Chapter 2: Awakening in Chaos

The world had changed in an instant.

Mon clenched his fists as he faced the first monster to emerge from the gate—a hulking, red-skinned orc with jagged tusks and bulging muscles. Its beady yellow eyes locked onto him, and a deep, guttural snarl escaped its throat. The ground trembled as more creatures poured out behind it, their heavy footfalls shaking the asphalt.

Screams erupted from the surrounding streets. People ran in all directions, abandoning their cars, stumbling over one another in sheer panic. The once-bustling city had turned into a nightmarish battlefield in a matter of seconds. The orc let out a deafening roar, lifting a rusted cleaver as it charged toward Mon.

Time slowed.

Mon's breath caught in his throat. He had no weapons—no way to fight back. But then, something clicked in his mind. His vision blurred for a split second, and suddenly, he thought of his only ability—Dimensional Storage. Gritting his teeth, he focused, willing the skill to activate. A swirling black portal flickered to life in front of him, its dark void humming with energy. His instincts screamed at him to use it. With no other choice, he extended his hand and willed the orc's weapon to be consumed. The moment the massive cleaver touched the swirling abyss, it vanished, leaving the orc stunned. Mon's eyes widened—his skill worked! But could he do more?

Mon barely had time to process the information as the orc lunged, swinging its massive fist instead. Instinct took over. His hands shot forward, and a swirling black portal opened between him and the incoming strike. The orc's fist plunged into the void, disappearing up to its elbow. It let out a confused roar, struggling to pull itself free.

"It worked...!"

But there was no time to celebrate. The monster recovered quickly, yanking its arm back and roaring in rage. Mon dove to the side, rolling across the pavement as the punch shattered the ground where he had stood just moments before. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. He had to act fast.

Another portal materialized beneath the orc's feet. The creature grunted in confusion as the black void expanded, pulling it downward. It struggled, clawing at the ground, its muscles straining to resist. But the more it fought, the faster it sank. Within seconds, the beast was gone—swallowed entirely by the swirling abyss.

Mon exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He had just... trapped it?

But he needed more than just defense. He needed to test the full extent of his new ability.

Spotting a toppled streetlamp nearby, Mon focused his thoughts. A portal blinked open beneath the metal pole, swallowing it instantly. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he willed the object to reappear. The same swirling black void opened above him, spitting out the lamp post exactly where he wanted it.

His mind raced with possibilities. Weapons, supplies, even enemies—he could store and retrieve them at will. But how far could he push it?

A trio of red-skinned orcs stormed out of the gate, each wielding crude weapons—spiked clubs, jagged blades, and rusted axes. Their heavy grunts echoed through the chaos as they sniffed the air, searching for prey.

Mon's heart pounded. He needed more than just running. He needed control.

He focused on their weapons, summoning portals right beneath their grips. One by one, their crude blades vanished into his storage. The orcs, confused and enraged, howled in frustration. Taking advantage of the moment, Mon opened another portal beneath one of them, watching as the struggling monster sank into the abyss just like the first.

A sharp grin spread across his face.

"This... this is going to be useful."

But the battle was far from over. More monsters flooded the streets, their grotesque forms turning the city into a living nightmare. He turned on his heel and ran. He needed supplies, a safe place, and most importantly—a plan.

All around him, the city was falling into anarchy.