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Project Dull: Apocalypse Unleashed [LitRPG Progression]
Chapter 1: Welcome To The New World (1)

Chapter 1: Welcome To The New World (1)

Dull was overwhelmed by a deep sense of boredom.

That's right! This feeling marked the beginning of a series of chaotic events that would impact the entire world!

It arose from Dull's long years spent in the sterile environment of his research facility. He had dedicated his life to gaining knowledge, rarely stepping outside those walls. After so many years of constant study and experimentation, it was only natural for him to feel tired and bored, as the excitement of discovery had faded away.

With no hobbies to turn to and no interests outside his research, he felt lost. He had been so focused on his work that the idea of relaxation seemed strange to him.

No, that's not right... He does have a hobby, but it's not accurate to say he has none. The Research Team he works with recommended that he choose another hobby. Their evaluation found that his current interests are too dangerous for their facility.

A coworker saw that Dull was working hard but feeling bored, which could harm his mental health. They suggested he take a break and plan a vacation. Dull agreed with this idea, even though he didn't get permission from his bosses. So, he decided to take some time off and picked a place far from his hometown.

Would it be fair for him not to ask for permission before leaving? Surely, because it had been years since he last took time off, and he had been working excessively. His superiors are not so harsh as to deny him this.

Probably.

After all, he was still under punishment.

Now, now. In reality, that punishment isn't a big deal! It was just a mistake he made, and in the end, it didn't matter much.

Actually, it's not correct to say he didn't ask for permission because he did send a message! He took the time to write to his superiors about his vacation plans. He included details like the destination, where he would be, and when he would return. He also added a note saying, "By the time you read this, I have already left. From your beloved youngest, heart, heart."

So yes, he did request permission, he just didn't get a reply saying he could go. Anyway, he has already chosen the world, country, and city where he will spend his vacation.

How did he pick the location? It's quite easy actually. Dull made a selection wheel that showed all the nearby places back at home. It was crucial that the creatures in those areas could feel emotions. For example, monsters do not understand feelings and only follow their instincts.

Dull had researched many kinds of monsters, so they no longer fascinated him. Still, he allowed the wheel to decide where he would go next. When it was chosen, it indicated a tiny speck in the endless Nothingness. This small dot was actually a vibrant world full of humans. He clicked on the speck, and the map on his screen zoomed in.

'This looks normal.'

He thought to himself as he studied the map. It resembled other places he had encountered, featuring vast lands, water, and forests. However, he was too lazy to choose anything else, so he accepted his situation and began searching for a great country for a potential vacation.

Dull explored details about economies, cultures, and social systems, looking for a place that would provide a new environment and plenty of fun to escape his boredom. After some consideration, he discovered the ideal location for relaxation: a vibrant country called Jedi. This large and lively country is a top tourist spot, known for its rich culture, energetic vibe, and endless experiences.

He ultimately chose Belen City, the capital city of Jedi, which is packed with entertainment and opportunities. The city offers a range of services, businesses, luxury brands, upscale apartments, and hotels, along with numerous enjoyable activities. Belen has no slums, boasts the lowest crime rate, and has no homeless individuals. It is essentially a haven for the affluent. Overall, it is a perfect place to live, which is why he opted to spend his vacation there.

Now in the present, Dull stands before a mountain, looking down at the vast city beneath him, and below is the Belen City. He could see many tall buildings clearly from the mountain. Even though the designs were simple, they still appeared quite futuristic.

"Looks decent."

This world wasn't as amazing as the others he had seen, but for ordinary humans without any special powers, it was quite impressive that they built it.

As he admired the scenery and took his time to look around, he heard some sounds. It didn't take long for him to find the source of the loud noise.

There appears to be some activity near the mountains, as he hears loud sounds and people shouting. Initially, he thought there might be an attack, but the cheerful tone of the shouts suggests they are enjoying themselves.

'I was going to go see what was happening, but since they’re having fun, I’ll skip it.'

The noise is still quite bothersome. Fortunately, Dull has gotten used to the loudness, otherwise, he might have easily destroyed the city.

Well, he did it before, but just once!

...That doesn't improve the situation, does it?

In his defense, he was just a young hatchling at that time and wasn't used to all the noise. His sensitive ears, which he didn't know how to adjust yet, found the sounds very annoying. But now he has matured and no longer reacts impulsively when he feels irritated.

He won't do that again. Trust.

Anyway.

It's time to go.

He had spent too long daydreaming on the mountain, so he decided to take action. With a joyful jump, he leaped down and hurried toward the city, arriving at its entrance in less than a minute. The lively streets of Belen greeted him warmly, filled with laughter, music, and conversation.

'Oh, I almost forgot.'

He gathered all the fake documents and IDs he needed, along with cash, and carefully placed them in his wallet and bag. Even though the humans here had advanced technology compared to many other races and worlds he had encountered, they still relied on physical IDs and documents, which Dull found to be a hassle. Why not just create a simple chip that holds everything from personal info to credit cards? Carrying all this was quite annoying.

The question is, how did he get fake documents? It's simpler than you think. He hacked into the internet and the Jedi government to add his name without much effort. Their security can't match the skills of someone with years of experience causing trouble—yes, he enjoys breaking into systems of other universes and messing with them—so it was easy for him. Although he doesn't always win, he finds it fun when there are no risks involved.

After signing his name on all the Jedi government records, he printed it out to make it look real. Once he finished that, he was all set. Now Dull has legal papers obtained through illegal methods.

Dull also remembered to remove anything that might raise suspicion. A bomb hidden inside an earring, for instance. He doesn't want to be stuck at the gate, thank you. After all, dogs are very good at using their sense of smell, so Dull doesn't want to take the chance, even though he doubts they can identify it.

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Once he completed these tasks, he confidently stepped into the city.

A guard stepped in just before he could cross the border, raising a hand to signal him to stop.

"Please hold on. Come here for a moment."

As expected, he was stopped at the entrance for a routine inspection, during which his identification and documents were taken. Being a newcomer who didn't look like a local and dressed unusually, the guards deemed it necessary to ensure he posed no threat.

Dull was used to a place where they didn't rely on inspections. Instead, they used scanners and technology for everything so this was a new experience for him. It was annoying, but still something different.

As he waited for his documents and identification to be examined, he could hear the guards chatting in their office next to the city entrance.

"Is he a model? That outfit looks great."

"Definitely! He was really good-looking, and I got distracted when he walked by."

"Exactly!?"

Dull raised an eyebrow and looked down at his clothes. In reality, it was the simplest outfit he owned, consisting of an oversized casual shirt and loose shorts. He had made an effort to keep up with current trends, even though his style was a bit different. Still, oversized clothing was in fashion, which is why he made sure his outfit aligned with the latest styles.

People really attach great significance to appearances. He didn't expect his fashion choices to be examined when he first arrived here. He will make a note of this observation in his journal later.

"Everything is in order. Welcome to Belen City."

"Thanks."

After ensuring he was not a threat, the guard smiled warmly and gestured for him to move forward.

Maintaining a composed attitude, he entered the building.

Belen City had a bold and modern skyline, filled with bright billboards and tall skyscrapers. The vibrant colors of the advertisements flickered and danced, casting a kaleidoscope of light onto the bustling streets below.

While many would be captivated by the view, Dull felt mostly unaffected, having seen more advanced places before. However, he recognized the remarkable achievement of humanity in developing such advanced technology in a short time. After all, he had witnessed a world that was much older than this one, yet they couldn't even build a decent house. On the other hand, the beings in that world aren't exactly the brightest in the head.

Something caught Dull's eye, causing him to stop.

'The design here looks good.'

Since he was at the main entrance on the east side, there weren't many tall buildings yet. The building designs seemed old but were much more appealing to Dull than the uniform look of the skyscrapers.

As he walked through the city, the rhythm of life pulsed around him. People hurried past, their faces illuminated by the glow of their devices, while street vendors called out, offering everything from steaming street food to the latest gadgets.

Dull noticed that people were giving him curious looks, their eyes lingering a moment longer than usual. Their interest was due to his outfit, his unique features, and his eyes. He could tell by their expressions. The stares didn’t bother him, in fact, he found a certain amusement in their curiosity, so he allowed them to look.

When he reached a street crowded with billboards, he saw a group of girls of various ages excitedly reacting to something on display. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation, and their animated gestures suggested they were witnessing something extraordinary.

Looking up, Dull spotted a tanned man with striking blond hair and captivating purple eyes on the massive screen above. The man exuded charisma, his every expression amplified by the cinematic magic of the trailer they were watching. It seemed they were watching a movie trailer, one that promised adventure, romance, and a touch of the fantastical.

"Segen is so beautiful!"

"I know, right!?"

"How unfair! I want to see him!"

Even some men were whispering their thoughts about the person named "Segen."

"That face is just too perfect."

"Definitely God's favorite."

"And we are the specks of dust under his feet."

"...Haha..."

From what he gathered, it seemed the man on the billboard was an actor and model from a far-off country, distant from Jedi.

He was curious about what made these people squeal, so he watched the trailer again and finally got why they reacted that way.

'I can see why they admire him.'

The individual displayed remarkable acting skills, with his facial expressions and voice perfectly fitting the role he played. Dull also has people he looks up to, however, his admiration is not based on conventional standards of beauty, it stems from their accomplishments and knowledge.

Unlike many who get excited when meeting their heroes, he preferred calm interactions, choosing to have relaxed chats whenever he met them in person.

After watching people talk about the actor on the billboard for a while, Dull lost interest and quietly left. He wandered for several more hours, sometimes stopping to observe things he found interesting from afar. Dull also wanted to try some street foods, but since this place is the capital of Jedi, it was crowded with people. Every food stall had long lines. He didn't want to waste time waiting, so he decided to just look around instead.

When he felt tired of a situation or thought he had learned enough, he would move on. This routine of walking, watching, and leaving defined his entire day. He can't control it because Dull is naturally curious, and this world is new to him. It's only normal that he wanted to explore everything as soon as he got here.

A loud squawk stole his attention.

"Hm?"

Dull turned his head toward the sound. He spotted a street vendor with what appeared to be yellow birds, but since they weren’t flying, they probably weren’t birds at all. He stayed there for a bit, observing the little yellow birds and their interactions with one another.

There are no monsters in this world, so they are likely just animals. If you're not familiar with monsters, you might not realize how many cute ones he has seen before. Appearances can be misleading.

Even if this world is normal, who can say that no one besides Dull has ever slipped in here? There might be many others before him, just blending in with the crowd.

After observing for some time, Dull thought they seemed cute enough, so he approached the vendor, who welcomed him with a warm smile.

"What are those?"

He pointed at the yellow creatures.

The vendor seemed a bit puzzled, likely wondering why Dull didn’t know their name, but he kindly replied instead of being rude.

"They're chickens, baby chickens."

"Chickens?"

Dull had never seen or heard of such animals before, which made him curious.

'I don't know anything about these chickens...'

He had encountered birds and even bird-like people before, but he had never seen chickens. His coworker was correct. There are many things he doesn't know, so he should learn to discover even the tiniest and seemingly unimportant things in the world, no matter how small or weak they may be.

'I'm starting to think that using the wheel was a good idea.'

Dull hope it continues to be the right choice for many years to come.

"Aren't they adorable?"

The vendor remarked as he saw him gazing closely at the baby chickens while gently petting one on the head.

"Are they for sale? I want one."

"Yes, they are. Would you prefer a male or a female? The female costs more."

"Female."

"Just a moment."

The vendor let him pick, and Dull chose the healthiest one. The vendor placed the squawking baby chicken into a small box with holes for air.

"That'll be 200 Spend."

"Here you go."

"Hm?"

The vendor looked at Dull's hand, the hand that held the money, which made Dull glance at it too. The vendor was staring at his right hand's index finger, which had a completely black nail unlike the rest of his nails which looked healthy. It didn’t look like nail polish, so the vendor must be curious about it.

"Just an accident."

He told the curios vendor about the blackened nail while shrugging his shoulders.

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