Point of View: Sylvanas
I watched with growing unease as the sky around me darkened.
Storm clouds began to form, yet they did not extend beyond the ascension platform, which spanned roughly fifty meters in diameter. The sky seemed to obey invisible boundaries, as if reality itself had been confined to pass judgment on me.
My instincts screamed danger.They wanted to run.They wanted to flee.
But I knew it was pointless.
The tribulation would not end until it delivered a verdict, and if I tried to escape, death would be immediate.
I could only face it.
I carried no weapons, armor, or medicine.This was not an oversight.
The system had warned that such items would be useless at best and, at worst, would only increase the difficulty. That was why I wore nothing but comfortable clothing, as if that could make me feel even slightly calmer about what was coming.
Then I felt it.
Something was coming.
The first lightning bolt struck.
I wrapped my body in Origin Energy, reinforcing every muscle, every bone, every fiber of my being. Even so, the impact was far more violent than I had expected, leaving me with minor injuries.
That worried me.
According to the system, the tribulation could consist of anywhere from one to nine lightning strikes.
If the very first one had already injured me…
My thoughts were soon confirmed.
The second bolt fell.
Without giving me time to breathe.
The third.
A groan escaped my lips, but I couldn't let my guard down.
The fourth.The fifth.The sixth.
My breathing became erratic. I could barely remain standing. My body was covered in burns; one of my eyes had gone blind, and the bones in my left arm were partially exposed.
I knew it with terrifying clarity.
I was going to die.
Memories surfaced without warning.
My companions.The Leader.The day I was appointed Minister of Defense.The excitement.The weight of responsibility.
No.
I couldn't die.
There were people who depended on me.
Gathering my remaining strength, I raised my gaze toward the sky.
"I will not die!"
The sky answered.
As if offended, the final lightning bolt descended.
My body trembled violently; every nerve screamed in pain… yet I did not fall.
I would not die.I would not die.I would not die.
As I waited for another strike, there was only silence.
Then a notification appeared.
[Congratulations on reaching Level One, Sylvanas]
[Genesis Records have been updated]
Origin Energy began to gather around me.
My wounds healed.My strength returned.My power increased.
I felt stronger, faster… perhaps even smarter.
I had changed.
As I examined my body, another notification appeared.
[The Guardian wishes to communicate with you. Accept?]
"The Guardian?" I whispered. "What is that, System?"
There was no response.
After a brief moment of thought, I accepted.
The screen changed.
[Congratulations, Primordial Sylvanas. You are the first of your race to ascend. This is a remarkable achievement]
"Who are you?" I asked. "Or rather… what are you?"
[Hahaha. You're perceptive. Normally, you would not be qualified to know of my existence, but due to your achievement, I will make an exception]
"Then what do you want?" I asked seriously.
[I wish to inform you. What you do with this information is your responsibility. I will not ask you to hide it, nor to spread it. Consider this a reward]
[1. This planet and its inhabitants are unique in the universe]
[2. Origin Energy does not exist anywhere else]
[3. You are not the only civilization; there are countless others]
[4. The system is not free. Its cost is tribulation. The more it is used, the greater the difficulty. Individual talent also plays a role]
[5. Planets are sources of resources. You cannot grow stronger without them]
After those messages, the Guardian fell silent.
No matter how much I tried, there was no response.
As I looked at the now-clear sky, I whispered:
"Leader… it seems you'll have a lot more work from now on."