Millions of people were summoned.Not into one place.But into countless identical white rooms.Each room was a sealed rectangular space, smooth walls, no doors, no windows, and no visible source of light. The brightness was soft yet suffocating, as if the room itself was watching.Inside one of those rooms stood one hundred people.Some were frozen in place.Some trembled.Some shouted in confusion, their voices echoing faintly against the silent white walls.The air felt still. Unnaturally still."What… is this place?""Wasn't I just outside a moment ago?""Is this some kind of prank?"Their voices overlapped, rising and falling, yet no answer came.Then, without warning, something appeared.A small black cat with curved horns stepped out of empty space, as if reality had quietly opened a door just for it. Its dark figure stood in stark contrast to the endless white, its glowing eyes dim yet gentle."CONGRATULATIONS, PLAYERS. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN."Its voice was vast and ancient, ye

ERROR! THE SYSTEM IS BEING CORRUPTED!Ethan froze. His vision blurred as the screen in front of him shuddered violently. Numbers, bars, and words flickered like broken neon.RESISTING CORRUPTION…He clenched his fists. Something was trying to rewrite his system, something he couldn't control.RESISTANCE FAILED.CORRUPTION: 20% → 40% → 70% → 85% → 95% → 100%The digits blinked faster, almost mocking him. His stomach twisted with a mix of anticipation and unease. He didn't panic. That wasn't his style.CORRUPTED SYSTEM COMPLETED!A new window opened before him, edges glowing faintly. Ethan blinked and leaned closer.Name: Ethan JonesTitle: Villain: The Grand InstigatorClass: InstigatorLevel: 1HP: 100/100MP: 50/50He swallowed. Villain? Instigator? The words hit him like ice water. "Wasn't that horned cat told us to be Heroes?" He asked himself.Skills flashed on the screen in a neat column.Skills:WHISPERED PROVOCATION (E) Subtly provoke a target, increasing hostility toward anot

Ethan stood up and walked to the fridge, pulling out two cans of beer.He returned and handed one to Emily.She looked at it, surprised. "Didn't you always say you had low alcohol tolerance?""That's what I tell other people." Ethan replied calmly. "It keeps them from forcing drinks on me during company outings."She blinked. "So you lied?""Only when it's convenient."Then he added, voice slightly softer."But you're different. I don't need excuses with you. I don't mind drinking if it's just us."Emily's fingers tightened slightly around the can.That small change didn't escape him.Good.He sat beside her — not too close, but close enough that their shoulders were only inches apart.Close proximity builds comfort. Too close too early creates pressure.They opened their beers.For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.Ethan didn't rush to break the silence.Silence makes people uneasy. And uneasy people start revealing things.After a moment, he spoke quietly."Do you ever think abo

I stepped out of the shower, letting the cold water wash away the sweat from earlier. My thoughts were calm and calculated, always running several steps ahead. Emily was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed with the blanket loosely draped around her shoulders.I approached her slowly, keeping my expression soft and warm. "Good morning. Why don't you rest a bit longer?" I asked gently.She looked up and smiled faintly, rubbing her eyes. "I… I guess I could. But you woke me up with all that noise." she teased lightly.I crouched slightly and patted her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to make sure you're okay." Every word was carefully measured. Calm. Caring. Trust-building.She nodded, reassured. I allowed a small smile to creep onto my face, inwardly noting the subtle cues: the way her shoulders relaxed, the slight upward curve of her lips. Trust gained. Emotional attachment strengthened.She hesitated for a moment. "Yes. I got scouted yesterd

When he left, a familiar chime echoed in my head.DING!!!"CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE BEEN REWARDED 10 STAT POINTS!"Current Stat Points: 13I let out a quiet breath."Ohh… so you understood my plan." I murmured with a faint smile.But this time, I didn't allocate the points."From now on, I'll stockpile them. Three weeks… I'll prepare properly."In an apocalypse, alliances were temporary. Promises were fragile. Systems could be manipulated.But raw, personal strength?That was absolute.In the end, you could only rely on yourself.Taking out my phone, I sent a message to Emily:I met the association leader earlier, babe. We're heading to their headquarters tomorrow to sign the contract. See you tomorrow! I miss you!The pieces were falling into place.And I intended to be the one holding the board.Exactly at 7 a.m., with the morning sun just beginning to warm the quiet streets and the city still shaking off its drowsiness, I was already outside Emily's own apartment, leaning casual