《UNTITLED - Book One - Venture into Eternity, Reclaim the Star's Embrace》 Prologue The energy backstage was electric. The pulsing of the crowd, the flashing of stage lights, the distant echoes of the opening acts¡ªit all created a symphony of anticipation. But in the midst of it all, Ken and Aiah stood in a quiet corner, away from the chaos, soaking in the moment. Ken exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. He could already hear the deafening chanting of their names from the stadium outside. Aiah smirked, leaning against the vanity mirror, twirling a microphone in her hand. "Nervous?" Ken chuckled, shaking his head. "Not really. More like... I don''t know. This one feels different." "Because it''s our last?" Aiah asked, her tone lighter than the weight in her words. Ken hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. Feels like we''re closing a book, not just a chapter." Aiah hummed in agreement, gazing at the reflection of their PPOP group''s logo emblazoned on the jackets hanging nearby¡ªZone Break & Klara. They had spent years together, training, performing, growing from rookies to global superstars. Tonight was their final performance, their farewell before they all went their separate ways. ICON in Los Angeles was more than just a concert; it was a monument to their legacy. "After tonight, things are going to change," Aiah mused. Ken glanced at her. "You sound like you''re not ready to say goodbye." She shot him a teasing smile. "And you sound like you are." Ken didn''t answer. The truth was¡ªhe wasn''t sure how he felt. He had dreamed of this life, worked tirelessly for it, yet deep inside, something gnawed at him. Something he couldn''t quite explain. A voice over the intercom interrupted his thoughts. "Ken & Aiah, to the stage. You''re up next." Ken and Aiah exchanged a look. No more time for questions. Showtime. The deafening roar of the crowd hit them like a tidal wave the moment they stepped onto the grand stage. The stadium was packed, with over 90,000 fans screaming their names, their glow sticks painting the venue in a sea of shimmering colors. Millions more watched through live broadcasts worldwide. The giant LED screens displayed their faces as they took their positions. Ken stood in the center, dressed in a black and silver performance outfit, his microphone in hand. Aiah mirrored him, standing across the stage, her presence equally commanding. The intro notes of their most popular collaboration song¡ªEclipse¡ªbegan to play, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Ken closed his eyes, took a breath, and as the beat dropped¡ª He sang. As their voices harmonized, something unusual started happening around the world. It began subtly¡ªa static distortion on television screens broadcasting the concert, causing brief flickers of incomprehensible symbols. Then, in multiple cities¡ª Auroras appeared in skies where they never should have been. The ocean tides shifted unnaturally, causing slight tremors along coastlines. Birds and animals became restless, their behaviors shifting erratically. A surge of UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) sightings flooded social media, as glowing orbs hovered above major cities. Back in Los Angeles, above the concert stadium, a mysterious pillar of light suddenly descended from the sky¡ª A shimmering, almost divine presence, forming a halo-like glow above the venue. The audience gasped, some pointing toward the sky in awe. But as quickly as it came, the concert''s lightshow effects kicked in, masking the strange occurrence as part of the performance. The show continued without interruption¡ªbut something had changed. As Ken and Aiah reached the climax of the song, hitting the final high note together, a sudden flash of memory surged through their minds. THE NIGHT BEFORE... The streets of Los Angeles buzzed with life, neon signs glowing against the darkened sky. The air smelled of street food, gasoline, and the electric excitement of a city that never truly slept. Ken adjusted his cap and pulled his hoodie lower over his face. Beside him, Aiah walked briskly, her long coat swaying with each step. The two of them had been out for hours, wandering through the city like ordinary people, rather than two of the biggest pop stars in the world. Tomorrow was the final concert of their careers. ICON ¨C The Grand Finale. The last time they would stand on stage together as members of Zone Break and Klara. Aiah sighed, stretching her arms over her head. "I still can''t believe it''s ending." Ken smirked. "You say that like we''re retiring from life. It''s just a break." "Still..." She kicked a small rock on the sidewalk. "It''s weird, right? We''ve spent years in the industry, and after tomorrow¡ªpoof. No more late-night rehearsals, no more tours, no more fans screaming our names." Ken chuckled. "I mean, we could always do a comeback tour in ten years. Imagine us performing at forty." Aiah burst out laughing. "Gross. Don''t say that." Ken grinned but didn''t reply. In truth, he felt it too¡ªthe strange sense of finality. Tomorrow, everything changed. They turned down a quieter street, away from the noisy main roads. The air was cooler here, tinged with the scent of old books and rain-damp pavement. It was supposed to be a casual night out, but then¡ªthings started happening. It started subtly. First, the phone. While taking a selfie together under a glowing billboard, Ken''s phone slipped from his hand. It should have smashed against the pavement, but instead, it landed softly, as if cushioned by an invisible force. Aiah bent down to pick it up. "Damn, that was lucky¡ª" Then she froze. The phone screen flickered, displaying strange, golden symbols for a split second before returning to normal. Ken frowned, taking the phone from her. "What was that?" "Some weird glitch?" Aiah suggested, but there was hesitation in her voice. Ken stared at the screen. Everything seemed fine now, yet... something in the back of his mind whispered that it wasn''t just a glitch. Second, the street performer. As they walked, they passed a lone guitarist sitting on a corner, strumming a slow, haunting tune. His voice was deep, almost ancient, and the song... Neither of them understood the words, yet they knew exactly what they meant. "Two lost souls, wandering in time¡ª Fate binds them, unbroken, divine¡ª At the end of the world, they will see, The truth they forgot, their destiny." Ken stopped in his tracks. His heart pounded. Aiah swallowed. "That''s... eerie." The musician looked straight at them, his eyes flashing gold for just a second¡ªthen he simply kept playing, as if nothing had happened. Third, the mirror. Inside a boutique, Ken tried on sunglasses. He turned to the side, examining his reflection¡ª And then it moved out of sync with him. Just by a fraction of a second. But enough for him to notice. Enough for him to see that his reflection smirked¡ª Even though he hadn''t. Ken whipped off the glasses, stepping back. His reflection was normal again. Aiah, seeing his pale face, raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay?" Ken hesitated. "Yeah... just thought I saw something weird." She nudged him playfully. "Maybe you''re just ugly in parallel dimensions." He didn''t laugh. Fourth, the flickering streetlamp. They turned onto a quieter street, where a single streetlamp ahead of them was flickering erratically. The moment they walked beneath it, the bulb shattered, plunging them into darkness. Aiah grabbed Ken''s sleeve. "Okay, this is officially getting creepy." Before Ken could answer¡ª The power in the entire block went out. Everything around them plunged into pitch blackness. Then, at the end of the dark street, there was light. A small, glowing antique shop, its sign gently swaying in an unseen breeze. The soft golden light spilling from its windows was the only illumination in the entire street. The sign above the door read: "The Timeless Relic" Aiah blinked. "That wasn''t there before... was it?" Ken swallowed hard. "No." Yet, something pulled them forward¡ªnot fear, not curiosity, but something deeper. Something familiar. They pushed open the door, and a small bell chimed overhead. The moment they stepped inside, the air felt thicker, as though time itself had slowed. The shop was cramped and cluttered, filled with old books, strange trinkets, and artifacts from different eras. The scent of aged paper and incense filled the air. Behind the counter stood a mysterious lady¡ªher hair long and silver, her eyes a deep shade of violet, carrying a wisdom that felt ancient and infinite. She smiled. "You''ve come at last," she said softly, as if she had been expecting them. Ken and Aiah hesitated. "Uh... sorry, do we know you?" Ken asked. The woman chuckled softly. "Not in this life." Aiah frowned. "What do you mean?" The shopkeeper gestured toward a small wooden box on the counter. "Fate moves forward, but the past never disappears. The two of you have walked this path before. And soon, the door will open again." Ken felt a strange pull toward the box. Slowly, the woman lifted the lid and revealed two small trinkets resting on velvet cloth. Ken''s was a metallic ring, carved with ancient symbols he didn''t recognize. Aiah''s was a crescent-shaped pendant, its surface almost pulsing with a faint glow. "These belong to you," the shopkeeper said. "They will guide you when the time comes." Ken reached out and picked up the ring. The moment his fingers brushed the metal, a rush of warmth spread through his body, like an old memory trying to resurface. Aiah hesitated before taking the pendant, staring at it with an odd sense of familiarity and sadness. "This is crazy," Ken muttered, still turning the ring between his fingers. "Why are you giving these to us?" The woman''s eyes softened. "Because your story is far from over." Just as the words left her lips, the shop lights flickered. Then¡ª Darkness. For a moment, Ken and Aiah felt like they were floating in nothingness. A deep, cosmic silence surrounded them. And then, they saw¡ª A great village floating among the stars. A divine figure collapsing in golden light. A battle against shadowed figures with red, glowing eyes. A grand door, opening into the unknown. Ken gasped and stumbled back, the vision disappearing as suddenly as it came. The lights flickered back on. But the shop¡ª It was gone. The street was no longer deserted. Cars passed by. Pedestrians chatted as if nothing had happened. It was as if the shop had never existed. Ken turned to Aiah, his pulse racing. "...Did you see that?" Aiah clutched her pendant tightly, her expression distant. "I don''t know what it was," she whispered, "but it felt... real." Somewhere, in the depths of the universe, fate had just begun to turn. BACK TO PRESENT TIME... The moment the last note faded into the air, the stadium erupted. The roar of seventy thousand fans reverberated through the walls, their collective voices shaking the very ground beneath them. A sea of flashing lights illuminated the night sky, thousands of phones raised high, capturing the moment in history. Ken and Aiah stood at the center of the grand ICON stage, panting from exhaustion, their hands still clasped together from their final pose. Sweat glistened on their skin under the blinding spotlights, but neither moved. Instead, they let the moment sink in. This was it. The last concert. The end of an era. Aiah wiped a tear from her eye, laughing breathlessly. "Damn... I told myself I wouldn''t cry." Ken grinned, squeezing her hand slightly before stepping forward toward the mic. The audience screamed louder at the simple movement, a wave of pure adoration crashing against him. He raised his free hand to quiet them, and the deafening stadium gradually hushed. Ken glanced at Aiah, who nodded at him, before he turned back to the crowd. "Tonight... this was our final performance as Zone Break and Klara." His voice echoed through the massive venue. A collective murmur rippled through the audience, a mix of disbelief and heartbreak. "For the past eight years, you''ve all been our home, our reason, our everything." Ken''s voice remained steady, but his chest tightened with emotion. "We may be stepping away from the stage, but we will always be one family. No matter where life takes us, we promise¡ªthis is not the end. It''s just... a new beginning." Aiah leaned in close to the mic. "We love you all. Thank you for growing with us!" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The audience erupted again, their chants and cheers filling the night. Confetti burst into the air, raining down like golden stardust. Ken and Aiah took one last bow together before turning back toward the other members of their groups, standing at the edges of the stage. Their friends, their family. One by one, they all joined hands, taking in the surreal moment as the stage lights dimmed¡ª And with one final, resounding burst of cheers... The curtain closed. Backstage, the atmosphere was different. The thunderous applause was muffled by the thick walls, leaving only the sounds of heavy breathing and the occasional rustle of stagehands moving around. Ken and Aiah made their way toward their dressing rooms, still buzzing from adrenaline. "You ever get the feeling like we just survived something insane?" Aiah chuckled, running a hand through her slightly damp hair. Ken exhaled, tugging at his sweat-drenched shirt. "Yeah. But it''s not just the concert." Aiah slowed her steps, sensing the shift in his tone. She lowered her voice. "You''re still thinking about last night, huh?" Ken didn''t answer right away. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver ring. Aiah stared at it. Then, she hesitantly touched the pendant around her neck¡ªthe one from the antique shop. Her brows furrowed. "Ken... that place. It wasn''t a dream, right?" Ken shook his head. "No." The weight of the moment settled between them. Aiah bit her lip. "Do you think... that lady knew something?" Ken rolled the ring between his fingers, remembering the golden-eyed woman''s parting words. "Tomorrow, the curtain will close on one life... and open on another." A shiver ran down his spine. He exhaled. "I don''t know, Aiah. But I have a feeling we''re about to find out." As they changed into casual clothes and prepared to leave, the rest of their friends¡ªtheir fellow bandmates and closest companions¡ªgathered in the private lounge. The energy was lively, yet Ken couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. Outside the venue, the streets of Los Angeles were brimming with excitement from the after-party atmosphere, but above them, the sky looked... wrong. The clouds had gathered strangely, swirling like ink in water. The air felt charged, like a storm was about to break, yet there was no forecast for rain. Ken glanced at Aiah, who was scrolling through her phone. "You seeing this?" she murmured. He peered over her shoulder. Social media was already exploding. #STRANGE LIGHTS ABOVE LA DURING ICON¡ªUFOs? #EARTHQUAKE NEAR PACIFIC OCEAN AFTER CONCERT¡ªCOINCIDENCE? #CELEBRITIES'' FINAL PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIED BY COSMIC PHENOMENA?? Ken frowned. "Great. Now we''re part of some conspiracy theory." One of their friends, Stell, leaned in, laughing. "Man, this is wild. First, a concert of a lifetime, and now we''re headlining alien news." "At least it''s not another dating scandal," Aiah muttered, sipping her drink. They all laughed, but Ken''s mind was elsewhere. Through the tinted windows, the glow of the city lights flickered strangely. And somewhere, deep in his gut¡ª He knew this was only the beginning. Hours later, they were on a private plane, heading back to the Philippines. The atmosphere was quiet now, the post-concert exhaustion finally settling in. Some of their friends had already dozed off, while others scrolled through their phones, reviewing the night''s highlights. Ken sat by the window, watching the endless stretch of clouds. Aiah, seated beside him, yawned. "I still can''t believe it''s over." Ken hummed in agreement, but his eyes remained fixed on the sky. Something was wrong. The stars seemed brighter. The clouds had a strange shimmer to them. And then¡ª The plane shuddered violently, throwing passengers against their seats. Overhead compartments rattled, and oxygen masks dropped with an eerie hiss. Ken gripped his armrests as his stomach lurched from the sudden drop. Across the aisle, Aiah''s knuckles were white as she clutched the pendant hanging from her neck. A cacophony of shouts and gasps filled the cabin as the aircraft pitched downward. "Whoa!" Pablo, another friend, grabbed the armrest. "What the hell is going on?!" The flight attendants rushed down the aisles, their professional composure barely masking the urgency in their movements. "Everyone, please stay calm and remain in your seats!" one of them called out, though her voice was nearly drowned out by the growing panic. The intercom crackled, and the captain''s voice came through, strained but composed. "This is your captain speaking¡ªplease remain calm. We are experiencing unexpected turbulence, but we have the situation under control." But even as he said those words, the lights flickered, and suddenly¡ª Everything went dark. A heavy silence swallowed the cabin. For a moment, there was only the sound of labored breathing and the distant rush of wind outside the fuselage. Then, the plane lurched again, sending a wave of nausea rolling through Ken''s gut. Through the windows, the clouds parted, revealing a surreal light show in the night sky. Strange, glowing formations danced in the air, spiraling in patterns too precise to be natural. Aiah turned to Ken, eyes wide. "Ken... this isn''t just turbulence." Ken barely had time to respond before the nose of the aircraft tilted downward again, the feeling of free fall making everyone scream. Inside the Cockpit... The dim glow of the instrument panels flickered erratically as the co-pilot fought to stabilize the descent. "Captain, we''ve lost all power!" The altimeter was dropping fast. The captain''s fingers flew across the controls. "Switching to emergency power¡ª" "Already tried!" the co-pilot snapped. "Nothing''s responding!" Outside the windshield, the endless ocean stretched beneath them, their descent far too steep for any normal landing. "This is it," the co-pilot thought grimly. Then¡ª A shift. An invisible force gripped the plane, and suddenly¡ª It was gliding. The rapid descent slowed, the nose of the aircraft lifting slightly as if guided by unseen hands. "Captain!" the co-pilot gasped, pointing ahead. Through the mist, an island emerged. A sprawling landmass, dense with untouched wilderness, loomed beneath them¡ªits western side revealing a vast open field, large enough for a safe landing. The plane continued to glide, smoothly, as if carried by the wind itself. Seconds later¡ª A gentle touchdown. The aircraft rolled across the field, gradually slowing until it came to a complete halt. For a long moment, no one spoke. The captain''s hands trembled slightly as he reached for the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have landed safely. Please remain seated as we assess the situation and confirm if an emergency exit is necessary." Then, he turned to the co-pilot. "Where the hell are we?" The co-pilot swallowed, staring at the dark treetops ahead. "I don''t know." The cabin remained eerily silent after the captain''s announcement. No one dared to move at first, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them like a heavy fog. Ken took a deep breath, his pulse still racing from the near-death experience. Across the aisle, Pablo was gripping the seat in front of him, his face pale. "That was not normal," he muttered, shaking his head. "Planes don''t just glide on their own after losing power." Beside him, Yna glanced at the window. The view outside was unsettling¡ªa dense, dark jungle beyond the open field, with shadows twisting unnaturally under the moonlight. Aiah reached for Ken''s hand, her fingers cold. "I have a bad feeling about this," she whispered. The flight attendants began moving down the aisles, checking on the passengers. A few people sobbed softly, others whispered hurried prayers under their breath. Finally, the cockpit door swung open, and the captain stepped out, his face unreadable. "We''re on an uncharted island," he announced, his voice steady despite the clear tension in his eyes. "We''ve been unable to contact air traffic control or receive any signals. For now, we need to evacuate the plane in an orderly manner and set up a temporary camp while we figure out our next steps." A murmur of unease spread through the passengers. Ken exchanged glances with his friends¡ªPablo, Stell, Josh, and Justin¡ªhis fellow Zone Break members. Aiah''s own group, Klara, sat a few rows behind, their expressions mirroring the same apprehension. Justin leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Ken, tell me I''m not the only one who noticed that weird light outside before we landed." "You''re not," Ken confirmed. "And whatever this place is... I don''t think it''s normal." "Yeah, no kidding," Josh muttered. "The moment we landed, my ears started ringing. Like... something''s messing with my head." "Same here," Jhoanna said, rubbing her temples. "It''s like the air itself is different." Colet frowned, looking at the passengers. "Let''s just get out of here first. The last thing we need is to cause more panic." Ken nodded, gripping Aiah''s hand a little tighter. Something was watching them. And he wasn''t sure if it was human. The emergency doors opened, and passengers carefully descended down the inflatable slides onto the soft grass below. The air outside was humid yet strangely electric, a tension hanging in the atmosphere like an unsung warning. As Ken stepped onto the ground, his skin tingled. Aiah shivered beside him. "Do you feel that?" "Yeah," Ken murmured. "It''s like... we''re being observed." The other members of Zone Break and Klara gathered near them as the crew began organizing passengers into small groups. "We should stick together," Justine said, his usual lightheartedness absent. "Something about this place is off." A low wind howled through the jungle, causing the leaves to rustle violently despite the air feeling unnervingly still. Then¡ª A distant scream rang through the air. Everyone froze. A second later, the sound was cut off abruptly, as if swallowed by the jungle. Ken turned sharply toward the sound. "What the hell was that?" The lead flight attendant, Marcos, frowned and turned to the crew. "Everyone, stay where you are! We''re doing a headcount!" A tense silence followed. The captain''s voice came through a small radio, speaking to one of the crew members on the other side of the plane. Then¡ª "Sir... Marcos is missing." A chill ran down Ken''s spine. "He was right here," Aiah whispered. "He probably wandered off," one of the other passengers said, but their tone betrayed their fear. A heavy silence fell over them. Then¡ªanother sound. A distant crunch, like leaves and twigs being stepped on. This time, it was closer. Ken''s heart pounded. He exchanged a look with Aiah, who was already gripping the pendant she received from the antique store. "We need to find shelter," the captain decided. "We don''t know what''s out here, and we need to regroup before we start searching." The group moved quickly, following the flight crew toward a slightly elevated part of the land where they could get a better vantage point. But as they walked¡ª Josh spun around. "Wait¡ªwhere''s sir Ethan?" The group turned, scanning the area. Ethan, their Road Manager, was gone. "Dammit!" Pablo swore, running back toward where Ethan was last seen. "Sir Ethan! Where are you?!" Ken grabbed his shoulder. "Stop! If we keep splitting up, we''ll¡ª" A loud rustling erupted from the trees. The group whipped around, expecting to see Ethan. But there was nothing there. Just the empty jungle, eerily quiet. Then¡ª Another rustling noise came from the jungle. Before anyone could respond¡ª "HELP!" A woman''s scream erupted from their behind. The group turned in time to see one of Klara''s staff members, a wardrobe assistant named Mina, standing near the edge of the forest. Her wide eyes reflected pure terror¡ª Then, she vanished. One blink. Gone. The ground where she stood was undisturbed, no signs of a struggle. Gasps and panicked murmurs erupted among the passengers. "Holy shit¡ª" Ken swore under his breath. Aiah stared at the darkened jungle, her heart pounding. Nightfall crept in, turning the jungle into a place of shifting shadows and unseen whispers. The remaining passengers had huddled together near the plane, too afraid to wander far. Ken, Aiah, and their friends, however, couldn''t sit still. "We have to find them," Mikha said, gripping her arms. "And go where?" Stacey asked bitterly. "People are vanishing the moment we take our eyes off them!" Aiah stared at the darkened jungle, her heart pounding. Then¡ª A faint glow caught her eye. "Look," she whispered, pointing ahead. A few meters away, hidden behind the tall grass, was a ruined stone archway, half-buried in the earth. Beyond it, an old tunnel descended into the darkness. Ken stepped forward cautiously, inspecting the worn carvings on the stone. Strange symbols covered the archway¡ªancient and unreadable, yet somehow... familiar. Aiah touched the markings, a strange warmth flooding through her fingertips. Ken looked at her. "Do you think this is...?" Aiah swallowed. "I don''t know, but..." She turned to the others. "I think Mina and the others might be in there." "Or something else is," Sheena muttered, uneasy. Gwen sighed, rubbing his face. "This is how horror movies start." "Well, we don''t have a choice," Ken said, stepping past the archway. "We have to go in." The group hesitated for only a moment before following him inside. The tunnel was cold and damp, the air thick with dust and the scent of old stone. Their footsteps echoed ominously as they ventured deeper. "This place feels... ancient," Colet murmured. Ken''s breath hitched as the tunnel suddenly opened up into a vast chamber. Massive stone statues lined the circular room, each one carved with otherworldly precision. Their faces were solemn, unreadable, as if silently watching the intruders. At the far end of the chamber¡ª A colossal doorway, covered in intricate locks and chains. The hairs on Ken''s neck stood on end. Aiah exhaled sharply. "What... is this place?" Stell moved closer to one of the statues, running his hand along its surface. "This stone... it feels almost¡ª" A low hum vibrated through the chamber. The air shifted. Then¡ª A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber. "Who dares trespass in the sacred halls of the Forgotten Gate?" Ken''s blood turned to ice. The statues'' eyes glowed¡ª And the doors at the far end shuddered as if something behind them was awakening. The ground trembled. The statues, once frozen in silent judgment, now shifted. Stone cracked and groaned as ancient joints moved for the first time in centuries. Their glowing eyes burned like molten gold, locking onto the intruders. Then¡ª A massive stone hand crashed down where they had stood just moments before. "Move!" Pablo shouted, dragging Justin away as dust and debris exploded into the air. The chamber erupted into chaos. The statues came alive, their monolithic forms moving with unnatural speed. Their hands swung like executioner''s blades, aiming to crush the intruders. Josh barely dodged a sweeping strike, rolling across the cold stone floor. "This isn''t some kind of prank, right?!" "Shut up and run!" Maloi shrieked, grabbing Stacey''s wrist as they dashed toward the center of the room. One by one, the other passengers¡ªthe crew, the staff, the strangers who had survived the crash¡ªwere caught in the statues'' onslaught. Their screams echoed through the chamber as a blinding light engulfed them. Then¡ª Silence. Where they had stood, there was nothing left. No blood. No bodies. Just faint afterimages, dissolving into shimmering particles. Ken''s chest tightened. "They just... vanished?" Aiah clenched her fists. "No, they were taken somewhere." But there was no time to dwell. The statues continued their merciless attack, forcing Zone Break and Klara to react. Colet''s eyes darted across the chamber. "There has to be a way out!" At that moment, the air shimmered. A massive inscription ignited across the chamber walls, written in an unknown yet strangely familiar language. The words burned like fire, and yet their meaning etched itself into their minds: "The worthy shall endure. The unworthy shall be erased." A sudden pressure weighed on them, like an invisible force pressing down on their souls. A test. "Guys, we have to survive whatever this is," Stell panted. The chamber shifted. The stone floor cracked apart, revealing an abyss below. The only remaining footholds were a series of narrow platforms suspended in midair. A low, guttural chant rumbled through the chamber¡ªan unseen force guiding the statues. Their attacks became more precise, as if they had learned their movements. "Jump!" Pablo yelled as one of the platforms crumbled beneath them. They leaped from one platform to the next, each one more unstable than the last. The statues pursued relentlessly, their massive hands reaching¡ªgrasping¡ªmissing them by mere inches. Gwen slipped. "Aiah!" she cried out as her foot skidded off the edge. Aiah lunged, catching her wrist just in time. "I''ve got you!" But the moment their hands touched, another pulse of light burst from the abyss below. Gwen vanished. "No¡ª!" Aiah gasped, her fingers grasping at empty air. One by one, the others began disappearing. A wrong step. A second too slow. A grasp that came too late. Each time, that same eerie light swallowed them whole. Ken''s heart pounded. This isn''t death. It''s something else. Still, they had no choice but to press forward. At last, only Ken and Aiah remained. They stood at the final platform¡ªa lone slab of stone suspended before the great door. The chamber fell silent. The statues halted. Then, from the darkness beyond the abyss, a figure emerged. A woman in flowing robes, her face partially veiled, stepped forward. Her presence was calm, almost soothing, as if she had been expecting them. Ken''s breath caught. "You¡ª" It was her. The woman from the antique shop. The guardian of this place. "You have done well," she said, her voice rich with an otherworldly resonance. "You have proven yourselves worthy." Aiah''s hands curled into fists. "What is this place? What happened to the others?" The woman smiled¡ªsoft, knowing. "They are safe. They have simply... moved ahead." A pause. Then she turned toward the colossal doors, still bound by intricate chains. "Beyond this gate lies your path home," she said. "It is the only way off this island." The great door rumbled, as if responding to her words. Ken hesitated. Something felt off. But then he glanced at Aiah. Her exhaustion, her desperation. They needed to believe. And so, with a deep breath, he stepped forward. Aiah followed. The woman''s smile remained. But just for a moment, a flicker of something else passed over her face. Satisfaction. Triumph. The chains shattered. The doors swung open. And beyond them¡ª A light, brilliant and endless, swallowed both of them whole. End of Prologue. CHAPTER 1 - Dying Twice, Living Again Book 1 - Venture into Eternity, Reclaim the Star''s Embrace CHAPTER 1 - Dying Twice, Living Again The neon lights of the city flickered against the rain-slicked streets, casting distorted reflections in the puddles beneath towering skyscrapers. Somewhere in the shadows, beyond the prying eyes of surveillance drones and the ever-present hum of digital life, a man lay dying. Ken gasped for breath, pressing a trembling hand against his abdomen. Blood¡ªwarm and sticky¡ªseeped through his fingers, staining his gray hoodie a dark crimson. His vision wavered, the once-sharp cityscape around him melting into a haze of neon streaks. "How...?" The betrayal was swift, merciless. One moment, he had been sitting in his high-rise apartment, overlooking the sprawling megacity, sipping on whiskey as he planned his next move in Eden Prime. The next, his door had burst open. Shadows moved with surgical precision, their blades finding him before he could even react. He had fought back¡ªof course he had. The same cunning that had made him a legend in Eden Prime carried over into the real world. He had dodged, countered, even managed to take one of them down. But there were too many. Too prepared. Now, here he was, stumbling through the shadows like a dying animal, his fingers slick with blood as he clutched his side. His body felt foreign, sluggish, as though it no longer belonged to him. Footsteps echoed behind him. Steady. Unhurried. Ken forced himself forward, but his strength was failing. His knees buckled, and he collapsed against a damp brick wall, gasping. The alley was silent, save for the distant hum of the city. The footsteps stopped. A figure loomed in the darkness beyond the streetlights, their features obscured. A distorted voice¡ªmechanical, emotionless¡ªspoke just loud enough for him to hear. "It''s done." Then, the figure turned and vanished into the night. Ken tried to speak, but only a strangled cough escaped his lips. He slumped forward, the world tilting. The cold seeped into his skin, and for the first time in years, fear gripped him. He had spent his entire life clawing his way to the top, outplaying enemies, building a name feared by millions. Who did this? Why? His vision blurred. And then¡ªlight. A brilliant radiance, foreign yet familiar, engulfed him. The pain receded. The city, the rain, the blood¡ªall of it faded as gravity abandoned him. He was falling. Ken opened his eyes. His senses returned, but everything was wrong. He was no longer in the alley. No longer bleeding, no longer dying. Instead, he stood, floating above a vast, endless ocean, black as the void. The sky stretched infinitely above, a swirling abyss of darkness punctuated by shifting stars. The air was still. The silence absolute. Then, the mirrors rose. One by one, they emerged from the water¡¯s surface, their smooth, reflective surfaces gleaming unnaturally¡ªthousands of them, forming a great shifting sphere around him. Their reflections shimmered, each displaying different moments of his life. His childhood. His first login into Eden Prime. His first victory in Eden Prime. The moment he had created his guild. The night he took his guild to the top ten. The moment his world came crashing down. His breath quickened. What is this? Ken¡¯s breath caught as he turned in place, surrounded by an endless array of memories. Then, one mirror stood out. Unlike the others, its surface shimmered, and within it, he saw himself¡ªnot as the feared and respected leader of Eden Prime, but as a younger version, fresh-faced and hopeful, the day he first logged into Eden Prime. His younger self stared back at him, full of naive ambition. The mirror drew closer, its surface rippling like liquid silver. His fingers twitched. An inexplicable pull urged him to reach out. But before he could touch it, the world shook. The ocean churned violently beneath him, waves rising like grasping hands. The sky, once a deep void, turned an ominous shade of crimson. A crack like thunder tore through the silence, and from the depths of the water, something rose. Then¡ªhe appeared. Another figure rose from the ocean¡¯s depths. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. It was him. Or rather¡ªanother him. At first, he was unconscious, suspended in the air by unseen forces. His face¡ªKen¡¯s face¡ªwas eerily familiar yet utterly different. His presence was overwhelming¡ªstronger and purer, radiating something beyond comprehension that made Ken¡¯s very soul tremble. Chains shot out from the ocean, wrapping around Ken¡¯s limbs before he could react. He struggled, thrashing against the restraints, but the bindings held firm, searing into his soul. The water below seethed as if responding to his anger. The floating figure, the other him¡ªstirred. His eyes opened. And in them was an unfathomable, ancient power. Ken¡¯s struggles ceased as those glowing eyes locked onto his. Then, in a voice that was not entirely his own, ancient and absolute, he spoke a single word, resonating across the boundless realm. "Sleep." Power rippled through the void, crashing over Ken like an unstoppable tide. Ken¡¯s struggles ceased and his body went slack.. His consciousness wavered, the weight of something greater pressing down on him. The chains tightened, and before darkness overtook him, he saw was his own reflection in the approaching mirror¡ªbefore everything turned to white. Then¡ªnothing. The other Ken stepped forward, untouched by the bindings. He reached out. And as his fingers touched the mirror¡ª Light engulfed him. And he vanished. A voice called out to him. Soft yet firm, familiar yet distant. A voice from the past¡ªone he had long buried alongside the pain of loss. "Ken! Wake up, you¡¯ll be late!" His eyelids twitched. His breathing slowed. That voice¡­ His heart clenched. That voice shouldn¡¯t exist anymore. It had been gone for years, lost to time and memory. He wanted to answer, but his throat tightened. A strange pressure weighed on him, as if the world itself had shifted under his feet. Then, another voice¡ªlouder this time, filled with impatience. "Ken! I swear, if you don¡¯t wake up now¡ª" The door creaked open. A woman stood in the doorway, framed by the morning light. Her silver-streaked hair was tied neatly in a bun, and the sharp yet kind eyes behind her glasses bore into him with a mix of exasperation and expectation. Ken¡¯s breath hitched. "Grandma¡­?" He shot up from the bed, his heartbeat a deafening roar in his ears. His vision blurred, his thoughts scattering like fallen leaves in the wind. He could feel his fingers trembling, yet he didn¡¯t care. He had to touch her¡ªto confirm that she was real. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her. Warm. Solid. Alive. Tears welled in his eyes. He had spent years regretting not spending more time with her before she passed, hating how life had taken her from him. Yet here she was, standing before him, her warmth bleeding into his skin. "O-Oi, what¡¯s this now?" His grandmother stiffened, flabbergasted. Ken had never acted like this before. She cleared her throat, composing herself. "I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into you, but hugging me won¡¯t excuse you from school." Ken didn¡¯t reply. He couldn¡¯t. His mind was in turmoil. Why was she here? She had died. He remembered the funeral, the grief, the emptiness that followed. But this¡ªthis was real. He could hear her heartbeat, feel the softness of the fabric of her clothes, smell the faint scent of tea and old books. This isn¡¯t right. A sharp pain stabbed into his skull. Suddenly, memories¡ªnot his own¡ªflooded his mind. A sea of unfamiliar images flashed before his eyes. A roaring crowd. Hands grasping someone else¡¯s in triumph. The hum of an airplane cabin. The sudden jolt of turbulence. A massive, towering door bathed in light. Then¡ªdarkness. Ken clutched his head, gritting his teeth. He tried to focus, to grab onto something familiar, but the memories were fragmented, slipping through his fingers like sand. Who¡­ am I? "Ken? Are you okay?" His grandmother¡¯s voice pulled him back to reality. He looked up, forcing a smile. "Yeah¡­ I just had a weird dream, that¡¯s all." She studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Well, hurry up. You¡¯ll be late." Ken nodded absentmindedly. As he watched her walk away, a nagging sense of dissonance lingered in his chest. Steam rose in wisps around him as warm water cascaded down his back. Ken stood motionless in the shower, hands braced against the tiled wall. The dull ache in his skull had subsided, but the unease remained. He had memories of this life¡ªhis childhood, his school, his friends, his grandmother raising him while his parents worked abroad. He could recall every detail of his daily routine, the streets he walked, the stores he visited. And yet¡­ It all feels fake. Like an intricate illusion, too perfect yet fundamentally wrong. His instincts¡ªhis mannerisms¡ªfelt too aligned with this body. As if he had always lived here. As if everything before waking up today had been nothing more than a dream. Ken clenched his fists. "Am I going crazy?" he muttered under his breath. "Is this¡­ some kind of psychosis? A mental disorder?" No. That didn¡¯t feel right either. Something happened before he woke up here. He could feel it, even if the details were buried. He shut his eyes, trying to reach for the missing pieces. A sensation brushed against his mind¡ªchains tightening, an ocean of darkness, a mirror reflecting a life not his own. Then¡ªnothing. Damn it. With a deep breath, he forced the thoughts away. Right now, all he could do was follow the rhythm of this life¡ªat least until he figured out the truth. Breakfast was uneventful. Ken¡¯s grandmother muttered something about eating more, while he absentmindedly nodded through the conversation. He barely tasted the food. His thoughts were elsewhere. When he left the house, the world greeted him with a strange familiarity. The sky was a pale blue, the morning air crisp and cool. He walked the path he had always taken to school. Yet each step felt unnatural. The faces around him were familiar, but they stirred nothing in him. The streets, the buildings, the shops¡ªeverything was where it should be, but instead of comfort, all he felt was disconnect. It was as if he were a stranger in his own life. As he neared the school gates, a single thought haunted him. Is this really my life? Or am I just playing a role I don¡¯t remember signing up for? TO BE CONTINUED¡­ CHAPTER 2 - A Stranger in His Own Life Book 1 - Venture into Eternity, Reclaim the Star''s Embrace CHAPTER 2 - A Stranger in His Own Life Ken stepped through the gates of Holy Light Academy, his uniform crisp, his posture relaxed¡ªyet his mind was anything but. The school grounds stretched before him, exactly as he remembered¡ªfrom the other Ken. Students moved in small groups, chatting about mundane things, unaware of how insignificant their concerns felt compared to the storm brewing inside him. A trio of girls whispered as he walked past, their giggles a faint buzz at the edge of his awareness. A group of boys shouted near the basketball court, throwing taunts and laughter at each other. Everything was normal. Everything was wrong. Ken¡¯s gaze swept across the campus, analyzing, processing, comparing¡ªa habit from his past life. The future Ken''s memories told him which of these students would later rise to prominence, which would become obstacles, which would become allies¡­ and which would become nothing at all. 10 days before Eden Prime¡¯s launch. The game will change everything. But before that, I need to establish my footing. But before he could think further, a voice called out to him. ¡°Ken! Oi, Ken!¡± Ken turned toward the familiar voice just as a tall, lanky boy jogged up to him, grinning. The boy clapped a hand on his shoulder, grinning widely. Ken took a moment to process him¡ªLean, his childhood friend and longtime classmate. The same Lean from his memories. The same Lean he lost after his grandmother died. Ken never saw him again after he dropped out. He don¡¯t even know what happened to him in the future. Ken hadn¡¯t thought about Lean in years¡ªnot in his past life, nor when he was clawing his way to the top in Eden Prime. But now, the sight of his friend stirred something old, something distant¡ªnostalgia, maybe. Or regret. "You look like a zombie," Lean chuckled, waving a hand in front of Ken¡¯s face. "You sleep at all?" Ken forced a smirk. "Dreamed I got sent back in time. Real trippy stuff." "Ha! You and your weird-ass dreams." Lean slung an arm around Ken¡¯s shoulders, steering him toward the school entrance. "Listen, man, big news. Eden Prime¡¯s early access launch is in 10 days!" Ken knew this, of course. He had been waiting for it, planning for it. But he kept his expression neutral. "Yeah? And?" "And we gotta get in, obviously!" Lean said, eyes shining. "We already talked about this before, remember? We need a sponsor. No way we can afford the hardware upgrades otherwise." Ken¡¯s mind clicked into place. Right. The other Ken''s plan. He let Lean talk as he processed the flood of memories. Neural Implants & Gaming in This World That was the plan of the old Ken and Lean. Find a sponsor, get the equipment, and make a name for themselves in Eden Prime. Ken remembered now. In Ken¡¯s old life, he never made it past this point. He never got a sponsor. He never even played Eden Prime properly until years later. And yet, in his past life, he still became one of the strongest players in the world, starting from nothing. Now, with his knowledge of the future? He wasn¡¯t just going to play. He was going to dominate. But first, he needed to figure out his next move. Ken glanced at Lean, who was still rambling about which sponsors they should approach. In his past life, Lean was his friend¡ªuntil everything fell apart. But now, with a second chance, maybe it didn¡¯t have to end that way. Then, an idea struck him. A bold, reckless, insane idea. He smirked. "Lean, let¡¯s go a bit more crazy." Lean raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" Ken clapped a hand on his shoulder, grinning. "Forget about sponsors. Let¡¯s build our own club." For a second, Lean just stared at him. Then, his face twisted in complete disbelief. "¡­Are you high?" Ken chuckled. He had expected that reaction. "Ken, forget the money for a full-dive capsule¡ªwhere the hell would we get the cash to register a club, rent a space, and pay for the players we recruit? The logistics alone would drown us!" Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "Details, details," Ken said, waving a hand dismissively. "Don''t sweat the small stuff." "Small stuff?!" Lean nearly choked. "Dude, are you hearing yourself? This isn¡¯t some fairy tale where¡ª" Ken stopped in his tracks and turned to face him. "Lean." His voice was calm, but there was a quiet confidence in it that made Lean shut up. Ken met his gaze, unwavering. "I will create miracles. You just need to follow me." For the first time, Lean didn''t have a comeback. He just stared, mouth slightly open, searching for words that wouldn''t come. A silence stretched between them. Then, after a long pause, Lean groaned and rubbed his face. "Shit," he muttered. "I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m actually considering this." Ken grinned. "That¡¯s the spirit." "You''re insane." "And you''re still here, which means you''re in." Lean groaned again but finally sighed in defeat. "...Fine. But if this fails, I¡¯m gonna rub it in your face forever." Ken chuckled. "It won¡¯t fail." Because this time, he had the future on his side. Lean let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Well, I might as well go crazy together with you¡­¡± He shot Ken a sidelong glance before shaking his head. Ken smirked, amused. He had barely begun changing things, and already, the ripple effects were starting. ¡°Oh, by the way,¡± Lean continued, ¡°today¡¯s our annual testing.¡± Ken raised an eyebrow. Lean frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t look too good. Are you sure you¡¯re gonna be alright for the test?¡± At those words, memories from his other self surged forth. Annual Testing. A tradition in Holy Light Academy¡ªan individual assessment of talent and potential. The school¡¯s major sponsors, corporations, and influential families all watched these results closely, using them to scout students who showed promise. It was a silent battleground, one that determined whose futures would be set in stone and who would be left to struggle. Ken¡¯s past self had ranked at the bottom. Lean sighed. ¡°I just hope there¡¯s less of an audience this time. Last year was humiliating.¡± Ken chuckled. ¡°It is what it is.¡± Lean shot him a look. "Why do you sound like you don¡¯t care anymore?" Ken just smiled, letting the mystery hang between them. They walked through the campus gates, making their way toward their classroom. The moment Ken and Lean stepped inside, the air shifted. The classroom was a clear divide between the elites and the commoners. At the very center, sitting atop the teacher¡¯s desk, was Darius Wellington¡ªthe class president. Son of the president of Wellington Brewery. Intelligent. Arrogant. And a complete tyrant to commoners. Darius lounged casually, flanked by his cronies. The moment he spotted Ken and Lean, his lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Well, well. If it isn¡¯t my favorite errand boys,¡± he drawled. He gestured toward them. "Come here." Lean stiffened and, out of pure habit, immediately stepped forward. Ken, however, kept walking¡ªstraight to his seat. A heavy silence filled the classroom. Ken didn¡¯t even notice it at first. But when he finally looked up, he realized everyone was staring at him. Some in shock. Others in amusement. Even Darius looked stunned. Ken frowned. What¡¯s with this reaction? Then it clicked. In his past life, he¡ªand every other commoner¡ªwould never dare ignore Darius. Normally, they would shrink back, sidestep, and bow their heads in submission. Ken had just walked right past him like he was nothing. Shit. He forgot to act like his past self. He glanced at Lean, whose face was pale as a sheet. His friend was practically screaming at him with his eyes. "Bro, are you insane?!" Too late now. Ken needed an excuse. Before he could come up with one, Darius stood up. The atmosphere in the room tensed. The elites watched in amusement. The commoners held their breath. Darius walked toward Ken, slow and deliberate. His expression was unreadable. Then¡ªwithout warning¡ªhe swung his fist straight for Ken¡¯s face. Ken¡¯s body reacted before his mind even processed the attack. He tilted his head to the side, effortlessly dodging the punch. The class collectively gasped. Darius¡¯ eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡ª¡± He swung again. Ken dodged. Another punch. Another dodge. The sound of fists cutting through the air filled the classroom as Darius kept throwing attacks¡ªeach one missing its mark. Ken, still sitting, effortlessly moved just enough to avoid every single one. The disbelief in Darius¡¯ expression deepened with each failed attempt. The class was stunned. "Is this really Ken?" "How the hell is he dodging all of those?" "Wasn''t he at the bottom of the rankings last year?" Lean, meanwhile, looked like he was about to pass out. "What the hell is happening with Ken?!" Darius finally staggered back, breathing heavily. His face twisted in frustration. He had thrown at least ten punches, and not a single one had landed. He opened his mouth to say something¡ª The door slid open. A strict voice cut through the tension. "What is going on here?" The teacher had arrived. At once, the students scrambled back to their seats. Darius clenched his jaw, his fists still trembling, but even he wasn¡¯t stupid enough to openly break school rules. Holy Light Academy was strict¡ªeven the elites weren¡¯t exempt from punishment. With one last glare at Ken, Darius gritted his teeth and returned to his seat. Ken, unfazed, simply leaned back in his chair. Lean, still processing what just happened, leaned over and whispered, "Dude, what the hell did you just do?!" Ken smirked. "Just dodging." Lean leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "First, you hit me with that insane plan about starting our own club¡ªfine, I¡¯ll bite. But now you''re picking a fight with Darius? Are you trying to get us both crushed?" Ken just smiled, completely unfazed, and casually pointed his finger toward the front of the classroom, signaling for Lean to pay attention to the teacher. Lean groaned in frustration but slumped back into his seat, rubbing his temples like he already regretted every life decision that led him here. At the front of the class, the teacher adjusted his glasses, looking around at the students. "Alright, enough distractions. As you all know, today is your annual test¡ªa full assessment of your combat ability, intelligence, and psionic potential." The classroom murmured in anticipation. Some students looked excited, others nervous. Lean visibly paled. Ken exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair as he tapped his fingers on the desk. "Now¡­ how should I go about this?" TO BE CONTINUED¡­ CHAPTER 3 - Dude, Who Even Are You? Book 1 - Venture into Eternity, Reclaim the Star''s Embrace CHAPTER 3 - Dude, Who Even Are You? "Alright, listen up, you little sacks of disappointment!" Coach Vance, the academy¡¯s infamous PE instructor and certified muscle-head, barked as the students lined up at the track field. He was built like a tank, bald, and wore a permanent scowl that could make a grown man cry. "Today, we separate the warriors from the weaklings! If you puke, do it on the grass! If you cry, save it for your pillow! If you break something¡ªtough luck, we don¡¯t do refunds!" Lean, standing beside Ken, already looked defeated. "This guy is the reason therapy exists." Ken smirked. "Better get used to it." Lean let out a dramatic sigh. "Why do I feel like I¡¯ve already failed, and we haven¡¯t even started?" Ken chuckled. "That¡¯s because you did." "Rude!" The first test of the day was the Physical Fitness Test, and Lean was already reconsidering every life decision that led him here. ¡°Alright, everyone, line up!¡± the instructor called out. Ken stood at the starting line, rolling his shoulders. Around him, students stretched and adjusted their uniforms, psyching themselves up for the grueling obstacle course ahead. This wasn¡¯t just any obstacle course¡ªit was straight out of a high-stakes competition, designed to push students to their limits. To pass, students had to complete every section without falling into the elimination zones¡ªmainly the pools of water that separated certain obstacles. If they fell, they were out. Ken exhaled, assessing his body. Weak. There was no sugarcoating it. This version of himself had no prior martial training, no endurance, and no physical conditioning. His control over his body was refined thanks to his past experiences, but raw strength and stamina? Pathetic. But even with that disadvantage, he wouldn¡¯t let himself place at the bottom. If nothing else, he could rely on technique and strategy. "Alright, first group, on my whistle¡ªGO!" Ken exploded forward, careful not to waste unnecessary energy. A handful of students surged ahead instantly¡ªDarius and his cronies among them. They relied on sheer power and speed, not bothering with efficiency. Ken, on the other hand, focused on breathing properly, keeping his strides measured, and maintaining steady momentum. The first obstacle, a series of high hurdles, approached fast. Ken leapt, clearing them with surprising ease. Not bad. My reflexes are intact. Next was the wall climb. Some students threw themselves at the wall with reckless abandon, scrambling up with sheer brute force. Ken, however, took an extra second to position his hands and feet precisely. Instead of fighting gravity, he used momentum, vaulting over with minimal effort. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Jane and Luis. Unlike everyone else, the elite twins moved with eerie precision. Jane flowed over the walls like water, her every movement calculated and elegant. Luis, in contrast, had unshakable power, scaling obstacles with absolute control and zero wasted motion. They had been trained since childhood, receiving elite coaching that far outclassed anything available to commoners. While others grunted and panted through the course, the twins looked bored. "They''re monsters," Ken thought, remembering his past life. "The top two in every physical event. I can¡¯t even think about challenging them right now." "Struggling, commoner?" Darius¡¯s smug voice broke through his thoughts. Ken turned his head slightly to see Darius keeping pace beside him, wearing a smirk. "You¡¯re working hard just to stay in the middle," Darius taunted. "Why not just accept your place and walk?" Ken didn¡¯t take the bait. Instead, he glanced forward. The next obstacle was the rope swing. A long trench of muddy water stretched beneath it. The goal was to grab the rope and swing across in one clean motion¡ªfail, and you¡¯d be stuck climbing out of the pit, wasting valuable time. Darius sped up, reaching the rope first. With an arrogant laugh, he swung forward. Ken ignored him and focused on his own jump. His grip was firm, his trajectory clean. He landed on the other side without issue. Darius, expecting a reaction, frowned when Ken didn¡¯t even look at him. Ken simply maintained his pace. By the time they reached the balance beams, many students were already gasping for air. The weaker ones lagged behind, some already collapsing from exhaustion. Ken¡¯s breath was growing heavy, but his focus didn¡¯t waver. He wasn¡¯t here to beat anyone¡ªjust to measure his limits. The final stretch of the race was the most grueling yet¡ªthe ultimate test of endurance, agility, and sheer determination. First, the Quintuple Steps. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. A series of five slanted platforms spread across a water pit. Competitors had to jump from one to the next with perfect balance and momentum. The stronger students took powerful leaps, covering multiple steps in one go. Others hesitated¡ªand those that miscalculated? Straight into the water. Ken landed lightly on the first step, carefully shifting his weight before springing to the next. He cleared the section cleanly, sticking the landing as several students splashed into the elimination pit behind him. Lean barely made it, nearly slipping on the last step. "Holy crap¡ªholy crap¡ªholy crap!" he muttered as he stumbled forward. Second, the Warped Wall. A curved wall that had to be sprinted up and climbed over. No ropes, no footholds¡ªjust pure explosive strength. Darius charged forward, his powerful legs propelling him up effortlessly. His cronies followed, though one slipped and tumbled straight into the elimination pool. Ken took a steady breath. This body doesn¡¯t have the power for a full-speed rush. Instead, he analyzed his approach. Less force, more technique. He sprinted, then kicked off the wall in a precise angle¡ªnot just straight up, but diagonally, allowing him to grab the top edge. Using his upper body strength, he hoisted himself over. Darius, standing at the top, smirked. "Not bad, commoner. Didn¡¯t think you had it in you." Ken ignored him. Lean, meanwhile, made his attempt¡­ and immediately slid back down, face first into the water. Ken winced. "RIP." "KEN, YOU BASTARD!" Lean¡¯s voice echoed from below as he was eliminated. Ken held back his laughter. Third, the Rolling Log. A spinning cylinder suspended over a water pit. Students had to run across it while keeping their balance. One by one, students attempted it¡ªand many failed instantly. Some made it halfway before their feet slipped, sending them flailing into the water below. Darius took a bold sprint, barely maintaining his balance as he wobbled to the other side. Ken was more careful. Instead of rushing, he adjusted his center of gravity¡ªstaying low, shifting his weight subtly as he stepped forward. He cleared it without issue. Darius frowned. "What the hell is with you today?" Ken just gave him a lazy smile. "Taking my time." Fourth, the Salmon Ladder. A horizontal bar that had to be lifted rung by rung using only upper body strength. Many struggled here, their arms giving out. Luis arrived at the challenge. With a single motion, he blasted upward, skipping multiple rungs effortlessly. Jane followed¡ªgraceful, almost inhuman in her efficiency. Ken sighed. Yeah, no competing with that. When his turn came, he went slow and steady. His arms strained, but his control helped him minimize wasted movement. By the time he reached the top, his muscles burned¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t out yet. Darius, however, smirked. "Took you long enough." Ken smirked back. "You should try going slower. Maybe your brain will catch up to your body." Darius scowled. Then the final stage, the Rope Climb. A long vertical rope climb leading to the finish platform. No mistakes¡ªif you lost your grip, you were eliminated. Jane and Luis reached it first, scaling it like it was nothing. They finished at the same time, securing 1st and 2nd place. Darius soon followed, placing 3rd. Ken reached the rope, arms already aching from the Salmon Ladder. He grit his teeth. This body is weak. But giving up wasn¡¯t an option. He used his legs as support, climbing carefully, focusing on precision rather than speed. By the time he reached the top and crossed the finish line, he was breathing heavily, arms aching. "Yeah, my body sucks." Ken muttered to himself. "I need to fix this ASAP." The test results were posted. Ken¡¯s name climbed dramatically in the class section rankings. Darius was furious. Lean? He was on the ground, still trying to process everything. Ken nodded to himself. "That¡¯s about right. My technique made up for my weak body, but I need serious training." Lean walked over to him, wheezing. ¡°Bro, 16th?! Who even are you?!¡± "Ken¡­ please¡­ are you secretly an alien? A time traveler? A god?" Ken just patted his shoulder. "Let¡¯s just say¡­ I¡¯m full of surprises." Lean groaned. "I¡¯m 3rd to the last. I¡­ hate¡­ everything¡­" Ken patted his back. ¡°Come on, it wasn¡¯t that bad.¡± Lean shot him a betrayed look. ¡°You weren¡¯t the one nearly dying!¡± Ken ignored him, already running a complete analysis in his mind. While his body was still far from its peak, certain advantages from his past life allowed him to perform better than expected despite his current physical limitations. One of his most notable strengths was his body coordination and movement efficiency, which were well above average. Thanks to years of experience in both high-intensity gaming, Ken had exceptional control over his body''s micro-movements. This allowed him to navigate obstacles with precision, maintain balance in tricky situations, and adapt quickly to shifting terrain. His reflexes remained sharp, likely due to his ingrained muscle memory and instinctive reaction speed, which played a significant role in his ability to dodge and maneuver efficiently. His endurance was acceptable, though not outstanding, allowing him to keep up with the middle of the class rather than fall behind. However, these strengths did not compensate for his glaring weaknesses. The most critical issue was his raw physical strength, which was far too low compared to the top-performing students, especially Jane and Luis, who dominated the trials with overwhelming athleticism. His speed and stamina were unimpressive, causing him to fall behind in sprint-based sections of the test. Furthermore, he lacked explosive power, meaning he struggled in areas that required sudden bursts of strength, such as high jumps, climbing, and acceleration-based challenges. While his technique helped him stay afloat, his lack of sheer physical prowess prevented him from excelling. The conclusion was clear¡ªtraining was not just an option, but an absolute necessity. Without immediate and targeted improvement, he would hit a ceiling that no amount of strategy or coordination could surpass. Ken needed to build a comprehensive training regimen, focusing on strength, speed, endurance, and explosive power to match the academy''s elite students. If he wanted to rise in both the academy and Eden Prime, his body had to become a weapon in its own right. Ken wasn¡¯t in a rush to compete with the elites right away, but he needed a proper training regimen to build his endurance, agility, and strength. For now, he had the foundation. Now, he just had to build upon it. With the physical test done, Ken turned to Lean, who was still gasping for air. "Come on," Ken said, patting his back. "That was just the warm-up." Lean shot him a horrified look. "Warm-up?! Ken, are you a demon?" Ken just chuckled. "Alright, students! The next test begins in ten minutes!" their classroom adviser announced. Ken straightened up, already shifting gears. Time to move on to the next challenge. TO BE CONTINUED¡­ CHAPTER 4 - The Art of Business Book 1 - Venture into Eternity, Reclaim the Star''s Embrace CHAPTER 4 - The Art of Business Ken and Lean followed their adviser down the hallway, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors. Ahead, a set of double doors marked the entrance to the Business Acumen Simulation Test¡ªa competition designed to test decision-making, financial strategy, and adaptability in a high-pressure market scenario. Still recovering from the madness of the obstacle course, Lean groaned. ¡°Man, I thought we were done after that hellish fitness test. But now¡ªmath? Under pressure? Can¡¯t we proceed to the combat test instead?¡± Ken smirked. ¡°Business is just another kind of war, you know.¡± Lean scoffed. ¡°What are we gonna do? Throw coins at each other?¡± The adviser stopped at the doors and turned to face them. "Welcome to the Third-Year Business Acumen Simulation," she announced, her sharp voice cutting through the murmurs. "This year, the competition is more ruthless than ever. Mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, and even sabotage are now fully permitted. The objective remains the same: dominate the market and crush your competition by the end of the fourth quarter." A few students swallowed nervously. Others smirked, eager to prove themselves. "Remember," the adviser continued, her eyes narrowing, "this simulation mirrors the real world. Business isn''t fair. Your so-called friends will stab you in the back if you give them the chance. Play to win." As the students of Junior Class Delta gathered, the air grew tense. Unlike the action-packed combat simulations, this test would determine who had the sharpest business mind¡ªwho could thrive, adapt, and outmaneuver their rivals in a ruthless market. For most elite students, this was the real battleground. The adviser pushed open the doors, revealing a large, dimly lit room filled with rows of simulation pods. Screens lined the walls, displaying complex financial graphs, fluctuating stock prices, and real-time updates on simulated businesses. At the front of the room stood a tall, sharp-eyed instructor in a sleek black suit. He had the aura of a seasoned businessman, his gaze scanning the arriving students like a predator assessing the weak from the strong. ¡°Welcome, students,¡± the instructor greeted, his voice smooth but firm. ¡°I am Mr. Calderon, the overseer of this simulation. Today, you will each take control of a business within a shared market. Your task is simple¡ªoutperform your competitors and dominate the economy.¡± Ken¡¯s interest piqued. A real-time, competitive business simulation? Now this was something he could sink his teeth into. Mr. Calderon continued, ¡°The market is dynamic and will change based on your actions. Time will be accelerated¡ªeach minute represents a day in the simulation. You will need to make precise and quick decisions to survive. The stronger businesses will grow, while the weaker ones will collapse.¡± He gave them a knowing smile. ¡°And remember, in the world of business, there are no second chances.¡± A familiar, condescending voice cut through the air. ¡°Well, well. A weed among roses.¡± Ken turned, unsurprised, to see Darius, arms crossed, the usual smirk plastered on his face. Ken sighed dramatically. ¡°Darius, if we keep meeting like this, people will think we¡¯re friends.¡± Darius scoffed. ¡°I just came to remind you¡ªthis test is about intellect and strategy. And your kind usually lacks both.¡± Ken didn¡¯t flinch. He simply tilted his head, eyes sharp, voice even. ¡°We¡¯ll see when the results come in.¡± Before Darius could reply, Lean jumped in, trying to sound wise. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t count the chickens before they hatch¡­ or was it, don¡¯t count the eggs if they¡¯re sunny side up? Or¡ªwait, was it the omelets? Wait¡ªdamn it, how did that saying go?¡± Darius¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Tch. Moron.¡± Ken smirked, his gaze flickering with something sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t count your balls if you don¡¯t have any.¡± The room fell silent. Lean¡¯s jaw dropped. Then, suddenly¡ª Lean burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach. ¡°OH MY GOD¡ªHE DOESN¡¯T HAVE ANY?!¡± Darius¡¯s eye twitched dangerously. He gritted his teeth. Before Darius could fire back, the overseer clapped his hands. "Alright, enough chatter. Get inside and take your places. The simulation begins shortly." Without another word, the students stepped forward¡ªready to clash in the battlefield of business. Ken settled into his pod and placed the neural interface on his head. The world blurred. Ken opened his eyes inside the simulation. The setting was starkly different from previous years. Instead of starting with an established company, he found himself in a tiny office space, the hum of old computers filling the air. On the table, a single screen displayed his starting capital: 500,000 Zenies A list of industry selections appeared: Ken¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. Technology. High risk, high reward. If I¡¯m going to gamble, I¡¯ll go all in. He quickly entered the Tech Industry and made his first move: Company Name: LunarTech Business Model: Budget-Friendly Smart Devices Initial Product: Affordable Smartwatches & Fitness Bands Ken¡¯s strategy was simple: target the middle-class consumers by producing low-cost, high-functionality devices. Unlike luxury brands, his products would be affordable, stylish, and packed with just enough features to disrupt the market. As the first quarter progressed, Ken found himself struggling against the tide. His marketing campaign was weak, production costs were higher than expected, and he failed to properly secure suppliers, causing delays in product launches. At the end of first quarter, the rankings were released: Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Top 5: 1st Place - Luis ¨C Finance Sector (Unstoppable growth through monopolization) 2nd Place - Jane ¨C Retail & Luxury Brands (Her dominance over premium goods expanded) 3rd Place - Darius ¨C Automobiles (Aggressive expansion in electric vehicles) 4th Place - Freya ¨C Pharmaceuticals (Medical innovation and high-profit drugs) 5th Place - Cedric ¨C Real Estate & Property Holdings (Buying up high-value properties) Ken: 26th Place Darius nearly fell out of his chair laughing when he saw Ken''s ranking. "Hah! Twenty-sixth place?! That¡¯s worse than pathetic!" he barked. "Are you even trying, Ken? Or are you running a charity?" Ken didn¡¯t react, his face calm. He had expected this. This was all part of his plan. Lean, sitting beside him, whistled. ¡°Man, Ken, you really got wrecked. At this rate, even I might beat you.¡± Ken snorted. ¡°You¡¯re at 29th right now, Lean.¡± ¡°Oh. Never mind, carry on.¡± Darius smirked. ¡°Enjoy your bottom-rank status while it lasts. Try not to go bankrupt before the second quarter.¡± Ken sat back in his simulation pod, arms crossed, analyzing the wreckage of his first-quarter performance. Rank 26. His initial high-risk, high-reward strategy had backfired spectacularly. He had gambled on aggressive innovation, but his limited capital and lack of immediate brand recognition had made his company bleed money. If he wanted to survive, he needed a drastic shift¡ªsomething bold, something disruptive. His mind worked quickly, filtering through his past experiences. Direct-to-consumer sales weren¡¯t the way to go¡ªnot yet. His fledgling brand lacked the influence to compete with established names in the market. He needed a foothold, and that meant playing smart. Instead of struggling to sell individual units to customers, Ken pivoted to bulk distribution. He cut deals with fitness centers, sports retailers, and healthcare providers, offering LunarTech¡¯s affordable smartwatches and fitness bands as bundled packages. By securing large contracts, he ensured steady revenue streams rather than relying on unpredictable consumer purchases. His initial supplier was draining his funds with inflated production costs. Ken quickly outsourced manufacturing to a more cost-effective yet reliable supplier, optimizing the supply chain without sacrificing product quality. This move increased his profit margins significantly, giving him more breathing room to invest elsewhere. A good product wasn¡¯t enough¡ªit had to be seen. Ken leveraged social media influencers, fitness streamers, and gaming personalities to push LunarTech¡¯s brand into the spotlight. He orchestrated viral marketing campaigns, sending free products to rising online figures and turning his smartwatches into a trend rather than just a gadget. The results were immediate. At the end of Q2, LunarTech surged ahead. From a failing 26th place, Ken had climbed to 15th. His aggressive restructuring had turned the tides, proving that his downfall in the first quarter had only been a setup for a comeback. Across the room, Darius scowled at his screen. Despite holding onto 3rd place, he had expected Ken to crash and burn. Instead, the commoner had clawed his way up faster than anyone anticipated. ¡°Tch. Lucky break,¡± Darius muttered, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk. Ken, as always, remained unfazed. Luck had nothing to do with it. Just as the students were settling into their strategies, a sudden notification flashed across their screens, sending a ripple of panic through the simulation. ¡°ALERT: GLOBAL RECESSION SIMULATION ACTIVATED.¡± The virtual market crashed in an instant. Industries that had been thriving just moments ago found themselves drowning in losses. Companies that had been playing it safe, relying on slow and steady growth, began to crumble under the weight of collapsing demand and rising costs. Panic set in. Competitors went bankrupt as their liquidity dried up. Stock prices nosedived, wiping out carefully built investments. Loans and debts skyrocketed, trapping overleveraged businesses in a downward spiral. The simulation had forced every player into a do-or-die situation¡ªadapt or collapse. For most, this was a disaster. For Ken, it was an opportunity. He had seen it coming. Thanks to his memories from the future, he knew that a crisis like this was inevitable. The game was designed to test adaptability under extreme economic conditions, and those who failed to prepare were being ruthlessly eliminated. Instead of retreating into damage control like most of his peers, Ken went on the attack. While others hesitated, LunarTech launched a full-scale takeover. Ken targeted companies that were on the brink of bankruptcy, buying them out at rock-bottom prices before they could be salvaged by competitors. He absorbed their assets, their patents, their client bases¡ªall at a fraction of their original value. While others scrambled to cut costs, Ken secured exclusive supplier contracts before prices could stabilize. He locked in long-term deals that would ensure his production costs remained low even as the market recovered. While others were defensive, Ken was offensive. As the rankings updated at the end of Q3, Darius¡¯s smirk stiffened as he saw Ken¡¯s name climb to 7th place. ¡°Tch. You¡¯re like a cockroach,¡± Darius muttered, arms crossed. ¡°Just when I think you¡¯re done for, you come crawling back up.¡± Ken remained unreadable, his voice calm and precise. ¡°That¡¯s the difference between us.¡± He adjusted his cuffs. ¡°You fight to keep control. I fight to take it.¡± Darius scoffed. ¡°Big talk for someone still behind me.¡± Ken finally glanced at him, his gaze cold. ¡°Not for long.¡± Lean, who had been watching silently, let out a nervous chuckle. He nudged Ken, whispering, ¡°Uh, bro, are you sure you wanna poke the tiger? Some of us still enjoy having functional limbs.¡± Ken didn¡¯t respond, his focus still on Darius. Lean gulped. ¡°Y-yeah, you know what? I¡¯ll just focus on my own ranking. Which, uh¡ª¡± He checked the board and paled. ¡°23rd. Oh, sweet mercy, I¡¯m gonna die in poverty.¡± As the final quarter commenced, Ken knew this was his last chance to secure a top spot. He couldn¡¯t afford to slow down¡ªnot when victory was within reach. He went all in. Hostile takeovers. Smaller tech startups, struggling in the recession, were ripe for acquisition. Ken absorbed them, consolidating assets and talent under LunarTech. Strategic partnerships. By securing deals with major retailers, LunarTech¡¯s products flooded mainstream markets. What was once a niche brand became a household name. Stock manipulation. Ken bought shares from struggling competitors at rock-bottom prices, then resold them for massive profits once the market rebounded. Darius, sensing Ken¡¯s rapid rise, retaliated with everything he had. The battle between them turned into a full-scale corporate war. As Darius struggled to recover from a failed merger and Cedric and Freya hesitated to make bold moves, Ken seized the opportunity, turning the chaos to his advantage. His sudden surge wasn¡¯t just from takeovers¡ªit was a meticulously orchestrated collapse of key competitors, leaving him one of the last players standing in the final quarter. When the final rankings were revealed, the simulation hall fell into hushed anticipation. 1st ¨C Luis (Finance) ¡ú The master of monopolization, he crushed the financial sector with cold precision. 2nd ¨C Jane (Retail) ¡ú Her luxury empire expanded further, securing her spot right behind Luis. 3rd ¨C Ken (Technology) ¡ú From 26th to 3rd, his unprecedented comeback left everyone in shock. 4th ¨C Darius (Automobiles) ¡ú He fought fiercely but was ultimately edged out by Ken¡¯s takeover strategies. 23rd ¨C Lean (Food & Beverage) ¡ú Bankrupted twice, somehow still survived. Darius clenched his fists as he glared at the results. He turned to Ken, eyes sharp. ¡°Tch. You little bastard. You actually passed me.¡± Ken tilted his head. ¡°Huh. Must¡¯ve been luck.¡± ¡°Bullshit,¡± Darius snapped. Lean groaned. ¡°Nobody told me a fast-food empire wouldn¡¯t survive a recession.¡± Ken smirked. ¡°You should¡¯ve read the market.¡± Darius scoffed. ¡°Enjoy it while it lasts. Next time, you won¡¯t be so lucky.¡± Ken met his gaze. ¡°Next time, I won¡¯t start at 26th.¡± Lean clutched his chest. ¡°From rock bottom to bronze¡ªyou¡¯re the patron saint of bankrupt souls.¡± Ken raised a brow. ¡°You mean yourself?¡± Darius rolled his eyes. ¡°He should declare bankruptcy on his brain cells instead.¡± Lean quickly stepped behind Ken. ¡°I may be broke, but I still have survival instincts.¡± Mr. Calderon stepped forward, his cold gaze sweeping across the students. ¡°And that, gentlemen and ladies, is why business isn¡¯t for the weak. One mistake, and you¡¯re ruined. One bold move, and you rise.¡± His eyes settled on Ken. ¡°From 26th to 3rd place. Impressive.¡± Ken inclined his head slightly. ¡°Thank you for the compliment, sir.¡± His tone was measured¡ªneither boastful nor self-deprecating, striking the perfect balance between humility and confidence. The Junior Class Delta adviser then stepped forward, addressing the students. ¡°That will be all for now. Dismissed for lunch. Be at the Martial and Military Department after.¡± TO BE CONTINUED¡­