A rush of adrenaline crashes into my synapses leaving my mind blurry and panicked. My body turns to lead as my legs lose their strength. I reach for the light post and cling on as I try to prevent my limp body from falling to the ground.


    Time passes and I eventually regain some awareness of my surroundings. I get goosebumps as a slight cool breeze passes and can hear rustle of Palm trees in-between the empty road and the California coast. The occasional sound of cars screaming across the old worn-out highway had completely stopped.


    Greetings Planet DD321 (Earth), you have been selected for evaluation by System. (Processing…)


    Planet “Earth” has been ranked a T2 civilization. As a bonus for such a low rank civilization, planet “Earth” has been awarded a 2-year protection from outside invaders.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Due to location of Plant D321 (Earth), you have been awarded the position of Nexus. (Your planet will become a center for all planets within region G5821.)


    I’m in shock. These words flow through my mind as if I had been reading them on paper. They aren’t obstructing my vision yet they feel like they are right in front of me. I walk along the beach contemplating my life.


    My name is Tal and I’m a cook at the local seaside restaurant. It’s nothing fancy, but the food we serve is fresh. I hadn’t always planned on staying in the small town of Morro Bay, where I grew up. I had dreams when I was young of hopping from country to country experiencing different cultures. These were unrealistic dreams given my circumstances and eventually I had to let them go and focus on reality.


    Now, with the world seemingly changing I have an opportunity to change. I don’t know where I’ll end up or what I’ll be doing after becoming acclimated with The System, but I’m determined get the most out of this opportunity.