hacked the national broadcast with graffiti-like slogans:
"DON'T TRUST THE SYSTEM. DON'T TRUST THE PAIRING. ESCAPE THE TOWER."
---
In Seoul:
A 14-year-old girl accidentally turned her entire school into floating crystal structures. She became a national treasure overnight.
---
In Cairo:
A man awakened the power to duplicate gold. The economy imploded by breakfast.
---
Back in Tokyo…
Kaito and Aya sat in his apartment.
She had taken over his room. Kicked him to the couch. Cleaned nothing.
"I'm not your wife," she said coldly.
"I'm not your butler," he replied, opening his third can of cola.
They stared at each other with the mutual loathing of cats forced to share a box.
[PARTNER COHABITATION SCORE: 1%]
[SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT: TRY NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER.]
---
Later, the System broadcast a global message:
[NOTICE: RANDOM TRIAL EVENTS WILL NOW BEGIN TO TEST PAIR COMPATIBILITY.]
[ALL AWAKENED BEINGS SHOULD PREPARE FOR MINOR BATTLES, DILEMMAS, OR MORAL CHOICES.]
[SUCCESS INCREASES TRIAL RANKING. FAILURE = PUNISHMENT.]
---
Elsewhere in Japan:
A duo watched the sky flicker.
One of them, a tall man in a priest's outfit, smiled. "So… we finally get to meet other paired 'Chosen.'"
The girl beside him, quiet and pale, held a blade made of light.
"We're ready," she said.
---
And inside a government bunker:
The Prime Minister of Japan stared at the live map. Over a thousand towers had appeared across the world, one per major population center.
Their AI had begun analyzing all registered Awakener data.
A report flashed:
[Top 3 Strongest Awakeners – Japan]
1. Aya Shirogane – UR
2. Kazuo Hanekawa – SSS
3. ???
The question marks concerned everyone.
---
Back to Kaito and Aya
Kaito watched a hologram of the world burning while chewing dry cereal.
Aya paced. "We should train."
"You first."
"I'll crush you."
"That's not training. That's spousal abuse."
Aya looked up. "Do you think we're the only ones dealing with this crap?"
Kaito opened his message log.
[Mass Message from Government: All Awakeners must register within 7 days. Failure to report = criminal offense.]
[Guilds forming. Parties recruiting. Alliances clashing.]
"Looks like we're joining an MMO," he muttered.
---
Suddenly—
A knock at the door.
Aya raised her hand instinctively, magic swirling around her fingers.
"Relax," Kaito said. "Probably another system quest disguised as a pizza delivery."
He opened the door.
Standing outside was a nervous-looking teenager in a school uniform.
"Hi! I'm your neighbor. My name's Riku! I awakened a healing ability and... um... the wall between our apartments melted yesterday. I thought we could team up?"
Kaito blinked. "You what?"
Aya narrowed her eyes. "He's too peppy. Might be a spy."
Riku turned pale. "Wh-What?! I brought cookies!"
---
Meanwhile—
A young woman somewhere in Okinawa sat in a dark room. Multiple monitors showed different Tower zones.
She smirked, swirling tea in her hand. Her system screen was black and gold.
[CLASSIFICATION: ADMIN CANDIDATE]
[MISSION: OBSERVE ROGUE RANKED INDIVIDUALS]
Her eyes focused on one particular name.
[Name: Kaito Yamada]
[Status: Not Yet Registered]
She leaned back. "Let's see what you really are."
---
And back in Tokyo…
Aya looked outside the window. Beyond the smog and chaos, the Tower of Trial shimmered like a god's monument.
"You know," she said, her voice softer now, "I didn't want to be part of this."
Kaito was surprised. "You don't like being powerful?"
"I never asked to be paired."
"Same," he replied. "But here we are."
Silence stretched between them. Not hostile. Just tired.
They weren't lovers. Not yet friends. Not enemies either.
They were something new:
Allies in a world gone insane.
---