1 Prologue

On the morning of January 1, 2026, the world was plunged into darkness for a brief but eerie minute. When the darkness receded, everything had changed. Mysterious rifts in space and time had materialized, connecting Earth to parallel worlds. These enigmatic portals, dubbed "Gates," initially went unexplored, but soon, monstrous creatures emerged, forcing Earth's armies to take up arms. Surprisingly, modern weapons proved effective against these unknown beings, and humanity held their ground.

However, the tides turned when a demon stepped through one of the Gates. His name was Mahazael, one of the four elemental devils. In a single day, he annihilated Earth's major army bases and crippled the resistance forces effortlessly. Legends spoke of his ability to move mountains and unleash devastating earthquakes. Humanity found themselves faced with a godlike power, struggling for survival. Extinction seemed inevitable, lurking just beyond their grasp.

Then, time froze. Humanity stood motionless, trapped in terror as they searched for answers. Chains materialized, capturing Mahazael and dragging him away to a place brimming with horrors and the stench of death. Witnesses recounted the devil's screams of terror, desperately pleading for help from the very beings he had sought to exterminate.

Following Mahazael's disappearance, which left a profound scar on those who witnessed it, a resonating voice echoed in the minds of every human, declaring:

[Confinement of the transgressor completed. Gates gamification completed. Proceeding with the Gifts.]

With that proclamation, over the course of several decades, the continents merged, forming a single new mega-continent with a scattering of islands. Across the globe, people began to manifest extraordinary abilities. Some could soar through the skies, while others effortlessly wielded immense strength. There were those who conjured fireballs from their hands like skilled mages, and even individuals capable of transforming into animals. Empowered by these newfound Gifts, humanity turned the tide against the creatures that once ravaged them, reclaiming a significant portion of their lost territories.

Dubbed the "Gifteds" by the people, these humans with extraordinary abilities became pivotal in the eyes of the new government. Resources were poured into supporting them, expanding their freedoms, providing benefits, and establishing schools to train young Gifteds who wished to combat the monsters.

In this transformed world, strength and Gift determined everything. Possessing a lackluster Gift meant navigating treacherous waters, as others judged and assessed one's worth.