The island's calm was shattered as the System’s global notification rippled through Essence-laden air, reaching every corner of the world.
[Global System Update: Stage Two of Integration Unlocked.]
[Zones Evolving: Increased Complexity and Rewards.]
[Warning: Full Zones Now Active Worldwide.]
[Breathing and Cultivation Techniques Released Globally.]
Mia and Kei sat on the crystalline beach, the weight of the notification sinking in. The world was accelerating toward chaos, and they were already far ahead of the curve.
Kei leaned back, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand. “Full Zones everywhere, huh? Great. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse.”
Mia, still clutching her scythe, stared out at the horizon. “The world isn’t ready for this,” she said softly.
----------------------------------------
GLOBAL IMPACT
The release of Full Zones sent shockwaves through society. Unlike the smaller fractured Zones, these were far larger, more complex, and teeming with powerful enemies. The rewards within were equally enticing, but the danger outweighed the promises for most.
The System also introduced breathing and cultivation techniques globally, but not all techniques were created equal.
1. Tier 1 Techniques – Basic, widely available, but slow in progression.
2. Tier 2 Techniques – More efficient but limited in availability. Often hoarded by organizations or families.
3. Tier 3 Techniques – Rare and highly sought after, requiring special achievements or resources to unlock.
Governments scrambled to acquire higher-tier techniques, hidden families emerged to claim their dominance, and individuals sought to carve their own paths.
----------------------------------------
KEI AND MIA’S NEW SKILLS
Before moving forward, the pair reviewed the rewards they’d earned after clearing the Apex Tier battle.
Kei's Skills:
1. Blazing Echo: Fire-enhanced vibrations that explode on contact, amplifying damage with successive hits.
2. Ground Resonance Field: A wide-scale shockwave attack that disrupts enemy movements and destabilizes terrain.
3. Sonic Rush: A high-speed dash utilizing sound resonance for devastating close-range attacks.
Mia's Skills:
1. Equilibrium Barrier: A stabilizing dome that nullifies chaotic energy and protects allies.
2. Essence Counterflow: Redirects enemy attacks, using their power against them.
3. Harmonic Strike: Combines stabilizing energy with her scythe for devastating, precision-based attacks.
Kei practiced his new abilities, sending rippling waves of resonance through the ground with Ground Resonance Field. The shockwaves created fissures in the earth, disrupting the landscape in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “Okay, this is fun,” he said, grinning.
Mia, meanwhile, refined her Equilibrium Barrier, expanding its radius and learning to harmonize it with the natural flow of Essence around her. The field not only stabilized the terrain but also neutralized residual Essence effects from the Full Zones.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
----------------------------------------
THE WORLD REACTS
In Major Cities:
Governments established dedicated Zone Management Divisions, tasked with handling the emergence of Full Zones. Private corporations offered lucrative rewards for skilled Zone-clearers, turning combatants into celebrities overnight.
In Rural Regions:
Hidden families and sects capitalized on their ancient knowledge, training their members in advanced cultivation techniques. Treasured artifacts and rare resources were uncovered in remote Full Zones, reshaping the balance of power.
In Developing Nations:
Communities banded together to protect themselves, sharing basic techniques and pooling resources. Despite their limited means, their unity gave them a unique edge in survival.
Kei and Mia’s Perspective:
Isolated on their island, the two could only watch as the world struggled to adapt. “So,” Kei said, scrolling through the System feed, “looks like the big players are already making moves.”
Mia nodded, her gaze distant. “They’ll monopolize resources and leave the rest of the world to fend for themselves.”
Kei leaned back, smirking. “Well, good thing we’re not playing by their rules.”
----------------------------------------
A NEW FULL ZONE APPEARS
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the System chimed again:
[Full Zone Formation Detected.]
[Location: Pacific Sector, Island Proximity.]
Kei sat up, his smirk widening. “Let me guess. Right in our backyard?”
Mia’s grip tightened on her scythe. “We can’t ignore it. Full Zones don’t stabilize on their own.”
Kei stood, spinning his dagger. “Guess we’re clearing another one. Hope this one doesn’t have an Apex surprise waiting for us.”
----------------------------------------
ENTERING THE FULL ZONE
The pair approached the shimmering boundary of the Full Zone, the air crackling with unstable Essence. Unlike fractured Zones, this one radiated a sense of permanence and depth. The entrance pulsed faintly, as though alive, and stepping through felt like entering another world.
The landscape within was otherworldly—twisted forests of glowing trees, rivers of molten Essence, and skies that shifted colors with every breath. The System displayed the Zone’s details:
[Zone Classification: Full Tier 3.]
[Danger Level: High.]
[Trial Objective: Eliminate Zone Core and Survive Apex Surge.]
Kei frowned. “Apex Surge? Sounds ominous.”
Mia’s eyes scanned the environment. “The creatures will get stronger as we progress. We need to clear this quickly.”
----------------------------------------
THE FIRST ENCOUNTER
From the glowing forest emerged creatures that defied logic—beasts with crystalline exoskeletons, their movements unnervingly fluid. The System identified them immediately:
[Entities Detected: Crystal Hounds – Level 17.]
The pack charged, their claws gleaming as they moved in unison. Kei activated Ground Resonance Field, sending tremors through the forest floor. The shockwave disrupted the hounds’ coordination, causing several to stumble.
Mia followed up with Harmonic Strike, her scythe carving through the nearest hound with precision. The stabilizing energy amplified her attack, shattering the creature’s crystalline armor.
Kei dashed forward with Sonic Rush, his speed leaving afterimages as he struck the remaining hounds. Each blow resonated with fiery vibrations, reducing the creatures to shards of Essence.
----------------------------------------
PUSHING FORWARD
As they delved deeper into the Zone, the challenges grew more intense. The terrain shifted unpredictably, and the creatures became more aggressive. Yet Kei and Mia’s synergy allowed them to adapt, their combined abilities turning the battlefield into a canvas for their creativity.
Kei experimented with his fire-based resonance, creating explosive traps that disrupted enemy formations. Mia honed her Essence Counterflow, redirecting an energy-based attack from a massive beast back at its core.
The System chimed occasionally, marking their progress:
[Zone Core Detected: Distance 3.2 km.]
Kei glanced at Mia, his grin undeterred. “Almost there.”
She nodded, her expression calm but determined. “Stay focused. This isn’t over yet.”
As they moved closer to the Zone Core, the air grew heavier, and the familiar sense of danger loomed ever larger. Whatever awaited them at the heart of the Full Zone would test their abilities like never before.