NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Armageddon
The cold breeze struck him as he appeared in the park, it was in the middle of the night.
"Great, not only is it cold. It's dark too," Arthur sighed,
Arthur's gaze locked onto the large billboard as the broadcast illuminated the dark street.
A news reporter, her expression solemn and unyielding, addressed the camera with a level of urgency that made him stop in his tracks.
Her voice carried the weight of the subject, a tone that hinted at fear and uncertainty, as she spoke to the millions who were no doubt watching, just as transfixed as he was.
"Armageddon," she said, her voice echoing over the quiet night, "has placed our world in a predicament, one that we never could have anticipated."
This phenomenon known as 'Armageddon'," she intoned, her voice low but steady, "is not something of human design. It is not a game made by us, nor a simulation constructed by our technologies."
"It is an event—a summoning—that we do not control. Humanity has been thrust into this universe-wide ordeal without choice, without preparation. And as this new reality looms before us, we must confront the truth, Armageddon is here, and it is changing everything we know."
"The earth itself," the reporter continued, "is shifting. And the people living on it—we—are changing too, though many of us cannot yet see the full extent of it."
"At least that's what armageddon has promised us, a change that we cannot stop."
"Beta testers—randomly selected individuals from all walks of life—are being drawn into Armageddon's world."
"And now," the reporter continued, "the governments of the world are beginning to respond. We cannot deny this as an isolated event, as if it's merely happening in a virtual reality. It is affecting our reality here and now."
"The currencies of Armageddon are finding their way into our economies. Leaders are forming teams, gathering players based on their talent rankings—an entirely new kind of hierarchy. And now, we face a future where these players could become a new kind of elite. Individuals with high-ranking talents are being scouted, drafted, and ranked in tiers of influence—based not on their wealth, or titles, or power as we knew it, but on their abilities, their talents, within Armageddon."
The screen switched to a press conference, where government officials sat. Their faces were grim, and their expressions heavy as they addressed the press and public.
"In response to Armageddon's unprecedented arrival," one official said, "we are organizing elite teams of players with ranked talents. These teams will not only explore this world but try to understand it."
"We have confirmed that one of our own holds an A-rank talent, and for now, they will lead our strongest team. As S-rank talents are identified, we will ensure that they take positions where they can be… managed."
The screen cut back to the reporter, her voice adopting a contemplative tone, as though she were speaking to herself just as much as her audience.
"This is no longer simply about survival. It is about power. Authority. Perhaps even domination. It is the dawn of a new era—one where wealth, status, and influence are being redefined by a world we know almost nothing about. And as Armageddon continues to unfold, the question we must ask is this: will those who rise to the top of its ranks be heroes, protectors of humanity? Or will they become something else entirely?"
Her eyes glinted with a rare, raw vulnerability. "Armageddon is not just a virtual experience; it is a call to war, a fight for dominance. And those with high-ranking talents are not just players—they are warriors, maybe even… rulers."
Her words lingered in the silence, her gaze intense, as though she could see straight into the hearts of her viewers.
"Armageddon has introduced a new kind of currency, a new kind of power. Those who are strong enough will change the world, but at what cost? How many will lose themselves in a pursuit for strength, for dominance, for survival?"
"It is the dawn of a new age… but one born from forces we do not understand. And so we wait, holding our breath, wondering if those who rise will save us… or if they will be the ones to bring about our downfall."
Arthur thought about her words and he stood there, frozen, as a chill spread through him. It was as if a new chapter of his life had been forced open before he'd even turned the page.
"Heroes, huh?" he muttered to himself, turning away from the billboard. "It could never be me."