SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Novel – Rain fell like someone upstairs had finally given up on holding it together. Leon stood near the rooftop edge, hoodie soaked, phone dead, hope long buried beneath six layers of sarcasm and emotional damage. This was supposed to be his thinking spot. The high ground. A quiet place to question life, contemplate dropping out and maybe scream into the void like a normal emotionally repressed teenager. But the void had other plans.
The rusted door creaked open behind him. ‘Oh no.’ ‘Please not him.’ “Yo,” Devon’s voice sang, smooth and stupid. “You always come up here when you’re brooding. Kinda hot, honestly.” Leon turned his head very slowly. The look on his face could kill crops. There he was—Devon—his stepbrother of three months. Wearing an unbuttoned shirt that revealed more chest than decency allowed, and a smirk that belonged in a government watchlist.
Leon’s soul attempted to leave his body. “You again?” he muttered. Devon leaned on the railing beside him, way too close. “Don’t act like you’re not happy to see me.” “I’m happier when I have food poisoning.” Devon grinned. “You’ve got that ‘traumatized main character’ vibe today. Real mysterious. I like it.” Leon stared at him like he was an unexpected final boss. “You know what I like? Personal space.
Have you ever heard of that, or did your parents raise you inside someone else’s lap?” Devon chuckled. “You’ve got such a sharp tongue, Leon. Bet it’d be fun if you used it properly.” Leon’s eye twitched. “You’re flirting with me,” he said, blinking slowly. “Again.” “I flirt with everyone,” Devon said casually. “But you’re the only one that makes it interesting.” “I am your stepbrother and I don’t like men.” “We’re not blood-related” Devon ignored the other thing he said, as he thought would open up soon enough. “I don’t care if we were raised in separate timelines.
You came into this family the moment your dad married my mom. That makes this weird. You trying to make this weird-er is illegal in three countries and morally disgusting in all of them.” Devon sighed dramatically. “You say that now, but in all the best stories—” Leon pointed at him. “Finish that sentence and I’m pushing you off this roof.” Thunder growled overhead as the universe agreed with him. Leon turned back toward the city. Rain plastered his hair to his face. This was fine. He could pretend Devon didn’t exist. He could survive the apocalypse if needed.
He just had to— Crack. Lightning split the sky. His instincts screamed—too late. The bolt slammed down like the judgment of a very done god. Straight into Leon. Pain exploded across every nerve like he’d been slapped by the heavens with interest. His feet left the ground. Everything turned blinding white.