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Hands of God

In the years following the Cataclysm, the world had become unrecognizable. The event that tore through the fabric of society, eradicating one-fifth of the global population, had left a scar so profound that the remnants of humanity could only gaze upon the new Earth with awe and horror. The planet expanded, continents drifted and reshaped like pieces of a colossal puzzle thrown asunder, and from the ocean's depths, new lands rose, teeming with unforeseen dangers and mysteries. The Cataclysm had unleashed chaos upon the world. Earthquakes shattered cities, volcanoes blanketed the skies with ash, and tsunamis erased coastlines. In the aftermath, as the dust settled and the earth stilled, the survivors faced a reality where the rules of existence had been rewritten. The exploration of the newly emerged lands by world governments unveiled a truth more terrifying than the destruction itself. The fauna of the planet had evolved, or rather, mutated into beings of immense strength, size, and peculiar abilities that defied the laws of nature. The first teams sent to delve into these uncharted territories met with fates so grim that the tales of their end served as dire warnings to those who dared to follow. Yet, amid this desolation, a glimmer of hope shone through the younger generation, those untouched by the cruel hand of puberty at the time of the Cataclysm. They emerged from the chaos changed, endowed with unique powers and abilities that manifested as they stepped into adolescence. Governments, in their desperation to reclaim some semblance of order and safety, saw in these gifted youths the key to confronting the new perils that now roamed the Earth and lurked within the mysterious dungeons that led to realms unknown. Whether these portals opened to different dimensions or distant planets remained a mystery, a puzzle that the brightest minds endeavored to solve. Among these young prodigies was our protagonist, a late bloomer named Eli. Unlike his peers, Eli had not shown any signs of the extraordinary powers that had become common among the post-Cataclysm generation. This made him the subject of ridicule and isolation, a boy on the fringes of a society that valued strength and supernatural abilities above all else. Eli's days were a monotonous blend of longing and despair, watching from the sidelines as his classmates showcased their abilities with pride and arrogance. The sting of exclusion was a constant companion, a reminder of his inadequacy. Yet, Eli harbored a quiet hope, a belief that his time would come, that he too would awaken to the powers that seemed his birthright. And then, on a day that seemed no different from the rest, fate decided to turn the pages of Eli's life. It was a day that began with the same taunts and jeers, the laughter of his peers echoing in his ears as he made his way through the school corridors. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and red, a strange sensation began to stir within him. It started as a whisper, a faint murmur in the depths of his being, growing in intensity until it was a roar that consumed his every thought. Eli doubled over, clutching at his chest as an indescribable power surged through him, a force so overwhelming that it threatened to tear him apart. The world around him faded to black, and in that moment of terrifying darkness, Eli was reborn. When he awoke, the world had not changed, but he had. Eli stood, a newfound strength coursing through his veins, and with it, a sense of purpose. He was no longer the boy who watched from the shadows, but a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needed it. The journey ahead would be fraught with dangers, but Eli knew that he was no longer facing it alone. His powers, a gift from the Cataclysm, were his to wield in the fight to reclaim their planet and unravel the mysteries of the dungeons that beckoned with promises of untold adventures.

Lynneage · Urban
Not enough ratings
21 Chs

Chapter 2: The Hands of God System

Eli, now alone in the quiet aftermath of his collapse, stared into the void that had suddenly filled his existence with a mix of confusion and awe. "The Hands of God System?" he murmured to himself, the words feeling alien on his tongue. In the two decades since the Cataclysm, the world had seen the emergence of countless abilities, from the mundane to the extraordinary, yet nothing like this had ever been documented. "What even is this system?"

His eyes focused on the ethereal text floating before him, a greeting from the system that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. "Congratulations, Host, for acquiring the Hands of God System," Eli read aloud, the words resonating in the empty space around him. "But what does that mean?" he wondered, skepticism and curiosity warring within him.

As he delved deeper into the system, a sense of disbelief washed over him. "A level system? I'm... I'm at level 1?" Eli's voice was a mix of incredulity and excitement. The concept of leveling up, so common in games and stories, was now his reality. "This is unreal. All those stories and games, and now I'm living it?"

His attention was quickly drawn to the mention of a skill—Multi-Handed. "Create a hand out of thin air that can do anything the user wishes?" he read, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Fight for me, wield weapons, cast magic? This is... incredible." The realization that this ability could redefine his place in the world was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Eli noticed that Multi-Handed itself had levels and a skill tree that branched into Magic, Weapon Mastery, and Defense. "So, I can specialize in different paths? Tailor this ability to my needs?" The prospect of choosing a path filled him with a sense of purpose he had never felt before. "I've always been fascinated by magic, but the idea of wielding weapons or creating impenetrable defenses is just as tempting. How do I choose?"

As he pondered the paths before him, Eli realized the true depth of the Hands of God System. It was not just an ability; it was a journey of growth and discovery. "I start at level 1, but I won't stay here. I can become stronger, more skilled. I can protect those who can't protect themselves, maybe even explore those dungeons with confidence."

With a newfound resolve, Eli whispered to himself, "This system, these hands, they're not just a gift. They're a responsibility. My life has changed forever, and it's up to me to make the most of it. Multi-Handed... it's just the beginning."

Eli stared at the floating text within the void of the Hands of God System, noting the option to allocate his single skill point. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, he mentally selected the Multi-Handed skill. Instantaneously, two spectral hands materialized before him, hovering with an eerie grace. Eli's eyes widened in astonishment, his heart racing at the sight. "This is... real," he whispered, a sense of empowerment washing over him.

Curiosity piqued, Eli decided to test the limits of his newfound ability. "Punch the wall," he commanded, his voice steady yet filled with anticipation. The hands shot forward, faster than his eyes could follow, and collided with the wall. The impact was met with a loud crash, leaving two fist-sized holes in the substance that was known to be stronger than concrete. Eli's jaw dropped, a mix of fear and awe enveloping him. "They're... incredible," he muttered, marveling at the strength that far surpassed some of his peers' abilities.

Realization dawned on him as he eyed the damage. "The school property," he gasped, a surge of panic rising. He needed to return to class, but the presence of the hands posed a new dilemma. On a whim, he thought of recalling them, and to his relief, they vanished. Eli practiced summoning and dismissing the hands a few more times, gaining confidence with each attempt, before making his way back to the classroom.

Upon re-entering, the atmosphere shifted. Whispers and snickers filled the room, each comment a pointed barb aimed at Eli.

"Taking a nap in there, Thompson?" Derek taunted, earning a chorus of snickers from his cohorts.

"Maybe he was trying to summon some courage but failed," another voice added, laughter following the cruel jibe.

Mr. Harlan's stern voice cut through the laughter, "Mr. Thompson, your return has been noted as significantly delayed. Please, take your seat with less dawdling next time."

Eli felt the sting of their words, but as he made his way to his seat, a sense of detachment washed over him. The comments and disdain that once would have crushed him now seemed insignificant. He had a secret, a power that none of them could fathom. As he sat down, a smoldering determination took root within him. 'From today, I'm no longer just Eli,' he thought to himself. 'I have the Hands of God System, and I'll become stronger than any of them could ever imagine.'