The truck barreled forward, its horn blaring. Children screamed. Time stretched like molasses.

  A status window materialized before Yaw's eyes:

  [Emergency Protocol Activated]

  Title: Angel Sub-Category: Non-Combatant

  HP: 100/100 [CRITICAL] Strength: 1/5 Agility: 1/5 Sense: 0/5 Intelligence: 0/5

  "Do you want to save them, Yaw?" The ancient voice filled his mind.

  "I-I can't! I don't know how—"

  "You can. Accept my power. Become my vessel."

  Yaw looked at the children, frozen in terror. "Yes! Please!"

  Power surged through him. The device transformed, becoming sleek and modern. New notifications flashed:

  [Shadow Protocol Initiated] First Task: Save the children Secondary Task: Survive Reward: 1 BTC + Basic Powers Unlocked

  Yaw moved without thinking. His body felt lighter, faster. He reached the children in what seemed like a single step, gathering them in his arms. The truck passed through where they'd been standing seconds before.

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  "What... what happened?" one child whispered.

  "Run home," Yaw told them. "Quickly!"

  As they scattered, Kofi stared at him from across the street. "Yaw? How did you move so fast?"

  Before Yaw could answer, more notifications appeared:

  [Task Completed] Reward Unlocked New Status: Title: Shadow Vessel (Level 1) HP: 150/150 Strength: 2/5 Agility: 3/5 Sense: 1/5 Intelligence: 1/5 Special Ability Unlocked: Shadow Step (Basic)

  "This power," the voice explained, "is just the beginning. But others will try to stop us. The Celestial System controls this world through their rankings and tests. We offer a different path."

  "Why me?" Yaw asked.

  "Because you understand struggle. Power isn't about birth or wealth – it's about will. Your determination caught our attention."

  Sirens wailed in the distance. "Go," the voice commanded. "Seek Akrobeto tomorrow. He'll explain more."

  As Yaw hurried home, his mind raced. The device – now a sleek tablet – displayed one final message:

  [Daily Tasks Updated] 1. Meet Akrobeto 2. Begin Basic Training 3. Avoid Celestial Detection Reward: Advanced Shadow Powers + 2 BTC

  Miss Fiona was waiting at the door. "I felt the awakening," she said simply. "Come inside. We have much to discuss."

  "You knew about this?"

  She smiled mysteriously. "I've been your guardian in more ways than one. Tomorrow, everything changes. But tonight, you need rest."

  As Yaw lay in bed, the status window flickered in his peripheral vision. He thought about Kwame, the Celestial System, Mr. Akrobeto, and the power now flowing through his veins.

  "Ready to begin?" the voice asked.

  Yaw closed his eyes, feeling the shadow's power pulse through him. "Ready."

  Tomorrow would bring challenges, training, and perhaps answers. But for now, in the darkness of his room, Yaw smiled. He wasn't just the poor scholarship student anymore.

  He was the Shadow's Vessel.

  And this was just the beginning.