Jest and Ed moved deeper into the W building — the heart of Manila, home to a tech company specializing in advanced weaponry and security systems.
Inside, they found a large group of survivors — crying, frozen in fear. Soldiers in armor, like the one they'd seen earlier, moved swiftly, offering aid and protection to everyone.
Jest scanned the surroundings, searching for his parents. Ed followed quietly behind.
Ed: Jest... aren't you scared for your parents? What if...
His voice trembled.
Jest: No. We have VIP access in W. I know they're safe.
He said it calmly, but his eyes betrayed the fear he tried to hide. He didn't want Ed to see his doubt — the fear that maybe his parents hadn't made it. That maybe they were gone.
Jest: What about you, Ed? Where are your parents?
Before Ed could answer, a group of soldiers approached and began questioning them. The interrogation was thorough, and by the time it ended, Jest had forgotten his question. He quietly assumed the worst — that Ed's parents were gone — and vowed to be strong for his friend, just as Ed had been for him.
After hours of searching, they finally found Jest's parents on the second underground floor. Jest ran to them, embracing them tightly. Ed stood nearby, watching with sadness in his eyes. Jest's mother noticed and pulled Ed into the hug. Overwhelmed, Ed broke down in tears.
Later, Ed calmed down. He sat in a room designated for VIO members, eating with Jest and his parents. As they ate, a large projector lit up. A figure appeared — the founder of W.
Founder: To all survivors... we are currently defending this facility with everything we have. Rest assured, this building is equipped with the strongest defenses in the world. We will protect you with all our might.
End of announcement.
Some people felt reassured. Others remained anxious, wondering what would happen if the defenses failed. Then, a massive screen switched on, showing live footage from outside. Armed soldiers were fighting off pixies dragons — it took several shots from newly developed nuclear-powered weapons to kill just one.
The anxious survivors began to relax, seeing that the soldiers were holding the line. They resumed eating. But Ed couldn't look away from the footage — the mangled bodies floating in pools of blood haunted him. Jest noticed and handed him a console to play offline games, hoping to distract him.
Suddenly, panic spread again. Survivors began shouting — a blue projectile had appeared in front of them, displaying their personal information. It looked like a status window from a game.
The noise reached Jest's room. As he stepped outside, a glowing blue screen appeared before him. It displayed his name, age, and a strange title: Rank: S | Occupation: Saint — along with a list of powerful abilities.
Jest smiled slightly. He could feel it — mana flowing through his body. He felt stronger, more flexible, more alive. He turned to his parents.
Jest: Can you see the blue screen too?
They nodded.
Jest didn't ask about their ranks. He didn't need to. He knew he could protect them now.
He returned to Ed, ready to speak, but Ed beat him to it.
Ed: Jest... do you see a blue screen too?
Jest: Yeah, I do.
Ed: Mine says Rank: F... and the rest is just question marks.
Jest didn't flinch. He hugged Ed tightly.
Jest: Even if you have the lowest rank — in this world or any other — I'll protect you.
Ed smiled through his tears.
Ed: Who says F is the lowest? I can still fight. You protect me, I protect you.
They laughed, remembering the games they used to play — where Ed always ended up with the weakest abilities.
Jest: What a terrible luck...
A month passed inside the W building. The nightmare faded. The crack in the sky vanished. The bloodied bodies of humans and monsters lay silent across the land. Some survivors ventured outside. Others remained, too afraid to leave.
Then, another announcement echoed through the facility.
Founder: To all survivors who have experienced the Awakening — we, the World Organization, will now be known as the Player Association. All awakened individuals around the globe must register with their local Player Association. Together, we will protect humanity and bring an end to the catastrophic events we've endured.