Chapter 3: Finding the Vanguard

  The streets of Mandaue were a war zone.

  Every corner, every alleyway, was a reminder of the chaos that had consumed the city. Buildings that once stood tall now lay in ruins, their skeletons reaching up into the sky like the broken remains of a dying titan. The air was thick with the scent of burnt rubble and saltwater as the ocean continued to churn, its boiling waves crashing against anything in its path.

  Adrian moved through the carnage with purpose, his eyes scanning the wreckage for signs of life. He knew the city better than most, but even he could barely recognize the once-familiar streets now ravaged by the storm of cosmic energy. Time was running out, and with the Manifestation Mandate still in effect, the world was changing faster than he could adapt.

  Eva’s voice crackled through his earpiece again. "Adrian, you’re not going to like this. I’ve got eyes on the survivors, but they’re pinned down. They can’t last much longer. We need backup."

  Adrian’s grip tightened on the Genesis Ring. He could feel the surge of energy pulsing through it, but he also knew that his resources were finite. The First World Boss, the Typhon-Aswang Hive, was still out there, waiting for him to make his move. But Eva’s request was a reminder: He wasn’t the only one in this fight. He needed a team. A vanguard.

  He thought back to the people he had met in his past life—the ones who had helped him survive the first iteration of this nightmare. He couldn’t do it alone this time. The "Default Rules" had made that clear. He needed allies. And if he couldn’t find them, the world would be lost.

  His destination was clear: the gym. The reports Eva had sent him indicated that Mike Hale, a local gym trainer, had been holding his own against a growing swarm of mutated street dogs. He was one of the few survivors who had managed to make it through the early chaos.

  Adrian reached the gym in record time, scaling the debris-strewn walls of nearby buildings to get a better vantage point. The gym was a concrete fortress of sorts, its heavy metal doors closed off with what looked like an impromptu barricade. Outside, a few figures moved about, but most of them were engaged in fighting. Mike was one of them.

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  He saw him immediately—a tall figure, his silhouette outlined by the firelight coming from the gym’s broken windows. Mike was using a weight plate as a shield, bashing it against the snarling pack of mutated dogs that had surrounded him. The creatures were fast, rabid, and hungry, but Mike was holding his ground, his powerful frame absorbing the blows and dishing out even more.

  Adrian wasted no time. He dropped down from the rooftop and landed gracefully in the middle of the pack of dogs. Before they could even turn their attention to him, he unleashed a wave of energy from the Genesis Ring. The force of it sent the first few dogs sprawling backward, their bodies sizzling as they were hit with the energy blast.

  "Mike!" Adrian shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Get inside! Now!"

  Mike turned, his face a mask of grit and determination, but his eyes softened with recognition. He nodded once, then turned back to the horde. With a swift motion, he dropped the weight plate and grabbed a nearby dumbbell, swinging it like a club to take down the closest dogs. As he did, he backed up toward the door of the gym.

  Adrian followed closely, pushing through the remaining pack of street dogs. He felt the energy surge through him, his power growing with every kill. The local Node’s energy bank was rising, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet.

  When they finally reached the gym, Adrian wasted no time in closing the doors behind them, securing the entrance. The sounds of the dogs’ shrieking and clawing at the barricade continued, but inside the gym was quiet, save for the labored breathing of the two men.

  Mike collapsed onto a nearby bench, wiping sweat from his brow. He was covered in scratches and bruises, but there was a fire in his eyes that told Adrian he wasn’t about to give up.

  "That’s some serious strength you’ve got there," Adrian remarked, giving Mike a nod. "You’re a fighter."

  Mike grinned, his face splitting into a wide smile. "What can I say? This gym’s been my home for the last few years. Got used to lifting more than weights." He glanced around at the gym’s interior, which had been repurposed into a temporary refuge. "You look like you’re in charge of something bigger than just surviving."

  Adrian’s smile faded as he glanced at the screen in front of him, pulling up the "Default Rules" once more. "I am. The game’s changed, Mike. The whole world’s changing. And I’m trying to make sure humanity has a fighting chance. I’m gathering a team. A vanguard."

  Mike stood slowly, still recovering from the fight. "Sounds like I’m in, then. What’s next?"

  Adrian glanced back at him, his mind racing. "We need to secure the Mandaue City Node. It’s the key to everything. Once we do, we can start building the Aether-Vanguard—a flying fortress to take us across this wrecked world."

  Mike nodded. "I’m ready. Let’s take it down."

  But before Adrian could reply, another notification flashed in his vision:

  New Objective

  “Vanguard Assembly” - Mike Hale has joined your party. Proceed to locate additional party members.

  “World Boss Alert” - The Typhon-Aswang Hive has entered the region. Time is running out. Secure the Node before the boss arrives.

  Adrian cursed under his breath. The countdown was on. He needed more help. And fast.

  “Let’s go, Mike,” Adrian said, determination in his voice. “We’ve got a lot more to do before that boss shows up.”

  Mike grinned again. "Lead the way."

  Together, they turned toward the streets once more, ready to face the challenges ahead. The first member of the vanguard had been found. Now, it was time to find the rest.