The sky above Aurora City had already darkened when Alex returned home.
The lights of the apartment building flickered on one by one, washing the concrete halls in pale yellow. His steps slowed as he reached the door. Inside, he could hear familiar sounds. The clatter of dishes. Soft laughter. Nervous silence hiding behind normal routines.
They were waiting for him.
Alex took a breath and opened the door.
His little sister ran to him first, small arms wrapping around his waist. "Brother!" she shouted, her voice bright and carefree.
Alex smiled and patted her head. "I'm back."
Arthur stood near the table, pretending to look calm. His hands were clasped too tightly. Elizabetha sat beside him, eyes fixed on Alex's face, searching for answers before any words were spoken.
"So," Arthur finally asked, his voice was steady but strained, "what is it?"
The room fell quiet.
Alex hesitated.
Everyone at the academy believed he had failed to awaken anything. If he revealed the truth now, would it really be safe? Talents were precious. Ultimate talents were unheard of. Attention could bring danger, not just to him, but to his family.
There were records of delayed awakenings. People who showed no reaction at the injection, only to discover their talents after entering the Sanctuary.
That truth gave him an excuse.
"I don't know yet," Alex said slowly. "I'll know tomorrow. But I did feel some pain in my body."
It was half truth, half lie.
Arthur's expression darkened for a brief moment. He understood what no awakening usually meant. But he forced a smile, rough and gentle at the same time.
"That's fine," he said. "Let's eat. Tomorrow is a big day for you."
Dinner passed quietly.
The food was simple. Steamed vegetables. A small portion of meat. Nothing fancy. Yet Alex felt warmth spread through his chest with every bite. This was what he wanted to protect.
Arthur and Elizabetha were both gene warriors. Both of them were Grade 2 gene warriors.
They had evolved using only standard genes. No talents. No rare chances. Just hard work, injuries, and survival.
They were stronger than ordinary people, but far from powerful.
His sister sat on the floor nearby, playing with a cracked tablet, unaware of the weight hanging over the adults.
After the meal, Arthur and Elizabetha asked Alex to sit.
They stood in front of him, faces serious.
"Son," Arthur said, reaching into a small metal box, "we cannot afford a powerful beast artifact. We never gained one ourselves either."
He paused, as if measuring each word.
"But we have signed a contract.A ten year agreement with a security agency. They agreed to provide a sword type beast artifact. In return, we work for them under contract."
Elizabetha stepped forward and placed a glowing orb into Alex's hands.
"You will not enter the Sanctuary empty handed," she said softly. "We had no backup when we went in. But you will."
Alex's chest tightened.
He stared at the orb, feeling warmth pulse inside it. This was not just an item. It was years of their lives. Years of danger.
"Father, I don't need this," Alex said quickly, trying to push it back. "Please do not put yourselves in danger for me."
Arthur shook his head.
"The agency will also pay us monthly," he said. "They are decent people. It's not a bad deal."
Only then did Alex relax a little. But the warmth in his chest did not fade.
In that moment, a vow formed quietly in his heart.
I will change everything.
"I promise," Alex said silently, gripping the orb. "I will make your lives better."
"Thank you, mom. Thank you, dad," he said aloud, bowing his head.
Later that night, Alex entered his room.
He sat on the bed and held the orb close to his chest. He focused his mind, just as he had been taught.
The orb dissolved into light and sank into his body.
A connection snapped into place.
When Alex willed it, something cold and solid formed in his hand. A sword made of pale bone, its edge sharp and clean.
[Beast Artifact: Sword (Standard)]
He stared at the panel.
Just standard.
Yet it had cost his parents so much.
Alex clenched the sword, then dismissed it back into his body.
He lay down and reviewed everything he knew.
The Prime Sanctuary was only the first step. There were six more Sanctuaries beyond it.
Each rank of gene warrior corresponded to a Sanctuary. Second rank entered the second Sanctuary. Third rank entered the third. All through the same wormhole.
Each Sanctuary contained four types of creatures.
Standard,Advanced,Rare and Elite.
Standard monsters were manageable. Dangerous, but killable.
Advanced monsters were killers of teams.
Rare monsters were disasters.
Elite monsters were nightmares. There were no records of humans killing one.
Killing a standard monster granted one to ten standard evolution points. Ten points formed one gene. Ten genes were needed to evolve.
Most humans evolved using only standard genes.
The wealthy ones used advanced genes.
True geniuses and prodigies only used rare genes to evolve and ascend to the next sanctuary.
Elite genes were a myth.
Alex closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, everything would begin.
The next morning came quickly.
Alex woke before sunrise.
Arthur and Elizabetha were already dressed. Their faces showed worry, pride, and fear all mixed together.
"Do not rush," Arthur said. "After entering, you will teleport to a shelter. It is random."
Elizabetha added, "Find a team. Hunt only standard monsters. Do not challenge advanced ones. After consuming monster flesh, your status panel will activate."
Arthur nodded. "Even without talent, you can survive. We will be here."
Alex listened carefully, memorizing every word.
They left together in their old car.
His sister waved at them from the balcony as they drove off toward the teleportation center. She would stay at home. The city was very safe normally,so they didn't need to worry much.
The city changed as they approached Washington City through the teleportation center.
A military base was created around the wormhole.
Inside, a massive space portal pulsed with deep blue light.
Alex's heart pounded.
"Best of luck, son," Arthur said, gripping his shoulder.
The three of them stepped forward together.
Light swallowed Alex whole.
When he opened his eyes, he was alone.
He stood inside a small, clean room.
It would be his personal room until he ascend to the upper sanctuary.
No one else could enter here without his permission.
Alex stepped outside.
The world shifted.
He emerged into a small town surrounded by tall stone walls. Dusty streets.People moving with urgency.
A massive banner hung above the central square.
BLACK SAND SHELTER
Alex's eyes widened.
This was one of the most famous shelters in the Prime Sanctuary. Many legends had started here.
Luck smiled on him.
"Hey newbie," a voice called from behind. "Want to join our team?"
Alex turned.
An ugly looking man stood there, scarred face twisted into a grin. Several men hovered behind him.
Something about the man felt wrong.
Before Alex could answer, another voice rang out.
"Kid, do not be fooled by him."
Alex glanced back.
A tall man leaned against a wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp. Alex understood immediately.
"No thanks," Alex said calmly.
He turned and walked away.
Behind him, the ugly man's face twisted with anger.
"How dare you reject me," the man sneered. "Be careful when you go outside the shelter."
Alex did not look back.