Imagination system

The sun had barely risen when Lu Fang, Li Mei, and Li Lan left the shelter behind. Their footsteps echoed through the quiet streets as they walked together, the weight of their shared decision settling on them. They had left the safety of the shelter, but the uncertainty of what lay ahead didn't dampen their spirits. There was something about walking together, away from the people that wanted them gone, which made the future seem a little brighter.

The girls walked close to Lu Fang, their eyes scanning the streets, wary of any threats. They had no destination in mind, just the hope that they would find somewhere safer, somewhere where they could survive without fear.

After a few moments of silence, Lu Fang broke the quiet. "So, what about you two? Do you have family? Anyone you're looking for?"

Li Mei and Li Lan exchanged a glance before Li Mei spoke, her voice soft, yet steady. "We don't have anyone," she said, her eyes distant. "We grew up in the orphanage. We don't even know who our parents are. After the invasion, we ran from Orphanege and hid in a building next to yours, hoping the monsters wouldn't find us."

Li Lan added, her tone more serious than usual, "The orphanage was all we had. But when the invasion hit, it all fell apart. We had to leave, just like everyone else. We've been on our own ever since."

Lu Fang's heart clenched at their words. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like for them, growing up without the love and security of parents. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice filled with empathy. "But you're not alone anymore. We'll stick together. We're a family now."

Li Mei gave him a small, appreciative smile. "A family, huh? That sounds nice."

Li Lan, ever the more playful one, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, does that mean you're going to be our big brother?"

Lu Fang chuckled softly. "I'll be the best big brother you two have ever had."

Li Mei laughed, her eyes sparkling. "You mean the only big brother we have."

Lu Fang smiled at the two of them, the bond between them growing stronger with every word. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged somewhere. They were a family now, and nothing would tear them apart.

As they continued walking down the street, the sun slowly climbed higher in the sky. The warmth of the morning light felt comforting, like a promise of better days ahead. But Lu Fang knew that their journey was far from over. The world had changed, and survival was no longer guaranteed.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and a low growl echoed through the air. Lu Fang's instincts kicked in, his body tensing as he scanned the surroundings. From the alleyway ahead, a small F-rank hyena monster emerged, its eyes glowing with hunger. It wasn't particularly large, but it was fast, and its sharp teeth were bared in a menacing grin as it stalked toward them.

Li Mei and Li Lan's smiles faded as fear crept into their expressions. They had seen monsters before, and this one was no different, but still dangerous.

Lu Fang, however, was anything but afraid. His fists clenched, a fire igniting in his chest. He hadn't fought a monster in days, and he was itching for a challenge. The system's points had been calling for him, and he was hungry for a fight.

"I've been waiting for this," he muttered under his breath, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's do this."

Without warning, he charged forward, his movements swift and precise. The hyena monster lunged at him, but Lu Fang was faster. He dodged its snapping jaws with ease, his body moving with a fluid grace that seemed almost unnatural. In a blur of motion, he closed the distance between them and landed a punch to the hyena's side.

The force of the blow sent the monster flying into the air, its body twisting as it soared high above them. It crashed to the ground with a loud bang, its body limp and lifeless.

The system's voice rang in Lu Fang's mind, its announcement clear 

[5 points awarded for the kill]

Lu Fang wiped the sweat from his face, the rush of the fight still pulsing through his veins. As he stood there, his mind wandered back to the system's voice and the 5 points he had just earned. Unlike most Awakened, who needed experience points (XP) to level up, he only needed imagination points—something that set him apart from the rest. While other Awakened had to kill monster after monster, grinding for XP to advance, Lu Fang's path was simpler, though perhaps more mysterious.

Most Awakened needed years of hard battles and countless kills just to level up a single rank. But for him, every 5 points from a kill was enough to push him to the next minor level—like from low to intermediate within the same rank. While others struggled with the ever-increasing XP requirements to rise through the ranks, his progression seemed oddly easy. His system only required him to gather 5 points per level, never more, no matter how far he went.

Lu Fang's grin widened as he felt the familiar rush of points entering his system. But just as he began to savor the victory, the system's voice interrupted his thoughts.

[Do you wish to use the 5 points to level up from low F-rank to intermediate F-rank?]

Lu Fang hesitated for a moment. He had earned the points, and this was the perfect opportunity to increase his strength. Without wasting any more time, he made his decision.

"Yes," he answered aloud, and the system complied.

[Level-up initiated. F-rank low-rank to F-rank intermediate-rank]

A surge of power coursed through his body. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and a new level of clarity flooded his mind. He could feel the difference immediately—he was stronger, faster, more capable.

The hyenas, however, were far from done. Two more appeared from the shadows, their snarls filling the air. They circled around the trio, their eyes locked on Lu Fang as they prepared to strike.

Lu Fang didn't hesitate. He could feel the power coursing through him now, and he was ready to unleash it. With a single, powerful punch, he struck the first hyena in the face, sending it crashing to the ground. The second hyena lunged at him, but Lu Fang was already in motion. He landed another punch, this time with such force that the hyena's skull cracked under the impact. It crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

[10 points awarded for the kills]

The system's voice echoed in his mind, but Lu Fang barely noticed it. His focus was on the two girls, who were staring at him with wide eyes. They had seen the fight, but they hadn't seen anything like this before.

Lu Fang's grin widened. "That was easy."

Before the girls could respond, Lu Fang's voice shifted, and he spoke to the air around him, as though addressing an invisible audience. "For those of you who are wondering, let me explain how the ranking system works. There are nine main ranks: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS. Each rank is divided into four levels: low, intermediate, advanced, and peak. Once you reach the peak of a rank, you move on to the next rank, like from F-rank to E-rank. It's a simple progression, but it gets a lot more complicated the higher you go."

He paused, his eyes scanning the area, as if waiting for a response that never came. He chuckled to himself, then turned back to the girls, who were looking at him with confusion.

Li Mei furrowed her brow. "Who are you talking to?"

Lu Fang blinked, a little taken aback. "Oh, uh... never mind. It's nothing."

Li Lan tilted her head. "Are you sure? You looked like you were talking to someone."

Lu Fang waved it off with a grin. "Just talking to myself. Let's keep moving."

The girls exchanged a glance but didn't press the matter further. They trusted Lu Fang, and if he said it was nothing, then they would leave it at that.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the horizon, the trio continued on their journey. The streets were quiet now, the danger of the monsters momentarily forgotten. They had survived the day, and that was enough for now.

The world was still a dangerous place, but as long as they had each other, they would keep fighting. Together, they would face whatever came next.

And in that moment, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they felt like a family.