In his previous life, the awakening had been the turning point that shattered his faith. He had struggled desperately—so much so that he had nearly taken his own life. The relentless training left him broken and bruised, while bullying and discrimination carved deeper wounds, all because of his appearance. Even a child once burst into tears at the sight of his burned, scarred skin.
There was no one to support him. Not a single person to stand by his side or offer even the smallest kindness. After he failed the awakening, it was as if he ceased to exist in the eyes of his family. But he couldn't bring himself to blame them. After all, he had nothing to offer them.
Now, given a second chance, he would not waste it.
-
Zev stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over the Black Sigil guild members, his siblings, and finally resting on the one figure who truly held his attention, his father, Lucan.
"I have a request, Harin," Zev said, his voice firm. "Go to Father and ask him to attend my awakening. Tell him... I'm finally receiving my reward."
Harin nodded without hesitation. He understood the unspoken concern, someone might try to sabotage Zev's awakening, especially given the magnitude of his potential.
"I will deliver your message, Sir Zev."
In all the previous years, Lucan had never attended the awakenings of his other children. But Zev wasn't making this request to boast or to show that he was favored. He did it for one reason, protection. Lucan's mere presence would be enough to ensure no one dared interfere.
Beyond that, Zev had spent two years doing everything he could to uncover the identity of the person who tried to sabotage—or even kill—him. Yet, despite his efforts, he found nothing. He had also asked Harin to locate Leron, but according to him, Leron was still deeply traumatized by what had happened back then.
He was one of eight siblings: Frena (eldest), Laurice (second), Volla (third), Lauros (fourth), Termo (fifth), Loren (sixth), Zev (seventh), and Lauren (eighth).
Zev had tried to gather information from his siblings, hoping one of them might offer a clue, but so far, he'd come up empty. For now, the wisest course was to remain cautious and play it safe.
"I must not lower my guard."
Before Zev stood a transparent chamber, its interior glowing with the ethereal blue radiance of a flat crystal.
"The Spiritual Plate," he murmured.
It was the primary tool used to awaken the dormant monster gene within certain individuals. The plate itself radiated an energy capable of triggering that transformation. The method was simple in theory channel one's spiritual energy into the plate to begin the awakening process.
From the side, Lucan glanced toward his son.
'So that's his plan... He brought me here to act as a shield, to make sure no one interferes with his awakening.'
Lucan had seen through Zev's intentions almost immediately. Yet, another thought lingered in his mind, could this have been Harin's idea instead?
But Harin had denied it without hesitation, even going so far as to offer his life should Lucan find out he had lied.
-
Before stepping into the chamber, Zev already had a strong suspicion about the monster gene he would awaken—the Dark Crow. It was the same one he had awakened in his previous life. But the real question wasn't what he would awaken, it was whether he could control its power this time.
He quickly pushed the thought aside, shaking his head.
No. He wasn't the same person anymore.
Without hesitation, Zev stepped into the chamber and onto the Spiritual Plate.
"It's warm," he muttered, feeling the subtle pulse of energy beneath his feet.
"Let's begin the awakening."
He lowered himself to the plate and sat cross-legged. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused inward. Slowly, deliberately, he began channeling his spiritual energy, guiding it through his body with care and precision.
A thin veil of energy, no more than a centimeter thick began to form around him, flickering faintly as the process began.
Once Zev had achieved perfect control over his spiritual energy, he carefully transferred it into the plate. And then, the Spiritual Plate responded. A firm pulse of energy surged outward, and the ancient runes carved into the chamber walls began to light up, one by one, glowing with power long dormant.
From the observation area, Lucan, the guild members, and Zev's siblings watched in stunned silence. Their expressions shifted from mild curiosity to awe.
He was doing it, calmly, precisely, as if he had done it before.
So it was true. He had perfect control over his energy.
There was no doubt. This child had potential.
But at ten years old?
Perfect control?
Impossible.
Yet the proof was before their eyes.
Whispers rippled through the spectators, but Zev heard none of them. The chamber around him faded from his awareness. The energy from the Spiritual Plate intensified, enveloping his body in a radiant aura.
And within his mind, he felt himself drifting drawn deep into a vast, endless abyss.
Too dark...
Too quiet...
Too cold...
That was all Zev could use to describe what he felt in that moment.
Then—
Creak.
A faint, unnatural sound echoed through the void of his mind.
Suddenly, the soft blue glow that had been gently enveloping his body began to flicker and spark, like static electricity dancing across his skin. The energy pulsed violently, and as it touched him, a sharp heat surged through his nerves.
Zev flinched. The sensation wasn't just warmth—it burned.
"It's starting," Lucan murmured to himself, eyes locked on the chamber.
The electric currents within the aura crackled more violently now, intensifying until the energy visibly lashed against Zev's body. Pain etched across the boy's face, but he didn't cry out.
What else could he do?
He had to endure it.
Failure was not an option—not again.
"Let's raise the energy."
If he wanted the monster gene to react, he had to push further. Zev focused, forcing more spiritual energy outward. The surge would awaken the sleeping gene within him, and if he could fully rouse it, the benefits would be immeasurable.
"I can do this..."
He bit down on his lower lip, tasting blood. His body was growing heavier by the second, as if gravity itself were dragging him into the ground. Muscles strained, bones ached, but he refused to falter.
This was only the beginning.
"Argh!"
Zev let out a cry of pain, his body convulsing under the strain. The pressure had grown unbearable. Veins bulged across his skin, glowing faintly as if infused with unstable energy, and his eyes turned pure white blank, almost as if something had taken over him.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The sharp sound of shattering echoed through the chamber.
Instinctively, everyone took a step back. Their eyes stayed fixed on the awakening chamber, now completely engulfed in swirling dark energy. Visibility inside was gone, whatever was happening within had been completely obscured.
But they knew Zev was still inside.
They could hear him, his groans, strained and raw cutting through the oppressive dark.
Something powerful was unfolding.
Cough!
Blood spat from Zev's mouth, his strength draining fast. A grim thought crept into his mind had someone really tried to sabotage his awakening back then? Or was it simply that the powerful gene inside him was too much for his body to handle?
Harin's eyes narrowed, his instinct urging him to rush into the chamber. But he held himself back, knowing full well that intervening now could do more harm than good. Zev was in a critical state, and any wrong move might push him over the edge.
Splak! Splak!
"Argh!!!"
Zev's scream echoed through the chamber, raw and desperate.
What is this?! I can't—!
Veins burst beneath his skin, blood splattering wildly with every pulse. This was different from before then, the chamber had ignited with fire. Now, it seemed his body was rejecting the monster gene altogether.
No one dared step forward. They stood frozen on the sidelines, watching helplessly as Zev fought for his very survival.
Two outcomes loomed, he would either conquer this trial and succeed… or fail, left crippled for the rest of his life.
"Sir Zev, I know you can do this. I'm trusting you..." Harin's voice was quiet, almost fragile, as he fought to mask the pain he felt every time Zev's screams pierced the silence.
Meanwhile, among the siblings, malicious smiles flickered on a few faces—Leron's in particular. His expression was cold, almost pleased at the thought of Zev failing, even dying, in this awakening.
But not all shared that darkness. Lauren, especially, crossed her arms tightly, her gaze filled with empathy and worry.
"Please protect my big brother…" she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
On the other side, Lucan watched the chamber as if his eyes had adapted to the darkness—like night vision revealing every detail of the unfolding struggle. From his vantage point, it was clear: the gene inside Zev was exceptionally powerful.
"My own gene, or even the Dark Crow's alone, is difficult to control," he thought grimly. "But Zev… his mother's monster gene is mixed in as well. This is…"
Lucan's words faltered. The combination was unpredictable, volatile capable of ending Zev's life in an instant.
Despite his role as guild leader—and more painfully, as Zev's father—he knew he could not interfere. This was a battle Zev had to face alone.
All Lucan could do now was watch, and hope that his son would emerge victorious.
The awakening process usually lasted three to five minutes. But now, ten minutes had already passed and Zev was still trapped inside.
This is insane...
How was he still holding on?
"Father! Please save Brother Zev! He's suffering!" Lauren cried out, panic rising in her voice.
Lucan closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.
Boom!
An explosion shattered the chamber, sending shards of glass flying in every direction. The Black Sigil members quickly raised their spiritual energy, forming protective barriers just in time to shield everyone inside the room.
"What happened?!" Harin rushed to Zev's side, heart pounding. He had known the awakening was supposed to be over by now.
There, he found Zev—bathed in his own blood, his body weak and trembling.
"Are you okay, Sir Zev?" Harin's voice was urgent, but he didn't care about the outcome of the awakening. All that mattered was that Zev was alive.
Despite being on the brink of death, Zev managed a faint smile and lifted his thumb.
"Don't cry, Harin. I did it…"
[You have unlocked your monster's gene!]
[Welcome to the Monstrum System!]