Rui: Each enemy will possess different levels of strength. However, I can assure you—the strongest enemy in the first wave will only be C-rank.
Lim He: Then why is the baseline rated at B?
Rui: Because of the number I'm about to tell you. Go on. Take a guess.
Lim He: One hundred and fifty thousand!
Wei Tian: If it covers the entire globe… it shouldn't be less than one hundred million.
Rui: Alright. I'll give you the real answer. The total number exceeds three hundred million.
Lim He: …Thirty-one?
Wei Tian: Three hundred million.
(Wei Tian's brow furrows.)
Lim He: Ha! Only thirty-one? That's too few!
Wei Tian: It's not thirty-one. One hundred million alone is already far beyond one hundred thousand.
Rui: And remember—this is only the first wave.
Wei Tian: Then… will there be more enemies in the later waves?
Rui: Possibly fewer. But fewer can be far more dangerous. If the number decreases, it means something far more powerful has appeared.
Lim He: Then why don't they just attack together?
Rui: Because each wave fractures the seal protecting 042. With every fracture, the amount of energy and magic 042 can contain increases. A powerful enemy could then strike directly at 042 itself. And the stronger the enemy, the more energy it consumes.
Lim He: Wouldn't that eliminate all thirty-one at once?
Wei Tian: Lim He, you're thinking too simply. If one enemy equals ten thugs, and a powerful enemy equals one hundred—then facing ten powerful enemies would be like fighting a thousand thugs at the same time.
Rui: Exactly.
Wei Tian: Rui, can you explain 042 in more detail?
Rui: …Fine. As Holy Sons, you'll learn sooner or later—as long as you're still alive. One dimension contains many worlds. 042 is one of those worlds—the one you live in. One world contains many galaxies. One galaxy contains many universes. One universe contains many planets. And you live on a tiny planet called Earth.
Lim He: What? I can't accept that.
Wei Tian: …So 042 is simply one numbered world among many. The others could be 001, 002, and so on.
Rui: Correct. You understand quickly. Unlike someone else.
(Rui glances at Lim He.)
Lim He: Wait… does that mean—
Rui: Enough. And one more thing—don't assume those so-called S-class superhumans can protect this world. In the enemy's eyes, they are nothing more than ants. But you don't need to worry too much about the first wave. Another Holy Son is already heading toward your city.
In the distance, a figure runs—a boy with his hair swept to the left.
Rui: He has no name. You may call him Flame.
Flame (thinking): Did I get lost again?
Wei Tian: Flame… fire attribute?
Rui: That's right. Among the six Holy Sons—including you—he has the greatest offensive power.
Flame steps out of the forest—only to see a mountain instead of a city.
Flame: …Damn it. Looks like I really am lost.