The camera zooms in on a young man in a mechanic's uniform, sitting on a bench with a grease-streaked book in his hands. His name tag reads Ren. He flips through the pages lazily, the title catching the light: History of Nethara. His brow furrows as he reads aloud, his voice low and deliberate.

Narration fades in as he reads:
“Nethara collided with another world—a dark and twisted realm inhabited by demons. We call it the Nether. The merging of these worlds was catastrophic for humanity. The demons, with their insatiable hunger for power, wreaked havoc on our lands. It was a battle that seemed impossible to win. But with determination, humanity endured. We fought through two devastating wars, now known as the First Demon War and the Second Demon War. Thousands of years ago, we emerged victorious, though at a great cost.”

Ren sighs, closing the book for a moment, his brow furrowed. "Why do I have to read this old history again and again?"

Grumbling, he flips past a large section of the book. "I don’t need to know about the wars. I’ve read it all before." He stops at a chapter closer to the present, resuming his reading.

“The world has changed significantly since those wars. Humans and demons have learned to coexist, accepting the merged worlds. Both sides now recognize good and evil within their own ranks. Over time, four powerful factions arose to maintain this delicate peace. The Association specializes in bureaucracy, keeping records and ranking individuals as heroes or criminals. The Heavenly Gate integrates good demons into society while imprisoning the criminal both humans and demoms. The Night Walkers and the Legion focus on combat and maintaining order. Thanks to these factions, our worl-”

Ren slams the book shut and throws it onto the workbench. "Bruh, why do I have to study this stuff again and again? I already know it all."

The sound of the book hitting the bench echoes through the workshop.

“REN! GET BACK TO WORK, YOU BRAT!”

Ren’s boss yells from across the garage, his gruff voice cutting through the clatter of tools.

The camera shows Ren bent over the open hood of a car, his hands smeared with grime. Sweat drips from his brow as he struggles with a stubborn bolt, his wrench slipping. Frustration flashes across his face.

He mutters under his breath, “Why did I ever dream of being one of the strong guys? A good mechanic’s all I’ll ever be...”

The boss yells angrily “REN! STOP WHINING AND FIX THAT ENGINE!”

Ren rolls his eyes but can’t help the small grin tugging at his lips. “Yes, Dad,” he calls back sarcastically.

His boss, an older man with a stern expression softened by a hint of amusement, shouts louder, “I AIN’T YOUR DAD, YOU BRAT!”

Ren chuckles, tightening the bolt with one final twist. “I know, but you’re close enough. See you later, Dad,” he says with a smirk.

“IDIOT!” the boss barks back, though there’s unmistakable warmth in his voice.

The camera lingers on the boss, Grayson Vailor, watching Ren from across the garage. A faint smile forms on his rugged face as he mutters, “That kid...” His eyes drift to the name tag on his own chest, memories flooding back.

The screen fades into a flashback of a snowy night, years ago. A younger Grayson, freshly discharged from the army, stands at his front door. In the dim light of his porch, he sees a small toddler wrapped in a thin blanket, left alone in the cold. The camera focuses on Grayson’s face, hardened by years of service, softening as he bends down to pick up the child.

The scene shifts back to the present, Grayson watching Ren with pride in his eyes. "How much time has passed since then?" he thinks. "That scrawny kid I found has grown into such a fine young man..."

With a huff, Ren grabbed his coat and stepped out into the bustling city streets. The air was cool, laced with the faint aroma of street food and the chatter of people going about their lives. Ren slipped his hands into his pockets, weaving through the crowd until he reached a small, cozy café.

At a corner table, a familiar figure was already waiting—Darian Voss, his best friend and the bane of his patience. Ren smirked as he approached.

“Yo, Dare,” Ren greeted, sliding into the chair across from him.

“Finally! I thought you got lost or something,” Darian said, raising an eyebrow.

“Nah, just taking my time. Gotta let you stew a little,” Ren shot back, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.

Darian chuckled. “You’re lucky I didn’t order without you.”

They chatted casually, their words laced with friendly jabs and laughter.

“So, Ren,” Darian began, leaning back in his chair, “you still stuck fixing cars all day? Or have you finally decided to aim higher?”

Ren rolled his eyes. “Aiming higher is overrated. Besides, someone’s gotta make sure guys like you don’t crash their fancy rides.”

Darian snorted. “Touché.”

When the bill arrived, Darian reached for it without hesitation.

Ren raised an eyebrow, feigning astonishment. “Whoa, hold up. Are my eyes deceiving me, or is the Darian Voss actually paying for me? The stingy cockroach has turned over a new leaf!”

Darian burst into laughter. “What’s with that goofy insult? Stingy cockroach? Seriously?”

“Hey, it suits you,” Ren retorted, leaning back smugly.

“Whatever, you clown.” Darian shook his head, still grinning. “Anyway, I’ve got news. I got promoted—A-Rank now.”

Ren let out an exaggerated whistle. “Damn, looks like our Dare’s ready to play with the big guns.”

“Shut up,” Darian said, rolling his eyes. “What about you, Mr. D-Rank? You can’t even insult me properly with no abilities.”

Ren scowled. “Oh, please. After you, there’s S, SS, SSS, and X. You’re still a baby in the ranks. Don’t act like you’re all that.”

Darian smirked. “Says the guy who’s literally a civilian. Even if you had a weak ability, you’d at least be a C-Ranker by now.”

Ren waved him off. “Whatever, man. At least I don’t have to worry about work and being single.” He made exaggerated hand signs, grinning as he teased. “No girlfriend yet, huh?”

Darian was about to retort when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting instantly. He picked the phone up and answers the call.

“Yes?" He listens to the reason for the call "Ok I’ll be there,” Darian said into the phone, his tone serious. Hanging up, he turned to Ren. “Sorry, bro. Some criminals are attacking nearby. Gotta go.”

Ren nodded, his grin fading. “Take care of yourself, Dare.”

Darian clapped him on the shoulder before rushing out. “You know me—I’ll be fine.”

Ren stayed at the café for a while longer, watching the ebb and flow of the city’s life. His gaze drifted to the waitress, noting how cute she looked. Some girls at a nearby table glanced his way, whispering and giggling, but he pretended not to notice.

Eventually, he stood, slipping back into the streets. The city buzzed with energy, its lights shimmering against the darkening sky. Ren strolled aimlessly, his thoughts as scattered as the stars overhead.

He found himself at the park, settling onto a bench. The night air was peaceful, the world quiet save for the rustling leaves. He gazed up at the night sky, a rare smile gracing his lips.

And then, the peace shattered.

An explosion rocked the ground beneath him, sending a violent tremor through the park. Ren’s heart skipped a beat as he scrambled to his feet, turning toward the source. In the distance, smoke and fire rose against the skyline, screams echoing as civilians fled.

A chill ran down his spine. A group of demons and criminals surged through the streets, wreaking havoc. Panic clawed at his chest as he took a step back, his instincts screaming at him to run.

But before he could move, a shadow loomed behind him. A massive claw grabbed him, lifting him off the ground like a ragdoll.

Pain exploded through his body as he was slammed into a wall. His vision blurred, the world spinning. He looked up, gasping for air, to meet the glowing eyes of a demon staring at him with pure malice.

The demon raised its claw, ready to strike the final blow.

Ren’s mind raced. He was just a mechanic, a D-Ranker. What could he do? His breath hitched, fear paralyzing him.

But then, something inside him snapped.

A surge of energy erupted in his chest, raw and uncontainable. His eyes flared with an eerie blue light as his trembling hands found strength. Ren growled through gritted teeth.

A sudden wave of force exploded outward, blasting the demon off him. The creature hurtled through the air, crashing into the street with a deafening roar.