A different reality

It seems that what was engraved in my memories was not an illusion or a dream, but rather, everything was real. My current world has not changed at all, but certain details appeared in my memory that I hadn't realized in reality—details about a game I had played. I found no precise details in my memory about it; all I know is the protagonist of the game, the owner of the "Iron Man Awakening."

Humans and Bardemy remain the foundation of this world and its well-known conflict, but there are some details that cannot be remembered. Looking at the world, very significant changes have occurred; my girlfriend, Niyatialya, never had a relationship with me, and the reason is unknown. Does the change in my memory have anything to do with what happened to her and everyone else? It doesn't matter. I currently feel no desire to be with her, and I don't even know how I was like that before.

Moreover, there are my current problems that I must deal with, and there are many ways to do so. In the current reality I am in, there is a power system that exists fundamentally alongside magic, which is the "Awakening Cards."

Awakening Cards represented the supernatural abilities that every sorcerer in this world seeks. Despite those who learn magic being powerful, the cards remain stronger than everything. Once you obtain a card, you can join a "Party," and within that Party, you will receive money and full support from the members. The name given to the owners of these cards is "Seadles."

There are several types of Awakening Cards: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. The Diamond card is the rarest, with only one in existence. Gold is considered the foundation of power and is what sorcerers seek most to attain greatness.

In short, my previous disgusting reality has become even more disgusting. The real problem is that my life has taken a different path than before; I am still the handsome, intelligent, wonderful, and rich person, but I am "weak" in a world where the primary source of attracting people's attention is power. Without it, you are a mere nobody—no one looks at your face, even if you are me. I can't believe it! This miserable reality has become blessed by the existence of someone like me in it.

In this new reality, I have two choices: the first is to become the strongest and dominate the world, and the second is to become the strongest, impose my dominance on this world as well, and make all humans my slaves. I think the second path appeals to me more.

I am now thinking about my first step; the only one who possesses the solutions to obtain Awakening Cards is me, and the reason is the strange memories that appeared in my mind this morning. There are two paths to obtain a card: the first is to kill the cardholder, and it will then transfer directly to you. The second is to bring it under your control by fulfilling certain summoning conditions through specific rituals written on the card itself. Fortunately, my memory contains all the methods to obtain these cards.

All the keys to power are in my hands. Although the conditions for some cards are difficult, they will never be so for me; someone with my intelligence will win with his eyes closed. The first card I am considering obtaining is the "Spy Awakening" card; a Silver card that is not difficult to get, and I don't know why no one has obtained it until now. The abilities I will gain are stealth, planning, manipulation, and unique combat capabilities.

There was a person standing in front of a large building. He had black hair with some silver streaks and a white mask with facial expressions of someone utterly terrified and fearful. He was wearing the usual black business suit.

He stepped forward slowly until he reached the gate, where some guards intercepted him.

"Sir, do you have an entry permit for this place?" one of the guards asked, blocking his way.

Without saying a word, he pulled a business card from his wallet specific to the place, which also had his picture on it.

"So you work here... we haven't seen you before. Are you new? Please pass through, and sorry for the delay," the guard said with a smile.

He didn't say anything, just nodded to them and entered.

He walked through the corridors until he finally reached his destination: the reception room for new members. There was a platform overlooking a combat arena below, and many people were greedily watching the fight taking place. He stepped forward to look as well;

 there was a defeated person on the ground, and another feeling proud for having toppled his opponent as a new member of the party.

"Man, are you new here? Why all this tension?"

A person standing beside him spoke. He was good-looking, with hair colored in vibrant hues like his eyes, and a wonderful smile of confidence appeared on his calm features.

"Yes... I am..." he replied with extreme coldness.

"Don't worry, these are just welcoming confrontations; winning and losing don't matter. I am called Hildens. I’ve been working here for a long time... and you, may I know your name?"

"I am Irtenfos..."

Meanwhile, the winner's image appeared on the large screen, followed by the next confrontation: (Irtenfos - Prison Awakening) vs. (Dredons - Bomber Awakening).

"It seems it's your turn now... good luck," Hildens said, extending his hand for a handshake.

Irtenfos shook it, saying: "Thank you... I will need that."

After Irtenfos headed to the arena, he found his opponent waiting for him; a man with red hair and features of intense anger and tension, somewhat short in stature, wearing black clothes with a cape.

"You're very late, you piece of garbage... do you think I have enough time to wait for you all day?" Dredons said angrily.

Irtenfos did not move a muscle, which increased his opponent's fury. The referee signaled the start of the battle.

Dredons lunged forward with a wide grin, wanting to vent his anger on the person before him. Suddenly, he collided with iron bars that appeared out of nowhere; he was completely trapped inside an iron prison.

"Is this all you can do? What fool agreed to let a weakling like you join here?" Dredons said, gripping the bars and trying to break them. His body ignited completely, and then...

BAAAAAAAAAAM!

Dredons exploded. Smoke rose, and the temperature gradually increased. He emerged from the smoke without a scratch, but the shock was on his face; the iron bars were completely unaffected.

"How can this be happening?!"

Suddenly, dozens of chains and shackles erupted from the ground and bound him completely.

"Stop this! Fight with honor! How do you call this running a fight?" Dredons shouted helplessly.

BAM! BAM!

He exploded himself repeatedly, trying to escape to no avail; the shackles were unbreakable.

"I am not running; I am defending myself and doing my job. You are the one here unable to kill me, and I am the winner of this game," Irtenfos spoke in a very clear voice after a long silence.

Irtenfos's image appeared on the screen as the winner.

"What? It's not over yet! I can get out!" Dredons screamed, but the result was decided; this prison can never be broken, no matter how strong the person inside is.

Despite his victory, Irtenfos did not smile, as if it were natural. His true goal was not joining the party to imprison people, but to imprison ideas and information. He had come from three years of failure where he had only imprisone

d five cards, so he entered the lair of the "Seadles" to end this world from the inside.