Chapter 3 — The Laws of the New World
The world had changed overnight.
Smoke covered the sky like an endless veil. Buildings burned without control, and the streets once filled with life now echoed with distant screams and monstrous roars.
Civilization was gone.
Only survival remained.
Ayaan walked through the ruined streets, stepping over broken concrete and shattered glass. His movements were silent, controlled — no longer clumsy like before.
Every sound reached him clearly.
Every movement in his surroundings felt visible.
Every heartbeat nearby… prey or threat.
His new senses were terrifyingly sharp.
[Predator's Instinct Activated]
The message appeared briefly, then vanished.
Ayaan frowned. Even without the System's notice, he could feel the ability working — guiding his awareness, warning him of danger.
It was like having another mind inside him.
A colder one.
He stopped near the body of a fallen creature and observed it carefully. Its flesh was dark and hardened, with strange glowing veins running across its skin.
Ayaan placed his hand on the corpse.
A stream of dark energy flowed into him.
[Energy Absorbed]Evolution Progress: 5%
"So killing makes me stronger…"
The rule was simple.
Brutal.
Absolute.
This world rewarded violence.
Suddenly, a massive blue screen appeared in the sky itself — visible to everyone.
The entire world trembled as words formed across the heavens.
[GLOBAL SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]
The Age of Order has ended.The Age of Evolution has begun.
New Laws of the World:
Power determines survival.
All beings may cultivate and evolve.
Humans are no longer the dominant species.
Higher existences will descend periodically.
The weak will be eliminated.
Welcome to the World of Power and Ruin.
The message disappeared.
Silence followed.
Then chaos erupted everywhere.
People screamed in fear. Some collapsed in despair. Others attacked each other for resources.
Humanity was breaking.
Ayaan stood still, processing everything.
So this wasn't just a disaster.
It was a transformation.
A selection.
A game where only the strongest would remain.
A sudden explosion shook the ground nearby.
Ayaan turned and saw a massive beast tearing through a group of survivors. It was far larger than the creatures he had fought before — nearly three meters tall, covered in thick armor-like scales, its eyes glowing crimson.
A new notification appeared.
[Threat Detected]Iron Fang Beast — Rank F+Danger Level: High
Ayaan's heart pounded.
This enemy was stronger than anything he had faced.
His instincts screamed to retreat.
But another feeling rose within him.
Hunger.
A deep desire to grow stronger.
He stepped forward.
The beast noticed him instantly and charged, shattering the ground with each step. Its claws cut through the air like blades.
Ayaan dodged narrowly, the attack tearing apart the wall behind him.
He countered with a strike — but this time, his hand barely pierced the creature's armor.
Too tough.
The beast roared and slammed him across the street.
His body crashed through debris.
Pain surged through him, but something strange happened.
His wounds began healing instantly.
[Minor Regeneration Activated]
Ayaan slowly stood.
Fear faded.
Understanding replaced it.
He didn't need to fight like a human anymore.
He needed to fight like a predator.
The world slowed.
He observed the beast carefully — its breathing pattern, movement rhythm, and weak points. His enhanced mind calculated possibilities rapidly.
Then he moved.
He dodged under the creature's attack, climbed its massive body, and drove his sharpened hand directly into its glowing eye.
The beast shrieked violently.
Black energy erupted as it collapsed.
[Enemy Defeated]Level Increased → Level 4Trait Unlocked: Energy Manipulation (Basic)Evolution Progress: 12%
Power surged through Ayaan like fire.
A dark aura flickered around his body — raw energy responding to his will.
He raised his hand experimentally.
A faint sphere of black energy formed above his palm.
Magic.
Real power.
But the victory brought no joy.
Only realization.
He was changing too quickly.
Another notification appeared.
[Humanity Stability: 92%]Warning: Emotional suppression increasing.
Ayaan clenched his fist.
Strength demanded sacrifice.
The System wasn't just granting power — it was reshaping existence itself.
In the distance, towering pillars of light suddenly shot into the sky across different parts of the city.
Each pillar pulsed with overwhelming energy.
[Special Zones Activated — Trial Grounds]Rewards: Power, Evolution, Authority
Ayaan stared at the nearest pillar.
A place to grow stronger.
A place where the strongest would rise.
A place where death was certain.
He took a step toward it.
Then another.
The path of evolution had begun.
And there was no turning back.
Far beyond the world, unseen watchers continued to observe him.
"The vessel adapts rapidly."
"At this rate… he may surpass the limits."
The game of gods had started.
And Ayaan was becoming one of its key pieces.