World Rejector

Chapter 5: Awakening

The heavy rain poured endlessly over the massive construction site.

Beneath towering steel pillars and scattered concrete blocks, Noah stood beside Fina, facing a man in a black suit—Gold.

Gold had just taken a solid punch to the face, yet he rose to his feet with a wide, twisted grin.

“Acting like a hero in front of a cute girl?” he scoffed. “That’s the very definition of lame. Who the hell do you think you are—some kind of hero of justice?!”

In an instant, Gold rushed forward.

His fist slammed straight into Noah’s chest, launching him into a stack of hollow blocks. The speed and force were unnatural—far beyond what a normal human could achieve.

Before Noah could even catch his breath, Gold was already there. He grabbed Noah by the face, slammed him into a metal pillar, then hurled him violently onto the ground.

“Do you get it now?” Gold sneered. “The difference between a reject like you… and me.”

Noah coughed, forcing the words out through the pain.

“How are you… so fast?”

Gold smirked.

“Let me educate you. NewTypes aren’t just people with abilities—we’re the evolution of humanity. The moment we awaken, our bodies receive bonuses. Speed. Strength. Endurance.”

He leaned closer. “But even among us, there are unlucky ones… weaklings who can’t even keep up.”

Gold kicked Noah across the wet ground again and again.

“You’re pathetic. I don’t even need to use my ability—Gold Manipulation. Even without it, you’re no match for me!”

Blood spilled from Noah’s mouth as Gold lifted him by the head and delivered another crushing blow. Noah collapsed, barely conscious.

“Noah!” Fina screamed, her voice trembling.

Gold laughed darkly as he stood over him.

“You can’t even keep your word to this girl. Someone like you will never beat someone like me. That’s reality. Now—die!”

Bang!

A briefcase flew through the rain and smashed into Gold’s side. He turned sharply, glaring at Fina.

“Don’t you dare hurt him again!” she shouted.

Gold’s smile twisted into rage.

“You too? Playing the hero now?” He clicked his tongue. “Tch… I hate laying hands on women, but if you insist—I’ll beat you down before I kill you.”

Noah watched helplessly as Gold advanced toward her. Fina’s injured leg trembled; she could barely stand. No matter how much she struggled, Gold would reach her soon… and kill her.

“…Why am I so useless?” Noah whispered.

Why does someone as powerless as me… still want to help others?

He’s right—I’m a reject. Weak. Worthless. Nothing compared to him.

I can’t do anything… and because of my stupidity, I dragged myself into this again.

Memories resurfaced.

People turning their backs on him. People he helped, only to abandon him once they got what they wanted. Rejected again and again.

Helping others only ever brought Noah pain.

But right now… right now, he couldn’t turn away. He couldn’t ignore someone in danger.

Maybe—deep down—he wished someone would do the same for him.

Someone who wouldn’t reject him. Someone who would stay.

“…I cannot die here,” Noah muttered, forcing himself up.

Gold was only steps away from Fina. Noah stumbled forward, grabbed the briefcase, and pulled out the syringe hidden inside.

“What are you doing?!” Fina cried. “You might die! If you can still move, then run—leave me and save yourself!”

Noah shook his head.

“I made you a promise. I told you… if I ever saw you in need, I’d help you again.”

He raised the syringe.

“That’s mine!” Gold roared, drawing a golden blade and lunging toward him.

Too late.

The needle pierced Noah’s skin.

Agony exploded through his body. His vision turned red, veins pulsing violently as blood spilled from his mouth. He collapsed to the ground.

“Noah!” Fina screamed.

“Idiot… why?” she whispered, tears falling. “Why would you suffer for my sake? You should’ve run away… you should’ve been selfish just this once…”

Gold clicked his tongue.

“Tch! My product, wasted—and this fool’s dead. Fine. Then you’re next!”

His golden sword arced downward toward Fina’s head. She closed her eyes—

—but nothing happened.

When she slowly opened them, Noah was standing in front of her.

He had caught the blade with his right hand.

His grip was so tight that Gold struggled to pull the sword free.

“What the hell?!” Gold recoiled.

“Your arm…” Fina whispered. “It’s pitch black.”

A miracle had occurred—

A 0.001% success rate, unfolding right before her eyes.

Noah glared at Gold.

“I told you already. I won’t let you hurt this girl.”

[System Activated.]

[Ability: World Rejector]

[Description: Anything touched by the user’s right hand will be erased.]

The words flashed across Noah’s vision.

He tightened his grip.

The sword vanished—reduced to nothing.

Gold staggered back, eyes wide.

“My sword… where did it go?!”

“My ability,” Noah said coldly. “World Rejector.”

Gold snarled. “Don’t get cocky just because you awakened something! You’re still the same weakling!”

He charged.

But this time, Noah moved just as fast.

His right fist smashed into Gold’s jaw, sending him crashing into a wall.

“Awesome…” Fina whispered, eyes wide.

Noah flexed his trembling arm. “It feels numb… like it’s made of steel.”

“Noah…” Fina hesitated. “Why are you going this far for me? Do you… want money?”

“What are you talking about?” Noah replied. “You needed help. Isn’t it natural to help someone in need?”

Her chest tightened.

No one had ever said something like that to her before.

“Stupid…” she muttered. “You really are an idiot. Risking your life for a stranger… stupid… stupid…”

Gold staggered back to his feet, drawing another golden blade.

“A level 1 can’t beat a level 100. Same logic applies to NewTypes. Now die!”

He hurled the blade—but instead of aiming at Noah, it sliced through the ropes above.

A shower of heavy steel pipes came crashing down.

Noah shielded Fina with his black arm.

In an instant, the pipes vanished.

“Erasing everything…” Fina gasped.

Gold snarled. “Annoying ability—then catch this!”

The sword flew again, curving at the last second.

Noah caught it midair.

It vanished.

“I’ve been watching your tricks,” Noah said. “I knew you’d go for Fina again.”

Gold froze. His vision blurred.

“Noah, look!” Fina pointed. “He’s showing the symptoms!”

“Symptoms?”

“NewTypes suffer backlash if they overuse their powers,” she explained.

Gold screamed. “No! I won’t lose to trash like you!”

He grabbed a steel pipe and swung desperately.

Noah gathered everything he had and struck.

The impact sent Gold crashing unconscious to the ground.

“You… did it!” Fina cheered weakly, clutching her leg. “Owww~ but still—you won!”

“…Really?” Noah whispered, staring at his fist, then at Gold’s motionless body. “Looks like… I did.”

His vision blurred. His body swayed.

“So this… is the side effect…”

He collapsed into Fina’s arms.

“You’ve done more than enough,” she whispered, holding him tightly. “Now it’s my turn to help you. Leave everything… to me.”

Moments later—

“Fina.”

A voice called out.

A girl approached—around the same age, with pinkish hair, fiery orange eyes, and a small but sharp face.

Fina trembled as she turned.

“A-Amber…”

“Thank goodness you’re safe,” Amber said. “The storm made it hard to search. I heard noise and found you here.”

She glanced around. “Looks like someone helped you and took this guy down. Lucky you. Anyways—where’s the briefcase?”

Fina froze.

Amber noticed the briefcase and the empty syringe lying in the mud.

“…What happened here, Fina?”

“I-I’m really sorry!” Fina cried. “He used the syringe to save my life!”

“Do you know how much that medicine costs?”

“Well… we stole it, so—nothing’s lost, right?”

“Idiot!” Amber yelled. “The client already paid a huge down payment! We used most of that money already!”

She grabbed Fina by the collar and shook her violently.

“I’m sowwwy! I’m sowwwy!” Fina cried.

Noah stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry. Fina isn’t at fault. I chose to inject the medicine myself. If someone must take responsibility—it should be me.”

Amber stared at him.

“…Then you will,” she said calmly. “You’re a NewType now. You’ll work for us.”

“Hooray! Amber forgives me!” Fina cheered.

“Not yet,” Amber replied coldly. “I’m still pissed. I kind of want to burn you alive.”

Fina shivered and hid behind Noah.

“Anyway,” Amber continued, eyes glowing orange. “That medicine costs ten million dollars. Pay it back. Or else—”

Flames ignited around her.

“I’ll burn you alive before Satan burns your soul.”

At that moment, all Noah could do was nod.

Now he understood why Fina was so afraid of her.

Amber was straight from hell.