God-Eater Ascension: Apocalypse Sequence

‌Blue Planet, January 1st, 2000.‌

A black bird suddenly appeared, regurgitating a gigantic gastric sac that engulfed the entire sun. Subsequently, the black bird swallowed back its sac and vanished without a trace.

With the sun gone, Blue Planet plunged into eternal night.

For some inexplicable reason, Blue Planet's creatures did not perish entirely, and humanity managed to survive, albeit barely.

In the same year, deities emerged en masse on Blue Planet, beginning their hunt for humans. To protect themselves, humanity formed a unified government and constructed several large safe zones, where humans now lived exclusively.

This period in history marks the apocalypse of Blue Planet.

"Take note, everyone. The historical events I just read have three key points. The first is the date: New Year's Day, ten years ago. The second..."

Alex, sitting in the corner of the classroom, shook his head.

"Studying history won't save humanity."

"In this apocalyptic world, only knowledge related to Sequence Abilities matters."

He ceased paying attention to the lecture and turned his gaze out the window.

Through the protective glass, he could faintly discern numerous deities drifting in the night sky above.

Blue Planet was shrouded in eternal night, so the view was more or less the same whenever one looked up.

A faintly glimmering starry sky.

And deities wandering beneath the stars.

"Next, let's discuss the deities. There's also a test point here, so listen carefully."

"After the eternal night, Blue Planet witnessed the emergence of bizarre creatures with varied appearances."

"But they share one commonality: they prey on humans and possess immortality."

"Humans perceive these creatures as divine punishment for the sins committed before the apocalypse, hence the term 'deities'..."

Predatory, bizarre creatures actually revered as 'deities'.

Upon hearing this, Alex sighed again.

It's always like this.

The end of science leads to theology.

Humans attribute all inexplicable existences to deities.

"Pay attention, the topics of deities and the apocalypse are mandatory for both liberal arts and science sections in the college entrance exam..."

Alex ignored this useless lesson.

Everyone knows that in this apocalyptic world, only those who awaken Sequence Abilities can have a foothold.

As for the college entrance exam for ordinary people-one can only gain admission to prestigious academies by ranking within the top one in a thousand in the safe zone.

In such a vast safe zone, what does ranking within the top one in a thousand entail?

Not even the top five in the entire school can guarantee it.

Alex, in his past life, was an orphan who toiled through years of study. His college entrance exam results were far from impressive. Later, he passed the graduate entrance exam and secured a modestly respectable job after graduation. However, he was laid off in middle age and accidentally killed by a security guard while demanding compensation. He was reborn back to when he was seventeen.

Except in this new life, the people remain the same, but the once normal world has transformed into what it is now.

"I can't waste this second chance, can I?"

"I must find a way to awaken a Sequence Ability."

Alex already had a goal in mind, albeit without a clear path to achieve it.

After the apocalypse, various creatures mutated. Countless species perished, and countless new ones emerged. And humanity, too, began to mutate.

That mutation manifested in the emergence of Sequence Ability holders.

On January 1, 2005, of the Blue Star Era, precisely five years after the Apocalypse descended, the first Sequence Ability user was born among humanity.

He possessed abilities beyond those of mere mortals-the ability to transform one of his hands into a revolver.

His revolver could fire six bullets a day. Many saw his emergence as a beacon of hope for the future.

How could his revolver be of any use against gods that even nuclear bombs couldn't kill?

Yet,

His revolver proved useful indeed.

After awakening his Sequence, he successfully slew two small gods scurrying across the ground.

Dispelling the notion that gods were immortal.

Sequence Ability users could kill gods!

Humanity rejoiced.

Seeing a glimmer of hope in counterattacking the gods!

Subsequently, many others began awakening their Sequence Abilities.

Stories of humanity slaying gods gradually ceased to be rare.

However, no major gods had been killed. Thus, the tiny spark of Sequence Ability awakenings hadn't changed humanity's minute status.

But it did alter the dynamics within humanity.

Outside the Safe Zones, gods reigned supreme. Inside the Safe Zones, Sequence Ability users ruled.

Sequence Ability users became the gods within the Safe Zones.

This was humanity's Apocalypse. It was also a paradise for Sequence Ability users.

One who awakened their Sequence rose to prominence instantly.

Tales of someone transitioning from begging on the streets in the morning to indulging in luxury by afternoon were widespread within the Safe Zones.

Alex believed that reborn individuals should possess some degree of fortune.

Expecting to awaken his Sequence ability immediately upon rebirth.

Yet, three days passed.

He remained an ordinary person living in the fringes of the Safe Zone.

Just like all the students in this school, an ordinary person.

Yet, Alex was unwilling to settle for this.

"Classmates, the awakening of Sequence Ability is humanity's hope..."

Sequence Awakening?

Alex suddenly turned around.

This was precisely what he was most curious about.

He immediately raised his hand and looked at Ms. Clarke, who was teaching history.

"Alex, do you have a question?"

"Teacher, why hasn't anyone in our class awakened a Sequence Ability? How can one awaken a Sequence Ability?"

"The reason for Sequence Awakening is unknown. If I knew, I would've awakened my own Sequence first!"

A classmate interrupted, "But I heard Zhou from the next class awakened a Sequence Ability! Why can't I?"

"That's Director Zhou! The proportion of government officials awakening Sequence Abilities is naturally high!"

"But..."

"No buts! Rather than talking about impractical dreams here, it's better to prepare for the college entrance exams!"

"You only have half a year left for the exams. If you don't study hard to get into a college, you'll have to find a job after graduating high school!"

"Will you let me have some peace!? Open your homework, and I'll check it!"

Ms. Clarke grew increasingly agitated as she spoke, eventually slapping the desk furiously.

Yet, having lived two lives, Alex could see that Ms. Clarke wasn't disappointed in them.

Only the top five in the school had a chance of getting into a college. The top student in his class was only around the 30th rank in the school.

In other words, everyone in the class would have to find a job after graduating high school.

Ms. Clarke couldn't be unaware of this.

Her excitement and anger didn't stem from worrying about her students' futures.

Alex saw traces of unwillingness and jealousy in her eyes.

Unwilling to settle for being an ordinary person.

Envious of others awakening their Sequence Abilities.

"But what hope is there in life if one doesn't awaken a Sequence?"

Alex muttered to himself.

This murmur was caught by Ms. Clarke, who was checking homework.

"Alex!!"

"You're sitting in the single desk at the back corner and still haven't learned your lesson. You insist on dwelling on such impractical matters and are now disrupting class order during a lecture!!"

"You're beyond hope! Go stand outside the door and think about it until you come to your senses before coming back!"

"Okay."

He hadn't said anything overly provocative, yet he had still provoked Ms. Clarke's anger.

Some say that human anger essentially stems from one's own incompetence.

Perhaps that was the case.

Alex left the classroom.

He didn't give standing outside the door much thought.

If it weren't for the school cafeteria providing meals, allowing this orphan without income to fill his stomach, he wouldn't even bother attending school. He would surely dedicate all his energy to figuring out the mysteries of the Sequence.

Fortunately, it was quiet outside the classroom.

He could ponder on the method to awaken his Sequence in peace.

As far as he knew, the wealthy and the high-ups in this world had a very high probability of awakening Sequence Abilities.

While poverty-stricken students like him, living in the fringes of the Safe Zone, rarely produced an awakener among thousands.

Sequence Awakening wasn't completely random; it seemed to favor the affluent and disdain the poor.

Alex chuckled helplessly at this thought.

"If the condition for Sequence Awakening is related to one's quality of life, I'm afraid I'll never awaken a Sequence in my lifetime."

He shook his head, sighed deeply, and stopped thinking about it.

Looking up at the window, he saw many gods still wandering amidst the stars.

"Gods, huh?"

"If you're gods, and I, who has been reborn, am equivalent to you?"

"Speaking of which, I'm also a god."

Alex chuckled softly.

Suddenly, he saw what appeared to be an eye slowly opening in the dark sky, gazing at him.

That dark pupil didn't resemble a human's; it was more like that of a bird.

This eye hanging in the night sky was bigger than the stars. If it truly belonged to a bird, it could probably swallow the entire Blue Star in one gulp.

Alex frowned and glanced around at his fellow classmates standing outside in the hallway. Some of them were also looking out the window idly, but none of them seemed to notice the eye.

Only he could see it?

He maintained eye contact with the eye for a moment, feeling as if it was exerting some form of interference on him, making him dizzy.

Immediately afterward, a piece of information flashed through his mind.

‌[Sequence "Gods-Eater" Awakening]‌

[Consuming gods will make you stronger]

[Current Sequence Level: 1, Glutton]

[Skill: Blood Drink. Skill Description: Capable of consuming gods or deity raw.]

As he regained consciousness, the eye in the starry sky had vanished.

A Sequence... Awakened?!

Alex couldn't believe what had just happened.

He didn't know much about Sequence Abilities.

The only thing he knew was that Sequence Ability holders could see their Sequence information in their minds.

"I... I've awakened a Sequence Ability?!"

Alex was still in disbelief when he suddenly felt a surge of power flowing into his body, greatly enhancing his mental state.

Even his previously scrawny arms had developed muscle lines.

"They say that after awakening a Sequence Ability, one's body becomes stronger. It's really true!"

But when he thought about that eye, he felt puzzled: Could everyone's Sequence awakening be such a strange experience?

Why had he never heard anyone talk about it?

"[Gods-Eater] Sequence... It sounds pretty awesome. I need to check it out on the [Camp of God-Slayers]."

The [Camp of God-Slayers] was a forum for Sequence Ability holders to discuss and exchange ideas.

Alex had stumbled upon this forum by chance while listening to his classmates chat.

To access the forum, one needed a mobile phone or a computer.

However, his home didn't even have a single electrical appliance, let alone a computer.

"The evening self-study session is being extended. I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to go to the internet cafe."

Just then, the bell signaling the end of the evening self-study session rang.

Ms. Clarke walked out of the classroom, giving him a disgusted look:

"Go home and reflect on yourself. Stop indulging in these fanciful notions."

Instead of riding roughshod over Ms. Clarke, shouting that he had awakened a Sequence Ability, Alex nodded at her and quietly returned to his seat through the back door to pack his bag.

"I feel like my awakening method and my Sequence name are both kind of strange. I should find out more before telling anyone else."

"Besides, my identity as a Sequence Ability holder isn't going anywhere."

Ms. Clarke seemed particularly upset today, keeping everyone after class for a long lecture and making them complete two more sets of papers. It was already past ten when school finally ended.

Power resources were scarce in the post-apocalyptic world, and internet cafes weren't open 24/7. They were already closed now.

Alex returned home and sighed with relief:

"I'll sleep it off and go to the internet cafe tomorrow morning!"

The next morning, Alex took his only ten copper, his backpack, and headed to the internet cafe.

As soon as he entered, he was hit by a wave of smoke, though it wasn't as pungent as the smoke from internet cafes in his previous life.

Alex had never smoked, so he couldn't tell the difference.

The cafe was somewhat run-down, seemingly no renovated, just a coat of paint and some floral stickers on the walls. However, it was still much better than Alex's residence.

For there were two electric lights above his head-not candle lights, but electric lights.

In the safe zone, anyone who could afford electricity was considered wealthy in Alex's eyes.

Opening a store that consumed electricity was even more of a sign of great wealth.

In this impoverished area at the edge of the safe zone, no one could afford to go to the internet cafe.

Yet, oddly enough, there was one here.

As the only internet cafe nearby, Alex had heard that the owner had some connections, and the cafe often attracted strange individuals.

"I'll need a computer for half an hour!"

Alex dropped ten coppers on the counter, his week's wages from his job at the school library.

Power resources were scarce, making internet cafe fees extremely expensive. Giving away ten coppers made Alex's heart bleed.

The overweight, thirty-something internet cafe attendant stared at Alex for a moment before pointing to a computer with a stone-faced expression: "That one, over there."

Alex sat down, and not far from him, someone was puffing on a thin cigarillo while tapping on the keyboard.

That's when Alex realized why the smoke in this world's internet cafes smelled better than those in his previous life.

Because internet cafe fees were expensive.

Those who could afford to come here, usually to search for information or conduct transactions, smoked higher-quality tobacco than the inferior cigarettes found in internet cafes from his previous life.

As for the nature of their transactions, Alex had no idea.

Alex turned on the computer, but it was slow, taking two minutes just to load the interface.

Unfortunately, faster computers didn't come at such a cheap price.

He quickly logged into the forum for Sequence Ability holders, the [Camp of God-Slayers], and began searching through the existing Sequences.

The top post was a statistic on the Sequences that had awakened so far. He clicked on it immediately.

Since New Year's Day in 2005, exactly five years ago, thousands of Sequences had awakened.

And everyone's awakening had been sudden, unlike Alex's bizarre experience.

A thread titled "How Can Humans Reclaim the Planet Blue?" caught Alex's attention.

"The abilities that have awakened now offer no hope of defeating the gods.

Gods can consume humans to heal, but humans cannot consume gods to grow stronger. How could we possibly win?!

If only there were a Sequence Ability that allowed one to consume gods and grow stronger!"

"Thousands of Sequences have awakened, and none related to consuming gods. There's no hope."

So.

Neither his awakening method nor his Sequence Ability resembled anyone else's.

Alex swallowed, murmuring to himself, "Could it be... I'm the chosen one?!"

The [Gods-Eater] Sequence, undoubtedly, would cause a stir in the safe zone once it was revealed!

However, as his gaze lingered on a particular reply, Alex hesitated.

"Hey, if you awaken a Sequence that allows you to consume gods and grow stronger, you might get snatched away for research! No chance of typing here anymore!"

Being snatched away for research...

Having gained a preliminary understanding of Sequence Abilities, Alex realized that his [Gods-Eater] Sequence was a coveted existence for countless individuals.

The countless Sequence Ability holders on the [Camp of God-Slayers] forum all longed for a Sequence that could consume gods and enhance themselves.

The ability to hunt gods while simultaneously growing stronger would undoubtedly make one the most terrifying perpetual motion machine among Sequences.

Alex cautiously noticed that he seemed to lack the strength to match this incredible Sequence.

As the saying goes, "An innocent man bears the guilt of his treasures," and "A tree stands tall, but the wind will break it."

A person who possesses wealth that does not match their strength is prone to danger.

Should he trust himself?

Or should he trust others, placing his life and future in the hands of their moral integrity?

This question wasn't difficult to answer.

Be stronger than everyone else, and they will see you as a hero. Be much stronger than everyone else, and they will see you as a catastrophe.

In an instant, Alex made up his mind: he would keep this a secret! It was better to rely on himself than on the goodwill of others.

Silently becoming rich.

Whether in a past life or this one, it was an unbreakable truth!

While pondering his future plans, the computer suddenly returned to the password screen, displaying a message:

["Your time is up. To continue, please renew at the counter."]

The ten coppers he had paid for internet time were gone. This was the difficulty of being broke.

No matter how powerful your Sequence was, you still had to log off on time.

Fortunately, in just half an hour, Alex had found the information he needed. Ten coppers hadn't been spent in vain. At least he knew now that he absolutely couldn't let anyone learn about the [Gods-Eater] Sequence.

Shouldering his backpack, Alex left the internet cafe to the bewilderment of the chubby attendant, Barry.

The air outside the cafe was instantly fresher, free of smoke and strange greasy odors, just the ordinary scent of dust.

However, without the illumination of lights, the surroundings turned pitch-black, taking Alex a moment to adjust to the dim path.

Looking through the air defense glass of the safe zone, at the vast sea of stars hanging in the sky all year round and the occasional giant gods wandering past, Alex felt lost again.

What should he do next? Where should he go?

Should he go to the exit of the safe zone or back to school?

On the [Camp of God-Slayers] forum, those Sequence Ability holders mentioned that at the safe zone exit, teams of Sequence Ability holders hunting gods came and went every day.

To enable humanity to counterattack the gods, the United Government provided various support policies and resources to Sequence Ability holders. In exchange, they had to hunt the gods outside the safe zone.

Moreover, the more and bigger gods they hunted, the more generous the rewards for the Sequence Ability holders.

To prove they had hunted gods, Sequence Ability holders would bring back the most characteristic part of the god's remains as proof to claim their rewards.

Alex pondered over the idea, contemplating whether he could seize an opportunity to bite into a god's flesh at the safe zone exit, verifying if the [Gods-Eater] Sequence would indeed make him stronger.

If the verification succeeded, he might soar to greatness.

He could hide outside the safe zone, constantly hunting gods until he became an unparalleled master, then return to the safe zone to dominate everything.

His Sequence was incredibly powerful, allowing him to grow stronger while hunting gods, akin to a perpetual motion machine.

Yet, Alex checked the information panel in his mind, calmly analyzing his abilities, and shook his head.

"Blood Drink's description states that consuming gods raw can be digested. But it doesn't mention whether it can be absorbed."

"Digestion is one thing, absorption is another. These must be distinguished."

"If I can't absorb it, that means I can't gain necessary nutrition by eating gods."

If this possibility existed, then even if he slew countless gods, he might starve to death outside the safe zone.

One meal could bring down even the greatest hero.

Alex ceased contemplating where to go because he only had one option-return to school.

Waiting at the safe zone exit for a lucky break might indeed offer a chance to grow stronger.

However, today's lunar calendar indicated "unfavorable for all endeavors," suggesting that today might not be suitable for taking risks.

Alex wasn't superstitious by nature, but with rebirth and the apocalypse happening, superstition seemed justified.

When faced with beyond-cognition phenomena, one couldn't help but become superstitious.

Even if he somehow grew stronger at the safe zone exit, converting his ability into food would take time, not happening overnight.

But at school, there was no such issue.

The school provided lunch and dinner. Without it, Alex didn't know how he would survive in the dilapidated outskirts of the safe zone.

More importantly, today was Friday.

The school's Saturday and Sunday were off days, meaning the cafeteria would be closed, depriving him of free meals.

Missing today's cafeteria meals would mean going hungry for two days with no money in his pocket.

That wasn't a good decision.

Not only should he go to school, but he must also swallow his pride today and ask the cafeteria auntie for extra food to tide him through the weekend meals.

The cafeteria auntie, aware of his orphan status, turned a blind eye to his request for extra portions.

While the school was closed on weekends, Sequence Ability teams didn't rest. This was understandable.

Sequence Ability holders needed to submit god remnants to the United Government to receive resources, akin to self-employed individuals.

Since they were self-employed, their working hours weren't as rigid.

So, Alex could still try his luck at the safe zone exit tomorrow and the day after.

Undoubtedly, going to school was the best solution. Even though he wasn't interested in studying.

The dim main street was lit by sporadic, dim lamps every few dozen meters, illuminating just a couple of steps. The lamps were connected to the air defense glass above, seemingly serving as support.

To Alex, the only purpose of these lamps was to inform pedestrians that this street was the main thoroughfare of the outskirts of the safe zone. Besides that, they were not very useful.

Even the lights inside the internet cafe were several times brighter than the street lamps.

Alex walked along the dim main street for about ten minutes before reaching the school.

In his past life, Alex attended a regular high school in the county, which wasn't well-equipped.

In this world, it was similar, perhaps even worse than his previous school.

Alex had no choice but to head to the only school in the outskirts of the Safe Zone, ‌Haven Academy‌.

‌Haven Academy‌ encompassed a twelve-year education system, spanning from elementary to high school.

Children in the outskirts of the Safe Zone began their school journey at six or seven years old and didn't leave until they turned eighteen.

It could be considered a second home.

All the students at this school were ordinary individuals, and so were their parents.

In the Safe Zone, where Sequence Ability Holders were not uncommon, gatherings of ordinary people were scarce, scattered across the outskirts.

Any family that could awaken a Sequence Ability would surely relocate from this dangerous and dilapidated area to a better part of the Safe Zone.

Within the school, everyone was at the bottom rung of the Safe Zone's social ladder, scraping by in the outskirts.

Yet, Alex's family situation was undoubtedly the worst.

He didn't even have regular parents, having lived alone since childhood.

Were it not for the United Government's policy of waiving tuition fees for orphans, Alex didn't know where he would be or what he would be doing.

Perhaps he would have become a pile of bones.

Alex walked down the dim street to the school, where the duty teacher hadn't arrived yet, and morning self-study hadn't commenced.

Morning self-study was from 8:00 AM to 8:15 AM, similar to his past life.

He had awakened early that day due to the excitement of awakening his Sequence. Even after spending half an hour in the internet cafe, he still hadn't arrived late at school.

Alex loved the school. Not only because it provided him with free meals but also because it was the brightest place in the outskirts of the Safe Zone, boasting the best electrical system and lighting.

In the Safe Zone, where electrical resources were expensive, this was very rare.

The United Government believed that the hope for rescuing humanity and killing the Gods lay in every child. Regardless of the cost, they couldn't compromise on educational conditions.

Improved educational conditions would instill a sense of belonging among the younger generation towards the United Government and the Safe Zone, making them more enthusiastic about dedicating themselves to the cause of hunting Gods.

The United Government also advocated for providing every child with an equal opportunity for education, as you never knew which child might grow up to change the world and the structure of humanity.

However, policies were one thing, and their implementation in each school varied greatly.

Teachers at the school didn't believe every student was worth cultivating, especially at ‌Haven Academy‌.

According to incomplete statistics, the fewer opportunities for prosperity, the fewer Sequence Ability Holders awakened.

To date, Alex hadn't heard of anyone at ‌Haven Academy‌ awakening a Sequence Ability.

Students like Alex, who didn't pay tuition and had no prospects, were seen as bloodsuckers by the teachers. Even though the teachers took far more from the school than Alex ever did.

Ms. Clarke placed his desk in the corner of the classroom, an unnoticed spot, exactly the same as his previous life's seating arrangement.

In his past life, Alex's heart grew lonely because of this, but the reincarnated Alex found it quite comforting.

At least here, no one would disturb his daydreaming.

While other students pulled out their textbooks to preview today's lessons, Alex rested his chin on one hand, gazing out the window at the Gods occasionally flying past the Safe Zone, pondering how to find an opportunity to grow stronger.

"Alex."

Just then, his reverie was interrupted.

He looked up to see a pretty female classmate standing beside him.

"Oh, Emma, what's up?"

There she was.

Alex's mind instantly flashed back to her information. He wouldn't forget this woman even if she turned to dust.

She was Emma, his high school classmate.

In his past life, Alex had pursued Emma for three years, being incredibly humble the entire time.

He would rather go hungry himself than skip buying her breakfast. He even did her homework and chatted with her late into the night whenever she was in a bad mood.

For Emma, Alex granted every request, giving all he could as an orphan.

He hoped to be with Emma.

Yet, Emma never accepted his confessions, always saying she was too young, couldn't afford to distract from her studies, and couldn't disappoint her parents' expectations.

However, whenever Alex wanted to give up his pursuit, Emma would find him, encouraging him and saying it was just a test, hoping he would persist.

So, Alex firmly believed that Emma would start dating him after high school.

Unfortunately, after graduation, he found out that Emma had been with Zhou from the neighboring class all along. Zhou's family background was decent, and being with him allowed Emma to ascend socially by half a class.

He still remembered the sight of Emma holding hands with Zhou and her sarcastic remark directed at him:

"Such a fool. You deserve to be an orphan!"

In this new life, even though the world had undergone drastic changes, most of his former classmates remained unchanged.

Alex didn't know if this was God giving him a chance to redeem himself, but he was deeply grateful to have the opportunity to see Emma again.

To finally bid farewell to his past self, the puppy-like Alex.

He remembered Emma in high school, always sweet and charming, with dimples that made Alex's heart skip a beat whenever she smiled.

But now, looking at her, Alex felt only disgust, no longer experiencing any fluttering in his heart, and even a hint of nausea.

His gaze at Emma was bland and indifferent.

Emma didn't notice the change in Alex and instead said in a cutesy voice, "Alex, you haven't brought me breakfast for three days."

"Oh, I ate it myself," Alex replied calmly, not showing any emotional fluctuation to her near-coquettish words.

Emma was taken aback, seemingly not expecting such a response, and asked in surprise, "What about my breakfast?"

"Didn't you tell me you had breakfast at home, so there was no need for me to bring you any?"

Alex only found out later that Emma gave the breakfast he bought her to Zhou, trying to win his favor.

In a word, Emma worked hard to be with Zhou.

Her efforts were just built upon Alex's foolish dedication.

Emma put her hands on her hips and said, "I was testing you! If you give up so easily, how can I trust you in the future?"

Looking at Emma's mix of anger and coquetry, Alex chuckled. "If you're not confident, we might as well not be together. Besides, we're not dating now, anyway."

Emma's heart sank upon hearing Alex's response. She wondered why Alex, who had always catered to her every whim, had changed so much in recent days!

But she was also in a fit of rage and had lost patience to give Alex a good face. She was only eager to retrieve the homework that Alex had helped her with before and go find Zhou to compare answers.

"Then give me my homework," she demanded.

Alex opened his backpack and handed over three homework notebooks to Emma.

Emma grabbed the notebooks, flipped through a couple of pages, and her eyes widened in shock. "Alex! Why is the homework blank?!"

"Funny. Homework doesn't write itself. If no one writes it, it stays blank, of course," Alex replied.

"But... But you used to help me with it!"

Alex pulled out three more notebooks, showing Emma the blank pages. "I haven't even written mine. Why should I help you?"

"You! You'll get me scolded by the teacher like this!"

"Oh."

"Don't you care if I get scolded by the teacher?"

Alex burst into laughter, giving Emma a sardonic look, and shrugged. "You never cared when I got scolded by the teacher."

Emma immediately feigned tears, pouting her lips and her eyes brimming with tears. "Alex, I think you don't like me anymore."

Alex ignored her acting and gave her a thumbs-up. "Emma, that's the only human thing you've said this morning. If you have nothing else, stop disturbing my daydreaming."

With that, Alex leaned against the window, continuing to gaze at the bizarre deities floating in the sky. He wondered if eating them wouldn't give him diarrhea.

At this point, Emma was completely stunned.

She had planned to meet Zhou later to compare answers and intended to give the breakfast that Alex bought her to him as a gesture of goodwill.

Now that Alex had washed his hands of her problems, how could she face Zhou?!

Faced with Alex's ignorance, she fumed, "Alex, if you keep this up, we'll never have a chance!"

Alex snorted, turned around, and spat a thick glob of phlegm at her feet.

Then he turn around and leave.

...

On the outskirts of the Safe Zone lies a territory marked by backwardness, a laggard in every conceivable aspect, from its dusty streets to its dispirited denizens.

Education, the cornerstone prioritized by the United Government, has not been spared this neglect. At Haven Academy, the curriculum for the third-year seniors consists of tedious lectures on the ancient glories of humanity and outdated scientific theories.

In an era dominated by the Gods, classrooms here still drone on about "separation of powers," "social revolutions," and other quaint notions that hold no relevance today.

Even the mathematics of functions and geometry, the physics of force fields, and the chemistry of molecular structures seem impotent and irrelevant.

In the pre-apocalyptic world, mastery of these subjects was the key to academic and professional success. But in the wake of the Gods' descent, they have lost all meaning.

There is but one path to redemption: awakening a Sequence Ability.

Only by possessing a Sequence Ability can one hope to change their fate. Yet, courses pertinent to Sequence Ability are conspicuously absent from the curriculum of this backwards institution at the fringes of the Safe Zone.

The impoverished region rarely sees the presence of Sequence Ability Holders, and the teachers, ordinary folk themselves, lack the education and exposure to impart such knowledge.

Although uninformed, Alex presumed that with the Safe Zone established for a decade and Sequence Ability awakenings recorded for five years, the United Government must have incorporated related courses in its educational system. They just hadn't permeate Haven Academy yet.

The current lack of relevant knowledge has left Alex here no light in the future.

Courses on Sequence Ability Holders aren't solely for those who awaken abilities; they can also cater to ordinary individuals. The advent of Sequence Ability Holders spawns numerous industries and creates a plethora of job opportunities.

With such education, ordinary graduates can pursue a wider array of careers.

Haven Academy sits at the bottom rung of the educational ladder within the Safe Zone, offering its students a narrow path to tread.

Their only hope lies in excelling in the college entrance exams to gain admission into universities specifically for ordinary folks established by the United Government, or a miraculous awakening of a Sequence Ability, transforming them into Sequence Ability Holders.

However, in the past five years, no miracle has graced the students of Haven Academy.

The sole beacon of hope for the students seated in the classroom is to secure a coveted spot through stellar exam performance at the college entrance exams. Even the top ten students face an uphill battle; for Alex, hovering around the hundredth rank, the odds seem insurmountable.

The lessons learned from his previous life as a working stiff have taught Alex one thing: avoid futile endeavors; rest when you must; do not be too hard on yourself.

Skipping his assignments entirely, Alex braces for the inevitable scolding from his teachers.

He's not alone; Emma and her clique of girlfriends also face reprimands. Emma's friends always relied on her for their homework, and she, in turn, depended on Alex. With Alex halting his subservient duties, an entire homework supply chain has collapsed.

Throughout the day, Emma casts occasional mournful glances at Alex, who ignores her plight with stoic indifference.

Emma's friends, who benefited from her alliance with Alex, offer various suggestions on how to reignite his servitude.

Being Emma's simpering sycophant had its perks for Alex; he was often tasked with running errands, buying snacks, and even fetching meals.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Safe Zone's fringes, Alex prepared to leave Haven Academy. He stuffed his backpack with extra portions of food from the canteen, much to Auntie Mary's amusement and indulgence.

With his pack bursting at the seams with provisions, Alex planned not just for the next day's meals but for a week's sustenance. His mind was set; he'd spend the nights near the Safe Zone's exit, ready to intercept any Gods-Eater returning from their perilous hunts.

One lucky encounter could alter his destiny, grant him strength, and pave the way for his escape from this forlorn periphery.

Just as Alex set off, brimming with anticipation, Emma intercepted him, her expression a mix of hope and hesitation.

"Alex, I've been thinking about things, really reflecting on my feelings. There's something inside me... I do care about you, but we're both so young..."

"Get lost," Alex cut her off coldly, bypassing her as if she were an unpleasant obstacle.

Emma stood there, stunned and rejected, her words dying in the breeze. She'd hoped her concession might sway Alex, but his transformation was unyielding.

Alex returned home, his spirits unfazed by Emma's attempt. He took a refreshing cold shower and retreated to bed, fatigue pulling at his eyelids. He had initially planned to stake out the Safe Zone's exit tonight, but exhaustion got the better of him.

Tomorrow, refreshed and revitalized, he'd venture out again.

As he drifted into slumber, Alex glanced at the thick, fortified glass window, where a massive, black insect crawled. He pulled the curtains without a flicker of emotion; it was just another day in this dystopian world.

Meanwhile, Emma and her friends huddled together, hashing out strategies. They too saw potential in her alliance with Zhou, whose uncle had recently awakened as a Sequence Ability Holder and held influence within the United Government's educational sector.

"Emma, tomorrow, when school lets out, confront him again. Be more persuasive, tell him..."

But Alex's resolve was unshakable. The next day, as he left Haven Academy, his mind was focused solely on his goal. Emma's subsequent attempts to reconcile only earned her more disdainful rejection.

Undeterred by Alex's indifference, Emma pondered her next move. She realized that her dependency on Alex for homework and favors had crumbled, leaving her vulnerable in her pursuit of Zhou.

Alex, on the other hand, felt liberated. With each step towards the Safe Zone's exit, he felt lighter, as if shedding layers of baggage from his past subservience.

As night fell again, Alex found his spot near the exit, ready to seize his destiny. The world outside was harsh and unpredictable, but so was life within the Safe Zone's confines. He'd face it head-on, armed with hope and determination.