When I finished reading the status window, questions flooded my mind like restless waves. What exactly was this "Consciousness Level"? Was it linked to my ability to think, to control, to understand? And did I really… have a unique ability? An ability I had never imagined? My heart pounded faster. If that were true, did it mean I would get a superpower? And when? Would it come automatically on a specific day? Or was I the one who chose the timing? Or did it appear randomly?
I felt my mind boiling with unanswered questions, but I quickly caught my breath and gathered my scattered thoughts. I looked back at the status window, searching for any extra details, any clues I might have missed… but it was completely silent. Just fixed lines, as if it had finished saying all it had to say.
So I said hesitantly, yet with great curiosity:
"Hello… Status Window, can you hear me?"
Suddenly, a soft blue light glowed behind me. I turned quickly, and there appeared a new line before me, glowing with the color of a clear sky:
[ Yes, I hear you clearly. ]
I froze for a moment. I hadn't expected any reply at all. I had thrown those words as if shouting into the void. But now, that void had answered me.
"Do… do I really get a new ability every week?"
I asked eagerly, my voice mixing doubt and hope.
[ Yes, user. You will receive a new ability every week. ]
"And can I choose now? I mean… can I decide when I get it?"
[ Yes, you can. You have the right to select the day you receive the new ability, once per week. ]
I paused briefly. A wave of excitement swept over me, as if something in my life had been asleep and just woke up. I imagined myself gaining superpowers — manipulating time, flying, controlling elements… the possibilities were endless.
But that surge of excitement was quickly cut off by a new message that suddenly appeared:
[ However, user, there is something you must know. ]
I felt a sense of foreboding. Everything beautiful often carries another, more complex side. I asked, trying to stay calm:
"And what is that?"
[ The superpowers you will gain are not equal. Each ability has a category and rank, and there are nine recognized categories. ]
No sooner had I finished reading that line than the words started appearing one after another before me, each category glowing briefly before the next showed up:
[ Category F ]
[ Category D ]
[ Category C ]
[ Category B ]
[ Category A ]
[ Category S ]
[ Category SS ]
[ Category SSS ]
[ Category L ]
I stared at them for a long time, my eyes moving from one letter to the next, from one level to the next. I whispered in astonishment:
"Aren't these categories usually used in animes and games?"
A quick reply came, as if the window was listening to every detail of my thoughts:
[ Something like that… but different. ]
I stared at the classifications that appeared one by one. The categories from F to SSS, then a strange final category… "Category L." The letters were familiar — I had seen them before in animes and games; classifications used to distinguish power, rarity, and excellence. I felt a glimmer of hope… maybe I'd be one of those heroes who get an S-class or higher ability, maybe I'd change this world with my own hands!
Curiosity took hold of me even more, so I said:
"And what's different?"
A new window appeared, as if it had been waiting for this question.
[ Category F consists of ordinary abilities that any human can have, even a child. Example: the ability to count from one to one hundred. The chance of obtaining this category is 80%. ]
I froze in place, my lips trembling from shock. I muttered in disbelief:
"What? Aren't F-class abilities usually stronger than that?"
The window answered calmly, as if speaking of something obvious:
[ It's different in reality. ]
That short reply shattered what was left of my illusions. Its words were like a hammer crushing the ambition that had just begun to grow. Still, the window continued without giving me a chance to catch my breath.
[ Category D is a slightly higher than ordinary category, where anyone can obtain it but with training. Example: the ability to play football professionally. The chance of obtaining this category is 60%. ]
I frowned with a face twisted in confusion and said:
"And what good would that do me?!"
But it completely ignored me, as if it hadn't heard, and mercilessly went on:
[ Category C is obtaining weak abilities that cannot be gained through training. Example: the ability to eat without feeling full. The chance of obtaining this category is 40%. ]
I raised an eyebrow and said with sharp sarcasm:
"And how exactly would I benefit from that ability? Turning into a human fridge?"
As if determined to tear down everything I had built in my imagination, it continued:
[ Category B is obtaining a moderate ability. Example: the ability to boost others' strength by two points. The chance of obtaining this category is 20%. ]
"And why would I want to increase others' strength?!"
I shouted:
"I'm the one who needs strength now, not anyone else!"
But it didn't reply. Instead, the next line instantly appeared on the screen:
[ Category A is obtaining a strong ability. Example: the ability to manipulate and control fire. The chance of obtaining this category is 10%. ]
Only then did my expression start to change:
"Okay… that's an ability worth having."
I said that, trying to gather some hope, but I quickly added with bitter sarcasm:
"But the chance of getting it is almost impossible… especially for me with my bad luck!"
It didn't care about my feelings, and continued:
[ Category S is obtaining unique abilities. Example: the ability to talk to and tame animals. The chance of obtaining this category is 5%. ]
"Wonderful ability, I won't deny it… but I'd have to try for hundreds of years to get it. By then, I'd be a corpse under the ground!"
I said that, feeling the heavy bitter sarcasm coating my tongue.
Then came a new category:
[ Category SS is obtaining a slightly better ability than the unique category. Example: the ability to breathe underwater. The chance of obtaining this category is 3%. ]
I said nothing. I couldn't say anything. I felt like I was getting slapped again and again, powerless.
The cold window mercilessly continued:
[ Category SSS is obtaining a mythical ability. Example: the ability to heal quickly. The chance of obtaining this category is 2%. ]
I remained silent. My eyes followed the line without focus. My mind was trying to grasp these percentages, these slim chances, and these abilities that suddenly seemed… far beyond my reach.
Then came the last category.
[ Category L is obtaining a legendary ability. Example: the ability to go back in time. ]
Here… I didn't utter a word. I didn't scream, didn't protest, didn't comment. I was just a person standing in front of a blue screen, holding the remnants of tattered hope inside, contemplating a fate that almost mocked me.
This status window was a window of secrets… but it was also a window to shatter dreams.