Serve To Survive

This chapter serves as a guide for anyone who might feel confused after reading the first chapter or for those preparing to start the novel. It offers important context and insights to help you navigate the story more easily as you continue reading.

- who's the main character?

People who has read the synopsis and the first chapter, you might be wondering who the main character is. Well, let me clarify that for you: it's Haruo Chiharu. I decided to write the first chapter from the female main character's point of view because I thought it would add a unique twist. But rest assured, Haruo is the one who takes center stage in this story!

- History

The Great Ten Periods.

The Cataclysm (2025)

In 2025, a catastrophic event struck humanity, triggering a regression to medieval civilization. This world-altering occurrence not only awakened mana and special abilities within people but also ignited chaos worldwide, resulting in rampant crime and violence. Politicians and world leaders fell victim to this upheaval, plunging society into turmoil.

World War (2025-2045)

The ensuing global conflict lasted twenty years, leaving the planet in ruins. As humanity faced near extinction, a mysterious figure emerged to unite the leaders and bring an end to the war, restoring some semblance of order amid the devastation.

The Great Clean-Up (2045-2871)

With cities in ruins and countless survivors injured, healers offered a glimmer of hope. The Great Clean-Up began, a monumental effort that took an astonishing 826 years to restore society and infrastructure.

Rebuilding Society

To prevent future conflicts and avoid another Great Clean-Up, global leaders opted for a medieval-style society. with the sole exception of modern hospitals and factories, prioritizing simplicity and resource availability in their architectural choices.

The Awakening Period (2871 - 10,000)

During the first ten millennia, known as The Awakening Period, new continents emerged, revealing diverse species and races, including elves, dwarves, and trolls.

The Runic Period (10,001 - 20,000)

The second ten millennia, dubbed The Runic Period, saw the discovery of runic magic, pioneered by philologist and archaeologist Cain R. Lopez. This breakthrough led to the creation of artifacts that harnessed mana flow.

The Artifacts Period (20,001 - 30,000)

During the Artifacts Period, these magical tools became a part of everyday life. Humanity experienced a Golden Age where prosperity reigned. Unfortunately, this blissful time wouldn't last forever.

The Devastation Period (30,001 - 40,000)

Then came the Devastation Period, marked by the emergence of a terrifying monster named Kilrum. This world-ending creature caused significant destruction, resulting in the loss of critical knowledge, including the secrets to artifact creation, which left humanity in a state of disarray.

The Habitation Period (40,001 - 50,000 Years Ago)

In response to a growing population, the Habitation Period began, driving leaders to explore intergalactic travel in search of new planets. This period set the stage for humanity's next big adventure.

The Migration Period (50,001-60,000 Years Ago)

Following the discovery of new worlds, humanity made a monumental leap with the advent of portal travel. This breakthrough allowed them to conquer and migrate to around 600 habitable planets, greatly expanding their reach across the universe.

The Enchant Period (60,001 - 70,000)

During the Enchant Period, after years of searching for lost knowledge, humanity finally succeeded in restoring the art of enchantment. Thanks to the efforts of talented philologists like Agatha Aldi the 5th and Park Beom-seok, enchantments became a rich part of human culture once again.

The Evolution Period (70,001 - 80,000)

The eighth period, known as the Evolution Period, marked the evolution of monsters. As these creatures adapted and grew stronger, they presented new challenges for humanity. Settlements faced threats from these formidable beings, leading to innovative defense strategies and a united front against the chaos.

The Advance Period (80,001 - 90,000)

In the Advance Period, technology took a giant leap forward. Innovations in communication, transportation, and resource management transformed daily life. The combination of magical elements, new sciences, and nanomachines led to incredible advancements, fostering a new age of prosperity.

The Power Period (90,001 - Present)

Finally, we arrive at the Power Period, which is still unfolding. Humanity is experiencing unprecedented changes in power dynamics, technology, and societal structures, shaping our future in real-time. Records are being written as we speak, and who knows what adventures lie ahead?

- General Info.

Throughout this time, the genetics of different peoples have blended together, resulting in a diverse population. However, some individuals are regarded as semi-purebloods, as they still retain their national names and a hint of their ancestral heritage.

For those who are curious about how many planets have been conquered, there have been over 1,000 planets successfully claimed since the Migration Period first began.

In this story, the current year is J-4023. You might wonder why we use letters in the year instead of a traditional number like 94,023. Let me explain!

The Format: The year is written as a combination of a letter and a number—Letter-Number (for example, J-4023).

What the Letter Means: Each letter stands for a millennium, which is a period of 10,000 years. Here's how it works:

A = 0 to 9,999

B = 10,000 to 19,999

C = 20,000 to 29,999

D = 30,000 to 39,999

E = 40,000 to 49,999

F = 50,000 to 59,999

G = 60,000 to 69,999

H = 70,000 to 79,999

I = 80,000 to 89,999

J = 90,000 to 99,999

ETC...

The number after the letter shows the specific year within that millennium. For instance, in J-4023, the J tells us it's in the ninth millennium (90,000 to 99,999). The 4023 indicates that it is the 4,023rd year within that millennium. So, the full year represented here is 94,023.

Why This Format?

Using this system makes it easier to reference years in our story without having to write out long numbers. It keeps things simple and helps you track the timeline more effectively.

Tombs: Tombs are locations where treasures are often hidden, created by people from the past. These sites typically conceal artifacts or items of equal value, serving as a testament to ancient civilizations and their beliefs in the afterlife or the importance of the buried treasures.

Dungeons: Unlike tombs, dungeons are formed naturally and can be found on various planets like tombs. While they do contain artifacts, the focus of dungeons is primarily on skills. They offer opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge, making them valuable places for adventurers seeking to enhance their skills.

- Rankings

Martial arts Mastery Rankings: Since some individuals aren't born with abilities, we've established a ranking system for martial arts mastery to create balance in the world. This way, those without innate powers can still compete and excel through skill and training. This ranking allows for a diverse range of characters, each with their unique strengths, making the story more engaging for readers.

Amateur: A beginner in the field.

Novice: Achieves a basic understanding of mana.

Intermediate: Develops internal mana control.

Expert: Mastery of external mana control.

Master: Gains the ability to store anything using mana.

Grandmaster: Unlocks the use of Sword Qi.

Legend: Both sword qi and mana get combined

Over-rank: Achieves perfect control over both mana and Sword Qi, and beyond

Ability and Artifact Rankings: In this world, abilities and artifacts share the same ranking system to keep things straightforward. This approach avoids confusion that could arise from having two separate systems. By using the same rankings, readers can easily grasp the power and significance of both without needing to memorize different criteria.

G / Immeasurable: Abilities and artifacts that surpass all known limits, capable of feats beyond comprehension and understanding.

N / Supreme: Incredibly powerful abilities and artifacts that can dominate in various situations, often turning the tide of battle.

Z / Ultimate: Exceptionally strong and versatile abilities and artifacts that serve as game-changers in combat, showcasing immense skill.

SSS / Mythical: Abilities and artifacts that are nearly god-like, possessing extraordinary effects that can alter the fabric of reality.

SS / Legendary: Extraordinary abilities and artifacts that significantly impact battles, often featuring unique and powerful effects.

S / Epic: Strong abilities and artifacts that provide a considerable advantage in combat, demonstrating exceptional skill and prowess.

A / Rare: Unique and powerful abilities and artifacts that are effective in specific situations, not commonly found among opponents.

B / Average: Standard abilities and artifacts that are reliable and functional but lack distinctiveness or exceptional impact.

C / Novice: Basic abilities and artifacts that may have some utility but lack strength, versatility, or effectiveness.

D / Weak: Limited abilities and artifacts that are often ineffective in combat and provide minimal support.

E / Poor: Abilities and artifacts that are rarely useful, potentially hindering the user in combat situations.

F / Ineffective: Abilities and artifacts that have little to no impact on battles and may even backfire on the user.

- The Power system.

Abilities: as the name suggests, are special powers that people are born with in this world. There is a 10% chance that someone may not have any ability at all, making those without abilities quite rare.

Sub-ability: Sub-abilities are secondary powers that individuals can unlock later in life. Like how games often have handguns as secondary weapons, these abilities serve as a supplement. However, to gain a sub-ability, a person must first be born with an ability. The chance of manifesting one is low, at 50%, and it will be random, meaning it may not complement the main ability.

Skills: Skills encompass a range of natural and unnatural talents. Natural skills might include things like cooking, while unnatural skills could involve generating poison from one's hands. Unlike abilities, which are innate, skills can be learned or acquired. To gain skills, individuals often obtain scrolls from dungeons or tombs, or they can learn them through practice and training, or just make them.