I woke up with a skull-splitting headache like I'd gone twelve rounds with a hangover demon.
Rafaela had been trying to wake me for a while, but nope—I was down for the count. The last thing I remembered was checking my Status, then Cherubim whispering something cryptic before everything went dark.
When I finally opened my eyes, I got the shock of my life.
"What the...?"
My reflection in the window stared back at me with eyes that had changed—dramatically. The irises were nearly opaque, like frosted glass with faint traces of black in the pupils. They looked weird. Ominous. Maybe even divine. But somehow, they didn't impair my vision.
No blur. No pain. Just... different.
[Confirmed: New Active Ability Unlocked: Psyche]
Wait. What!?
"Psyche?" I blinked, sitting up straight. "What is that? A new skill?"
[Incorrect. It's an ability, not a skill.]
"Gah! What's the difference!?"
[Abilities are innate—part of who you are. They cannot be learned or imitated. You either awaken them or you don't. Skills, on the other hand, can be learned or copied. In your case, mimicked by me.]
Huh... So this came from me? Like, deep inside?
[Exactly. Psyche manifested during your battle with the Beastfolk. The catalyst? Your overwhelming desire to understand others' capabilities—Status, power, potential. That thirst triggered the awakening.]
"So what does it actually do?"
[Status Reading: Psyche allows you to read the full Status of others—level, race, skills, even hidden traits. Think of it as peering into someone's soul.]
"Holy crap... That's awesome!"
"Big brother Troy?" Rafaela's voice snapped me back to reality. She looked concerned. "Your eyes... what happened?"
I quickly rubbed my face and gave her a reassuring grin. "I'm... not sure. But I'm okay. I can still see just fine. Let's get some fresh air, Raf."
Outside, Mister Heizou was at the counter, as calm and composed as always.
"Good morning, Master Troy."
"Oh come on. Not you, too!"
Heizou chuckled softly. "Congratulations, our new faction leader."
"Somehow, yeah..." I scratched my head. "I managed."
His gaze drifted to Rafaela. "Did you enjoy the battle?"
She beamed. "Big bro Troy was so cool and strong!"
Classic Raf.
Heizou smiled kindly before turning to me again. "I heard... you're a Summon."
I blinked. "Summon?"
The word hit different this time.
He nodded. "It's rare to see one. History says Summons were the children of otherworlders and a now-extinct demon race. Wiped out by the Holy Knights thirty years ago... or so we thought."
He pointed at my eyes. "The horns usually give you away, but the eyes—those are unmistakable. Opaque, otherworldly. A dead giveaway to anyone who knows what to look for."
"So... we're not considered monsters?"
Heizou paused. "You're not an abomination, no. But some might see a Summon as... a potential catastrophe."
Oof. That's not exactly comforting.
"Right," I mumbled. "Sounds... totally fine."
Just then, Lina called from across the lobby. "New boss~!"
"Yo." I turned back to Heizou. "Heading out for a bit."
"See you around, Mas—mister Troy," Heizou said with a respectful nod.
Outside, the sun was high, but I suddenly felt sleepy again. Weird. I yawned and dragged myself back inside.
Back in the room, Rafaela was already sprawled out on her bed. I sat on mine and tried to relax.
"So... what'd you do while I was knocked out?"
"I waited for you to wake up," she said, eyes half-lidded with sleep.
Waited?
"All that time? Wasn't that boring?"
She shook her head. "Big bro Xin and Leo played with me."
Now that was hard to picture. Leonidas playing tag or hide-and-seek?
"Well, good. I'm glad they're treating you right."
She giggled. "Leo's nice, but he sounds angry all the time."
"He just has a violent resting face," I chuckled.
I was drifting off again when—BANG BANG BANG—a violent knock slammed against the door.
"WHO—?!" I shot up like I'd been electrocuted. Rafaela groaned from her bed, half-awake.
I opened the door to find Leonidas, Xin, and three others waiting.
"Yo, boss. Already sleeping—HOLY HELL, YOUR EYES!"
Leonidas jumped back, pointing at me.
I smirked. "Yeah, this happened."
[Status Accessing: Name: Leonidas...]
Wait. I could see his entire Status now?!
Name: LeonidasRace: Evolved Lion-type BeastfolkStrength: Above HumanMagic: Wind Magic (Rarely Used)Special Skill: Warrior Rage (Maxed)
Whoa. I was using Psyche!
"Boss?" Leo waved a hand in front of me. "You good?"
"I... I think I'm psychic now. Sort of."
He stepped into my room like he owned the place. "This is your room? Way too small. Oh, hey, lil missy's up. Saves me the trouble."
"She was sleeping," I muttered. "Then someone tried to beat the door down."
"Who'd be that rude?" he said, dead serious.
Bro... it was you.
Xin popped his head in next. "Nice room. Comfy."
[Status Accessing: Name: Xiniao...]
Race: Supreme Fox-type BeastfolkStrength: SuperhumanSkill: Berserker
[Berserker: 500% Strength Multiplier. A brutal evolution of Warrior Rage.]
WHAT!?
[Impact from Berserker = 100% death]
Note to self: Never piss off Xin.
[Confirmed: Berserker Skill Imitated.]
Thanks, Cherubim.
"Alright, boss," Leo clapped. "Let's go."
"Huh? Go where?"
Leo blinked. "You serious?" He turned to Rafaela. "You didn't tell him?"
She froze. "Oops... I forgot."
Leo groaned. "We're throwing you a celebration party, duh. New leader and all."
"A... party?"
He grinned, slapping my shoulder. "Oh, yeah. And I've never been happier to hand off the title. Xin forced me into that job. Now it's your turn, sucker."
He gave me the look of a man who'd just escaped prison.
"Ah... lucky me."
Xin opened the door. "Everyone's waiting. Let's go."
Downstairs, the whole gang was assembled. Mister Heizou. Lina. A few others.
Even more were bowing in that dramatic, over-the-top style—one arm across the chest, the other gesturing toward me like I was royalty.
"Master Troy," said one guy with floppy dog ears, "we are your faction's security detail. We're here to escort you—and the young miss—to the venue."
"Uh... just call her Rafaela."
"Yes, Master Troy!" he said with a bow.
Seriously, this was getting wild.
We stepped outside...
And the entire marketplace was empty. Shops closed. Streets silent.
What the hell?
Even Lina and Heizou locked up the inn and joined us.
"Mister Troy," Rudwick said, "shall we?"
"Yeah..." I muttered.
But in my head, only one thought echoed:
What kind of party are they throwing for me!?