Human adaptability is remarkable. Soon enough, they would realize the world had drastically changed, and if they didn't muster the courage to step up, survival in this apocalyptic landscape would be impossible.
In the previous timeline, someone had managed to awaken those around them, but it was more than a week after the catastrophe began!
Humans could gain strength by killing interdimensional creatures, but conversely, when these creatures preyed on humans, they too absorbed part of that power. This was a crucial part of the Abyssal Loop!
Don't assume these interdimensional beings would simply stand still, waiting for humans to hunt them down. They understood the laws of nature far better than humans!
The goblins that had just appeared weren't particularly powerful—yet give them three days, and humans would find that these creatures would far exceed their current capacity to confront them!
In Magic City, over a hundred soldiers wielded modern firearms, unleashing volleys of bullets at the interdimensional creatures.
As bullets roared through the air, the creatures—clad in tough, armor-like hides—continued to feast on humans as if the bullets were mere irritants.
"Captain, these monsters' hides are tougher than that of any big cat we've encountered. We need thermal imaging guidance from command!"
"No can do. This area is densely populated, and we can't afford collateral damage."
"Captain, it's no use—the creature's coming right at us!"
"Demolition team, prepare for a targeted blast!"
Watching the live broadcast, many people hiding at home were utterly terrified by these monsters.
Just as viewers were glued to the broadcast, a breaking news segment interrupted all live feeds.
A blonde, blue-eyed news anchor, holding a microphone, urgently questioned a soldier, "You just mentioned you gained some kind of ability after killing a monster—can you tell us what kind of ability you received?"
"Miss Jules, while that's a bit personal, yes, I did gain some strength." The soldier chuckled, casting a playful glance at the reporter before casually gripping a concrete pillar beside him. "Look at this—it's three hundred pounds, and I can lift it with just one hand."
Viewers watching the broadcast were shocked. Did this mean people could awaken superpowers?
"Oh my God! It seems you've become quite the strongman!"
"More or less. Anyway, after I killed that monster, I felt a warm current in my abdomen, and then my personal status panel changed."
"Are you referring to that mysterious artifact panel everyone's seeing?"
"Yes, exactly." The soldier shrugged with a smile.
"Could you tell us what changed on your attribute panel?" the reporter probed further.
The soldier nodded, "Though it's private, I believe the world will thank me for sharing this."
After showing off, he began reading his attribute panel aloud:
[Name: Rodriguez Morgan]
[Level: Unranked, 12% toward One-Star]
[Skillset: None]
[Cultivation Technique: None]
[Bloodline: None]
[Beast Companion: None]
[Honor: 38]
Trade Hall (Locked)
This broadcast segment quickly garnered global attention.
Rodriguez Morgan thus became recognized as the first "crab-eater," the pioneer of abilities!
Xu Que already knew what was happening on Blue Planet from his previous life, but right now, he couldn't care less—he was about to break through to Three-Star level!
As he sped up his cultivation technique, a shackle inside him shattered, and a vortex of energy surged toward him, flooding his abdomen with power.
"Finally broke through!" Xu Que was ecstatic. Now, he could overpower half of the interdimensional monsters in his vicinity!
As long as he avoided the forest's center, he was invincible along the outskirts!
Recalling his previous life, this dimensional rift grew so powerful because interdimensional creatures had devoured countless humans. But this time, he had arrived early, so everything here would be his!
Eager to hunt these creatures, Xu Que sought to accelerate his power gains and seize the resources in the area.
While searching for interdimensional creatures, cries of "Help! Someone, please help me!" sounded from ahead.
A survivor?
Xu Que's brows knitted. He wasn't certain of the time, but it had to have been over an hour since the disaster struck.
As he hesitated about saving the woman, she spotted him and desperately cried, "Handsome guy, please save me!"
Xu Que calmly approached the tree and, seeing six green-skinned hounds circling below, grabbed a few fist-sized rocks from the ground.
His presence caught the green-skinned hounds' attention, and three of them charged at him, as if crazed.
As the creatures drew closer, Xu Que wore a grim, bloodthirsty smile.
Fifteen meters.
Ten meters!
He flung a rock at one of the hounds, the sheer force of it puncturing its eye socket and scattering its brains in a splatter of white fluid.
Without hesitation, Xu Que hurled a second rock, which tore through the abdomen of another hound, though it didn't kill it instantly.
He stepped back, readying a powerful punch. The third hound lunged at him, missing its mark, and in that moment, Xu Que struck its head with all his might.
With a splatter of blood and brain matter, Xu Que dispatched it and then turned to the dying hound, stomping its head with ferocity, letting its thick blood splatter all over him as if he enjoyed it.
Seeing him dispatch three monsters instantly, the woman's cries grew louder.
Xu Que didn't silence her; in fact, he wanted her to scream louder. The more noise, the better, as it would attract more interdimensional creatures.
The three hounds left at the base of the tree abandoned their prey and charged at Xu Que.
Seeing these "free experience points" come his way, Xu Que's bloodthirsty grin widened.
In three breaths, Xu Que dispatched the three hounds just as efficiently as the previous ones.
"Thank you!" the woman called down from the tree, waving. "Do you know where we are? Is there any way out?"
Xu Que glanced at the woman, feeling no particular sympathy. In his past life, he'd saved plenty of people, but it hadn't always ended well. If he had cared about Liu Ruyan's feelings back then, he might've become a true powerhouse, considering he had once recruited many capable allies—only to hand them over to Liu Ruyan and Ji Boda's cause!
Reborn, Xu Que didn't want to be entangled with women again. If someone needed his help, they'd have to be on his path. Otherwise, he couldn't care less.
"Handsome guy, what's wrong?" the woman continued, not daring to climb down. "Do you know how to get back?"
Ignoring her, Xu Que eyed the rustling bushes ahead and moved toward them.
"Hey, where are you going?" she called, growing frantic.
Just as she was about to plead with him again, an arrow whizzed past her back.
"Hey, help! Please come back!" she yelled desperately.
As she called for help, several more arrows shot toward her.
The woman, seemingly energized by fear, let go of the tree, landing roughly but ignoring the pain as she sprinted toward Xu Que's hiding spot.
"Whoosh!" Arrows rained down behind her.
"Ugh!" She let out a pained cry as an arrow struck her calf, and she called to Xu Que in despair.
At the last moment, a hand reached out, grabbing hers.
Xu Que yanked her into the bushes with a strong pull.
"Than—"
Before she could thank him, Xu Que clamped a hand over her mouth.
"If you don't want to die, keep quiet," he whispered before slipping away in the other direction.
The woman was stunned. What kind of rescue was this? Weren't you supposed to save a person fully?
Ignoring her thoughts, Xu Que knew that while he had grown stronger, these creatures would still pose a challenge. Thus, he planned to take them down using stealth and strategy.