The year was 2025, the end of the summer, and for Lucas Maxwell, life was simple. At 21 years old, tall and lean, with short black hair and striking blue eyes, he was just another guy trying to get through the monotony of everyday life. His escape? Endless Apocalypse, an online multiplayer survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world teeming with zombies, traps, and endless levels of danger.

Lucas wasn't a pro gamer or a streamer—just an average player who loved the rush of working with his team to survive increasingly difficult missions. The game demanded strategy, quick reflexes, and a little luck. Every level was harder than the last, but that was what made it addicting.

That afternoon, Lucas had just logged out after a grueling session. His squad had barely survived a horde ambush, and his heart was still pounding as he leaned back in his chair.

The sharp ringtone of his phone broke his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—Mom.

"Hey, Mom. What's up?" he answered.

"Lucas, could you come help me? I've got some heavy boxes I can't lift on my own," she said, her voice a little strained.

Because She'd just moved into a new apartment, one that was smaller but closer to work. Lucas smiled. "Sure, I'll be there in a bit," he said.

He grabbed his jacket in a hurry and left his apartment, headphones still around his neck. The streets were busy, with people being busy with what they were supposed to do. Lucas walked with his usual relaxed stride, earbuds now playing one of his favorite artist soundtracks.

Then, out of nowhere, the screech of tires broke through the music.

He looked up and saw it: a car swerving wildly, the driver struggling for control. At the same moment, a young girl darted into the street, trying to get her balloon with her head down, oblivious to the danger.

Lucas didn't think. He just moved.

"Hey! Watch out!" he yelled, sprinting toward her.

The girl froze, her eyes wide. Lucas pushed her hard, sending her tumbling safely onto the sidewalk. But he wasn't fast enough to get out of the way himself.

The impact was sharp and brutal, the world spinning as his body hit the pavement. Pain flared briefly before fading into a strange numbness. He lay there, staring up at the darkening sky, his chest heaving as he tried to breathe.

"Sorry, Mom," he mumbled weakly. "Looks like I can't make it to help you…"

His vision blurred, the world around him fading to black.

When Lucas opened his eyes, he wasn't on the street anymore. He was standing in an endless expanse of white, like some kind of dreamscape. The air was still, almost surreal, and before him stood a woman—no, not just a woman. She was radiant, almost glowing, her features impossibly perfect, her long hair shimmering like silver threads.

"Welcome, Lucas Maxwell," she said, her voice calm and melodic.

"Woah," Lucas muttered, staring at her in awe. "What a beautiful angel…"

The woman raised an elegant eyebrow. "I am not an angel, and you're not dead yet."

Her words pulled him out of his daze. "Wait… what? What do you mean I'm not dead? I— I got hit by a car!" He said confused.

"You did, get hit by it, true! " she said simply, her gaze steady. "But your story doesn't end here. You have another chance—if you're willing to take it."

Lucas blinked at her, confusion and hope swirling in his mind. "Another chance? What kind of chance?"

"To live," she replied, stepping closer. "But not in the world you know. In a different place. A place where you have to fight and be on top, so you can win back your chance of taking back your life that you left behind before helping that little girl"

He didn't hesitate. "Yes! Of course, I want to come back!"

The woman smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with something Lucas couldn't quite place. "Very well. But remember, the world you're about to enter is not your own. Survive if you can. But not being too unfair towards you, I'll be giving you something, a slight advantage, and is up to you how will it be used" 

Before Lucas could ask what she meant, everything went white again.