"We are receiving reports that the governments of the world are quickly convening a digital meeting to discuss the anomalous incidents."
"Earthquakes are being reported around the world, even in areas distant from tectonic faults. Wild climate swings and volcano eruptions have also been reported. However, BBC is unable to verify the validity of these claims at the moment."
"Holy crap! Look at this thing. Doesn't this look like a freaking kaiju? A dragon! That's what this is! By the way, don't forget to like comment and subscribe for more content!"
"We are now getting video footage from site reporters of unidentified creature hordes emerging around the world. Their behavior appears to be extremely hostile. We urge everyone to remain indoors and wait for emergency instructions. This is the BBC."
(Sad Music plays) "We're all going to die! Please subscribe to my tiktok!"
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The world was in chaos. Alex had finally made it back to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital and had been crazily browsing through the news on his smartphone. Monsters everywhere. World leaders and institutions going into bunkers and silos. The world had changed and it looked like so did people.
The journey down was extremely difficult and took longer than expected. However, Alex made it to base camp only to find it evacuated. Luckily, the hasty evacuees had left behind supplies which allowed Alex to survive.
The more Alex remained in the wild, the crazier monsters he encountered. It was a miracle he hadn't been eliminated by one of these magical creatures. His doubts whether this was all some elaborate delusion brought about by hypoxia were shattered, however, when he managed to finally look into the news. The world really had gone to shit.
It had been a fortnite since the chaos began, but the world leaders were still twiddling their thumbs. The lack of concrete statements was causing widespread panic. After the twentieth emergency flight carrying passengers disappeared under 'anomalous circumstances' global travel had screeched to a halt. Alex, who wanted to return to Berlin as soon as possible ended up stuck in the five star hotel in Kathmandu that was charging him triple the holiday season rate during the off season.
The more Alex read the news, the more worried he got. So far these creatures, while extremely hostile, had refrained from attacking human cities - though the countryaide appeared to be open season. This had caused massive overcrowding and ghettoization in cities around the world as well as disrupted all supply chains leading to mass shortages everywhere.
To Alex, it didn't feel like these monsters were leaving humans alone at all. It felt more like they were herding humans together like they were farm animals. Supplies wouldn't last long either. Alex feared that the scarcity would drive a social collapse and lead to an even worse danger. He needed to get out of the country, but air travel was not possible.
There was a bigger worry in Alex's mind. With trade collapsing and travel impossible, the value of money will soon evaporate. Alex was a person who thrived because he was wealthy. "I need to convert my wealth into tangible assets. Unfortunately, most of my investments have probably already taken a hit due ti the market crashing."
Remembering this, Alex called up his banker. Alex was born into generations of money, a true trust fund kid. He didn't have to personally manage hia finances as a top banker handled the matters for him.
"Mr. Riley, I am glad to know you are doing fine in these tough times. For a few days I was afraid..." The banker, Willow Peng, appeared pleasant, even happy in tone as if the world was doing fine.
"The world appears to have gone to shit. How are my finances doing?" Alex asked. "What's the outlook?"
"Maater Riley, you should know better than anyone that times of crisis are the best times for us financiers. Our profits have never been higher, though we've had to shift our investments to more tangible assets." Mr. Willow cheerfully replied.
"Like what?"
"Crude Oil, Non Perishable foods, metals are the hottest commodities now along with coal for cement and bitumen for asphalt. The Riley family business has never been in a bigger boom."
Riley's eyes dawned in realized. Right. The Riley family business. The Riley family was an established VIP security company that specialized in building protective bunkers for the uber wealthy.
"The demand for bunkers has never been higher. Even the government is pushing us for plans to draft designs for large scale industrial and long term residential bunkers." Mr. Peng spoke, but his voice was no longer as cheerful.
"The governments have failed to neutralize the threats?" Alex's tone turned heavy.
"We are yet unclear about the situation. It appears that the UN is oreparing for an extinction level contingency. They are calling it the Scarlet Protocol, however details about it are scarce."
Alex nodded to himself. He wasn't surprised that the world governments had extinction level contingencies, but was the spawning of monsters capable of magic a scenario that had ever been considered as a possibility?
"I need a ride Mr. Peng. I'm stuck in Kathmandu." Alex finally got to the main reason for his call.
"That will be very difficult, Master Riley." Mr. Peng aighed apologetically. "Those monsters are everywhere and extremely hostile to human presence outaide cities. Air travel to Nepal is simply impossible. Nevertheless, I will try to find the best ride for you."
"Thank you, Mr. Peng. I half expected you to have run away with my money by now." Alex smirked.
'I would have if you hadn't called me in a few days.' Mr. Peng thought to himself, but only laughed loudly in response. "It's better to have a backing that become a target sitting duck."
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