As the trio chatted on the video call, Kass suddenly asked, "So, did you guys think about what Archetype to choose yet?"
Rosa raised a brow. "Archetype?"
"Yeah," Kass said. "After you accept the invitation, the system asks you to pick one. Like a Class. I already decided… I'm going with Martial Artist."
Kai's eyes lit up. "Martial Artist? That's actually an option?"
Kass shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Yeah, check it yourself. There are eight Archetypes to choose from."
That was all Kai needed to hear. Everything else faded into the background as he slipped into his mind, focusing on the invitation from Omnix.
— ✦ —
[ Welcome to Phase I – Ludus Supervivendi. ]
[ Will you enter the trial? ]
[ Yes / No ]
— ✦ —
Kai chose Yes with his mind. It wasn't a button press... more like focusing, or Intending. Whatever.
— ✦ —
[ The Codex acknowledges your acceptance. ]
[ Choose an Archetype. ]
[ 1. Warrior | 2. Warden | 3. Rogue | 4. Ranger | 5. Martial Artist | 6. Mage | 7. Cleric | 8. Tamer ]
— ✦ —
Kai scanned the options, impressed despite himself. More than he'd expected was there… the whole classic lineup neatly packed into Eight Archetypes.
But honestly? His mind was already made up. Not just his — every Ashveil would probably pick the same thing.
Martial Artist.
Total no-brainer. They all knew the basics, and Rosa? She wasn't just a pro at it… she was a monster.
Kai focused on the list again, and as he did, faint text shimmered in his mind.
A short description for each Archetype appeared one by one.
Kai read through everything again and again. He already had an idea just from the names. Years of gaming did that to a person.
To sum it up…
Warriors were the path of steel, perfect for people who preferred breaking problems instead of solving them.
Wardens were the classic tanks. Built to endure what would flatten others. In Kai's words, they were the meat shields.
Then there were Rogues. The name said it all. They were the ones who slipped through shadows, snooped around, and prayed nobody noticed.
Rangers were the sharpshooters. Deadly from a distance… assuming they actually had the aim to hit something.
Then there was Martial Artist. The OG itself. Why bother with weapons when your whole body can be one?
Mage and Cleric were self-explanatory. One was a glass cannon good for standing still and throwing shit around, while the other was probably the most sought-after Archetype… as a companion.
Nobody wanted to be a damn healer, but everybody wanted to have one.
Tamers were better off working on some animal farm… the kind who let their cats and chickens do the fighting while they hid safely behind them.
* * *
While Kai was still on the terrace judging Tamers like he was getting paid by the hour, down in the gym, Liam, the bald trainer, clapped his hands to grab everyone's attention.
"Alright, folks… listen up. With all this weird crap going on, we're closing early today. I don't know who's planning to hit 'yes' on that invite, but I'm not about to have someone pass out mid-set. So pack it up."
Scott, one of the freshers and Luke's friend, raised a hand.
"Wait, bro, you're not accepting it?"
Liam gave a dry laugh, rolled his shoulders, and flexed lightly. "Of course I'm accepting. Man's gotta step up." He flashed his biceps. "It would be a crime to let these go to waste."
Then his tone shifted back to business.
"But that's beside the point. Everyone clear out. If the world doesn't end, gym's open again this evening."
Hearing that, Alice turned to Bryan and Claire. "Guess I'll head to my room, then."
Claire grinned playfully. "Oh, since your prince in shining armor already left, no reason to hang out with us, huh?"
Alice shot her a wink. "See you, girls. By the way, I'm going with the Archetype Tamer."
She left through the door like she was in a rush.
Claire muttered, "Is she planning to tame Kai with it?"
Bryan couldn't help but shake her head, then glanced at Claire. "Are you sure we should really accept that invitation?"
Claire shrugged. "I don't know, Bryan. You do what you want… but I'm accepting. Besides, our little lovebird already made up her mind."
Bryan let out a long breath. "Fine, whatever. Let's just get this over with. I'll pick Warden and be done with it."
Claire brightened. "Good, I'll go with Ranger. Make sure you protect me, my knight."
She strode ahead. "Come on, let's hit the smoothie bar across the street."
Bryan gave her a sideways look. "Honestly, it's a waste of time for you to even go to the gym. You work out for like an hour, then chug down enough sugar to last a week. What's the point?"
Claire smirked. "I go to see the hotties sweat, girl. If Alice wasn't already making a move on Kai, I would've pinned that man down years ago."
Bryan snorted. "Yeah, right. The only thing getting pinned is you, face-first on the floor."
Claire grimaced. "Ugh, that guy and his whole family are wasting some damn good genes."
With that, the two of them walked out of the gym.
* * *
Back on the terrace, Kai selected Martial Artist in his mind, and new runic panels bloomed into view.
— ✦ —
[ The Archetype 'Martial Artist' has been chosen. ]
[ Candidate Kairys, await the countdown. May you prove yourself worthy of 'the Liminal Expanse.' ]
— ✦ —
"Hoo…" Kai exhaled, the sound slipping out before he realized it. That new term, Liminal Expanse, he had zero clue what it meant.
Well… Whatever.
He wondered how many people were actually accepting this invitation. Definitely not everyone. Probably just Gen Z idiots like him, thrill-seekers, and people with nothing to lose.
Anyone with kids or a stable family life would think twice… or ten times.
Kai glanced at his phone. The screen was split between Kass, and Rosa, who sat perfectly still like she was meditating her soul into alignment.
"So, I'll call you guys if nothing happens after the countdown, then."
Kass looked up immediately. "You chose Martial Artist?!"
Kai leaned back against the railing and nodded. "Obviously. And you should pick Tamer. No way you're beating me if you go Martial Artist, Kass. But if you go Tamer… maybe we can hitch a ride on whatever you tame."
Kass shot him a deadpan stare. Sure, he'd never managed to beat Kai in their karate showdowns, but that didn't stop his mouth. He smirked. "And I could say the same to you. There's no way you're beating our sis if you go Martial Artist. Might as well choose Cleric, dude."
Kai's lips twitched. "Anyway, I'll see you guys later."
He cut the call and closed his eyes, letting the wind wash over him.
A moment later, Rosa ended her call as well and stood up, leaving only Kass behind, who was still torn between choosing Mage or Martial Artist.
Kass lounged back on the recliner in the balcony, staring at his phone. "Wow… first one to accept the invite, and I'm the one left behind."
From Kelly's room, Butter was still blaring at full blast.
"For fuck's sake! Can you lower the damn volume, Kelly?"
The music somehow got louder.
Kass muttered darkly, "One day, I swear… I'm gonna make her listen to Baby Shark on repeat, until she wakes up screaming at the very thought of music."
* * *
The sun was rising soft and warm, dawn fading into day as the last traces of darkness slipped away.
Three minutes still remained on the countdown. Up on the terrace, Kai decided to spend them with music instead of heading back to his room.
His earbuds were already in. He hit play on a classic… Wake Me Up by Avicii.
Leaning against the railing, he let his eyes fall shut.
Time drifted by.
[ Countdown – 00 : 00 : 05 ]
Kai checked the timer in his mind. Only five seconds left.
He opened his eyes slowly. A flicker of nerves, mostly excitement.
4
He didn't know what had happened to the rest of the world. Honestly, he couldn't care less.
3
No idea if only humans had received the message… or if every living being had.
2
But even if they had, could they really accept it?
1
What about the kids? The newborns?
Wake Me Up was still playing—
"I didn't know I was lost…"
0
And then the world went silent. Like time itself had hit pause.
Kai couldn't explain it. One moment, everything was normal. The next, the light drained from his vision and the world slipped into total black.
It didn't feel like closing his eyes. It was deeper than that. Like he'd gone blind.
Then it worsened. He couldn't feel his body. No hands, no breath… not even the weight of his own thoughts.
He couldn't panic or scream, because he couldn't form a single thought at all.
Was this death? He had no clue — he'd never died before. Everything just… faded into silence.