Countless crimson screens floated in the air, casting an eerie red glow over the battlefield. Every pair of eyes—be it the survivors standing below or the spectators watching from the safety of their homes—was fixed on the sky above.
The air was thick with anticipation. The silence that followed the chaos of battle was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the hovering screens.
But it wasn't just any screen that held their attention—it was the largest crimson screen of them all. It stood out, brighter and broader, as it slowly revealed the top five names of the quest.
Surprise flickered across many faces—shock, disbelief, and even awe. Spectators leaned forward, their hearts pounding. Participants who had barely escaped elimination now found themselves staring at the rankings, trying to process what they were seeing.
The results had arrived, and they were nothing short of unexpected.
The top 5 rankings flashed on the crimson screen, showing not only the names but also their photos. The figures stood out vividly, with their determined faces and battle-ready stances. The ranking was a shocking revelation for everyone watching.
Rank 1: Huang Qi and Hiyori Akabane (3400 pts.)
Rank 2: Lucian Vale and Lucas Halt (2900 pts.)
Rank 3: Josè Martínez and Ethan Carter (2500 pts.)
Rank 4: Selene Alonzo and Kira Alonzo (1900 pts.)
Rank 5: Zara Mwangi and Ankit Kumar (1235 pts.)
Lucas was staring at the rankings in disbelief, and a sense of awe mixed with confusion crept in.
"We're in the top 2?" Lucas exclaimed, his voice full of surprise. The duo had been hunting relentlessly, but the fact that they weren't at rank 1 made him doubt their efforts.
Lucian, maintaining his cool demeanor, muttered softly, "Oh, so that Japanese swordswoman's name is Hiyori Akabane."
His voice was barely audible, but Lucas had sharp ears. He looked over, puzzled. "Did you say something?"
Lucian, slightly tilting his head, shook it dismissively, "No, nothing." His mind raced through the tournament's events as he processed their placement.
Lucas, still staring at the rankings, continued to speak. "Oh, the twin sisters made it into the top 5? And who are these two in 5th place? I haven't even seen them in the tournament!"
The camera zoomed in on Zara Mwangi and Ankit Kumar.
Zara was from South Africa, her appearance reflecting the country's distinct culture. Her hair was jet black, styled into tight cornrows. She wore a full-sleeve black top, paired with tight black leggings and a long black coat. Accessories were absent, adding to her no-nonsense vibe. She was in her 30s, yet her demeanor suggested she was no stranger to tough battles.
Ankit, hailing from India, was a stark contrast. His short black hair and muscular build screamed physical power. At 17, he was younger but had an intensity that matched his strength. His gaze was focused, revealing a sharp mind behind his youthful exterior.
The housefly buzzed again, its mechanical voice resonating through the air as it continued speaking, "Now, it's time to award the top 5 participants."
The remaining competitors, particularly those whose names appeared on the leaderboard, were overjoyed. They had achieved their goal of becoming adventurers. However, the others who hadn't made it had failed, now relegated to ordinary status. These individuals would now lose a quarter of their remaining life.
The contrasting sounds of celebration and sorrow filled the air, creating an eerie atmosphere.
The housefly continued, "The top 5, please open your crimson screens and input the command: 'Show Balance.'"
Following the housefly's instructions, the top 5 participants entered the command. Lucian and Lucas did the same, and the information appeared on their crimson screens.
[Balance: 0 Peak]
The housefly spoke once more, "Now, command 'Refresh.'"
The top 5 followed suit, and their balances immediately increased.
Huang Qi and Hiyori Akabane had 5 million peaks each. Lucian and Lucas had 2.5 million peaks each. Ethan and Josè had 1.25 million peaks each. Selene and Kira had 900k peaks each, while Zara and Ankit had 500k peaks each. These were the prize amounts for the top 5.
The prize money could be used anywhere, and its value remained constant across all places.
The housefly continued, "Now, it's time to grant the wrath to all the participants. Your crimson screens will show two choices, and you can choose only one wrath."
The crimson screens of the participants flickered, and the options appeared according to their abilities and achievements. One of the wraths was passive, while the other was offensive. Those who were awakeners and had already unlocked the offensive wrath were presented with both passive options.
Lucas' screen displayed the following:
[Option 1: Stamina Cell (Passive)]
[Info: This ability creates groups of cells within your body that generate stamina. One group produces stamina automatically, up to its limit. The second group generates 20% of that limit separately, which you can use at any time. If the 20% limit is reached, no further stamina will be generated until some of that amount is used.]
[Option 2: Rage (Passive)]
[Info: This ability increases your attack damage by 20%. It consumes only 5% of your total stamina and can remain active for up to 5 minutes. As its level increases, the active duration will also increase. Once used, it goes on a 24-hour cooldown, but this cooldown will gradually decrease with higher levels. When activated, a red aura appears around the user, signaling the release of their inner fury.]
Both abilities were highly useful and promised to be critical in the future, but Lucas could only choose one. Most participants had already selected their Wrath, while only those who had unlocked their Awakener's Wrath remained—now facing the difficult decision of choosing the perfect passive. Lucian had already made his pick and stood silently, his eyes subtly watching Hiyori, who had yet to decide.
Lucas, after a moment of deep thought, finally selected Stamina Cell as his passive Wrath. For him, it was a practical choice—something he could rely on in drawn-out battles. Offensive Wraths could be unlocked later, but stamina was a foundation he couldn't ignore.
Five minutes passed, and all remaining participants had chosen their Wraths.
The housefly spoke again in its robotic voice, "Thank you all for taking the time to complete this quest. And once again, congratulations. Now, it's time to receive your weapons. On your crimson screen, four weapon choices will appear—each one compatible with your style. You may choose only one."
With that, new menus began appearing on each crimson screen, signaling the final phase of the initiation.
Four weapon choices appeared on Lucas's screen, and he was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected something so... exotic. Among the weapons listed, one in particular caught his eye—something he had neither heard of nor seen before.
[Your weapon choices:]
[1. Silver Sword]
[2. Crimson Crossbow]
[3. Shadow Daggers]
[4. Ghost Guan Dao]
The weapon that stood out most to Lucas—the one he had never encountered even in tales—was the Guan Dao, a traditional Chinese polearm with a long, curved blade mounted on a wooden or metal shaft.
Each weapon was accompanied by a detailed visual, allowing him to observe them closely.
The Silver Sword had a gleaming, pure silver blade. Its handle shimmered in a silver-and-black gradient, radiating a subtle silver aura from the edge.
The Crimson Crossbow was vivid red, adorned with intricate yellow designs. A constant flicker of flame danced around it, making it seem alive—dangerous.
The Shadow Daggers had blades shaded in a deep purple-violet gradient. Their sleek black-violet handles gave off a deadly yet refined aesthetic. Their design was undeniably unique.
Then came the Ghost Guan Dao. The blade was a stark, haunting white, but it emitted a strange violet-purple aura that danced around it like spectral flames. The shaft was a blend of gold and black, etched with ornate carvings—ghostly figures swirling up and down its length.
Lucas tapped the info button beneath the Ghost Guan Dao.
[Info: Ghost Guan Dao is a weapon which works as both an offensive and passive tool. Its offensive capabilities exceed those of standard weapons. This weapon possesses several abilities that will unlock as the user's mastery increases. Its passive effects are also significantly stronger compared to other weapons. However, it is extremely difficult to master and unlock. Not recommended for beginners.]
Lucas read every line carefully. He hadn't trained with polearms before, hadn't even considered them. But something about the weapon called to him. It felt... right. He knew it would be difficult to master, and yet, that only drew him in further.
Without hesitation, Lucas selected the Ghost Guan Dao.
Even with all the risk, it felt like the beginning of something much greater.
The moment Lucas tapped on the weapon, a confirmation prompt appeared:
[Do you want to choose the Ghost Guan Dao as your weapon?]
[Yes] [No]
He didn't hesitate. His finger pressed [Yes].
[You have successfully chosen the Ghost Guan Dao and it is stored in your inventory.]
The blade vanished in a swirl of violet mist, absorbed instantly into his inventory. He couldn't feel its weight anymore, but something told him it was still there—waiting.
This process repeated itself across the arena. Every contestant's chosen weapon was automatically sealed into their inventory.
Housefly's mechanical voice echoed once more, breaking the silence that followed.
"Thank you all once again for participating and completing this quest. Congratulations to everyone here. You may now return to your homes. For the top 30 participants—expect company requests to arrive on your crimson screen by tomorrow. Choose wisely. Good night."
The crimson screen in front of everyone flickered once and then dissolved into thin air.
It was 3:28 AM.
Lucas rubbed his eyes, exhaustion hitting him like a wave. Lucian, nearby, looked equally drained—though his gaze was still fixed on one person: Akabane Hiyori.
Lucas walked up to him, stretching slightly as he approached. "Lucian," he said casually, "Which weapon and passive wrath did you end up picking?"
Lucian jumped.
He turned abruptly, startled, his eyes wide as if caught red-handed. "Wha—oh. It's just you," he muttered with a half-laugh. "You scared the hell out of me, man."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What were you looking at?"
Lucian hesitated, then grinned slyly. "That's a secret," he replied smoothly. "Both my wrath and my weapon—secret for now. I'll reveal them when the time's right."
Lucas chuckled but didn't press further.
Around them, several contestants were still lingering. Ethan leaned against a pillar, Josè was fiddling with his system menu, and Huang Qi stood quietly. Hiyori, not far off, seemed lost in thought, arms crossed as she glanced toward the arena walls.
Lucas approached Huang Qi and extended his hand. "Hello."
The boy looked up, his sharp eyes softening instantly. He smiled and took Lucas's hand in a firm shake. "Hello, Lucas."
"You were amazing out there," Lucas said sincerely. "We gave it everything we had, and you still came in first. That's no joke."
Huang laughed modestly. "Thank you. But you weren't far behind. You fought well."
Lucas smiled, appreciating the humility.
Meanwhile, Lucian was nervously inching closer to Hiyori.
His heart pounded in his chest. The image of her—burned clothing near her chest, wrapped tightly in bandages that still couldn't completely hide her curves—was far too much for his inexperienced brain to handle. He felt heat crawl up his neck.
As he took another hesitant step forward, Hiyori's gaze flicked toward him.
She looked him over once, expression unreadable. Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion clear in the way her brows pinched together.
Why is he walking toward me? she thought, folding her arms across her chest instinctively. What's he planning?
Lucian, now red-faced, wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.
He hadn't even said a word yet, and already, he was sure he'd made it awkward.
Lucian's anxiety spiked the moment Hiyori's eyes locked onto his.
His heart thudded louder in his chest, each beat like a war drum in his ears. She was staring directly at him, unblinking, her expression unreadable. The longer the eye contact lasted, the more his body tensed.
Swallowing hard, Lucian raised a trembling hand toward her, forcing out a nervous, "H-Hello."
For two full seconds, Hiyori didn't move. She simply stared at him, her brows slightly drawn, confused by his sudden approach and awkward energy.
Lucian felt his stomach sink. Shit. I messed up. I shouldn't have said anything…
His entire body was trembling. It wasn't just nerves anymore—it was pure panic.
But then, slowly, Hiyori lifted her hand as well.
Her fingers reached out, inching toward his. Just a few more centimeters and they would touch—
—and then the world shattered.
Like breaking glass, the clone world disintegrated in an instant, replaced by the quiet stillness of the real world.
Lucian blinked.
He was back in the park, standing in front of a stone wall. His hand still hovered mid-air—mere inches from where Hiyori's had been. But now, there was nothing.
No warmth. No touch. Just the cold emptiness of disappointment.
And it broke him.
Frustration surged in his chest, hot and suffocating. His eyes welled up with tears, and before he knew it, he let out a quiet, broken growl and slammed his foot against the wall.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Lucas turned his head at the sound of furious kicks thudding against stone. "What the hell…?"
Hikaru, who was casually sipping an energy drink, looked over as well. "What's wrong with him?"
"No idea," Lucas replied, watching as Lucian continued to lash out at the wall, muttering curses under his breath. The word "Housefly" kept appearing in between, like a name he desperately wanted to erase from existence.
Lucian's knuckles were clenched, and he was kicking with so much force it was starting to echo through the park.
Hikaru tilted his head, unimpressed. "Well. That's a meltdown."
Lucas stayed quiet. He knew it wasn't just anger. Something had shifted in Lucian during the clone world. Something personal.
After a moment, Hikaru finished the last sip of his drink and tossed the can into a nearby bin. "Anyway, we leave for America tomorrow. But tonight… we'll have to crash in a hotel."
Lucas nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on Lucian—who, in that moment, seemed lost between heartbreak and rage.
Lucas turned to Hikaru, his curiosity piqued. "But which hotel are we staying at?"
Hikaru's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Each country has booked rooms at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for its adventurers, and America has done the same. We're staying there tonight."
Lucas had heard whispers about the legendary hotel, but he was about to experience it firsthand. The anticipation grew within him, the thought of stepping into one of the most luxurious hotels in the world stirring his imagination.
His curiosity didn't stop there, though. "What about those who failed the quest?" he asked, eyeing Hikaru for an answer.
Hikaru shook his head. "No, they won't be staying. They'll be heading straight back to their respective countries. Only those who succeeded get the privilege."
Lucas, Lucian, and Hikaru made their way toward the car. Lucian seemed off, his usual confident stride replaced by a somber gait. His eyes occasionally flickered toward the side, where Hiyori was walking. The two of them exchanged glances, and Lucian's heart skipped a beat. The proximity of her gaze felt like an electric jolt coursing through him.
Suddenly, Lucian's pulse quickened. His face flushed a deep crimson as he awkwardly turned his gaze downward, his body betraying him with a sudden rush of heat.
Hiyori, with her usual poised elegance, smiled at him, a soft, knowing expression dancing on her lips. In that instant, Lucian lost his footing. His feet stumbled beneath him, and in a moment of pure, unexpected clumsiness, he toppled to the ground.
"Lucian?" Lucas called out, momentarily snapping from his own thoughts as he turned to see his companion sprawled awkwardly on the ground. But Lucian didn't hear him. His entire focus was on the one person who had managed to steal his attention—Hiyori.
Lucian's heart was racing, not from the fall, but from the overwhelming sense of nervousness and admiration that had just collided in his chest. He couldn't help but wonder if she'd noticed how he had acted. Would she understand? Would she laugh?
But Hiyori only smiled more warmly, clearly entertained by Lucian's innocent stumble.
[Active Quest: 3 Years Mastery]