Greg assessed Ivan's capabilities with a series of probing attacks. Ivan adeptly evaded them, creating opportunities to land several strikes on Greg. He managed to hit Greg ten times.
Facing each other in a ready stance, Greg smiled. His probing attacks confirmed that Ivan's power rank was at the base tier. He proceeded to business, defeating Ivan in less than three minutes, adhering to their agreed terms.
Ivan lay on the floor, exhausted and filled with regret. He blamed himself for the loss. Greg offered him a hand, which Ivan accepted, and he was helped back to his feet. Greg offered him advice on how to enhance his proficiency in martial arts combat.
Ivan did not linger at the centre; he promptly departed for his residence. Greg retreated to his office within the centre and reported his findings to Brainboss_7 over the phone.
Meanwhile, Brainboss_7 was concurrently monitoring other newly emerged special characters. His objective was to recruit them into Humanity's Liberation Force to aid in the struggle for survival against the aliens. Joining the Liberation Force was presented as a voluntary choice, but in reality, it was far from it. If a special character opted not to join, they were compelled to do so through threats and severe restrictions on their daily lives.
Ivan was seated in the back seat of a taxi en route to his place of residence when he received a text message. He checked the sender — Bangyu Restaurants.
The text message read: Dear Ivan, you have been randomly selected as one of the fortunate recipients of Bangyu's seasonal promotional gifts. Please visit our restaurant at 33 Avenue to claim your prize. Be there by 2:45 p.m. Thank you.
Ivan did not question the authenticity of the message. This was because Bangyu restaurant was known for conducting random giveaways, and the prizes they offered were enticing. Ivan resolved to visit the restaurant regardless of any other commitments.
He called Daiyu and informed her of his 'good fortune' regarding the Bangyu restaurant random giveaway. Daiyu became excited, anticipating the gifts Ivan would receive.
In truth, the text message was not genuinely from Bangyu restaurant. It originated from Brainboss_7. The Awakened Transcendent Character was using the message as a lure to convene Ivan and other newly emerged special characters at the address provided in the text.
Indeed, a Bangyu restaurant was located at the specified address, and this was the intended gathering point for the newly emerged special characters. It was at this congregation point that these special characters would be solicited to join the Humanity's Liberation Force.
Ivan entered his apartment at 2:05 p.m. He quickly took a shower, refreshing himself for the visit to Bangyu restaurant. He dressed in a simple outfit: a grey T-shirt and khaki trousers. His taxi arrived before the elevator he took could reach the ground floor.
Minutes later, Ivan alighted from the taxi in front of Bangyu restaurant. His heart pounded with excitement. Bangyu restaurant occupied the ground floor of a high-rise business block building. Other businesses operated on the floors above the ground floor of the same building. He observed the situation inside the restaurant through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Customers were seated, dining or engaged in other activities at the tables. Waiters were diligently moving from table to table, enquiring about customer satisfaction or taking requests.
He was perplexed not to see a gathering of people who had come to redeem their prizes. He used a number-checking database to verify the authenticity of the invitation sender. He was relieved to see that the authentication result returned positive.
He waited for a few minutes to see if another selected prize winner would arrive at this location, but he waited for over six minutes in vain.
In reality, the environment around Ivan had been manipulated to show him what he perceived at that moment. Other 'selected prize winners' were actively arriving concurrently. And just as Ivan was experiencing, reality had been altered to make it appear as though each of them had arrived alone.
Brainboss_7 and the Witch of the Grey Area were in a secluded room on one of the higher floors of the building where the Bangyu restaurant was located. The duo were monitoring the arrival of the recently developed special characters.
The Witch of the Grey Area was ranked at the Awakened Transcendent tier in terms of power. Although she belonged to the healer class, her journey to her power rank enabled her to unlock the ability to cast illusions. These illusions were capable of seamlessly blending with reality, becoming somewhat tangible. The warping of reality for the newly arrived special characters was her doing.
All the 'prize winners' felt a strong compulsion in their hearts to enter the restaurant. None of them pondered the strangeness of this compulsion. They all dismissed it as their excitement getting out of control. They all entered the restaurant. As they passed through the door, it quickly snapped shut behind them. Those who attempted to gently close the door were surprised to see it slip from their hands and close abruptly.
Suddenly, the lights flickered ominously. The people—the customers and the restaurant employees—vanished in the sudden flash of light. Each of the newly developed special characters found themselves alone in an alternate reality of the same restaurant, experiencing the identical phenomenon. The light around them disappeared, but it did not become dark; it seemed as though they were highlighted in the surrounding darkness.
Brainboss_7's voice boomed around them in the darkness. "Welcome to the league of the powerful. There is no need for pleasantries at this juncture; I will get straight to the proposal. You have been invited here to be asked to join the Humanity's Liberation Force."
Most of the new special characters protested vehemently about being deceived into coming to this place. But Brainboss_7 remained undeterred in his address. The pause in his speech was intended to allow the visitors to process what he had said, and the reception he received after it confirmed that they understood him.
He continued. "Make your choice now. Remember that your decision carries heavy implications for the survival of our species. Remember we are engaged in a survival game."
A screen floated in front of each visitor. The question 'Do you want to join Humanity's Liberation force?' and the options 'yes' and 'no' were displayed on the screen.
Strangely, the minds of the newly emerged special characters quieted. Those who had been bitterly protesting the deceitful manipulation ceased their objections. Their attention settled on the screen before them.
The fate of everything hinged on the single choice they were about to make, and the world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.