The sun was setting slowly, spreading golden light over the quiet sea. Waves touched the shore like they were whispering secrets. Lucius sat beside Juliet, their feet buried slightly in the soft, wet sand. The breeze was gentle, and for once, everything felt safe.
Lucius broke the silence, "Mom… the fish today tasted different. Sweeter."
Juliet smiled, her green eyes reflecting the ocean light. "Maybe because you caught it with your own hands. Food always tastes better when you work for it."
Lucius chuckled. "Or maybe I'm finally becoming a better cook."
Juliet nodded, playfully bumping his shoulder. "You're still not better than me."
He looked at her and grinned. "Maybe. But soon I'll beat your record of three fish in one day."
Juliet laughed softly. "When you do that, I'll make your favorite stew. Just like your father used to make."
Lucius looked out at the sea. "You never told me much about him."
Juliet leaned back, her hair dancing with the wind. "He was kind. A little shy, especially around me. But he was strong in the way he cared. He used to sit with me on nights like this and talk about silly things… just like we are now."
Lucius was quiet for a moment, then said, "I wish I could've met him."
Juliet gently took his hand. "He's in you, Lucius. Every bit of strength, every act of kindness… that's him too."
They sat there, watching the sun touch the edge of the sea, in a moment that felt like it would never end.
Lucius was mid-sentence, laughing softly with Juliet, when suddenly—ding—a strange screen appeared in front of his eyes. It was floating in the air like magic, glowing softly. He stumbled back in shock and fell from the rock he was sitting on.
"What the—?!" he muttered, eyes wide.
The screen displayed bold letters:
> Awakening...
Then, the light flickered and changed, revealing something that looked like a game status panel:
---
Name: Lucius
Rank: F
Ability: Copy Ability (Godlike Rank)
[User can copy three abilities. Each ability can be upgraded to godlike rank.]
[Condition: Must either be targeted by an ability or kill someone who has one.]
[Cooldown: 1 hour between each ability copy. Max 3 total.]
Stats:
Strength: F
Intelligence: E
Senses: E
Agility: F
Mana Control: F
Vitality: F
---
Lucius's jaw dropped. "What… the hell is this?" he whispered.
He quickly turned toward Juliet, who was still looking peacefully at the waves. "Mom! There's a floating screen! It's showing me… stats or something."
Juliet calmly turned toward him, not shocked in the slightest. "Maybe that's how those people like Dorant could carry trees and use magic. They had awakened abilities too."
Lucius rubbed his chin, still staring at the screen. "So… if someone like Dorant uses his ability on me, I could copy it?"
Juliet nodded slowly. "Maybe. Or if you ever… killed someone with an ability." Her voice was gentle
Lucius gulped. " That sounds… insane."
Then he stared at the screen and whispered, "How do I make this go away?"
Suddenly, Juliet's voice turned sharp, low, and serious.
"Lucius… someone's coming. Be alert."
Lucius immediately stood up. The screen flickered once more and disappeared with a soft swish. He looked around, the calm sea now feeling heavy with tension.
He picked up a stick lying nearby—his hand trembling slightly—but there was something new in his eyes.
Not just fear.
Awareness.
Dorant appeared, sword resting casually over his shoulder, his red hair glowing under the sun. A twisted grin stretched across his face as he walked closer.
"Ooo… look who it is. How are you, Lucius? Are you fine? What are you doing here alone?" He sneered. "Do you… miss your mom?"
Lucius stood still, silent. His eyes were locked on Dorant with a calm, solemn expression.
"You're finally here," Lucius muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, three more figures emerged from behind the trees—the same black-haired woman and the two men who had once led him and his mother to hell. They laughed as they spotted him.
"Look! He's holding a gun! Hahaha!"
"A child trying to play soldier!"
The laughter echoed through the trees like the sound of devils mocking innocence.
Lucius didn't move. He just held the rifle tighter. His fingers didn't shake. Not this time.
BOOM.
The sound of a gunshot exploded into the air.
One of the black-haired men—the one with the sword—fell to the ground, blood pouring from his chest. He screamed, thrashing.
Dorant's smile vanished. "You little—"
He turned to the woman beside him. "Use your ability. Now!"
She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, the rifle was torn from Lucius's grip. It flew through the air and landed in her hands. She chuckled.
"Burden died… by a child. Pathetic," Dorant muttered, looking at the body of his dead companion.
Just then—ding—a screen popped up in front of Lucius:
---
> Conditions fulfilled. Copying ability…
Ability Name: Stealth[User can hide]
Rank upgrade : E rank to Godlike rank
Ability acquired: Nullity [User can simply not exist in perception and space]
---
Lucius's eyes widened as the screen shimmered. He saw a glowing 'Activate' button and instinctively tapped it.
His body shimmered. Then—gone.
Invisible.
Screams followed almost instantly.
"Where is he?!"
"Where did that brat go?!"
"Impossible! I just had his gun!"
Dorant growled. "Huff… huff… this isn't over!"
Lucius didn't stop to listen. He ran.
His footsteps were light. His body blended with the wind. And for the first time, he wasn't running from them—
He was running through them.
When the ability ended after twenty seconds, he found himself far away, deep in the forest, the screams fading behind him.
"Slow down, Lucius," came a soft voice nearby. "You're far from them now. You'll tire yourself if you keep running."
Lucius turned his head. His mother was sitting calmly in the grass, wearing a black top and black skirt. She looked at him with that same warmth.
"I'm okay, Mom," he said quietly, breathing heavily. " the screen said that I can use the ability for 20 seconds now becuse my mana reserve is very low i don'tknow what that means."
He dropped to his knees beside her, and finally, the tears came.
He didn't cry because he was afraid.
He cried because she was here—even if it was only in his mind.