Chapter 5: The Unveiling of the Titans

Chapter 5: The Unveiling of the Titans

The Ranking Board continued to buzz with activity, its names shifting as more and more individuals climbed the ranks. The eyes of the world were glued to the screen, awaiting the next big reveal. It wasn't just about strength anymore; it was about the recognition, the pride, and the fear. And in this moment, the spotlight was on Shadow.

But there were others watching, people who had different reasons for observing the Ranking Board—some were impressed, some were curious, and some felt the stirring of ancient forces. Among them were three figures whose presence would soon alter the course of this unfolding saga.

Carl was ranked third on the Ranking Board, and his name blazed brightly in the minds of many. His appearance was striking—a young man with dark skin, a fit yet not overly muscular build, and a sense of confidence that radiated from him like an unspoken challenge. He wasn't arrogant, but he was prideful—prideful of his strength. Carl was someone who valued power over intellect, brute force over cunning. His entire existence seemed built around the thrill of battle.

Carl lived in one of the richest areas of the city, but not in the tall skyscrapers that housed the wealthiest. His home was magnificent but in a different way—modern, sleek, and imposing, yet closer to the ground. It looked like something out of a futuristic movie. It was the home of someone who had power, who didn't need to flaunt it. His family was wealthy—richer than most, but unlike the elites who paraded their riches, Carl's pride was focused on one thing: his strength. He cared not for his family's wealth, only for the power his body could command.

And as Carl stared at the Ranking Board, his eyes widened slightly when he saw Shadow's name in the top position. For Carl, it wasn't a rivalry fueled by hatred—it was admiration. He saw Shadow not as an enemy, but as a rival, a person he could fight against to become even stronger. His fists clenched, and a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

His talent, God's Strength, was a rainbow talent. It made him grow stronger the longer he fought. For every hour he spent in combat, his strength increased by 100%, and when the fight ended, he permanently retained 50% of the power he had gained. He had learned to thrive in the heat of battle, and the longer he fought, the more unstoppable he became. This talent made him a force to be reckoned with—someone who could grow exponentially with each confrontation.

Celestina, ranked second, was an enigma. Her family was shrouded in mystery, whispers of ancient ties to assassin bloodlines circulating among those who knew of her. Celestina's residence, on the surface, was nothing special—an unassuming compound that could have been anyone's home. Yet, when you stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. The walls seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy, and the windows revealed a breathtaking view of a mansion that looked more like something reserved for royalty than a simple home.

Her family's long history spanned not only the present but also ancient times. And though the Ranking Board displayed the talents of the world's strongest individuals, Celestina's eyes lingered on the name of Shadow—the same Shadow who had somehow passed her, despite all the battles she had fought and all the power she had acquired.

Celestina's talent, The One Beside Chaos, was even rarer than Carl's. It was a Myth Talent, a fragment of a higher power. Her ability allowed her to copy the abilities of others, though with a twist—she could only copy 50% of their power. This made her adaptable in any situation, able to use most abilities to her advantage. However, Celestina was keenly aware that her potential was nowhere near as vast as Shadow's. His talent, though hidden behind a veil of strange symbols, had something deeply familiar to it—something that resonated within her own, but she could not place it.

When her talent reacted to the strange symbols on the Ranking Board, Celestina felt a mix of awe and confusion. She didn't understand why her Myth Talent had responded so powerfully to Shadow's ability, but she was certain of one thing: there was more to him than met the eye.

The Ranking Board had made waves across the world, and the internet was abuzz. People everywhere were discussing Shadow's meteoric rise, amazed at his sudden appearance and his rapid ascension to the top. Experts debated the true nature of his abilities, while common people spoke in hushed tones, wondering just who or what Shadow truly was.

Then, in the midst of all the buzz, something strange occurred. A mysterious boy, appearing from nowhere, emerged from the shadows. His presence was almost ethereal, as though he didn't belong to this world at all. The Ranking Board seemed to react to him, almost as though it acknowledged his existence.

The boy stood silently, his eyes scanning the names of those ranked on the board. When his gaze landed on Shadow, a smile crept onto his lips—a smile filled with knowing. He stared at the strange, jumbled symbols that represented Shadow's talent and felt a deep recognition. The boy's expression darkened for a moment, and he whispered, "So they came together."

His voice was laden with both understanding and foreboding.

"Even after thousands of years, they came together," the boy continued, his tone growing darker. "Even the Observer can do this... Fate has been destined. This world... is doomed to be in chaos because Chaos has given birth again."

The boy seemed to know more than anyone else. He knew something about Shadow's talent that no one else did. And as he faded back into the darkness from which he came, his final words echoed in the air: "Let the game ramble."

For a moment, everything went still. But then, from the very spot where the mysterious boy had disappeared, something else emerged. A being, unlike any other, appeared in the space where shadows and stars met. It was not a man, nor a creature, but something that defied explanation. Its skin seemed to be the cosmos itself—stars, galaxies, nebulae, all woven into its being.

With no facial features, the being's presence was overwhelming, its form a testament to an ancient, unfathomable power. It gazed out across the empty space where the boy had once stood, its movements slow and deliberate. The silence stretched on.

"So he disappeared," the being mused in a voice that seemed to vibrate through time itself. "Even after a thousand years, that boy won't stop meddling?"

The cosmic entity turned its attention to the Ranking Board, where the names of Carl, Celestina, and Shadow still blazed brightly. It studied them, measuring something beyond the power they displayed. Its voice broke the silence again, a deep, resonating tone.

"Chaos has been born again."

There was a heavy pause. The being raised its hand, and the cosmos seemed to swirl in its palm, as if it were deciding the fate of all things. Its voice softened but carried a weight that made the universe itself seem to hold its breath.

"The gods are going to be busy," it said. "And so will I. I hope this time... the world doesn't fall into chaos."

With those final words, the being began to fade, disappearing as quietly as it had come. As it vanished into the ether, the Ranking Board remained, a reminder of the strange and cosmic forces that were now in play.

End of Chapter 5