Chapter 1: The Sole Talent Awakener

In the Holy Mountain Empire, within the Val Administrative Region.

At the Earth Seed Base, number 71392, within the Talent Awakening Zone.

...

"Base number: 01254110, awakening failed, no talent, next."

"Wait, please, give me another chance!"

"Get lost."

"Base number: 01254111, awakening failed, no talent, next."

"It's impossible! Impossible!I even have mastery-level skills, how could I not awaken?"

"Shut up, get out!"

"Base number..."

...

Underneath a giant shining orb in the square.

A group of young boys and girls walked forward, feeling disheartened and even unbelievably rolling around after being illuminated by the brilliant rays.

But in the end, they were all escorted off the stage.

And the middle-aged man overseeing it all remained calm: "Such poor quality in this batch of newcomers! Not a single one with potential talent?"

"Forget it. This is a normal phenomenon."

At the edge of the square, a young man was panicking.

Everyone before him had failed!

It was almost his turn, and it didn't look hopeful.

Can I awaken a talent?

No way!

Someone whispered beside him: "Isn't it? We've tested almost half of our batch, and not a single one has awakened a talent?"

"Don't panic! They're just stepping stones! According to statistics, every base test averages one or two awakenings. If no one before us has succeeded, our chances just got better!"

"Holy crap! That makes so much sense!" the young man thought.

He couldn't help but glance back at a slightly chubby boy with faint freckles speaking confidently.

But then, Sterl, the young man from before, could only bitterly smile in his heart. In his previous life, he was a bottom player in playing UNO card games. But after crossing time, now he had to rely on luck to decide his future as either a special ability user or a nameless nobody.

He was different from the people around him. Although he appeared young, Sterl's soul came from a place called the Earth.

He used to be a programmer in America. but one day when he woke up, he found himself in a

Game world.

Yes, you heard right, a Game world.

Humans in this world also once lived on a planet called the Earth. But with the outbreak of World War III, human civilization was nearly annihilated.

The terrifying energy released from nuclear warfare even accidentally tore through space, allowing countless extraterrestrial monsters to invade and occupy the world, forcing humanity to hide in bases and caves, barely surviving.

Until the Explorer, which was sent out countless years ago, brought a game called [Transcendence] that connected the entire universe. As a result, humans moved their physical bodies to the underground world and their spirits entered Transcendence to live.

In reality, only some workers responsible for producing babies and powerful "professionals" could survive.

"Professionals" are the changes brought to humanity by the game [Transcendence].

How could a game connect the entire universe? In the game, players could obtain various extraordinary powers to use in reality.

"Wow! Sterl is going to soar! He's awakened a talent!"

"What talent is it? Did the machine detect it?"

"Why him!! Why!"

...

For a moment, the scene became chaotic, with some amazed, some envious, and some extremely envious.

Even the middle-aged man couldn't continue to manage the order. Instead, he looked towards the giant crystal ball that displayed the anomaly with surprise and then loudly announced:

"Number 01254114, Mr. Sterl, congratulations on awakening a D-grade talent... Attribute Enhancement!"

"Not bad, not bad! Young man, you are truly the pride of our Sixth District."

"Attribute Enhancement may be a common talent, but it allows you to solo monsters right from the start. You don't have to wait for the base to arrange someone to lead you, you can quickly become a formal player!"

"If you're interested, I can recommend you to the Green Pastures Guild. Hmm, a D-grade talent is quite impressive."

The man had lost his previously cold demeanor and instead warmly welcomed him.

And below the high platform, countless young men and women were excited.

"Sterl actually made it! He's the guy who spent over a decade maSterling basic steps without success!"

"Damn! I feel like I can do it too!"

"Holy shit! Sterl has turned his fate around! He's really taken off!"

...

Many people showed envy, but even more were ignited with hope — who would think themselves inferior to an utterly ordinary peer?

If Sterl could awaken a talent, then we should have a chance too!

However, despite the hustle and bustle of the outside world, Sterl didn't respond and just stood there dumbfounded.

The middle-aged man was generous, "Mr. Sterl is too excited. Let's give him some time."

But Sterl was indeed a bit dazed. Having awakened a talent, he automatically received a player panel, but he was stunned by the strange words displayed on his attribute panel.

"Wait a minute."

"Could this be..."

"My cheat as a time traveler?"

His expression was blank, seemingly overwhelmed by the joy of awakening a talent.

In reality, he was equally stunned, shocked by another piece of good news.

[Player: Sterl]

[Level: 0]

[Physique: 1]

[Strength: 1]

[Agility: 1]

[Spirit: 1]

[Physical Talent Ability: Attribute Amplification (D-grade)]+

[Mental Talent Ability: Current potential insufficient for awakening]+

The panel seemed normal. But behind both talent abilities, there appeared a plus sign.

What was happening?