Chapter 9: The Recruitment Begins
"A year has passed, and the world as I knew it is no more. I'm now a poker in the Apocalypse Realm, where the skies are perpetually red and the ground is cracked open, spewing black and red substances. It's a hellish landscape, but humanity has found a way to thrive inside the safety of the dome.
The dome has been expanded to cover more land, and within its protective barrier, humans have rebuilt and started anew. They've even made improvements, creating a better life for themselves. They call this new haven the Arcane Sanctuary, and the dome itself is named Jupiter - a new city, home to a resilient people.
"But despite the safety of the dome, the nightmares still lurked outside, more powerful and dangerous than ever. The black substance that seeped from the ground seemed to have a life of its own, like a dark fog that altered reality. It was as if Levi's word had come true, and humans were on the brink of being consumed by this new, twisted world.
Yet, in the same year that had passed, something extraordinary happened. It's said that human souls are bound by an invisible force, limiting our potential. But as reality shifted for humans, that bind was broken. And with it, humans discovered they possessed extraordinary supernatural powers.
For the first time, they had a chance to fight back against the nightmares with abilities that rivaled the monsters' own strength. A new era of hope emerged, as humans embraced their newfound powers and prepared to face the darkness head-on."
"These newfound abilities were known as Soul Binding, derived from the depths of human emotions, hobbies, and loved ones. The soul attaches itself to what is closest to the heart, granting powers reminiscent of what one loves the most.
And so, humans formed a dedicated group, united in their quest to destroy the nightmares and find a way to end this eternal war.
This elite team was known as the Night Core, Vanguard .
Trained and determined, they set out to harness the power of Soul Binding, wielding abilities that could finally harm the nightmares.
"Their sacred duty was to safeguard humanity. With unwavering dedication, the Night Core Vanguard stood as the last bastion of hope, protecting the very fabric of human existence."
Ayid sprinted through the crowded streets, his feet pounding the pavement with incredible speed. Dust trailed behind him, and he dodged pedestrians with agility, occasionally bumping into someone and apologizing with a quick "Sorry, sorry!" as he kept moving. Familiar faces blurred by, and he exchanged brief greetings - a nod, a wave, or a quick "Hey, how's it going?" - without slowing down.
His outfit was a practical blend of comfort and utility: a black and white shirt with a long black muscle shirt underneath it, cargo pants, and sneakers that seemed to be propelling him forward with ease. A sleek, holstered weapon was tucked into his back, a constant companion.
Ayid's destination was clear in his mind, and he was running late. With a determined expression, he pushed through the crowd, his eyes fixed on the building in the distance - the Night Core Vanguard headquarters, and every second counted.
The Night Core Vanguard recruits new soldiers every month through a grueling program. The one-month training is notoriously challenging, and Ayid had attempted to join at least five times before. But today was the lucky day - He had finally been granted admission to participate in the recruitment tournament!
Ayid finally arrived at the Nightcore headquarters, a massive stadium-like building bustling with activity. People of all ages milled about, some his peers, others significantly older. He spotted a line snaking out of the building and joined the queue, submitting his acceptance form when it was his turn. Despite the line's length, the processing was efficient, and he didn't wait long.
As he inched closer to the entrance, Ayid couldn't help but chuckle, recalling the morning's events. His sister Imelda had burst into his room, excitement radiating from her very being. "You've been accepted into the program, Ayid! Get up, get up!" she'd exclaimed, shaking him awake. Still groggy, he'd watched as she hastily prepared breakfast and helped him get ready, practically pushing him out the door like a mother hen.
Ayid's smile lingered as he thought about Imelda's antics. Her enthusiasm had been infectious, and he was grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, sis," he muttered to himself, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over him.
Ayid approached the counter, where a disinterested-looking attendant greeted him with a lackluster expression. "Name?" the attendant asked gruffly, not even looking up. "Ayid," he replied. "Ayid Realer. Here for the Night Core soldier tryouts." The attendant raised an eyebrow. "You and everyone else," he muttered, handing Ayid a form. "Sign here, stamp here. Go inside and wait for the announcement."
Just as Ayid was about to head inside, a commotion erupted from the line behind him. The scene was unsettling, and Ayid wondered what was going on.
Ayid couldn't quite make out the details, but it appeared someone was being ganged up on. Ayid hesitated, unsure if he should intervene. Today was his day, and he didn't want anything to ruin it. He wished the person well but couldn't bring himself to get involved. With a shake of his head, he headed inside.
As he entered the massive building, Ayid's eyes widened in awe. The sheer scale of the interior was breathtaking - tons of students and people milled about, chatting, playing on their phones, or practicing. Yet, beneath the surface, a palpable nervous energy hung in the air. Everyone seemed on edge, including Ayid himself.
The din of voices, footsteps, and clanging equipment created a cacophony that was both overwhelming and exhilarating. Ayid's heart raced as he scanned the room, taking in the rows of training gears, the clusters of students stretching and warming up, and the imposing figures of the Night Core instructors patrolling the perimeter. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized he was finally here.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone