When Earth’s very reality is entwined with a mysterious System, ordinary people are thrust into a world of stats, classes, and ruthless survival. Suddenly bound by new rules that place strength and cunning above all else, the human race awakens to find that perseverance isn’t merely a virtue, but a currency in this deadly, evolving game. For Elijah Merrows—a practical, reserved everyman working at a bustling tech firm—his quiet life turns into an unimaginable battleground overnight. Forced to confront beasts beyond comprehension and navigate the savage politics of a crumbling society, he’ll forge unlikely bonds with coworkers and rivals alike. In a place where the line between friend and foe blurs, the hidden grit and nobility of the human spirit will be tested. Guided by flickering System prompts and reliant on each other’s competence, they’ll discover that true leadership isn’t about commands, but the trust earned in dire moments. Amid the brutality of twisted dungeons and monstrous creatures, brotherhood and honor may be the only footholds keeping them human. But human nature, in all its brilliance and darkness, will shape the fate of the Ascendants—and the realms they are only just beginning to discover.