Shadow Being System

The morning sun filtered through the cracks in the window, casting soft beams across the room. William stirred, his eyes fluttering open to the familiar surroundings of the orphanage. The faded wallpaper, the creaky wooden floors, and the scent of stale breakfast food—everything felt comforting. For a moment, it was as if the world outside had faded, and he was back in a place where he could simply exist without the constant pressure of his abilities.

His hand reached out instinctively, swiping across the air as if to dismiss something. A notification flashed before his eyes. [50 EXP gained for surviving another day.] He rolled his eyes and dismissed the notification with a thought.

The System's constant reminders were a little too much sometimes, but he had learned to live with them.

With a sigh, William pulled himself out of bed, stretching his arms over his head. His body ached slightly from the previous day's exertion, but it was a good kind of pain. The kind that reminded him he was still alive, still growing stronger. He got up, did some light exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, a few squats to get the blood flowing—and then freshened up in the small, shared bathroom.

By the time he was done, the rest of the orphanage was still asleep, and the silence of the morning was only broken by the distant sounds of the kids rustling in their sleep. William moved quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen.

The caretaker, Mrs. Beth, was already there, preparing breakfast. Her smile was warm, and the smell of eggs and toast filled the air.

"Morning, William," she greeted him, flipping a pancake onto a plate.

"Morning, Mrs. Beth," he replied, his voice soft. "Looks like a good breakfast today."

She chuckled. "Always is, but you seem like you're in a better mood today."

William just shrugged, grabbing a plate and loading it up with food. He wasn't in the mood to explain why. It had been a while since he felt like himself, and the familiar routine of the orphanage, despite its simplicity, had a way of calming his restless mind.

After he finished breakfast, he decided to go out and explore the neighborhood. The cool morning air greeted him as he stepped outside, the streets still empty, save for a few people walking about their business. He took a deep breath, walking slowly and taking in the sights, letting the mundane world of the orphanage fade away for a little while.

It was as he was wandering near the park that he saw him—Sam.

"Sam!" William called out, his face lighting up with a grin.

Sam, who had been sitting on a nearby bench, looked up, his eyes widening in recognition. He jumped to his feet, a grin spreading across his face. "William! I didn't expect to see you here!"

Sam was the same age as William, a childhood friend who had been sent to a military academy the same year William had. He had grown taller, more muscular, and his uniform suggested he had just returned from his training. His sharp eyes were filled with both humor and a touch of mischief, just as they had been when they were kids.

"It's good to see you, man," William said, clapping him on the back. "How's the academy been?"

Sam smirked, scratching the back of his head. "You wouldn't believe it. It's been brutal, man. But honestly, it wasn't all bad. They push you to your limits, make you question everything, and there's some real bonding between the guys. But damn, some of the stuff they make you do is just insane. What about you? I heard you made it to that fancy academy for your powers?"

William hesitated for a moment. "Yeah, I did. It's... complicated. I've learned a lot, but there's a lot of weird stuff going on there, too."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Weird stuff? Like what?"

William glanced around, lowering his voice. "Well, let's just say not everyone there is as they seem. And I'm not sure I trust all of them. But I'm surviving, at least. My abilities... they're a bit different from the others." He didn't want to get into the details of the system or the demons; Sam wouldn't understand that.
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Sam chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, you've always had a knack for finding trouble. But that's the William I know. So, what do you do now? You planning to stick around here for a while?"

"Yeah, for a bit," William replied, his smile fading slightly as he thought about the orphanage. "I've missed it here. Things were... different at the academy, but coming back here feels like I can breathe again."

Sam nodded knowingly. "I get it. This place is home. You know, it's crazy. I thought the academy would make me feel more... I don't know, alive or something. But it didn't. Not like this. Nothing beats the feeling of just being back here with the people who know you best."

William smiled. "Yeah. It's not perfect, but it's home."

They spent the next few hours catching up, reminiscing about their childhood, the mischief they used to get up to, and the way they would always sneak into the abandoned house on the edge of town to try and scare each other. It was strange how little had changed despite everything that had happened. Sam's stories of the academy were wild, filled with drills, harsh instructors, and some of the worst pranks he'd ever experienced. It felt good to laugh, to be normal for once.

Eventually, the conversation wound down. William knew it was time to head back to the orphanage. The afternoon had grown late, and he had things to do.

"Alright, I'm heading back," William said, standing up. "It was good seeing you, man. Don't be a stranger."

"You too, William. Stay out of trouble, alright?" Sam laughed, but there was a hint of seriousness in his voice.

"I'll try," William said with a wink, heading back toward the orphanage.

____________________________________

By the time he returned, the sun was beginning to set, casting an orange hue across the sky. The orphanage was quieter now. The younger kids were still outside, playing tag, while the older ones were inside, helping with chores or reading.

William didn't do much except teach the kids a few tricks—things he'd picked up at the academy—and tell them exaggerated tales of his time there. He made himself the hero in every story, describing impossible feats and daring escapes. The kids laughed and clung to every word, their eyes wide with awe.

As night fell and the orphanage settled into a quiet lull, William finally retreated to his room. He lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling, a smile on his face. The night was peaceful, and for the first time in a long time, William felt at ease. He had missed the simplicity of this place, the sense of community.

But as he drifted off to sleep, a strange sensation washed over him. His consciousness slipped from his body, drawn into a dark, empty void. It was the same place. He recognized it instantly.

The abyss.

The place where he had first accepted the system.

He reached out in the darkness, attempting to communicate with the system, but there was no response. He called out, but only silence answered.

Suddenly, a sound broke the stillness. The clink of heavy chains moving, dragging along the floor. The sound was familiar, something he'd heard in his dreams countless times.

His heart raced, and he instinctively moved toward the sound, playing a game of hot and cold. The closer he got, the louder the chains became, but the more the darkness pressed against him. He could feel the weight of something unseen, something ancient, lurking just beyond his reach.

The closer he got, the colder the air became, his breath forming clouds in front of him. The sound of the chains echoed louder, more intense.

And as he took one more step forward, he knew that whatever was on the other side of the abyss wasn't just a part of his dreams. It was real.

Author's Note: I sincerely apologize for not uploading SBS new chapters for a while now, but i promise that i'll be uploading it now. William is back!!!!