In the far northeastern corner of the continent known as Helliones, where light rarely graces the land or its inhabitants, lies a small kingdom now called 'Mortis Fatalis'. Once known as Velador, it was a thriving kingdom ruled by a noble royal family for centuries. However, over time, their descendants, became irresponsible and corrupt heirs of the nobles including the crown-squandered their legacy. Through neglect, mismanagement, and greed, they plunged the kingdom into chaos. It did not stopped there, along with, natural disasters, plagues, mass migrations, corruption, and death caused by territorial wars waged by opportunistic petty noble lords, the once-proud kingdom fell into ruin. Now it is called as Mortis Fatalis, it stands as a breeding ground for all manner of illegal activities.
Unbeknownst to other faraway country's, this once ruined kingdom has undergone major changes. Its inhabitants now enjoy lives far better than ever before, the standard of living are better than it was compared the last century, a complete opposite to the harsh memory carried by its older residents. For those who grew up as children in a lawless and barren land, the scars of hardship still linger, a legacy captured in faded records and old stories from their predecessor.
But for long-lived races such as elves, dwarves, and vampires, however, those dark days feel as vivid as if they occurred yesterday. Their lifespans stretch centuries, allowing them to witness firsthand the extraordinary evolution of the kingdom that rose through the rubles of ruins and began a new.
Today, this flourishing realm welcomes not only humans but also intelligent monsters and other civilized races, fostering a vibrant and diverse population. Yet, despite its open arms, applying for residency is no easy feat. The process is lengthy, with steep fees and high security measures. The kingdom's laws, inspired by the Code of Hammurabi introduced by the current monarch, this help maintain order with an uncompromising sense of justice.
Adding to its allure is the unique agriculture and a variety of specialized professions that have attracted skilled individuals from across the continent. These industries, tailored to the kingdom's distinctive resources, have fueled an economic renaissance, making it a hub of innovation and prosperity.
The origin for this remarkable transformation traces back to the arrival of an eccentric vampire. It was centuries ago when he arrived and set foot in these lands, normally when vampires arrive chaos follows, like demons that seeks to devour mortals. But his arrival is different and it all started here.
Inside a dimly lit room, the curtains remained tightly closed despite the rising sun. The room was clean and organized, with a medium-sized bed in the center, a small desk on the side adorned with a lava lamp, and a holographic TV across from the bed. The TV buzzed with news about the state of the world and the latest technological advancements.
The projected news broadcast filled the room: "BNC wishes everyone a happy new year! Today, the calendar year 2125 marks the release of the Mk 3 Talon-immersive augmented virtual reality-the latest innovation in mixed reality and a groundbreaking technological achievement."
Amidst the chatter of the TV, a man in his late forties sat at his desk, fully immersed in a game on his old computer. Suddenly, a loud knock broke his concentration.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
From the other side of the door, an energetic voice called out:
"Oi! Old man, come here! Let's drink! Open up, I have beer!"
The knocking persisted until the man, annoyed, stood up and reluctantly left his game. He approached the door and turned the knob.
Klak~
The door opened, revealing a lively man who grinned and feigned irritation.
"Made me wait long enough, huh?"
"Yeah any longer and the door would've broke" he retorted with a smile.
He entered the room, setting food and drinks on the table while the older looking man returned to his game.
"Come on, bro, it's New Year's! Let's celebrate!" the guest exclaimed. Despite looking like he was in his early twenties, he was the same age as his friend. His youthful appearance was the result of his life as an Explorer, a transcended human who traveled across dimensions.
The energetic man, Jackson, continued, "Bro, you should move to City J, District 12. It's way better than here! Oh, and listen, I'll get you that new VR setup so you can finally retire and bury that ancient junk."
The older man paused and looked at his friend.
"…Come on, man. I'm old now, you know? This computer? It's from my grandfather's father. It's more valuable than any VR tech. And I can't keep bothering you, you've been paying my bills for so long that I've lost track."
Jackson waved off his hand in protest.
"Don't be like that. I know you'd do the same for me if the situation were reversed. Move near us, man! The kids love you, and I swear that computer, belongs in a museum!"
Both laughed as Jackson tossed him a beer.
"Haha, man, screw you," the older looking man retorted. "My little war machine will outlive you!"
Jackson burst out laughing.
"Bro, it's your computer that'll outlive you, not me!"
The older looking man smirked.
"You might be right, but I'll probably finish this damn game tonight, sucker!"
Jackson spilled his drink in disbelief.
"What? Really? You've been playing that thing for nineteen years! Alright, promise me this, when you finish it, you'll move near us. Now leave that game for a second, let's eat!"
The older man sighed but agreed. They ate their fill, and Jackson left soon after.
Alone again, the man cleaned up and washed the dishes, his mind wandering. He thought back to his youth and the life he could have had if he'd passed the Transcended Humanity Test.
At sixteen, he and Jackson had gone to the testing center. Jackson passed with flying colors, his body brimming with mana and aura, qualifying him as a combatant. The older looking man, however, failed, no mana, no aura. He was classified as a non-combatant and relegated to the lower districts, where weekly labor was mandatory.
He chuckled wryly, whispering to himself, "Let's not fantasize about that."
He recalled the day he inherited his beloved computer. In his family's old house, now owned by his youngest sibling, he found boxes containing the machine. He brought it back to his apartment, powered it up, and discovered an old RPG game: Dark Ascension RPG.
The game's difficulty stood out. He chose the vampire race for its unique immortality buff, granting limitless potential compared to other characters that aged and died. Unlike undead vampires or demons, which stagnated after a millennium, his vampire could grow endlessly, as long as it didn't die.
Smiling, he muttered, "I'll finish this game soon and move near Brother Jackson."
Fifty years earlier, amidst global turmoil and the looming threat of another world war, the world changed forever. Portals, pocket dimensions, dungeons, and gateways to other worlds appeared across the globe, sparking shock and caution.
Governments prioritized their interests, conducting studies on the anomalies. News spread as adventurers entered smaller portals, even those that appeared in backyards. Some never returned, but those who did brought something extraordinary: superhuman abilities and otherworldly powers.
This sparked global fascination. Despite the low chance of gaining powers and the high likelihood of death, people flocked to the portals. Governments struggled to control the chaos, especially after realizing the portals held vast amounts of treasures and resources.
In 2095, the first Overpour Event changed history. Unchecked portals unleashed countless monsters, overwhelming cities with high populations. The year became known as the Year of the Red Tide as simultaneous overpours devastated humanity.
Amid the despair, powerful Adventurers emerged, slaying monsters and reclaiming lost cities. Their efforts, along with the contributions of Transcended Humans, Explorers, Adventurers, and Hunters saved humanity.
Monster corpses, particularly their cores, became valuable commodities, bolstering the economy and empowering transcended humans. Over time, governments became obsolete, replaced by the World Government of Transcended Humans.
As the man finished his chores, he thought of the life he might have had as a Transcended. Yet he shook off the fantasy, smiled at the thought of Jackson's kids, and returned to his computer.
"Heh, being a Transcended sure is awesome," he muttered before resuming his game.
End of chapter