The rain had slowed to a drizzle by the time I reached my apartment, the city lights reflecting off the slick pavement.

The cold air bit at my face, but I barely felt it.

My mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts about my power, my parents, and the path that lay ahead.

I had always believed freedom was just a word, something other people enjoyed while I remained trapped in the monotony of survival.

But now, with the system humming softly in the back of my mind and lightning crackling faintly at my fingertips, everything felt... different.

This power, it was mine.

No one could take it away from me.

For the first time, I had something that made me feel like I could rise above the shadows of my past.

After a quick shower to wash away the chill, I sat down at my desk.

The glow of my laptop lit up the room, casting a pale light over the walls and furniture.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I debated what to do next.

The answer was obvious.

I needed to call the Hunter’s Association.

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Every Awakened was required to register their abilities, not just for legal reasons but to unlock access to dungeons, resources, and the broader network of Awakened professionals.

The Association was the gatekeeper to the world of power and opportunity.

And now, I had a key.

The phone rang twice before a sharp voice answered.

“Hunter’s Association, registration department. How may I assist you?”

I hesitated for a moment, then cleared my throat.

“Hi. I need to register as an Awakened.”

“Name?” the voice asked briskly, typing away in the background.

“Allen Carter.”

“Age?”

“Twenty.”

There was a pause, just long enough to be noticeable.

I could practically hear the judgment in their silence.

A twenty-year-old late bloomer wasn’t exactly common.

“Understood. What’s your ability?”

“Lightning.”

This time, the pause was shorter, but there was a slight shift in the tone of their voice.

Lightning wasn’t a typical element for beginners.

It was rare, unpredictable and powerful.

“Noted. Are you planning to sign with the Association as an independent or under a guild?”

“Independent,” I said firmly.

Another pause.

This one felt longer.

“You’ll need to visit your nearest Association branch to complete the process and obtain your Hunter’s ID. Do you need the address?”

“No, I know where it is,” I replied.

“Very well. Bring a valid ID and be prepared for a basic assessment.”

“I understand,” I said.

“Good. Welcome to the Association, Mr. Carter.”

The line went dead.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the cracked ceiling.

It felt surreal, like stepping into a world I’d only ever seen from the outside.

My fingers drummed against the desk, a restless energy building inside me.

Lightning sparked faintly at my fingertips, dancing across my skin before fading.

A grin tugged at the corner of my lips. This was happening.

I stood, grabbing my jacket and heading for the door.

The rain had stopped, leaving the air crisp and clean.

The city stretched out before me, alive with possibilities.

For the first time in years, I felt like I wasn’t just a spectator.

I was a player.