Year One of the Apocalypse. This was the name given by human scientists to the year the mysterious cubes invaded Earth. It symbolized the end of the old human era, the collapse of civilization and order, and marked the downfall of humanity's dominion over the blue planet. The former rulers were now forced to cling to survival, cautiously eking out an existence on a wasteland.

  The ensuing Era of Collapse was the darkest age in human history, a time remembered with dread. In the first year alone, the human population dropped by seventy percent. Some were devoured by monsters and became their prey. Others died of radiation sickness, their bodies consumed by pus and pain. Still others were infected by a mysterious virus carried by the cubes, only to become bloodthirsty creatures after death.

  This blue planet has seen humanity thrive for two million years, starting with Australopithecus in the south.

  The climate catastrophe seventy thousand years ago? Humanity endured it.

  The Black Death in 14th century Europe? Humanity endured it.

  The global war of World War II? Humanity endured it.

  The nuclear crisis between the US and USSR at the end of the 20th century? Humanity endured it.

  Despite countless disasters, humanity survived and thrived. But this time, in the face of the cube invasion, humanity could no longer endure.

  The mysterious cubes that pierced Earth like spears of judgment unleashed endless waves of terror. Cities worldwide fell. Social order collapsed. Oceans turned to black water, forests to deserts—the world became a wasteland.

  Gigantic beasts charged fortresses, plagues stole human health, radiation fields destroyed cells, and fallen soldiers rose again as undead. Armies collapsed.

  To preserve the final spark of human life, world leaders gave the order to retreat. No more assaults on the cubes. Instead, they fortified remote locations.

  In these restructured survivor cities, scientists built hundred-meter-high Walls of Life using the most advanced materials, keeping monsters at bay. Controlled miniature biospheres were developed inside, allowing humans to live sustainably, self-sufficiently. From then on, humanity remained confined—never venturing out.

  Like pigs. Like dogs. Like livestock in a divine pen.

  Humans lived like poultry inside the cities, clinging to the protection of the Walls of Life, refusing even to glance at the wasteland beyond. They deceived themselves into believing this was the best way to live: as long as they ate, stayed warm, and survived—that was enough.

  Thus began humanity's most decadent age.

  Years later, hope returned. A group of volunteers with free will formed a United Expeditionary Force. They charged out of the walls, stepping onto the wasteland humanity had long abandoned.

  No one thought they would return alive. The moment they left, civil records marked them as deceased, and their families were issued compensation in advance.

  But to everyone's shock—they came back, bearing news that would change the world!

  The expeditionaries revealed that the invading cubes were highly intelligent. They periodically transmitted mission instructions into the minds of nearby humans. If the tasks were completed, rewards followed—everything from legendary bloodlines and genetic evolution to high-tech weaponry.

  To convince the cities, one mission completer revealed a gun—clearly not human-made. When he pulled the trigger, its energy blast flattened an entire building!

  In that moment, humanity realized—the cubes may have brought more than just the apocalypse.

  More and more brave souls surged out of the cities, back into the wasteland, heading toward their monster-infested homelands. Some sought power, others rebirth—but all fought for their beliefs.

  Thus, amid ruins, a new chapter of human history began. In the distant future, as people lift the veil of history—how many tearful elegies will they find? How many epic legends?

  No one knows.

  ...

  Year Seven of the Era. Inside the Republic…

  "I really didn’t expect the outside world to be this dangerous." A young man sat on the scorching land, drenched in sweat. Drops slid down his cheeks and quickly evaporated in the blazing heat.

  In front of him lay a monster’s corpse. It looked like a wolf but was as large as a starving tiger, and it had no fur. Dense, hideous blood vessels covered its body—enough to make any trypophobic person’s skin crawl.

  This creature had mutated under the influence of the cubes. People called it a Blood Wolf, one of the common beasts on the wasteland.

  This one had a massive head wound. Blood and brain matter spilled across the ground. Its purple tongue hung from its mouth as its corpse sizzled on the hot ground, releasing a nauseating stench.

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  "Of course. Did you think it’d be like inside the walls—just farming and chatting all day?" A brawny man over two meters tall pulled the young man up and laughed. "Finn, you're still too green."

  "Thanks, Tyler." Finn smiled sheepishly as he stood, gripping the man's hand. "It’s my first time outside. I’m totally new to this. Not like you—you’ve done two cube missions already."

  Tyler wasn’t a foreigner. He’d earned his nickname because of his resemblance to a certain governor from the old world—his build, sharp features. His real name had faded, even from his own memory.

  Tyler flexed. "Both times I only got C-rank missions, but the enhancements were decent. I'm a brute, so I spent the rewards on the Giant’s Bloodline and power upgrades. Strength's all I know. Hahaha!"

  "And him…?" Finn glanced nervously at the cloaked youth at the rear—covered in white bandages, a massive sniper rifle on his back.

  "That guy? No idea how many missions he’s done, but I’ll bet he’s a monster-level. When that Blood Wolf attacked you, I hadn’t even reacted before he blasted it. Incredible!" Tyler clapped Finn’s shoulder. "What’re you waiting for? Go thank your savior—or you’d be Blood Wolf poop by now."

  Finn chuckled awkwardly and jogged over, but just as he opened his mouth, the youth brushed past him silently—cold and indifferent.

  Awkward. He had come to thank the guy, but got snubbed. Still, he had saved Finn’s life—getting angry would be out of line.

  "Cold, huh?" Tyler approached the youth with a friendly grin, reaching to pat his shoulder. "We’re a team. When the cube gives us missions, we’ll need to help each other. At least tell us your name, bro."

  Without warning, the moment Tyler touched the youth’s shoulder, his wrist was locked in a terrifying grip. He looked down in shock—his hand was caught by the bandaged youth.

  That hand was slender and pale, nearly translucent from lack of sun, like a delicate piece of jade—but it held the force of a vice.

  Tyler’s forehead broke into a sweat. He had eight times the strength of a normal man. He could crush a rock barehanded. But now, his bones were creaking under the pressure of this boy’s grip.

  Startled, Tyler looked into the youth’s face. Hidden beneath the cloak’s shadow and the bandages, he saw only the eyes—two blazing crimson gems like stars in the night sky, deep as the sea, and utterly beautiful.

  The youth didn’t seem hostile—just unused to being touched. He quickly released Tyler’s wrist. After a pause, he spoke quietly:

  "Adrian."

  "Adrian, huh? D*mn, what a monster!" Tyler shook his wrist, now red with the imprint, and laughed it off. He moved on quickly. "Anyway, it’s getting late—let’s find shelter."

  The sky was a blend of orange and blood-red from the sunset, clashing with the creeping darkness.

  Since humans began leaving the walls, they’d learned one key rule:

  Rule #1 of Wasteland Survival: Never move at night!

  With the atmosphere damaged, Earth had lost its thermal balance. Days were scorching, nights frigid. And humans hadn’t evolved night vision. At night, they were vulnerable to creatures that thrived in darkness. Safer to rest.

  Of course, safe was relative. Outside the walls, death was always close—it was just a matter of how close.

  Their squad had seven people. Besides Adrian and Tyler, none had prior experience. They left the safety of the walls for freedom—not because they knew the danger.

  Tyler, not as strong as Adrian but naturally charismatic, took charge. He led the team to a cave, unpacked survival gear, and lit a fire.

  "Food and water are good for now. We’ll resupply later. Tonight—rest up. The nearest cube isn’t far. The real fight starts soon. Get your sleep while you can."

  "I’ll take first watch," Adrian said, picking up his rifle and heading to the entrance.

  Tyler stood. "Adrian, you’re the strongest. You should rest, not wear yourself out. Let us take turns."

  "No need." Adrian, true to form, said little. He sat at the cave’s mouth, staring into the fading light.

  Night was bitterly cold. Even near the fire, chills pierced the skin. Tyler rubbed his arms and glanced at Adrian—almost swallowed by the dark.

  "Freakin’ monster…" he muttered.

  Late at night, with everyone asleep and the world still, Adrian closed his eyes—not to sleep, but to reach inward, to a secret domain.

  A realm like a starry sea unfolded before him. Most of its nodes were dim, but six shone like lighthouses in the void.

  This domain was unknown to most. But anyone who had completed a cube mission knew it well. It awakened with the first mission’s completion.

  Was it a curse from demons? Or a gift from gods? No one knew.

  But one thing was certain: this was the key to humanity’s strength.

  The Evolution Tree.