NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: chapter 5 : Ranking....
Somewhere far away, on another planet..
This planet is ten times larger than Jupiter, and the animals are much bigger than those on Earth. It is divided into five continents: the Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and Central continents. The planet is home to various races, including dragons, giants, elves, and dwarves.
In the Central continent, within a hidden cave about 500 meters wide, a creature 100 meters tall stood alongside another, measuring 64 meters in height.
"Chaos, what you did is commendable. Now, apart from a few Rank 1 existences among the human race, we also have some top-tier Rank 0 existences," a deep voice rumbled. The voice came from a massive red dragon, its tone reverberating through the cave.
Beside the enormous dragon stood a smaller black dragon, measuring 64 meters in height. The black dragon, Chaos, replied, "Yes, Sir Fire Blade. But Commander, what's next?"
"Next?" Fire Blade growled. "In about two hours, all Rank 0 existences will log out. This is not applicable to all races but to humans and other weaker races. This is because of our fragile physiques," Fire Blade explained, his tone grave.
"Sigh... Besides, in two hours, there will be chaos on Earth. Firstly, players will experience feedback of stats reduced by a factor of ten compared to their in-game abilities. And, if you die once in the game, you die in real life," Fire Blade continued, his voice growing deeper.
Hearing this, Chaos's eyes shrank to needlepoints in horror. His body trembled as dread coursed through him. Were his siblings or friends already dead? Why hadn't the government warned everyone? Yet, after thinking deeply, Chaos understood: if the truth had been revealed, no one would have played the game. Without the game, humanity wouldn't grow stronger, and they wouldn't stand a chance against the coming threats.
"Chaos, every second counts. We Rank 1 existences won't log out, so all preparations rest on your shoulders. Control them, appoint the council, quench the fires of panic, and inform them of the news. Earth will merge with Limit Breaker in a month. By then, we need at least one Rank 3 existence, or our civilization is doomed," Fire Blade commanded. He looked intently at the smaller black dragon before him.
Nodding gently, Fire Blade disappeared, leaving Chaos alone.
Chaos remained frozen, horrified, unable to move. His mind raced as a single thought consumed him: What kind of demonic game is this?
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At the Second Abyss
Void heard a worldwide announcement directed at all weaker races, particularly those at Rank 0. It declared they would be logged out in two hours. Like other humans, Void was shocked but resigned to accept it. In just eight hours of gameplay, everyone's mentality had shifted. However, what Void and others didn't know was that after logging out, humanity would face the greatest pain and death rate in its history.
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On Earth
As every Rank 0 existence logged out, they felt an unfamiliar surge of power coursing through their veins. Many punched walls or nearby objects, only to be shocked when their homes collapsed or walls shattered to pieces.
But the exhilaration was short-lived. Seeing friends and family lying in capsules filled with blood sent shivers down their spines. Cries of anguish and anger echoed across the planet. Everyone was devastated. No one found joy in their newfound strength. This... this was the darkest day in human history.
Void opened his capsule, brimming with excitement to share his experiences with his parents. But when he reached their capsules, his heart sank. Blood filled the capsules—no flesh, no organs, just blood.
"Mom… Dad..." Void's voice trembled as he called out softly. His hands shook violently as he opened the capsules.
Inside, there was nothing. No remains, only blood.
"Why... why... why?!" Void screamed, collapsing to the ground. Tears streamed down his face as he punched the earth in anguish.
Boom! The entire street shook with his strength. Before being forcibly logged out, Void had gained two more levels, reaching Level 42. Even with humanity's suppression factor of ten, Void's strength equaled 33 times the peak strength of an elephant.
Void continued punching the ground until his fists bled, and houses crumbled around him. For an hour, the earth was filled with the sounds of destruction and despair. Then, there was silence.
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The Next Day
By 10:00 AM, Earth was unrecognizable. The streets were empty, filled with an oppressive air of despair. Some, unable to bear the pain, had even killed their pets and nearby animals.
"Oh, I see you've managed well," a thin, mocking female voice resounded. "Yes, this is the first global destruction you humans have witnessed. If you don't want more—or worse, your civilization's end—I suggest you get stronger."
The voice belonged to the Loli Fairy, but no one dared to challenge her.
"Well, good luck! Log in soon, and don't forget to help me," she cackled before the connection ended with an eerie silence.
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Far away, Chaos finally spoke. His voice transmitted directly into everyone's spirit.
"My name is Chaos, one of the peak Rank 0 existences of the human race. I'm speaking through the aid of a few spirit-reborn humans," he began. "First, the higher-ups apologize, but this was necessary. Now, our goal is clear: strive to become stronger and kill everything in our path. In a month, we will be reborn in a new universe—not as avatars, but as brand-new beings. We will bear a common logo, the emblem of humanity."
Chaos paused, letting the words sink in.
"Other stronger races will be reborn as their original forms. This is our chance to grow stronger and elevate humanity. Destroy the node points in the new universe to ensure the merger succeeds," he continued.
"You've grieved for your loved ones. Now it's time to move forward. Surviving is winning—everything else is secondary," Chaos declared.
He then called out specific names, including Void, Celestial Maiden, Feng Lin, and others, assigning them to a new ranking system. "Log in soon. You will be nurtured by the higher-ups," Chaos concluded before cutting the interaction.
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"Guys, enter now! You can gain the primordial bloodline of your race. Good luck!" Chaos urged, disappearing afterward. From that moment, players could log into Limit Breaker simply by thinking of it, their bodies safely stored in suspended spaces where time stood still.
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