Chapter Five
This chapter include violence, death, and disturbing scene. Reader discretion is advised
The sight of blood and torn bodies finally broke Kisame.
He turned away and vomited onto the ground, his body shaking uncontrollably. The screams still echoed in his ears, even though the schoolyard had fallen unnaturally silent.
Ali couldn't bring himself to look. He stared at the cracked pavement, guilt pressing down on his chest like a weight.
"Good job, everyone," the creature said cheerfully, its tone sickeningly calm. "You have completed the First Trial."
It snapped its fingers.
The floating blue screens flickered violently before stabilizing. New words bled across the surface, glowing brighter than before.
Rewards Unlocked.
Choose Your Gift.
Kisame forced himself to look. His hands trembled as the options appeared—yet something felt wrong. The text wasn't static. It pulsed, as if alive.
• The God of Fire
• The God of Water
• The God of Craft
At the very bottom, written in faint, almost hesitant letters:
Or choose later.
Kisame swallowed hard, panic clawing up his spine. Images of death crashed through his thoughts.
Think. Don't rush. Don't make a mistake.
"Don't choose yet," Kisame said sharply.
"Huh?" Ali replied, his voice shaky. "I… I already chose."
Kisame's eyes widened. "What?"
"Come on, man," Kisame snapped, fear edging his voice. "You have to think logically! What if you picked the wrong god?"
Ali clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "How am I supposed to think logically?" he shouted. "Look around us! People are dead! How do you expect me to stay calm?"
The creature let out a low, amused hum and drifted closer.
"Impatient humans, already claiming their rewards," it said. "Very well. I will explain."
The air grew heavy—pressure settling on their lungs.
"These gifts come from gods," it continued. "They grant you special abilities—powers that cannot be obtained through any ordinary means."
The blue screens pulsed softly, reacting to its voice.
"However," the creature added, its red eyes glowing faintly, "not all gods are equal. The stronger the god you choose, the greater the abilities you may gain."
A pause.
"And the weaker the god…" it smiled, "…the more you will regret your decision."
Kisame stared at the options again, his reflection distorted in the glowing screen.
"Great," he muttered, forcing a weak smile toward Ali. "Let's hope you picked a good god."
He exhaled slowly and tapped the faint option at the bottom.
Choose Later.
The system confirmed it instantly.
Selection Deferred.
"Second Trial will begin in three days," the creature said, sounding almost pleased. "Interesting choice."
It snapped its fingers again.
The blood vanished. The bodies vanished. The ground returned to normal—as if nothing had happened.
"As for your next trial," the creature added, turning away, "survive until then."
Ali blinked. "Huh? What does he mean by survive? We don't have enough food or clean water for three days—not for everyone."
Before Kisame could answer—
DING.
A new system message appeared.