Prologue

Kai had been subjected to constant belittlement, bullying, and disdain. As a seventeen-year-old boy, he endured relentless torment at school, a reality that seemed to stretch back indefinitely. During his short moments of respite, he sought solace in the realm of online gaming, never venturing into the realm of dating. Glimpsing at his presence, girls would promptly turn up their noses in disdain. However, an unexpected turn of events would forever alter his existence, plunging him into a profound darkness fueled by the venom coursing through his veins, an excruciating, unbearable agony stemming from a seemingly innocuous video game. Good and evil emerge as opposing forces, poised for a clash.“Maka, take both pills,” implored Kai, his voice laden with desperation. “The blue one will irrevocably transform your life, while the red one will grant you vengeance against those who have inflicted this suffering upon you. I have experienced the same plight, but I am here to assist you now.”The very girl with whom Kai had spent countless hours playing online games had materialized before him, her presence a beacon of salvation after he had been savagely beaten nearly to the point of death. An icy breeze tore through the dimly lit alley, propelling parchment fragments through the skeletal remnants of crates and barrels.

Chapter 1: Shadows of Transformation

“Wake up, Kai; it’s time to get ready for school,” my mother’s voice pierced through the haze of sleep. I stretched my limbs, glancing at the alarm clock. It displayed 05:47; school wouldn’t commence for another two hours and thirteen minutes.I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head, attempting to shield myself from the intrusion of daylight. The door swung open as I did, and my mother stood, parting the blinds.“Mom, we’ve been through this countless times; my school doesn’t start at 6 a.m.,” I protested, my voice tinged with frustration.“Yes, honey, I know. But I have to go to work, and you need to drop your little sister off at school,” my mother replied, her tone carrying a touch of weariness.I longed for my father’s presence, a supportive figure to aid my overwhelmed mother. Yet, what good is a deadbeat father who abandoned his own family? Now, my mother had to bear the weight of responsibilities alone. Allow me to summarize my life. I am Kai, a sixteen-year-old on the cusp of seventeen. I have no real friends except for an online companion I met three weeks ago. I’m sure people wonder how I can label her as my best friend when our acquaintance is so brief. Fear not, for all shall be revealed in due course. I am weary of enduring the relentless bullying, and Maka claimed she could help me. But why would someone want to assist a pale, thin individual like me, burdened with a monotonous existence and an unremarkable face? Do my classmates orchestrate this another pitiful game, or could Maka indeed be the one to transform my life? “Kai, how many times do I have to tell you? Get out of bed and prepare your sister,” my mother urged, her voice tinged with urgency.”Yes, Mom,” I acquiesced, a sense of responsibility driving me forward. Who else would fulfill the task if not me? Indeed, not my deadbeat father. I relied on the meager funds my mother received from welfare to pay for my school lunches. Yes, she resorted to deception, claiming she wasn’t unemployed and had no income. But who was I to complain? At least she hadn’t cowardly fled like my father. I eagerly awaited completing my education, securing a decent job, and supporting my mother. And yet, weariness settled deep within me. Yes, you heard correctly – I was tired of perpetually being a target for others’ cruelty.Why did Maka exhibit such a distinct fascination with me? Could it be because I confided in her about the silver ring adorned with a beautiful blue stone that I discovered on the beach, nestled among the jagged rocks? I entertained the thought that the ring might hold significant value. I could utilize Google Lens to unravel the mystery of the stone, hoping to uncover its worth. A surge of anticipation welled within me, contemplating the possibility of being a millionaire, or dare I dream, a billionaire. But who was I fooling? Snap out of it, Kai! Today is your sister’s first day of school. Cease indulging in these whimsical fantasies. Maka, after all, is merely an acquaintance from the online realm – a friend who, like everyone else before, would eventually depart from your life.“Kai, are you up?” my mother’s voice called from outside my bedroom door. “Yes, Mom,” I replied groggily, pushing myself out of bed. I shuffled across the room, my feet heavy and sluggish, until I reached the bathroom. Splashing water on my face, I felt a momentary burst of refreshment, followed by the ritual of brushing my teeth. It offered a fleeting sense of cleanliness and renewal. “I’ll be leaving in twenty minutes, Kai. Please help pack your sister’s lunch,” my mother informed me, her voice tinged with urgency.