Chapter 3 – New Beginning
Sunlight filtered through the linen curtains like a golden mist.Ethan blinked a few times, feeling the soft weight of the morning settle on his skin. For the first time since he had woken up—days, maybe weeks, he wasn't sure—he felt truly conscious. He was in his room. His own room.
The bluish-gray walls. The shelf full of action figures he claimed he didn't care about anymore. The desk with a high-end computer he rarely used properly. The dusty photo frames holding pictures of him with his mother and siblings. Everything was there, just as it had always been… bringing back that familiar sense of comfort he had missed so much during the three years he spent in Gotham. And now… he was home.
He got up, took off his clothes, and headed for the bathroom.
Steam still escaped from the crack of the slightly open door. Ethan turned off the shower, the sound of the water ceasing as if the world had suddenly gone quieter. He ran a hand through his soaked hair, pushing it back, and grabbed the towel hanging from the rack.
He dried his face slowly, savoring the feel of the warm fabric against his skin. The bathroom was large and modern, with light marble details and recessed ceiling lights—but at that moment, all that mattered was the simple act of breathing deeply and enjoying the silence.When he finished, he leaned on the sink and looked up.
The mirror returned a familiar reflection… but not quite the same.His black hair—short, straight, and slightly messy—still fell rebelliously over his forehead. His fair skin, lightly sun-bronzed, bore the marks of someone who had spent too much time under the sun, in fights, or on the run.His eyes… gray, almost silver, stared back with unusual intensity. But now, in certain moments—under the flicker of a lightbulb—there was something else. A hidden, deep blue glow that seemed to flicker every so often when no light was present.
Then, with renewed curiosity, he said while looking into the mirror:
"Attributes."
Nothing.
"Inventory."
Still nothing.
"Menu."
Silence.
Ethan frowned and huffed, trying not to feel ridiculous talking to himself.
"You've got to be kidding me… this worked in manhwas," he muttered sarcastically.
Then, without thinking, he repeated—out loud:"Status."
The bar appeared.
A translucent panel floated in front of the mirror like an augmented reality projection, pulsing in deep blue and black tones. Ethan froze.
The interface was minimalistic yet alive, lines of energy slowly swirling along the edges. He read in disbelief:
[ SHADOW ADAPTATION SYSTEM – INTERFACE ACTIVE ]
Level: 1
Species: Human
Class: None
Strength: 10
Constitution: 10
Agility: 10
Intellect: 10
Perception: 10
Physical Condition: Weak [recovery in progress]
HP: 67/100
MP: 100
Fatigue: 47/100
Interdimensional Connection: Stable
Body: Reconstruction in progress
[ Passive skill acquired: Shadow Regeneration – In progress ]
[ Summoning space: LOCKED – Awaiting awakening ]
[ Shadow Power: Latent ]
⚠ TUTORIAL LOCKED: The bearer does not yet meet the minimum usage requirements.
Physical synchronization required.Time remaining: 10h 12min
Ethan let out a nervous laugh, still processing.
"This is even crazier than I thought it'd be…"
Before he could think too much about it, muffled voices and the clinking of cutlery drifted up from downstairs.
"I'll leave this for now. I can't do anything for the next few hours anyway," he muttered.
He walked back to his room with the towel draped over his shoulders, his bare feet pressing against the cool wooden floor. The room was brighter now, sunlight streaming through the half-open curtains, painting golden lines on the ground.
Passing by the desk, he noticed the digital clock blinking with precision: 8:32 AM. Still early. The day had barely begun.
He opened the bottom drawer of his wardrobe.He went for something simple: loose gray sweatshorts and a plain black T-shirt, slipping it on in one automatic motion.
Ethan descended the stairs with calm steps, still feeling the coolness of the floor under his feet. The familiar scent of fresh coffee, toasted bread, and a hint of fennel in the air almost made him forget he had spent weeks between life and death. Almost.
He stopped in front of a dark wooden shelf. On it sat a framed photograph. A family photo. He was younger, wearing a forced smile. On the opposite side of the frame was a little girl—about five years old at the time. Dark hair tied in a messy ponytail, a wide grin, the kind only a child caught after mischief could give. His sister. Behind them stood the imposing figure of a young man—Nathaniel.
Even in the photo, his brother looked like a leader. Upright posture, a discreet smile, neatly combed hair, a tailored suit, and an expression that tried to hide exhaustion—and responsibility. Now Ethan understood that look better.
And in the center of the photo… Elena.Dark, slightly wavy hair falling to her shoulders. Warm brown eyes, almost golden in the light. Effortlessly elegant in a light blue dress, wearing a smile that seemed to hide an entire world of scars.She was holding hands with her two youngest children.
Ethan stared at that image for a few seconds.And allowed himself to smile.
In the kitchen, his mother stood with her back to him, stirring something in a pot. Her hair was tied in a simple bun, her dark cotton blouse fitting loosely, her hands quick and sure—everything about her was a symbol of home. And right then, that symbol felt stronger than any superpower.
"Morning…" he said, his voice still hoarse but steady.
Elena spun around in surprise, almost dropping the wooden spoon."Ethan! You should be in bed!" She hurried over, placing her hands on his shoulders with a concern she tried to mask behind relief.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just needed to stretch a little," he replied with a smile—one she returned genuinely.
She guided him to one of the counter stools."Sit. I made coffee and something light. The doctors said your stomach will take a while to handle heavy food again."
"Thanks," he said, accepting the mug with both hands. The warmth and aroma of the coffee were comforting.
A brief silence settled, broken only by the kettle's faint whistle and the TV blaring in the living room:
"In Central City, the Scarlet Speedster has returned to action following rumors of a new criminal organization taking control of the city's underworld. The Flash has already apprehended at least 23 suspects, and authorities urge civilians to stay clear of the area."
"In Metropolis, Superman confronted a villain known as Livewire earlier this morning. The battle was contained away from residential zones and ended with the meta-human's surrender."
"In Gotham, the vigilante known as Batman thwarted a robbery at the Central Bank. Three members of the Penguin's gang have been arrested."
Elena, still turned away, said cheerfully,"Your sister's going to be happy to know you're awake. She's coming back from her trip next week."
Ethan nodded with a small smirk, then asked directly:"So… when do I go back to the boarding school? I'd like to at least see her before I leave."
She chuckled."You're not going back."
He frowned."What do you mean?"
"Nathaniel canceled your enrollment. Said that phase is over. He signed you up for one of the best private schools here in Jump City—advanced curriculum, flexible schedule, tutoring, even a built-in therapist." She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Seems like he really wants you to become a proper person."
Ethan gave a dry laugh."Yeah… maybe it's about time I try for real."
They fell into a comfortable silence. Enjoying his coffee and his mother's company, the morning passed in the blink of an eye.
Hours later.
After having lunch with his mother and exchanging a few text messages with his brother, Ethan said he needed some fresh air. Elena hesitated but eventually agreed. He seemed fine—better than in days.
"No overdoing it," she warned, drying her hands on the dish towel. "And be careful with the strong sun."
"I'm just going for a short ride. Promise I'll be back before dark," he replied, already grabbing his wallet and earphones.
As he headed toward the front door, ready to call an Uber or taxi, Ethan froze for a moment. His gaze was drawn toward the mansion's garage.
The soft afternoon light filtered through tall stained-glass windows, casting long shapes over the polished concrete floor. And there it was—imposing, pitch black, with bluish highlights along its curved frame.
Nathaniel's motorcycle.Kept there like a totem of a wilder past his brother always pretended he didn't have.
Ethan approached slowly.He ran his hand over the metallic tank, feeling the cold surface under his fingers. A smile formed—crooked, daring, a little reckless. Something between "screw it" and "why not?"
"It's just a ride," he murmured, swinging his leg over with practiced ease.
The engine roared to life, breaking the garage's silence with a deep, throaty growl. Then he was gone, slicing through the wide streets of Jump City.
The wind cut against him like a blade. Ethan sped down the coastal avenue, modern buildings flashing by on his left. On his right, the ocean glistened in orange hues under the sun, which would soon sink below the horizon.
Freedom… it was intoxicating. After three years stuck in Gotham, the sensation felt like a drug he never wanted to quit.
Eventually, he slowed down, pulling over on a curve that sloped toward the bay—an isolated spot with tall grass, broken fences, and a perfect view.
Across the water… there it was.
The Titans Tower.
Rising from an artificial island, the T-shaped structure sliced into the sky with arrogance. Around it, the water mirrored the late-afternoon sky like a liquid world.
Ethan dismounted, pulling off his helmet slowly, his hair tousled by the wind. He stared at the structure from a distance, unmoving.
"Pretty damn impressive, huh?" he murmured, almost without realizing.
He stood there for several minutes, just watching. The whisper of the breeze, the distant cries of seagulls, the salty scent of the ocean. Peace.
Some time later.
The afternoon wind was still gentle when Ethan started the bike again with a contained rumble. He crossed the suspension bridge into Jump City, the taut cables humming faintly under the weight of cars and trucks. Below, the sea shimmered like molten gold in the waning light.
Then peace exploded.
BOOOOM!
A violent detonation shook the bridge's side, sending sparks, dust, and shards into the air. The ground trembled. Drivers slammed on their brakes, horns blared in panic, tires screeched, and screams erupted all around.
Ethan nearly lost control of the motorcycle.
In the distance, he saw what caused it—and his eyes widened.
Giant insects—somewhere between spiders and moths—were gnawing through the bridge's metal supports as if they were made of tin foil. Their black carapaces bore white stripes, their membranous wings buzzed furiously, and their fangs glinted like steel.
Above them, a grotesque figure swooped through the air: Killer Moth. His rotting wings left a trail of greenish smoke as he exchanged blows with Starfire and Raven, spitting acid and emitting sonic shrieks. Each blast's shockwave rippled across the air.
Down on the bridge, Robin, Beast Boy, and Cyborg fought to contain the ground creatures, but there were more of them than expected—and they were gaining ground.
Then it happened, as if in slow motion amidst the chaos of people abandoning their cars—Ethan saw her.
A small child. Frozen in fear between two stalled vehicles, right in the middle of the bridge. In a flash, she reminded him of his little sister.
And then—
CRACK!
A sharp metallic snap. One of the bridge's suspension cables tore loose, whipping through the air like a giant steel whip. The thick cable began to fall, whistling as it plummeted—straight toward her.
Ethan didn't think.
He twisted the throttle.
The engine roared like a choked thunderclap. He surged forward, slicing through gridlocked traffic, missing cars by inches, the speedometer climbing too fast.
Meters away.The cable falling.The child screaming.
Ethan launched himself.
Abandoning the bike at high speed, he threw himself off the seat like a human missile. He snatched the girl up—literally in the last second—and turned his body instinctively to shield her.
They slammed into the side of a car, denting the door and bending the mirror. The impact knocked a grunt from his chest, pain flaring through his back.
Luckily, he still had the helmet on—probably the only reason he was still conscious.
The child cried in his arms, but she was alive.Ethan rolled across the asphalt, clutching her tightly, the world spinning for seconds. His hands trembled, and his body burned from the impact, but he forced himself onto his knees.
The mother appeared moments later, sobbing as she pulled the girl into her arms. Ethan staggered upright, still dazed.
Then he saw it—a faint bluish light appearing in front of his eyes.
[Countdown COMPLETE.]
[INITIATING TUTORIAL…]
[⚠ WARNING: DANGER DETECTED. TUTORIAL SUSPENDED.]
[NEW MISSION GRANTED: DEAL WITH THE THREAT.]
"What…?" Ethan muttered, blinking. "You've gotta be kidding me."
[ROOOOOAAAAR!]
The sound made the ground quake. One of the giant insects landed heavily on a car roof ahead, crushing it like a soda can. Nearly three meters tall, with black wings spread wide, curved fangs, a throbbing scarlet mandible, and a lean body supported by spear-like legs. Multiple eyes reflected red light as they locked onto him.
The creature shrieked, tilting its head toward Ethan.
He took a step back, swallowing hard, still catching his breath.
"Oh shit…You've got to be freaking kidding me."
He froze. Not out of cowardice—but because he had no idea what to do.
He was Level 1.No powers.No plan.No way out.
Then, behind him, the girl's mother stumbled, still pulling her away. But the insect noticed. Its many eyes shifted toward them.
Ethan stepped forward.
"Hey…" he said hesitantly.
The monster raised its front legs, ready to strike.
"HEY! UGLY LADYBUG!" he shouted, grabbing a rock from the ground and hurling it hard.
THUNK!
The rock hit one of its eyes, making the creature screech in rage as it turned fully toward him, baring every fang.
Ethan's eyes went wide."Shit!"
The insect lunged.
Ethan turned and bolted. He vaulted over a car, slid across the asphalt.
The monster chased him—fast—its spear-like legs stabbing into the concrete with sharp, metallic cracks.
He dodged as best he could, heart pounding, unsure how much longer he could keep going.
But one thing he knew for sure:If he stopped… he was dead.