I opened my eyes, and a message greeted me.
[You have succeeded in creating a small mana core.]
The blue particles surrounding me instantly surged toward my body, absorbing into me without resistance. However, the other colors didn't follow. Instead, they drifted further away.
I already knew why. The unknown entity that had helped me had explained it.
Mana particles represented elemental affinities. Since I naturally attracted blue particles, it meant my affinity was water.
Let's see if it really works the way he said…
Closing my eyes, I focused on the mana that had gathered in my core. I reached for it, drawing it toward my hand. I envisioned forming a sphere of water, letting the energy flow naturally.
When I opened my eyes, a small orb of water hovered in my palm.
It worked.
I had successfully used mana before the start of the match.
I wasn't sure how the rest of my class was doing, but I didn't particularly care. As long as they didn't bother me or try anything against me, that was all that mattered.
[Time remaining before your first placement game: 00:01:00]
It was almost time.
My heartbeat quickened. Not from fear, but from anticipation. I had no idea who or what we would be facing, but the uncertainty thrilled me.
Ever since arriving in this white space, I had felt more excitement than I had in the last five years combined.
Please don't disappoint me.
The timer continued counting down, second by second, until the game was ready to begin.
I had an advantage over my classmates. Between my stats and my newly created mana core, I was stronger than any of them. However, that didn't mean my enemies wouldn't have similar advantages.
[00:00:03]
[00:00:02]
[00:00:01]
[Selecting a fair opponent for your placement game.]
[Race: Human]
[Planet: AC-2334]
[Planet Description: They come from a more evolved planet than yours. However, their physical abilities are similar to those of your planet. It is also their first match.]
[Match Type: Control Type]
[Win Conditions:]
1. Control the Tower for 5 minutes without enemy interference.
2. Eliminate all enemies.
[If no victory condition is met within 1 hour, a death battle will commence.]
[Since this is your first match, you will each receive a Reincarnation Stone.]
[This item grants one extra life. However, if you lose this match, you will die regardless of possessing the item.]
[Random Map Selected.]
[Teleportation in 3…2…1…]
My vision blurred, the world around me shifting until I found myself standing among my classmates. They still looked nervous, but not as panicked as before. At least they were getting used to the situation.
In front of us stood a massive tower—the Control Point we had to secure. Whoever held it would have the advantage.
My plan was simple. Help my classmates take control of the tower, then advance alone, eliminating any approaching enemies.
However, my plan quickly fell apart the moment I heard Serena's voice.
"Levi. Just letting you know, we don't want you as part of our team. If you stay with us, we might decide to kill you, depending on your actions."
I didn't react. I had expected this.
"You're kicking out the second strongest member of your group?"
"Yes. We can't trust you. It's necessary."
I nodded slowly. "Alright then. Try not to die."
I had no intention of arguing. It was pointless. This was exactly how things had always been.
"Hmph, we should be the ones telling you that. You're not even the strongest here. What makes you think you'll survive on your own?"
I turned to leave without another word.
I wasn't about to waste time arguing right before the match began.
We had no idea what was inside the tower—whether it contained weapons, armor, or other advantages. If this worked like most games, controlling the tower would be the key to victory.
Glancing back once, I confirmed that no one had followed me.
Even Ruby had chosen to stay with them.
Well, I can't blame her. It's safer with them.
She made a logical choice, and I respected that.
Still, even though they had kicked me out, I continued forward.
With my stats, I was much faster than the others. I could easily reach the tower before anyone else.
So I ran.
Moving through the woods surrounding the tower, I sprinted at full speed. I needed a weapon. There had to be one inside.
Anything would do, though if I could get a sword, I would be more than happy. It was the weapon I always chose in games. Even if I had never used one in real life, the techniques from countless hours of gaming were burned into my mind.
Then, a notification appeared.
[Anonymous takes pity on you.]
[You have received a Speed Potion.]
A small vial materialized in my hand.
A description popped up.
[Low-Level Speed Potion]
[Effect: +10 Agility for 5 minutes.]
I frowned and glanced up at the sky.
Was this from the same entity that had helped me earlier? Just who was this anonymous benefactor?
Are these the "eyes" the system mentioned? Are they gods?
I didn't have time to dwell on it.
Uncorking the potion, I downed it in one gulp.
Immediately, energy surged through my body. My limbs felt lighter, my movements more refined. I was nearly twice as fast.
Even so, I remained cautious.
This wasn't normal.
Whoever was helping me had a reason.
I just didn't know what it was yet.
A few minutes passed, and I finally arrived at the Tower. I glanced around, checking for any signs of movement. But it was clear—there was absolutely no one inside.
I was the first to arrive.
Without wasting time, I stepped into the Tower. The moment I did, a message appeared before me.
[You have entered the Control Point.]
[You need at least five members of your team for the capture to begin.]
[Capture Progression: Locked.]
I dismissed the notifications and immediately started searching the area.
My goal was simple.
I needed a weapon.
A knife, a sword, a spear—anything would do, though I preferred a sword.
The Tower was massive. I had been climbing for at least two minutes, yet the stairs stretched endlessly upward. It was a good thing I was in shape; otherwise, this would have been exhausting.
Still, what worried me most was the time I was wasting.
If there was something valuable at the top, I had to reach it before anyone else. But if I had miscalculated and there was nothing, I had just thrown away precious minutes.
Jumping down wasn't an option. If I broke my legs, I wouldn't be able to move, let alone fight.
So, I kept climbing.
"Just how big is this thing…"
After another two minutes, I reached the top.
And found nothing.
An empty room. No weapons. No armor. Nothing that could help secure the Tower.
Fuck. Did I just waste my time?
I could have used this time to set up traps, fortify defenses—anything to give my team the upper hand. Because even though Serena had turned them against me, I still needed them to win.
Dying wasn't an option.
"I need to go down."
I turned back toward the stairs.
That's when I heard it—voices, hurried footsteps echoing from below.
And it wasn't the grating voice of Serena that I could recognize from a mile away.
It was someone else.
Am I really going to die here?
I clenched my jaw. If that happened, I'd be forced to use my Reincarnation Stone early.
And that was something I couldn't afford.
***
POV: Alek
We had trained for this moment our entire lives.
Getting chosen by the Universal System was an honor—something everyone dreamed of. From the moment we were born, we had prepared for this.
And now, it was finally happening.
"I think we got lucky and matched with a planet that doesn't understand the Universal System," one of my teammates muttered behind me.
I nodded. "That's true. Otherwise, they would have arrived at the same time as us."
"Still… don't you think it's weird that the control progression isn't starting? It says the Control Point is [Contested]. That should mean someone from the other team is already inside."
"There's no way that's possible. No unawakened could have reached this place before us. It must be a system bug."
No way.
There was no way someone had gotten here minutes before us.
Our average stat was 13—far higher than what a planet without Universal System knowledge should have. There was no logical reason for anyone from the other team to be ahead.
"Have any of you received a Watcher's notice?" I asked suddenly.
Everyone shook their heads.
I gritted my teeth.
That was crucial. This match wasn't just about survival—it was a test. The Watchers were watching us closely, determining who had potential. If we performed well, we could attract their attention, gain support, even earn blessings and talents.
But for someone to be noticed before the match even began?
That only happened to the most gifted players.
Crack!
"Did you hear that?"
I turned to my left, scanning the area.
Nothing.
I could've sworn I heard wood cracking. Maybe just the old stairs settling.
Splash!
Something wet—no, something hot splattered across my face.
A sharp pain shot through my right eye.
"AHHH!"
I screamed, clutching my face as agony consumed me. My vision blurred, one side turning completely dark.
"We're not alone!" I shouted, my voice hoarse. "Someone is here! He has a weapon! RUN!"
I tried to move, but my balance was off. I could barely see. Running was impossible—I'd trip and fall down the stairs.
Something heavy weighed on my head, pressing into my skull.
I reached up to touch it.
Cold. Metal.
My stomach twisted.
There was a sword lodged in my right eye.
Whoever had attacked me had done it silently. Without warning. Without us even knowing he was there.
[You have died.]
[Using
[You have respawned.]
My body reformed, the pain vanishing.
As I looked around, one by one, my teammates began respawning next to me. Their faces were pale, filled with panic.
As if they had just witnessed a monster.
"Did… did any of you see who attacked us?" I asked immediately.
Silence.
Then, one by one, my teammates shook their heads.
"No."
Another shook his head.
And another.
No one knew.
We had been wiped out.
And not a single one of us had even seen our attacker.
We had been overconfident.
We had assumed we were superior.
But the enemy team had a monster.
Someone dangerous enough to already be noticed by the Watchers.
That was why he had a weapon.
That was why we never even saw him coming.
"Did we all just… die?" someone whispered.
"We did."
I clenched my fists.
As long as he remained inside the Tower, waiting for reinforcements, we had no way to win.
Are we really going to die just like that?
POV: Serena
We had been walking through the forest for several minutes, steadily approaching the Tower.
Then, a series of messages flashed in front of me.
[Levi Smith has killed Lv.2 Human.]
[Levi Smith has killed Lv.3 Human.]
[Levi Smith has killed Lv.1 Human.]
[…]
The list kept going.
I froze. My entire body tensed.
No. No, no, NO.
I screamed internally.
HOW?! How is he still doing this in another world?!
It didn't make sense.
Levi was a freak back in school, but this was different. He should have struggled here. He should have struggled.
Yet he was slaughtering them.
One by one.
And worst of all—he was alone.
I gritted my teeth.
This wasn't over.
Not yet.