Nikhil walked slowly toward his assigned room.
The sky outside the palace glowed with a deep orange sunset, casting long shadows over Vijayanagara.He stopped for a moment and looked outside.
"This world… it feels too real."
He entered his room and closed the door behind him.
Sitting on the royal bed, his thoughts returned to the man from the court.
"That scholar…"
"He was worried… yet smiling."
"It felt like he knew something we don't."
Nikhil lay back on the bed.
"Will that system appear again…?"
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
A sharp sound echoed in his mind.
A translucent screen appeared.
[Candidates of the Vijayanagara Empire Registered]
• Nikhil
• Aditya
•Janvi
•Damni
• Pallavi
• Hemant
•Jenit
• Harsh
---
MAIN MISSIONS
Mission 1:
Kill 500 Zombies
Reward:
Candidate may choose one magic power or ability.Power level will be fixed based on potential*
Mission 2:
Make alliances with other kingdoms or capture them.
---
SUB MISSIONS
Sub Mission 1:
Kill 10 Zombies
Reward: +5 Speed Points
Sub Mission 2:
Build strong teamwork
Reward: Inventory Ring
---
Nikhil stared at the floating screen.
"Five hundred zombies…"
"This isn't a game anymore."
A small sigh escaped him.
"It looks interesting… but I'm exhausted."
He closed his eyes and lay down.
---
Scene Shift
The view pulled away from the palace.
From Vijayanagara
to India
to the World
Beyond—
A massive planet appeared, far larger than Earth.
Four other planets orbited around it like servants.
Giant spaceships , filled with incomprehensible technology, floated silently.
---
Unknown Location – Dark Chamber
A room drowned in darkness.
A tall figure stood still.
Its presence alone made the space feel suffocating.
Slowly—
Its eyes opened.
Pitch-black sclera.
Blood-red pupils.
The aura was overwhelming.
A cold, emotionless voice echoed.
???:
"Did I make the announcement well…?"
A pause.
"They looked scared."
A faint chuckle.
"Good."
---
The scene shifted.
Another figure emerged from the shadows.
Its aura was even more intimidating.
Heavier. Crueler.
Second Figure:
"Planetary war still has time."
A twisted smile appeared.
"For now… let's enjoy this insect war."
The camera moved closer.
"My favorite insects are from Bharat."
His lips stretched unnaturally.
"There are ten insects I especially like…"
Sharp teeth were revealed.
Saliva dripped onto the floor.
A long tongue slid out slowly.
"…or maybe it's because they have brains."
A low laugh.
"You know… I enjoy eating intelligent beings."
---
The scene shifted back to the first figure.
First Figure:
"Calm yourself. We have time."
"Will you kill them before the show even begins?"
---
The second figure's smile disappeared.
His aura exploded.
The shadows twisted violently.
The camera zoomed into his eyes—
Blackness.
Then—
Only red .
The screen was consumed by blood-like color.
---End of Chapter