A very, very long time ago, humanity lived a normal life.
The streets were crowded, parks were filled with children's laughter. When evening came, city lights reflected into the sky; people returned home from work and continued their daily routines.
No one could have imagined that horrifying creatures from beneath the ground would change their lives forever.
But one day, unknown beings emerged from underground. At first, they were silent—slipping through the shadows, with nothing but hunger and terror shining in their eyes. People screamed and ran as chaos engulfed the cities. Flames rose, and the streets were filled with fear and the unknown.
They were not friendly; all they desired was blood, terror, and food.
Yet some brave individuals, those who had awakened stood against these creatures. They were called Guardians. This title was more than just a name; they became humanity's hope, a shield standing against the darkness.
While the Guardians fought, most people retreated to safe places, closing their eyes in fear. If not for the Guardians, humanity would have already met its end.
These heroes built sacred temples to await the disasters yet to come. Massive structures made of stone, they were not only places of worship, but also watchtowers against a dangerous world.
The wind howled through the arched entrances of the temples, making the night even more unsettling. Leaves rustled softly, and distant owl cries added a chilling tension to the air.
[Year: 3119 – Near the Sacred Temple]
Moonlight spilled across the stone ground, creating a mysterious glow. Cold winds whipped through the air, tossing hair around as trembling hands clenched tight and breaths were held.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed, followed by a collision.
— — —: (fallen to the ground) Ouch!? Hey, couldn't you watch where you're going?
One person quickly bent down, gathering the items scattered on the ground. His eyes were filled with anxiety, his hands trembling. As moonlight fell upon his face, beads of sweat glistened. Every breath he took seemed to break the silence of the night.
— — —: (apologetic) Sorry… I was in a hurry. I had somewhere I needed to be…
The other person looked at him carefully, curiosity and slight suspicion flickering in his eyes.
— — —: Don't tell me… you're also heading to the Guardian selection?
— — —: (surprised) How did you know?
— — —: Huuuh… because who else carries a knife and a participant badge with them?
Jack smiled faintly and brushed the dust off his clothes as he stood up.
Jack: Makes sense… Anyway, my name is
Jack Horizon. What's yours?
Anyone who saw Jack Horizon would immediately sense that he was different. His light bluish-purple hair, violet eyes, black jacket, and jeans set him apart from the crowd. Standing at 1.85 meters tall and only 20 years old, he carried himself with a mature demeanor—every movement deliberate, every glance holding a deeper meaning.
Enzo: My name is Enzo Glory. I'm heading there to become the strongest Guardian.
Enzo Glory was his complete opposite; with black hair, a height of 1.91 meters, and outfits often colored yellow and blue, he seemed to carry his own light. Despite being 32 years old, his energy never seemed to fade.
Enzo: Nice to meet you, Jack.
Jack: (happily) Nice to meet you too.
But Enzo suddenly stopped, as if a piece of the puzzle in his mind was missing.
Enzo (thinking): (It feels like… like I've forgotten something important…)
His eyes drifted off into the distance for a brief moment.
Enzo: (nervous) Jack, what time is it?
Jack: (very nervous) It's 11:57!
Enzo's eyes widened as his breathing quickened. The unease in his chest grew stronger by the second.
Enzo: (panicked) We need to run!