"We've barely been here for ten minutes."
In what seemed to be the centre of the first landmass, 9,999 participants stood scattered across the terrain, each trying to grasp their new reality.
People of all races, ages, and backgrounds filled the space, their diversity evident at a single glance. Some stood frozen in shock, while others murmured among themselves, voices tinged with confusion, fear, or fascination.
Then, as if to ground them further in this surreal experience, the system continued its message.
[System Message]
[Here, you are afforded the opportunity to soar and rise. To train and manifest a new fate for yourself and that of your planet. Be sure to use it carefully, and don’t waste the opportunity presented to you.]
[Your world’s fate is in your hands.]
[Best of luck.]
As the system’s final message rang through the air, the weight of their situation finally settled in.
And then, the silence shattered.
"What is happening!?"
"Where are we? Why am I here!?"
"Ooohhhh, the trees here are pretty."
"What is this about the Earth's fate being in our hands? We don’t even have control over our own fate right now!"
Chaos unfolded. Conversations overlapped, panicked voices rising and falling in waves. People desperately grasped for answers—some rationalizing, others spiralling into existential dread.
Yet, amidst the confusion, a select few did not waste time panicking.
Instead of succumbing to fear, some individuals had already begun critically assessing their situation.
Status screens materialized before them, glances darting toward their respective Force alignments and stat point distributions.
Some immediately allocated stat points—either to minimize weaknesses or reinforce strengths.
Others focused entirely on their Force alignment, trying to decipher what little information they had received from the system.
A vast mixture of Force alignments emerged, derived from the variety of minor forces the system had detailed earlier.
As if trying to grasp the nature of their newfound abilities, many recalled a previous system announcement.
[System Alert]
[First player to trigger natural resonance with their Force detected.]
[Breeze Progression: 0.5% → 1%]
[Hidden Potential Confirmed: Breeze Force Evolution Possible.]
Unbeknownst to Kei, this simple announcement lit a fire in the hearts of those determined to rise.
The knowledge that Force evolution was possible gave them something tangible—something to chase.
Hope. Determination. A hunger for power that hadn't been there before.
If someone had already begun advancing, then there was no reason they couldn’t do the same.
For the ambitious, this wasn’t just a game—it was an opportunity.
And opportunities were not meant to be wasted.
However, while most participants focused on growth, a select few were focused on something else entirely.
The death message.
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Unlike the panicked majority, they weren’t disturbed by the fact that someone had died so quickly.
Instead, what caught their attention was the inexplicable nature of that death.
There was no immediate danger around them. No creatures, no hostile forces. No visible threats.
So how did one person die—without anyone witnessing it?
There was only one logical conclusion.
That individual must have spawned in a different location than the rest of them.
And if that were true, then it meant some of them would eventually encounter whatever killed that person.
Not if.
When.
And when that moment arrived—would they be prepared?
Amidst the murmurs and conversation, the Aether in the air surged as Forces began to manifest.
Fire, water, earth, magnetism—minor forces flickered into existence, dancing in the air.
Some used their newfound power playfully, experimenting like children with a new toy.
Others displayed their strength, showcasing their potential to those around them.
Hop.
Hop.
Hop.
Like newborns trying to acclimate to their bodies, many tested the activation of their Forces—feeling the Aether around them, trying to grasp what once felt incomprehensible.
For those taking matters seriously, this was no longer an observation period.
It was time to prepare.
No matter how frightened they were, no matter how difficult their challenge seemed—
They had no choice but to face it.
Meanwhile, in a Different Location…
Far away from the other participants, Kei and the Fangcub took stock of their current situation.
Kei shifted, before side-eyeing his former enemy.
"Are you still trying to eat me, or are we good?"
The Fangcub let out a slew of wolf-like curses.
"You son of a bitch, you took my eye out!"
Kei scoffed.
"Hey, quit yapping. You trapped me in a tree, and I did say I’d do what I did. You have yourself to blame."
As the two quarrelled, their hunger made itself known.
Kei glanced at the carnage surrounding them—overgrown hares littering the battlefield.
He turned back to the wolf, eyes narrowing.
"You already ate a piece of me, and you're still hungry?"
The Fangcub let out a whimper, as if protesting.
"Your entire body is barely a snack—don’t judge me."
Still licking its maw, it suddenly felt a forceful downward tug on one of its fangs.
The wolf growled in dismay, eyes locking onto Kei.
Kei, completely unbothered, shrugged.
"What? There’s a lot of oversized bunnies here, and nothing to cut and clean them with."
He paused, then thought aloud.
"If we have a status screen, maybe we have an inventory."
Curious, he spoke.
"Inventory."
A new screen appeared before him, displaying a beginner sword and basic healing potions.
Kei blinked.
"Would’ve been nice to know five minutes ago."
Meanwhile, the Fangcub, using its tongue to make sure its fang hadn’t loosened, felt its injured socket reopen.
"AWRF!"
As if to say:
"Son of a bitch, I should’ve left you to die and eaten you whole."
Kei rolled his eyes.
"Quit whining."
Before the Fangcub could retaliate, a faint, ethereal glow enveloped its injured eye.
The wolf yelped in surprise, its body flinching as a soothing sensation overtook it.
Kei had used one of his beginner potions.
The Fangcub glared at him ruefully.
Normally, it was one to be grateful—but at this moment, it made a silent vow.
One day, it would pay back the human for this humiliation.
Summoning his beginner sword in hand, he left the cub to grumble on its own as it made its silent vow.
Swing
Swing
Swing
“Quite heavy, should suffice for decent training”
Walking over to the felled tree, he swung the sword with all the force he could gather
*THUNK
Ignoring the vibrations running though his arm, he glanced the details of the sword in his hand
[Beginner Sword}
Durability: 19/20
Attack: 10
Description: A basic sword meant to aid beginners on their new journey
“Hmmm, Breath of the Wild mechanics huh”
He murmured, commenting on the reduced durability of the sword
Noting his inability to cause any major damage to the tree
“Time to really commit to training, looks like all this talk about sword techniques that fantasy novels and shows held some truth in it”
He took another glance at his status screen
[Name]: Kei Yuichi
[Title]: He Who Denies Fate, Hidden title (Yet to be accepted)
[Class]: Locked
[Force Alignment]: Breeze
[Level]: 0
[HP]: 15/15
[Aether]: 20/30
[Strength]: 8
[Dexterity]: 3
[Agility]: 9
[Constitution]: 4
[Intelligence]: 10
[Will]: 10
[Charisma]: 10
[Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title)
[Skills]:
[Type]: Passive
[Skill Name]: Basic Projectile Mastery
[Description]: Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory.
[Effects]:
- +5% increased accuracy when throwing small objects (stones, daggers, makeshift weapons).
- Improved trajectory prediction, allowing for slight mid-air adjustments based on environmental factors (wind, distance).
- Reduced stamina consumption when continuously throwing projectiles.
[Additional Notes]:
- This skill only applies to non-enhanced projectiles (no force-based or Aether-enhanced attacks).
- More advanced versions may unlock with continued training.
[Force Progression]: 1%
[Equipment]: [Beginner Sword}
“New additions? Interesting”
Gleefully smiling, he made special attention to a certain line
“Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory.”
This could be fun.