Chapter 2: Cruel World

"Silence."

The word cut through the chaotic noise like the swing of a guillotine, sharp and final. It echoed from a translucent white orb floating in the air above a tall, dull metal stage. The orb was the size of a beach ball, glowing faintly with an eerie, almost ethereal light. Each time it spoke, it pulsed like a dying star, casting unsettling shadows across the sea of people gathered below.

Niko stood among them, disoriented, his mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. Around him, hundreds of people gaped in confusion, their faces a mixture of shock, awe, and fear. The air was thick with disbelief, the sheer weight of the moment pressing down on them all. His gaze fixed on the orb, his mind flooded with questions, but no answers came. He felt like a pawn on a chessboard, moved without explanation.

The orb's voice was ancient, cold, and indifferent. There was no comfort in its tone, only authority. "Welcome, human group number twelve. Welcome to the Preparation World."

Niko’s breath caught in his throat. His pulse quickened, matching the racing thoughts in his mind. This can’t be real. Where am I? His eyes darted around, taking in the scene. There were all kinds of people, young, old, homeless, wealthy. Some were half-dressed, as if yanked from whatever they were doing with no regard for their dignity. He saw a few in bathrobes, others completely naked. But the strangest thing? There weren’t nearly 100,000 people here.

Where were the others?

They stood in what looked like an ancient, untouched forest, a wilderness that had never felt the corruption of humanity. Massive trees towered overhead, their branches so thick they blocked out the sky. The air was thick with the smell of wet earth and rotting vegetation. Vines coiled around gnarled trunks, and strange, unidentifiable sounds echoed from the underbrush.

"Where… where is this place?" Niko murmured to himself. But before he could dwell on it, something else hit him—a realization so profound it sent tears to his eyes.

My body… it’s… healthy.

His heart pounded in his chest as he flexed his fingers, and felt the strength in his limbs. It was impossible, he had been weak his entire life, bound by a mysterious illness that had slowly withered him away. But now… now he felt alive, full of energy, like a dam had burst and power flowed through him. He was healed. A miracle, but why? His mind raced, trying to piece it together.

Before he could process it further, the orb spoke again.

"Prepare yourselves, humans. In 24 hours, you will be sent to another world, a world where only the strong survive. You will evolve, or you will perish. Life on your planet has been far too easy. You have hunted species to extinction, polluted the air, and waged wars for profit. Your kind has grown soft, decadent. But no more."

Niko’s heart sank. What kind of world had they been summoned to? He scanned the faces around him. Some were twisted in fear, others in anger. One man, standing tall in an immaculate black suit, glared at the orb with pure disdain.

"Cut the shit!" the man shouted, his voice filled with arrogant fury. "What is this? Some kind of sick joke? I was in the middle of something important! Bring me back, or you’ll hear from my lawyers!"

The crowd stirred, emboldened by his outburst. A few others began shouting as well. "Take us back! This is insane!" one woman cried, clutching a rosary to her chest. "God will punish you for this!" another yelled, her voice breaking with hysteria.

Niko watched the orb, waiting for a response. There was none. Just silence, as if the orb didn’t consider the outcry worth acknowledging.

The suited man took another step forward, his eyes blazing with rage. "Do you know who I am?! I could buy and sell you! You’ll-"

Boing.

A sickening, wet sound reverberated through the air as something dark and viscous appeared over the man’s head. In the blink of an eye, his head vanished, swallowed by a black void that rippled like a pool of oil. His body stood there for a brief moment, headless, blood gushing out in thick torrents, before collapsing to the ground with a lifeless thud. The stench of iron filled the air as blood sprayed across the terrified crowd.

Panic erupted.

Screams filled the air as people stumbled backward, trying to flee from the growing pool of blood. Some fainted. Others wept. Niko's stomach turned. He clamped a hand over his mouth, bile rising in his throat as he struggled not to vomit. The sight of death, real death, was far different from the movies or games he'd once enjoyed. His legs shook beneath him, threatening to buckle.

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"Silence," the orb said once more, its tone cold and unaffected, as though it had merely swatted a fly.

Niko's mind raced. He couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. Was this how things worked here? The rich, the arrogant they held no power here. They could die like anyone else. His thoughts briefly flashed to Anita. Had she seen this? Had she survived this?

"Now," the orb continued, as if nothing had happened, "you will be sent to a world that knows no law, where only power rules. The creatures there are beyond anything you’ve ever encountered—predators at the top of the food chain. If you are weak, you will die. If you are strong… perhaps you will thrive. Around you is the Forest of Preparation, an endless expanse filled with dangers and treasures alike. Explore and be rewarded. Cower in fear, and you will be left behind."

Niko wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The orb's words were chilling, but a small flicker of hope lit within him. Anita had been here—he was sure of it. Three years ago, she had been taken, just like he had. This was his first real chance to find her, to get closer to her.

He clenched his fists, determination rising in him, but there was still a gnawing fear. He had never been strong. His sister had always been the fighter, the protector. Now, here he was, forced to survive in a world where physical power was everything.

The orb continued, its voice as cold as ever. "For those of you with no experience in combat, know this: magic exists in the world you are headed to."

Niko’s eyes widened. Magic? His heart quickened again. Could this be his answer? The key to his survival?

"If you call out 'Status' within your mind, you will see your personal information," the orb continued. "Your progress. Your abilities. Use this knowledge wisely."

Hesitant, but curious, Niko closed his eyes and muttered, “Status.”

A glowing screen appeared before his mind's eye, and he stared in disbelief.

…

[Status]

Name: Niko Lazar

Level: 1

Exp: 0%

[Attributes]

Strength: 1

Constitution: 1

Agility: 1

Intelligence: 1

Mana: 1

Mana Power: 1/1

[Unique Titles]

None

[Skills]

None

…

The numbers were shockingly low. "One... for everything?" Niko murmured, feeling a wave of disappointment. He had hoped for something better, but his status reflected the weakness that had haunted him his entire life. His thoughts were interrupted by the frustrated grumbling of a man nearby, his bronze skin glistening in the dim light.

"Strength two? What kind of bullshit is this?" the muscled man cursed. His body looked like it had been sculpted from stone, and yet, even he was unimpressed with his status.

Niko could only shake his head. "You’re lucky it’s not a one…"

The orb’s deep, resonant voice echoed through the crowd, its words reverberating off the tree tunks as if carried by an unseen wind. "For those newly summoned," it announced, "there will be a guide provided to aid in your transition into this world." As the orb spoke, a soft glow emanated from its core, and in the blink of an eye, a small booklet materialized, floating before each of the summoned individuals.

Niko reached out cautiously, his fingers grazing the smooth cover of the booklet. It was simple, almost unassuming, but the weight of it felt oddly heavy in his hands, as if it contained more than just words—more than just instructions. He glanced around quickly, noticing that the others were just as bewildered as he was, some flipping through the pages hastily, others staring at it with a mix of fear and curiosity.

The orb continued, "This guide contains valuable details that will serve you well during your time in the preparation world. Learn quickly, for the countdown will not pause for your convenience. Time, as always, is not on your side."

A timer floated in the air above them all, its relentless tick-tick-tick a constant reminder that the clock was already running. Niko’s pulse quickened. He didn’t need the orb to remind him that they were racing against time. He flipped the booklet open, scanning the first few pages. There was no preamble, no explanation of what this world truly was—just the cold, hard facts.

Niko’s eyes darted to another section: Skills. His breath hitched as he skimmed the text. There were ways to earn skills, to grow stronger, but they came with risks. Some could only be earned by fighting, others through dangerous trials. He clenched the booklet tighter. It was exactly as he feared—nothing would be given to them. Every bit of power had to be fought for, had to be seized by risking life and limb.

The guide was designed to help them, but it was also a grim reminder that they were on their own.

Niko knew he had no time to waste. The clock above them ticked louder in his mind, each second feeling like a hammer against his skull. He had to be quick. He had to be smart. Glancing back at the booklet, his mind raced as he mentally laid out a plan. He needed power—fast. But first, he needed to understand this world, its mechanics, its rules. Only then could he hope to survive, let alone thrive.

Niko’s mind whirred as the pieces slowly began falling into place. He needed a strategy. But more importantly, he needed an edge over the others.

The booklet had unlocked a flood of possibilities, but it was up to him to decipher the best path forward.