Chapter 22 – Core Stigma And Fate
"Core Stigmas…" Zane muttered as he leaned back in his chair, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "They're the abilities awakened individuals receive. I've read that they allow people to perform feats beyond human comprehension, tapping into supernatural power… But I always assumed it was something they gained along the way—not instantly. Maybe I was wrong. Or maybe this system… is just different."
Despite all his research, Zane's knowledge about the world of Dimensional Knights was still frustratingly shallow. The knights kept most of their information locked away, hidden from the eyes of normal citizens. Only bits and pieces of general knowledge had trickled down to the public—just enough to feed curiosity without ever satisfying it.
"Well, if I've already gained it…" he murmured, eyes narrowing. "That must mean I can use it now, right?"
With growing anticipation, he opened his profile, his heart beating faster in his chest.
Immediately, a detailed profile bloomed before his eyes—longer, more intricate than anything he'd seen before.
[Name: Zane Darkborn]
[Age: 17]
[Race: Human / ???]
[Level: 0]
[Current Dimension: Lower Earth]
[Unlocked Dimensions: None]
[State: Awakened (Evolution: 0/10)]
Core Stigma: DNA Manipulation
Secondary Stigma: None
[Stats: (Average in 'Lower Earth': 10)]
Strength: 9
Agility: 6
Stamina: 9
Health: 7
Core Energy: 150
Dimension Resistance: 200
Bonus Points: 0
Zane blinked, nearly stumbling out of his seat as he read the words.
"What the…?" His eyes darted across the screen. "Wait. DNA Manipulation? Is that really what it says?!"
As if the system had anticipated his confusion, another window popped up in his vision—crisp, clean text forming as he stared in disbelief.
[DNA Manipulation]
DNA: The source of all life across every plane of existence. The sacred creation, untouched by corruption. To manipulate that which is forbidden is to wield the power of a true monarch.
Stigma Type: Manipulator
Stigma Effect: You can alter, copy, destroy, or build all forms of DNA. The stronger your Core is, the more complex the lifeforms you can control become.
"...Wow," he breathed, staring at the description in a daze. "I can actually… manipulate DNA?"
The enormity of the statement hung in the air like a thundercloud. He stared at the glowing text, heart pounding as his mind raced.
"Wait, isn't that… absurdly powerful?" he muttered, sitting upright. "To freely manipulate DNA… That's not just dangerous—that's completely broken. How do you even defend against that?"
Even with his limited understanding of biology, Zane knew how foundational DNA was to life. If he could destroy a target's DNA, it would be like erasing them at their very core. He wouldn't be harming them—he'd be unmaking them.
'All I have to do is disrupt their DNA, and they'll… cease to exist.'
A shiver ran down his spine. Just picturing the possibilities made him uneasy. This was no parlor trick—this was the kind of power that changed the rules entirely.
"But," he muttered, refocusing, "that last part makes sense. I doubt I can do anything big with it from the start. Not until I evolve my Core."
His eyes dropped down to the profile again, to the line that now carried so much weight.
(Evolution: 0/10)
"It doesn't explain what that means exactly, but I guess I'll figure it out soon enough," he murmured. He had heard about core evolution as it was the way for awakeners to gain strength, but he still hadn't figured out how that worked exactly, so he didn't want to waste time on it. "Now, onto the stats…"
His gaze swept back over the numbers—and two particular values jumped out at him.
Core Energy: 150
Dimension Resistance: 200
He frowned deeply. "Those… definitely aren't normal, right? The average is ten. Ten. These are ten or twenty times that. That can't be standard for new awakeners."
The gears in his mind turned. "Maybe the rarest talents reach numbers like that? But still… This feels off."
He raked a hand through his hair, sighing hard. 'Is this because my core is really abnormal. Hm, that could explain the explosion and how I wasn't assessed. It seems, whatever it is, my core is extremely powerful, at least by their standards.'
As much as it sounded like something he would be happy with, it equally terrified Zane. The way his body reacted to the awakening was really alarming and almost... eerie. He truly felt completely different from usual, and that didn't sit well with him.
"This system… it just keeps dropping bombshells on me. No warning. No explanations."
His mind wandered back to how the system first appeared—completely uninvited, merging with his body without permission or ceremony. It had hijacked his fate.
'There's no way this is charity,' he thought grimly. 'It's giving me so much—too much. There's something it wants from me. And sooner or later, I'm going to find out what that is.'
But for now… he wasn't going to complain.
He clenched his jaw, pushing aside the suspicions that danced at the edge of his mind. Whatever its motives, the system had given him the one thing he needed: a chance. He would never throw that away. Not now.
Exhaling slowly, Zane picked up his pen again and scratched down the next priority in his notebook.
'Learn more about the Core Stigma.'
He stared at the words, and a shadow passed over his face. "Learning about it… means I have to experiment."
And to experiment with DNA… he needed living organisms.
He leaned back in his chair, expression tightening. "Isn't that… morally ambiguous? I can't test this on humans. That's a line I won't cross. And animals…" He paused. "No. I can't do that either."
His conscience rebelled against the idea immediately. Using animals felt just as wrong.
He rubbed his chin, deep in thought. And then—like a lightbulb—his eyes lit up.
"Wait a minute. Who said it has to be animals or humans?"
A grin spread across his face as he sprang to his feet. He practically sprinted to the kitchen, yanked open the fridge, and triumphantly pulled out a large potato. Holding it in his hand like a prize, he stared at it with the intensity of a mad scientist discovering his next experiment.
"Vegetables and plants are alive too, right? I can start with them!"
Problem solved. It wasn't perfect, but it was ethically sound. He could practice on plant life without guilt, at least for now.
Returning to his room with the potato in hand, Zane sat back at his desk. "Alright, that's one major hurdle out of the way," he muttered. "But before I dive into testing the Core Stigma or training with my Core Energy, there's still more to explore."
He gave his profile one final look, then closed it and opened the menu. A brand new section had appeared—one he hadn't checked yet.
[Profile]
[Storage]
[Fate]
"Huh? 'Fate'?" Zane frowned. "That's… ominous. Mysterious too."
Driven by curiosity, he selected the new option. Instantly, a large window unfurled before him—its design unlike anything else he had seen so far.
The layout resembled a tiered table. Each row contained three rectangular slots, currently grayed out. Above the rows were ascending levels—starting from Level 1 and stretching on toward infinity. And in the top-right corner: a simple indicator labeled 'Fate Points.'
Zane tilted his head. "...What is this about? Mind explaining, syst—"
As if waiting for the prompt, a new notification appeared.
[Upon leveling up, the host will be presented with three reward options. Each of these options is unique and becomes permanent upon selection. To unlock more than three choices or to claim multiple rewards per level, you must use 'Fate Points.'
Fate Points are obtained through leveling up and defeating enemies.]
Zane's lips parted slightly. "...So it's like a choice-based evolution system? And those Fate Points can influence what I get?"
He sat in silence, letting the revelation sink in. His path forward wasn't going to be linear. Every step, every level—he would have to choose. Every decision could take him in a different direction.
'I wonder what kind of options would it give me, though? It didn't specify yet. But, if they're labeled as 'rewards' then that is good enough for now. When I reach level one, I will be able to see for myself.'
"This system really is something else," he murmured.
For better or worse… it was now part of him.
And Zane wasn't about to waste a single gift it gave him.