The world had changed five years ago.
Ten colossal pillars had erupted from the earth, towering into the skies as if trying to pierce the heavens themselves. They weren't towers in the traditional sense—no doors, no windows, just massive stone-like structures carved with glowing, unreadable symbols. Along with them, eighty-nine smaller pillars sprouted across the globe, eventually revealed as gateways to other worlds—places where humans could obtain power, skills, and items beyond imagination.
But not everyone could step into those realms. Only the "invited" were granted that chance. Only they received the System Module.
Since then, life on Earth hadn't been the same. Schools adapted. New subjects were added: tactical movement, monster biology, system theory. Even the simplest school gym class now held hidden dreams—preparing to be chosen.
Vian Argent, however, didn't care about being the strongest.He was just a scholar—a quiet, skinny boy who knew more about the symbols etched into the pillars than he did about throwing a proper punch. He wasn't particularly athletic, and compared to most boys in his year, especially him, he looked painfully fragile.
"Oi, trash, look alive!"
Vian stumbled as a hard fist caught his ribs, nearly knocking the wind out of him. Another shove sent him sprawling against the lockers, books tumbling from his arms.
It's always him.
Garben Pierce.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and always followed by his pack of sycophants. His punches landed harder, but the sting that always burned the most was his last name—Pierce. Garben's brother, Guren Pierce, was a household name, one of the highest-ranked players on Earth. A system user known for clearing some of the most dangerous otherworldly gates.
And yet, Vian still somehow managed to get under Garben's skin.
Why?Because Vian surpassed him in class.
In every theoretical subject, Vian left Garben behind. Whether it was gate theory, system compatibility, or ancient pillar languages, Vian excelled. The only subjects Garben dominated were physical ones—combat training, strength tests, movement exercises. But in the classroom, Vian's name always sat just above his on the leaderboard.
It was like a slap to Garben's face. To be outshone by the skinny nobody. To see that name—Vian Argent—written just above his in bold white letters.
"You think you're better than me, huh? Just because you can memorize some stupid runes?" Garben snarled, grabbing Vian by the collar and slamming him against the lockers again.
Vian didn't answer. He had learned there was no point. His heart pounded, but his eyes stayed steady, always thinking, calculating.
"Stop it, Garben!" a firm voice cut through the tension.
Vian's eyes flicked to the side.Of course. It's her.
Standing a few steps away was Nia Warden, their childhood friend—or former childhood friend. They used to be close once, back when they were kids who built pillow forts and dreamed of becoming heroes. But somewhere along the way, Nia grew stronger, and Vian stayed the same. They drifted apart. She wasn't cold to him, but she wasn't exactly warm either. She had her own path now. A fighter. Top of the class in system preparedness.
But one thing hadn't changed—her sense of justice.
"You've made your point, Garben. Leave him alone," she said, stepping forward.
"Tch. Stay out of this, Warden," one of Garben's friends barked, stepping in front of her, blocking her path.
Garben grinned and pulled his arm back, ready to land what was clearly going to be his finishing blow. Vian's eyes didn't flinch. There was a part of him that had simply accepted it. This was just his life now.
But then, time seemed to freeze.
A faint chime echoed in his ears. A soft light, pale and warm, began to envelop his body.
[System Invitation Detected]
Vian's eyes widened.This can't be real.
The light wasn't just surrounding him—it also encased Garben and Nia.
Across all the news reports and system forums he'd read, this was rare. Invitations didn't usually come in groups.
[System Invitation]Do you accept the invitation to the Island of Trial?
Garben's fists trembled—not from rage, but shock.He could see it too. So could Nia.
Vian's lips parted, a breathless laugh escaping him. For a moment, he forgot about the bruises, the ache in his ribs.
Maybe this is it. Maybe this will finally turn my life around.
His fingers, trembling, hovered over the glowing message.
[Accept]
Click.