40 The World Beyond
I had a dream.
In that dream, I saw a world filled with brilliant light, a landscape more vibrant than anything I'd ever seen.
It was as if the very essence of beauty had been distilled into this realm, painting the surroundings with colors that surpassed imagination.
Sweet scents wafted from the flowers, carried by a gentle breeze that seemed to whisper secrets of the universe. The fragrances mingled, creating an intoxicating scent that embraced every corner of this ethereal place.
It was as if the entire world had come alive, dancing to an ethereal tune.
But in an instant, chaos erupted.
The paradise that had captivated everyone turned into a nightmarish hellscape.
The world, once cherished, crumbled beneath the power of darkness and flames. It was a breathtaking fall from grace, like watching a celestial painting burn.
As I watched, I was drawn closer to the source of this conflict.
There, I saw a man, cloaked in darkness like the night itself, his robe tattered and concealing his face.
An intense aura surrounded him, and he seemed overwhelmed, brought to his knees in despair.
Towering monsters loomed above him, seemingly unbeatable, their grotesque forms a stark contrast to the beauty that had existed moments ago.
I thought to myself as I watched him, 'He'll never defeat them. He should stay down.'
Yet, the sound of his gritted teeth and clenched fists hinted at his determination, a spark of defiance that refused to be extinguished.
I wasn't wrong.
Slowly, he rose, steadying his trembling knees and gazing defiantly at his adversaries.
A once-bright ball of light beside him was now cloaked in darkness, a mix of red and purple hues. It pulsed with an ominous energy, a symbol of his inner turmoil and power.
"I'll destroy you all," the man's voice echoed, sending shivers through me. "I'll make sure of it."
Power surged from him, enough to overwhelm everything in sight, including me.
The very ground quaked beneath the intensity of the clash. I struggled to see more of his story, to witness the outcome of this epic battle, but darkness and shadows gradually swallowed everything.
Did he win? Did he fulfill his vow to vanquish those monsters and reclaim what was lost?
Could he recover those he had lost at the hands of the monsters?
I never found out.
The winds knocked me away, and a whirlwind of darkness consumed me until I drifted into silent nothingness.
Finally, I awoke. It had all been just a dream.
I was only eleven years old at the time, and though the dream left a lasting impression, it faded from memory in a matter of weeks, like countless others before it.
All of them... forgotten,
**********
[11:01 PM, Sunday 7th of May, 2023]
It was finally time.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
<Grace Period has been concluded>
{The 24-hour interval has been exhausted. It is finally time for all the survivors to begin the Tower Of Trials}
<Prepare for ascension>
'Ascension, huh...?'
Perched atop my hotel rooftop, curiosity stirred within me. I pondered what lay ahead, drawing upon fragmentary memories for hints. Certain details convinced me that our destination extended beyond this world.
Although I was unaware of the specifics, a sense of impending discovery settled in me like a promise of the extraordinary.
With a shrug of uncertainty, I mused, 'I guess I'll have to find out, just like the rest of them...'
~BZZZTTTZZZZZZ~
A sudden buzz enveloped me, catching my attention. In a flash, electric currents materialized nearby, charging the atmosphere.
'I guess it's started.'
A runic circle appeared beneath me, its ancient symbols glowing with an otherworldly energy.
Anticipating what was coming, I stood ready, my heart racing as I braced myself for the impending transition.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
<Recognition Initiated>
{User has been recognized: <The Dreamer>}
~<Language Comprehension> Skill will be given to the User for better communication~
~<Ranker> Title will be given to the User for his achievement~
~ An additional 500 Currency will be given to the User for his monthly expenses ~
<You Are Now Ready For Ascension>
[Have A Wonderful Time]
~FSHUUUUUUU~
The bright light enveloped me, and as I stole one final glance at the world around me, I could see brilliant bursts of light radiating in many directions and locations.
All the surges of illumination shot to the sky, and mine was no exception.
I could feel my body growing numb, and my consciousness fading as I slowly began to ascend from the ground.
I was completely dumbfounded, unaware of what would happen next.
The world blurred into oblivion, leaving me suspended in an infinite void.
And from that infinite void, life emerged.
"Where am I now?" A voice asked.
"What is this place?" Another chimed in.
All around me, I could hear voices.
"What's going on this time?"
"I'm scared."
"Who are you?"
"H-hey, don't come close to me."
"S-stay back!"
"Just relax... I'm sure things will be explained soon enough."
"Um... how long are you going to keep your eyes closed?"
I felt a nudge beside me, and it forced me to open my tightly shut eyes.
And as soon as I did, a new sight greeted me.
'H-huh..? This is...!!!'
I found myself surrounded by a vast sea of people, stretching out as far as the eye could see. Each person was unique, representing a myriad of races and ethnicities, their diverse features forming a colorful mosaic.
Amidst this spectacle, the air crackled with a mix of confusion, awe, and curiosity.
The expressions on the faces around me were as diverse as the people themselves.
Some wore expressions of shock, wide-eyed and agape, their hands reaching out for support from strangers.
Others bore looks of disbelief as if questioning the very reality of their surroundings.
Fear etched itself onto the faces of some, clutching their loved ones in search of solace amid the bewildering chaos.
Amid all of this, I stood shell-shocked, trying my best to maintain my composure—fortunately achieving it thanks to the effect of my Title.
"You look confused too. Seems like we all don't know what's happening." The sonorous voice from earlier, most likely belonging to the one who nudged me, echoed beside me.
I turned to the speaker, only to be struck speechless by the captivating figure beside me. She was extremely beautiful and her presence felt magnetic,
'Who... is this?!'
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[A/N]
<Welcome to Arc 2: The Great Expedition Arc>
I certainly hope this volume reaches, if not surpasses your expectations.
It's going to be considerably longer than the first Arc by a good degree, and it's going to contain a lot of interactions, action, and mysteries unveiled.
So buckle up tight and enjoy the ride!
Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
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