Hiro Akame stared at the gray sky with his stomach aching with hunger. His emaciated body leaned against a worn-out wall on the corner of the street, while people passing by ignored him. In his old world, he was just a useless young man, unwanted, and even considered unworthy of life. Every breath he took was torture, and every second that passed seemed to torture him deeper.

The sound of footsteps was faint, but slowly faded along with his fading consciousness. Hiro knew that this was the end. His weak body would not be able to hold on much longer. This world had destroyed him. There was nothing left to fight for, and no one cared.

As his consciousness began to fade completely, Hiro saw something he never expected, a beam of light shooting down from the sky, shooting through the clouds. The light came closer, getting brighter, and before Hiro knew what was happening, it engulfed him whole.

Hiro woke up in an unfamiliar place. The blue sky stretched out wide, a far cry from the darkness of the world he had just left. However, this was no ordinary sky. Purple clouds flowed like a river above his head, and the ground he stood on sparkled as if it were filled with tiny stars.

A voice sounded in his head, soft but powerful, as if coming from within his soul.

"Welcome, Hiro Akame."

Hiro gasped. "Who are you?"

"I am the System that will guide you. This world you were reborn into is different. Here, you have the chance to master everything."

A transparent screen appeared in front of him, displaying information that looked like a status panel in a game.

Name: Hiro Akame

Level: 1

Strength: 10

Intelligence: 12

Agility: 8

Status: Weak

Active System: Ruler of the Universe

The voice was heard again.

"This system will help you achieve a greater destiny to rule the entire universe. But remember, the path is not easy. Many obstacles and enemies will stand in your way. Prepare yourself."

Hiro looked at the panel with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. He was once just a young man who was considered trash by society. But now, he was given the chance to become a ruler. But behind it all, something felt wrong, as if there was a big secret hidden behind this power.

Hiro's first steps begin when he finds himself in a small village, where the people seem friendly but wary. Everyone he meets looks at him with suspicious eyes. The system gives him simple instructions: survive and build strength. But to do that, he must first understand this world.

Shortly after arriving, Hiro is tasked by the System to defeat a creature known as the "Black Wolf", the ruler of the nearby forest. The System's voice reminds him: this is the first test, a small step towards conquering this world.

Carefully, Hiro entered the forest. Every step he took was heavy, not only because of fear, but also because of the questions that kept popping into his mind. What was the System's true purpose? Why was he, of all people, chosen? And what would happen if he failed?

Deep in the forest, he finally met the Black Wolf. The creature's eyes glowed red in the darkness, its body was twice the size of a regular wolf, and its every move conveyed incredible power. However, something inside him made Hiro feel different. He felt the energy flowing from the System, as if it were giving him more power than he realized.

The battle began. The Black Wolf attacked quickly, but Hiro, now connected to the System, could see the creature's every move more clearly. With a little help from the System's hints, he managed to injure the creature. However, just when Hiro thought he was about to win, the Wolf let out a loud roar and its body doubled in size.

"This is the real test, Hiro." The System's voice sounded in his head again. "If you want to rule this world, you must go beyond your limits. This is not just a game."

With the last of his strength, Hiro ran towards the Black Wolf, thrusting the wooden sword he had found in the previous village into the creature's body. An explosion of light occurred, and the Black Wolf fell down.

After the fight, Hiro felt his body changing. The status panel in front of him showed a significant increase in strength. The system rewarded him with a level increase and new abilities.

But at the same time, Hiro feels something strange inside him, like a power that seems more than just a gift from the System. There is a deeper mystery beginning to grow behind this power, and Hiro knows that if he is not careful, this power could be a double-edged sword.

Hiro stood at the edge of the forest, his body covered in the blood of the Black Wolf he had just defeated. His breath was ragged, and his heart was racing. This victory gave him a sense of satisfaction he had never felt before. However, amidst the euphoria, he knew that this victory was only the beginning. There was something greater waiting for him, and he could feel it in the air.

The System's voice sounded again, this time clearer and more assertive.

"You have passed the first test, Hiro. Power lies ahead, but you still have a long way to go."

The transparent panel reappears in front of Hiro, showing his increased stats after the fight.

Name: Hiro Akame

Level: 3

Strength: 25

Intelligence: 15

Agility: 18

New Skills: Instinct Sharpener, Blade Dance

Status: Beginner

"Continue your journey, gather strength, and remember, every action you take will bring you closer to your destiny."

Hiro stared at the panel with mixed feelings; proud of his accomplishment, but also suspicious. Something about the System didn't feel quite right. Why was he chosen? And why did the System keep reminding him of "fate"? Hiro felt like every step he took was directed, rather than determined by his own choice.

With that confusion, Hiro returned to the village. The villagers who had previously viewed him with suspicion had now changed. Word of his victory over the Black Wolf had spread quickly, and some villagers had come to respect him. However, there was one person who looked at Hiro differently, a young woman with sharp eyes full of secrets.

The woman approached Hiro as he was resting in the village inn. Her hair was long and jet black, and she wore simple but neat clothes. But what was most striking were her golden eyes that seemed to penetrate every layer of protection Hiro tried to put up.

"You're not a native of this world, are you?" he asked matter-of-factly.

Hiro was silent for a moment. He didn't know how to answer. Did this woman know about the System? How could she be so sure?

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she continued, sitting down next to Hiro. "My name is Kaori, and I know more than you think about this world. There are things you won't find in the System."

Hiro stared at Kaori warily. What did she mean by that statement? Did Kaori know something about the System that had been hidden from him?

Kaori smiled faintly at Hiro's reaction. "The System is indeed powerful, but it is not the only power in this world. There is something bigger, something the System does not want you to know about. If you want to know more, meet me in the forbidden forest tonight."

Without waiting for an answer, Kaori stood up and left Hiro with more questions than answers.

As night fell, Hiro was in the inn, pondering Kaori's words. His heart was restless. He knew that following Kaori into the forbidden forest might be risky, but his curiosity was too great to ignore. What was the System really hiding? Why did the mysterious woman seem to know more than he did?

The System's voice sounded again, louder this time, as if it knew what Hiro was thinking.

"Hiro, your path is clear. Do not let yourself be distracted by those who doubt this power. Kaori is a distraction. Focus on your goal, and power will be yours."

Hiro was speechless. This was the first time the System had given him a direct warning about someone. But that only made him more suspicious. Why did the System want him to stay away from Kaori so badly? What was it really hiding?

With determination, Hiro decided to meet Kaori. Curiosity overcame his fear. He wanted answers, and if that meant going against the System, then he was ready.

Hiro arrived at the forbidden forest just as the full moon was shining on the night. The trees here were taller and darker, and there was a strange aura surrounding the place. Among the shadows of the trees, Kaori was waiting.

"I knew you would come," Kaori said in a soft voice. "Now, I'm going to tell you something that might change the way you see this world."

Kaori invites Hiro to walk deeper into the forest, until they arrive at an ancient ruin hidden behind the trees. In the middle of the ruins, there was a stone altar with strange carvings that glistened in the moonlight.

"This place is one of the few remnants of an ancient civilization that existed before the System appeared," Kaori explained. "The System you are currently using is not the only one. In the past, there were many such systems, and each had its own purpose. But one thing they all had in common: they all had a hidden agenda."

Hiro looked at Kaori in shock. "Hidden agenda? What do you mean?"

"The System is not a neutral tool. They do not simply help you. They direct you to achieve their own goals. If you rely too much on the System, you will lose your freedom."

Hiro felt his heart pounding. This was the first time he had heard something like this. He had always believed that the System was helping him, but if what Kaori said was true, then there was something bigger at play.

Kaori continued. "I know you want power, Hiro. But power that comes without understanding will only destroy you. If you want to be free, you must learn more about this world not just through the System, but through what the System doesn't show you."

Kaori's words echoed in Hiro's mind. On one hand, he felt trapped between his curiosity and the trust he had built in the System. In his past life, he had never been given the chance to choose. Now, he was at a crossroads with a choice that seemed clear yet painful.

As he walked around the ruins, Hiro felt a different aura. Something inside him shook. He wanted to test the truth of Kaori's words, but his fear of possibly losing his power held him back. What if he took the wrong path?

Kaori stopped in front of the stone altar. "This place is an ancient source of energy. If you are willing, you can access the power that lies here. But remember, this power is not without risk. You must sacrifice something to gain something greater."

Hiro was stunned. What would he have to sacrifice? Would it be worth the power he would gain? He looked into Kaori's eyes, and felt her sincerity.

"You won't know until you try. This is your chance to rewrite your destiny. Don't let the System determine what you can achieve."

Hiro bit his lip, fighting against the fear that gripped his heart. Finally, he decided to step forward. "What should I do?"

Kaori explained that she had to say a certain mantra and focus on her intention. "Let the energy around you flow into you. If you are sincere, the power will accept you."

Hiro stood before the altar, remembering all his suffering in the previous world. All the pain, rejection, and emptiness. In his heart, he wanted more than just power; he wanted freedom and a chance to change his fate.

With a firm voice, Hiro began to chant a spell. As the words were spoken, the air around him began to vibrate. Ancient energy swirled around him, and he felt an overwhelming presence.

Saat Hiro mengucapkan mantra itu dengan keyakinan, cahaya dari altar mulai bersinar, seolah menanggapi panggilannya. Energi itu melingkari tubuhnya, memancarkan kekuatan yang tak terbayangkan. Ia merasa seolah-olah semua penderitaannya, semua kemarahan dan keputusasaannya, disalurkan ke satu titik kekuatan yang tak terukur.

Dari kegelapan hutan, bisikan lembut mulai memenuhi telinganya. Kedengarannya seperti suara ribuan jiwa yang pernah terperangkap di dunia ini, mencari pengakuan dan kekuasaan. Hiro merasakan ketegangan di tubuhnya, tetapi dia tetap fokus pada niat dan keinginannya untuk mengubah hidupnya dan membebaskan dirinya dari belenggu yang pernah mengikatnya.

"Biarkan kekuatan ini menjadi milikmu, Hiro! Salurkan semua emosi yang kau rasakan ke dalam kekuatan ini!" teriak Kaori dengan penuh semangat, sambil mendukung Hiro dari sisi altar.

Hiro merasakan cahaya mengalir ke dalam jiwanya, melampaui batas fisik tubuhnya. Setiap helai energi mengisi kekosongan, dan dalam sekejap, penglihatannya menjadi jelas. Ia melihat gambaran berbagai kekuatan, kemampuan yang belum pernah ia bayangkan sebelumnya. Ada banyak kemungkinan yang menunggunya, seperti kekuatan yang dapat menghancurkan, menyembuhkan, atau bahkan mengendalikan elemen.

Namun di balik itu semua, Hiro juga merasakan sesuatu yang gelap dan samar mengintai, menunggu saat yang tepat untuk mengambil alih. Ia merasakan pertarungan antara kebaikan dan kejahatan dalam dirinya, dan semakin dalam ia tenggelam, semakin kuat tarikannya.

Kaori melihat perubahan pada diri Hiro dan tahu bahwa ini adalah momen yang krusial. "Kau harus bijak, Hiro! Setiap kekuatan yang kau terima memiliki konsekuensinya. Jika kau tidak berhati-hati, kau bisa tersesat dalam kegelapan."

Dengan semangat membara, Hiro mencoba menyalurkan energinya ke dalam bentuk kekuatan yang diinginkannya. Saat ia mengerahkan tekadnya, tubuhnya tiba-tiba bergetar hebat. Energi itu mulai memancarkan cahaya keemasan yang menyilaukan, dan Hiro merasa seolah-olah sedang terbang. Kemampuan yang diinginkannya perlahan mulai terbentuk.

Pada saat itu, Hiro merasakan ketenangan yang luar biasa. Ia dapat merasakan setiap aliran energi di sekelilingnya, seolah-olah seluruh dunia terhubung dengannya. Dengan satu gerakan tangan, ia mencoba mengendalikan energi tersebut. Tanpa disadari, pilar cahaya muncul di tangannya, perwujudan kekuatan barunya.

Namun, saat Hiro melihat ke bawah, ia menyadari bahwa tanah di bawah kakinya mulai retak dan berguncang. Kekuatan yang baru saja ia bangkitkan tidak hanya tidak berguna, tetapi juga bisa menjadi bencana. Kaori segera menarik Hiro kembali.

"Hiro! Kendalikan dirimu! Energi ini terlalu kuat! Jika kamu tidak hati-hati, kamu bisa menghancurkan segalanya!"

Hiro terbangun dari euforianya dan menyadari betapa berbahayanya kekuatan yang baru saja ia peroleh. Ia merasakan energinya meluap, dan dengan cepat mencoba menahan alirannya. Dalam sekejap, cahaya yang terpancar dari tangannya menyusut kembali menjadi titik kecil, tetapi masih memancarkan cahaya keemasan yang indah.

Namun, saat Hiro mencoba menahan energinya, bayangan gelap yang sebelumnya ia rasakan muncul di hadapannya. Entitas itu tampak seolah-olah lahir dari kegelapan malam, wajahnya kabur, tetapi matanya bersinar merah menyala.

"Kau menginginkan kekuasaan, Hiro," suara makhluk itu mengalir pelan namun bergetar. "Namun kekuasaan tanpa pengorbanan akan berujung pada kekosongan. Apakah kau benar-benar bersedia membayar harganya?"

Hiro terkejut, tidak tahu harus menjawab apa. Ia merasa takut dan tidak yakin. Kekuatan yang baru saja ia peroleh tampak memikat, namun menakutkan. Apakah ia harus membayar harga yang tidak sanggup ia bayar?

Kaori berdiri di sampingnya, melindungi Hiro dari bayangan itu. "Hiro, jangan dengarkan dia! Dia hanya mencoba menakut-nakutimu agar menghentikanmu!"

Namun bayangan itu terus menekan. "Kau akan mendapati dirimu terperangkap dalam lingkaran kekuasaan ini. Tidak ada jalan kembali. Pilihlah, Hiro! Raihlah kekuatan yang kau inginkan, atau hiduplah dalam ketidakpastian."

Di saat ragu itu, Hiro merasakan perasaannya saling bertentangan. Ia ingin mengambil risiko, untuk mendapatkan kekuatan yang selalu diimpikannya, tetapi suara yang lebih dalam memperingatkannya untuk berhati-hati.

"Kekuatan sejati datang dari pengendalian diri, bukan dari mengambil apa yang tidak seharusnya!" Suara Kaori mengingatkannya, memberinya dorongan yang ia butuhkan untuk melawan godaan bayangan itu.

Dengan berani, Hiro menatap entitas itu. "Aku tidak akan membiarkanmu mengendalikanku! Kekuasaan bukanlah segalanya, dan aku akan menemukan cara untuk menggunakan apa yang kumiliki dengan bijak."

Tiba-tiba, cahaya keemasan Hiro bersinar lebih terang, menghilangkan bayangan untuk sementara. Ia merasakan kekuatan dalam dirinya, bukan hanya kekuatan untuk menghancurkan, tetapi juga untuk melindungi dan membangun. Sebuah visi tentang masa depan yang lebih baik muncul dalam benaknya.

Setelah bayangan itu menghilang, Hiro merasakan beban di dadanya mulai terangkat. Ia menatap Kaori dengan penuh rasa terima kasih. "A... Aku hampir saja tergoda. Terima kasih telah menolongku."

Kaori tersenyum lembut, matanya berbinar bangga. "Kamu punya potensi, Hiro. Tapi ingat, kekuatan yang paling berharga adalah kekuatan yang kamu peroleh melalui pemahaman. Kamu harus terus belajar dan jangan biarkan dirimu terlena."

Hiro mengangguk, menyadari bahwa perjalanan ini tidak akan mudah. Ia telah mengambil langkah pertamanya ke dunia yang penuh misteri dan bahaya, tetapi ia merasa lebih kuat dari sebelumnya. Dengan kemampuan barunya ini, ia memiliki kesempatan untuk membangun kembali hidupnya, dan ia tidak akan membiarkan siapa pun atau apa pun menghentikannya.

Setelah ritual selesai, Hiro dan Kaori keluar dari hutan terlarang. Suasana di luar tenang, tetapi Hiro tahu bahwa kembali ke desa tidak akan sama lagi. Ia memiliki kekuatan, tetapi tantangan baru akan segera datang.

Sesampainya di desa, Hiro melihat kerumunan orang mengelilingi panggung kecil di alun-alun. Seorang pria bertubuh besar dan kekar dengan suara lantang berbicara, menarik perhatian penduduk desa. Hiro mendekat, ingin tahu apa yang sedang terjadi.

Pria itu mengenakan baju besi mengilap dan tampak sombong. "Dengar! Aku Kuro, petualang terhebat yang pernah ada! Kekuatan dan keberanian telah membawaku ke puncak, dan sekarang aku datang untuk menantang siapa pun yang berani menyamai kekuatanku!"

Hiro merasakan jantungnya bergetar. Di satu sisi, ia ingin memamerkan kemampuannya, tetapi di sisi lain, ia teringat nasihat Kaori agar tidak terbawa suasana. Apa yang akan ia lakukan?

Hiro merasakan energi dalam dirinya bergetar, ingin dilepaskan. Tanpa berpikir, ia melangkah maju, menarik perhatian semua orang di sekitarnya. "Aku, Hiro Akame, menantangmu, Kuro!"

Kuro menatap Hiro dengan rasa ingin tahu, seolah-olah menganggapnya sebagai lawan yang tidak berbahaya. "Hmm, anak ini cukup berani. Mari kita lihat apa yang bisa kau lakukan!"

Kedua petualang itu bertarung di tengah alun-alun, sementara penonton bersorak. Hiro merasakan adrenalin mengalir dalam dirinya. Ia tahu ini adalah kesempatannya untuk membuktikan bahwa ia bukan lagi Hiro yang dulu, pemuda yang dianggap rendah dan tak berdaya.

Saat pertarungan dimulai, Kuro melancarkan serangan pertamanya dengan cepat. Hiro mencoba menghindar dan melawan dengan gerakan yang diajarkan oleh Sistem. Namun, kekuatan Kuro jauh lebih besar dari yang ia duga. Hiro merasa tertekan dan kesulitan mengikuti irama pertarungan.

Tiba-tiba, ingatan tentang kekuatan itu

yang diperolehnya di hutan terlarang muncul dalam benaknya. "Kendalikan dirimu, Hiro! Jangan takut untuk menggunakan apa yang telah kau pelajari!"

Dengan semangat baru, Hiro menghafal mantra dan menyalurkan energinya ke dalam serangan. Ia melancarkan serangkaian serangan, menggunakan kemampuan Tarian Pedang yang telah dipelajarinya, menghindari serangan Kuro dengan lincah.

Seiring berjalannya waktu, Hiro merasakan perubahan dalam dirinya. Kekuatan dan kepercayaan diri mengalir dalam tubuhnya. Ia berjuang bukan hanya untuk menang, tetapi juga untuk mencari tahu siapa dirinya sebenarnya.

Kuro tercengang melihat kemajuan Hiro. "Lumayan, Nak. Tapi kamu masih butuh lebih banyak pengalaman!" Dengan semangat juang yang membara, Kuro melancarkan serangan terakhirnya, yang sangat kuat.

Hiro merasakan getaran energi di sekelilingnya, dan tanpa ragu ia menggunakan energi emasnya untuk menangkis serangan itu. "Aku tidak akan kalah!" teriaknya dengan penuh tekad.

Cahaya keemasan meledak dari tangan Hiro, menghancurkan serangan Kuro dan membalasnya. Kuro terkejut dan tidak dapat menghindar, lalu terlempar ke tanah.

Kerumunan itu terdiam, dan saat Kuro terjatuh, Hiro merasakan ketenangan dalam dirinya. Ini bukan hanya kemenangan fisik, tetapi juga mental. Ia telah membuktikan pada dirinya sendiri bahwa ia lebih dari sekadar pemuda yang menderita.

Diiringi sorak sorai penonton, Hiro merasa bangga. Ia tahu bahwa ini baru awal perjalanannya. Masih banyak misteri yang harus dipecahkan dan tantangan yang harus dihadapi. Kaori tersenyum bangga dari kejauhan, menyaksikan semuanya.

"Kau telah mengambil langkah pertama, Hiro. Sekarang, jangan berhenti! Teruslah belajar dan berkembang," bisik Kaori sambil mendekat.

Hiro mengangguk, menyadari bahwa ia tidak lagi sendirian. Ia memiliki teman, pelindung, dan, yang terpenting, kesempatan untuk menulis ulang takdirnya. Ia akan menggunakan kekuatan ini dengan bijak, dan tidak membiarkan Sistem atau kegelapan menuntunnya ke jalan yang salah.

Dengan keberanian barunya, Hiro siap menghadapi dunia yang penuh tantangan dan petualangan tak terduga.