The city trembled again, but this time it was different. Not subtle, not quiet—something had shifted at the core of reality.
Rian stood atop a ruined building, hood down, eyes scanning the streets below.
The energy waves that had once whispered now roared like a tidal surge. Mana, spiritual energy, natural energy... threads of raw power writhing through every living being.
Some could adapt. Some would fail.
⸻
Animals and Plants Respond First
Even from here, he could see the first transformations.
A stray dog bounded through the street. Its fur shimmered faintly in shifting patterns, bones elongating slightly, claws sharper, eyes brighter. The animal absorbed the ambient energy, channeling mana and natural energy into its body.
Nearby, weeds along a cracked sidewalk twisted violently. Leaves expanded, roots writhed like serpents. The plants too were feeding off the energy surges. Some thrived, blooming with unnatural speed; others withered under the strain, unable to process what flooded their bodies.
Rian's eyes narrowed.
"Animals and plants adapt faster than humans... some can handle multiple energies, others can't even survive a single surge."
Those that failed collapsed instantly. Birds fell mid-flight. Small mammals convulsed. A few plants combusted from overcharged energy.
Only the resilient—or the lucky—evolved, their bodies reshaping to survive. Predators sharpened their senses; prey moved with unnatural speed. Plants sprouted traits that should have been impossible.
⸻
Humans Begin to Awaken
Humans felt the energy threads hours later, their bodies struggling to process the influx. Most could only awaken with one primary energy type, while rare individuals adapted to two or even all three.
• A man's skin shimmered—his spiritual energy awakened a reflex-linked bloodline trait.
• A young woman's muscles fibered unnaturally—her mana surged, unlocking elemental potential.
• A child's eyes glowed faintly as natural energy infused her, making plants near her bend and grow faster.
Some humans faltered, their bodies rejecting the energy, collapsing or vomiting as the new forces coursed through them. But those who survived gained strength, speed, or perception beyond normal limits.
⸻
Rian's Advantage
Rian didn't panic. He didn't flinch.
He had all four sources: mana, spiritual, natural, and his unique bloodline energy.
Each thread of power connected with every cell in his body. He could feel the faint energy of every nearby human, animal, and plant, their latent bloodlines flashing like constellations.
• Shadow or speed bloodlines were common.
• Elemental or spiritual-linked traits were rarer.
• A handful showed potential for multi-energy adaptation—but those were exceptionally rare.
Rian could absorb minor energy fragments if he chose—or simply study the patterns.
"Everyone else is just catching up," he muttered.
This wasn't chaos. This was evolution.
⸻
The First Real Test
In the main square, a pack of feral animals, now partially transformed, hunted instinctively. Humans who had awakened reacted.
• A man with a shadow bloodline leapt ahead, dodging attacks instinctively.
• A young girl infused with natural energy sped past, wind bending slightly around her, dodging snarling wolves.
Rian observed silently. He didn't intervene—yet.
"Those who survive the first wave... will shape this world. The weak... won't," he said quietly.
And then, a massive flash on the horizon drew his gaze.
Not a person. Not an animal. Not a building. Something else. Something powerful.
The world was officially changing.
⸻
System Notice
The interface appeared over his vision, cold and clinical.
Primordial Bloodline System
• Global State: Critical
• Energy Absorption: Active
• Bloodline Potential: Multiple sources detected
• Techniques: Unavailable (pending synchronization)
• Apocalypse Stage: Initial Awakening
• Time Remaining: 05:00:00
Observation Recommended. Intervention Not Required.
Rian's eyes glinted.
"Five hours... let's see who survives the first wave."
He stepped down from the rooftop, ready to move among a world waking up, where the weak would fall, the strong would rise—and only those who adapted to mana, spiritual, and natural energy could survive.