The newly landed airplane sat locked on the tarmac due to system errors. After several tense minutes, the doors finally hissed open. Passengers spilled out in panic, clutching tickets and phones, arguing over bookings and connections that no longer mattered. The terminal echoed with confusion and fear.
In the middle of the chaos, only one person remained calm, a woman quietly adjusting her specs, observing everything with sharp, composed eyes.
Night fell hard. Arguments erupted over food, water, and sleeping spots. The airport's electricity flickered constantly as monsters outside slammed against the barriers, damaging the external power panels. Lights buzzed on and off, casting long, terrifying shadows.
A group of newly empowered survivors already figuring out their "inner flux" started bullying others. One man, eyes wild with discovery, raised his hand and shot a small lightning bolt at a family refusing to give up their bottled water. "Inner flux decreased by two points," he muttered, grinning. "But worth it." His friends laughed, testing their perks. flame fists, enhanced strength, basic weapon summons. They pushed the weak aside, claiming resources with growing arrogance. The suppressed people those still confused about the system huddled in fear, unable to fight back.
Gunjan Aether kept Vanya far from the main crowds. She had seen enough of humanity's true face in crises. They stayed in a quiet corner, chains ready, watching warily.
Vanya stirred fully awake after some time. She touched the four-pointed star mark on her left cheek and gasped. "Gunjan… I can see a system window in the air when I touch this."
Gunjan leaned closer. "Show me."
Vanya explained, voice shaky but focused. "It says my name, Vanya. Level 1 out of 100. There's a column called Inner Flux mine is listed as 'Emperor Class.' I don't fully understand it yet. There's also a shopping option. I can trade Inner Flux points for weapons. The manual says points regenerate over time, hours, probably."
Gunjan's mind raced. "Buy a chain weapon. Something reliable."
Vanya focused, navigating the invisible interface. "Got it. Metallic Hunter chain type." A sleek, dark metal chain materialized in her hands. She passed it to Gunjan, who tested its weight and balance. It felt perfect strong, responsive.
"Why can't you access this window?" Vanya asked, frowning.
"How can I know?" Gunjan replied, voice tight with frustration.
They looked back toward the main terminal. The scene had turned into a massacre. People, drunk on new power and fear, began attacking each other for resources. The system manual had made it clear: killing monsters and living beings helped level up. Greed took over. Knives flashed. Perks activated. Blood sprayed across the floors as stronger survivors hunted the weak to gain experience.
Gunjan watched in horror as a blood-covered man approached a frightened young boy, clearly intending to kill him for easy levels. The boy's wide eyes reminded her painfully of Akshat as a child. She couldn't stand it.
She moved to intervene, chains whipping forward. But before she could reach them, a spear tore through the air with deadly precision, shredding the attacker into pieces. The spear spun back through the carnage, returning cleanly to its master.
"Who threw that spear?" people shouted, greed flashing in their eyes at the sight of such a powerful weapon.
Gunjan turned. The owner was the calm woman from earlier—the one adjusting her specs amid the landing chaos. She stood elegantly dressed, body fully covered, specs perfectly framing her intelligent face. A faint smile touched her lips as she looked at Gunjan and Vanya.
"Hi," she said calmly. "My name is Viola Ren, and I am here to save the world."