Apocalypse Cheater

"To live for our loved ones, huh..." The words escaped Marco's lips, his voice tinged with a mix of contemplation and surprise.

The concept, reframed in such a manner, seemed less daunting, especially given the lingering spectre of his own past that clung to him.

"I suppose it doesn't sound as bad when put that way," he continued, his gaze fixed on the enigmatic figure before him.

"Your ability to retain your sanity through all this amazes me, Marco. Is it because of Leila?"

The being shifted, his form turning to face Marco, and the impact of his words reverberated through the air.

The mention of Leila, a name intertwined with Marco's past, struck him like a bolt of lightning. How could this be known about Leila? It was a secret known only to him, a secret he had never shared.

"How did you know...?" Marco's voice carried a blend of astonishment and scepticism as he gazed at the being, his brows furrowed in confusion.

A wry smile tugged at the being's lips, his eyes holding a glint of knowledge that sent shivers down Marco's spine.

"My 'eyes' grant me glimpses into the memories of those beneath my realm," he explained, the revelation sinking in like a weight.

"In other words, humans like you stand exposed before me, their thoughts and memories laid bare."

The explanation resonated, unsettling in its candid truth. Marco's mind whirred, absorbing the implications of what he had just learned.

"So why did you extend an invitation to me?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and understanding.

The being's demeanour shifted, a trace of agitation entering his expression.

"I wonder?'' He questioned himself. the words carrying an air of finality. "Perhaps I no longer wish to observe from the sidelines. I offered you a way in, a chance to change the future."

Marco's mind raced, piecing together the puzzle laid before him. He could choose to dwell on the hows and whys, but in the face of this enigmatic being, acceptance seemed the wiser course.

The realm he now stood in, a testament to the being's existence, beckoned with the promise of answers and revelations yet untold.

After all, being in another reality of stimulation which he believed is just a fake, there's nothing more surprising than that.

"What did you mean by a chance to change the future?" He questioned.

"Though I would prefer to spend some time over the explanation, I don't have the luxury to do so. However, remember these words, Marco Kail, for your past not to happen again, you need to be stronger"

"Which is why this will be the first step to it"

"Hey-

Before Marco could point out what was happening, his surroundings began distorting as his body was stretched across a dimension of the unknown.

It was only a millisecond and he somehow appeared on land where cities of evolution were built.

[: Error has been solved :]

[: You have teleported to the City of Oru :]

[: Congratulation, you have triggered a unique hidden quest of Vengeance of Hatred: Trials of Blood :]

"What in the world was all that?" Marco muttered, shaking his head in an attempt to dispel the overwhelming cascade of revelations that had unfolded before him. It all seemed like a surreal and intricate tapestry woven on a whim by an unseen hand.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the vibrant city of Jua, Lye's countenance was a mirror of perplexity and wonder. He stood amidst the bustling streets, his expression a blend of awe and confusion, his eyes riveted to an otherworldly presence that had suddenly materialized before him.

It was a sight to behold, an imposing figure adorned with an ancient, majestic sword, a symbol of power and legacy.

Lye's gaze remained fixated on the gleaming golden sword that the being carried on his back. It seemed to radiate an aura of ageless grandeur, captivating his attention like a moth drawn to a mesmerizing flame.

Unlike the uncertain and sombre exchanges that Leila and Marco had encountered, Lye found himself engaged in a dialogue that resonated with boundless optimism and enthusiasm.

Words flowed freely between Lye and the enigmatic being, their conversation echoing with a shared passion for purpose and destiny. As they spoke of aspirations and dreams, Lye felt a surge of energy igniting within him, a spark of inspiration that rekindled the fires of determination within his heart.

And then, just as mysteriously as the encounter had begun, it concluded. Lye found himself back at the spot where it all started, his thoughts still swirling with the weight of the discourse he had shared with the grand being.

It was then that something remarkable occurred--a notification, a hidden quest unveiled to him.

In the midst of the bustling city, amidst the ebb and flow of life's currents, Lye stood as a nexus between realms, a witness to the extraordinary.

With newfound purpose and the weight of destiny upon his shoulders, he ventured forth, his path illuminated by the enigmatic encounter that had forever altered his course.

[: Congratulation, you have received a unique hidden quest Path of Transcendence: Sword Master :]

The rest of the Branch Leaders received quests that were beyond their dreams and it's something they are aware of how extraordinary the encounters they gained.

Though questions may rise, it's better to accept it than make a fuss about something to which they have no idea of its existence and mechanics.

Whether or not this may be a good or bad omen will be up to them, however, receiving a quest directly from unknown beings right at the start altogether definitely raised some suspicion.

In a land filled with a nest of monsters, Daniel could be seen hunting down monsters by using the abilities of Light.

The Human Continent is ruled by Jason Hugh, the First Hero King. However, since the land is beyond his management, there were rankings beneath him.

While the existence of Ministers exists to aid the King, the 5 Perpetual Rulers organized the Human Continent which is Split into 5 different districts mainly, North, East, South, West and finally the Main District where the King lives.

However, while the fact that all of these Districts are dictated by the same King, their social traditions and custom are hugely diverse compared to one another which perhaps would be explored.

Nevertheless, despite the banding altogether the power of humans and their technologies, they still couldn't at least remove every existence of monsters lurking around the whole continent.

And it's not uncommon to hear once a month of a City or remote village being raided by Hordes of Monsters. But, what's surprisingly sad is despite the cries from the Slums, the Media of this world chose and favoured those with money and fame.

Meaning to say, only those developed cities that were raided by monsters received help and support from the community rather than those who truly need it.

With these tense situations, it feels like there's a storm brewing. A kind of storm where nothing could stand in its way of destruction.

While monsters exist within the chambers of Dungeon and Towers, some monsters live outside where their potential to evolve is much higher compared to that inside.

This is why earlier on Daniel mentioned that the monsters living beyond its compartments like those dungeons and towers, had their prowess entirely different.

It's like a wild cat battling against a domestic cat where the result is obvious. But why would Daniel hunt monsters in the lands where humans never dared to enter?

Across the continent exists lands ruled by monsters and they were called the 'Danger Zone'. It's a zone where unpredictable monsters live but at the same time, their rewards are enough to make changes in a person's life.

But why would Daniel spend his time hunting down monsters rather than trying to acquire those unique quests, special classes or hidden easter eggs of abilities?

The answer is simply how some of the unique quests he aimed for could only be obtained when the gears start to shift.

On the other hand, the easter eggs of abilities similar to those of Forbidden Fruits could either only be gained through the 'Shift of Gears' in the future or how all of them are located beyond the continents.

And to venture on the other continents without any preparations is literally asking for the quickest way to die.

Never forget that the Human Continents are the weakest and it's not a lie for those Players also. At the same time, the powers and classes Daniel obtained are still not enough to guarantee his survival beyond the continents.