With the projection completely dissipated, Sun turned his attention to the System, eager to explore the newfound Ancient Cosmic Inheritance he had received. He knew that his journey ahead would be arduous, but armed with Aurelius' power and guidance, he was determined to protect all that mattered and fulfill his role as the Guardian and Solitary Survivor.
As Sun moved forward, he thought about the responsibilities he had and the tough obstacles he'd face. It wouldn't be a walk in the park, but with Aurelius' power flowing within him, he felt determined to keep the universe safe.
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After Aurelius' projection dissipated, Sun opened up his System window to check the Inheritance he received.
...
Name: Sun Ether
Level: 1 (0/100 EXP)
Title: Cosmic Traveler
HP: 150/150
MP: 110/110
Strength: 14
Intelligence: 11
Stamina: 15
Constitution: 15
Agility: 12
--------------
Free Attribute: 5
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Actives Skill: Cosmic Burst (F) [0.0%]
Passive Skill: Cosmic Absorption (F) [0.0%]
Skill Name: Ancient Cosmic Inheritance (Sealed)
...
"This... How can I unseal this?" Sun exclaimed, racking his brain for a way to unlock the seal. He had a couple of ideas in mind, one being that the System should officially become accessible to the public or when the Dimensional Crack started to appear. 'It should be around that time. Let's see if that's true,' Sun thought to himself.
Since he didn't have any other pressing matters to attend to, he decided to venture outside. It had been many years since he had encountered others like himself.
With determination, Sun proceeded to leave the room.
SWIIISSSH
The door to his room instantly slid open, revealing a path for Sun. He continued to walk through the hallway of his house, finally emerging outside.
As Sun observed the quiet suburban streets, he realized that only a few people were out and about, likely due to the area's residential nature. At 23 years old, he couldn't afford a house in this district. The house he currently lived in was the last inheritance from his deceased parents, along with a significant insurance payout that helped sustain him.
At the age of 19, Sun was uncertain about his future. However, with occasional support from his grandparents, who visited to provide assistance, and his own determination to live independently, he managed to make ends meet. With enough money, he was able to continue his studies and was now in his final year of college.
As Sun walked through the neighborhood, he noticed that everything remained unchanged. The familiar stores he frequented and the gaming cafe where he used to hang out with friends were still intact. A rare smile crossed Sun's face as he took in the comforting familiarity. 'When was the last time I felt this peaceful?' he wondered, hoping that the tranquility would endure.
However, he knew that this state of calm wouldn't last. Tomorrow, the First Dimensional Crack would appear, instantly halving the population of 13 billion humans. These cracks were unstable and as they opened, the fluctuations in mana became volatile. Earth, with its scarcity of mana or magical power, would be bombarded, causing the cracks to widen.
Countless monsters and beasts would emerge from every corner of Earth, leaving helpless people to perish in an instant. But with the help of the System, individuals would gain the power to resist. Those with the System would also receive basic weapons to fend off the monsters. By joining forces, they could hold off the creatures until the cracks closed. Once all the monsters escaped, the cracks would seal shut immediately.
Lost in thought, Sun had no concrete plan. He felt powerless, and his only recourse was to level up quickly. To achieve that, he needed to kill every monster he encountered.
While Sun was lost in his thoughts, he walked absentmindedly and unknowingly ended up in front of a familiar house.
'This house... She must be living well,' Sun thought. However, his thoughts were interrupted by another voice, one he never expected to hear again in his lifetime.
"Hey! Why are you snooping around someone's house?!" A girl, beautiful with cheerful bright eyes, a slender body, and short hair, suddenly appeared. She recognized the person standing in front of her house.
"Oh, Sun. Why are you here?" the girl said, smiling at Sun. Sun stared at her face, deep in thought, as a flood of memories from countless years spent together rushed through his mind. "Lily..." Sun uttered in his thoughts.
"Why are you staring at me!" Lily exclaimed, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
"Nothing. Am I not allowed to stare at you?" Sun replied bluntly to Lily.
"You... Whatever! So why are you here? Is something going on?" Lily blushed further as she continued to ask Sun.
Sun thought for a moment and glanced at his clothes.
"Well, since it's summer, I wanted to take a walk and ended up coming to your house. I was actually thinking of going to the central city to relax and have fun. Would you like to accompany me?" Sun said, smiling as he asked Lily.
"It sounds like you're asking me out on a date. The rest are just excuses," Lily remarked, but she didn't refuse. She had long-held feelings for Sun, understanding that he was focused on his studies and work. She admired his dedication.
They were childhood friends, knowing each other for a long time. They ended up in the same class in every school they attended, almost as if fate had a hand in it. When Lily learned about the death of Sun's parents, it saddened her deeply.
Her own parents reached out and offered him a place to stay, allowing him time to adjust. Lily watched as Sun faced numerous challenges in the following year, but she was amazed by his resilience. He didn't let the tragedy hold him back. Instead, he grew more independent and mature.
She was also delighted to see Sun genuinely smiling at her. "It seems like something good has happened to this guy. How long has it been since he smiled like that without hiding his sadness?"
"In that case, let's go! I would also love to go to the Central City and enjoy myself," Lily said, smiling at Sun.
"Don't you need to go home first, change your clothes, and put on some makeup? Isn't that a girl thing?" Sun asked Lily.
"I just came back from the library, finishing up some work. I'm already satisfied with what I'm wearing, and as a beauty like me, makeup is unnecessary," Lily replied smugly, waving her hand
"Wow! That's awesome, Miss Arrogance," Sun said, maintaining a straight face and clapping his hands in front of his chest.
"Shut up!!" Lily responded, her cheeks turning red from embarrassment.
Sun chuckled, breaking the momentary silence between them. "Hahaha... Just kidding, let's go eat first, It's my treat," he said with a warm smile. Sun reached into his pocket and pulled out his high-tech watch.
The sleek device resembled an advanced timepiece, complete with a holographic screen that shimmered to life before him. With a few taps on the screen, a mini panel shot up, displaying a hologram screen that allowed Sun to input his commands.
Sun quickly typed in the destination, and within moments, a high-tech taxi descended from the sky, hovering gracefully beside them. The car, with its futuristic design reminiscent of a cyber truck, emitted a soft hum as its sleek metallic surface reflected the city lights. The doors slid open, revealing a pristine interior illuminated by a soft, ambient glow.
"Vehicle Code: 1125, Cybernetic Model-6. Here at your service, may I know your destination?" a robotic voice emanated from the vehicle, its tone both polite and professional.
"Central City, please," Sun replied, extending his hand to help Lily enter the car. Once they were both settled inside, the doors smoothly closed, sealing them in the comfort of the high-tech vehicle.
"Affirmative, Destination: Central City. Thank you for calling H&C Service, please enjoy the ride!"
The vehicle made a high-tech sound as it slowly ascended into the sky and entered the sky-way. In the sky, multiple cars were moving, making way for each other as they headed toward their destinations.
As the car seamlessly merged into the flow of traffic. The panoramic glass windows provided breathtaking views of the cityscape as they glided through the air.
Thanks to advancements in technology, humanity had found a way to make people's lives easier and more convenient and when it came to traveling by vehicle, people had two options. The first option was to call a service that would take them through the sky-way, allowing them to reach their destination faster.
However, this option cost a lot more as it was run by AI. The second option was to use a ground-based car, which was relatively cheaper and driven by a person.
After a while, Sun and Lily arrived at the central city, marveling at its high-tech atmosphere. People walked around with holographic watches, chatting with each other and immersed in their own conversations. Some zoomed by on futuristic bikes, while buildings showcased sleek designs and holographic billboards displaying various brands.
As they strolled through the bustling city, Sun and Lily engaged in light-hearted conversation, filled with playful banter and flirty moments. They admired the futuristic architecture and marveled at the seamless integration of technology in everyday life.
Feeling hungry, they decided to step into a restaurant. Sun and Lily perused the menu and ordered their desired dishes. As they enjoyed their meal, they laughed and shared stories, savoring the pleasant ambiance and each other's company.
Afterward, they ventured into a nearby park, where people lounged and basked in the warm sunlight. Families played with their dogs, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. Sun and Lily found a quiet spot to sit and continued their conversation, occasionally stealing glances at one another.
Suddenly, a flicker of unease crossed Sun's face. His keen senses, honed through countless battles, alerted him that something was amiss. He trusted his instincts and knew there was truly something wrong.
"What's the matter, Sun?" Lily asked, noticing the change in his expression.
"I'm not sure yet..." Sun replied. As he tried to observe their surroundings, Sun's mind raced, trying to pinpoint the source of the disturbance. He couldn't shake off the feeling.
Suddenly a transparent board appeared before Sun, causing a ripple of surprise among the people around him as something similar appear in front of them. Their puzzled expressions mirrored Sun's own astonishment.
Thoughts raced through his mind, questioning the unexpected timing of this phenomenon. "It's too early! Is this a consequence of returning back in time?" Sun wondered, feeling a mix of shock and curiosity.
As he focused his attention on the board, his eyes widened at the message that materialized before him. The words on the board seemed to echo through his mind as he read them:
[Attention: System Activation - Catastrophic Event]
[I'm a System, an aid to help humanity. A catastrophic event is near, and its goal is to destroy everything. Due to an unprecedented error, adjustments have been made. Humanity will be teleported to a Dimensional Area where you will be safe.]
[As of now, multiple planets appear within your solar system. It's coming fast, and it will merge with your planet. To ensure the safety of your race, everyone will be teleported to a safe place. Please prepare yourself.]
After the system prompt, panic spread among the people, and they looked up at the sky. They could clearly see a small object growing larger with each passing second. The people began to glow as they were teleported away, one by one, disappearing from sight.
Sun watched as the glowing light enveloped him. At that moment, Lily rushed to him and hugged him tightly, her fear evident in her tears.
"What's happening? I'm scared," Lily trembled, seeking comfort in Sun's embrace.
"Don't worry, with me here, everything will be alright," Sun assured her, returning the hug.
"Don't leave..." Lily's words were cut short as Sun vanished before her eyes, joining the others in their teleportation.