Planet AS12S - AF2355XX, Local Name: Earth
[Inhabitants of Planet AS12S - AF2355XX, we welcome you to the Infinite Multiverse.]
[In five minutes, your planet will undergo Ascension.]
[This is your chance! Prepare your hearts and affirm your determination! In this new era, only those who take risks and dare to walk forward will attain success!]
[The upcoming times will be difficult. You will face loss, you will face despair. But do not worry, for the Great Mother will help you all!]
[All you need is the willpower to continue moving forward! And all shall be rewarded!]
Every human on the planet was stunned when they heard the voice inside their head.
Followed by the voice, a translucent screen appeared in front of their eyes.
[Time until the beginning of Ascension: 4 minutes, 58 seconds]
[Time until the Tutorial starts: 5 minutes, 58 seconds]
The sharpest of minds realized this was no joke.
Great changes were about to come.
They prepared themselves mentally, said goodbyes to their family, or made plans for survival by collecting food, preparing bunkers, and more.
Most people went into hysteria.
Crime rates increased exponentially within the first minute of the announcement. By the end of the 3 minutes, they had gone up by a staggering 40%.
Some stayed inside their homes, praying. Some believed all of this was an elaborate prank.
[Time until the beginning of Ascension:00 mintues, 00 seconds]
[Time until the Tutorial starts: 1 minute, 00 seconds]
A great cry reverberated throughout the world as if it was crying.
Earthquakes of 9.0 magnitude appeared in all major cities, hurricanes materialized out of thin air, and a second sun appeared in the sky.
Chaos erupted everywhere.
People finally understood what [Ascension] meant.
It was an Apocalypse.
Buildings fell as the land cracked, mountains shifted, tsunamis drowned the coastal lands. It was impossible to survive.
No amount of training or preparation could help humanity live through the apocalypse.
Just when despair drowned the people, the second countdown ended.
[Time until the Tutorial starts: 00 minutes, 00 seconds]
[You will be entering the Tutorial.]
[After the tutorial ends, you will be brought back to Planet AS12S - AF2355XX (Local Name: Earth).]
[Please note, by the time you return, the Ascension of Planet AS12S - AF2355XX will be completed, and it might be occupied by external forces.]
[If you wish to survive after the return, we advise you to do your best in the Tutorial.]
Everyone started to turn into a white flash and disappear. They were taken to the Tutorial.
Only a second passed before the humanity vanished from Earth, now known as Planet AS12S - AF2355XX.
[Alert! An exception to Multiverse Law 122-FAS97 found on Planet Earth.]
The system zoomed its focus on the Bridgeham Hospital inside Clifnal City, in the Republic of Aubern.
The building had half crumbled.
One of the broken walls revealed a sickly young human on the hospital bed.
He was extremely thin and pale. His ribs were visible, his hands were thinner than a child's, and he had lost his hair.
A dull haziness covered his eyes as he tried to move.
"Wh… What is happening?"
Alex coughed. The movement sent jolts of pain throughout his body.
[Overlord-rank Bloodline detected inside Alex Mercer, Homo Sapien, 16.]
[Entrance to Tutorial rejected.]
Alex stared at the screen with laborious breath.
Staying awake was enough to give him severe migraines, but the voice wouldn't let him sleep.
The voice spoke again, this time much more humane.
[Alex Mercer, it has been detected that you are not an inhabitant of Planet AS12S - AF2355XX, Local Name: Earth.]
[Tutorial is a procedure initiated to allow inhabitants of newly initiated worlds to survive the Ascension to the Infinite Multiverse.]
[Its main goal is to give them benefits that make sure they do not lag behind other awakened species.]
Alex could hardly focus on the voice.
The migraine was starting to become unbearable for him.
He was wondering why the nurse had not come yet.
[The fact that you, someone with a high-rank Bloodline and from a high-rank planet, are on a newly initiated world and will start your journey with the inhabitants gives you a massive head start over others.]
[To maintain the fairness, you will not be benefited by amenities that come under Multiversal Law 78-S8SSA, such as Tutorial Initiation, Basic Guide, and more.]
The presence behind the voice disappeared, or at least that was what Alex felt.
He groaned.
The pain was unbearable.
He had a long history of illnesses, and he had been diagnosed with Stage-4 Bone Cancer a few weeks back. He was undergoing chemotherapy.
However, he knew his time had come.
He might have survived the earlier diseases, but they had left him too weak to survive something like Stage-4 Bone Cancer.
A shrill cry broke his train of thoughts.
He turned his head slightly toward the broken wall and saw a giant, winged creature soaring in the sky.
The giant bird's wings stretched wide like a bat. Its skin looked rough, almost leathery, and lacked feathers. Clawed feet dangled beneath it.
The most striking feature of the bird was its long and narrow head, with a sharp beak and a strange bony crest sticking out the back.
The bird looked closer to prehistoric dinosaurs.
Alex flinched when he felt the bird make eye contact with him, and to his surprise, the bird dived toward him.
It flew down like a diver.
Then, it suddenly unfurled its wings to stop the dive and stretched out its clawed feet toward the broken wall as if to grab Alex.
It grabbed his bed and pulled it out.
The inertia threw him off the bed before the bird could take off with him.
Alex heard his bones crack when his body hit the broken floor of the hospital room.
Hot white pain shot through his head. Incomprehensible screams left his mouth.
The pain made it clear that he wasn't hallucinating.
The notifications had been real, and the world had changed.
Pain, exhaustion, and confusion clouded Alex's mind.
The bird released another shrill cry when it noticed its prey had fallen. It dropped the bed. The hospital furniture crashed to the ground with a loud bang, and shattered into dozens of pieces.
Without wasting another second, the bird aimed at Alex and dived.
[Name: -]
[Species: Gravewing]
[Rank: Initiate, Level 10]
[Likes: Hunting, Meat]
[Weakness: Cannot take sharp turns when flying at high speed.]
[Taming Difficulty: D+]
Alex saw the screen, but there was no time to read it carefully.
He dragged his body away from the broken wall. The bones in his arms crunched with every move; they were too weak to support his weight, thanks to the Bone Cancer, and his medical history.
He winced as pieces of broken glass and shattered concrete stabbed into his arms from below.
The clawed feet came without mercy.
They stopped only a meter away from Alex.
The bird released another cry and grabbed the wedges in the outer walls with its clawed hands to latch itself onto the building.
It stabbed its feet deeper into the room, determined to catch Alex.
One of its claws hooked into his clothes. The bird pulled with force and tore the cloth completely, failing to pull Alex.
The second failure was enough to enrage it to the core.
It lowered its body and peered into the room.
Alex had managed to drag his body to the corridor.
He left a bloody trail behind him. The cuts on his body continued to leak the remaining blood his sickly body had.
Seeing the bird-monster's giant eye, only a few meters away, staring at him stabbed daggers of fear into Alex's heart.
The monster tried to enter the building, but the room was too small for it, and its arms and legs were unable to reach the corridor.
It started to shake the building.
When it brought no result, it flew away after burning Alex into its eyes.
"Did… it… go away?"
Alex's earlier escapade left him too weak to move and check on the bird.
He had a strong suspicion it was flying around the building, waiting for its chance to sink its claws into Alex.
The bird had the presence of a hunter. It wouldn't let its prey go so easily.
However, he was in too much pain to worry about how he would escape the bird.
The bones in his arms had turned into mush, and he could not even use them to drag his body anymore. The rest of his body was no different—broken and bleeding.
Alex bit his lips, struggling to stay awake and fight the drowsiness that was threatening to swallow him whole.
Fear gnawed at his mind. Why had no one come to help him yet? Where did the monsters come from?
What was happening?
The terror was too much for a child like him.
The blood kept draining from his body.
He wondered if he was going to die from the apocalypse instead of illnesses.
Neonatal Sepsis at 1 year old, Tuberculosis at 2, Meningitis at 5, Leukemia at 7.
Smallpox at 8, Necrotizing Fasciitis at 11, Brain Tumor at 13, and Bone Cancer at 16.
The list of diseases was so long that one wondered how he was still alive.
Only he knew he wasn't.
A constant dull ache pressed in his bones at all times, breathing made him feel like his lungs were burning, staying awake for more than a few minutes would bring intense migraines.
Each disease left him weaker than before. They were cured, but the aftereffects never went away.
Until a few hours earlier, Alex had been sure Bone Cancer would be the winner to claim him.
Now?
The apocalypse had taken a lead in the race.
"If this… is the apocalypse… would I get a status like those… in the novels?" he joked, recalling the novels Cain, his younger brother, used to read to him.
A screen suddenly materialized before him, as if prompted open by his thoughts.
Name: Alex Mercer
Species: Homo Sapien, Planet AS12S - AF2355XX
Age: 16
Rank: Mortal (Unawakened)
Title: None
—
Stats:
Strength: 1 (Extremely Weak)
Agility: 0 (Barely Mobile)
Endurance: 0 (Fragile)
Vitality: 1 (Sickly)
Mind: 10 (Extremely Strong Will)
Mana: 0 (Unawakened)
Free: 0
—
Bloodline:
Beast Master (Overlord Rank) – A bloodline that grants absolute authority over beasts.
—
Physique:
Beast God Physique (Overlord Rank) – A supreme physique meant for ruler of all creatures. Currently broken due to absence of Mana during Alex Mercer's growth phase.
—
Skills:
Beastlord's Insight (Unique)
A divine eye that allows Alex Mercer to see the status of all beasts and creatures, including their strengths, weaknesses, and potential for evolution.
Partially sealed due to Alex Mercer's weak body. Gained from Beast Master Bloodline.
Soulfeast (Unique)
Upon the death of a beast, the Alex Mercer can devour its lingering Beast Essence, absorbing its power to strengthen his body, mind, and potential.
Stronger Beast Essences provide greater benefits, however consuming too many at once may cause instability.
Currently locked (Requires Alex Mercer to awaken). Gained from Beast God Physique.
—
Status Condition:
Critical Weakness – Alex Mercer's body is severely underdeveloped due to the lack of Mana in his biome while he grew up.
It had led to fractured growth, and extremely weak immune system.
Currently, he is losing blood, and has sustained multiple fractures, and internal tears.
Note: The user possesses unparalleled potential, but survival is uncertain. Immediate strengthening is advised.
—
Some stats were in 0s. Alex wondered if they must be too low and didn't reach the benchmark of 1, which rounded them off to 0.
His eyes lowered to the Bloodline and Physique.
"This…. doesn't feel like something a normal… human is supposed to have…"
The status screen, coupled with the previous information given to him by the notifications, gave him a hint.
'I'm not from this world. Since this world lacked mana, I grew up weak.'
'It must be why I was always sick. A body can't grow properly if it doesn't have all nutrients to support the growth.'
Alex chuckled while trying to ignore the pain. His theory was too outlandish.
The system said only Alex was left behind on Earth.
That would mean his parents didn't have his bloodline.
If it was true, didn't that mean he wasn't mom and dad's son?
That was impossible.
His parents had sacrificed too much for him. Money, time, health. They made sure Alex lived and gave him company whenever possible, even forsaking their sleep if necessary.
No one would do that for someone who was not their son.
Alex's eyes snapped toward the side when he heard a low growl.
A man came into view. His clothes said he was a doctor working there.
"Doctor…."
Alex quickly realized something was wrong.
The man looked more dead than alive.
His skin was gray and torn.
His eyes were cloudy. His mouth remained hung open, revealing broken, blood-stained teeth.
His clothes were ripped and dirty, barely hanging onto his thin, rotting body that looked like it would break from a push.
He walked with a slow and unsteady gait.
A terrible smell surrounded him, like meat left out for too long.
[Name: -]
[Species: Zombie]
[Rank: Initiate, Level 0]
[Likes: Living Meat]
[Weakness: Spinal Cord, Brain.]
[Taming Difficulty: F]
Alex's eyes shot wide open.
All humans were supposed to be teleported to the Tutorial.
Why was the doctor here, and why was his species named Zombie?
The zombie approached him with a hollow groan.
Alex tried to escape unsuccessfully. He was exhausted, and his bones were broken earlier. It was already a miracle he hadn't passed out. Moving in his condition was impossible.
The zombie moved with sudden explosive speed when it was only at an arm's distance.
It pounced on Alex and bit into his shoulder.
Tears and snot left Alex's eyes and nose, as a pain he wouldn't wish upon his enemies clawed into him. He screamed and tried to push the man, now monster, off him.
Alex's broken hands refused to move.
They were like jelly. Just putting strength into them bombarded his mind with a new wave of pain.
He started to lose consciousness, only to jolt awake when the zombie's teeth reached his bone.
His mind didn't work, neither did his body.
Everything hurt. Be it moving or breathing. Dying would end the pain. But Alex didn't wish to die. He never wished to die. All his life he had been sickly and in pain. Still, he wanted to live.
As if responding to his unyielding will, he found a last burst of strength in himself.
Alex bit into the zombie's neck.
A rotten taste exploded in his mouth, and he almost gagged.
Tears streamed down his face, but his eyes burned with determination and fury.
He steeled himself and bit harder.
The crunching of bones reverberated in the corridor.
The zombie kept feasting on Alex, the man-eater didn't seem to feel pain from Alex's bite.
Alex bit harder. A surge of defiance rose in him. Why was he going through something like this?
What had he done wrong to have a life like this?
Anger overshadowed his pain.
He felt his teeth touching something hard, and he increased his efforts.
The hard object inside the zombie's neck broke with a snap, and the monster stopped moving.
It took Alex a moment to realize he had snapped the zombie's spinal cord.
[Lv.0 Initiate rank Zombie killed.]
[You have leveled up. Free Stat +1]
Alex spat the content of his mouth and laid there.
Despite killing the monster, he felt no happiness.
He was missing half of his shoulder. The whites of his bones were visible, and his face was pale from extreme blood loss.
His consciousness was slipping through his fingers.
'No… don't sleep…. don't…'
Alex tried to move. He had to remain awake, or he would die.
Through his half-closed eyes, he saw something floating above the zombie.
It… was energy?
Alex didn't know how to name it. The misty white flame was left after the zombie died, and its soul dispersed.
The flame felt dead.
A more accurate description would be to call it an amalgation of information and energy.
Alex felt as if the pseudo information-energy was urging Alex to eat it.
He accepted unconsciously.
The flame shot into his chest and went deeper into his body before he could react.
A surging heat bubbled in his chest.
It turned into a soothing warmth and traveled through his nerves, reaching every part of his body.
[Beast Essence devoured.]
[Endurance +1]
Alex felt a little better.
He went from dying the next second to being able to live for five more minutes.
He was still losing blood. He wasn't recovering. But he was alive. It was good news. Great news, in fact. It proved there was a way he could survive.
He called up his status to see what had changed and helped.
It was still a gargantuan screen.
He willed it to show only parts that had changed, and it complied.
Name: Alex Mercer
Species: Homo Sapien, Planet AS12S - AF2355XX
Age: 16
Rank: Mortal (Unawakened) → Initiate, Level 0
Title: None → First Slayer
—
First Slayer:
You are the first to slay a monster in this world.
Whether by instinct, necessity, or sheer will, you have stained your hands with blood before any other.
This title proves your identity as a pioneer of survival and battle.
All Stats +30%. Skill: Predator's Instinct.
—
Stats:
Strength: 1
Agility: 0
Endurance: 0 → 1
Vitality: 1
Mind: 10 → 10 (+3)
Mana: 0
Free: 0 → 1
—
Skills:
Predator (Epic) (New)
Greatly enhances reaction speed and awareness in combat.
—
The First Slayer title was a massive help.
A thirty percent increase would be a game-changer as he levelled up and gained more stats.
But for now, it only increased Mind.
The other stats were too low to be boosted.
He gained another skill. Predator's Instinct, Epic-rank.
The rank sounded high in the hierarchy.
He would need to enter combat to test the skill's usefulness, though, and he had less than 5 minutes to live.
Hence, he wasn't eager to fight. It would waste time. He wanted to find a way to survive instead.
"The only thing I can… see that improved my condition is Endurance."
Alex wondered what Endurance signified.
The ability to handle physical strain before the body collapsed?
That would explain how he no longer felt like he was on the verge of death.
However, that brought bad news too.
He was on a timer.
He might need to increase his Endurance to a very high level to survive?
That wouldn't do much.
Endurance should be something similar to the maximum stamina capacity.
Sure, increasing it made him refreshed.
But it didn't solve the root cause.
"I need… vitality."
Hoping the stat meant recovery, he put his free stat into it.
Vitality: 1 → 2 (+1)
Alex was surprised.
The Title boost and the added stat should've increased Vitality to 2+, which rounded off to 2.
Maybe stats were only rounded to zero when they were blow 1. After that, even if it was only 1.1, the stat would be rounded to 2.
Thanks to the previous unshown decimal values, and the stat was rounded off to a grand total of 3.
Alex felt a lot better. Or he would've hoped to say. There was a slight increase in his condition. It was so minor he couldn't even tell what had improved.
"More… stats… I need more…"
Alex took a double look at his body.
His bones somewhat healed after the Vitality increase, and he could move.
It was not a great change, much to his dismay. A solid punch to the bones, and they would snap.
"No pain… no gain…."
Alex repeated Cain's mantra. He took a deep breath and pushed the zombie corpse off him.
He had to clench his jaw to suppress the scream that had almost erupted. He had forgotten about his shoulder.
Wincing, he stood up using the wall as his support.
Brittle bones, covered in cuts and blood, one useless arm. He was off to a great start.