Apocalypse Baby

There were six of them.

And each one stood out in their own unique way.

Sylen was an elf with long silver hair and eyes that were sharp, metallic silver. His gaze was piercing, like it could cut through deception. He exuded an elegance that felt dangerous. His stillness was like a blade poised to strike, waiting for the right moment. He carried himself in such a way that it seemed like he wasn't standing, but hovering, even though his legs were clearly on the ground. Alex had no doubt he would be stupidly fast.

Brakka the Kruckle was an absolute tank—massive, muscle-bound, and built like a wrecking ball. His skin was a dull, stormy gray, and those thick tusks jutting from his jaw made him look like he was born to break things. His shadow alone swallowed half the light in the room, and Alex could practically feel the floor groan beneath his weight.

If there was anyone built to break bones just by breathing… it was this guy.

Vess the Tranagian was a literal tree. Bark made up the skin, limbs were strung with vines, and leaves were just… part of the body.

Was Vess male or female?

Alex didn't have a clue.

But he didn't really care.

It was a tree. Trees didn't need a gender.

Kira was an Anima—part human, part animal. She carried herself with the quiet grace of a predator, every movement smooth and deliberate.

Her presence was unsettling in the way beautiful things sometimes are—like a blade made of glass. White hair framed her sharp features, and her violet eyes didn't just look at Alex—they dissected him, cold and focused. And behind her, almost absurdly out of place given the tension she carried, was a soft, swaying bunny tail.

Alex blinked.

Really? Of all animals… she had to be a bunny? Cute.

But somehow… that just made her even more terrifying.

Grugrim was a dwarf—short and built like a tank, with heavy armor that looked ancient enough to have seen a few empires rise and fall.

He stood with his arms crossed, wearing the kind of expression that said he'd been unimpressed since birth.

But behind those narrowed eyes was calculation—like he'd already imagined five ways to knock Alex out cold.

Malik was a demon—tall, lean, and radiating raw danger.

His body was pitch black, cracked with faint glowing lines that pulsed like magma under stone. Heat seemed to follow him, like he brought his own atmosphere.

Alex felt the hairs on his arms stand up.

This one? Definitely trouble.

So this was it.

His competition.

Every single one of them oozed power. Danger.

They were chosen for the trial because they were strong. Unique. Standouts.

But so was Alex.

Which was why he wasn't afraid.

He was a monster in his own right.

Alex was hyped. Ready to test himself against the best.

But… the format was limiting.

He could only fight two more people.

One would be the winner between the elf and the Kruckle.

The other—if he made it past the next round—would be the number one from Side B.

Small bracket. Big stakes.

The other competitors were still watching him.

And it felt like each one was scanning him for weakness.

And from two of them, he felt it.

Animosity.

Quiet.

Controlled.

But definitely there.

Like they'd already decided he didn't belong.

Alex didn't flinch.

Didn't break eye contact.

He stared back, eyes hard and steady.

Unshaken.

Then he zeroed in on two.

The elf and the Kruckle.

Sylen's gaze was unreadable. Brakka's, on the other hand, was obvious—his stare basically said:

I will break you in half and wear your spine like a belt.

Alex smirked.

Bring it.

Then… his gaze slid over to Kira.

The Anima.

Half human. Half animal.

Just like he imagined they'd look.

Pretty face. Slender figure. A soft pair of long white ears twitched atop her head.

Adorable.

But her expression? Not so much.

It was cold and aggressive.

A little scary.

Alex sighed internally.

Yeah… asking her if I can touch her tail is out of the question.

Then it happened.

Fwoosh—

Vess—the walking tree—and Kira were suddenly engulfed in twin beams of light.

Brilliant. Blinding.

And in an instant, they were gone. Teleported to the arena for their match.

That left five in the room.

The tension shifted.

Eyes that had been locked on Alex drifted away, each returning to their own space.

Some stared at the arena's glass wall, watching the unfolding battle. Others closed their eyes, meditating or conserving strength.

Alex didn't say a word.

He simply turned around and walked to the far end of the chamber, his boots tapping lightly against the sleek metallic floor.

He reached the wall and sat on the ground, leaning back against it.

Then he exhaled.

But even though the stares were gone, the pressure in the room didn't ease. Not even a little.

It hung in the air like steam in a sealed pot.

Boiling. Building.

Alex's eyes narrowed slightly.

Why would the proctor toss all these high-level threats into the same room? It most certainly didn't feel like a resting area.

Alex decided to shove the thought aside.

He had other priorities.

He'd been waiting since the second Tharnok died for this moment.

A chance to check his system upgrade.

With a flick of his fingers, he pulled up his interface—a translucent screen beginning to shimmer into view.

But just as the details started loading, he heard heavy footsteps coming straight for him.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Alex clicked his teeth in irritation.

Seriously? Right now?

He could feel it.

Hostile intent.

Whoever was walking toward him wasn't coming for a friendly chat.

They were looking for trouble.

And Alex...

Alex was ready to give it.

He closed the system tab with a thought, the interface vanishing in a blink of light. Then slowly… deliberately… he raised his head, eyes locked on the approaching figure.

Then he sighed.

Of course.

Of course, it had to be the biggest monster in the room.