What the hell is that… a disaster countdown?"
"I'm in the White Eagle Nation, and there's some kind of doomsday timer floating in the sky."
"You're kidding, right? I'm in Great Xian and I can see it too."
"Same here in the Ice Bear Federation."
Across the globe, everyone looked up at the heavens and saw the same sight—a row of colossal, glowing letters hanging in the air, impossible to ignore. The words 'Disaster Countdown' felt like a sword suspended above the heads of all humanity, its blade slowly dropping, time ticking away second by second. The mood worldwide shifted into something tense, heavy… suffocating.
Tony stood by his window in New Haven, his expression unreadable as his eyes locked on the sky. "Disaster countdown…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Memories stirred—the message he'd received during his Awakening surfaced in his mind. The arrival of Transcendent Light, awakening every human, was both a blessing and a curse. With it came opportunity, power, a future full of possibilities. But light always cast shadows. The influx of extraordinary energy would attract savage entities from beyond their world, bringing with them terrifying calamities that humanity couldn't hope to ignore.
It was inevitable. A trial by fire the planet would have to survive or perish in.
"Demonic beasts…" Tony recalled the three monsters he'd slaughtered in the hospital not long ago, their bodies wreathed in oily, black smoke. The goblins that attacked New Haven University had carried that same malevolent aura. Was that what a 'demonized monster' truly was?
He glanced again at the glowing countdown. Ninety days left. It sounded like a long time, yet it wasn't—not when they had no idea how strong these things would be. Anything called a "calamity" wasn't something to take lightly.
And Ghost-Class? What the hell did that even mean? The classification gave him nothing solid to work with. He shook his head with a faint sigh. "Too many unknowns. Useless to speculate now."
A yawn escaped his lips. "Forget it. I need sleep."
He stripped off his battle-worn gear, washed off the grime of hours spent inside the dungeon, and all but collapsed into bed. After ten relentless hours fighting tooth and nail, even his iron will had limits. Whatever apocalyptic nightmare was coming could wait until morning.
New Haven, Pinghu District.
A sleek black sedan pulled up in front of a nondescript building. The woman who stepped out radiated a sharp, commanding presence. Short hair, dark blue business skirt, and eyes that swept over her surroundings with professional precision. Despite the building's bare facade, no nameplate or sign indicating what it was, she walked inside without hesitation.
"Welcome to the New Haven Transcendent Management Bureau," the young receptionist greeted with a bright smile.
"My name is Jiang Yu. Reporting for duty," the woman said crisply.
"Ms. Jiang? Director Liao is waiting for you on the third floor."
Jiang Yu gave a curt nod.
The government of Great Xian had reacted faster than anyone could have imagined. Even though Awakening swept the world in the dead of night, emergency protocols were enacted within hours. Transcendent Management Bureaus sprang up in every city, tasked first and foremost with gathering intel on the awakened population.
Public servants were prioritized for assessment. Jiang Yu, a career professional, had received her orders immediately. She hadn't hesitated to report her Awakening. The moment they saw her SS-ranked talent, she was fast-tracked into this brand-new organization.
She had no objections. Orders were orders.
On the third floor, she entered an office where a slightly overweight middle-aged man greeted her warmly. "Ms. Jiang, welcome. From today on, you'll be the captain of the First Enforcement Division. No issues with that, I hope?" Liao Xuefeng's tone was unfailingly polite.
The Bureau had two arms—combat units and administration. Their command chains were separate, and no amount of bureaucratic clout could let a pen-pusher boss around someone who was expected to throw themselves into battle with monsters and rogue Awakened criminals. The Director's seat was still empty, as was the Chief of Enforcement. Even as Deputy Director, Liao knew better than to be arrogant.
"I'll comply with the appointment," Jiang Yu said firmly. "Does New Haven have any priority cases? Monster exterminations, perhaps, or rogue Awakened causing trouble?"
Spatial rifts were still sporadically opening around the city. People had already died. And stories of newly Awakened abusing their powers for crime were popping up daily.
But Liao waved her concerns aside. "No need to rush into that. Others can handle the minor cases." His expression shifted to something… odd. "Your primary task right now is to meet someone. He claims to be… a reborn individual."
Jiang Yu blinked. "Reborn? Are you joking?"
Leaving the office minutes later, she was still struggling to process what she'd just heard. It was absurd. A time traveler? A man claiming to have lived through the future and returned to the past? Before Awakening, she would've laughed outright and called the person insane.
But now? After everything she'd witnessed in just the past twelve hours? Nothing felt impossible anymore.
And this wasn't some lunatic shouting on a street corner. This man had provided information about dungeons long before they were publicly cleared, details no one could've known without experiencing the future—or manipulating time itself. It wasn't enough to prove his claim, but it wasn't nothing either.
Jiang Yu's task was simple on paper: meet the man, assess his truthfulness, and judge whether his claim had weight.
She glanced down at the glowing panel only she could see.
Talent: Absolute Edict (SS)
Effect One: Attribute Amplification (SS-tier, all attributes receive enhanced growth)
Effect Two: Golden Commandment (User can establish temporary laws within a set range, forcing targets to comply)
One of the most terrifying support-combat talents imaginable. With it, she could literally lay down laws in battle, enforcing truth, forbidding violence, binding actions. A perfect tool for interrogation.
"Let's hope this works," she muttered, heading toward the city's Public Security Bureau.
The man waiting for her in the interrogation room was pale and tense, his expression clouded with something darker than fear. Before she could even introduce herself, he spoke, his words striking her like a physical blow.
"I know you. Jiang Yu, the so-called 'Queen of Law.' SS-ranked talent: Absolute Edict." His lips curled in something like a sad smile. "Such a shame… you die in the Dark Uprising one year from now. Such a waste. You would've been a powerful ally."
Jiang Yu froze, breath catching in her throat. What?
The chill that ran down her spine was ice cold and relentless. Knowing the exact date of her death? The name of a future event no one had ever mentioned? This wasn't something you could bluff with a guess.
She swallowed hard, suppressing the tidal wave of questions threatening to spill out. Slowly, she raised her hand, summoning the edict's power.
"Law of Privacy: This room cannot be watched." A shimmer of energy sealed the space, killing cameras and recorders alike. Then, a second wave of power flowed toward the man. "Law of Truth: You cannot lie."
The effort drained her instantly, the second law chewing through her stamina like a hungry beast. Zero-tier or not, the power of her talent came with a cost.
The man only gave a faint, almost pitying smile. "Your laws barely scratch me. But if it helps you trust me, go ahead."
Her pupils tightened. "SSS-ranked talent…? Is that what you're saying?"
He gave a bitter chuckle. "What else could let me return from the future? Don't doubt it—I have no reason to lie. I've come back to change what's coming. I'm here to cooperate with your government, to stop the end that awaits us all."
His gaze hardened with conviction. "To prove my sincerity… I'll show you my talent panel."