"While the weak dream about getting stronger, the strong play their games, twisting and consuming the weak..."
...
A pale, frail-looking young man with dark circles under his eyes sat squeezed into one of the cramped seats on a crowded train. His rough hands clutched his phone as he scrolled through the latest updates on the News of Utopia.
[August 4, 2036Ā
Edward Burdy: Scientists have analyzed the mysterious radiation from the blue sun but found no explanation in the past week for its color shift or reverse rotation. Documented events:
July 29: The sun began to slowly alter its rotation.
July 30: The sun stopped moving for five hours and gradually turned green.
July 31: The green hue shifted to turquoise, and the sun started rotating in the opposite direction.
August 1: The turquoise glow faded, and the sun continued its reverse rotation slower.
August 2: A light blue tint emerged, and the rotation returned to normal speed.
August 3: The sun shines brighter, and its rotation remains steady."
Experts suspect these bizarre events are linked to residual radiation from nuclear weapons used before the peace era. They're working on solutions while monitoring developments.]
After skimming the article, the young man stuffed his phone into his pocket. Like everyone else on Earth, Jack had been massaging his temples more often lately. The blue sun's rays weren't just strange-they triggered headaches in nearly everyone.
Jack rummaged through his bag and pulled out a packet of painkillers. Popping two tablets, he washed them down with a swig of water.
"Tsk, these never help," he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice as the throbbing in his head refused to let up. Around him, the uneasy murmurs of passengers filled the train. The tension was palpable everyone seemed on edge. The train rattled along its tracks while the sun blazed brighter outside, reaching its peak in the sky.
For a moment, it felt like time itself had slowed. Then, as if someone flipped a switch, the headaches vanished. Jack blinked, stunned.
"What the... did the pills work?" he murmured, glancing around. The other passengers looked just as confused as him. He turned to an elderly woman sitting nearby and tapped her shoulder gently. "Excuse me, ma'am. Did your headache just... go away?" She hesitated before replying, "Yes, yours too?" Jack nodded, but his relief was tinged with unease.
Something didn't feel right. Before he could dwell on it, the train shook violently. "!!!" The floor beneath him trembled as passengers screamed. Some were thrown to the ground, others fainted outright. Through the window, Jack saw massive stone walls erupting from the earth, rising like jagged teeth. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calmā" a garbled announcement crackled through the speakers before cutting out.
The train began to slow, but the growing wall ahead showed no signs of stopping. The collision was inevitable. The impact was brutal. Jack's head slammed into the seat in front of him. Dazed and bleeding, he struggled to stay conscious.
...
Groaning, he wiped blood and drool from his face with a shaky hand. That's when he noticed something strange flickering, holographic screen floating in front of him. "What... the hell is this?" he muttered, squinting at the glowing text:
[The mighty Creature of Healing is interested in you.
Do you want to join the Healer class?
Yes / No
Warning: If you refuse, you won't be able to join another class!]
Jack stared at the screen, trying to make sense of what was happening. Was this some kind of hallucination? His head throbbed, but he could feel the urgency in the choice before him. "...Yes," he whispered finally.
[Congratulations! You are now part of the Healer class.
To view your runes, tap your temple.]
Before he could follow the instructions, another loud bang echoed through the train.
...
[The mighty Creature of Explosion is interested in you.
Do you want to join the Explosion class?]
Yes / No
Warning: If you refuse, you won't be able to join another class!]
"Of course," a cold, mocking voice giggled.
[Congratulations! You are now part of the Explosion class.
To view your runes, tap your temple.]
She smirked and tapped her temple, summoning her stats:
[Name: Rose Veldran
Age: 27
Class: Explosion
Rank: F+
Abilities: Force Push
A small, localized explosion that pushes or injures nearby enemies.
0/100 Fragments]
Rose's grin twisted into something dark, her eyes gleaming with madness.
...
Without warning, a deafening explosion ripped through the cabin. The train door was torn off its hinges and hurled like a missile. Jack saw it coming straight toward the elderly woman he'd spoken to earlier. Instinct took over. He threw himself between the door and the woman, shielding her with his body.
The impact was bone-crushing. Jack crumpled to the floor, his vision swimming as pain wracked his body. Blood poured from his wounds, pooling around him as he gasped for air. Somehow, his trembling hand found its way to his temple.
[Name: Jack Aston
Age: 17
Class: Healer
Rank: E-
Abilities: Healing of the Righteous
- A weak healing ability that soothes light wounds in pure souls, harms corrupted ones and has a long cooldown.
0/100 Fragments]
Desperate, Jack whispered, "Healing of the Righteous." A pale yellow aura enveloped him, seeping into his injuries. His broken bones knit together, his torn flesh mended itself, and even the dark circles under his eyes faded away.
"I... I'm alive," Jack breathed, tears streaming down his face. But his relief was short-lived. A menacing presence loomed behind him. Dark eyes burned with malice, and a shadowy figure stepped forward. Jack's heart sank as he realized his fight was far from over.