We?
A large, long table... Almost every seat was taken. Those gathered here were humanity's most powerful warriors and influential leaders. Each one was powerful both individually and through the forces they represented, each one capable of bringing either destruction or salvation.
The hall was buzzing with activity. Some were discussing tactics, others were accusing, and still others were trying to make sense of what was happening.
'TICK. TICK.'
The old man sitting at the far end of the table tapped his knuckles on the wood twice. The sound was neither loud nor harsh. Yet... those two taps echoed through the hall, striking everyone's ears like a slap. Silence... fell suddenly.
That man was the most authoritative and oldest member of the Elders' Council: Reginald Vance.
He was immortal.
His white beard and white hair combed back resembled the ashes of the past. His left eye was blind, a reminder of a war long past—a diagonal scar ran from his eyebrow to his cheek. His attire was simple; unpretentious but carrying the weight of centuries. His authority was not felt through his appearance... but through his very presence.
After letting his gaze linger on those at the table for a moment, his voice rose like a rumble echoing off the stone walls of the hall:
"None of us could have foreseen this sudden attack on the city of Inkinal.
The fact that hundreds of thousands of monsters could get so close without being noticed...
This is not normal. Does anyone have any ideas?"
"Could the old man, the 13th ruler, have gained a little more intelligence?"
The speaker was Edrienne Krover, leader of the Korvar Clan. She was dressed more simply today, but her voice was as sharp and authoritative as ever.
Reginald replied in a tone that caused confusion:
"This is an important issue. They are already stronger than us. The strengthening of their intelligence could further shorten the lifespan of humanity."
The person who was calm but clearly angry inside was Ezop Karsan, the leader of the Karsan Clan.
"Losing 20 million people, a powerful city, and the most important academy… This will shake people's trust in us. Moreover, another major attack could be on our doorstep."
His son Andrian Karsan, a young man studying at the academy, had not returned alive; he had not even been able to go to retrieve his body. This situation deeply angered Ezop, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Reginald spoke in a low voice:
"All clans and council resources will be mobilized. We will fortify the seven cities like impregnable castles. An immortal will remain in each city and be responsible for its security."
The meeting lasted exactly five hours; all vital issues were discussed one by one.
Finally, Reginald took the floor:
"Everyone should go to the city they are assigned to. Don't scare the people; explain the situation to them. You may go."
After these words, everyone stood up one by one and left the hall.
Before leaving, Reginald went to Den, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, and gently touched his shoulder:
"Even if you lose your brother today, don't give up. Be stronger and don't stop until you destroy the monsters. Remember, losing doesn't mean everything is over, but giving up means losing everything. Get up and fight."
After these words, Reginald exited through the door, leaving Den alone in the large, empty hall.
Den remained seated where he was, showing no emotion.
****
People were slowly learning the devastating news. The rulers left nothing to hide; they shared everything openly with the people. The news spread like an uncontrolled forest fire, reaching every corner, every mouth, every heart.
However, not everyone reacted the same way. Some responded with anger, rebelling against the loss of trust in the council and clans. Others had lost hope, watching the events unfold with blank, hollow eyes; their spirits broken, their dreams shattered.
People had always seen the City of Inkinal as an indispensable fortress. The warriors and leaders of the future were raised there. But now that city was gone. Destroyed, reduced to ashes, along with the hopes and lives it had once held.
The council announced the list of losses and deaths hours later.
Half of the clan ranked fifth had been completely wiped out; the survivors were wounded and desperately trying to escape. Each name appeared one by one before the crowd that had witnessed the deaths, projected through a magical device.
A special corner had been set aside for the academy students... The names of the teachers and young warrior candidates flickered coldly in the light:
---------------------------------
Zane Smith
Amelia Ashford
Arthur Krover
Adam Smith
Michael Jackson
Emma Stone
Luna...
Dorian...
Lucian...
Isolde...
Sam...
Thalira...
Hulk...
...
...
------------------------
The list went on and on. Very few students had survived. Many of the teachers had given their lives defending the walls. Those who remained carried the weight of their losses on their shoulders, overcome with indescribable grief.
Those who had survived looked at the names on the list with sorrow, exhaustion, and deep pain. There were names they recognized—both those of their friends and those of others far more powerful than themselves. They were grateful for their own survival, but the loss of their friends quickly overshadowed that gratitude.
Perhaps they had briefly opened the door of hope, but now that door was completely closed. With tears streaming from their eyes and deep wounds in their hearts, they silently watched the list. Because they knew; nothing would ever be the same again.
****
Jin ran through the narrow streets with his sword in his hand. He turned corner after corner, then saw two familiar faces. One was Alucard, the 13th administrator whom he hated with every fiber of his being, waving his red cloak. The other was Amelia, his beloved, whom he loved with all his heart and would sacrifice his own body for.
Jin stopped and watched them from a distance of 30 steps.
Alucard was ruthlessly choking Amelia's neck. Amelia was unconscious and defenseless.
Filled with rage, Jin clenched his sword and began to run. His heart was pounding wildly, his hands trembling uncontrollably. He did not want to lose another loved one. He ran, ran without stopping, but the distance never decreased.
Then he heard that terrifying sound:
"CRACK!"
The sound of breaking bones echoed through the street. Alucard dropped the body he was holding. A final, terrifying smile appeared on his face, then he vanished into the shadows.
Jin slowly approached Amelia's lifeless body. He knelt down, rested his head on her shoulder, and held her tightly.
"NO! NO! NO! PLEASE, DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN! I... I... PLEASE DON'T GO! YOU PROMISED, AMELIA! YOU PROMISED YOU'D STAY ALIVE!"
Jin screamed through his tears; he couldn't hear or see anything around him.
He raised his head and looked at the place where Alucard had disappeared.
At that moment, Alucard reappeared. He looked at Jin with a deep and frightening gaze. He raised his hand. Jin stood up to him in anger. Alucard slowly lowered his hand, turned around, and walked into the darkness.
Jin, head bowed, collapsed to the ground and closed his eyes. Only one name echoed from his lips:
"AMELIA!"
****
Jin quickly got up from where he was sleeping and shouted. But before he could finish, a hand clamped over his mouth.
"Shut up, idiot! Do you want to get us killed?"
Jin looked around in confusion. He realized it was a dream and breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at the person who had covered his mouth and nodded slightly to indicate that he would be quiet. He asked in a low voice:
"Where are we?"
The person's face was invisible in the darkness. All he could see were bright blue eyes. Those eyes were staring directly at Jin.
"This is underground, we're in the sewer. I saw you on the street, you were breathing. We took you with us and brought you here. You should be grateful to us, otherwise you would have already been eaten by the monsters."
Jin shook his head and replied in a low voice:
"Thank you... But there was an ork there, alive. How did you get past it?"
"An ork? Someone must have killed it. You were lying next to the dead ork."
"Dead ork?" Jin asked again in astonishment. The blue eyes simply shook their head.
Jin opened the system window to check the situation.
═══════════════════════════════
[SYSTEM PANEL]
═══════════════════════════════
Name: Jin
Title: Last Human (40% Yakut Absorption)
Class: Sword Master [Lv.2]
Rank: MASTER / Black (0/1000)
Mana Level: 2300
Magic Capacity: 1,000
═══════════════════════════════
⚔️ [SKILLS]
◆ Mana Suicide (SS)
➤ Mana Cost: 10,000
➤ Description: Kills the user, converting all mana into explosive damage.
◆ TRAITOROUS AMBUSH (A)
➤ Mana Cost: 50
➤ Description: Teleports behind the target's position.
◆ SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION (B)
➤ Mana Cost: 100
➤ Description: Analyzes the target's statistics.
═══════════════════════════════
✨ [FEATURES]
◇ Zodiac Hunter: 87
◇ Store Points: 0
◇ Store: Closed
═══════════════════════════════
🌌 [INTERWORLD TELEPORTATION]
➤ Planet Aston: 5 low-level rubies
➤ Planet Mars: 10 medium-level rubies
➤ Planet Dreamland: 1 high-level ruby
➤ Moon: 5 low-level rubies
➤ Planet Phoenix: 25 medium-level Yakut
➤ Underworld: 1000 high-level Yakut
➤ Land of the Gods: ?????????
═══════════════════════════════
"So the mission was successful..."
Jin stood up with this thought and tried to feel his new power. He could feel a new and powerful energy flowing through his body.
He turned to the blue-eyed man and asked in astonishment.
"Us?"