'The power system was fleshed out quite well in the manga but I didn't really think it was this overpowered.' Kōya thought as he let out a long breath, his fingers brushing lightly across the mark beneath his right eye while he absorbed everything the System had just shown him… because although the original manga hinted at greatness, the sheer scale of power behind Silver and White Crests was far beyond what he ever imagined.
He sighed again, slower this time, his back sinking into the chair as he closed the thick crest-study book with a soft thud, and for a moment he simply stared at the ceiling with a blank expression.
'There's nothing actually unique about this protagonist apart from the fact that he's hogging all the heroines… he doesn't even have a Gold Crest, he isn't secretly special, he's literally just some guy.'
"Well that just makes more work for me…" he muttered while massaging his temples before shaking his head. "But I'm not exactly opposed to rising to the top, I mean… I've been forced into this body anyway."
He placed the book aside, reaching for the second one… the World History one but paused halfway when his eyes drifted to his phone.
'Sure, social media exists here and Awakeners argue online all day, but if you want real information then the library or the Academy archives are the only places to trust, especially in a world full of people trying to manipulate others for Crowns.'
With a quiet breath, he checked the date again.
The ALI Student Orientation was on April 10th, and today was only the fifth. 'Five days… that's barely any time, but if I push myself then I might be able to hit two marks before orientation… well if my plot armor comes in clutch.'
He set the phone aside and cracked open the World History book, resting both elbows on the table as he muttered internally.
'Alright System… you already scanned the Crest book. Do this one for me too.'
There was no delay this time as the characters materialized neatly in the air.
「Analysis complete. Summarized version will now be displayed.」
'Damn, you're faster now… that's scary and convenient at the same time.'
The text scrolled elegantly before him:
「The event now known globally as The Fall occurred fifty years ago, marking the single greatest collapse of civilization in recorded history. Without warning, dimensional fractures appeared across major population centers, forming the first Dungeons… warped distortions of space overflowing with hostile creatures. Within months, humanity lost countless lives, vital infrastructure, and decades of scientific progress as global communications collapsed.
Early Awakeners emerged when individuals reacted to the unstable dimensional pressure, their bodies forming the primitive Crests that would become humanity's last line of defense. But their numbers were too few, their powers were unstable, and dungeon portals multiplied faster than they could be cleared. Humanity was pushed toward extinction.
Amid this chaos rose Shirogane Haruto, the man later revered as The White King. Born with a natural Gold Crest… the first recorded in human history, his strength escalated exponentially, allowing him to single-handedly clear the world's first dungeon. His victories bought humanity time and hope, stabilizing regions long enough for researchers to initiate the Global Barrier Project.
As dungeon outbreaks grew uncontrollable, Haruto and other early Awakeners fought continuously to delay the expansion of monster territory.
Through their sacrifices and the near-mythic efforts of the White King, researchers succeeded in erecting mana-reinforced dome barriers around surviving cities, transforming them into fortified sanctuaries called Supercities.
Even now, dungeons continue to appear unpredictably within these sanctuaries, requiring constant vigilance, while the world outside the barriers remains a monster-dominated wasteland reclaimed only by the strongest Awakeners.
Humanity survives through discipline, through the shields protecting each Supercity, and through the enduring power of the White King… the man who bought them a future.」
Kōya stared blankly at the text for several seconds before exhaling slowly. 'It really sounds like a damn Awakener blockbuster… no wonder the manga felt like it had potential. It was basically propaganda mixed with trauma, do these people exist to glaze the White King? It's making me very curious about how he looks.'
He set the book back on the table with a long breath. 'And where the hell is the clan history? They were founded after all this, weren't they?'
He looked down at the cover. 「The White King's Stand」
"…Right."
Of course the book would worship the guy instead of giving detailed history… Typical.
He shelved both books and walked toward the front counter.
Hiyori looked up instantly, her cheeks were colored pink, and her hands were fidgeting like she wanted to say something but lacked the courage.
"You just came… are you leaving already?" she asked, her voice was trembling as if she wasn't sure she should be speaking to him at all.
"Yes, I'm heading somewhere." He tucked his hands into his coat pockets while tilting his head slightly. "I just wanted to check in before leaving."
He turned away, but before he reached the door her voice called out again.
"A-Amagi-sama…"
He stopped, looked back over his shoulder, and saw her bowing lightly with her phone clutched in both hands like a nervous maiden in a romance manga.
"S-since I have your number now… um… c-could I maybe call you later?"
Kōya stared at her with a confused frown. "What were you going to do with it? Eat it?"
Hiyori's face turned crimson immediately as he walked out, and she quietly fanned herself behind the desk.
'Ehhhhh… even his voice is cool…'
Outside, Kōya pulled his coat tighter as he crossed the road once more. The street still bore signs of Higikaya's earlier battle.
"I should probably head home…" he muttered before stopping in front of a familiar storefront.
A bakery filled with warmth, flour-scented air, and bustling workers scurried behind the counter carrying trays of bread.
'The original guy loved this place… apparently the buns here are peak.'
He stepped inside, meeting the warm smile of the woman at the counter: Sakuraba Midori, the neighborhood's beloved bakery owner.
"Good morning ma…" He stopped in between, that sounded weird.
"Ah, my dear Kōya," Midori said, her voice carrying the calm sweetness of a motherly figure. "You're speaking awfully formal today… is something the matter?"
"Nothing much," he replied as he glanced at the shelves of steaming pastries. "I was craving hot buns. The usual, please."
Midori clapped her hands four times, summoning a shop girl who hurried over with a steaming white paper bag.
"I was waiting for you," Midori said as she handed it to him. "These just came out of the oven, made with all our love. Now… tell me, did you get in?"
Kōya barely got out a "Yes, Class 5 thou—" before she leapt up and wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Congratulations, sweetheart! Those buns are on the house! Make sure to give some to your little sister too!"
"…Thank you."
He stepped out of the shop, biting into the hot bun as the warmth spread across his tongue and the sweetness practically melted into his mouth. He let out a low sigh.
'Goddamn… that is really good.'
He chewed slowly, savoring it as he walked in the direction of home. Then a thought struck him sharply.
'Right. I forgot to ask.'
"System," he murmured while taking another bite, "with all the knowledge you've absorbed… tell me a quick and effective way to evolve my Crest to two lines within five days."
He expected a regimen: mana meditation cycles, physical training, breathing techniques, a nightmarish routine designed to push him to the brink.
Instead, the System gave him the equivalent of a slap.
「Is that even a question? If you want a breakthrough within five days, hunt an Iron-class Monster.」