The bright midday sky suddenly darkened. The sun, which moments ago shone brilliantly, was now obscured by an immense, unexplainable shadow. The atmosphere turned ominous, and the air grew heavy. In the heart of the largest continent, in what was once a lush, verdant plain called Veridia, something humanity could never have anticipated appeared—a massive, bottomless chasm.
"What is that?!" A voice cried out, echoing through the crowd that had gathered to witness the phenomenon.
This was no ordinary void. It emitted an overwhelming aura, accompanied by a radiant light that surged skyward. The light, a shimmering pillar of bluish-white hues, flickered and changed continuously. Some who ventured too close to the abyss felt their strength drain away, as though their very life force was being drawn into its depths.
In mere moments, news of the colossal hole—dubbed the Abyss Origin—spread across the globe. No one knew how it had come to be. There had been no earthquake, no warning signs. In the blink of an eye, Veridia had vanished, replaced by an unfathomable abyss.
Scientists, researchers, and spiritual experts from every corner of the world flocked to the site, armed with advanced equipment, yet none could provide any concrete answers. Each attempt to lower measuring devices into the Abyss ended in failure—the cables would snap before reaching the bottom. Something within the chasm defied human understanding, rejecting all logical explanation.
What shocked the world even further came only days after the Abyss Origin's appearance. People began experiencing strange changes. Initially, these transformations were limited to those who had been near the Abyss when it appeared. They called it Evolution.
This Evolution transformed human bodies into something extraordinary. The weak suddenly became physically indomitable. A blind beggar, once shunned, not only regained his sight but gained vision far beyond human limits. The phenomenon spread like a virus, not just among those closest to the Abyss but to anyone within a certain radius of it.
Five years later, the world was no longer the same. Abyss Origin was no longer just a mystery—it had become the epicenter of a new age. Around it, a sprawling metropolis called Nexus City had risen, serving as the hub for exploration. Adventurers gathered there, seeking fortune, glory, or answers to the Abyss's enigma.
Nexus City was unlike any other place. It was a city teeming with courage and desperation. Every day, hundreds ventured into the Abyss, hoping to discover riches or gain extraordinary powers. Yet, many never returned. The Abyss was not a mere void; it was another world, teeming with dangers and wonders.
"We live in a new era," declared a famed guild leader in a public address within Nexus City. "The Abyss is the key to understanding our future. If we conquer it, we will become the rulers of this world!"
Humanity began categorizing the powers brought by Evolution. Five primary classes emerged:
1. Knights, who boasted unmatched physical strength and defense.
2. Berserkers, warriors who grew more powerful the closer they were to death.
3. Mages, wielders of mystic energies capable of manipulating the elements.
4. Healers, who became the backbone of any exploration team.
5. Rogues, shadowy assassins who relied on speed and cunning.
These five classes formed the foundation of the new world shaped by the Abyss. With the powers granted by Evolution, humanity now had the tools to face the dangers within the Abyss. However, these powers also brought conflict—among individuals and between factions.
In Nexus City, four powerful guilds rose to dominance: Inferno, Eclipse, Vanguard, and Lord. Each guild had its unique goals and characteristics, but they shared one thing in common: an ambition to control the Abyss.
Amid this upheaval, theories about the Abyss's origins abounded. Some claimed it was a gateway to hell, while others believed it to be a portal to another dimension. Researchers referred to it as a "gravity and space-time anomaly," though no tangible evidence supported their claims.
But among the explorers, there were darker tales. Some spoke of hearing whispers deep within the Abyss—voices promising powers far beyond what Evolution could provide. Central to these tales was a single name: Nox.
Nox was a mysterious entity mentioned in ancient legends. Some believed it to be a god trapped within the Abyss, while others called it a demon intent on destroying the world. No one knew the truth. But one thing was certain—anyone who claimed to hear Nox's whispers never returned from the Abyss.
###
The clatter of the train's metal wheels echoed as dust from the road rose into the air. A middle-aged man in a worn brown coat stepped off the train that had just arrived at Nexus City's main station. He glanced around with eyes full of curiosity. The bustling city greeted him with the sounds of hurried footsteps, merchants shouting their wares, and the clinking of metal weapons carried by adventurers crowding the streets.
"This... is Nexus City," he muttered under his breath, his voice swallowed by the noise.
The man, Eldrin, came from a remote northern region, far removed from the chaos of the Abyss and the global changes brought by Evolution. To him, this city was the stuff of stories—a hub of wealth, opportunity, and danger. But as his gaze swept over the main street, teeming with armed individuals and towering buildings, he realized Nexus City was unlike any other place he had seen.
He walked slowly, trying to avoid the crowd, until his eyes landed on a young man stacking wooden crates beside a large cart. The youth had messy black hair and a dust-covered face. He didn't look as strong as the armed figures around him, but his movements carried a certain agility.
"Young man," Eldrin called out politely as he approached.
The youth, Leo, paused his work and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Yes? Can I help you?" he asked, his tone slightly curt.
"I just arrived in this city. I've heard a lot about Nexus City, but… it's not what I imagined. No soldiers, no city guards. In fact, I don't see any sign of government presence."
Leo stared at him for a moment before offering a faint smile, either out of pity or because the question was too naive. "That's because Nexus City isn't like other cities, sir. Here, there are no police. No soldiers. Not even the government dares to interfere."
"No police?" Eldrin exclaimed in surprise. "Then… who keeps the peace in this city?"
Leo let out a short laugh and gestured toward a group of men across the street. They wore black uniforms emblazoned with a bright red sun emblem on their chests—members of Inferno, one of the largest guilds in Nexus City.
"Them," Leo said simply. "The big guilds run everything here. Inferno, Eclipse, Vanguard, Lord—they're the true rulers of this city. The government? They have no power here. If they tried to intervene, they'd be overthrown in no time."
Eldrin glanced uneasily at the group. One of the guild members was forcing an elderly merchant to hand over most of his earnings. The merchant didn't resist—he merely bowed his head and surrendered the money without protest.
"Isn't that… extortion?" Eldrin asked hesitantly.
Leo shrugged. "Maybe. But in Nexus City, that's just normal. The big guilds do whatever they want, and no one can stop them."
"Then how do ordinary people survive here? Aren't they afraid?"
"Of course they're afraid. But they also need protection." Leo paused before continuing, "In this city, if you're not part of a guild or don't have the strength to defend yourself, you're nothing more than prey. That's why most people join a guild, even if only as ordinary workers."
Eldrin furrowed his brow, trying to process what he had just heard. "But… not everyone can join a guild, right? What about those without any abilities?"
Leo let out a bitter laugh. "People like me? We're called porters—ordinary laborers who carry goods or assist explorers in the Abyss. We don't have any special abilities, just the strength and courage to keep going. Our lives depend on the mercy of those stronger than us."
Leo's words made Eldrin pause in thought. Nexus City was indeed a center of power and prosperity, but it was also a place where survival of the fittest reigned. Strength was everything, and the weak could only hope not to be crushed under the weight of power.
"Isn't it dangerous?" Eldrin asked again. "Living under the control of these guilds?"
"Of course it's dangerous," Leo replied without hesitation. "But in Nexus City, danger is just part of life. If you want to survive, you have to adapt."
A small explosion suddenly echoed from the direction of a nearby district. Black smoke billowed in the distance, accompanied by panicked screams. Eldrin flinched, but Leo merely glanced at the commotion before returning to his work.
"What's happening there?" Eldrin asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"A guild skirmish, probably," Leo answered nonchalantly. "That's normal here. As long as you're not involved, it's best to stay out of it."
Eldrin looked at Leo with a mix of awe and horror. The young man seemed completely unfazed, even while living in a city filled with chaos and danger. "You seem used to all of this."
"Because I don't have a choice," Leo replied flatly. "In Nexus City, you have two options: adapt or die."
Eldrin was at a loss for words. Nexus City, which he had imagined as a land of opportunity, now appeared more like an endless battlefield. Yet, beneath the surface chaos and power struggles, he sensed an inexplicable allure—as if the city held something far greater than mere disorder and dominance.
"Welcome to Nexus City, sir," Leo said coldly. "I hope you have enough courage to survive here."
Eldrin looked at Leo one last time before nodding slowly. He realized his journey had only just begun, and Nexus City was a place that would test him in ways he could never have imagined.