The city still smelled of ash.
Ruined streets stretched for miles, littered with debris and blood. Broken weapons lay beside unclaimed corpses. The cries of survivors echoed through the air, a bitter chorus of grief and fear.
And yet, amidst the ruin, banners rose. The governments of the world were quick to act, quick to spin the bloodbath into something palatable. They named it humanity's First Victory Against the Invaders. Memorials were planned, songs composed, and statues promised for the "heroes" who had stood against the unknown.
The people wanted to believe. They needed to believe.
But Yu Chen knew better.
From the dusty library window, Yu Chen looked down at the bustling crowd. Weeks had passed since the invasion ended, yet the streets were more alive than ever. Recruitment stations filled the avenues. Loudspeakers blared propaganda, encouraging the youth to awaken their potential, to join the fight, to protect Earth.
Militaries across the globe pooled resources, rushing to establish the first Awakening Academies---training grounds meant to shape the gifted into soldiers. Laboratories opened, dissecting the corpses of fallen invaders, seeking technology, secrets, anything that might give humanity an edge.
The world was finally moving.
But Yu Chen's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.
"Moving bitterly," he muttered.
[STATUS PANEL - DAY 1]
NAME: Yu Chen
AGE: 36
STRENGTH: 27,000
CONSTITUTION: 26,500
AGILITY: 26,000
INTELLIGENCE: 25,500
POTENTIAL: LIMITLESS
He compared his numbers to what he has seen in the awakened fighters. The strongest of them, those hailed as "heroes", had barely reached 200 strength during the invasion. Some prodigies touched 300.
But in front of the next wave?
Ants.
And the world was preparing as though this fragile defense was enough.
Yu Chen's days as custodian grew busier. The once quiet library had become a hub of study. Scholars, researchers, and newly awakened soldiers came and went, searching for knowledge. Books on strategy, physics, mythology---anything that might hold secrets to fighting the unknown---were pulled from the shelves at frantic pace.
Few noticed the quiet man sweeping in the corner, eyes lowered, ears sharp. No one suspected that the one who tidied the halls knew more than their brightest generals.
One evening, as dusk painted the horizon, Yu Chen stood before the memorial square.
Names were carved into obsidian pillar---thousands of dead awakened and ordinary citizens alike. Families wept as they traced trembling fingers over the letters. Leaders gave speeches about courage, sacrifice, and humanity's dawn.
Yu Chen listened in silence. His intelligence stat let him see the cracks behind the speeches---the hidden fear in general's eyes, the desperation in politicians' voices, the subtle tremors of a civilization clinging to fragile hope.
"They celebrate survival as though it were victory," Yu Chen thought. "But survival against scouts is not victory. It is only the beginning of a longer war."
In the months that followed, the world's arrogance grew.
Tournaments were held to showcase awakened talent. The strongest young fighters strutted with confidence, believing themselves the future saviors of mankind. Governments poured resources into weapon research, attempting to merge awakened powers with machines. Secret alliances were forged between nations, each vying to claim supremacy when the next invasion came.
Humanity's unity was already fracturing.
And Yu Chen knew it would cost them dearly.
Late at night, when the city was quiet, Yu Chen continued his work. By lamplight, he filled notebooks with detailed analysis: the anatomy of invader corpses, the flaws in awakened formations, the potential growth path of human powers.
He worked like a shadow historian, recording everything others were too blinded to see.
"The world sharpens its swords," he whispered, closing a worn book, "but they forget the enemy's blade is already sharper."
His eyes darkened, as though glimpsing the inevitable future.
"The Second Wave will come.... and humanity will bleed again."
---End of Chapter 4---