2 A FLICKER OF HOPE

[The year 2030]

In the aftermath of our unlucky protagonist's death, the world underwent dramatic changes. An enormous black hole appeared over the Bermuda Triangle after the sky split open. In the face of a possible alien invasion, all countries put their differences aside and prepared together. However, nothing emerged from the black hole.

After one week, smaller black holes began to appear everywhere. The Earth's topography changed overnight without anyone's knowledge. It was as if some cosmic power swept past Earth, changing everything on its way. Earth's size also increased by 40%, and various unknown lands appeared, creating panic among humanity.

Unknown trees, never before seen animals, lands filled with gems and crystals, previously unseen seas and deserts, and many more were discovered in those new lands. But some places were so dangerous and protected by powerful barriers that human technology and weapons failed to break.

Things were looking for humanity since there weren't any intelligent lifeforms that could pose a threat to Earth. They believed that the next stage of evolution was within their grasp.

In excitement, they continued to salvage new and never before seen resources while completely forgetting about the black holes. Every black hole was surrounded only by a few military forces.

[The year 2031]

There is a saying that too much negligence is never too healthy. The lack of interest in exploring black holes caused a breakout. Some of the black holes exploded, creating a massive one from which monsters rushed out, destroying everything in their paths.

Earth's defense forces stopped those monsters with the help of the weapons they created using those newly discovered resources. But many lives were already lost in the process.

Several brave individuals took on the suicide mission of exploring beyond black holes. The successful survivors gained superpowers that are beyond science. Awakened people don't even know how they acquired their powers.

After many experiments, humanity found a way to awaken more superpowers within the human body with the help of dark energy crystals formed around the black hole. But the problem started when everyone wanted to get hold of those crystals and awaken. However, it was useless for adults. Only teenagers between 15 and 18 years old were able to manifest their superpowers.

[The year 2032]

Several laws were established to maintain peace on the reborn Earth. The Superhuman Association was created by the strongest awakened superhumans who survived the first exploration beyond black holes. Updated maps were created with brand-new names for countries. Peace was slowly returning to the Earth.

Superhumans began to explore beyond the black holes to gain experience and become even stronger while preventing another breakout. The monsters they hunted dropped various precious artifacts and magic crystals sought by the superhumans. Sometimes they are sold at a very high price at auctions. The concept of money slowly disappeared and was replaced by core crystals.

[Core crystals are the concentrated energy crystals that monsters drop after their death.]

[The year 2050] [Location: South Pole]

The black holes are called dungeons. And at the South Pole, a breakout occurred. The late arrival of superhumans, known as Hunters, gave enough time for the monsters to adapt to the cold and mutate into ice beasts, and their power also increased.

A group of Hunters was fighting those mutated monsters. But the boss monster came out before their predicted time and created an ice storm. The Hunters weren't ready and equipped to face mutated monsters.

"Huff... Seeesshhh... Damn it!!!"

"This is a mess... Really messed up..."

The healer was almost out of breath, and cold air was coming out of her mouth and nose. Her armor was already more or less frozen.

"Arrgggg... I can barely keep my eyes open," The tanker said while gasping for air. His eyelids were frozen and his fingers were covered in frostbite. His shield fell to the icy ground.

[Booom] [Bang] Sparks of red and blue energy were coming out of the midst of the ice tornado. The team leader was still fighting the boss monster and holding his ground. They were equally matched. But as the battle continued, the leader was slowly losing ground. The cold pierced his defenses.

"Shit! Arrgggg!!!"

"Can't we do anything... What's the use of having these powers?"

The shooter slammed her fist on the icy ground. A few shards pierced her fist, but no blood came out. The cold froze everything. She wanted to shoot, but without any clear vision, she might hit the leader. She was frustrated.

"How did it come to this...?"

"Leader got a call from the hospital... Just after we landed. He is about to become a father..."

"Isn't there any way to help...? The backup can't even land due to this freaking storm..."

The tanker said while shivering. He pledged his life to the leader who rescued him from the human experiment lab. He wanted to be of some help to the leader who was battling through the raging storm. But there wasn't anything he could do in his current state. He and the others have become a liability on the battlefield.

"I am so sorry... If only I had more power..."

"Why didn't you go back after hearing the news? Just why???"

"At least you would have survived... You stubborn man..."

"Help... Anyone... Oh, God... Someone help..."

The healer yelled. He knows the pain of growing up without parents. If the leader hadn't rescued her from the slave traders, she would have either been dead or sold to a brothel. Her heart was aching in piercing pain, thinking about the leader's child.

Humanity had forgotten God after gaining powers and evolution. After 20 years, someone asked God for help. A flame of faith has been lit in the dark halls of God's realm.

[God's Realm]

"Finally... A flame has been lit..."

"Your faith in me is strong enough to light up the darkness around me..."

"You who had forgotten God asked for help..."

"Help you will get..."

God yelled with a burst of laughter. After the awakening of superpowers, humanity had forgotten God. Due to a lack of faith, God lost all power and just remained seated on heaven's throne, waiting for someone to light up the darkness. And finally, he regained some of his power.

"Humm... What's that???"

"A soul... A drifting soul... Eeewww. What's with those murky energies around him?"

"Just how long did you drift in the darkness... Unlucky one. Hahaha... Just how much misfortune and bad luck are you carrying with you to drift for this long...?"

"I can feel how much you have yearned for good luck... You must have suffered so much pain to curse me till the end of your life and even with your dying breath..."

"But... You did thank me, didn't you? Show me everything about you..."

God witnessed everything that the unlucky soul suffered through. A soul who doesn't know the meaning of happiness. Yet, he felt a glint of happiness before his death.

"You... Haaa..."

"What should I do with you?"

"You are the first to defy fate and destiny, and even escape your death..."

"I cannot keep you here, nor can I send you to the next cycle of life and death since you have already cheated death..."

"Humm... What to do? What to do with you fateless one?"

"Maybe... Humm. This will be better..."

"Go forth and live the life you always yearned for... Go back to where you came from... A new life awaits you..."

"Become the savior or the destroyer... I leave the choice to you... The world you once knew has changed after your death..."

"A final word of wisdom... Be careful what you choose..."

[Location: Silver family's private hospital]

"Where the heck is that brat?"

"He should have been here 2 hours ago... Did anything happen on his mission?"

"No, no, no, no... He has reached the 7th level. He should be able to escape with his life... But, what is this uneasy feeling in my heart...?"

A man in his 60s was speaking to himself in the hospital's hallway, looking at his watch repeatedly.

"WaaaaWaaaaa..."

From the private room came the cries of a newborn.