Firework pops.

  It was New Year's Eve, and like most holidays, we spent it at the computer shop, playing the same game until exhaustion finally hit.

  "Alright, I need a break," Cezar groaned, stretching his arms. "My eyes feel like they're melting."

  "Yeah, same," I admitted, rubbing my temples. Hours of gaming had drained us, so we decided to step outside. The crisp night air was a welcome relief. The streets were still alive with lingering fireworks and faint echoes of celebration.

  As we strolled toward the nearby plaza, a familiar voice whined behind us.

  "Wait for me~~!!" I called out, jogging to catch up.

  "Walk faster, dude. I'm not slowing down for you," Cezar replied, not even looking back.

  "Aww, man, I told you to wait!"

  "Meh. Just keep walking."

  "Walking together is more fun, though."

  "Agreed," Ayen and Tonio chimed in.

  The four of us wandered into the nearest plaza. Out of nowhere, I blurted out, "If we were suddenly transported to another world, what kind of power would you guys want?"

  Ayen answered first, grinning as he leaned back on the bench. "Blood manipulation—something like that. And I'd want to be a half-vampire, half-human. The best of both worlds, you know?"

  "Oi, why did a glasses suddenly show up, and what's with that face?" I joked.

  Tonio was next. "I think I'd go with transformation—something that lets me turn into whatever I want, whenever I want."

  Cezar paused before speaking. "I don't need anything too overpowered. Just something practical. Maybe precise throwing—like hitting any target I want, no matter what."

  "Ain't that already overpowered?" I laughed.

  "Well, maybe."

  Then they all turned to me. "What about you, Rayan?"

  I shrugged. "Something that lets me change whenever I feel like it... or maybe something ridiculously overpowered. Either works."

  We laughed. The conversation felt like just another way to pass time.

  But we never could've guessed that in mere moments, our words would stop being a fantasy.

  A sudden gust of wind rushed past us. The festive lights around the plaza flickered, and for a split second, everything fell unnaturally silent—like the world itself was holding its breath.

  Then, without warning, a tear in reality formed right in front of us.

  A swirling vortex of pure darkness, shifting and pulsating like a living thing, distorted the air around it. The fabric of existence seemed to bend.

  That was the night the Unknown Portal appeared before us. Whether we were ready or not, our adventure was about to begin.

  Panic set in instantly. A deep, instinctual fear gripped us.

  "OH HELL NAH, WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON THIS 2035 NEW YEAR'S EVE?!" Tonio shouted.

  "I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS!!" Cezar added.

  I gathered my courage and gave the instruction. "Y'all, let's back out slowly and steady—we don't know what could possibly happen!"

  The air began to feel colder than usual.

  "I agree," Ayen said. "We don't know what kind of terror it'll bring, but it's only a matter of time. Let's move back."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Indeed, this might be the end of the world," Cezar muttered, trying to appear calm. But in his thoughts: I HAVEN'T SEEN MY FUTURE CHILD YET. I CAN'T DIE HERE!!

  Ayen, in full panic, ran behind Cezar and used him as a human shield. "Aaaaaaah~ I don't wanna die a virgin yet! I wanna see my kids, especially my grandkids! What if that thing is the Demon King or something? It's over for me now. Pls die for me." He stared at me.

  "Oh, he said what I was thinking," Cezar said.

  "What was on your mind?" Ayen asked.

  "Aight, enough chatting, let's move out slowly now," I said.

  "You haven't even moved yet—not even a single step after this thing showed up—and you're giving instructions?" Ayen clowned.

  "Yeah," Cezar and Tonio added.

  "WHAT C-C-CAN I—I DO?!" I sobbed.

  We all started stepping back slowly, but something felt off. I stood right in front of the Unknown Portal and sensed it first.

  "Do you all feel it?" Cezar asked.

  Ayen, now fully in his panic-mode alter ego, shouted, "Ah yeah, do you feel my handsomeness aura?!"

  "Ah, yes. That must be it!" he added dramatically.

  "Ah... nope. We don't feel it," the rest of us said in unison.

  "How could you say that in front of the Dark Lord?!" Ayen gasped.

  "Aight guys, this is it for me. It's pulling me in," I said, standing proud.

  System: Rayan has successfully entered the Unknown Portal. Destination: ?§+@)*|#.

  "Y'all heard that?!" Cezar exclaimed.

  "Yup! I definitely heard my handsomeness calling me in!!" Ayen shouted.

  Tonio smacked Ayen on the head. "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?! THERE'S NO TIME FOR THAT!!"

  "Wait, RAYAN IS MISSING!!!" Ayen finally realized.

  "Well, that's what I was trying to say," Cezar deadpanned.

  "WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO NOW?!" Tonio screamed.

  "I DON'T KNOW EITHER! AND RAYAN IS STILL MISSING!!"

  System: Ayen has successfully entered the Unknown Portal. Destination: ?§+@)*|#.

  "Aight, he's missing now."

  "Who?"

  "Ayen..."

  Earlier — Ayen: "Here comes the Dark Lord!!! I WILL SAVE YOUUUUU BROTHA!! RAHHHHHH!!!" He ran with all his might into the portal.

  "Oh, I heard him shouting about saving Rayan earlier, but I didn't know he'd actually do it," Cezar muttered.

  "HE'LL DEFINITELY DO IT BECAUSE HE'S HIM!" Tonio yelled, grabbing a handful of grass and throwing it at the portal.

  "Aight, let's just go along with them," Cezar sighed.

  "GOOO GOO!" Tonio shouted as the two of them ran toward the portal.

  System: Cezar and Tonio have entered the Unknown Portal successfully. Destination: ?§+@)*|#.

  The moment we entered, a strange figure appeared—a self-proclaimed Ruler of the Universe.

  We regained consciousness floating in a vast galaxy, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on us. Terrifying thoughts of doom danced in our heads.

  The so-called Ruler gave us a choice. "I shall provide anything you desire. HOWEVER—NO QUESTIONS. You summoned heroes will bear a heavy burden. Stronger foes will rise, ones even we cannot stop."

  The Ruler trembled as if something beyond comprehension haunted him. "Please... help us."

  We couldn't speak, but we could choose our powers telepathically—and the moment we did, our memories of this divine meeting vanished.

  I woke up first.

  YAWNS "AYO, WHERE AM I?!" I shouted, grabbing a clump of grass as I stood up. I looked around, excited yet confused.

  My friends were still lying in the field.

  "AND WHY THE HECK ARE THEY SLEEPING SO PEACEFULLY?!" I marched over and slapped Ayen awake.

  "Why the f—OH," Ayen stammered. "W-WHAT ARE THESE THINGS?! ARE THEY REAL?!" He hyperventilated. "I wanna punch someone just to be sure..."

  Tonio woke up from the yelling. "W-WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, HUH?!"

  Cezar slowly opened his eyes. "Guys, look! I found something interesting!!"

  We all turned to him. "Where?! Let us see!!"

  Cezar opened his status screen:

  Cezar (Shoyo Murata):

  Title: Emperor Of The Beasts

  Race: Humanoid Beast

  Rank: S

  Role: —

  Creator Skill: Precision & Accuracy

  Legendary Skill: Beast Form (Wolf)

  Unique Skill: Instant Transmission

  Uncommon Skill: Flash Step

  Attribute Skills: Earth, Water

  "Ayooo, you've got some strong builds, man! And that title? S-rank?!" I was hyped.

  "I wonder what mine looks like!"

  "Probably not as strong as mine! MUHAHAHAHA!" Ayen shouted, though he sobbed a little inside.

  Tonio commented, "Your name's Shoyo Murata now? And you're a beast-human hybrid? Is that... breedable?"

  "Don't ask me!" Cezar (Shoyo) replied.

  "How do you open the status screen?" Ayen asked.

  "Just say 'Open Status,' I think. I just thought it, and it popped up."

  "STATUS OPEEEEEN!!" Tonio tried. Nothing happened.

  "YEHHHH! I'M OFFICIALLY A DARK LORD!!" Ayen cackled.

  Ayen (Jin Yenchun):

  Title: Royalty, Self-Proclaimed Dark Lord

  Race: Humanoid Vampire

  Rank: S+

  Role: —

  Creator Skill: Blood Manipulation

  Legendary Skill: See Through

  Unique Skill: Overdrive Mana

  Uncommon Skill: Telepathy

  Attribute Skills: Lightning, Ice

  "READ THAT TITLE THOUGH!" I burst out laughing. "You're stuck with that forever?!"

  Ayen (Jin) pointed at me. "Look at you, mocking me! Insect!"

  "Be quiet! Tonio's trying to figure his out!" Cezar (Shoyo) said.

  "Dude's the most unfortunate one here," we all laughed.

  "HUHUHU, if only I could manifest my status..." Tonio sobbed.

  Meanwhile, in the Gods' Realm

  The Ruler of the Universe slapped his face. "I'm starting to regret summoning them..."

  "You say that every time," the other gods muttered.

  "SILENCE!" smack

  Awkward silence

  Back to the Human Realm

  Ayen (Jin): "MUHAHAHA! You can serve under me, Tonio!"

  "And if I decline?" Tonio asked.

  "Then you've just forfeited your chance to become a soldier in my army!! MUHAHAHA!!"

  End of Chapter 1