End of the war of destruction

THE FIRST TRAGIC DEATH (1)

Today is the day you all fill out your assignment preferences!" Teacher Javion announced gravely as he handed out the assignment forms to each student.

The entire classroom was filled with tension and fear as the students stared at the forms in front of them. Some even started to cry, gripping their desks tightly.

"Teacher Javion, I don't want to graduate. I'm not ready to grow up!" one chubby boy sobbed.

"Teacher Javion, where will we be assigned? Is it safe there?" a timid girl asked, looking at Javion with hopeful eyes, seeking reassurance.

Bertram looked at his assignment form, feeling a deep sense of unease. This wasn't like the world before he crossed over, where graduating from high school meant freedom. In this world, graduating meant leaving the safety of the protected zone and heading into extremely dangerous areas.

A hundred years ago, peaceful cities were invaded by beings from another dimension. Brutal one-eyed giants smashed through human doors, tearing apart anyone inside. Swift and fierce two-headed wolves roamed the streets, and enormousunicorn beasts swallowed helicopters whole.

Then there were the powerful humans from the other dimension, who began to annihilate entire cities.

In the face of such a catastrophe, humanity was nearly wiped out, leaving only one city barely surviving on this land. The city was divided into many zones, with a buffer area guarded by the military outside the city.

This city was humanity's last safe zone. Only those who made significant contributions to humanity were allowed to live there.

People like Bertram and hisclassmates, whose parents didn't qualify to live in the city, were protected by the Federation until they graduated from high school.

Upon graduation, they would leave the city and head into the dangerous areas outside, to fight against the beings from another dimension.

The combat power of these beings was overwhelming for ordinary humans. Only those who trained in martial arts or awakened special abilities could stand a chance against them.

Martial arts training and ability awakening depended on talent, and these children had been tested for itwhen they were first brought to the city.

Bertram's martial arts talent was rated only at F-level, and he had no special abilities at all.

The talent rating system ranged from F, E, D, C, B, A, to S.

A person's talent rating not only determined their training speed but also their potential ceiling.

This was the most despairing part.

For example, Bertram's F-level martial arts talent meant that his lifetime limit in martial arts was F-level, with almost no chance of breaking through to E-levelAnd F-level was the weakest among the otherworldly beings.

Moreover, Bertram hadn't even reached this level yet.

His class was just the most ordinary one in the academy, and most of his classmates were in a similar situation. This made the upcoming assignment selection process particularly disheartening.

"Almost all the assignment locations are high-risk areas."

The last human city was called Dawn City, and the assignment locations were not far from it. Essentially, they existed to protect Dawn City.

Bertram took a deep breath. He hadbeen preparing for this assignment selection for a long time. After meticulously analyzing past data, he found that there were a few relatively safer departments in certain areas.

He picked up his pen and started filling out the form, praying that fewer people would choose these places so he could get in. Otherwise, if he didn't get selected, he would be assigned randomly.

Random assignment meant joining the Dawn Army, also known as the Death Army, where half of the recruits didn't survive a month.

As Bertram was filling out the form, a yellow metallic disk suddenlyappeared in front of him. The disk resembled a clock face with numerous intricate markings, and at the top, it bore the words "Infinite Life."

Just as Bertram was puzzled, the metallic disk transmitted a burst of information.

Host: Bertram

Level: Unranked

Martial Arts Talent: F-level

Special Ability Talent: None

One unlimited life simulation available...

What does this mean? Could it be that my golden finger, after all theseyears, has finally remembered me?

Bertram's eyes lit up with excitement.

He was quite familiar with life simulations. They allowed you to simulate your future based on your current circumstances, providing valuable insights and references.

Right now, he was in the process of filling out his placement preferences, anxious about his future. This golden finger couldn't have come at a better time. He could see if his choices would be successful.

Bertram put down his pen and activated the golden finger for his first unlimited life simulatnion. As the metallic bronze disk spun wildly, thefirst simulation finally appeared.

[Year Z100, June 12: You received the placement preference form that would determine your fate from your homeroom teacher, Mr. Javion. With a glimmer of hope, you filled in three relatively safe options you had previously researched.

Year Z100, June 18: The results were announced.

First option, East Zone 25 Health Management Office, 3,025 applicants. You were not selected.

Second option, West Zone 16 Logistics Office, 4,321 applicants. You were not selected.

Third option, South Zone 2 Cleaning department. This was a department that rarely hired anyone. You had heard about an opening by chance and filled it in with the most hope. There were 3 applicants, and among them, your final grades were the best. You were successfully selected.]

On June 22, Year Z100, you were thrilled to be successfully assigned to the South Zone 2 Cleaning Department, a relatively safe place where the annual rookie death rate never exceeded 20%. Many of your classmates envied you. However, a notice soon arrived with disappointing news: due to failing the subsequent political review, you could not join the South Zone 2Cleaning Department and would be randomly assigned to the Dawn Army instead.

You were puzzled. Your record was spotless, and with both parents deceased, how could you possibly fail the political review?

On July 1, Year Z100, you officially joined the Dawn Army on an expedition to eliminate otherworldly creatures. You felt a deep sense of injustice. As you traveled with the team, you gradually uncovered the truth. Among the three applicants, someone named Hayden, who ranked second, had used some unknown influence to push you out. Being powerless, you were relegatedto the Dawn Army.

On July 3, Year Z100, you were part of Dawn Army Squad 36. During a cleanup operation, your squad was surrounded by three two-headed wolves in a house. You watched helplessly as your teammates were killed, their bodies devoured by the wolves. In a moment of crisis, you miraculously broke through, achieving an F-rank in martial arts. However, the dramatic turn of events where you would defeat the wolves did not happen. Even at F-rank, you were no match for the three two-headed wolves.

SUPERNATURAL TALENT REWARD(2)

In your final moments, you seemed to glimpse a hazy glow of the world, reflecting on your life. Only the first sixteen years seemed meaningful.

As a transmigrator, were you really only destined to live for sixteen years?

You wondered, if that guy named Hayden hadn't taken your spot in the South Zone 2 Cleaning Department, would you have been spared?

Listening to the sound of the two-headed wolf gnawing on your flesh, you reluctantly embraced death.After reading through the life simulation, Bertram's hands shook violently.

Today was June 12th, and he was supposed to die on July 3rd?

Bertram felt a sense of urgency. In the entire simulation, the turning point in his life happened when he applied for the South Zone 2 Cleaning Department. The spot he was supposed to get was snatched by someone named Hayden.

As a result, he was miserably assigned to the Dawn Army.

The Dawn Army was a forward-moving force, leaving the city to explore areas occupied byextradimensional beings. It was far more dangerous than the usual assigned areas.

Bertram looked at the assignment application form in his hand. The three pre-selected options were all unsuccessful, and failing to get any of them meant being assigned to the Dawn Army.

The Dawn Army—anywhere but there!

Bertram gritted his teeth and chose three new areas.

The Defense Force of East Zone 12, the Sweepers of South Zone 13, and the Scouts of North Zone 5.

These roles also involved contactwith extradimensional beings, but the survival rate was much higher compared to the Dawn Army.

Just as Bertram finished filling out these new options, the metal bronze disk began to spin again, and a surge of information flooded into Bertram's mind.

[Reshape Destiny: You altered your original application choices, causing a significant change in your destiny trajectory, meeting the requirements for reshaping destiny. In your original fate, your life experiences and insights into martial arts abilities will now merge with your current self.

This is the basic reward for reshapingdestiny.

Additionally, based on the difficulty of reshaping destiny, the host can receive different numbers of random rewards.

Easy: One time.

Hard: Two times.

Hell: Three times.

This time, the difficulty of reshaping destiny is easy, and the host will receive one random reward, which is being drawn now.

You have received an F-level ability activation crystal. By using this crystal, you will randomly unlock an F-level ability talent.This infinite life simulation ends here, and the next simulation will be available in one day.]

A huge influx of information surged into Bertram's mind. Firstly, in his original destiny, after joining the Dawn Army, he experienced changes in his combat awareness during training with the army. Most importantly, Bertram had insights from a life-and-death breakthrough to F-level.

As these insights entered Bertram's mind, he realized that although his martial arts cultivation hadn't reached F-level yet, his understanding had. With the right nutrients, he could quickly elevatehis martial arts cultivation to F-level.

Bertram felt a surge of joy in his heart.

No matter what, improving his cultivation was a good thing, especially since he couldn't join a non-combat department now; all his applications were for combat departments.

Only by improving his cultivation could he survive better.

Even if it wasn't the Dawn Army, the annual death rate in other regions was still over 30%.

Bertram weighed the object in his hand—a transparent crystal that had somehow appeared there. It seemedit could activate a new ability.

Abilities were valuable. A good one could significantly increase a person's chances of survival, even more than martial arts skills.

Why was Bertram always thinking about survival? Because this world was incredibly dangerous. Just staying alive was a challenge.

He activated the F-level ability crystal, and it quickly absorbed into his palm, unnoticed by those around him.

Bertram felt a sudden explosion in his mind. In a daze, he sensed a bundle of silver-white, resilient energy threads forming in his brainA message appeared: F-level ability [Silver Threads] activated.

Silver Threads: Can shoot up to three silver, resilient energy threads to assist in combat.

Intrigued, Bertram couldn't resist extending a silver thread from his fingertip. The thread grew longer and longer until it reached about three feet, at which point Bertram started to feel the strain.

What's going on? Only three feet?

What could he do with just three feet?

Suddenly, Bertram understood.

His ability was limited by his current level.Even though the ability was an F-level talent, that only indicated its potential. His actual ability level hadn't reached F-level yet.

Training an F-level ability could take ages, but Bertram quickly remembered the experience and insights he had gained from his last simulation.

If martial arts skills could be improved, then abilities should be able to as well.

"Bertram, it's time to submit your assignment preference form!" said Mr. Javion, the homeroom teacher, patting Bertram on the shoulder.

Bertram handed over his preferenceform to Mr. Javion, who took a look at it.

"Not bad choices!" Mr. Javion remarked.

Bertram hadn't chosen any of the non-combat departments. Everyone wanted to go to those places, thinking they had some exclusive inside information. But how could such information be known only to one person?

Choosing those places often resulted in being rejected and then randomly assigned to the Dawn Army. The Dawn Army was almost a death sentence for anyone who wasn't a genius."Please, let me get in!" The students in the classroom were all praying fervently.

According to the life simulation, the final results would be announced in six days.

Since Bertram had already given up on the safer departments, it was almost certain he would be assigned to a combat department. There was no point in overthinking it.

The priority now was to improve his strength to level F before officially heading out.

"Teacher, I want to buy some blood and flesh of extra-dimensional creatures to enhance my martial artsskills," Bertram said to Mr. Javion after class.

Before graduation, these items could be purchased through the school. But after graduation, one had to buy them in the real world, and Bertram, being a newbie, clearly lacked the experience.

Mr. Javion looked at Bertram and thought to himself that he had not misjudged this kid. This was the right attitude to have when facing graduation assignments.

"Let me recommend a shop to you," said homeroom teacher Javion. "The owner is a good person and won't sell you fake or low-quality products.The prices are also quite reasonable!" Teacher Javion felt genuinely sorry for these kids. Without residency permits for the city, this farewell might be forever. Most of them would likely face death or injury within the next year.

BREAKTHROUGH F RANK(3)

Although Bertram was a smart kid, his martial arts talent was lacking, and it seemed he wouldn't live long.

Leaving high school, Bertram hurried to the shop that Mr. Javion had recommended. The shop was relatively secluded, requiring him to navigate several streets and alleys from the school.

Surrounding him were bustling crowds, including adults who had secured residency in the city and children who hadn't yet graduated from high school. Amidst the flowing crowd, Bertram seemed to be the only one heading towards anuncertain future.

Suddenly, from a nearby alley, he heard a muffled cry. Instinctively, Bertram glanced over and saw, in the dim alley, several men in black robes with hoods, kidnapping a richly dressed girl.

One of the hooded men had a faintly visible scar on his face.

Seeing this, Bertram cursed under his breath, quickly lowered his head, and pretended not to see anything, continuing to walk forward.

The kidnapped girl clearly had a significant background. What kind of people would dare to kidnap someone like her?If Bertram intervened, not only would he fail to change anything, but he might also lose his life.

Although Bertram felt sorry for the girl, he knew he lacked the ability to help and had to prioritize his own safety.

After walking a good distance and confirming no one was following him, Bertram finally breathed a sigh of relief and soon arrived at the shop Mr. Javion had recommended.

The shop, though somewhat secluded, was exceptionally clean and well-kept. The owner was a middle-aged man who looked neat and approachable."Sir, Mr. Javion sent me. I'm looking to buy some blood and flesh of extra-dimensional creatures. If you have any affordable blood sources, I'd like to buy one as well," Bertram quickly said.

Martial arts training heavily relied on nutritious blood and flesh. In the past, the human world didn't have this path of cultivation. It was only due to the invasion of extra-dimensional creatures, which brought incredible nutritious flesh, that martial arts training became possible.

Blood sources, on the other hand, were the essence of blood and energy left behind after anextra-dimensional creature died. They were even more precious than the flesh and were extremely beneficial for martial arts training.

"Mr. Javion sent you? I just got a fresh batch of Black Burst Rabbit meat. It's fresh and priced at 100 Dawn Coins per pound. Do you want some?"

The Black Burst Rabbit is a relatively low-threat creature from another dimension. Its entire body is black, but its muscle tissue is incredibly explosive, and its blood is rich. It can be considered a rabbit that has trained in martial arts.

For martial arts cultivation, its flesh and blood are quite valuable.Bertram was tempted but also hesitant.

Even the best flesh and blood would take a lot of time to absorb, and right now, Bertram didn't have that kind of time. However, absorbing a blood source would take almost no time at all.

For Bertram, who had an F-level realm but lacked the corresponding physical strength, the blood source was actually the best choice.

But the downside of the blood source was its cost!

For a boy like Bertram, who relied on city welfare, how much money could he have?Just 2000 Limin coins, saved up over many years.

He was ready to spend it all today.

The shopkeeper seemed to notice Bertram's dilemma.

"I have a damaged blood source here. I can sell it to you at a cheaper price. Are you interested?"

The shopkeeper took out a small wooden box from the back and opened it, revealing a blood-colored, misty bead. However, the bead looked quite thin, clearly indicating that it was damaged, as the shopkeeper had said.

"How many Limin coins do you have?" the shopkeeper asked."2000!"

"Alright, how about this: I'll give you this blood source and three pounds of Black Burst Rabbit meat for 2000 Limin coins," the shopkeeper said after a moment of hesitation.

"Thanks a lot, boss!"

Even Bertram, a novice, knew that 2000 Dawn Coins was a great deal.

...

Bertram returned to the school's training room, took out the Blood Source, and began to absorb it.

Strands of blood energy flowed from the Blood Source into Bertram's body through his palms, graduallyenhancing his physique and inching him closer to F-rank.

"If this continues, absorbing the entire Blood Source might actually boost my martial arts level to F-rank!" Bertram thought as he focused on absorbing the Blood Source.

Reaching F-rank would mean that all his past efforts and savings hadn't been in vain.

Meanwhile, back in Bertram's dorm room, his roommates were packing their things.

"Where's Bertram? Haven't seen him all day," Vernon asked curiously.

"Someone saw him heading to thetraining room. He's probably making one last effort to see if he can break through," Barton replied.

"We're about to leave this city. If he hasn't broken through all these years, what's the point of a last-minute effort?" Hector said gloomily.

Everyone in the dorm had F-rank potential, so they understood how difficult it was to break through to F-rank.

Besides, even if they did reach F-rank, they would still be weak compared to the otherworldly beings outside.

"Instead of this, it might be better topray that we get selected by a non-combat department in some region. That would be more useful than training for a hundred years," Hector said with a glimmer of hope.

"Did you all apply for non-combat departments?" Barton suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

"You guys signed up too?" Barton Vernon said simultaneously with the others.

"I signed up for the Logistics Department in West Zone 2..."

"Me too, West Zone 2 Logistics Department..."

"Same here!""That damn informant said only a few people knew about this!" The three of them looked grim.

Despair filled their hearts.

This was bad!

How were they supposed to survive now?

Training Room.

After absorbing blood essence for an entire day, Bertram opened his eyes in surprise. His body was brimming with power, enough to take down a bull.

So this is what F-level martial arts feels like?

I finally reached F-level!With this kind of strength, my chances of survival should definitely increase!

"Let's see if it really does," Bertram thought, his eyes lighting up.

It had been a day, and he could now run the Infinite Life Simulation for the second time. He wanted to see how his life would turn out now that he had reached F-level martial arts and had wisely signed up for combat departments in three defense zones. Surely, it would be better than joining the terrifying Dawn Army without any rank.

The metallic bronze disk began to spin, and the life simulationunfolded.

[June 13, Year Z100: In the school's training room, you successfully absorbed blood essence, reaching F-level in martial arts. Knowing the dangers outside the school, you weren't satisfied with just that. You used your remaining time wisely, finding a martial arts gym where you worked as a sparring partner during the day to earn money and improve your combat skills. At night, you took time to train your special abilities.]

FASTER TO DEATH (4)

**Year Z100, June 20:**

You retained your combat experience and skills from the Dawn Army. A week of sparring at the martial arts gym further honed your abilities. Your excellent performance caught the attention of the gym owner, who recommended you to a mysterious girl as a sparring partner. If you could satisfy her, your daily pay would increase from 20 Dawn Coins to 100 Dawn Coins.

**Year Z100, June 21:**

This was your first training session with the mysterious girl. Her formidable combat skills left youstunned. In less than ten moves, you were overwhelmed. The girl seemed disappointed, and you failed the assessment, relegated to being an ordinary sparring partner. Missing this golden opportunity left you regretful, but witnessing the girl's incredible skills made you realize your own shortcomings. You began to refine your combat abilities and incorporate your unique power, the Silver Threads, into your training. Through continuous practice, your Silver Threads grew to five feet, becoming effective in close combat. However, the further you progressed, the harder it became to improve. You longed for a book on psychicmeditation techniques or a "White Source" to aid your training, both of which were expensive.

**Year Z100, June 22:**

News broke that Vanessa, the youngest daughter of the Olson Family, had been kidnapped. The Olson Family offered a reward of 10,000 Dawn Coins for any credible information. You recalled a woman being kidnapped in an alley a few days ago. Could she be Vanessa? Desperate for money to buy the meditation book and White Source, you decided to take a risk.

On your way to the Olson Family, you were ambushed by a group of men inblack. Despite your fierce resistance, you managed to kill one of them, thanks to your recent combat training. However, you were still outmatched and captured. They transported you to an abandoned power plant called Azure outside the city. The plant was well-stocked with supplies, indicating it was a base of operations. You recognized the scar-faced leader as one of the kidnappers from the alley.

They tortured you, demanding to know if you had told anyone about what you saw. You confessed immediately, but they didn't believe you. They continued to torture you until you died, still insisting youhadn't told anyone. They finally believed you and dumped your body into the sewer, where it was swallowed by a dimensional crocodile.

In your final moments, you reflected on that day. You were just an innocent bystander, struggling to survive at the bottom. Life, your most precious possession, seemed so cheap in the eyes of others.

What the heck?!

Last time, I barely made it out of this city alive, joining the Dawn Army to explore the outside world. But this time, I got killed right here in the city!

Bertram was furious, feeling like hisbrain was about to explode.

Yesterday, when I passed that alley, I was already being super cautious, not daring to interfere in anything, just wanting to stay out of trouble. But they still wouldn't let me go.

I've been working so hard to raise my strength to F-rank, constantly honing my combat skills. Yet, I only managed to kill one of those guys in black, and he was probably the weakest one.

To be able to openly carry out kidnappings in this city, and possibly even kidnap the youngest daughter of the powerful Olson Family, shows how formidable they are.

They must have the strength to crushme easily!

As an F-rank, how could I possibly survive against such a group of villains?

What should I do now?

Bertram started to panic.

The only good thing is, they didn't kill me right away. They plan to do it in a few days, when the Olson Family starts offering a reward for their daughter's return.

They're obviously afraid I'll expose their actions for the reward.

But Bertram was speechless. Even if I did see you, you were all wearing masks. What could I possibly say?"These people are ruthless. If I do nothing, I'm dead for sure. Wait, in the simulation, I was taken to an abandoned factory called Azure, which was fully stocked with supplies. That's their hideout! I even know where their base is. Why not just go all out and report them to the police under Olson Family's jurisdiction? Let the police raid their hideout in advance!"

"This involves the Olson Family's daughter, and in the simulation, they kidnapped me because they were afraid I'd expose them!" Bertram's mind suddenly became clear.

What they fear is exactly what I can rely on!Bertram had an idea and felt a surge of confidence.

He immediately dashed out of the training room.

The school hallways were bustling with students coming and going.

"Bertram, where are you going?"

"What's up with Bertram? He hasn't even been back to the dorm, and now he's rushing off somewhere?"

His roommates watched as Bertram's figure gradually disappeared into the crowd, murmuring in confusion.

After leaving the school, Bertram headed straight for the largest police station nearby.The top brass at that station were all from the Olson Family.

A smaller station wouldn't do; it would take too long to get the message up the chain.

The people who dared to kidnap the Olson Family's daughter must be quite capable.

If he wasted time at a small station, it might be too late.

Moreover, Bertram was worried about exposing himself, but at a larger station, confidentiality would be much better handled.

He didn't want to get involved in such dangerous matters, but the other side was determined to see himdead!

...

At the Enderfield Police Station.

In the police chief's office, the once-imposing chief now stood at attention like a scolded child, getting an earful from the person beside the desk.

"Officer Nelson, you think you're so important, huh? And yet you can't even manage the security in your own district?!"

"In your jurisdiction, the Olson Family's daughter has gone missing, and it's been an entire day now. Yet, your precinct hasn't found a single lead!""Is it because you're incompetent, Officer Nelson, or have you already colluded with the people who took Miss Vanessa?"