All across the world, awakened humans were fighting back against the Geminis. These monsters weren't unstoppable after all. Humanity had started to push back.
Each awakened person had their own special ability tied to their awakening rank—mages, magicians, tanks, martial artists, swordfighters, speedsters, and more. But only those who reached the Supreme Alpha or Primordial rank had the rare ability to choose their powers instead of being assigned one.
Still, there was a major issue. A swordsman needed a sword. A mage needed a focus. Tanks needed armor. Without the right equipment, their powers were limited. It was like giving a painter a canvas but no brush.
But humanity adapted fast.
Scientists from Zones A and B, along with top researchers and engineers, joined forces. They began building powerful weapons and armor from the corpses of the fallen Geminis. Claws were reforged into blades, bones into armor, and eyes into crystal-like cores that powered new tech. Unawakened soldiers worked around the clock to deliver this gear to awakened fighters on the frontlines.
For the first time, it seemed like maybe—just maybe—the world wouldn't fall.
Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of a ruined city, two Whisperkin watched from atop a broken tower. Their bodies shimmered like heatwaves, cloaked in strange, shifting mist. Their faceless heads turned in different directions, as if sensing something.
One of them tilted its head and spoke in a rough, growling telepathic language, guttural and sharp like grinding metal.
"Ghra'zul mek'torr nakh varesh? Threnn'kai humar'nok vel'zar akreth."
(Why aren't you attacking with the rest? It seems the humans have finally awakened their abilities.)
The other Whisperkin didn't turn right away. It was the one responsible for transporting Zane earlier. Unlike the usual groups of three or more, this one had stayed back.
"Krel'thar vokh'nar zul drak, vek'thul mar'zan drogar xal. Lethek'nar voth rek'tal sha'nek vel throsk."
(I still don't sense any threat. We will destroy this planet as we were tasked to do. Let them cling to their pathetic hope.)
The first hissed again.
"Drel'vak nur'zak val kresh. Mek'thun vokh?"
(You still haven't answered my question. Why do we have to wait?)
The second let out a low growl.
"Zar'nok vel'resh. Thruk'tan vokh Zane rek'dal—marth'el ranesh'dok tor'kai."
(I'm waiting for someone. I sent him to take part in the master's training.)
The first whisperkin recoiled slightly.
"Varesh'khan? Zane vokh'thal zor'kran! Mek'rath zul narth. Val'rek nur'vash."
(What? Then that means he's as good as dead. Why waste your time waiting?)
The Whisperkin just stared into the distance, as if feeling something.
"Throk'zal vek'thrash nok. Rek'shal var'nek—val'zan rek'tel. Vokh'kai throsk dul'nak."
(Oh, he'll make it back alive. I'm sure of it. I can feel it. And when he does… we'll finish what we started.)
The other narrowed its eyes.
"Zor'thul vek'nek nar?"
(What makes you so sure?)
The Whisperkin gave a soft, twisted chuckle.
"Thal'nar vokh…"
(Just a hunch…")
"Vel'thar knosh vek'nal?"
(How long do we have to wait?)
"Zal'rek drovak."
(Not long.)
The Whisperkin replied in a gravelly tone, its body pulsing with dark mist as it stepped into a swirling black portal. The other followed without a word, vanishing into the shadows behind it.
****
Meanwhile, blood splattered across the cracked earth as Jason spun in mid-air, landing cleanly on the head of a Gemini. His heel dug into its skull, splitting it like a rotten fruit. The creature collapsed with a heavy thud, twitching before going still.
He exhaled sharply, his fists still clenched, ready for another.
"Was that the last one?" Jason asked, scanning the battlefield, his voice laced with both exhaustion and adrenaline.
"I think so," one of the awakened soldiers called out nearby.
Suddenly, a screen appeared in front of everyone's eyes, glowing faintly in the dusty air.
One flickered in front of Jason.
[System Notice]
You have slain a Gemini.
Total Contribution – Gemini Ranks Slain:
• Monster Rank: 24
• Beast Rank: 10
• Savage Beast: 3
Rewards will be given after the Tutorial Phase ends.
Jason glanced at the message and allowed himself a small, confident smirk. Maybe we really can do this...
"Yeah! To hell with these Gemini bastards!" shouted one awakened soldier, pumping his fist into the air.
The others erupted into cheers and laughter, letting the victory rush through them like wildfire. For a moment, they forgot the world was ending. For a moment, they believed.
From atop a wall not far off, Blake watched silently. He didn't smile. He didn't clap. His arms were folded, his eyes sharp.
Something felt off.
He couldn't celebrate—not yet.
This victory felt too easy. Too early. And there were too many questions that remained unanswered. Why had the son he cast away two years ago suddenly appeared—and then vanished without a trace?
Could it be… was Zane the first to awaken?
He turned away with a cold look in his eyes, and Ariel quietly followed behind. Her steps were hesitant. Her heart heavier.
Big brother Zane... where are you? Are you safe? I... I miss you so much.
The thought lingered in her chest like a silent cry, unheard by anyone.
As the soldiers began cleaning up the remains of the battlefield, the world, too, started to adapt. Humanity was learning, growing, and preparing.
—
Later that evening, at the Walker family's dining table, the television droned in the background. Everyone was silent as the news filled the room with updates from across the world.
The screen showed flashing headlines and maps marked with red zones.
"There are currently fewer than twenty-five registered Alpha-rank awakeners across the entire planet," the anchor announced. "Korea has four. China has three. Germany has four. America has three. The rest are scattered across various nations."
The footage changed to a graph showing fluctuating power levels.
"But most shocking of all," the anchor continued, "there are only five confirmed Primordial-rank awakeners in the entire world."
The screen zoomed in on a few blurred faces.
"Alpha-rank awakeners have started forming what the world is now calling 'packs.' These groups are leading the charge against Gemini waves. Some of the most well-known packs have already helped push back the first waves in multiple zones."
"What are you going to do now, Jason? Are you planning to form one of those packs too?" Blake asked as he leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but probing. He studied his son closely, like a man trying to read a storm before it breaks.
Jason didn't answer right away. He tore into a juicy chicken wing, the crunch echoing in the quiet dining room. Grease glistened on his fingers, but he didn't care. He gave a half-smirk, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"You should know me by now, Father," he said, flashing a cocky grin. "I'm not the pack type. I'm more of a lone wolf."
The room went quiet for a moment. The rest of the family paused their meal, eyes shifting toward him, some with curiosity, others with quiet judgment.
Blake gave a small sigh. "Lone wolves die young, son."
Jason just shrugged and reached for another wing.
One of his younger brothers leaned forward, eyes wide. "What about you, Father? Now that you're a Supreme Alpha… what's your next move?"
Blake's eyes darkened with thought. He clasped his hands on the table, his voice steady but heavy with responsibility.
"I'll be calling for a board meeting soon. We need to create a global association for all awakened ranks. Something organized. Something we can control."
"Control?" Jason muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds like you're trying to build a leash for people stronger than you."
Blake didn't flinch. "People lose themselves when they get too much power too fast. I've seen it happen. If no one steps in to guide them, it won't be monsters that destroy this world—it'll be us."
Jason chuckled dryly, then looked up with a piercing stare. "Let me guess—you plan to use Ariel to convince the board, don't you?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Ariel's fork froze halfway to her mouth. Everyone turned to Blake.
Blake hesitated for a second too long. Then he smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "When you say it like that, you make me sound like the villain. I'm not using her. This crisis is bigger than all of us. We all need to work together… Ariel included."
Jason pushed his chair back with a loud scrape, standing up suddenly. The sound broke the uneasy silence around the table.
"Come on, Ariel," he said, holding out a hand to her.
She blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
"Where are you going?" Blake asked with a serious tone.
Jason didn't answer right away. His gaze stayed fixed on Blake. "Just a quick sibling moment."
"She's a Primordial, right?" Jason's voice was light, but his stare was hard. "Then it's time she trained like one."
One brother muttered, "You just wanna test her strength."
Blake stood too, frowning. "What are you trying to accomplish, Jason?"
Jason's voice was casual, but his eyes burned with something deeper. "You've seen what's happening out there. We're not always going to be around to protect her. If she's really a Primordial… she needs to be ready."
One of the brothers scoffed. "You mean you want to see what she can do."
Jason didn't deny it. He just smirked.
Truth was, ever since he'd learned about the rankings—Omega, Delta, Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Primordial, Ascendant and the ranks in-between, finally, Apex—the peak—he hadn't been able to shake a bitter feeling inside.
Why her? Why not me?
As he led Ariel away from the table, a hush fell over the room. No one moved. Even the clinking of cutlery stopped.
Ariel looked up at him, her eyes full of innocence and confusion. "Big brother… where are we going?"
Jason softened his tone. "Don't worry. Just follow me."
He led her down the hallway and out toward the training grounds, where awakened soldiers practiced their newfound abilities.
Jason's jaw clenched.
'Let's see what makes a Primordial so special, and why it couldn't have been me.'