A day passed in an instant.
As Nova traversed the streets of Vancouver yet again, heading towards the cafe in which he was to meet his Great Uncle, he suddenly heard a piercing scream. Furrowing his brows, Nova halted in his tracks.
'What was that…'
It seemed many wondered the same thing as Nova, considering expressions of confusion were plastered upon the faces of the others.
"Did you hear that?"
"Yeah, I wonder what that was…"
However, it wasn't long before everyone returned to their tasks, ignoring the scream. At that moment, Nova felt a jolt of electricity shoot down his spine. His body stiffened, and his expression crumpled like a sheet of paper.
Thunder crackled up above, while a barrage of screams exploded. Suddenly, a bolt of intense lightning shot down from the skies, striking a nearby cafe.
'What… the fuck.'
Within a millisecond, the cafe exploded into a pile of rubble and flames, killing everyone inside before they could even realize it. The citizens of the city attempted to scatter and rush to safety… But little did they know, there was no safety left.
Nova–utterly confused and terrified by the occurrence–pulled out his phone. He knew the most valuable advantage was knowledge… Perhaps someone else knew of this.
[News Headlines]
[A meteor the size of a pencil has dropped in a town named Hokkaido, Japan, injuring 246 and killing 3.]
[People are terrified as lightning bolts strike the Maldives, killing 45 and injuring 3496.]
'What is this…?'
[Scientists infer as mutant 'beasts' emerge from seemingly artificial stone caves labeled as 'Dungeons.']
[The outbreak of mutant 'beasts' has killed 4076 and injured none. Not a single person was spared.]
Nova felt cold sweat trickle down his cheeks as he finally understood. An apocalypse was upon them. He'd read about such scenarios in books and played video games based on such concepts…
But to experience them in real life was different… much different.
'Yes! I know!'
At that moment, something from within him called out to Nova. It was as if a faint inside voice were calling his name, begging him. As a spark ignited within him, the white-haired youth clenched his teeth, bursting forward while conjuring his full speed.
He turned his gaze, noticing another lightning bolt strike a house.
'What is that?' Nova wondered, watching with his mouth agape as the bricks corroded, adopting a beige hue and a rather gravelly texture. Then, the water pipes exploded, spilling the clear liquid hidden within.
Screams exploded from within, but it wasn't long before they faded.
Suddenly, vines colored a dark green hue slowly emerged from the ground beneath, embracing the house in their grip.
'Monsters…' Nova muttered, watching massive wolves rocking gray hides escape the Dungeon-type location, with not a single sign of its previous occupants. His throat dried, and not a sound escaped his mouth.
He simply gritted his teeth, increasing his speed further while ignoring his lack of stamina.
Nova wasn't very athletic, but he believed he could get by.
His location?
The dark alley.
A few minutes passed, and he arrived at the alley where he'd supposedly committed murder but found no evidence of his wrongdoing. Searching through the garbage bags frantically and with a purpose in mind, Nova groaned as he emerged empty-handed.
"Where is it?!" He exclaimed in frustration, unable to locate the object.
Exploding in fury, he clawed at the garbage bags, ignoring the squalid smell that radiated across the area.
"I found it!" He squealed in joy, caressing the black book with much care. Without wasting a single second, he flipped it open, his eyes glued to the substance and the knowledge that lay within.
The words he read yesterday?
Perhaps they were true…
He still didn't know what Arcana was, though.
"We don't realize their love while they live, but on their deathbeds, we weep like infants. All pride is thrown out the window before their pale faces as they breathe their last breath."
"That is what the apocalypse brought to us."
"Carnage."
Silence.
[User has received ??? Skill
[User has become an Arcane Novice.]
[As the first to wield Arcana, user has received 25 Goldenshards.]
[Name: Nova Lockwood]
[Age: 14]
[Title: None]
[Class: Arcane Novice.]
[Skills: The Book (???)]
[Goldenshards: 35]
Despite receiving a skill, Nova remained dead silent, his gaze fixated on the filthy ground. In deep contemplation, he fidgeted with his fingers, assuming the worst. His face progressively paled, while an ocean of cold sweat formed upon his forehead.
The winds brushed past him, yet he remained silent and motionless.
'My family,' he suddenly exclaimed internally, deep-rooted fear present in his icy-blue pupils. Grabbing the book and shoving it between his armpit and arm, he sped off into the distance, hoping he was wrong.
Hopefully, they hadn't gotten to his family.
That was what The Book seemed to symbolize.
Instinctively, Nova knew The Book was not lying. If it were, the Apocalypse would have been a mere fantasy to this day, and wouldn't have served as amusement for those engrossed in the notion that they possess special powers.
Nova was more of a realist.
At the moment, his only goal was to make sure his family was safe.
He sped by many crying figures. Others were terrified but were capable of holding it in, attempting to boost morale in times of danger. Despite the ear-piercing screams and the crackles of flames, however, Nova was practically deaf.
He ignored all sound, focused solely on his destination, rather than the unimportant strangers.
His footsteps were soft and swift as if he were skating on thin ice. His movements were graceful, completely contradicting his snot-nosed appearance with an expression of dread.
A few minutes passed, and he finally arrived at a tiny yet cozy house in which he'd resided since birth. Gasping and trying to catch his breath, Nova took small steps toward the house, which seemed unscathed by the Apocalypse.
'Please, please…'
As he gently pushed the door open, however, Nova's heart dropped.
'...'