Three days after the nation's decision.

  The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke. Armed officers cautiously moved through the wreckage of what was once a home. Their boots crunched against shattered glass, broken wood, and the dried remnants of a battle that should have been impossible for normal humans.

  Officer Segun knelt beside the massive wolf-like creature, inspecting its wounds. The beast was far larger than the usual ones emerging from the rift, its fur matted with dried blood, its muscles still tense even in death, as if it had died mid-hunt. But what unsettled him the most wasn’t its sheer size—it was how the creature had been killed.

  Deep gashes marred its throat and skull, the blood long dried from the fatal wounds. Segun ran a gloved hand over its body, his expression shifting as he pieced together what he was seeing.

  “This wasn’t done by an awakener, or by a gun, or any of our weapons,” he murmured. “These wounds were inflicted over time—a battle of endurance.”

  A heavy silence settled among the officers.

  “A human killed this beast?” Musa, his partner, asked in shock.

  “Any survivors?” Segun asked, standing up.

  “We found some people… but they’re all dead—wait.” The officer paused. “This kid is still breathing. He’s got a stable pulse. He just needs treatment.”

  “A kid?” Segun’s brows furrowed. “What was he using?”

  “A knife.”

  “Bring it over. Now.”

  The moment Segun took the weapon, his stomach clenched. He compared the shape of the blade to the wounds on the beast, tracing over the deep gashes. His breath caught in his throat.

  “Oh, dear Lord.”

  Musa frowned. “What?”

  Segun turned to him, his voice tense. “A kid did this.”

  “You must be joking,” Musa scoffed. “I don’t think I could last three minutes against something like this, let alone—”

  Before he could finish, realization dawned on him as he followed Segun’s gaze. The wounds, the blade, the corpse—it all lined up perfectly. There was no mistaking it.

  The child had killed this monster.

  “We need to save him at all costs,” Segun said, his voice firm. “Call HQ. Tell them we have a survivor. Medic, start first aid immediately. This kid must not die.”

  He clenched his fist, his thoughts racing.

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  In this era of chaos, talent must be treated with care—especially those beyond human comprehension.

  His gaze lingered on the unconscious boy.

  If he could take down a beast like this before even awakening… I wonder what kind of monster he’ll become once he’s fully nurtured.

  Location: UN Conference

  Dr. Daniel stood before the assembled world leaders, his voice steady but urgent. "We have been monitoring this rift for a long time," he began, gesturing to the holographic display behind him. "This rift, or as we now call it—the void crack—is a fracture in reality itself. To help you understand, allow me to demonstrate."

  He picked up a sheet of paper from the table. "Consider this paper as Earth, our reality. Now imagine this bucket of water represents an immense concentration of energy. If I were to submerge the paper in the water, it would weaken, becoming fragile." He dipped the paper momentarily, then held it up, its edges drooping under the moisture. "Now, if the water were to stir violently—" he shook the paper lightly, causing it to tear "—the paper rips. This is what’s happening to our world. The void cracks are the violent waves, and the creatures emerging are the chaos they bring."

  A murmur spread through the room as the weight of his words settled over the delegates. Some leaned forward, while others exchanged hushed conversations.

  Egypt’s representative, Mr. Mohammed, leaned forward. "Does this mean the void cracks will eventually close?"

  Dr. Daniel exhaled, choosing his words carefully. "If our theory is correct, yes. But not in the way you might hope. Earth is undergoing a transformation. Once the energy stabilizes, the rifts will cease."

  "Transformation?" another representative interjected, skepticism clear in his tone. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying Earth itself is changing?"

  Dr. Daniel’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Exactly. Unlike this paper, Earth is not a lifeless object—it is a dynamic system, capable of adaptation. The longer it is exposed to this energy, the more it absorbs. Just as awakeners are evolving, developing abilities beyond human limits, Earth itself will mutate, reinforcing its own structure and making reality more stable."

  A scoff came from the European delegation. "Mutation? That’s a dangerous word, Doctor. You make it sound as if we are meant to accept this chaos as progress."

  Dr. Daniel shook his head. "Whether we accept it or not is irrelevant. This is not a matter of ideology—it is survival. We are witnessing the next step in human evolution. The only question is whether we will be ready to embrace it."

  Silence followed as the weight of his declaration settled in.

  Finally, Mr. Langston, the U.S. representative, spoke. "How long will it take for Earth to stabilize?"

  Dr. Daniel’s excitement faded into somber reality. "We cannot say for certain. It could take weeks, months, or even years, depending on how quickly we adapt. But one thing is certain—reality will never be as it was before. Even after stabilization, some rifts may still appear. Most will be minor, insignificant. But some… could threaten humanity itself."

  The room fell into a tense silence, the implications sinking in. Some leaders jotted down notes, while others whispered to their aides.

  During the conference’s intermission, Chinese Minister Zhang Wei held a private discussion in a secluded chamber. He sat across from his team of scientists, his fingers interlocked, gaze piercing.

  "Is it ready?" he asked.

  One of the scientists cleared his throat. "We have identified the triggers for awakening and developed a classification system. However, to fully understand the potential of awakeners—and their limits—we require more time and, crucially, more void serum."

  Zhang Wei tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought. "So, the serum is the key..." He let out a slow breath. "No need to say more. I have already considered releasing our findings on awakeners. In exchange, we will secure the benefits we need." A smirk formed on his lips. "With this knowledge, the world will have no choice but to bargain with us."

  The scientist bowed slightly. "Understood, Minister."

  Zhang Wei exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting toward the window, where the skyline of Geneva stretched into the distance. The game had begun.

  Author’s Note:

  Power isn’t just about strength—it’s about knowledge and control. While the world debates leadership, some have already started making their moves behind closed doors. Zhang Wei isn’t just playing the game; he’s changing the rules.

  If you were in his position, would you release the awakening research for negotiation, or keep it hidden for an even greater advantage? Let me know in