Kron and the girl were being carried through the forest with a speed comparable to cars. The terrain of the forest was not really friendly with the hostile creatures prowling around but it was no trouble for the group. Most creatures they encountered flee from their sight and the ones who did not, died a quick death. It was because of the two guards with them. Blash, the man carrying Kron, was equipped with a very sharp saber that they saw him use to slice creatures and objects alike. Meanwhile, the other man named Dencio was equipped with different kinds of firing weapons; From hand cannons to laser blasters.
"Just a little more. Hang on!" Blash said, jumping a few meters with each step.
"Thank you-- Ughh!" Kron coughed. There was blood coming out of his mouth.
"Okay! Stop talking! Conserve your energy." Blash interrupted.
"How about you miss? Are you okay? I'm Dencio by the way." Dencio said.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired." The girl said with a soft tone. "I'm Ichika."
"*So Cute!*" Dencio whispered.
"Hey Dencio! Stop those intrusive thoughts!" Blash interjected. "This is not the right time!"
"What are you saying Blash! Focus on your own baggage." Dencio rebutted.
Finally, the group could see a towering metallic wall. As they get closer to the wall, they encountered more people. Almost half of the people they saw are in the same situation as them while the other half are rescuers that are being deployed around the forest. Only a few people who are not rescuers seem to be unharmed. It was most likely that many of them would not even be able to reach this area. Once they reached the large double door gates, Blash and Dencio were immediately let in.
"Two injured here!" Blash shouted. Immediately, a hovering car flew towards them and opened its door.
Four medics wearing all white uniforms went out of the car.
"We'll take it from here." One of them said. They brought Kron and Ichika inside the hovering ambulance, leaving Blash and Dencio on the ground.
Kron was placed on a bed while Ichika was asked to sit.
"Your injuries don't seem to be that much." One of the medics said to Ichika. "I could start healing you here."
Light suddenly emitted from the palm of the medic. The injuries of Ichika started to get better as the heat of the light pass through.
"There. You just need some rest after." The medic added, looking at the lying patient. "Your friend seems to have fallen asleep."
"How did you do that? How are the people here seem so strong?" Ichika asked. Finally being in a safe environment, she was now able to think through on the things that just have happened.
"Its not really our place to teach you that. You would soon understand everything." One of the medics replied.
The vehicle soon entered a bottle shaped structure. It has multiple high altitude entrance where flying vehicles could park. They proceeded to a floor that contained a number of beds on one side and humans sized capsules on the other. A number of injured on the beds were conscious and interacting with each other. But it was not always a joyful talk, a few of them are shivering as if they are traumatized. The others seemed distracted by what they say inside and outside of this city which they made as a topic. As for those in the capsules, most of them are unconscious and for those that are awake; they were just rolling their eyes, observing around.
"Rest here. My colleagues would give you something to eat and drink." The medic pointed at an empty bed. "As for him, he will be in one of the capsules."
Kron slept for more quite a number of hours inside a capsule. He didn't know how much time he spent inside but when he woke up, he noticed that the pain in his body has disappeared. The deep injuries and the bone fractures have all been mended. He wasn't immediately let out which gave him some time to recollect himself.
"Is this place where the missing people went?" Kron thought to himself.
He thought of his dream, the forest, the creature, the battle and the sudden burst of strength. He knew that everything was real but at the same time, it was still too hard to grasp. He saw abilities that seemed not possible. Even the technology they have here seemed far above their own. He then started to observe the surrounding people. Some were crying but there were some that looked liked their dream have finally come true. His thoughts were broken when the capsule suddenly opened.
"Its good that it was not so bad otherwise you might need to be transferred to a hospital and it won't cost cheap." The medic who let him out said.
"This is not a hospital?" Kron asked.
"Oh.. This is just a clinic. Our hospitals are much better than this." The medic replied. "You should meet your friend. She is waiting for you."
"Friend?" He then saw a girl waving at him. "Oh her. Thanks!" Kron proceeded to go towards Ichika.
"How are you?" Ichika asked, smiling.
Kron thought that she seemed so positive and friendly despite what happened. Was she just thankful that she lived? Then he remembered that she also helped him with an accurate throw of the weapon she used. Moreover, she also made it herself. It seemed that she even surpassed him in creativity.
"I'm good as new." Kron said, flexing his arms. "How about you?" He was returning the mood. He didn't want to look unfriendly.
"I'm also good. I got a good sleep.. maybe not as good as yours." Ichika chuckled.
"Hey! It's not that comfortable there!" Kron laughed back. It seems that Ichika's character was affecting him. "By the way, where did you get that food?"
"Oh here! Have some. Its free. Some of the doctors or nurses are giving them away." Ichika gave some of the biscuits she held.
Kron took some of them and ate away. He thought that the taste was not bad or maybe he was just hungry. "Hey. Do you think that we are stuck here now?"
"Yeah. Most probably we are. I asked the medics but we are safe now at least." Ichika replied. "And this place doesn't look bad isn't it?"
Kron thought that she was stronger than she look. She didn't seem depressed nor sad for being transported here; neither was she joyful. Instead, she was more like hopeful. Quite possibly, her life was not also that great before. He had a hard time imagining it though since she seems so perfect; whether it was her actions or looks. Still, he just met her today so he knew that there is more to her than what meets the eye.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Excuse me. Are you two one of the transported?" An armed guy approached the two.
Kron and Ichika looked at each, seemingly worried.
"Uh yes. Is there a problem?" Kron asked. He could see from his uniform that he was some kind of an officer named Lucas.
"No. I'm tasked to fetch newcomers." Lucas coldly said.
"Is there somewhere else that we are supposed go?" Ichika asked, her hands fidgeting, nervous of what could possibly happen next.
"Yes. Every new citizen of Azalaze city needs to be registered." Lucas replied.
Lucas proceeded to summon all the other newcomers in the clinic. After everyone was given a change of clothes, they were then escorted by military personnel using a double-decker bus. The location they arrived contained a large structure which is similar to an indoor basketball court but it is entirely covered preventing any light or sound from getting out or getting in. Hundreds of survivors are made to line up in front of the structure. Usually, chaos could have ensued due to the current state of mind of the survivors but the unfriendly looking security personnel made them fearful.
"Hurry up! We don't have all day!" They were being directed to enter the structure one by one.
The inside was empty and they were just made to line up in files. There were multiple doorways at the back but they are blocked by a black screen and a red electric barrier. Just as all the survivors are inside, the structure's door closed shut. The lights also dimmed.
"What are you planning to do with us?"
"Let us out!"
"Don't hurt us!"
The people started panicking and some wanted to get out.
"Be quiet!" A woman shouted. A light beamed on the location where she was standing.
She was located on an interior balcony overlooking the crowd and behind her were two people whose face are covered by masks. Her voice generated some sort of hidden pressure that stopped the crowd from causing chaos.
"I am Professor Kiral of Acanthus Academy." The woman continued.
"I know that many of you are scared. Many of you have questions!" Kiral started narrating, walking back and forth on the platform she was standing.
She gave a general gist of what this place is. It was the country or mega city of Azalaze and the world was called Daan. It is inhabited by the awakened who try to solve the mysteries of this world while trying to survive the challenges that they face. Finally, Kiral turned solemn as one of the people behind her gave her some kind of jewelry box.
"Unfortunately, I also won't be able to answer all your questions but I hope that this thing that I am holding will do, " Kiral paused revealing box to everyone. "Let's see your potential."
She opened the box and the crystal within it flew a few centimeters above. It then shone with a blinding light that embraced the whole crowd.
Kron could feel the energy of the crystal seeping through his body. He entered in a trance and found himself inside a dark world.
"Where is this? What is that thing?" Kron uttered as he saw swirls of energy converging to one place.
There was not much he could see except for the crystal that was forming in front of him. He stood in front of the crystal as it continued to absorb the energy around and grew larger. Just as it grew, the light that it emitted also started to grow stronger. Unfortunately, it seems that the crystal also have its limit and soon stopped growing. Its final size was on the size of a key. The light it emitted was not enough to light the whole room but it was enough for him to have a glimpse of the large double door that the crystal's light was gleaming through.
"That door! I have seen this before! It was in my dream!" He exclaimed. "The answer should be on the other side!"
He ran towards the door and tried to push it open it but it was actually very heavy. It didn't even bulge one bit. He tried it again and again but it was to no avail.
"This is so heavy! How would I open this?".
Suddenly, he could feel that there is something that is pulling him back. He could feel that his time in this place is limited.
"Do I not have enough strength for this?"
"Remember what you said!" He remembered the voice in his dream.
"No! That's right I can't give up now. I am just starting!"
Kron ran back and he started to charge towards the door repeatedly. It was painful but it was worth it since little by little, the door was opening.
"Please open!" Kron for the last time, readied himself for one final charge. Not noticing the energy around accumulated in him, he rushed forward.
*Creak* *Clang* The dark world shook as his body slammed the door and he heard two faint sounds. The sound of a door opening and a sound of a metal falling.
"I did it but the opening is still too small! I can't fit in!" Kron tried to get in but it was too narrow. "I heard something fall, what was it?"
He then tried to peek but it was too dark that he was not able to clearly see the things that are hidden inside.
In the next moment, he was being pulled back to reality. "No! Not yet!" He shouted. He then awakened from his trance.
"Just a little bit more and I would have gotten in!" Kron thought to himself, feeling disappointed.
He looked around and it seems that the crowd have mixed reactions but everyone seems to be bewildered.
"Ichika! Did you also see the door?" Kron asked Ichika who was still figuring out herself.
"Door? No, I didn't see that." Ichika shook her head. "What I saw are murals of some kind."
"It seems that we saw different things but she does seem happy." Kron thought, curiosity filled his mind.
"Were you able-" Ichika softly uttered but she stopped.
"Is there something that you wanted to ask?" Kron said before being interrupted.
"How was it?" Kiral asked, projecting her voice everywhere in the building. She has already hidden the crystal back inside its box. "I hope that it was able to help you because you might not have this chance again."
Professor Kiral then left together with the two people behind her. Afterwards, the barriers at the back of the room disappeared but the black screen that blocks what's behind was still there. Subsequently, armed people came out and stood beside the doorways.
"The five of you get in!" "You five go enter!"
The soldiers started to instruct people to enter the rooms by group of five. It was so abrupt that they didn't know what to think of it. They just awakened from some sort of dream and now they are being tasked to enter a room that they can't see what was inside. Still, its not as if they had a choice as the soldiers looked menacing and logically, they should not be harmed if they followed.
Currently, there were 5 doors so 25 people at a time were being accommodated. A few minutes later, the first 25 people have come out. Some look ecstatic while some look dejected. Some people asked them what happened inside but guards appeared and guided those that just came out to leave the place.
Soon, it was Kron and Ichika's turn. Luckily, they were asked to enter in the same group. The moment Kron was asked to step inside, he felt an invisible force around him. There was a prickly feeling but it was only for a second. The room inside contained a long table were multiple people sat behind it. It was like an interview.
"Before we start, try to activate your information screen." The man in the middle of the table said. "You should have felt some energy when you walked in."
The door that they passed was not actually just some divider. There was a hidden technology that imprinted them with a magical circuit. They were instructed how it works where their magical energy seems to be its electricity and internet that allows the circuit to connect to some central server stored somewhere in the country. The reason that they are also immediately registered after being exposed to the crystal is due to security reasons. They don't know who of them would go insane or just be evil.
They were also thought that they can remove it personally but they noted that removing it would mean that they would be throwing away their citizenship of this country. The ability to activate the circuit also shows that they have successfully awakened since it is powered by their magical essence. The only downside is that some high ranking members of the country would have access to their information and might even be able to track them down unless they destroy the circuit.
Kron tried to focus to find where the circuit was embedded and to his surprise, it was not actually on his physical body. It was on a place he has not been able to perceive before.
It was either on his soul, his mind or something else that he doesn't know of. Still, he was quite sure that he can reach it and activate the circuit embedded on it.
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Resident# : 245,671,143
Name: ???? (Please update)
Place of Origin: Earth
Stature: J (Newcomer)
Academia: None
Affiliations: None
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Credits: 1000
Notes: N/A
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"More than 200 million for a resident number? How large is this place for a city. That's already a country. Credit? That should be the money here. They gave us a thousand but I don't know how big is that. I should update my name here." Kron inspected the data on himself.
"Very good! It seems that all of you have successfully awakened," The man clapped, seeing everyone able to activate it. "Now, please update your name. You can use anything that you like but you won't be able to change it easily so please choose carefully."
Kron just used his real name because it might get him confused if he changed it.
"There are other things that you can do with the circuit. In fact, it also works as your wallet." The man added.
"Enough of that. Let's start seeing their talents!" The woman on the right of the man shouted.