My name is Alexander Evans but around here, everyone calls me Threads.
The world ended three years ago. Now, Humanity stood on the brink of total extinction. The Fall, as we referred to it, came during dinner, on a quiet evening in July. A hazy blue squared box, similar to a text notification, suddenly appeared to everyone on the planet.
System message -Global-
Congratulations Species of Earth!
You have reached the required intelligence threshold to advance your civilization to the next step. Your past indiscretion will be purged from your record, and as stated in the terms of your exile, we must begin the testing phase to assimilate you back into The System. You may now have your access to the primary source of all life and creation, Mana, partially restored.
To access your personal status please think “Status” to yourself. There you will see a complete calculation of your current state, your abilities, and other valuable information. No one can see your status unless usage is permitted by a skill or ability.
One Wish will be awarded to the individual who has the highest contribution.
We wish you and your species good luck. You will be given 3 of your solar system’s hours to choose your class and prepare yourselves.
Around the world, the population exploded in disbelief. The news reported people started staring into space and touching the air. Social Media platforms hit peak usage as multitudes recognized the verbiage. They all repeated the same tag; The System was here.
Mass panic covered the globe. Numerous religions cried out that it was the return of their different deities. Others saw it as an alien invasion. We had no time to react as the next message appeared within thirty minutes of the first.
You may choose from these System 1 (Tutorial) classes:
Warrior: Strength based class. Primary focus: Frontline engagement and damage.
Rogue: Agility based class. Primary focus: Fast movement and critical damage.
Mage: Magic based class. Primary focus: Long range Damage and Support.
Cleric: Magic based class. Primary Focus: Healing and Support.
You may choose one of the four options available for a beginning skill.
Usage dictates the effectiveness and growth of each skill.
New variations can be learned through the use and experimentation of any skill. You will be provided with a new skill choice every five levels.
The choice will expand your current skill knowledge, or you have the option to learn a new skill.
At level 10 you will be allowed to choose a job advancement class. These choices are locked once chosen.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
The message boards exploded into a cacophony of disbelief and speculation. Everyone hurriedly picked their classes and started sharing the abilities they chose with those closest. Warriors breaking buildings with their first blows and a mage incinerating his entire family by accident flooded the internet.
Within the hour or so, a powerful pressure started to creep into those who hadn’t chosen a class. It was the feeling of walking in an unfamiliar forest and suddenly, everything goes eerily silent. Goosebumps and a prickly feeling forced the majority to make a choice, and no one knows what forced our hand that day.
We need to be thankful it did, however.
The very next moment the sky cracked. Day became evening and a reddish glow seemed to permeate the surroundings. It gave the impression of a blood mist that enveloped the world, no matter the location or time zone. A deep and guttural horn rang out from every corner of the globe, simultaneously. That’s when the lights went out. Humanity’s last light went out a little after midnight. Our last communication with others disappeared in the blink of an eye. The electricity cut out and there’s been no light since.
The next moment all the animals started their cries of pain across the planet. Bleating from sheep, loud neighing from horses, dogs barking, wolves howling and cats of all sizes cryied into the night sky.
By our account, we figure that’s when the Mana started the mutation of their bodies. Now, they were monsters. Humans had lost their position at the top of the food chain within an hour. Watches stopped working, cars made you a moving target, and small guns have become useless against magically armored hide. Most of the few camps remaining are already wiped out at this point. Constant fights over the meager resources left at the gas stations and grocery stores, being killed by the numerous magical beasts that now roamed, and general sickness killed off most of our neighbors.
Some became lost in their own delusions or worse, the delusions of others. Psychic powers were a very real threat in this new world. The use of said abilities and their users became a closely watched group.
One group that lived near the local Catholic church had an enigmatic and mysterious preacher named Samuel. He seemed to have the Cleric class and held the intense belief that he should guide his flock in this new world. He chose skills that leaned more in the charismatic area, calming his devotees’ emotions and making them addicted to his so called ‘Confessions’ skill. He dulled their senses and made them malleable puppets.
Before long, most of his followers worshiped him and completely forgot about their original faith. Samuel became a De facto ruler, his people had effectively lost their own freewill. His glorious end? A poisoned dagger from a jealous husband whose wife he coveted as his own. The resulting panic and realization that these powers could cause you to be controlled started a witch-hunt for people with Psychic abilities. That sparked internal fighting and brought heavy suspicion to an already beaten population.
As we huddled around the campfires in the days, we’d try to piece together as much as we could. How had we adapted to this situation so quickly? How had numerous media, over the course of our existence, guessed exactly what we would face?
The creatures were, mostly, identical to their fictional representations in history and cave art. There were rumors from the West of Eagles, mutating into the Thunderbirds of the Native American mythologies. Gorillas in the zoos mutated into Ruinous Apes, large Sasquatch looking creatures with massive torsos and arms.
It was a struggle to live day to day, constantly looking over your shoulder at friend and foe alike. Those first days were dark and devoid of hope. This isn’t that story any longer however. Now, we were at the end of Humanity’s tale. You see, after the initial three months of constant struggle and severe loss of life. We got a new message from The System.
System message -Global-
Congratulations Species of Earth!
You have successfully reached the desired level to start your re-absorption test.
You will be teleported at the same time, from every location, every few cycles to take part in a battle in our testing location.
Starting Wave 1/8
Good Luck!
Alexander Evans
Class: Mage Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 450/450
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 15
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 25
Wisdom: 20
Charisma: 18
Skills: Psychokinetic Threads (Novice): Psychokinetic Threads: Create razor-thin threads of solidified mana up to 12 feet in length from the user's fingertips.