2 [Prologue [2/2] 18 Years Later
The emergency broadcast went live, and the scientist, wearing a somber expression, stared directly into the camera, preparing to deliver critical information to the world.
Their words hung heavily in the air, seizing the attention of all who listened.
"Everyone, we understand your need for information. We've taken the past few days to gather everything we know, and we will share that knowledge with you," the lead scientist began, his voice steady yet carrying a sense of gravity.
"First and foremost, it appears that once an individual reaches the age of 18, the program activates within them automatically. This applies universally to both men and women."
The revelation sparked ripples of astonishment and contemplation across the population.
The realization that this phenomenon was all-encompassing, affecting every person at the same life stage, left them pondering the system's purpose.
The scientist continued, his tone measured yet resolute.
"Secondly, we've discovered that by simply focusing on the panel, it materializes before us. Furthermore, all individuals share the same set of statistics within the system."
"Our strength, speed, and capabilities are mirrored throughout the entire population."
"Remarkably, this has been verified through extensive testing, even with individuals of advanced age, where they demonstrated levels of strength and agility comparable to younger counterparts.'"
The limitations and boundaries of human potential had seemingly been transcended, leading to a realization that age, once seen as a barrier, had become an opportunity for new possibilities.
A heavy silence filled the air as the scientist took a deep breath, preparing himself to share the next piece of information, knowing its profound impact.
"Thirdly," he continued, a note of sorrow in his voice, "we've made a heartbreaking discovery. Since the day we heard the system voice, it has effectively stripped us of our ability to reproduce, regardless of age."
"From tests, we found it didn't affect those already pregnant; however, they may...'' he shook his head and quickly corrected himself, his voice carrying deeper sadness, ''... they are very likely the last individuals capable of bringing new life into the world."
Shock and sadness rippled through the hearts of the listeners as they grappled with the weight of this news.
Did this mean that the human race was going to end in a few years? Were they the last generation? These questions now loomed heavily in their minds, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future.
With a resolute expression, the scientist raised a hand, signaling one more crucial point. ''I know this shocked you, but we have time to find out more; until then... '' he paused, looking at the cameras, his gaze seeming to pierce through everyone.
"Fourth and finally, based on our analysis and speculation, we believe that when the last person on Earth reaches the age of 18 and gains access to the system, something significant will occur."
"While we do not have all the answers, we must prepare ourselves for the possibility of a momentous event that will shape the future of our existence."
Amidst the voices and speculations in the room, Lucius felt a mix of emotions churning within him as he watched it. The scientist's revelations about the world's transformation and the uncertain future weighed heavily on his mind. However, something drew his attention as his mobile received a notification with a loud 'Ping', making him almost jump up.
Lucius felt a momentary calm settle in his heart as he quickly grabbed the mobile. It was a message from Sophia, confirming her well-being and bringing him a sense of relief.
However, as he continued to read, a shockwave disrupted this fragile peace. Her next sentence carried news that cut deep—she had found someone else, someone she loved, and had abandoned him.
She told him to let go of their past and shared her unhappiness, stating various reasons for her departure. She explained that she had left the country to embark on a new life.
He felt a wave of bewilderment and emotional agony. The feeling of betrayal cut deep, leaving him grappling with a mixture of disbelief and heartache.
He couldn't understand why she had chosen this path and why their connection had seemingly shattered without warning.
Was it the distance that had eroded their bond, or had there been something he had done—some unintentional mistake or oversight—that had led to this heartbreaking outcome?
Without any answers to soothe his turmoil, he instinctively reached for his phone and dialled her number, each ring resonating with his desperate longing for clarity.
However, his calls went unanswered, It was as if she had faded into the air, leaving him alone with his thoughts and a lingering ache in his heart.
---
18 years later
---
Eighteen years had passed since the system had appeared on Earth, and it had not caused any major changes. The majority of people accepted that it didn't intend to do any harm, choosing to push it to the back of their minds and carry on with their daily lives.
However, deep inside, they couldn't shake the feeling that something was looming on the horizon.
Now, at the age of 36, he had continued his career at the wood-cutting company. Over the years, the physical demands of his work had left their mark on him. His once youthful face now bore a beard and mustache, which added a touch of maturity to his appearance.
Despite the passage of time, he maintained his short-haired style, which provided a sense of familiarity amidst the changes.
His dedication to his profession and years of experience were evident in his confident manner. He had honed his skills and knowledge in the industry, evolving into a seasoned professional.
He pursued two hobbies—the first one being Kendo, focusing on traditional sword techniques.
The precision required in strikes and defensive maneuvers taught him patience, discipline, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
The second one is hunting, finding comfort and a deeper connection with nature through his expeditions into the wilderness. Venturing into the woods, he embraced the challenge of tracking and stalking game.
Through the combination of Kendo and hunting, he achieved a balance between the discipline of martial arts and the freedom of nature.
Despite having reached the age of 36, he remained a bachelor. He had long since moved on from Sophia.
After trying to contact her family, he found out that they had moved abroad and she had married a wealthy man, whom they saw as a way to escape to a better life.
Since then, he had dated and been in a few relationships, most of which ended poorly. However, only one left him with an emotional wound as profound as the one Sophia had inflicted.
This specific relationship had been toxic, inflicting emotional turmoil and distress upon him.
As a result, he decided to remain single for the time being, waiting for the right opportunity to come his way.
In the quiet of the night, he would sometimes awaken and find himself glancing at the system's panel, unable to fully grasp its reality.
The sheer magnitude and implications of the system's existence continued to perplex him, leaving a lingering sense of scepticism.
In a world where technology and weapons have advanced significantly, achieving absolute balance is impossible, even with the ability to make every human physically strong and seemingly equal.
While the system may have levelled certain aspects of society, the existence of firearms and explosives introduces a variable that potentially challenges the notion of a true sense of balance.
The hidden undercurrents of fear and uncertainty had persisted, and amidst the majority of individuals who accepted the system's presence, there emerged a minority who believed in apocalyptic prophecies.
A new terrorist organization was formed, calling themselves the 'Last Luminus.' Guided by a mysterious masked young girl, they set their targets on military and government facilities.
Their actions led to numerous casualties; they deliberately avoided directly harming the general population. However, a significant number of innocents were caught in the aftermath.
Everything seemed fine until a few days ago, when a stark realization sent shockwaves through everyone.
It became evident that the youngest living human was nearly 18 years old, while the oldest had reached the age of 137. Remembering the words from the scientist, they got worried.
As the day arrived, the world remained captivated by the live broadcast, fixated on the young person in the dimly lit room.
The weight of the impending milestone hung heavily in the air, infusing each passing minute with a palpable sense of anticipation and uncertainty.
Inside the room, the youngest person's anxiety was visible, his troubled expression betraying the burden he carried.
The camera continued to focus on his face, amplifying the tension and the weight of the situation.
The minutes ticked away relentlessly, marked by the echoing sound of the clock in the house.
Seeking comfort, amidst the tension, Lucius took a few more puffs from his cigarette, the ashtray overflowing with the remnants of his nervous habit.
The heavy silence persisted, enveloping the room and intensifying the atmosphere of anticipation.
As the world watched, a collective breath held, the outcome of this extraordinary situation poised to either bring about profound change or leave everything unchanged.
Meanwhile, the presence of the observing army personnel heightened the gravity of the moment, as their expressions mirrored a mix of apprehension and concern.
The significance of this young person's transition into adulthood carried with it the potential to reshape the world.
In the last remaining minute, Lucius gaze upon the television with an intense glare that seemed capable of piercing through the screen.
The atmosphere in the room grew even more tense, the weight of anticipation heavy upon everyone present.
As the final moments approached, the countdown digits on the watch flickered, displaying just 5 seconds remaining. The room fell into a hushed silence, with all eyes focused on the ticking numbers.
With each passing second, the tension mounted, until finally, the watch reached 00:00. In that climactic moment, the young person dropped to the floor, overcome by an intense pain.
Experiencing the same transformative process that every other human had gone through, they endured the initial shock, the trembling, and the pain.
As the shaking ended, the young person slowly rose to their feet, their expression a mixture of bewilderment and newfound strength.
As the young adult looked around, they realized that nothing significant had changed.
There was a collective sigh of relief from the generals, who had been anxiously awaiting the outcome. He, too, extinguished his cigarette, sharing in the sense of relief that washed over the room as he watched the scene.
Suddenly, a blinding light covered everyone, and the entire world seemed to be immersed in a blinding white colour. But the startling revelation didn't stop there.
The unexpected nature of the blinding light and the return of the robotic voice left everyone in a state of panic.
It was as if a long-dormant presence had been awakened, signalling a significant shift in the course of events.
A robotic voice, one that hadn't been heard for years, resurfaced, capturing everyone's attention.
"Transportation to the trial zone."
On the semi-transparent screen, the information had changed.
[Status Panel]
[Name Lucius Maxwell]
[Age 36/200]
[Level 1 Exp 0/100]
[HP 100/100]
[MP 100/100]
[Free Attributes 10][LOCKED]]
[Strength 10]
[Health 10]
[Agility 10]
[Intelligence 10]
[Mana 10]
Skills
Gold
Then everything went black.
