Chapter 1 - Loser Log-in

📍 Setting: Okabe High School – Class 2-C

Renji Kurobane sat in the farthest corner of the room—the kind of seat reserved for the invisible. The chalk squeaked across the board. The class laughed at a joke he didn't hear. Even the teacher didn't notice he was there.

"Hey, Kurobane."

The voice came from behind. Takumi Rendo, the class delinquent, towered over him with a mocking grin.

"You breathing again today, trash?"

Without waiting for a reply, Takumi slapped Renji's head—hard. Laughter erupted around him. His bag was kicked aside. His pencil case was emptied on the floor.

Renji didn't flinch.

He'd grown numb. Broken. Hollow.

His mind echoed with one thing:

> "If I disappeared, would anyone notice?"

⏳ After School – 10:43 PM

The sky poured rain as Renji walked home. His hoodie soaked, his stomach empty. The world felt gray, even the streetlights.

That's when his phone vibrated.

📱 [SYSTEM DETECTED]

"SOVEREIGN PROTOCOL INITIALIZED."

> Welcome, Renji Kurobane.

You have been identified as a Rank 0 Dominance Candidate.

Would you like to begin your ascent?

Renji stopped under a flickering light post, blinking.

> "...What the hell?"

He tapped the screen.

Suddenly, glowing text exploded across his vision like it was burning into his eyes.

🟥 QUEST ACCEPTED – "Stand Up"

> Objective: Stand your ground against a physical threat.

Time Limit: 24 Hours

Reward: +10 Dominance Points, Combat Stat Unlocked

Penalty: Physical Damage Multiplied ×2 on Failure

> "Is this a prank...?"

The screen vanished. The cold returned. And footsteps echoed behind him.

Renji turned—and saw three boys from school, including Takumi, walking down the alley toward him.

"Yo, Renji! Still alive?"

"Mind if we fix that?"

Takumi grabbed Renji by the collar and slammed him into the wall. A sharp pain spiked through his ribs.

The quest flashed before his eyes again.

🟥 Time Remaining: 23:59:12

---

⛓️ Something snapped.

Renji's fist clenched. His breathing slowed.

For the first time in his life, he raised his voice:

> "Let go of me."

Takumi froze.

"…What did you say?"

Renji's hand shot up and grabbed his wrist. Eyes wide. No hesitation. No fear. The world slowed.

🟩 Combat Stat Unlocked.

🟦 [Passive: Fearless Frame I] – When engaged in battle, fear resistance +100%.

> "You messed with the wrong person."

With a twist of his body, Renji delivered a clean elbow to Takumi's chin—a move he didn't even know he could do.

Takumi stumbled, crashing into the wall.

The other two charged—but it was too late. Renji ducked the first punch, grabbed the guy's shirt, and headbutted him hard enough to crack blood.

⚠️ [QUEST COMPLETE]

✔️ +10 Dominance Points

✔️ +Stat: Combat +1

✔️ Reward Unlocked: [Dominance Menu Access]

The remaining thug ran.

Takumi groaned on the floor.

Rain poured harder.

Renji stood above them, chest rising and falling—not from panic, but from something else.

> He liked it.

The power.

The feeling of not being a victim.

📱 [New Feature Unlocked: Card Slot System – "Tactical Dominance"]

> Cards will now be issued through quests.

Current Slots: 1/1

Next Card Drop: Upon Level Up.

🧠 [SYSTEM MESSAGE]

> "Congratulations, Renji Kurobane. You have taken your first step toward sovereignty."

Renji looked at his bruised knuckles.

> "If this is what it takes… to never be stepped on again…"

His eyes burned cold.

> "…Then I'll crush everything standing in my way."

---

📘 END OF CHAPTER 1