Kai learned early that the world only bowed to the strong.

  At school, teachers forgot his name. In the streets, people shoved past him like he was air. At home, hunger sat beside him like an old friend. No matter how hard he tried, failure followed him faithfully, mocking every effort.

  Some people were born talented.

  Some were born rich.

  Kai was born… unnecessary.

  That night, rain soaked the city, dripping from broken streetlights and rusted rooftops. Kai walked alone, hands shoved into empty pockets, shoes splashing through puddles that reflected a life he didn’t want to see. He had failed again — another rejection, another closed door.

  He stopped under a flickering lamp and laughed bitterly.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “So this is it,” he muttered. “This is my whole life.”

  His phone buzzed.

  Kai froze.

  No message notification. No call. The screen was completely black, yet glowing blue letters slowly formed, as if carved by light itself.

  [SYSTEM BOOTING…]

  [USER DETECTED]

  [NAME: KAI]

  [STATUS: UNAWAKENED]

  His heart slammed against his ribs.

  “What… the hell is this?”

  Before he could react, pain exploded through his body. It wasn’t physical — it was deeper, like something was tearing open the limits inside him. The world blurred. Numbers, symbols, and translucent windows flooded his vision.

  [SYSTEM ACTIVATED]

  [WELCOME, PLAYER.]

  The rain stopped mid-air.

  Cars froze.

  People became statues.

  Only Kai could move.

  Breathing hard, he stared at his trembling hands.

  A glowing panel appeared before him.

  LEVEL: 1

  SKILLS: NONE

  TITLE: THE FORGOTTEN

  A new message pulsed red.

  [FIRST QUEST AVAILABLE]

  [FAILURE WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION]

  Kai swallowed.

  This wasn’t a blessing.

  It wasn’t a miracle.

  It was a challenge.

  And for the first time in his life… the world was finally looking at him.