Lily pressed forward, her arms straining under the weight of the heavy bag filled with cans of food and water bottles. Sensing her struggle, Light offered a small smile and extended his hand.

Light: "Here, give it to me."

Lily, feeling a mix of nervousness and relief, handed over the burden. She watched in astonishment as Light prodded the air, causing her bag to be sucked into a dark void that seemed to materialize out of thin air.

Lily: (surprised and confused) "Light, what was that?"

Light: (still wearing a small smile) "It's just a way to store the canned food and water. Don't worry, they'll remain fresh."

Lily found herself drawn to the change in Light's demeanor, even though she couldn't fully comprehend the reasons behind it. She was grateful for these small moments of kindness, treasuring the warmth they brought her.

Lily's thoughts meandered: (I hope I can see his smile again... It's so warm and calming...) She found herself gazing at Light as he meticulously organized his inventory.

Light: (nervous) "Uh, Lily? Are you okay? Your face seems a bit flushed."

Lily: (embarrassed and flustered) "Oh, no, sorry... I spaced out for a moment."

In the midst of Light's desolation, a flicker of light emerged, casting a soft glow amidst the darkness that enveloped him. His life had been a constant struggle, filled with abandonment, loneliness, and shame. He was born into a world where he felt shackled by his perceived weakness. Despite harboring a deep-rooted hatred for humanity, Lily managed to make him feel cared for, something even his own parents failed to accomplish. Though he veiled his kindness behind a small smile, he silently cherished her acts of compassion.

Together, they ventured deeper into the city.

The air resonated with the clamor of sirens and the echoes of gunfire. Lily and Light moved stealthily, seeking refuge in a nearby TV store. Every screen broadcasted the news, filling the space with an eerie glow.

News Anchor: "We have received confirmation that law enforcement and the military are mobilizing to combat the hordes of nightmarish creatures roaming our streets. This is not limited to Texas; similar sightings have been reported nationwide. We implore all viewers to stay indoors or find secure hiding places if outside. Furthermore, we have been alerted to an alarming surge in crime rates across the country, with reports of serial killers, escalating gang activity, and mercenaries. While conventional firearms seem ineffective against these monstrosities, caution should still be exercised. Arm yourselves if necessary. May God have mer—"

Lily: (intensely watching the broadcast) "What happened to the broadcast?"

Light glanced out of the window, witnessing a holographic display hovering above the streets, projecting a loading screen that seemed to blanket the entire city.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Light: "I believe we're about to find out."

The airwaves crackled, and the broadcast was interrupted by an unknown entity.

Hugo: "Is this thing on?"

Angel 1: "We're live."

Before them appeared a young man with wings as pure as snow, his appearance reminiscent of a teenage boy. A halo adorned his head, albeit with a missing fragment at the front. His demeanor exuded an air of childlike innocence. Once the cacophonous environment fell into an eerie silence, as if the wails of sirens had been swallowed by the void. Everyone, including the monsters, stood in anticipation of Hugo's announcement.

Hugo (clearing his throat): "I am one of the prophets for the gods, here to deliver a message to all humans."

Civilian 1: "Gods? Are you kidding me? This can't be happening!"

Civilian 2: "Monsters, crime, and now gods? What is the world coming to?"

Civilian 3: "Please, someone tell me this is just a nightmare!"

Civilian 4: "I never believed in gods, but this... this is beyond anything I imagined."

Civilian 5: "Is there no end to the madness? What have we done to deserve this?"

Civilian 6: "I'm not ready to face gods or monsters. It's too much!"

Hugo (voice turning serious): "The reason for your planet's invasion is simple: the gods find amusement in it." (His smile turned cynical.) "We have observed humanity since the very beginning, and their verdict is far from favorable."

Civilian 7: "So, our existence is just a game to them? How can they be so heartless?"

Civilian 8: "Gods judging humanity? It's like we're puppets in their sick entertainment."

Civilian 9: "I always thought there was something out there, but this... it's too much to comprehend."

Civilian 10: "This invasion, the monsters, and now the wrath of the gods? How are we supposed to survive?"

Civilian 11: "We must have brought this upon ourselves somehow. Are we being punished?"

Civilian 12: "I just want to protect my loved ones. Is that too much to ask for?"

Hugo: (smiling even wider) "They perceive humanity as an embodiment of meaningless wars, cruel treatment of animals and one another, and a blight upon their own planet. Some gods, however, desire humanity's survival despite their grievances."

(Hugo's smile returns to its initial state.)

Hugo: "In a compromise to level the playing field, the gods have infused the Earth's atmosphere with magical power—mana, if you will. This interference disrupts satellite communication. The good news is that it grants humanity a fighting chance against the monsters. But there's a catch." (He hints at forthcoming bad news.) "Only 30% of the population will receive mana, along with extraordinary abilities. They will gain access to classes such as Swordsman, Knight, Archer, Mage, Rogue, Berserker, and Healer. There are also rare classes like Assassins, Summoners, Necromancers, Paladins, Shapeshifters, and Samurai. However, possessing more than one class is incredibly rare, and the classes are randomly assigned, unique to each individual.

Hugo's announcement spread panic and uncertainty among the gathered crowd.

Civilian 13: "So, we're supposed to fight these monsters with magical powers? What if we're not chosen?"

Civilian 14: "I don't want to face those creatures! But if I don't have mana, what hope do I have?"

Civilian 15: "This feels like a twisted game of survival. How can the gods be so arbitrary?"

Civilian 16: "I always wished for something extraordinary to happen, but this... I never imagined it like this."

Civilian 17: "We're pawns in their game. Who knows what horrors await us behind those portals?"

Civilian 18: "I'm scared. Scared of the monsters, scared of the gods, scared of what this world has become."

Hugo: (continuing the speech) "Players who have made it this far have passed the tutorial and will be rewarded with survival resources. In ten days, portals from different worlds will appear at various locations on Earth. These portals will possess different power levels but no information about their contents. Failure to clear a portal will result in further monster invasions and spell doom for Earth. I will provide updates on additional events. Good luck."

The gathered civilians exchanged worried glances, their expressions reflecting the weight of the impending challenges.

Lily turned to Light, her eyes filled with determination.

Lily: "We can't let fear consume us. We have to fight for our survival, for humanity."

Light, his cold exterior cracking for a brief moment, nodded in agreement.

Light: "You're right. We can't let the gods or the monsters decide our fate. We'll face whatever comes our way together."

As chaos and despair continued to engulf the world, the sounds of panic and anguish echoed in the distance. The selection of humans with extraordinary abilities had begun, and the air crackled with anticipation.

In the midst of it all, Light felt an inexplicable power coursing through his veins. His army, awaiting his command within the realm of mirrors, stirred restlessly. Yet, alongside this newfound strength, he sensed an unfamiliar energy emanating from Lily. It was as if a surge of power had awakened within her, in ways she couldn't yet comprehend.