The Chaos Unleashed
On the sprawling football field of Boren University, chaos reigned. A life-and-death struggle played out as a group of several dozen people fought fiercely against a relentless horde of zombies. Over 500 students huddled together, seeking refuge behind the valiant defenders. In this turmoil, there was no apparent leader; each person protected those they held dear.
Similar scenes unfolded across the campus and around the world. Fire and ice, transformations into beastly forms, and even the gift of flight; the range of powers on display varied wildly. Novice teenagers, with trembling hands and hearts pounding, desperately tried to avoid injury or worse. One scratch, and their lives would be forfeit.
Yet, amidst the pandemonium, one figure moved with astonishing speed. He dashed through the battlefield, barely perceptible to lower-level individuals, and a blur to those with greater powers.
"Is he holding a girl and still that fast?" remarked a young man with red eyes, wielding a weapon that emitted destructive laser beams.
"Who cares about a selfish guy who can't help us? Focus, Charles," a beautiful girl with stunning red hair commanded. She snapped her fingers and gestured with intricate movements. "Everybody down!" An image of a bird materialized in her eyes. With a clap of her hands, a thin, reddish flame expanded, cutting down everything in its path within a 50-meter radius—the perfect range to repel the encroaching zombies.
"Everybody, rest for a while. The zombies are gone for now," she declared, her exhaustion evident as she slumped under a nearby tree.
An observer nearby muttered, "Interesting girl," before continuing on their way.
An hour later, in the hospital clinic:
"Finally safe, though temporarily," Aaron sighed with relief as he examined himself in a mirror. He hadn't had a chance to see his reflection since the apocalypse began. To his surprise, his skin had taken on a pleasant middle beige tone, complemented by his now fiery red hair, which had grown longer.
"Is it just me, or am I a little bit hotter?" he said with a playful smile, striking poses reminiscent of a certain superhero with a cape. He flexed his muscles, puffed his chest, and clenched his butt, all while wearing an arrogant grin.
But his playful moment was interrupted by laughter from behind him. "What? Don't tell me my future husband is actually embarrassed because his wife saw him posing in front of a mirror?" a weak voice teased.
Aaron turned to find a fragile-looking Evadora, smiling at him. "You still remember that little promise we made as kids," he said, joining in her laughter.
"That 'little promise' is what has kept me going this far, Aaron," she replied. Her eyes held a hint of sadness as she continued, "But it won't work for long. I need something real from the current you." Her gaze pleaded with him. "I want assurance because, as much as I want to believe what the past you said, I need to hear you say it clearly from the current you."
Aaron took a moment to think. Tears welled up in Evadora's eyes as he gently removed her hands from his chest. Then, he unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt, revealing a gold chain. Instead of a pendant, a small button was attached to a stretchable black rubber cord—a makeshift "ring."
"My finger kind of outgrew it, so I had to make it into a necklace," he explained with a warm smile. "I hope you don't mind."
"I don't," she said, hugging him tightly. "It was worth it after all."
"But there's something you need to see first before I can answer you," Aaron added. He looked deeply into her eyes and transmitted a series of messages to her. Evadora blinked in response, then formed a bittersweet smile that made Aaron's heart sink.
"It's okay," she reassured him. "While I won't say this new development thrills me, it's something I can manage, as long as I'm not forgotten." Her smile returned. "That doesn't mean you should go crazy now, though!"
Aaron chuckled softly, finding her pouting expression incredibly endearing. But her mood turned somber again.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, I have to go somewhere to fix my soul," she explained. "Remember that lightning that struck me? That was the Awakener's punishment. And that's one of the milder consequences. If I leave it unattended, it will get worse over time. I've already lost several stats, and I can't afford to lose more. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry," Aaron said. "I'll be here when you return."
She gave him a tight hug, and his body responded to her closeness. "I wish I could kiss you," she said, "but that might break your mind because of your low level. Level up quickly, okay? Remember, this planet is filled with anomalies, so the stronger you are, the better."
With that, she sighed, her expression filled with sadness, and her body vanished.
Aaron stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of her absence. Since the apocalypse began, this was the first time he had truly felt lonely. He shook off the feeling, took a shower in the hospital clinic, and changed into fresh clothes. Then, he retrieved two skill tablets and three treasure cubes—two indigo and one blue.
First, he activated one of the tablets:
[Mutated Crocodile Cell (2nd path growth passive skill)]: Increases the strength of every cell in your body until it's comparable to that of a mutated crocodile. Capable of stopping a bullet from the most powerful rifle at point-blank range. Increases defense by 30% passively. +50 stamina.
Requirements for upgrade:
Stamina 100 or higher without external stats
Death of 500 enemies (13/500)
He accepted the skill, keen to gain the ability to stop a bullet in this dangerous world.
Next, he activated the second tablet:
[Celestial Demonic Warrior (God path skill)]: A lost ancient skill made by the celestial demonic race.
Proficiency in over a thousand combat arts
Increases every stat by 100% for as long as mana is available.
Reduces cooldown of other skills by 99%
Increases the stats of harem members by 50%
Temporary ability to give all your power to a single harem member
Side effects:
Inflicts major strain on the soul
Removes emotions when life is threatened, leaving only logic
Passively increases attraction to females and increases females' attraction toward the user per level
Soul will dissipate when killed and will not enter the samsara cycle
Equip? [Yes/No]
Aaron eagerly accepted the skill, confident he could handle the side effects. However, he received an unexpected revelation:
[Equipped: Note Loss of Emotion is automatic when life is threatened]
Additionally, the skill came with a demanding condition:
[Warning: To use this skill passively, the user needs to have a minimum of 13 genuine powerful mates who must be completely devoted to you. For now, the skill will only activate when the user faces certain death. The system will now scan your fate to pick 13 compatible mates, which you must add to your harem in 30 days or face complete soul annihilation.]
Aaron found the lack of choice frustrating.
[Ding user can still have other mates, but if the user does not manage to feel a base level of attraction for the system-chosen mates in 30 days, then the user will still face the previously mentioned punishment. The same punishment will meet the user if the chosen mates do not feel base attraction for the user.]
The list of chosen mates appeared, and Aaron couldn't help but curse the system for its ruthlessness.
With a deep breath, he accepted the situation and focused on the task at hand. He activated the two indigo cubes, revealing a ring and an armor.
[Enchanted Ring]: Able to release a dome capable of blocking fatal strikes from a 2nd path for 30 minutes or a single strike from a 3rd path. +30 Mana. Extra skill: Capable of flight for 2 hours with a cooldown of 24 hours.
[Enchanted Leather Armor]: Passive defense +50.
He equipped both items, and the black armor adjusted itself to fit him snugly. He wore his regular clothes over it, concealing the impressive piece of armor.
Finally, he opened the blue cube, only to reveal another ring:
[Storage Ring]: Space of a large rectangular room, big enough for three cars. Capable of storing non-living things when blood is dripped on it.
Aaron sighed, somewhat disappointed, but reminded himself that he should be grateful for what he had.
With his belongings secure, he left the clinic and returned to the chaotic field.
"She might be the second on my list," he thought with a smirk as he ran explosively toward the battlefield, "but we'll just have to see."