The night was unusually quiet.
A strange pressure hung over the city. Even the wind seemed to be holding its breath.
Then, exactly at 00:00…
The sky cracked.
It truly cracked.
Like invisible glass shattering, massive purple fractures spread across the sky. The stars trembled, and fragments of light began falling from the heavens.
People stepped out into the streets. Phones were raised.
Some thought it was a meteor shower.
But then…
A voice was heard.
Not through the ears, but directly inside the mind.
A deep, clear voice that reached the entire world at once.
[Aether System initializing...][Universal Energy synchronizing with Earth...][All intelligent lifeforms connecting to the system...]
For a moment, the world stopped.
Cars froze in the middle of the road. People stood motionless.
Because at the same time, blue translucent screens appeared before everyone's eyes.
[Basic class distribution initiated][Level system activated][Monster gates opening]
The rift in the sky grew larger.
A wave of dark energy spread from within it.
And then…
The first creature fell.
A massive black wolf with glowing red eyes.
But it wasn't alone.
Another emerged from the rift…
Then another.
Within moments, dozens of creatures flooded the streets.
At first, people didn't understand what was happening.
Some were still filming with their phones.
Then the first attack happened.
A wolf leaped into the crowd.
Its claw tore open a man's chest.
Blood splattered across the pavement.
A woman screamed.
But before the scream even finished, another wolf knocked her to the ground.
Within seconds, the street was filled with panic and blood.
Cars crashed into each other.
People ran desperately.
Some fell to the ground.
And those who fell…
Never stood up again.
A child was running while holding his mother's hand.
But a wolf jumped from behind.
The mother shoved the child forward and screamed.
"RUN!"
The wolf slammed into her.
When the child turned around…
His mother was no longer moving.
A true massacre had begun in the city.
People were helpless.
Because no one yet knew how to use the system's power.
At that moment, the system spoke again.
[Monsters have reached the world][Survival Mode Activated][Hunt or Die]
At the same time…
In one of the city's older districts, a young man sat on the rooftop of a small apartment building.
His name was Kaelion Darkstar.
He was 19 years old.
He lived a quiet life.
He didn't have many friends, nor any remarkable talents.
But he loved watching the stars.
That's why he was among the first to see the sky crack.
Kaelion slowly stood up.
"…What is this?"
At that moment, the same voice echoed inside his mind.
[Aether System initializing...]
Kaelion held his head for a moment.
Then a screen appeared before his eyes.
But…
Something was strange.
Throughout the city, people were examining their screens in panic.
Their systems were blue.
But Kaelion's screen…
At first, it was blue.
Then the edges of the screen slowly began glowing with a purple light.
As if energy was flowing through it.
The purple glow intensified.
Kaelion examined the screen.
CHARACTER PANEL
Name: Kaelion DarkstarLevel: 1Title: Novice
STR: 8AGI: 10VIT: 7INT: 12WIS: 11LUK: 9
HP: 70MP: 110Stamina: 80
Base Class: Determining...
Kaelion frowned.
"Why… is it purple?"
At that moment, the screen trembled.
The purple light grew stronger.
Tiny Aether sparks began swirling around the corners of the interface.
[System Error Detected][Unknown Core Found][Unauthorized Energy Detected]
Kaelion stepped back in shock.
"What is happening?"
The purple screen suddenly went dark.
One second later, it reactivated.
But this time…
The interface was completely different.
The background had turned deep purple.
And at its center rotated a strange symbol.
An Aether Core.
HIDDEN SYSTEM
Infinite Evolution System Activated
Abilities:
• Steal abilities from defeated monsters• No class limitation• Unlock hidden classes• Unlimited evolution potential
Kaelion's eyes widened.
"That's… impossible."
At that moment—
A scream echoed from the street.
Kaelion looked down.
The massive blood-eyed wolf that had fallen from the rift was now among the people.
Monster Analysis
Species: Blood Fang WolfRank: FLevel: 3Skill: Savage Bite
People were running.
But the wolf was getting closer.
And then…
It stopped right in front of Kaelion.
Hot breath escaped from the monster's mouth.
The system spoke again.
[Kill your first prey][Reward: 1 Skill Steal Chance +100 EXP]
The purple screen flickered faintly.
As if the system itself was encouraging him.
Kaelion was afraid.
But there was nowhere to run.
He picked up an iron pipe from the ground.
The purple system screen floated before him.
His eyes hardened with determination.
"I guess…"
Kaelion took a deep breath.
"In this world… the only way to survive is to fight."
Heavy clawed footsteps echoed on the staircase.
A few seconds later…
The giant blood-eyed wolf appeared.
A new message appeared on the purple system screen.
[Target: Blood Fang Wolf][Hunt Initiated]
Kaelion tightened his grip on the pipe.
And lunged forward.
THE FIRST BATTLE HAD BEGUN.