Sam looked around, observing the reactions of the others. It seemed like everything was better than he had initially thought. At first, he had expected the fairy to launch into another killing spree, but instead, she had revived the man, showcasing her god-like power. With this, Sam began to realize that the tutorial wasn't designed to kill people for the amusement of some omnipotent being. As the fairy had explained, it was meant to prepare them to fight against an invasion.
The enemy must be so vicious that even someone as powerful as the fairy wouldn't waste human lives without reason, especially after her first attempt to instill fear had failed. It became clear to Sam that the stakes were much higher than he had imagined. This wasn't about cruelty—it was about survival.
A moment of silence passed, until a random woman, her face marked by worry, stepped forward. With a trembling hand, she raised it and asked the fairy, "Do you know where my baby is?"
The fairy, unphased, opened a translucent system window before her, her fingers brushing across the interface as if accessing information. After a brief pause, she spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
"Do not worry, female human. There is a designated trial zone for human infants and children. They will be cared for by system-assigned caretakers. The death rate in their trial zone is zero. The children will simply need to learn and grow during the trial period until it ends."
The woman looked relieved, a small breath escaping her lips, while the crowd, now slightly reassured, murmured amongst themselves.
A man, one of the few who hadn't fled during the chaos, stood up and asked the fairy with a mixture of fear and resolve, "What's happening to Earth?"
The fairy's smile deepened, clearly pleased by the question.
"Ah, a great question!" she replied. "Your home world is currently undergoing a transformation. The System is assisting in harnessing the planet's natural resources, enabling your world to utilize its energy more efficiently. A dimensional barrier is being installed around Earth to shield it from direct invasion for now. However, the invaders already know about your planet. Your task, once you return, will be to confront them and eliminate the threats they bring. Earth's survival depends on your strength and ability to protect it."
She paused for a moment, ensuring the weight of her words was fully understood by the group.
"When you come back, the responsibility of defending it will fall on your shoulders."
The moment the fairy finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. The weight of her words hung in the air like an unspoken truth, and for a moment, it seemed like no one could process what had just been revealed.
Some faces turned pale, their eyes wide with disbelief. Others simply stared blankly, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The concept of Earth transforming, of the planet being under siege by invaders, was too much for many to fully grasp. The idea of returning to their home only to fight to protect it from destruction was overwhelming.
The new random man shouted, "But why kidnap us? We're just civilians!, why not just let the government do the job? That's right—we have guns and nuclear weapons! The aliens will be annihilated!" a ripple of awkward silence followed. The people around him exchanged incredulous looks, some even shaking their heads in disbelief. They had just witnessed the fairy's godlike abilities—the revival of the dead, her manipulation of space, and the power she radiated—and yet this man thought conventional weapons would make a difference? It was almost comical.
The fairy's expression darkened, her once-amused demeanor replaced with a cold fury. Her wings flickered ominously, and for a moment, it felt like the air itself grew heavier. "Why do humans never learn reason?" she muttered under her breath. With a flick of her hand, a translucent screen appeared before her, its glowing symbols incomprehensible to the crowd. She began scrolling through the information, her lips pressing into a thin line.
After a moment, she turned back to the man, her voice sharp and laced with irritation. "Humans of this world truly never fail to surprise me. a Weapons crafted within the boundaries of the Physical Law capable of generating destruction on the level of a Tier 5 nuclear explosion? Impressive. And—what's this?—you've even begun to tap into the particles of the Law? and called it quantum? How is that possible for mere Tier 0 mortals?" Her tone dripped with both genuine curiosity and exasperation. "No wonder your world is so overpopulated. For a species barely out of the cradle of their Soul Records, you've achieved much… and yet, you understand so little."
The crowd murmured at her words, a mixture of pride and confusion spreading among them. Pride at their technological advancements, but confusion at her disdainful tone.
The fairy folded her arms, her wings glowing faintly. "But let me make this clear," she continued, her voice sharp as a blade. "Even with those weapons you so proudly boast about, they are woefully insufficient against the Chaos Army. You think your nuclear bombs and bullets would stand a chance? Against creatures that exist beyond the comprehension of your physical laws? Against forces that can bend reality itself? Pathetic."
She stepped closer to the crowd, her luminous eyes narrowing as they bore into the man. "So stop this nonsense about your weapons and your governments. Your world's survival depends on you—those who are here—learning to harness your Soul Records and grow stronger. This is your last warning: do not waste my time with foolishness."
Her voice echoed with finality, and the crowd collectively held their breath. The man who had spoken up shrank back, his face pale, as the gravity of her words sank in.
Sam, who had been silently observing for what felt like an eternity, finally decided it was the right moment to voice the question that had been gnawing at him the most.
"What is the Soul Record?" he asked, his tone steady but filled with curiosity.
The fairy's eyes lit up as if she had been anticipating this very question. With a delighted expression, she responded, "Ah, finally! Someone asks the right question." She clasped her hands together and continued, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"The Soul Record is the essence of your existence—a unique and indelible imprint dedicated to your achievements and essence as an individual. It chronicles every thought, action, and accomplishment you make. By accessing your Soul Record, you can harness Existence Power, allowing you to grow, evolve, and ascend to higher states of being. It is both your greatest treasure and the foundation of your potential."
Pausing for effect, she added with a knowing smile, "As for what Existence Power truly is... you'll understand when you reach level 10 and evolve into a Tier 1 being. Until then, consider it the key to unlocking your destiny."
Things began to fall into place, and Sam and his group stayed silent, opting to observe and absorb as much information as possible from the questions being asked. One particular thought lingered in Sam's mind: If Tier 5 power is equivalent to a nuclear bomb, how many tiers exist? From the fairy's reaction, Tier 5 doesn't seem like an extraordinary feat but is clearly not insignificant either.
For thirty minutes, the questions from the crowd gradually dwindled. Each response from the fairy added pieces to a puzzle that was slowly taking shape in everyone's minds. Finally, no one had any further questions. The crowd grew silent, a mixture of resignation, curiosity, and unease settling over them.
The fairy floated above them, her shimmering wings casting soft glows over the group. She scanned the silent crowd and, with a satisfied nod, spoke decisively.
"With no more questions, we shall now begin the trial."
Raising her hand once again, she was bathed in a radiant blue glow. The air around her pulsed with energy, and she declared with a voice that carried authority, "Armory."
The blue light intensified, and before their eyes, the ground below the fairy began to transform. The shimmering energy solidified, materializing into a massive armory. Rows upon rows of weapons and tools appeared, their metallic gleam catching the light. The armory was vast, almost overwhelming, and eerily reminiscent of the hidden stash Sam had back at his parents' house—but this collection was far more extensive.
However, one glaring difference caught Sam's attention immediately: there were no guns.
The fairy addressed the crowd with a tone of authority, her voice carrying effortlessly over the gathered participants.
"According to the rules, each of you may choose one weapon and one survival kit from the armory. Once everyone has made their selection, you will have one hour before the starting point barrier opens, marking the official beginning of the trial."
With that, she gracefully ascended into the sky, her wings shimmering in the fading light. As she hovered above them, she gave a parting smile, her tone light yet laced with finality.
"My role here is done. We shall meet again in Stage Two. Good luck, Participants."
With a final burst of radiant energy, she vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of her presence behind. It was as if she had never been there at all.
then…
Ding!
[TUTORIAL QUEST]
Quest Name: [The Survival]
Time Remaining: 30 Days 00:00:00
Objective: Navigate the forest and reach the Tutorial Towns located in one of the four cardinal directions.
Rewards: Rewards will be granted based on the progression of your Soul Record.