Chapter 7 – Global Evolution
Blue screens illuminated the sky above every city on Earth.
Whether hidden inside shelters, fighting monsters, or fleeing through ruined streets, every Awakened stopped for a single moment as the Celestial Evolution System announced the completion of the world’s first dungeon.
The notification echoed across every continent.
Global Announcement
The First Dungeon has been Cleared.
Reward Distribution in Progress...
Calculating Contribution...
Golden particles descended from the ceiling of the shopping mall.
One by one, they entered the bodies of Azrael, Seraphina, and Elena.
A warm sensation spread through Azrael’s chest.
The fatigue from the battle faded instantly.
The System chimed.
Rewards Received
+300 Evolution Points
+20 Authority Experience
+10 Free Attribute Points
Feature Unlocked
Global Ranking
Azrael raised an eyebrow.
"Ranking?"
He immediately opened it.
A massive golden leaderboard appeared before him.
Global Evolution Ranking
Rank 1
Unknown
Level 12
Rank 2
Unknown
Level 11
Rank 3
Unknown
Level 11
...
Rank 46
Elena
Level 4
...
Rank 1,583
Azrael
Level 2
Rank 1,584
Seraphina
Level 2
"So there are already people stronger than us..."
Elena nodded.
"The System hides everyone’s identities until Level Ten."
"It prevents people from hunting each other too early."
Azrael smiled.
"So we only have to worry about monsters."
Elena’s expression became serious.
"You’d be surprised."
"The apocalypse doesn’t just create heroes."
"It creates monsters wearing human faces."
Before Azrael could ask what she meant, the survivors surrounding them erupted into cheers.
"We’re alive!"
"The monster is gone!"
"We survived!"
Children hugged their parents.
Several people broke down in tears.
Others thanked the twins repeatedly.
One elderly man approached Azrael with trembling hands.
"You saved us."
"I don’t know how to repay you."
Azrael scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"You don’t have to."
"We just did what anyone should do."
The old man smiled sadly.
"No..."
"Most people would’ve run."
Seraphina gently placed a hand on Azrael’s shoulder.
"You’ve always been like this."
He laughed softly.
"I learned it from you."
The peaceful atmosphere lasted less than a minute.
Suddenly—
The mall’s emergency speakers crackled.
"This is an emergency broadcast."
The voice belonged to a woman.
It was shaking.
"Attention all survivors."
"Please remain calm."
"We have confirmed..."
Her voice faltered.
"...multiple monster outbreaks across every major city."
"Military forces are unable to contain the situation."
"If you are Awakened..."
"Please..."
"...help anyone you can."
The broadcast ended.
The mall became silent once more.
Everyone understood what those words meant.
No one was coming.
They were on their own.
Quest Updated
Protect Elysia
Current Progress
Safe Survivors
40 / 100
Reward
2,000 Evolution Points
Rare Skill Book
Unknown Bonus
Azrael looked toward the entrance.
"So the System wants us to keep saving people."
Elena folded her arms.
"It rewards actions that improve humanity’s chances."
"At least..."
"So far."
The twins exchanged a glance.
Their answer was obvious.
"We’re doing it."
Elena smiled.
"I figured."
Before anyone could move, a bright flash appeared near the center of the food court.
The Elite Equipment Chest they had earned slowly materialized.
It was nearly one meter tall and forged from silver metal decorated with white feathers.
The survivors stared in amazement.
"It’s like treasure..."
Azrael stepped forward.
"Open."
The chest clicked.
Light burst outward.
The lid slowly lifted.
Congratulations!
You have obtained:
Oblivion Coat
(Rare)
Genesis Robe
(Rare)
Shared Equipment Skill
Twin Resonance
The equipment floated toward the twins.
Azrael’s dark hoodie dissolved into black particles before reforming into a long combat coat trimmed with crimson lines.
Light armor protected his shoulders and forearms while a silver emblem resembling a broken halo rested over his chest.
His Oblivion Iron Sword automatically attached itself across his back.
Seraphina’s academy uniform transformed into an elegant white robe reinforced with golden armor along the arms and waist.
A flowing cloak decorated with silver feathers draped behind her.
She blinked.
"It fits perfectly."
Azrael looked down at himself.
"I’ll admit..."
"...this looks amazing."
The System displayed another notification.
Twin Resonance
Passive Skill
When Azrael and Seraphina fight within fifty meters of each other:
All Attributes +20%
Authority Recovery +30%
Skill Cooldown -15%
Elena whistled.
"A party skill already?"
"You two really are lucky."
Azrael shook his head.
"I don’t think it’s luck."
"The System keeps treating us differently."
He didn’t notice Elena’s thoughtful expression.
She had noticed something else.
The twins’ equipment wasn’t ordinary.
It had no manufacturer.
No crafting information.
No rarity limit.
Almost as though...
The System had created it specifically for them.
A loud crash interrupted everyone’s thoughts.
The golden barrier protecting the mall trembled violently.
BOOM!
Another impact followed.
Then another.
The survivors panicked.
"The barrier!"
"It’s breaking!"
Azrael rushed toward the entrance.
Outside...
The Crimson Devourer had returned.
This time...
It wasn’t alone.
Standing behind the massive boss were dozens of Abyssal Spawn.
Beside them stood something entirely new.
Tall.
Humanoid.
Clad in blood-red armor.
Each carried a crimson spear and a shield formed from black crystal.
Their movements were disciplined.
Unlike the Spawn...
These creatures marched in formation.
The System identified them immediately.
New Enemy Detected
Crimson Legionnaire
Rank: Elite Soldier
Level: 5
Elena’s face turned pale.
"...They’re evolving."
Azrael frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"The first monsters were mindless beasts."
She pointed toward the Legionnaires.
"Those..."
"...are soldiers."
As if to prove her point, the Crimson Devourer raised one massive arm.
Every Legionnaire stopped simultaneously.
It lowered its arm.
The Legion advanced together.
Perfectly synchronized.
The Devourer wasn’t just a monster.
It was commanding an army.
The barrier cracked.
A second crack appeared.
Then a third.
The System flashed crimson.
Warning
Safe Zone Stability
82%
81%
80%
Estimated Collapse
08 Minutes
The survivors began crying.
Some prayed.
Others prepared makeshift weapons despite knowing they stood no chance.
Azrael slowly drew his sword.
Dark energy gathered around the blade.
Seraphina stepped beside him, her golden aura spreading through the food court.
Elena unsheathed her katana.
The three of them stood at the front entrance while the remaining survivors gathered behind.
Azrael took a deep breath.
"If that barrier falls..."
"They’ll slaughter everyone."
Seraphina nodded.
"Then we don’t let it fall."
Outside...
The Crimson Devourer looked directly at Azrael.
The giant eye embedded in its chest slowly narrowed.
Then...
To everyone’s astonishment...
It spoke.
Its deep voice rumbled through the streets.
"Primordial... Authorities..."
It raised its claw and pointed directly at the twins.
"...the King... wants... you alive."
The smiles on Azrael and Seraphina’s faces disappeared.
For the first time since the apocalypse began...
They realized something terrifying.
The monsters weren’t acting on instinct anymore.
Someone...
Was giving them orders.