Rise Beyond Earth's Final Shield

Elijah sat cross-legged on the floor of his new room, staring at the floating screen in front of him.

The noise of the system in his head was steady now, like white noise that he'd reluctantly grown used to.

"Alright," he said aloud, breaking the silence. "Let's see what you've got for me, System. You dumped me in this mess; the least you can do is explain it."

[Accessing Database: Endless World Overview.]

The screen flickered, and a loading bar appeared.

Elijah rolled his eyes. "Even otherworldly systems have loading times. Great."

Finally, the bar filled, and the screen shifted to display a sprawling map a dizzying patchwork of colors, shapes, and lines.

It stretched far beyond what Elijah could comprehend, as if someone had tried to cram infinity onto a single page.

[Welcome to the Endless World.]

"Yeah, I got that part already," Elijah muttered. "Care to elaborate?"

The voice of the system was calm and emotionless as it began its explanation:

[The Endless World is an ever-expanding, multidimensional realm. It has no defined borders, no edges. It exists as a combination of countless planes, planets, and dimensions, all interwoven into a chaotic yet functional whole.]

Elijah squinted at the map. "No borders? So, what, it's just infinite?"

[Correct. The Endless World is not a sphere or a plane in the traditional sense. It is a layered existence, with each new addition merging seamlessly into its structure. Its population is immeasurable, but estimates suggest it exceeds one hundred trillion beings.]

Elijah let out a low whistle. "One hundred trillion? Okay, that's... insane. And I thought New York felt crowded."

[Every thirty years, a new planet or plane is integrated into the Endless World. These merges are not random but predetermined by forces beyond mortal comprehension.]

"Ah, yes, the classic 'forces beyond mortal comprehension' line," Elijah said, crossing his arms. "Convenient."

[Earth's merge will follow the same process as countless others before it. Upon merging, Earth will become part of the greater structure, its people subject to the laws and chaos of the Endless World. To the vast empires and civilizations here, Earth is insignificant a mere pebble in an ocean.]

Elijah frowned, leaning closer to the screen. "Insignificant? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

[It is not a matter of value but scale. The Endless World contains empires that span millions of years, with territories that would take thousands of lifetimes to traverse. Earth's population is less than a small city by comparison.]

"Less than a city? You're kidding."

[The average empire within the Endless World governs over a trillion subjects. Earth's population of eight billion is negligible by their standards.]

Elijah leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "So, we're basically ants. Great. That's inspiring."

The screen shifted, displaying a diagram that looked like a web, with countless lines connecting dots of varying sizes.

[The Endless World is divided into three primary layers of existence: Core Regions, Mid-Realms, and Outer Territories.]

"Let me guess," Elijah said. "We're getting dumped in the Outer Territories."

[Correct. The Outer Territories are where new additions are integrated. These regions are unstable, with constant conflict between emerging factions, rogue planes, and opportunistic empires.]

"Sounds like a fun neighborhood," Elijah muttered. "So what's in the Core Regions?"

[The Core Regions are the heart of the Endless World, home to ancient empires and entities that predate the concept of time. Their influence stretches across the entire realm, though they rarely concern themselves with the Outer Territories.]

"And the Mid-Realms?"

[The Mid-Realms act as a buffer, containing established kingdoms and empires that have survived the chaos of the Outer Territories and risen to prominence. They often serve as intermediaries between the Core Regions and the Outer Territories.]

Elijah rubbed his temples. "So, let me get this straight. The Core Regions are untouchable gods, the Mid-Realms are the fancy suburbs, and the Outer Territories are the wild west. And we're about to get tossed into the middle of that mess."

[Accurate.]

"Fantastic," Elijah said dryly.

[When Earth merges with the Endless World, its location will be randomized within the Outer Territories. The merge itself will last exactly seventy-two hours, during which Earth's natural laws will shift to align with the Endless World's.]

"What does that mean?" Elijah asked, narrowing his eyes.

[Physics, magic, and biology will adapt to the new reality. For example, species once confined to myth may become real. New resources will emerge, but so will new dangers. The very fabric of Earth's existence will be rewritten to match the Endless World's.]

Elijah felt a chill run down his spine. "So, dragons and goblins might actually become a thing? Great. Just what I needed."

[Correct. However, Gaia's shield will stabilize Earth's transition, ensuring minimal disruption for the first thirty years.]

"And after that?"

[After thirty years, the shield will collapse, and Earth will be fully exposed to the Endless World.]

Elijah stared at the glowing screen, his mind racing. "So, what happens to planets that don't adapt? You know, after the shield is gone?"

[They fall.]

The simplicity of the answer hit Elijah like a punch to the gut.

"Fall how?"

[They are conquered, absorbed, or destroyed by stronger forces. Planets that cannot adapt to the Endless World's laws rarely survive beyond the first fifty years.]

Elijah's hands clenched into fists. "So, we're basically on borrowed time."

[Correct. However, you have the unique ability to move beyond Earth's shield. This advantage, combined with the system's guidance, gives you the opportunity to prepare your world for survival.]

"Right," Elijah said bitterly. "Because one guy with a system is definitely enough to stop an entire universe of chaos."

[It is not solely your strength that will determine Earth's fate,]

The system said, its tone unchanging.

[It is your choices. Information, alliances, and preparation will be your greatest tools. The system exists to help you acquire them.]

Elijah let out a shaky breath, the weight of Gaia's words still fresh in his mind.

Thirty years.

That was all Earth had.

Thirty years to prepare for a world where they were nothing but ants beneath the boots of giants.

And he was the one expected to lead the charge.

"Alright," he muttered, straightening his back. "Show me what else I need to know. If I'm stuck in this mess, I might as well make it count."

The system's map zoomed out, revealing an even larger web of connections.

Each line represented a plane, a planet, or an empire.

[The Endless World is not entirely hostile. It is vast and chaotic, but it is also filled with opportunity. Trade routes, ancient ruins, and unclaimed resources exist for those willing to seek them.]

"So, we're playing survival of the fittest," Elijah said, his tone bitter.

[Correct. But survival is not impossible. The history of the Endless World is filled with tales of underdogs rising to prominence. You are not alone in this struggle. Others have succeeded before you.]

Elijah's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Well, that's comforting... sort of."

The screen dimmed slightly, signaling the end of the current briefing.

[This concludes the basic overview of the Endless World. Further information can be accessed as required.]

Elijah sighed, leaning back against the wall.

His mind felt like it was spinning in a dozen directions, each thought heavier than the last.

"This is insane," he muttered. "An infinite world of gods and monsters, and we're just getting thrown into it like a bunch of clueless kids. What am I even supposed to do with all this?"

The system didn't respond, leaving Elijah to his thoughts.