Prologue

### Prologue

On the morning of January 1, 2026, the world was plunged into darkness for a brief but eerie minute. Panic spread quickly as people around the globe grappled with the sudden blackout. Scientists scrambled to understand the phenomenon, while governments issued emergency broadcasts to maintain order. When the darkness receded, the world was forever changed.

Mysterious rifts in space and time had materialized, connecting Earth to parallel worlds. These enigmatic portals, dubbed "Gates," initially went unexplored, shrouded in mystery and fear. It wasn't until teams of brave explorers ventured through that humanity began to understand the danger. Reports of monstrous creatures trickled back, and soon, these beings emerged from the Gates, attacking with ferocity. Earth's armies quickly mobilized, finding their modern weapons surprisingly effective against these unknown beings.

However, the tides turned when a demon stepped through one of the Gates. His name was Mahazael, one of the four elemental devils. Rumors of his impending arrival spread panic across the globe. Military leaders initially believed their forces could withstand any threat, but they were gravely mistaken. In a single day, Mahazael annihilated Earth's major army bases and crippled the resistance forces effortlessly. Legends spoke of his ability to move mountains and unleash devastating earthquakes. Humanity found themselves faced with a godlike power, struggling for survival. Extinction seemed inevitable, lurking just beyond their grasp.

Then, time froze. Humanity stood motionless, trapped in terror as they searched for answers. Ethereal chains, glowing with an otherworldly light, materialized, capturing Mahazael and dragging him away to a place brimming with horrors and the stench of death. Witnesses recounted the devil's screams of terror, desperately pleading for help from the very beings he had sought to exterminate. No one knew who or what had intervened, but relief washed over the planet.

Following Mahazael's disappearance, which left a profound scar on those who witnessed it, a resonating voice echoed in the minds of every human, declaring:

> [Confinement of the transgressor completed. Gates gamification completed. Proceeding with the Gifts.]

Over the next few years, humanity grappled with the aftermath. Slowly, people began to manifest extraordinary abilities. It started with isolated incidents: a child levitating in their sleep, a farmer conjuring flames with a mere thought. News of these "Gifteds" spread, and the world watched in awe and fear as more individuals discovered their powers.

With the help of these newfound abilities, humanity turned the tide against the creatures that once ravaged them, reclaiming a significant portion of their lost territories. Society adapted, with governments pouring resources into supporting Gifteds, expanding their freedoms, providing benefits, and establishing schools to train young Gifteds who wished to combat the monsters.

In this transformed world, strength and Gift determined everything. Possessing a lackluster Gift meant navigating treacherous waters, as others judged and assessed one's worth.