Earth‑10 entered a new year quietly.
Civilization had advanced—sleeker cities, cleaner energy, faster transit—but life still felt familiar. Workers filled the streets on their morning routines. Children laughed in parks. Cars flowed through intersections. The world had adapted to dungeons long ago—fixed locations now, regulated and monitored, carved into places like ancient caves, massive tree roots, or deep underground stairways.
They were dangerous, yes—but under control.
It was a peaceful day.
And that was exactly why no one was ready.
The sky tore open.
Not in one place.
Everywhere.
Portals bloomed across cities like wounds in reality—above highways, between buildings, in public squares. From them poured monsters not bound by Earth's dungeon laws. These were not regulated threats.
They were invaders.
Screams followed.
Creatures surged out—clawed, fanged, massive. People ran. Sirens wailed. And then—
A colossal dragon emerged from one portal, its shadow swallowing entire districts. It inhaled once and unleashed a torrent of flame, turning blocks of the city into blazing ruin.
That was when the Awakeners arrived.
Hunters. Mercenaries. Guild elites.
Magic flared. Steel rang. Humanity pushed back with everything it had.
But this wasn't happening in just one place.
It was happening everywhere.
Bellet Estate — Outskirts of the City
A portal opened near the estate.
Reality warped, space twisting unnaturally as dark light spiraled outward.
Lysera Bellet stood in front of it, calm—almost bored.
She sighed.
"So… it's sooner than I thought," she murmured.
She had seen this years ago. Not the details—but the certainty. Portals would come. War would follow.
She turned slightly.
"Well," she said softly, "they are at the age they can learn."
Lysera raised her hand.
"Restoration."
The ground around the portal folded inward—not violently, but decisively. Space corrected itself, crushing the breach as if it never belonged there.
The portal began to vanish.
But at the last moment—
A High Orc leapt through, landing heavily before the tear sealed completely.
It didn't hesitate.
It ran.
That was when the front door opened.
Luciferus stepped outside, eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Mom?" he asked. "I heard a noise…"
Lysera turned and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…Of course you did."
Luciferus's gaze shifted.
He saw the creature.
His crimson eyes narrowed—not in fear, but focus.
Without thinking, he bent, picked up a stone, and hurled it.
There was no flash. No magic display.
The stone struck with impossible force.
The High Orc collapsed instantly, its body hitting the ground lifeless.
Luciferus blinked.
Then a voice echoed in his mind.
Ding.
First kill acquired.
Level 1 achieved.
Reward granted: Weapon of the High Orc.
Lysera stared at him.
Then she rubbed her temple.
"…You are exactly like your father."
Footsteps followed.
Serenity stepped outside, rubbing her eyes.
She froze.
She could see something Luciferus couldn't—the soul rising, trembling.
Her system activated.
A High Orc soul is present.
Choose: Reap or Enslave.
Serenity tilted her head.
"Reap."
The soul dissolved into her, warmth spreading through her body.
Abilities acquired:
• Berserker — Strength increases with will.
• Telekinesis — Control objects through intent.
Serenity blinked.
"Oh," she said simply. "Neat."
Everos watched.
The Lightning Wraith hovered high above, white armor gleaming, cloak of stormlight trailing behind him. His gaze swept the city—burning, screaming, fighting.
His grip tightened.
He drew his sword.
White lightning condensed into a blade with a black‑gold core.
Without a word, Everos hurled it.
The weapon tore through the air, shattering sound itself again and again as it crossed miles in an instant.
Across the world—
The dragon's head snapped back as the blade pierced straight through it.
Before the body even began to fall—
Everos was already there.
He caught the sword as it passed through, flicked the bloodless lightning from the edge, and stood tall atop the collapsing beast.
He raised the blade skyward.
His voice rolled like thunder.
"You dare invade my Sovereign's domain," Everos said coldly,
"you insignificant beasts?"
Lightning surged.
"I will slaughter you all."
And far beyond Earth‑10—
Black Light pulsed once, faintly.
Watching.