Mon had never been in a fight in his life. He had always been the guy who stayed out of trouble, drifting through the days with no real direction. But now, the world had changed—transformed into something unrecognizable. Monsters roamed the streets, and a strange new power had manifested inside him, one he still didn't fully understand.
He staggered to his feet, clutching his bleeding arm with one hand, his other still trembling from the shock of what he had just done. The Dimensional Gate had swallowed that creature whole, just like the system had said. But now, Mon had to survive. He couldn't afford to stand around and wonder what this all meant.
He quickly searched the alley, spotting a few discarded items—a baseball bat, a backpack, and an old jacket. He grabbed them without hesitation, throwing the jacket on to cover his wounds as he stuffed the backpack with anything useful he could find: water bottles, snacks, and a few spare bandages.
The world outside the alley had descended into chaos. People ran, shouting, but no one seemed to know where they were going. A few brave souls fought back against the monsters with whatever they could find—sticks, broken glass, and makeshift weapons. But it was clear that most were outmatched. These monsters weren't something people could just deal with using ordinary strength.
Mon adjusted the strap of the backpack and headed back into the street. As he walked, he looked at the Dimensional Gate that loomed in the sky, its swirling blackness still there, pulsing with an ominous glow.
What the hell is going on?
His mind raced as he tried to process everything.
The system had said humans could evolve, gain power, and survive. But how? He wasn't sure if he was ready for that.
As Mon walked past a collapsed building, he heard a sound—a soft whimpering. He turned to see a small girl, no older than 7 or 8, crouching near a pile of rubble. She was covered in dirt, and her eyes were wide with fear.
Without thinking, Mon rushed toward her.
"Hey," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "Are you okay?"
The girl looked up at him, her eyes full of fear. "M-Mom… Dad…"
Mon's heart sank. He could tell the girl was alone. She had lost her parents, just like so many others.
He glanced around, making sure no monsters were nearby. But the streets were eerily silent now—almost too quiet. Mon pulled the girl close, guiding her to a safer part of the alley.
"We're going to be okay," he said, his voice more steady than he felt. "I'm going to help you find your parents."
The girl nodded weakly. But Mon knew it wouldn't be that easy. In this new world, people were fighting for their lives, and survival was no guarantee.
---
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from the distance. Mon's instincts kicked in. He turned quickly, looking for cover, but it was too late. From around the corner, a massive, scaly creature with rows of jagged teeth appeared. Its glowing eyes locked onto Mon and the girl, its massive form blocking the entire street.
Mon's heart raced. This was the real deal. A monster—a boss-level threat, if he had to guess. He knew he couldn't take this thing on alone. But he also knew there was no time to waste.
He had no choice. He needed to use his skill.
[Dimensional Gate]
The portal opened wide before him, and Mon pushed the girl behind him, telling her to stay back. The monster growled, sensing the danger, and charged toward him with terrifying speed.
Mon's mind raced. His body was weak—he hadn't trained for combat and his physical capabilities weren't enhanced yet. He couldn't outrun the beast, and there was no way he could fight it head-on. But the Dimensional Gate was his only option.
The creature's claws slashed toward him, but Mon quickly activated his skill. With a single thought, the monster was sucked into the portal, trapped inside the dimension.
Silence followed.
Mon stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding. He had done it. He had trapped the creature inside the Dimensional Gate, but that didn't mean he was safe. The girl's fearful eyes were fixed on him, and Mon realized just how much danger they were still in. The world was no longer what it once was. Monsters roamed the streets, and survival had become the ultimate challenge.
Mon closed the portal, still shaken by the enormity of what he had just done. But for now, they were safe.