In the ruined world, a red cloud loomed over withered trees and dried-up, rocky ground.
Ten ants in total were carrying the dead body of a human-shaped ant with two pairs of wings and antennae. It was their commander, who had been found dead.
The ants carried the lifeless body deep inside a cave, then stopped in front of a huge black metallic door with intricate red signs on it.
After waiting a while outside, the door opened, revealing another human-shaped ant sitting on a throne, its hand resting beside its face.
Its shadow stretched toward the open door, and then the pillars in the room lit up, purple flames flickering beside them.
The ants proceeded inside the Ant King's throne room, carrying the body of their commander.
"What would the mistress say about his failure?" the red Ant King sighed. Then, a large cracked egg appeared in front of them.
"Put him inside the egg. It will reawaken his consciousness."
The ants obeyed and placed the dead ant commander inside the cracked egg. After a few minutes, the cracks sealed themselves, and the egg began to glow red.
Decades ago, humans were cleansed of the illusion that they were the only beings in existence.
A great being of light had descended to warn them about the upcoming mana break arriving on Earth, which would lead to the arrival of other creatures.
It was then known that, in the universe, humans were the weakest and placed at the bottom of the food chain.
But the being of light did not abandon them. It opened gates across the world, allowing humans to take the fight to the monsters and evolve tremendously.
The world of magic and monsters was called Teras, governed by an A.I. queen, and only those who had the heart stepped through the gate.
The first superhuman awakened an evolution of a beetle when he stumbled upon a golden egg. Out of curiosity, he ate this human-head-sized egg, and the A.I. notified him of his awakening.
A beetle gene evolution path. After this, many humans began searching for these strange eggs.
Many died in their attempts, and those strong enough to survive were sponsored by the government.
But the being of light's intervention came with a price—monsters could also escape through the gate from time to time.
Humans now saw slaying monsters in the Teras gate as a job opportunity, selling genes gained in Teras while simultaneously preparing for monster invasions.
Inside the gate of Teras, the strong dominated the battlefield, and humans slew any monster on sight.
Some had even treated the gate of Teras like a video game, but others, like the government, took this war seriously.
"How did the White Delta Raid go? Were you able to subdue the ant attack?" a middle-aged man asked. He was wearing a black suit, his left eye covered with a black patch.
"Yes, but we lost many hunters. When we entered the gate, the ants were waiting for us at the entrance, but we managed to defeat their commander. He was brutally wounded—maybe dead by now," the red-haired male with a sharp look replied.
"I see. Send settlements to the families of the dead hunters. That would be all."
"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Shuang," the man replied before adjusting his glasses and leaving the room.
Mr. Shuang could only think about the ant commander being dead. It would be an achievement for the Chinese gate because the ants had proven to be very stubborn for years now.
With their commander dead, casualties would be less when facing the Chinese teras gate. He sighed.
——————————
Today was the day—the most anticipated day for Xuan and the rest of the people standing in a straight line.
Ahead of the line was the Chinese gate of Teras, a majestic black steel gate with intricate golden signs on it. His curious pink eyes watched as hunters came and went through the gate.
"Hey, kid, watch it," said the man in front of him.
"Oh, pardon me. Sorry, sir," Xuan quickly replied. He was too excited to let a simple shoulder bump spoil his day.
Unlike him, most new hunters were wearing armor—something he couldn't afford. While making money was part of his reason for being here, his main goal was to have fun.
And to get an evolution path like the legendary Master Woo, the Dragon Beetle Evolution King.
"Sorry, kid, you're not cut out to enter Teras. Maybe next year."
Accompanying the heartbreaking words, the fat boy muffled a whimper like a girl and ran away from the line, causing the rest to laugh uncontrollably.
"Bwahaha! Y'all heard how he whimpered like a schoolgirl... hahaha!" Xuan said.
Everyone found it hilarious, but now, they were also watching him, eager to see what his power level would display.
"Come on, I heard Blue Sea Guild located a Master Rare and God Rare gene."
"Damn, we're real lucky today."
"Come on, they need backup for whatever's protecting the egg."
Three hunters in black suits talked among themselves, but their conversation fell on the ears of many eavesdroppers, including Xuan. He even watched them enter the Teras gate, hoping they might slip up and reveal the exact location.
"Damn, the Blue Sea Guild is really living up to its name as the strongest guild. A Master and God Gene? That's a big haul."
"Tell me something, man. Isn't a God Rare gene just a myth? I've heard of Rare genes, Epic Rare, Grand Rare, and Master Rare, but I didn't think God Rare genes actually existed."
"Yeah, me too. But you can't deny what we just heard."
"If they've really obtained something like that, they'd become the most unstoppable guild."
"Wonder what a God Gene evolution path would be like? Definitely the strongest evolution path."
"No doubt."
"Ahem, mister man, are you here to listen to gossip or register for Teras?" said the man sitting under a canopy with a computer. A large black orb, with wires connected to the computer, rested on the table in front of Xuan.
Xuan was so focused on the two conversations that he hadn't realized it was his turn. He watched the hunters disappear into the blue wormhole, his mind racing with the thought of running after them.
"Oh, sorry," Xuan apologized.
"Haven't I seen you before? Last year... aren't you Xuan? You had a power level of 10, right?"
"Nope. Must be someone else," Xuan chuckled.
"I see. Well, place your right palm on the black orb, and your power level will display for all."
Hearing "for all," Xuan gulped. He had just laughed at someone, and now everyone was expecting to see his results.
Cautiously, he placed his palm on the orb. It glowed purple, then dimmed, revealing a number—100.
"Eat that! From 10 to 100! I guess those workouts and karate lessons really paid off," Xuan thought, his excitement reaching its peak.
"Well, you barely made the cut. You're at the exact minimum power level. You didn't even go higher. Here's your—"
Boom!
Xuan didn't wait for him to finish. He quickly snatched the ticket pass and sprinted toward Teras with one thought in mind.
"I must steal the gene from the Blue Sea Guild! Yes!"
Troublesome Xuan, little did he know.