A Once Reader

Chapter 1: The waiting game

Lillia had spent years in this world, blending in, mastering its rules, and keeping herself hidden. When she first opened her eyes in a place she had only known from the pages of a manhwa, confusion had nearly consumed her. But she adapted. She learned. And most importantly, she waited.

She wasn't just an observer anymore. This world of awakened beings, of power struggles and unshakable destinies, was now her reality. She had worked relentlessly, rising through the ranks, making sure no one questioned her presence. To the awakened world, she was simply another powerful figure—one who had chosen to remain in the shadows. She kept her distance from the key players, resisting the urge to interfere too soon. The moment had to be right. The story needed to start before she made her move.

Now, standing atop a rooftop, she could feel it. The shift. The pull of something inevitable. The night air buzzed with energy, a tension that set her nerves alight. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for.

Her violet eyes scanned the streets below, tracing the signatures of powerful awakeners moving through the city. She recognized some of them—rising talents, dangerous enemies, those who would soon become significant players in the unfolding story. But one presence, in particular, caught her attention.

Kayden.

A smirk tugged at her lips. The infamous recluse, the living legend. She had been watching him for years, always from a distance. He had no idea she existed—not yet. But that was going to change.

Golden energy crackled at her fingertips as she flexed her hand, the power humming beneath her skin. The question wasn't whether she would step into the story. It was *when*.

A flicker of movement behind her snapped her focus. She didn't turn—there was no need. Her senses had already locked onto the presence.

A cat sat a few feet away, its posture poised, its gaze sharp and knowing. But Lillia wasn't fooled. She knew exactly who was looking at her.

A slow smile curved her lips. "You're not just some stray, are you?"

The cat didn't move, didn't blink. Then, a voice—smooth, unreadable, and laced with amusement—echoed in her mind.

"You're interesting."

Lillia let out a soft chuckle, crossing her arms. "So are you."

Finally. After years of waiting, the story was about to begin—and this time, she was going to be part of it.