"What the hell is this? Am I being hypnotized… or do I have some kind of disease?"
Ace stared at the glowing screen floating in front of him.
"A status window? What does it say—'Monster Talent Awakening'? Ugh, get a grip, Ace Vanguard. You're probably just daydreaming."
He stumbled to the washbasin.
(Splash, splash)
"I knew it. Just a bad dream. I must've cried too hard and started hallucinating."
(Twing)
"What the—?! The status bar again?!"
Suddenly, a strange man stepped out of the screen.
Ace stumbled back. "What the hell!? Who are you? What's happening today? Is this a prank show? Am I going viral or something?!"
The man looked annoyed. "Stop panicking, kid, and listen. I am the Almighty Striker, Sanjoo Kuroishiva—sent here by the Monstrous System."
Ace blinked. "Sanjoo Kuroishiva? Never heard that name. And I don't understand a word you're saying. Am I seriously hallucinating right now?"
Sanjoo sighed. "No, you're not. And your confusion is understandable. Let me explain what this system is."
But Ace wasn't listening. He walked to the mirror, examining his forehead.
"Did I hit my head or something? Maybe I've gone crazy from stress. I'm seeing floating screens and cosplay old men..."
Sanjoo flew at him and smacked him on the head.
"First of all, brat—learn to respect your elders. I'm not your friend, and I'm not here to entertain you. The system chose you. Your life is about to change, whether you like it or not."
He pointed at the floating screen. "That status bar in front of you is called the Monstrous Awakening System. It allows users to level up as players and enhances their physical capabilities over time."
"Now," Sanjoo ordered, "click the plus button in the bottom-left corner."
Ace hesitated, then tapped it.
A game-like status panel popped up:
Speed : (2/100) [+]
Kick Power : (3/100) [+]
Stamina : (3/100) [+]
Dribbling : (1/100) [+]
Shooting : (5/100) [+]
Looks : (8/100) [+]
Tactics : (4/100) [+]
Special Move : None
The old man burst into laughter.
"These are your stats?! How pathetic! I've trained plenty of hopeless cases, but you, my boy, are the worst of them all! Hahaha! I can't stop laughing!"
Ace frowned. "Hey! Cut it out! Are you here just to mock me? I don't get any of this system stuff!"
Sanjoo wiped a tear of laughter. "Sorry, sorry. Let me explain properly. What you're seeing are your skill slots—your current capabilities as a player. They show exactly what your body is able to do. And frankly, your stats are garbage. As your Z-Class mentor, I can't help but wonder why the system chose you."
Ace froze. "Wait—Z-Class?! I thought there were only five player classes, and the highest was SS+!"
Sanjoo crossed his arms. "That's what you kids think. There are actually seven classes. The highest ranks were lost to time:
Z-Class – Cosmic Class
Z++ Class – Cosmic Immortal Class
Only ten players in history ever reached Z-Class. And only one—just one—reached Z++."
Ace's eyes widened. "Did you know them, sir?"
Sanjoo's voice grew low and proud.
"I didn't just know them… I captained them."
Ace took a step back. "You… what?"
The man straightened his back, voice thunderous now.
"Yes. I was the only human to ever reach Z++ Class.
My name is Sanjoo Kuroishiva—also known as The Celestial Dragon!