AWAKENING.

"EVERYONE!!! ATTENTION!!!"

The stadium trembled as the voice of a broad-shouldered, blue-skinned man boomed through the air. His thick beard twitched as he surveyed the thousands gathered below, all standing shoulder to shoulder, packed tight in anticipation.

The atmosphere was electric. Hope, anxiety, and raw ambition hung in the air like a stormcloud. Every single person here wanted the same thing—entry into the Explorer Training Center. The chance to be chosen. To leave Blue Planet behind and traverse the stars.

On the raised podium stood several figures. But all eyes locked onto one man.

Towering, muscular, and radiating danger—Gill. A deep scar ran from his forehead, down over his left eye, which still glinted with dangerous clarity. His very presence made the air feel heavier.

"I am Gill," he began, voice low but impossibly loud. "Fifth-Level Spatial Explorer."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. That title alone carried weight. There hadn't been a Fifth-Level from Blue Planet in decades.

Behind him stood five others—one of them a tall, green-skinned woman in shimmering knight's armor. The other four wore leather Explorer gear, each emanating a different kind of power, but none dared outshine Gill.

"I know why you're here," Gill continued. "You dream of flying through wormholes. Of conquering new planets. Of glory. Fame. Wealth. I get it."

He paused, eyes narrowing as he swept his gaze over the sea of hopefuls.

"But let me break that dream for you now."

His voice turned sharp.

"NONE of you will pass this test."

The words dropped like thunder. Shock and confusion rippled through the crowd.

"What?!"

"Is he serious?"

"Then why call us here?!"

Gill raised his hand and—

BOOM.

A pulse of force exploded outward. Wind whipped hair, tore through clothing, and silenced the stadium in an instant.

"I said," he growled, "you're all weak. Too weak to even call yourselves Kariansian."

No one spoke. No one dared.

"For the last hundred years, your planet has churned out mediocrity. Once, Blue Planet was a jewel in the galaxy—home to Tenth-Level Explorers. Now? You're a footnote. A third-rate star system barely holding on."

He let the silence hang, then raised one finger.

"But I'm giving you one chance. I will test you. Myself."

"How?" someone dared ask.

Gill smiled.

"You'll see."

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM.

Suddenly, the sky shimmered. Clouds parted—not from weather, but force. Something massive hovered above them. A star-cruiser, city-sized, previously cloaked, now revealed. Its engines flared to life, pushing downward.

And then—pressure.

Invisible, crushing, mind-breaking pressure.

Screams erupted. People dropped to their knees, gasping. Some collapsed outright, blood spurting from noses and mouths. Limbs twisted under the unseen force.

"AGHHHHH! MY HANDS!"

"MY LEGS!! THEY'RE—"

The earth cracked beneath them. The weight of the cruiser's energy field pressed down like a giant's palm.

Xarks hit the ground face-first, dirt clogging his nose. It was like the gravity had increased a hundredfold.

"MARCUS!!" he shouted through gritted teeth, spotting his friend nearby—unconscious, blood pouring from his mouth.

Gill laughed from above, arms crossed.

"HAHAAHAHAHA!!!" Gill laughed maniacally. "If you can resist this pressure for five minutes, you'll become an Explorer! Don't worry about your bodies—we've ensured you won't die. Just be prepared to get hurt... really bad. NOBODY is saving you today! Now SHOW ME THE STRENGTH OF KARIANSIANS!!!"

The woman beside him—Angal—clenched her fists, clearly torn.

"Jordan... these are kids."

"I know," Jordan muttered, jaw tight. "But this isn't our call."

Another professor, Mia, stood stone-faced, though her gaze had shifted, watching a specific section of the crowd.

Gill scanned the arena with a grin—until something caught his eye.

Someone stood up.

Golden hair. Blue skin. Golden eyes, blood trickling from his brow.

"Who is that?" He asked.

Proffesor Mia coughed and said "Agarion Sir, one of our greats"

"Agarion. Good," Gill murmured. "That's how you do it."

Then another—a girl—trembling but upright.

"Alia. Not bad."

And then—one more. A figure who stood tall, unbothered. No blood. No dirt. Nothing.

"Who's that?" Gill asked, intrigued.

"That is Kalgan," Mia replied. "One of our top candidates."

The minutes dragged. The pressure never lessened.

And then—Xarks moved.

Face pressed to mud, blood dripping from his forehead, he began to rise.

"Damnit!!! DAMNIT ALL!!!" His hands and feet felt like they were glued to the ground, his entire body fighting against the crushing weight of the pressure. His blessing of soft dirt had turned into a curse, dragging him deeper into the earth.

"No, no... if I lose here, I'll..." Xarks looked up, seeing Gill's cold gaze. If he failed this test, he'd never get another chance. He'd either have to spend 12 years in the military or somehow become extremely wealthy.

"God damn it!!! My... dreams..." Xarks's vision blurred as he began to lose consciousness. He thought back to his figurines, the excitement of his dream to become someone who would lead armies, someone who would fight invaders.

In his mind, he saw them—his handcrafted figurines, him playing with it, the models of warships, the simulations he ran. The dream of leading fleets. Of defending worlds. Of meaning something. his heroines and heroes that was before him and bowing to him, enemies of his defeated fleets, him becoming a incredible leader and incredible strong person who dominates everything the dream he always had every time and every day. that was him... his identity.

"AAGHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Who is that!?" Gill barked, eyes widening.

"That's Xarks, sir," Mia gasped. "He's—he's not supposed to last this long..."

"Oh no," Angal whispered.

"STAND!!!" Gill shouted. "STAND, DAMN YOU!!!"

CRACK.

Bones snapped in Xarks's hands. He screamed—but didn't fall.

CRACK.

His leg shattered. He dropped to one knee, blood dripping freely now.

"STOP THE TEST!!!" Gill roared. "HE'S ON THE BRINK!"

But it was too late.

Xarks's body gave out.

Everything faded into darkness.

And then—something stirred.

[System initializing…]

[Analyzing User: Xarks][Status: Critical – 4% Vitality Remaining][Query: Do you wish to become strong?]

In the dark, floating on the edge of life and death, he heard the voice.

A whisper in the void.

"…Yes…" Xarks murmured. Fastly.

[System Awakening Complete.]

[Welcome, Candidate.]

End Of Chapter.