Chapter 4 – The First Chaos
A commotion began to rise from the center of the warehouse where people were bartering. At first, it was just the usual crowding, but slowly it turned into angry shouts.
"I was the first to bid on that stone!" a burly man roared, his face flushed red. His hand pointed at the green spiritual stone in the grasp of the old white-haired man.
"But I already traded for it with clean water! You only brought a piece of stale bread!" argued another man—thin, but with eyes sharp and burning with desire.
The crowd instantly split in two, some siding with the skinny one, others with the muscular one. Noise filled the air—jeers, curses, even threats.
I stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed. My avatar stood not far away, also watching.
"Well, here's the problem. Humans. Monsters outside are dangerous, yes… but human greed? That's a poison that never changes, even after the world has ended."
[Manas – Social Analysis]
Source of conflict: Spiritual Stone (Green).
Escalation potential: High.
Prediction: Physical fight within 3 minutes. Probability of severe injuries: 62%.
I clicked my tongue.
"You sure jump to conclusions fast… but looks like you're right."
It didn't take long. The muscular man shoved the skinny one hard. The push was strong enough to nearly knock him flat. The onlookers started shouting—some in fear, others looking excited.
"If you want the stone, fight me first!" the burly man growled, veins bulging along his arm.
The skinny man didn't back down, though his body trembled. "That stone is mine! I deserve it!"
And, just as predicted, the clash began. The first punch flew, smashing into the skinny man's face. Blood gushed from his nose, but he didn't give up. He countered by stabbing a broken glass shard into the muscular man's arm.
The crowd grew wilder. Some cheered, some panicked, but not a single one tried to break up the fight.
"Hm… interesting. So even at the end of the world, humans still love free entertainment in the form of brawls. Pathetic."
My avatar glanced at me, as if asking whether we should intervene. I let out a long sigh.
"Not yet. Let it be. This is a lesson for everyone: without rules, only strength speaks."
The system displayed another warning.
[Manas – System Note]
> This environment is unstable. Risk increases if you remain too long.
Recommendation: seek a safer location, or prepare a dedicated avatar for social infiltration.
I gave a thin smile.
"Social infiltration? You mean creating a special avatar just for politics and trade? That's… an interesting idea. But… too troublesome right now."
The fight grew more brutal. The burly man pinned the skinny one to the ground, pounding his face until it turned swollen and bloody. The floor was smeared red.
Meanwhile, the green spiritual stone that caused all this chaos was still tightly gripped in the trembling hands of the old white-haired man. His face was pale with fear, but no one cared. All eyes were glued to the fight.
Suddenly, a loud cracking sound erupted from the warehouse door.
KRAAAK!
Everyone froze.
The rusted iron door shattered into pieces, broken through by a massive black-furred creature with glowing red eyes. Its roar thundered, shaking the air, paralyzing everyone in terror.
"MONSTER!!!" someone screamed.
In an instant, chaos exploded. People shrieked, ran in all directions, some trying to hide behind worn-out tables. The fierce brawl vanished instantly, replaced by pale faces and trembling bodies.
I drew a long breath.
"Well, I was just about to say… humans are greedy. Turns out monsters don't like waiting their turn either."
My avatar clenched his fists, ready for the worst.
I gazed at the monster, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
"Good. Let's see… just how far this world has changed."