webnovel

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 · 都市
レビュー数が足りません
21 Chs

Chapter 21: The Great Forest Challenge

After the unexpected windfall at the registration hall, Eli, Maya, and Lucas stood at a crossroads, figuratively and literally, outside the city limits where paths diverged toward various dungeons. The decision at hand was not taken lightly; each dungeon presented its own set of dangers and rewards. The Windy Meadow, home to the elusive wind wolves, Rock Peak, a haven for all manner of flying creatures, and the formidable Great Forest, where the infamous great bears resided.

Maya voiced her preference for the Windy Meadow, intrigued by the challenge and agility required to tackle the wind wolves. Lucas, however, was drawn to the aerial adversaries of Rock Peak, seeing an opportunity to test his prowess against the sky-born threats.

Eli listened to their reasoning, his mind already sifting through strategies and potential outcomes. Finally, it was Lucas who made a compelling case for the Great Forest. "Think about it," he urged, "the great bears are not just formidable opponents; they're treasures walking on four legs. Everything from their pelts to their claws sells for a fortune. If we manage enough kills, we could make a killing."

Maya and Eli exchanged wary glances, the prospect enticing yet fraught with peril. "It's a middle-level dungeon, Lucas. Are we ready for something that advanced?" Maya questioned, her concern evident.

Eli's confidence did not waver. "Trust me, I have more up my sleeve than you know. We'll take it on, and we'll do it together. Strategy and teamwork can get us through."

Swayed by Eli's determination and the silent promise of unspoken strengths, they agreed to venture into the Great Forest. The journey to the dungeon's entrance was silent, each lost in their thoughts, preparing mentally for the challenge ahead.

Upon arrival, they were met with the towering entrance of the Great Forest dungeon, its portal pulsing with an ancient energy. The guards stationed at the entrance cast dubious glances at their small party, clearly skeptical of their chances. But the trio pressed on, stepping through the portal and into the vast expanse of the Great Forest.

The size of the forest was breathtaking, with trees that stretched toward the heavens and a canopy so dense that it filtered the sunlight into a perpetual twilight. The Great Forest was a world unto itself, a realm where the flora and fauna had grown to monumental proportions. The sight of it all left Maya and Lucas momentarily awestruck and wary. Maya and Lucas could not hide their apprehension, the enormity of the dungeon setting in.

Sensing their hesitation, Eli decided it was time to reveal his ace. "Are you ready for the surprise?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. At their nod, Eli summoned his full arsenal of God Hands, the spectacle of one hundred spectral hands materializing around him leaving Maya and Lucas in awe.

The power display was unlike anything they had witnessed. "With these," Eli announced, "we'll clear our path through the Great Forest. But don't worry, there will be plenty for us to take on together." 

With a steady gaze, Eli issued his command to the God Hands, "Clear the dungeon, but leave a few bears for us to tackle ourselves." Like a swarm, the hands dispersed through the forest, their speed a blur to the eye, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.

Maya and Lucas stood beside Eli, a newfound confidence taking root. The sight of the God Hands, coupled with Eli's strategic mindset, assured them that they were far from helpless in this imposing environment. As the sounds of distant skirmishes began to echo through the forest, they readied themselves, united by a common goal and a shared trust in Eli's leadership. The Great Forest awaited, and with it, the chance to prove their worth and carve their path through the untamed wilderness.

As Eli watched his God Hands disperse into the depths of the Great Forest, he soon began receiving a steady stream of notifications on his system interface, each one signaling the defeat of another great bear. With each notification, his excitement grew; not only was he clearing the dungeon at an unprecedented pace, but he was also amassing a fortune in resources. The 20 God Hands he had designated for photosynthetic conversion were working tirelessly, absorbing sunlight and converting it into energy. If each hand could generate 5 energy points per second, then together, they were accumulating 100 energy points per second. In just one minute, that amounted to 6,000 energy points, a simple yet staggering figure that promised a significant boost in his capabilities.

However, as Eli reveled in his success, an unexpected phenomenon began to unfold behind him. Unseen by Eli, small lights of energy, delicate and luminescent, started to drift towards Maya and Lucas, weaving around them in an intricate dance. This energy, born from the photosynthetic conversion process, seemed to recognize them as allies and began assimilating with them, enhancing their strength and vitality in ways Eli hadn't anticipated.

It wasn't until Eli turned to share his triumph that he noticed the aura of energy enveloping both Maya and Lucas. They seemed different, more vibrant and powerful than moments before. Concerned, Eli quickly inquired, "Are you two feeling alright?"

"Better than alright," Lucas replied, a note of surprise in his voice. "I feel... stronger, somehow. Like I could take on anything in this forest."

Maya nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with an unspoken energy. "It's like I'm at my peak strength. Whatever's happening, I'm not complaining."

Puzzled by their responses, Eli hurriedly accessed his system to investigate the source of this unexpected gift. What he discovered left him astounded. A portion of the energy being generated through photosynthetic conversion wasn't just fueling his abilities but was also flowing to Maya and Lucas. His system detailed an additional effect for those he deemed allies: a constant nourishment from his skill, "Photosynthetic Conversion."

This revelation shed light on the changes he had observed. Not only would this energy boost allow them to last longer and recover more swiftly in a fight, but it also meant they would gradually grow stronger, benefiting from a continuous influx of energy.

Eli couldn't help but marvel at the unforeseen potential of his abilities. "This... this changes everything," he murmured, a sense of awe in his voice. "Not only can I become stronger, but I can also empower those around me, those I call allies."

The significance of this discovery wasn't lost on him. In a world fraught with danger and uncertainty, the ability to strengthen his bonds and enhance the capabilities of his friends offered a glimmer of hope, a new strategy for overcoming the darkness that loomed on the horizon.

As the trio ventured deeper into the Great Forest, buoyed by this newfound power, Eli realized that their journey together was more than just a quest for personal gain. It was a testament to the strength found in unity, a shared path towards a future where they could face any challenge, together.