"January 1st, 2000, Blue Star."
"According to expert observations, a black bird suddenly appeared, regurgitated a massive stomach sac, and devoured the entire sun. The bird then swallowed the sac back and vanished without a trace."
"The sun is gone. Blue Star has entered an eternal night."
"Yet life on Blue Star did not perish entirely. Humans cling to survival, and countless researchers are investigating the cause."
"On the same day, gods descended en masse upon Blue Star. Most harbor hostility toward humanity and slaughter without mercy."
"Also on the day the apocalypse began, led by countless unnamed heroes, humanity established a united government and built several large-scale safe zones. From then on, humans lived solely within these zones. For reasons unknown, the gods cannot enter the safe zones to kill humans—another mystery researchers strive to unravel."
"This is the story of Blue Star's apocalypse. There are three key points to remember. First, the date: New Year's Day ten years ago—surely etched in everyone's memory. Second..."
Liam sat in the corner of the classroom and shook his head:
"Studying history won't save humanity. Especially not this flawed version of it."
"In this apocalypse, only knowledge related to Sequence abilities matters."
He turned to look out the window.
Through the protective glass, he faintly spotted one or two grotesque gods drifting across the night sky above.
With Blue Star trapped in eternal night, the view beyond the safe zone remained unchanged no matter when one looked up.
Faintly twinkling stars.
And the so-called "gods" wandering beneath them.
"Class, next we'll discuss the gods. This will also be on the exam—pay close attention. This is our first review, so let's fill in any gaps."
"After the eternal night, bizarre creatures emerged on Blue Star, with countless strange appearances."
"But they share one common trait: aggressiveness and immortality."
"Humanity deemed these creatures divine punishment for humanity's past sins, hence the name 'gods'..."
Immortal bizarre creatures, yet revered as "gods."
Upon hearing this, Liam couldn't help but scratch his head.
It was always like this.
At the end of science lies theology.
People attributed everything unexplainable to the gods.
"Note that both the gods and the apocalypse sections will be on the exam for all students—arts and sciences alike..."
The students lacked enthusiasm.
Everyone knew that in this apocalypse, only those who awakened Sequence abilities could stand firm.
As for the college entrance exam for ordinary people—only the top 0.1% of the safe zone could enter advanced academies and potentially secure a decent job in the united government.
But scoring in the top 0.1% of such a large safe zone was extremely difficult.
Not even the top five in the school could guarantee it.
Liam hadn't made it in his previous life, and he certainly wouldn't in this rebirth.
In his past life, Liam had been an orphan. He'd performed poorly in the college entrance exam but later got into graduate school and landed a somewhat decent job after graduation. Unfortunately, in his middle age, he was laid off by the company. When he went to claim compensation, he was accidentally killed by security guards—only to be reborn at the age of seventeen.
After rebirth, most of the people around him were the same as before.
But the once-normal world had transformed into this bizarre version.
Like a parallel universe.
A universe ruled by gods and Sequence ability users.
Having never awakened a Sequence ability, Liam felt bitter: "God, when will I awaken a Sequence ability? Did you bring me back just to be cannon fodder?"
After the apocalypse, all creatures mutated. Countless species went extinct, and countless new ones were born. Humans, too, began to mutate.
That's when Sequence ability users emerged.
On January 1st, 2005, exactly five years after the apocalypse began, humanity's first Sequence ability user was born.
He possessed an incredible power—to transform one hand into a revolver.
His revolver could fire six bullets a day.
Many thought this mutation was meaningless, as humanity's current enemies were immortal gods.
If nuclear bombs couldn't kill the gods, what use was his revolver?
But unexpectedly, what nuclear bombs couldn't accomplish, the revolver did.
He killed two "small gods" scurrying across the ground.
Even though the gods looked like giant cockroaches, they were still immortal gods.
Sequence ability users could kill gods!
This shattered the public consensus that gods were unkillable.
Humanity rejoiced, seeing hope of counterattacking the gods!
His awakening ushered in a new era. After him, many others awakened Sequence abilities one after another.
Stories of humans killing gods gradually became common. In fact, most Sequence ability users earned generous rewards by hunting gods.
However, this small spark of Sequence awakenings did not change the fact that humans still lived within safe zones. For in the five years after Sequence awakenings began, no one had yet managed to kill the most dangerous giant gods.
But Sequence abilities did alter the internal structure of human society.
Beyond the safe zones, gods ruled. Within the safe zones, Sequence ability users reigned—
They became the "gods" of the safe zones.
This was humanity's apocalypse. And a paradise for Sequence ability users.
Stories of beggars who awakened Sequences and rose to prominence overnight were widespread in the safe zones.
Compared to studying diligently, awakening a Sequence ability was the true path to changing one's fate.
Yet Liam still hadn't awakened a Sequence ability after his rebirth.
He'd thought that as a chosen one, he'd have some kind of luck boost.
But three days had passed, and he was still an ordinary student living on the edge of the safe zone.
He wanted to learn more about Sequence awakenings, but almost no one around him could provide clear answers.
It made sense. Anyone with relatives who were Sequence ability users—or who knew anything about Sequences—wouldn't be living in the remote edge of the safe zone.
"Class, the awakening of Sequence ability users is humanity's hope, but we must still keep our feet on the ground and study hard..."
Sequence awakening?
He immediately raised his hand and looked at the homeroom teacher, who was teaching history.
"Liam, do you have a question?"
"Teacher, why hasn't any student in our class awakened a Sequence ability? How can we awaken one?"
"Didn't we already cover this?" The homeroom teacher frowned: "No one knows the reason for Sequence awakenings. If I knew, I would have awakened one myself."
A student immediately chimed in: "But I heard that Ethan from the next class's uncle awakened a Sequence ability! Why can't I?"
"That's Director Ethan! The proportion of united government officials awakening Sequence abilities is inherently much higher!"
"But..."
"No 'buts'! Instead of spouting unrealistic fantasies, focus on preparing for the college entrance exam!"
"You only have six months left until the exam. If you don't study hard and get into an academy, you'll have to find work right after graduating from high school!"
"Can't you make me worry less?! Everyone take out your homework—I'm checking!"
The homeroom teacher grew more and more agitated, eventually slamming the desk frantically.
But having lived two lives, Liam could tell that the teacher wasn't just disappointed in their lack of effort.
Only the top five in the school might have a chance to get into an academy. And the top student in their class was only around thirtieth in the school.
In other words, everyone in the class would have to find work after high school.
The homeroom teacher must have known this.
His anger and irritation weren't about worrying for the students' futures.
In his eyes, Liam detected frustration and jealousy.
Frustration at being an ordinary person.
Jealousy of those who had awakened Sequences.
When he got to Liam, he noticed Liam hadn't done his homework.
"You talk so much in class, and I thought you'd finished your homework."
"Not doing your homework, yet always daydreaming."
"Go stand outside the door! Come back when you've sobered up!!"
"Okay."
Liam wasn't the only one who hadn't done his homework, but he was the only one punished with standing outside. It seemed his earlier question had angered the teacher.
Someone once said that human anger essentially stems from one's own powerlessness.
Perhaps that was the case.
Liam walked out of the classroom.
Standing as punishment was trivial to him.
If it weren't for the school cafeteria providing meals to feed him—a penniless orphan—he wouldn't even bother coming to school.
He'd spend all his time figuring out Sequences instead.
Besides, it was quiet outside the classroom. He could think calmly about ways to awaken a Sequence.
Even if it was just brainstorming, it was better than doing nothing.
From what he knew, the wealthy and powerful in this world had a much higher chance of awakening Sequence abilities.
As for impoverished students like him living on the edge of the safe zone, barely one in thousands would become an awakener.
"Sequence awakening isn't completely random. It seems to favor the rich and powerful."
He sighed deeply.
"If the conditions for Sequence awakening are related to quality of life, then I'll never awaken one."
Looking up at the window, he faintly saw several gods wandering beneath the starry sky.
"Gods?"
"If you are gods, then wouldn't I—who can be reborn—also possess some divine power?"
"In that case, I'm practically a god too, more or less."
Liam smiled softly.
Suddenly, he saw what appeared to be an eye slowly opening in the dark starry sky, staring directly at him.
The pitch-black pupil didn't belong to a human.
It looked more like it belonged to a bird.
This eye hanging in the night sky was huge and round. If it really belonged to a bird, it could probably swallow the entire Blue Star in one bite.
Liam frowned and glanced at other students from neighboring classes standing as punishment in the corridor. Some were also looking out the window out of boredom, but none seemed to notice the eye.
Only he could see it?
He stared at the eye for a moment, suddenly feeling as if it was casting some kind of interference, making him dizzy.
Immediately afterward, a message appeared in his mind.
...
[Sequence "God-Eater" Awakened]
[Grow stronger by digesting gods]
[Current Sequence Level: 1, Glutton]
[Skill: Blood Feast. Skill Description: Eating gods enhances strength.]
...
When he came to his senses, the eye in the starry sky had disappeared.
He had awakened a Sequence?!
Liam couldn't believe what had happened.
He didn't know much about Sequence abilities.
The only thing he knew was that he'd heard Sequence ability users could see their own Sequence information in their minds.
"I... I've awakened a Sequence ability?!"
Still in disbelief, Liam suddenly felt a surge of power rushing into his body, greatly enhancing his mental state.
Even his previously emaciated arms began to show muscle definition.
"They say your body strengthens after awakening a Sequence ability—it's true!"
But thinking back to the bird's eye, he felt confused: Did everyone awaken a Sequence in such a strange way?
Why had he never heard anyone mention it?
"The 'God-Eater' Sequence... The name is quite straightforward. I'll check it out on 'Godslayer Camp' later."
"Godslayer Camp" was an online forum where Sequence ability users discussed and exchanged information.
Liam had only learned about it accidentally while overhearing his classmates chatting.
To access the forum, one needed a mobile phone or computer.
But in his home, there wasn't even a single electrical appliance—let alone a computer.
That evening, the homeroom teacher seemed particularly furious. He scolded everyone for a long time and made them take two practice exams before dismissing class after ten o'clock.
"The evening self-study ran late. I'll have to go to the internet café tomorrow morning."
Electricity was scarce in the apocalypse, so internet cafés weren't open 24 hours a day—they were already closed.
"Ding——"
Just then, the bell signaling the end of evening self-study rang.
"I feel like my awakening method and Sequence name are both a bit strange. I should find out more before telling anyone."
"After all, being a Sequence ability user isn't something that will disappear."
Liam returned home and let out a long sigh:
"I'll sleep first, then head to the internet café tomorrow morning!"