Novels2Search

Ch: 2 [Hope]

The year was 2030, and the world had undergone a series of dramatic changes following the death of our unlucky protagonist. After his demise, an enormous black hole materialized over the Bermuda Triangle, causing widespread alarm and speculations of an alien invasion. In response, countries set aside their differences and united in preparation. However, to everyone's surprise, nothing emerged from the black hole.

As days turned into weeks, smaller black holes began to appear across the globe, altering the Earth's topography and expanding its size by 40%. Mysterious and uncharted lands with unfamiliar flora and fauna emerged, filled with precious gems and crystals, as well as perilous territories protected by formidable barriers.

Despite the dangers, humanity's excitement overshadowed their caution as they ventured into these new realms, driven by the desire to uncover the next stage of evolution and harness the abundant resources. It soon became evident that there were no intelligent lifeforms posing a threat to Earth, further fueling their belief in the possibilities before them.

In the midst of their exploration and resource salvaging, the black holes and their potential dangers were forgotten, pushed to the back of their minds. Each black hole was guarded by a small contingent of military forces, but overall attention and interest waned.

However, in 2031, the consequences of their negligence became apparent. Some of the black holes unexpectedly exploded, releasing a horde of monstrous creatures that wreaked havoc and destruction. Earth's defense forces swiftly mobilized, employing weapons developed from the newly discovered resources to combat the threat. Nevertheless, countless lives were lost in the process.

In response to the crisis, a select group of brave individuals took on the perilous mission of exploring beyond the black holes, seeking to understand the source of their power and gain an upper hand. Those who survived these treacherous expeditions discovered that they had awakened extraordinary superhuman abilities, the origins of which remained a mystery.

As experiments ensued, humanity found a way to awaken dormant superpowers within the human body using dark energy crystals formed in the vicinity of the black holes. However, only teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 proved capable of manifesting these abilities, leaving adults without access to this newfound power.

By 2032, several laws were established to maintain peace in this reborn Earth. The Superhuman Association, formed by the strongest and most experienced awakened superhumans, took charge of maintaining order. Updated maps were created, renaming countries and delineating territories. Slowly but steadily, a semblance of peace returned to the world.

Superhumans eagerly delved beyond the black holes, seeking to gain experience and become even stronger while preventing further breakouts of monstrous creatures. During their expeditions, they hunted these creatures and obtained precious artifacts and magic crystals from their defeated foes. These valuable resources were sometimes sold at exorbitant prices through auctions, rendering the concept of traditional currency obsolete as core crystals replaced it as the medium of exchange.

--

The year was 2050, and the world had undergone significant changes since the awakening of superhuman abilities and the appearance of the dungeons. One such dungeon, known as Frostfall, had emerged at the South Pole, and a catastrophic breakout had occurred. The late arrival of the Hunters, a group of superhumans tasked with combating these monsters, allowed the creatures to adapt to the freezing temperatures, transforming into formidable ice beasts.

A group of Hunters found themselves engaged in a desperate battle against the mutated monsters within Frostfall. The frigid air bit at their skin, their breath visible as white puffs in the freezing environment. Clad in their specialized armor, each Hunter possessed unique abilities and equipment suited to their respective roles.

"I am running out of gas, guys..." said the healer with a painful smile.

The healer, a young woman with a compassionate gaze and flowing white robes, struggled to keep her powers active amidst the freezing cold. Her hands glowed with a soothing blue light, emitting healing energy to mend the wounds of her allies. Frost had formed on her robes, evidence of the bitter cold seeping into her very bones.

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Beside her, the tanker, a burly figure with thick layers of protective armor, fought valiantly to shield his comrades from the onslaught of the ice beasts. His massive shield, reinforced with ice-resistant enchantments, bore the brunt of the enemy's attacks, but cracks had begun to form on its surface due to the intense cold. He gasped for air, his breath visible as he struggled against the numbing cold and the weight of his frozen armor.

"This is a mess... Really messed up..." muttered the tanker. Despite his formidable appearance, he struggled to catch his breath, his eyelids frozen and his fingers covered in frostbite.

"Huff... Seeesshhh... Damn, it!!!" grunted the shooter, her voice muffled by the freezing air. She had donned a sleek silver armor with built-in ice-resistant technology, wielding a high-powered energy sniper rifle that crackled with blue electricity.

The shooter, a sharp-eyed marksman with silver hair and a steely resolve, wore lightweight gear designed for agility and precision. Despite her mastery of long-range attacks, the swirling blizzard hindered her aim, frustrating her with every missed shot.

Amidst the chaos, the team leader, a seasoned Hunter, engaged in a fierce battle with the boss monster. His armor, a blend of silver and deep blue, shimmered with an ethereal glow, providing him some protection against the icy storm unleashed by the creature. Yet, as the battle wore on, cracks began to form in his defenses, and the biting cold seeped through.

"Shit! This fucker!!!" the leader grunted, his voice laced with frustration and pain. He had fought countless battles, but this one pushed him to his limits.

The shooter slammed her fist on the icy ground, frustration etched on her face. A few sharp shards pierced her fist, but the cold had numbed her pain. Her eyes glowed with determination as she scanned the battlefield, searching for an opening to take a shot at the boss monster. However, the blizzard obscured her vision, leaving her unable to land a clear hit without endangering her leader.

"How did it come to this...?" she muttered, her voice filled with a mix of regret and anger.

The tanker, shivering uncontrollably, voiced his concerns. "Leader got a call from the hospital... Just after we landed. He is about to become a father..."

A wave of guilt washed over the team as they realized the gravity of the leader's sacrifice. If he had chosen to prioritize his own safety and return after receiving the news, he would be safe with his family, ready to welcome his child into the world. Instead, he fought on, risking his life for the sake of others.

"Isn't there any way to help...?" The tanker grumbled in frustration.

"The backup can't even land due to this freaking storm..." the healer said, her voice tinged with desperation. She knew firsthand the pain of growing up without parents, and the thought of the leader's child facing a similar fate pierced her heart.

Their vulnerabilities on the battlefield rendered them liabilities rather than assets, intensifying their frustration and helplessness. In the midst of their despair, a plea for help echoed in the halls of God's realm, reaching the ears of the forgotten deity.

[God's Realm]

In God's realm, a flame of faith flickered as he observed the drifting soul. The soul had endured an immense amount of suffering and misfortune, cursing God until its dying breath. Yet, even in its darkest moments, it had found a glimmer of happiness. God contemplated the soul's circumstances and made a decision.

"Finally... A flame has been lit," God exclaimed, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Your faith in me is strong enough to light up the darkness around me."

The soul, shrouded in murky energies, intrigued God. It had drifted for eternity, carrying immense misfortune and yearning for good luck. God could sense the pain it had endured, the curses it had uttered, and the gratitude it had expressed in its final moments.

"What should I do with you?" God pondered, his voice laced with curiosity. "You are the first to defy fate and destiny, and even escape your death."

After a moment of contemplation, God reached a decision. "Go forth and live the life you always yearned for... Go back to where you came from... A new life awaits you," he declared, his voice resolute. "Become the savior or the destroyer... I leave the choice to you."

[Silver Family's Hospital]

"Where the heck is that brat?"

"He should have been here 2 hours ago... Did anything happen on his mission?"

"No, no, no, no... He has reached the 7th level. He should be able to escape with his life... But, what is this uneasy feeling in my heart...?"

In a private hospital room belonging to the Silver family, a man in his sixties paced anxiously. He wore a worried expression as he muttered to himself, glancing repeatedly at his watch. The absence of his loved one, the leader, weighed heavily on his heart.

"WaaaaWaaaaa..." The cries of a newborn echoed from the private room, a bittersweet sound in the midst of the turmoil. The child of the absent leader had entered the world, its arrival shrouded in uncertainty and danger. The man's worry deepened, his unease growing stronger.

As the world hung in the balance, the destiny of the leader, the Hunters, and the drifting soul intertwined. A new chapter in their lives was about to unfold, and the choices they made would shape the course of their intertwined fates.