It happened swiftly, yet steadily enough for the entire world to notice the change as it gradually settled in.
The darkness looming over the sky vanished, revealing the late morning sun and drifting clouds. However, they no longer retained their natural hues.
The clouds had turned a faint purple, while the sun burned as a massive, fiery sphere of sharp violet light, casting a dim and gloomy illumination across the world.
Motor accidents occurred almost instantly. Cars without drivers veered off course, slamming into buildings and erupting into explosions. Across several cities, large companies and towering skyscrapers detonated, collapsing and unleashing destruction upon nearby infrastructure.
But this was only the beginning of the apocalypse.
On the streets, those who had made their decisions, whether intentionally or by chance, froze in place. Their eyes were filled with terror as they watched the transformation of those who had not made theirs. It was something straight out of a horror movie, only far worse, beyond anything they could have imagined.
A man stood helplessly as he watched his entire family transform grotesquely into beings he could no longer recognize. His wife's body twisted and expanded, turning into a massive spider-like monster with a scorpion-like stinger. His children shrank and contorted into ugly goblins. Before he could even give voice to his horror, they swarmed him, tearing into his flesh like wild beasts.
This scene was not unique to that unfortunate man alone. All across the world, it repeated itself in different forms. Hundreds of Millions of people mutated into grotesque, fantastical monsters, including zombies.
Once they finished devouring those closest to them, these mindless creatures began roaming the streets, seeking new prey.
At this early stage, even those who had awakened powerful talents lacked both the courage and clarity of mind to act. They hesitated, unable to fully accept what had just happened.
They still clung to their emotions, to their bonds with the very people who had just turned into monsters, and the fear of the unknown held them back, preventing them from striking.
====
Draven had already witnessed this particular scene.
Mrs. Bennett grabbing her head wildly and screaming as her body twisted into a new form.
Several unfortunate classmates convulsing on the ground as their bodies took on a rotten green hue.
The horrifying screams from outside the classroom, the sound of flesh being torn apart, the clatter of hurried footsteps, and the strained voices of teachers trying to calm their students all blended into a chaotic chorus.
It was nostalgic.
He recalled how terrified he had been the last time, how he was nearly devoured, how he had to run away, dig a hole, and hide himself, only for a monster to dig him out and almost eat him.
It was brutal.
Not this time.
Draven's eyes swept toward the front of the classroom. The strongest and most terrifying monster that would emerge here was Mrs. Bennett, the same person who had killed Rowan and Christiana.
As if on cue, Mrs. Bennett's mutation finalized.
Standing at the front of the classroom on all fours was a massive spider-like creature, a long, sharp, poisonous stinger extending from its back. It scanned the room with its arachnid eyes.
Creeper. A lesser spawn monster.
'I will not let you cause me grief again in this round, Mrs. Bennett.'
Draven gripped the handle of the chair beside him, applying the subtle strength boost from [Healing Warrior] talent to wrench it free.
At that moment, the Creeper seemed to notice him. He stood out among the other students, who were either mutating, already transformed, or clawing at their faces in terror. To the Creeper, Draven was delicate prey.
With a subtle shriek drowned by the chaos outside, it launched its massive body toward him.
Yet Draven was not fazed.
'Funny of you to expose your weak point so early.'
He surged forward, holding his crude weapon in a stabbing stance. Tilting his head upward, he tracked the Creeper as it descended, focusing on the pale underside of its body, in contrast to the dark green plating above.
'It took me a long time to learn this before. A Creeper's underpart is very soft, and with a precise penetrative attack, you can badly weaken it and even kill it.'
With a single upward thrust, he drove the sharpened end of his crude weapon into it. The sound of flesh being pierced rang out, followed by a downpour of hot blue blood and viscous internal fluids that bathed his body.
The Creeper's eyes widened in pain as it let out a piercing cry that echoed across the classroom.
Rowan, Christiana, and several other students turned toward the sound, witnessing the decisive action of the class slum rat, now soaked in blood. Their breaths hitched.
Rowan's jaw slackened as realization struck him. He now recalled how calm his friend had been earlier, not reacting at all while others strained their eyes and voices in panic.
'Good, look at me.'
Draven muttered inwardly, calm and focused, as he slipped out from beneath the Creeper, allowing its heavily wounded body to crash onto the ground with a sharp, jarring cry.
The Creeper was still alive, but severely wounded and weakened.
Its stinger lashed out aggressively, though its movements had slowed.
With a controlled motion, Draven deflected the strike and stepped in closer, striking the Creeper head repeatedly as its cries grew weaker until they ceased entirely.
It was dead.
Draven's eyes immediately shifted to the notifications appearing before him.
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DING! Congratulations, player. You've become the first person to slay a Creeper in the entire world. You've earned a bonus starter perk: Double (Your reward points will be multiplied by two in the next two hours).
DING! A unique mission has been triggered. Slay 10 Creepers to unlock a special title.
EXP +150
Extraction Point +2
Level up
DING! Congratulations, player. You've become the first to level up. An additional level has been added.
Current level: 2
You've received 6 free points to distribute.
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Yet before he could bask in the momentary victory, a red-themed notification appeared.
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Your active bind is in danger.
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