Victor took a deep breath and stepped forward. The moment his foot touched the portal's surface, a force yanked him forward, pulling him into the unknown. His vision blurred as the world around him stretched and twisted, his body weightless as if he were falling through an endless void.
The deep purple expanse surrounding him pulsed with energy, streaks of silver lightning crackling through the swirling tunnel. It felt like being compressed and expanded at the same time, his muscles tensing as his bones vibrated from the sheer force of the transition.
A deafening hum filled his ears, a sound that wasn't quite noise but something deeper—something resonating within his very cells. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to remain calm. Time lost meaning. Seconds? Minutes? He couldn't tell.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the force released him. His feet slammed onto solid ground, his vision snapping back into focus. He was there, finally in the forgotten world. His dream of becoming an evolver wasn't just a dream anymore.
Victor took his first breath in the Forgotten World, his lungs filling with air that was somehow different—crisper, heavier, charged with something almost electric. His boots settled onto the solid stone beneath him as he glanced around, his mind racing to take in the scene before him.
The Dark Haven Shelter stood as a beacon of stability in this unpredictable world. Unlike the towering megacities of Earth, the shelter had a compact, utilitarian design, optimized for survival rather than luxury. The buildings, small apartment complexes made of reinforced steel and composite materials, lined the inner part of the shelter in neat rows. Each resident was assigned an apartment upon becoming a part of the shelter—a place to sleep, store their belongings, and nothing more. They were identical in size and layout, a stark reminder that status here wasn't dictated by wealth, but by strength.
As Victor scanned his surroundings, he noticed the bustling market at the center of the shelter. Roughly 200 people moved through the streets, trading, bartering, and preparing supplies for future expeditions. The market was filled with stalls manned by Evolvers of varying strengths, selling everything from rations to weapons, armor, and even peculiar glowing items that Victor couldn't quite identify. "There must be tens of artefacts there."
The atmosphere was different from any place he had ever been before. There was no idle loitering, no wasted movement—everyone here had a purpose. Some gave him passing glances, their expressions unreadable. A few of the weaker ones offered him warm smiles, acknowledging him as one of the newcomers. However, the stronger ones—the ones whose presence seemed to radiate an oppressive aura—merely assessed him with cold, predatory gazes. Victor could feel it. They weren't looking at him as a person, but as potential competition.
Standing not far from him was a man clad in a military uniform. His broad shoulders and rigid posture screamed authority, and the moment Victor laid eyes on him, he knew this was someone important. However, before he could take a step forward, the portal behind him shimmered again, and another Evolver stumbled through, nearly crashing into him.
"Move it, newbie," the man grumbled, barely sparing Victor a glance before striding forward.
Before Victor could react, a firm grip landed on his shoulder and pulled him aside. He turned to find the military man looking at him with a calm but firm expression. "He's a new one," the man stated simply, directing his words toward the Evolver who had just pushed past him.
The other man stopped, seemingly only now realizing who had spoken. His expression shifted slightly, nodding before moving along without another word. Victor felt an odd sense of relief at the intervention, though he knew he would have to stand on his own soon enough.
The man in uniform turned to Victor, his sharp eyes studying him before speaking again. "I'm Sergeant Erik Voss. The government has assigned me as your guide for today. You're the first one here, but there should be more coming through soon."
Victor nodded, taking a moment to steady himself. "How many are expected?"
Voss glanced toward the portal as it pulsed again. "Hard to say. We typically see anywhere between forty and eighty new arrivals per batch, depending on survival rates and academy selections. Some won't make it past the first few weeks, but those who do will get their chance to carve out their place here. Although as you know many are here just for the enchanted physical fitness and lifespan. If nothing happens they will likely leave in the first few days."
For the next half-hour, more students poured through the portal, each reacting in their own way. Some looked around in awe, others in fear. A few exchanged words with each other, but most remained silent, absorbing their new reality. Luckily or not Victor didn't recognise any of them to be his classmates. Still considering the huge population of humanity right now, there would be almost half a billion people entering the Forsaken World every year.
Once the expected number of students had arrived, Voss clapped his hands together, drawing their attention.
"Welcome to Dark Haven Shelter. You're now standing in one of the many settlements established within the Forgotten World. This isn't your home—it's your battleground, your stronghold, and if you're smart, your stepping stone to something greater."
He sweeps a hand over the market, where merchants barter and Evolvers move with purpose.
"This shelter has around 700 residents, all of whom are Evolvers like you will soon be. Some are seasoned hunters, others just trying to survived to day. As an evolver most of your time will be spent hunting near the shelter or out in the market, trading for supplies, buying gear, or handling missions. You'll get used to this soon enough."
"Alright, listen up," yelled Voss, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Your first stop is the shelter's core. Becoming an Evolver is your priority. Without it, you're just civilians in a world that doesn't tolerate weakness. After that you will receive your shelter room keys, if you've planned to not work as an evolver you can leave immediately after. The way back is through the portal here. There is no other portals in an 100km radius."
Victor's fingers twitched. This was it. The true beginning.
Voss led them through the market, guiding them toward the heart of the shelter. As they moved, Victor could feel the eyes on them. The friendly ones wished them well, but the powerful ones, the real players of this world, watched in silence, gauging their potential.
The market eventually gave way to an open space, and at its center stood the Evolver Core. Victor's breath caught in his throat at the sight.
It was magnificent.
A crystalline structure hovered in the middle of a circular lake, its surface pulsating with a deep, ethereal glow. It stood at least five meters tall, shifting between shades of violet and silver, its form constantly refracting light in a hypnotic pattern. The lake surrounding it was perfectly still, its waters reflecting the brilliance of the core. It was both serene and imposing, as if it held the very essence of evolution within its depths.
Voss turned to them, his expression unreadable. "This is the core of Dark Haven Shelter. This is where you take your first real step. Once you enter the lake, the process will begin. Your bodies will be enhanced, your stats will increase, and your natural lifespan will extend to 200 years."
A ripple of anticipation ran through the group. They had all studied this in the academy, but now they were about to experience it firsthand.
Victor stepped closer, staring at the lake's still surface. This was it. The moment that separated the ordinary from the extraordinary. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and entered the lake.
The moment his foot touched the water, a sensation unlike anything he had ever felt surged through him. It wasn't cold, nor warm—it was something beyond temperature. A force wrapped around him, pulling him in as he took another step. With each movement, his body felt lighter and stronger.
Then, as the water reached above his head, the evolution began.
A rush of energy exploded from the core, sending waves rippling across the lake. Victor's vision blurred as an overwhelming force wrapped around him, sinking into his skin, his bones, his very soul. His muscles burned, his heart pounded, and for a moment, it felt as though he was being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time.
The pain was unbearable, yet he did not scream. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as the power surged through him. His stats were increasing—he could feel it. His body was adapting, strengthening, evolving. Every fiber of his being was becoming something more.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the sensation stopped.
Victor gasped, his lungs filling with air as he stumbled forward, exiting the lake. His entire body felt different—stronger, sharper, more alive. He glanced at his hands, feeling the raw power coursing through them. He had done it.
He was an Evolver now.
One by one, the other students followed, each undergoing the same transformation. When the last one emerged from the lake, Voss nodded in approval.
"Welcome to the real beginning," he said. "Your journey starts now."
Victor's eyes burned with determination. This was only the first step. The Forgotten World awaited.