Me and My Overpowered Abilities

In just a month, the world underwent massive changes. The global earthquake that shook the planet had left destruction in its wake, but it also brought something unexpected: monsters. These creatures emerged from the fissures, and at first, it seemed like a catastrophe. But governments around the world quickly discovered that these monsters were, in fact, a treasure trove.

Killing the monsters yielded what the system called monster cores. Although the cores initially dropped were of the lowest grade, F-grade, their potential was undeniable. Even these low-grade cores held enough energy to power a household for an entire day. However, their real value lay in their ability to enhance people's growth. Monster cores could be used to level up skills, a priceless resource once their true worth was understood.

Suddenly, hunting monsters wasn't seen as a burden—it became an opportunity. Those hungry for power, wealth, or both dove headfirst into the fray, slaughtering monsters in droves. Of course, governments around the world quickly stepped in, demanding their share of the loot. In some places, their greed caused tension, sparking unrest among the people.

Within a week, all the monsters around the world had been eradicated. With the immediate threat eliminated, attention shifted to rebuilding. Governments prioritized restoring homes and infrastructure, focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of their citizens.

An empire is nothing without its people. And with Earth undergoing such rapid changes, smart leaders understood that demonstrating care for their citizens was crucial for maintaining stability and order.

As dark as the human heart could be, it is often in moments of despair and hopelessness that one finds their faith in humanity restored. Across the world, people came together to rebuild homes and support those in need. It was a sight that warmed even the coldest hearts, a reminder of the resilience and kindness that humanity is capable of.

The elderly, who had lost everything to the earthquake, found solace in the company of the young. These young people sat with them, shared meals, and offered companionship. Meanwhile, children who had been left with nothing were comforted by the older generation, who went out of their way to bring smiles back to their faces.

Firefighters, police officers, and countless others worked tirelessly, putting their lives on the line to help wherever they were needed. Even those who were often labeled as "bad", gangsters and outcasts, stepped up in this time of crisis, showing that compassion can come from the most unexpected places.

This was the beauty of humanity: its ability to unite in the face of disaster. Yet, as beautiful as it was, not all humans were so kind.

Those fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to survive the monster attacks and manage to kill a monster soon discovered something terrifying: taking a life granted XP.

Naturally, curiosity got the better of some, and they wondered what would happen if they killed a human. Among them were those with unique job classes like [Necromancer] and others that thrived on death, reaping immense benefits from killing. These individuals had little hesitation about taking that step.

In the end, it wasn't the earthquake or the monster attacks that claimed the most lives—it was humanity itself. Worldwide, hundreds of millions died at the hands of others, victims of those seeking power at any cost. Small groups of like-minded individuals began banding together, forming organized factions devoted to murder and chaos. These evil organizations quickly drew the attention of governments, forcing authorities to intervene before they could grow too large to handle. The world descended into a state of chaos.

It took six long months for Earth to regain a semblance of peace. Those months were marked by disaster after disaster: earthquakes, monster attacks, human massacres, dungeon appearances, and even dungeon outbreaks. Yet, somehow, humanity adapted. Systems were built, governments reorganized, and order was restored—at least, to a degree.

"So, the college is called Zenith now? That's gonna take some getting used to," one student said, staring at the newly rebuilt campus. The original building had been old and run-down, so it wasn't surprising that it had been one of the many structures destroyed during the earthquake.

"Yeah, I wonder who made it out... Damn, Caseoh really did a number on the whole planet," another student said, smirking. A few others laughed, glancing at a redhead nearby.

Caseoh was the nickname they'd given Adam.

"Careful," someone else chimed in with a grin. "He might eat you."

Their laughter rang out, but Adam, who could hear every word thanks to his enhanced senses, didn't react. He'd heard far worse over the years.

He still remembered the time someone jokingly called the police on him, claiming he was rolling around in his bed without a passport. That was the day Adam learned about border crossing and how it was, apparently, illegal. Of course, he'd never crossed a border in his life—it was just another cruel joke at his expense.

No one really noticed any difference in Adam. After six months of working out, he had managed to lose a significant amount of weight, but the transformation was hidden beneath the oversized hoodie he always wore. Adam liked hoodies; they helped him blend into the background, unnoticed and unbothered.

"What a pain," Adam muttered, his eyes fixed on the phone in his hand. The screen displayed updates about changes to the classes.

Since the world had transformed, students were now being given opportunities to align their studies and activities with their job classes—an attempt to better integrate the new reality into everyday life.

"I can't believe they didn't arrest you. After causing that huge-ass earthquake, they're just letting you walk around?" a young man said, approaching Adam with a smirk.

Adam glanced at him. His name was Mark. They had gone to the same high school, and now they were attending the same college. Mark had been one of many who made Adam's high school years a living hell. In fact, when Adam thought about it, everyone had made his high school life miserable. Unlike most people, who at least had a few friends or connections to lean on, Adam had been completely alone.

With everything the Earth had just gone through, the earthquakes, and the monster attacks, it wasn't surprising that people needed a way to vent. Unfortunately, that often meant bullying was getting worse. For some, cruelty was their only outlet.

"Enough! There will be no bullying here," a firm voice called out, cutting through the tension.

All eyes turned to the speaker, a blonde-haired woman who was new to the college. Her striking beauty commanded attention, and it didn't take long for some of the wealthier young men to set their sights on her, already fantasizing about winning her over.

Adam glanced briefly at her before turning away, uninterested in the situation—or the people around him. Without a word, he walked off, ignoring everyone, including the blonde woman.

She frowned as she watched him leave, her sharp gaze shifting to Mark. She quickly marked him as a troublemaker but also made a mental note to keep an eye on Adam. 

Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to follow him discreetly. What she discovered left her both horrified and slightly impressed. It seemed almost everyone at the college had nicknames for Adam, Moon Eater, Caseoh, Skunk Eater, Earthshaker, Poop Factory, Final Boss of Diet, The Reason World Hunger Still Exists, and the list went on.

The sheer volume of nicknames was overwhelming. On one hand, it was a testament to how relentless the bullying was. On the other, she couldn't help but be mildly impressed by their creativity.

Yet, despite it all, Adam seemed unfazed. His hands stayed buried in the pockets of his hoodie as he walked with calm indifference. People parted to let him pass, holding their noses and grimacing, even though he didn't smell at all.

***

After College

College was often a time when people indulged in their desires and pushed boundaries. Of course, not every college was like that, but at the newly named Zenith College, wild parties were commonplace. Rumors often spread about students—guys or girls—who ended up in compromising situations, with stories of hookups or even videos occasionally making their way around campus.

For many students, these years would become memories they'd later hope would never resurface to haunt them. Among those students was a girl named Blessing.

Blessing was known for her wild, carefree nature. She loved partying, and if there was a party on campus, chances were she'd be there—usually drunk and having the time of her life. Her reputation wasn't spotless, either. There were undoubtedly videos circulating on someone's phone, showing her in less-than-flattering situations. Some rumored videos even depicted her in bed with more than one guy or in group situations where everyone was "having fun."

With no parties happening, Blessing found herself craving a drink and some fun. If there weren't any parties, the next best option was simple: hit the bar, find a stranger, and enjoy a one-night stand. One-night stands were perfect—no strings attached, just pleasure, and then both parties went their separate ways.

She made her way to the bar, scanning the room for someone who looked like they could afford to buy her a few drinks. Her gaze quickly settled on a red-haired man sitting alone. He was dressed in simple but clean clothing, slightly chubby but tall.

What caught her attention most, though, was the quality of his outfit. It wasn't cheap, meaning he could probably afford her drinks—and then some.

She walked over with confidence and slid onto the seat next to the redhead. He turned to look at her, and she greeted him with a warm smile, fluttering her eyelashes playfully.

"What?" Adam asked, his tone genuinely confused as he stared at her. The question caught her off guard for a moment. 

Blessing wasn't expecting such a blunt reaction, but it wasn't entirely new to her. It simply meant this guy wasn't great at picking up hints.

"Nothing, it's not every day I get to meet someone so handsome. I'm Blessing, by the way," she said with a charming smile, her tone playful.

"I'm not handsome," Adam replied casually, taking a sip from the wine in his glass.

"What?" Blessing asked, momentarily caught off guard by his blunt response.

"Nothing. Thank you," Adam said lazily, his tone indifferent.

He knew he wasn't handsome, not by conventional standards. Even if he lost all the weight and sculpted the perfect physique, at best, he'd be an average-looking guy with a nice body. He wasn't fishing for compliments—he was simply stating what he believed to be true.

Adam had also ditched his hoodie, realizing it made him too recognizable. Without it, people would rarely connect him to the infamous "Caseoh." 

"Don't say that—you're handsome. I approached you for a reason," Blessing said with a confident smile, causing Adam to glance at her again, this time with a faint flicker of curiosity.

"I thought it was because you wanted drinks," Adam replied bluntly, his expression unreadable.

"That too," she admitted with a small laugh. "I want to get wasted before we head back to my place. The past six months have been absolute hell, so let's talk... and from there, we'll see where things take us." Her tone was light, almost nonchalant, but her intent was clear.

"You just want to get wasted and have sex," Adam said bluntly as he finished the glass of wine in front of him. His words made Blessing sigh softly, realizing that she probably wasn't going to convince him to come home with her after all.

But before she could respond, Adam smirked faintly. "So, skip the small talk. Let's get drunk."

Surprised, Blessing raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment.

You thought he was going to reject her? No, Adam didn't value himself that highly. In truth, the idea of sleeping with someone, anyone, was appealing to him. Adam didn't value himself so highly to have standards.

"Now you're speaking my language," Blessing said with a grin, and the two went on to order a few drinks.

As for where Adam got the money? It was simple. The government had started handing out monthly paychecks as part of the recovery efforts. Anyone could apply, and once approved, they'd receive payments every month.

Adam had signed up without hesitation, and now he was using that money.