As the credits rolled, I leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
I even started screen-recording and screenshotting everything like some proud nerd showing off an achievement nobody would ever care about.
This felt… nice. Really nice. Though honestly, I was going to miss this game. But all things are supposed to end eventually. That's just how life works.
After saving the footage, I finally remembered my stomach and dug into my lunch. Halfway through my sandwich, my phone pinged.
Email notification.
I almost ignored it, but the subject line caught my eye:
"Congratulations on completing the impossible."
Curiosity piqued, I opened it.
> Congratulations for completing the game which should have been impossible for anyone. But you are not just anyone. After witnessing your observational skills, resilience, consistency, and your will to never give up, I must admit: you are fit to be my heir. The one who conquered the Trial. After awakening, you shall become my heir. Don't die before completing the First Stage, and may the stars be with you. ~ God of Time.
I stared at the screen.
"…huh?"
At first, I grinned. "Heh. Nice touch. Guess the devs noticed me. 'Awakening'? 'Stage One'? Pretty dramatic. Probably some philosophical gaming term."
Still, I couldn't deny the little jolt of pride. Recognition felt… good.
Glancing at the clock: 12:59.
"Shit—I'm thirty minutes late for class again."
I groaned, stood up, stretched, and was about to leave when—
[DING!]
A glowing panel appeared right in front of my face.
> [Hello, Challenger Julian Cross. Welcome to the Apocalypse.]
This is a message from 'The Will' to all challengers of EARTH.
Your world has been selected to participate in the Apocalypse.
All must complete the First Phase of the First Stage to awaken your latent paths and unique skills.
This is the end of your world as you know it. Survive. May the stars be with you.]
I froze.
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
"...is this real?"
Before I could even breathe, another message popped up:
> [Initiating Phase One.]
Analyzing location...
Location: Storeroom... confirmed.
Providing Awakening Quest.
Phase One: Awakening
Quest: Kill the Crawler inside the storeroom.
Reward: Beginner's Gift, Awakening, Status.]
A chill crept down my spine, as if invisible claws raked across it.
Slowly… very slowly… I turned.
And there it was.
A grotesque creature crouched in the corner. Black, matted fur clung to its body. A cracked skull mask stretched over its face. Its limbs were long, its claws longer, tapping against the ground.
It was watching me. Waiting.
Patient. Predatory.
For a split second, panic almost consumed me. My breath hitched. My knees nearly buckled.
But no.
I bit down on the fear and forced myself to think.
Analyze. Think. Move.
My eyes darted around the room. A rusty iron pole leaned against the wall. I lunged for it, snatching it up with trembling hands, and leveled it toward the beast.
The creature tilted its head, its soulless black eyes locked on mine, as if amused.
Then—
It lunged.
My untrained body reacted before my brain did. Adrenaline surged. I stumbled backward, barely dodging the swipe of its claws. My heart slammed against my ribs, hammering faster, faster.
Every instinct screamed: Run.
But I knew—this thing was faster than me.
My hands shook so hard the pole rattled, but I gripped it tighter, knuckles whitening.
"…shit."