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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 20: A Surprising Haul

Eli, with his loot in tow, approached the front desk of the registration center, ready to translate his hard-earned spoils into credits. The clerk behind the desk, a man whose demeanor was as unwelcoming as his appearance, barely glanced up from his ledger as Eli approached.

"I'd like to sell some items I've collected," Eli stated, maintaining a polite tone despite the clerk's evident disinterest.

The clerk, upon inspecting Eli's low-class registration card, couldn't hide his condescending smirk. "And what would those items be?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

Eli, recognizing the familiar look of disdain, chose to ignore it and got straight to the point. "What's the going rate for scorpion chitins and poison stingers these days?" he inquired, his annoyance masked by a veneer of patience.

The clerk, with a sigh of exasperation as if he were addressing a child, replied, "Chitins are 35 credits each, and poison stingers are 75. But given your... standing, I assume you're only selling a handful?"

The remark stung, but Eli let it slide off him. "Perhaps someone else could assist me then?" he suggested, already turning towards another clerk who seemed less preoccupied.

Walking over to a female clerk who appeared almost relieved at the prospect of having something to do, Eli repeated his request. "Could I sell some items to you? I have 1432 chitin and 1432 poison stingers."

The clerk's initial professional facade faltered, replaced by a look of sheer incredulity. "I'm sorry, how many did you say?" she asked, certain she had misheard.

Without a word, Eli began to unload his haul from the storage ring, the mountain of chitin and stingers materializing before her. The sight was so astonishing that it silenced the bustling hall, drawing the eyes of everyone present.

Maya and Lucas, who had been observing from a distance, shared a look of utter disbelief. "How did he get so many?" they both muttered under their breath, their shock mirroring that of the onlookers.

The clerk, now fully attentive, scrambled to calculate the total value of Eli's massive inventory. "Just give me a moment," she stammered, her fingers flying over the calculator. As she announced the staggering sum owed to Eli, whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd, a mix of admiration and envy filling the air.

After meticulously counting and recounting Eli's impressive collection of scorpion chitins and poison stingers, the clerk, still in awe, finally announced the total sum Eli had earned. "You've amassed a total of... well, it's quite the fortune. Your haul comes to 151,700 credits," she stated, her voice betraying her surprise.

Eli, standing calmly amidst the stir he'd caused, couldn't help but smirk at the turn of events. Not only had he managed to sell his items, but he had also inadvertently made a statement. In a world quick to judge based on superficial labels like 'low class,' Eli had proven that determination and skill could defy expectations, earning not just credits but a measure of respect from those who had witnessed his unexpected triumph.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she couldn't help but ask, "How did you manage to collect so many? The Scorpion Den, you said?"

Eli, packing away the remaining items, replied casually, "Yeah, cleared it out."

The clerk's eyes widened, mistakenly assuming Eli had cleared the dungeon multiple times to accumulate such a bounty. Little did she know, it was the result of a single, albeit thorough, expedition.

Their exchange was interrupted by the approach of the previously rude clerk, his demeanor markedly changed. With a strained smile, he offered Eli a lukewarm apology, "I... may have misjudged you earlier. I'd be honored to serve as your contact here. We offer specialized services for our distinguished clients—skip the lines, direct pickups, that sort of thing."

Eli listened quietly, his expression unreadable. As the clerk finished his pitch, hoping to salvage the situation, Eli turned towards the female clerk who had processed his sale. "I think I'd prefer if she were my contact," he said, nodding in her direction.

The woman, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, quickly recovered, her face lighting up with a mix of excitement and gratitude. "Of course! I'd be happy to assist you with anything you need. My name's Clara," she replied, handing Eli her contact card with a smile.

Eli accepted the card, offering Clara a reassuring wink before turning to rejoin Maya and Lucas, who were still trying to comprehend the scale of Eli's success. The male clerk, left standing in silence, could only watch as Eli walked away, a sinking feeling of regret settling in his stomach for underestimating Eli and missing out on an opportunity to elevate his own standing within the registration hall.

As Eli approached his friends, their expressions of astonishment mirrored the clerk's disbelief. "You guys ready?" he asked, breaking the silence. Their response was a pair of nods, still somewhat dazed but ready to follow Eli into whatever adventure lay ahead. Together, they stepped out of the registration hall, leaving behind a buzz of whispers and speculation, their camaraderie and Eli's newfound prestige marking the beginning of a new chapter in their journey through the dungeons.