{CONGRATULATIONS TO UNIVERSE 771. ENERGY LEVELS HAVE REACHED THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD. INTEGRATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM IS APPROVED. NOW COMMENCING ASCENSION.}
{INITIATING COUNTDOWN 10….9….8…}
The system's announcement spread across the world like a spell cast over reality. It was as if the universe had pressed pause, and put all living beings into a deep slumber.
As life on Terra came to a standstill, the planet underwent an extraordinary metamorphosis. Everything changed, from the smallest details to the very foundations of existence.
No one knew how long the transformation lasted. It could have taken seconds, minutes, or an eternity. The only certainty was that when nature resumed its course, the once humble blue jewel was now part of something much larger.
The very fabric of reality had been altered. Humanity had been thrown into a world beyond their understanding, filled with countless challenges and opportunities.
Yet for humans, these changes were still distant and incomprehensible. Most were only just waking up, still disoriented and unaware of the new reality they'd been forcibly merged into.
Inside the Old Forge, a low grunt broke the tranquil atmosphere. A young man in a black and red jersey slowly opened his eyes, his face marked by confusion and curiosity.
"So… I was with Oliver when that strange voice echoed in my head," Jay muttered, struggling to recall. "It talked about a system… ascension… and then everyone passed out."
The term "system" struck a chord. Jay wasn't unfamiliar with the concept. He'd read enough stories to know what it implied. And if any of those stories held truth, then things were about to get complicated.
'At least I wasn't thrown into some unknown, dangerous world,' he thought, relieved to find himself in the familiar arena. At least, he hadn't been tossed into a jungle or some hellish dungeon.
Around him, more people were waking up. Groaning, blinking, staggering to their feet.
Jay stood and scanned the buzzing crowd, hoping to pick up something useful from the scattered conversations.
"What happened? Why did I faint?"
"Hey, what was that voice? … else hear it? What did it mean by ascension?"
"Is this a terrorist …"
"It is over; the … is upon us."
"Shit, why is there no signal here?"
"Does anyone know how long we stayed unconscious?"
"Dad, wake up, please. Someone ...."
"Fuck, I can see. It is … Lord."
The noise grew louder, more chaotic by the second. Soon, it became impossible to hear anything of substance. With a sigh, Jay stopped paying attention to the crowd
'Interesting,' he thought. Most of the chatter was nonsense. Understandable, of course. Everyone was as lost as he was.
Still, something caught his attention. Someone said they could see again.
That wasn't just strange. It should have been impossible.
Prompted by that, Jay checked his own condition. Nothing seemed wrong. In fact, his current state was too good. Not only was the fatigue from his earlier basketball game completely gone, but his physical condition was... way better. It was subtle, but he knew himself too well to miss it.
Before he could investigate further, a soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.
It was Lexie. She was tall, lean, and built like a sprinter. Her platinum hair, stopped just past the shoulders, a few strands brushing over her piercing blue eyes. She wore a fitted black jacket over a jersey in Jay's team colors.
"Hey, Jay. Are you okay?" she asked, walking over with her twin brother, Alex. He was taller and more muscular, with short brown hair and striking golden eyes.
Jay smiled faintly at the sight of familiar faces. "Not bad. You guys?"
"As good as you can be," Lexie replied with a sigh before returning a smile.
"That's something too. What about you, Alex?"
"Fine, I guess. But seriously, what the hell is going on?" he asked, frowning.
"My best guess? We're in trouble," Jay replied, spreading his hands. "Probably related to the strange weather lately. Either way, we need to get out of here. I have to check on Sam and Jess."
"No problem," Alex nodded. If he were in Jay's shoes, he'd be just as worried about Lexie. Fortunately, they were together. "But what about your friend?" He pointed to Oliver, who was still unconscious.
"Not sure." Jay frowned.
Many people were already awake, yet at least half of the crowd remained motionless. It was hard to tell if they simply needed more time or if something more serious was going on.
Still, he couldn't just leave Oliver behind.
He crouched beside him and took his wrist. The moment he did, his face darkened.
Oliver's body was way too cold. And he couldn't feel a pulse.
"What's wrong?" Lexie asked, alarmed by the change in Jay's demeanor.
Jay didn't answer. He tried the other wrist, then checked for breath under Oliver's nose.
Nothing. No pulse. No breath.
'He's dead,' Jay thought, his heart cold.
If the others who remained unconscious were the same. The situation had just gone from strange to horrific.
"What the fuck is going on?" Jay muttered, standing.
Lexie saw his expression and paled. "Let's get out of here." Something was wrong. If Oliver was fine, Jay's reaction wouldn't be so strong.
Jay nodded. Even if it was safe now, it might not be for long.
As if trying to prove him right, the voice returned. The one that started it all. It echoed again in his mind. Its message clearer, louder, more unsettling.
This time, the voice repeated its message three times.
{CONGRATULATIONS!}
{Universe 711 has completed the ascension process.}
{Life world U711X2000D19 has been integrated into realm U711X2000Ω2!}
{Congratulations on stepping into the SYSTEM ERA.}
{Dimension stabilization and System synchronization are in progress. Remaining time: 24:59:59.}
[Mandatory quest: Survive and prove your worth
Rewards: Access to the Class system.
Additional Rewards: Based on individual performance
Good luck!]
The moment the voice faded, chaos erupted.
The people who had remained unconscious suddenly rose. Their eyes were hollow, their movements erratic, and they attacked those around them with mindless ferocity.
On the bleachers, it was carnage. The creatures pounced, and bought their neighbors down before anyone could react.
Onlookers watched in horror as their tore into their victims, the sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart drowning out the cries for help. Some tried to fight back, others fled, but panic reigned supreme. The attackers were too many.
In an instant, the stands were painted red with blood, and the scent of iron hung thick in the air.
Down on the court, things were slightly better. It was more open, less crowded. That slim difference gave them a chance to react.
On Jay's side, as soon as the voice stopped, an overwhelming sense of dread assaulted his mind. His instincts screamed danger, and his heart pounded as he snapped his gaze to Oliver.
To his horror, Oliver was now standing, staring at him with a soulless gaze.
A shiver crawled up Jay's spine as his empty gaze locked onto him.
Inside those eyes, he saw no reason.
As if what was in front of him wasn't Oliver but a crazy and hungry beast that wished nothing but to feast on him.
Instinctively, Jay kicked off the ground, avoiding Oliver's pounce by a hair's breadth.
"Fuck!" he cursed, heart hammering. A second later and he'd have been dead.
Still, it was too early to celebrate. Oliver once again lunged at him. His movements jerky but fast.
With his life on the line, Jay steadied himself. He didn't know what Oliver had become, but he knew what to do.
As Oliver lunged again, Jay stepped aside and punched with all his strength. His fist flew like a bullet, smashing into Oliver's jaw with a sickening crunch and pushing him off the ground.
His body hurtled through the air like a rocket before crashing to the ground.
Jay flexed his fingers, stunned. "What the hell's happening to me?"
He was strong, but this? This wasn't normal. He knew his limits better than anyone. He shouldn't have been able to do that.
But even that wasn't the most shocking part.
Oliver was already getting back up. There was no pain, no hesitation.
"It's not Oliver anymore," Jay whispered bitterly. He had landed a blow that should have put Oliver out cold. Yet, here he was, up, and rushing towards him with the same vigor and aggressivity. "But I guess I changed too."
He steadied himself, preparing for round two, but before he could act, a blur zipped past him. A small blade buried itself in Oliver's forehead. The creature took another step before dropping dead.
"Sorry! I didn't react fast enough!" Lexie called out, strapping the knife holster to her thigh. It was hidden in her jacket lining and it had taken her a few seconds to retrieve.
"Thanks." Jay gave a small nod, eyeing the knife. It was one of Lexie's signature throwing blades. Around them, two more bodies lay still, similar knives inserted in their face.
"We need to move!" she urged, already retrieving her weapons.
Jay scanned the court. Thirty or so monsters rampaged nearby. But they weren't focused on him and the twins. That gave them a chance.
"There!" He pointed to the players' tunnel. "To the locker room. Avoid fighting unless you have to!"
He didn't wait for a reply and simply took off. The situation over there was unknown. But it couldn't be worse than the chaos in the arena.
"It'll be hard," Lexie muttered, racing after him with Alex in tow.
****
Simon's POV
Lately, Simon's life had been a mess. Trouble at work. Rent hikes. Constant fights with his girlfriend.
Today was supposed to be a break. A chance to get away from it all. He hoped a good basketball game would help clear his mind.
It didn't.
At first, it was perfect. The game was exciting. His team won. The crowd was on fire. He even felt happy.
Then, as if the universe wanted to mess with him, everything just went wrong
Everyone blacked out.
Then he regained consciousness, while his girlfriend didn't. He shook her. Called her name. Slapped her cheek. Nothing.
Slowly, panic crept in.
He tried to stay calm, told himself she had just fainted.
However, by the time the voice returned, his mind was already a complete mess. His brain couldn't make sense of what it was saying. He wished he could catch a break.
However, that was a luxury he couldn't afford.
As the message ended, his girlfriend moved. For one fleeting second, hope bloomed in his chest. Unfortunately, it wasn't her anymore
It was a creature dripping with malice. When he saw her eyes, empty and cold, his mind went blank.
Then she pounced. Simon didn't move. His body betrayed him. Paralyzed.
Inside, he screamed. He desperately willed himself to run, to dodge, to do something. But he just stood there.
And then she was on him.
The mouth he once kissed now ripped into his flesh with ravenous hunger. Her teeth tore through his flesh like it was a delicacy. Blood sprayed across the seats.
In a final surge of desperation, Simon found some strength as he lifted his hands and weakly tried to push the creature off him. However, his feeble efforts were futile. Moments later his hand dropped, and he took his last breath.
And Simon was far from being the only one with such a tragic fate.
On this day, humanity once again remembered that long-forgotten feeling.
A primal fear buried deep beneath civilization. One they thought they'd outgrown after climbing to the top of the food chain.
But now, as new hunters stepped on the field, humans were preys once more.
****
Louisa's POV
"Run, Silvi. We need to go. Now!" A black-haired girl shouted, her voice filled with panic, as she dragged her reluctant friend away.
"B… but Caleb is still there. We can't leave him behind, Louisa," Sylvi cried, tears streaming down her face as she tried to turn back.
"No, we can't," Louisa shouted, eyes brimming with tears. Behind them, her father and her brother were fighting two monsters, buying her and Sylvi time to escape.
"I am sorry," she whispered, sobbing. She hated herself. For being weak. For being selfish. For leaving them behind.
She wanted nothing more than to go back.
But deep down, she knew the truth. If she and Sylvi had stayed, they would have only made things worse. Her father and brother were fighting to protect her and Sylvi. Staying would've made their sacrifice meaningless.
Her thoughts spun wildly as she guided Sylvi toward a group she'd noticed earlier.
It was hard not to. Unlike everyone else, who was panicking and holding on for dear life, the three carved a path through the chaos with ruthless efficiency. Any of the creatures that approached them were dealt with swiftly.
She could hardly believe that the three were facing the same creatures that drove everyone to the brink of despair. She had seen how easily the creatures could knock someone down. However, they seemed vulnerable in front of the trio.
Louisa didn't know how or why they were different, and frankly, she didn't care.
The only thought that struck was that they were her and Sylvi's only way out.
"Louisa," Sylvi whispered, still sounding reluctant.
"Not now, Sylvi," she urged, tightening her grip on her friend's wrist. "Let's follow them. Stay close."