Han seo-rin sat quietly at the last desk of class 2-3.
Sunlight slipped through the dusty classroom windows, landing softly on rows of desks filled with chatting students. Laughter echoed everywhere - carefree, loud, alive. It felt distant to her, as if separated by an invisible wall.
The teacher stood at the blackboard, chalk moving nonstop.
"Pay attention. This will be on the exam."
Seo-rin stared at her notebook.
Blank.
Her stomach growled quietly. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. The hunger was familiar - almost comforting in a strange way. Pain, after all had become part of her daily routine.
Just a little longer.....
Once I graduate... maybe things will change.
Her fingers brushed against a faint scar on her wrist. A reminder of countless beatings she never spoke about.
Then -
[ Bing - ]
The sound rang clearly inside her head.
Seo-rin froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, a blue transparent screen appeared in front of her eyes, floating silently in the air.
Her breath caught in her throat.
What....is this?
The teacher continued lecturing. Students kept talking. No one reacted.
Only she could see it.
[ SYSTEM ACTIVATED ]
With the help of this system, you can obtain anything you desire.
Seo-rin hand trembled.
"Am I.... losing my mind? " She whispered.
The screen shifted.
[ Rule 1 ] You may bind three people at the same time.
[ Rule 2 ] Once bound, you cannot change them until all their skills are learned.
[ Rule 3 ] After mastering all skills, you will become a Power holder.
Her pupils shook violently.
Anything I desire?
Her chest tightened as memories she tried to bury clawed their way back.
Her mother collapsing on the kitchen floor. The hospital smell.
The funeral rain.
Her father's cold eyes.
The women who replaced her mother.
The beatings.
The hunger.
The nights spend crying silently into a pillow.
If this is real...
Can I change everything?
The screen flickered once.
[ Warning ]
System will fully awaken at the designated time.
" This isn't a dream, " she murmured.
For the first time in years -
A fragile hope took root in her chest.