The following day, Anthony tried to act normal.
But how could he?
Everything felt… sharp. The air, the light, the sounds. His senses weren't just stronger — they were layered. It was like walking through a world with hidden panels behind everything.
And now, he wasn't the only one noticing things.
Confidence looked shaken. "My neighbor's kid… floated today. Then he exploded into white light. He's fine, but he doesn't remember anything. The mother says a 'pulse' went through the house."
Anthony said nothing, but the word stuck in his head.
> Pulse.
Like the one in the sky.
Like the one still inside him.
---
Later, when they walked through the central district near Wuse, they saw posters being taped up.
> "REPORT UNREGISTERED HUNTERS."
"RANKING SYSTEM IN EFFECT."
"YOU ARE EITHER IN CONTROL… OR A DANGER."
Anthony frowned. "What ranking system?"
Confidence pulled out her phone. "They're calling them F to SSS Rank. Based on threat level. No one knows who's assigning it yet — military or private agencies, maybe both. But people are already getting tagged."
"Tagged?"
"Yeah. Tracked, tested, monitored. If you awaken abilities, you're supposed to report. Get ranked. If you don't…"
Anthony finished her sentence. "You vanish."
---