First Eruption

New York City—the illustrious American metropolis sprawling across the southern tip of New York State—stood as an unparalleled bastion of grandeur and influence.

Revered as one of the world's most developed cities, it reigned as the veritable cultural capital, where art, music, and dance entwined in an enchanting symphony of life.

Amidst the ceaseless rhythm of New York's pulsating heart, today unfolded like countless others—its bustling streets brimming with a diverse tapestry of humanity, shops bustling with commerce, and a constant influx of wide-eyed tourists traversing the hallowed grounds of the renowned New York Square.

Nestled at the very core of this vibrant metropolis, Manhattan thrived as the crowning jewel—the epicentre of commercial prowess and ceaseless enterprise, where dreams were forged and fortunes reaped in the dance of ambition and opportunity.

However, amidst this vibrant tapestry of ever-busy streets and ceaseless activity that breathed life and prosperity into New York City, a prevailing misconception persisted in the eyes of outsiders.

From a non-citizen's perspective, NYC might appear as a wondrous realm of sky-reaching skyscrapers, where cutting-edge technology and gadgets abounded, accompanied by a delectable array of global cuisines.

However, the reality of life in New York stood in stark contrast to these glossy perceptions. Beneath the dazzling surface, the truth unfolded—an existence that was far from idyllic.

The city's allure belied the immense stress that pervaded every aspect of life on a colossal scale. The pace of living in the city was relentless, and the weight of its demands weighed heavily on its residents' shoulders.

Life in NYC was undeniably stress-inducing.

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"URGH! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE." The cry of frustration echoed through the air of New York's Empire State Building.

*Thud*

With a loud clatter, a hard hat tumbled to the ground, the type commonly seen on industrial or construction sites.

The one behind the throw appeared to be a man in his thirties, his face twisted with frustration, and the veins on his forehead pulsated visibly, revealing the intensity of his emotions.

"Do they see me as nothing more than a work slave? Slaving away at a minimum wage job, and now they have the audacity to cut my pay just because I couldn't finish the work on time!" he exclaimed, his eyes burning with fury.

"Do they have any clue about the challenges construction workers endure? They're the ones who provided that lousy cement, and yet, they have the nerve to point fingers at me, not just at all of us, but solely at me!" The man gritted his teeth, his fury surging like a tidal wave.

"Education, ha! What a laugh. They boast about being better educated, but they can't even distinguish OPC from PPC. It's not about education; it's your family background that supposedly defines your success. This world *crack*―IS UNFAIR!" He roared.

His voice filled with frustration as he pounded his fist against the wall, venting his exasperation at the perceived injustice.

His hand throbbed with pain, but he scarcely registered it, so consumed was he by anger and the haze of emotions. Yet, in that moment of turmoil, something unexpected began to unfold...

[Child] A gentle voice echoed in his ears.

The unexpected voice momentarily brought a brief respite to the man's turbulent mind, momentarily clearing the fog of anger.

However, as the voice continued to speak, his vision quickly became clouded once more, the storm of emotions resuming its hold on him.

[Do you seek justice?]

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On this particular afternoon, a faint light suddenly illuminated the heart of New York City, sparking a minor commotion among the people in its vicinity.

The authorities swiftly cordoned off the area, intending to conduct a thorough investigation. However, before they could set foot within the restricted zone, the dim light unexpectedly intensified, growing brighter by the second.

With each passing moment, the light glowed ever brighter, casting an eerie and ethereal hue over the surroundings.

As it approached its peak luminosity, a sense of anticipation filled the air, and then, in a moment of mystery, the light vanished without a trace.

This sudden disappearance left the onlookers bewildered and the area shrouded in an enigmatic silence.

Yet, the momentary stillness was but a fleeting illusion, for in the next heartbeat, a small yet unmistakable spark emerged, and then, in a cataclysmic crescendo, *BOOM!*―a colossal eruption ensued.

The ground trembled beneath the force, and a brilliant display of light and energy engulfed the surroundings, leaving everyone in shock and awe at the unforeseen calamity before them.

"'AAAAHHH!"'

The deafening roar of terror-filled voices echoed through the air as the crowd, who were close to the area where the eruption occurred, were flung away like broken kites.

*Crash* *Thud* *Shatter*

The unfortunate souls were hurled into the air by the explosion, some crashing into walls, some slamming onto the hard ground, and others flung into the nearby building's windows.

What seemed like a normal afternoon had turned into a nightmarish scene as the seemingly unusual light had taken the lives of more than 75% of the people living in Manhattan, while causing destruction in the surrounding areas.

Fear gripped those who managed to survive as they realized the true magnitude of the catastrophe they were now facing.

As the nightmare continued to unfold, it became clear that the aftermath of the explosion held even darker horrors.

Those who were fortunate enough to survive but were still in proximity to the blast began to experience an unsettling itchy sensation as if something was crawling inside them.

"ROAR!"

The eerie sound echoed through the air, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

To their horror, the people near the explosion started to undergo a disturbing transformation.

Their skin, once vibrant and diverse, now turned deathly pale, devoid of any trace of melanin. The once lively eyes lost their glint, resembling the vacant gaze of the lifeless.

These humans had become zombies, their humanity consumed by the malevolent aftermath of the sudden eruption. The horror, however, did not cease with humanity.

The sinister effects of the explosion extended beyond the human realm, reaching out to all living creatures within its range.

Animals and birds that had once thrived now fell victim to the contamination of its sinister particles.

One by one, they underwent a horrifying metamorphosis, transforming into dreaded Honkai beasts—monstrous entities that sought to exterminate humanity.

The once serene and harmonious world had plunged into darkness, shrouded by the calamity that had befallen it.

In the wake of the devastating explosion, the surviving few were left not only grappling with the shattered remnants of their surroundings but also confronted by the horrifying truth that they were now encircled by the living dead and fearsome beasts.

The nightmare had only just commenced, plunging them into a harrowing struggle for survival that surpassed any horrors they had ever known.

Terror and despair gripped their hearts as they fought to survive amidst this new and unfathomable level of darkness and danger. The chaos around them grew by the second, making their struggle even more daunting.

As the chaos in Manhattan reached its peak, the once bustling streets were now overrun with hordes of zombies and Honkai beasts, adding an even more sinister layer to the unfolding disaster.

Then suddenly, amidst the chaos and mayhem, a figure materialized from the epicentre of the explosion, stepping forth with a sinister aura surrounding him.

His eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty intensity, like a predator on the prowl amidst the carnage. He seemed to possess an unholy connection to the catastrophic event, and as he advanced, a chilling sense of dread settled upon those who dared to glance his way.

With an aura of darkness surrounding him, the figure moved with an unnatural grace, seemingly unaffected by the destruction and terror surrounding him.

His presence sent shivers down the spines of those who caught sight of him as if a harbinger of doom had risen from the ashes.

As the zombies and Honkai beasts wreaked havoc, the mysterious figure showcased an unsettling dominion over them. With a mere gesture of his hand, he directed the mindless creatures, turning their attention towards him.

As the man's hand moved through the air, an eerie silence descended upon the once ravenous horde. The Honkai beasts and zombies ceased their rampage, obediently halting in their tracks, and astonishingly, they knelt before him.

It was as though they instinctively acknowledged him as their ruler, succumbing to his enigmatic influence. In the midst of the surreal scene, a young woman emerged from the shadows, her eyes wide with awe and suspicion.

She had been fighting alongside a group of survivors, trying to hold back the relentless onslaught of the horde. Now, she watched in disbelief as the man's power seemed to quell the chaos that had threatened to engulf them.

"What are you? Some kind of sorcerer?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity.

The man's gaze slowly shifted toward her, and a faint smile played on his lips. "Not a sorcerer, my dear," he replied, his voice exuding a quiet yet commanding authority. This response brought a glimmer of relief to the woman, but her solace was short-lived.

In an instant, the man's eyes turned cold, and his voice carried an eerie conviction, "I am the Death Reaper, a harbinger of divine decree, sent to rectify this accursed world. I am a Herrscher"

With a maniacal grin spreading across his face, the man looked upon the massive army of undead and monstrous creatures before him. In a commanding tone, he uttered just two words that sent a chill down the spine of anyone who heard it: "Slay all."

As the man gave his command to the mindless creatures, the woman's sign of relief quickly turned into fear and dread. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing – the man she had thought to be a saviour was now revealing himself as something far more sinister.

"Stop this! You can't unleash such horror upon innocent people!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

But the man seemed unaffected by her pleas. Instead, he revelled in the chaos he had unleashed. The once-silent streets of Manhattan now echoed with the sounds of destruction as the undead and monstrous creatures tore through the city, leaving devastation in their wake.

The woman knew she had to act quickly. She couldn't let this madness continue. With a surge of determination, she summoned all of her courage and looked straight into the eyes of the self-proclaimed Death Reaper.

"I won't let you destroy everything!" she declared, facing the man with newfound resolve.

He turned to her, his eyes narrowing with an unsettling calmness. "You dare to challenge me mortal?" he taunted.

With a swift movement, the woman charged towards the man, fueled by a mix of bravery and desperation. But her efforts were in vain, for she was only a mortal facing the death angle of the god, and her strength paled in comparison to his malevolent power.

Before she could even get close, the man raised his hand, and the air crackled with the Honkai energy. In response to his command, the rampaging beast at his side lunged at her with terrifying speed. Its claws tore through the air, and the woman's valiant stand was met with a cruel and swift end.

Time seemed to slow as the fatal strike connected, and with a chilling snarl, the Honkai Beast claimed her life in a mere instance. Her body fell to the ground, lifeless, as the man's sinister laughter echoed through the city.

The survivors who had gathered to fight alongside her stood in shock and horror, unable to comprehend the loss they had just witnessed. The reality of their mortal vulnerability sank in, and the magnitude of the threat they faced became painfully clear.

The Herrscher looked upon the fallen woman with cold indifference, seemingly unaffected by the tragedy he had wrought. He turned his attention back to the chaos he had unleashed upon the city, his army of undead and monstrous creatures continuing their destructive path.

The surviving humans now faced an even greater threat, as they had to not only fend off the relentless onslaught of the undead but also confront this angle of death who seemed to be orchestrating the entire nightmare.

As the city plunged further into darkness, the fate of Manhattan and its remaining inhabitants hung in the balance.

However, little did they know that this was just the beginning of humanity's harrowing journey filled with unimaginable challenges and a fight for survival against the forces of Honkai.

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.

Phew, finally done with this chapter. Sorry if I took my sweet time writing it, but I wanted the eruptions in this fanfic to have a much greater "impact" than other normal Honkai beasts or zombie attacks. So, I hope I did a good job in the viewers' eyes.