Drowner: Becoming Defekt

[This chapter serves as a compendium of knowledge about the world of the novel and the power system. The information will be revealed throughout the story and is duplicated here for better understanding. As such, it may contain spoilers.]

General information:

Drowners

Drowners are born from individuals overwhelmed by an emotional flood—grief, rage, fear, or despair—that consumes them entirely. Their bodies transform, but their emotions linger as corrupted energy, making them dangerous and unpredictable. The transformation can happen at any age, but young teens around eighteen are the most affected by this so-called abnormality.

Appearance

Drowners' forms could reflect the emotions that overwhelmed them or the environment they were in. For example:

Grief: A Drowner overwhelmed by grief might have a shadowy or spectral appearance, with tears perpetually streaming down their face.

Rage: A Drowner consumed by rage might develop fiery or jagged features, with their body appearing to be in constant motion, like a storm.

Fear: A Drowner created from fear might appear ghostly, with exaggerated features like elongated limbs or hollow eyes, evoking terror in others.

Despair: A Drowner born from despair could appear skeletal or shrouded in darkness, exuding an aura of hopelessness.

Danger Levels (DL)

Danger levels are the categories used to classify Drowners based on their threat.

DL 1-3: Weak, easily avoidable, or contained. These Drowners might roam aimlessly, their energy unstable but not highly threatening. They often display erratic or confused behavior, making them relatively easy to subdue. Any police officer could put an end to them.

DL 4-6: Moderate threat—capable of deliberate attacks. These Drowners demonstrate heightened aggression and often target specific individuals or areas. The SWAT team is more accustomed to taking on such cases, using specialized weapons or containment strategies to neutralize them.

DL 7-9: Highly aggressive, capable of significant destruction or infecting others with their emotional chaos. Drowners in this category can spread their corrupted energy, causing fear or despair in those nearby. This is where the Defense Force Against Drowners (DFAD), or "Blues" as most people call them, come in. DFAD consists of Defekts who risk their lives to protect the public. No normal citizen knows what DFAD really is; the public just knows them as the heroes that protect society. DFAD often employs advanced tactics and teamwork to confront these threats.

DL 10: Catastrophic—legendary Drowners that reshape their surroundings. These Drowners can cause widespread destruction, altering the physical environment or creating storms of emotional chaos. No one is officially authorized to take on such a threat, leaving it to individuals powerful enough to handle them. The aftermath of a DL 10 encounter often leaves scars on the landscape and society.

Defekts

A person on the brink of becoming a Drowner may undergo a transformation if they face their emotions instead of succumbing to them. This act of survival awakens a unique ability tied to the emotion they overcame. However, the public remains hostile toward most Defekts, which is why it's kept secret that the Blues are Defekts. If you become a Defekt, you must surrender yourself to the authorities, or you will be forcefully detained.

Abilities

Defekts' abilities are deeply personal and reflect the emotions they overcame. Examples include:

Overcoming Fear: A Defekt might gain the ability to manipulate shadows or create illusions to confuse enemies.

Overcoming Rage: A Defekt could develop superhuman strength, but only for a brief, controlled burst.

Overcoming Grief: A Defekt might possess the ability to heal others or bring temporary calm to chaotic situations.

Consequences

Each Defekt comes at a cost. Their powers drain them emotionally, and the emotion they faced still lingers, threatening to overtake them if they push too hard. Additionally, every Defekt has a weakness: their powers are stored in the brain and can overload, leading to an effect known as "burnout."

Burnout: This condition causes internal bleeding, headaches, and extreme fatigue. If the individual doesn't stop using their powers, it can lead to death. Training and self-discipline are critical to avoiding burnout, but even seasoned Defekts remain at risk in high-stress situations.

Society's Perception

Defekts are feared and misunderstood by the public. Many see them as unstable or dangerous, associating them with the Drowners they narrowly avoided becoming. This stigma forces most Defekts to live in secrecy, either under the control of DFAD or on the run. The few Defekts who openly defy these norms often find themselves hunted by authorities.