While Novak was enjoying the "care" of his university belle...
On the other side of Faeloria, in a unit building in D-avao, a chubby boy who looked like a high schooler lay sprawled on his bed, his wide eyes hidden behind glasses.
His expression was one of complete bewilderment.
This high school student was none other than Ian Bart.
After awakening his talent and becoming one of the early pioneers, gaining knowledge of the Cosmic Will and the existence of the Gods and Demons Proving Ground, Ian had abandoned almost all of his hobbies—no more gaming, anime, or novels.
What could be more exciting than the Earth turning into a real-life "game"?
That night, he habitually checked his small group chat, though it only had three members, and their conversations were rare.
Still, these people were special—like him.
Each one was extraordinary, handpicked by fate.
Because of this, Ian took great pride in being part of such an elite group.
But that pride was shattered the moment Ian saw a new video pop up in the chat.
Now, in front of Ian—though invisible to others—a vivid image unfolded.
It showed a sealed underground room, lit by countless massive spotlights.
In the middle of the chamber stood eight large iron cages, each holding a vicious zombie.
Seeing these creatures, Ian instinctively shrank back.
He had awakened his S-class talent: Spiritual Mastery, which allowed him to control objects with his mind, performing even complex actions.
This type of superpower was the dream of boys his age.
But despite his abilities, Ian hadn't yet followed through on the White Emperor's advice: to study zombies up close and, if possible, kill one himself.
In D-avao, a densely populated city, there had been reports of scattered zombie sightings. Ian had even seen one in person.
But the difference between fiction and reality was far too stark.
These zombies weren't the slow, lumbering monsters he had imagined. No, despite their diminished flexibility, their speed and raw power were even more terrifying than when they were alive.
Even with his powers, Ian didn't dare confront them.
But now, watching the video, Ian's entire worldview felt like it was crumbling.
Who exactly was this White Emperor? Ian wasn't sure.
He figured the White Emperor must be one of the first to awaken, a leading evolutionary talent.
Although Ian didn't know how he understood this, it felt like a product of his own wisdom.
No matter how powerful this White Emperor might be, Ian didn't see any reason to doubt himself.
After all, only he could fully appreciate the might of Spiritual Mastery.
Yet now, Ian realized how wrong he had been.
So very wrong.
He didn't know if the figure in the video was the White Emperor himself. But what he did know was that the zombies—the same terrifying monsters that he could only dream of defeating after achieving Magneto-level telekinesis—were being pummeled by this man as if they were nothing more than punching bags.
But Ian knew they weren't just punching bags.
These were bloodthirsty creatures that devoured human flesh!
Gulp...
The sound of Ian swallowing echoed loudly in the silence of his room, but it did nothing to snap him out of his shock.
There were so many zombies!
And the White Emperor wasn't using telekinetic powers or remotely controlling weapons like Ian could.
No—this was all done in brutal, close-quarters combat!
Hadn't they said that even evolutionaries were vulnerable to the zombie virus? Wasn't the White Emperor afraid of getting infected?
Yet there he was, landing clean blows with every whip kick and punch, sending zombie heads flying like they were made of paper.
Ian finally understood.
It didn't matter.
The sheer gap in strength, the absolute mastery of combat technique—these were enough to explain this godlike figure's ability to crush his enemies.
Ian, trembling with excitement, lay on his bed, his entire body quaking.
He couldn't wait.
He wanted to rush to D-avao Advent Hospital right then and there, find one of the zombies he had seen earlier in the crowd, and show everyone what he was capable of by smashing it to pieces.
The surge of passion was overwhelming, and Ian made up his mind. He didn't dare hope to become someone like the White Emperor, but he couldn't continue being a coward either!
As the White Emperor had said, the advantage of being a first-mover was enormous. Only by exploiting that advantage could one rise to the top in the apocalypse.
Hearing his father coughing in the next room, Ian clenched his fists. He had to become stronger—to protect himself and his family when the apocalypse came.
Meanwhile, in D-aet City, Vince was experiencing the same shock.
The raw violence, the primal beauty of it, awakened the animalistic urge to kill deep within everyone's soul.
In the dark bedroom, Novak's sharp gaze remained unaffected by the gloom.
He glanced at Dane, who lay beside him, completely spent. Whether she had passed out from exhaustion or fallen asleep, he wasn't sure. He chuckled quietly to himself.
Amateur!
She was obviously still a novice but had tried to act like she was something special.
Did she really think she could take him on?
Even if Novak hadn't been physically enhanced to his current level, even without his awakened talents, he'd have no trouble handling this girl, who had knowledge but no experience.
The Black Light Virus had strengthened his body even further, as demonstrated in their recent "workout."
Of course, it had also left some unsightly marks on Dane's skin.
But with his heightened constitution and boundless energy, Novak wasn't the least bit tired.
So, he opened Chat Group No. 001:
[Your King—Bart: @White Emperor, how are you this strong!?]
[Vince: Was that really the White Emperor in the video? Damn, you're savage!]
[Your King—Bart: This is what it means to be a real man—driven by passion and fire! I've got to step up my game!]
The chat log made Novak smile slightly.
He didn't know much about Ian, but Vince had been one of the elites who stood at the top of the pyramid in Novak's previous life.
Even during the apocalypse, Vince had traveled as far as the East Faeloria Sea and caused chaos in neighbouring countries.
It was because of people like him that Novak knew he couldn't afford to slow down.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a familiar notification echoed in Novak's head—the voice of the Cosmic Will.
Someone new was joining the group!