1: Chapter 1 SSS-level Talent

The year is 2188 AD. In the classroom of Class 12-9 at Yunlan City's Third High School, sunlight streamed through the windows onto the desks, and the air was thick with restlessness and anticipation.

A hundred years ago, the game 'origin' suddenly merged with reality. The Blue Star's territory expanded hundreds of times over, dungeons randomly spawned in city corners, and ferocious beasts roamed everywhere. Equipment could be obtained from dungeons and beasts alike, officially ushering in the era of universal digitization.

For the high school graduates who had reached eighteen years of age, today was a day of paramount importance—Awakening Day.

They would use the Origin Crystal Ball to unlock their digitized status panels and enter the Temple of Origin to complete their class advancement.

Su Chen sat by the window, his fingertips lightly stroking the desk. His gaze was calm, yet it harbored a faint, imperceptible trace of expectation.

He was a transmigrator who had been lying low for eighteen whole years in Yunlan City, known as the 'Hometown of Kings.'

The two and a half years of high school training had stripped away his youthful naivety, making him increasingly composed.

“Su Chen, it's your turn.” A crisp, somewhat cold and elegant voice rang out.

Su Chen looked up to see Jiang Shuang standing beside the Origin Crystal Ball at the front of the classroom. Her long, straight legs were encased in black stockings, and her professional attire accentuated her outstanding temperament. She was the beautiful teacher in charge of this awakening ceremony.

“Coming, Teacher Jiang.” Su Chen stood up and walked steadily toward the podium.

The surrounding students cast envious glances, some whispering: “I wonder what talent Su Chen will awaken. I heard that last year a senior awakened an A-rank talent and was immediately snatched up by a top guild.”

“Su Chen is usually so low-key; maybe he’s a hidden powerhouse.”

Su Chen ignored the surrounding noise and walked up to the crystal ball.

The crystal ball was pure white, emitting a soft glimmer with faint streams of data flowing across its surface.

“Place your hand on the crystal ball, concentrate, and don't resist,” Jiang Shuang’s voice sounded at the right moment, her tone professional.

Su Chen nodded and slowly placed his right hand on the crystal ball.

The moment his fingertips touched it, a surge of warm energy flowed into his body, instantly spreading throughout his entire being.

He could clearly feel his body being reshaped by some kind of power, with countless data points flowing before his eyes.

[Ding! Detected that the host has reached 18 years of age and meets the awakening conditions. Digitized panel unlocked!]

[Host: Su Chen]

[Level: 1 (Unclassed)]

[HP: 100/100]

[MP: 50/50]

[Attack: 10]

[Defense: 5]

[Agility: 12]

[Talent: Not Acquired]

[Items: None]

[Digitization complete. Teleporting to the Temple of Origin...]

The scene before his eyes shifted instantly. Su Chen found himself inside a magnificent temple. The dome was embedded with countless glowing gems, and the air was filled with a sacred aura.

[Ding! Arrived at the Temple of Origin. Randomly drawing talent...]

[Draw successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the SSS-rank talent—[Hand of Heaven Stealing]!]

Golden light bloomed before Su Chen’s eyes as a talent panel slowly emerged, clearly displaying the talent's effects.

[Talent: Hand of Heaven Stealing (SSS-rank)]

[Effect 1 (Active): Ignore target grade, 100% chance to randomly steal one item (Cooldown: 24 hours)]

[Effect 2 (Passive): Attacks trigger [Sleight of Hand]. The chance to steal an item depends on the target's level/grade]

Su Chen’s pupils constricted slightly as a tidal wave of shock surged within him.

He knew very well that SSS-rank talents were the highest grade in the game, extremely rare throughout the history of Blue Star.

And this [Hand of Heaven Stealing] talent was terrifyingly overpowered—it ignored grades and could steal anything!

“Theoretically, as long as the cooldown is up, I could even steal Divinity, other people's classes, or even other talents.” Su Chen took a deep breath, forcing down his excitement and calmly analyzing, “This is a rule-breaking ability. If used properly, the future is limitless.”

Just then, a soft yet majestic light descended from the heavens, and an angel dressed in a pure white holy robe appeared before Su Chen.

She had long golden hair and an exquisite face. A pair of pure white wings slowly unfurled behind her, and her body radiated a Mythic-tier aura.

“I am the Guiding Angel, Shanoia. By the order of the Temple of Origin, I shall guide you toward your class path.” The angel's voice was sacred and ethereal, devoid of any impurities.

Su Chen’s gaze sharpened. He could feel that although the Shanoia before him was only an avatar, her grade reached the Mythic tier, far surpassing ordinary NPCs.

[Ding! Guiding Angel, Shanoia (Avatar). Grade: Mythic. Duty: Guiding transmigrators in choosing a class]

“Please choose your class. There are three options available to you.” Shanoia raised her hand, and three beams of light landed in front of Su Chen, forming three class panels.

On the first panel was a knight in heavy armor holding a longsword. The panel read: [Knight (Common)], Role: Tank, excels in defense and team support. Skills: Taunt, Defensive Stance.

On the second panel was a warrior covered in bloodlust holding a giant axe, his eyes violent: [Berserker (Epic)], Role: High Damage, sacrifices HP for massive attack power. Skills: Blood Rage, Berserk Strike.

On the third panel was a ghost-like assassin dressed in black, holding short blades with extreme speed: [Phantom Assassin (Epic)], Role: Melee Damage, excels in high-speed raids and stealth. Skills: Phantom Clone, Critical Strike.

Su Chen’s gaze quickly scanned the three classes, and he made a judgment in an instant.

The Knight’s defense was strong, but its attack speed was too slow to trigger the passive;

The Berserker had high damage but required sacrificing HP, which was too risky;

But the Phantom Assassin's greatest advantage was its extreme speed and high attack frequency.

“High attack speed is the only way to maximize the passive effect of [Hand of Heaven Stealing]. Phantom Assassin is the class that fits my talent best.”

Su Chen did not hesitate and pointed to the third panel: “I choose Phantom Assassin.”

[Ding! Class selection successful. Host has advanced to Phantom Assassin (Epic)]

[Level: 1 (Phantom Assassin)]

[HP: 120/120]

[MP: 70/70]

[Attack: 15]

[Defense: 8]

[Agility: 20]

[Skills: Phantom Clone (10 min cooldown), Critical Strike (5 min cooldown)]

With the class advancement complete, Su Chen’s aura became swifter, and a faint assassin’s presence lingered around him.

However, his gaze did not shift away from the Guiding Angel, Shanoia.

A Mythic-tier avatar must possess extraordinary items—perhaps Divine Artifact fragments, rare tools, or even secrets regarding the Temple of Origin.

The corners of Su Chen’s mouth curled into a faint arc, and an extremely bold idea rose in his heart.

He looked at Shanoia’s exquisite face, his fingertips twitching slightly. The active effect of [Hand of Heaven Stealing] was already quietly prepared.

“Ignore grades, 100% steal...” Su Chen murmured in his heart, a flash of ambition crossing his eyes. “Since it’s the first time using it, I might as well try it on the highest-tier target possible.”