Chapter 2: The Admin's Tax

  Chaos erupted across the city as the first waves of the apocalypse hit.

  Adrian stood on the edge of the street, staring at the horizon where the ocean boiled like a pot of water about to spill over. The waves surged, crashing against buildings, and twisted monstrosities crawled from the depths of the city’s alleys, drawn to the venting cosmic energy. The air was thick with heat and fear, a tension that pressed on Adrian’s chest like a weight too heavy to bear.

  But there was no time to pause. The "Default Rules" had already activated, and Adrian was now the System's Admin. That meant he had to enforce the rules. He had to do whatever it took to survive. And surviving meant harvesting the energy—every ounce of it.

  Adrian’s heart hammered in his chest as the notification for the Admin’s Tax appeared before him:

  The Admin's Tax

  Your energy harvests will be taxed at a rate of 10%. This is a necessary contribution to maintaining the planetary shield. Failure to comply will result in catastrophic instability.

  He cursed under his breath. The System was never merciful. Every kill he made, every creature he destroyed, would result in a portion of the energy being siphoned off to maintain the planetary shield. And that shield was the only thing preventing Earth’s core from destabilizing and causing the entire world to collapse into a supernova.

  The first Aswangs were already gathering, forming a twisted army that seemed to be drawn together by an unseen force. The city was full of them—crawling, skittering, their grotesque forms twisted by the overwhelming cosmic energy. They were everywhere, hunting for those who had been left behind, the ones who hadn’t yet figured out the rules of the game.

  Adrian stepped into the street, his eyes scanning for his next target. He needed to fill the local Node’s energy bank, and that meant killing. The sooner he killed, the more energy he could gather—and the faster he could grow stronger.

  Another notification flashed:

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  Manifestation Mandate Update

  The ocean temperature has reached critical levels. Energy venting is no longer efficient. Begin harvesting or face a global collapse. Localized Bosses will soon appear.

  Adrian gritted his teeth. Bosses. That was the next step. If the local Node wasn't secured soon, it would spawn a World Boss—something far more dangerous than these Aswangs. It was a ticking time bomb, and Adrian knew that if he didn’t act quickly, the city would be lost.

  He sprinted down the street, charging towards the nearest cluster of Aswangs. The creatures hissed and shrieked as they turned to face him, their fangs glinting in the dim light. They were faster than he remembered, more vicious. Their claws scraped against the ground, tearing up the concrete as they closed in on him.

  Adrian didn’t hesitate. He raised his hand, and the Genesis Ring hummed with power. He felt the energy surge through him, his body vibrating with it. A flash of blue light erupted from his palm, and the nearest Aswang was obliterated in an instant. The others faltered for a split second, confused by the sudden violence. Adrian didn’t waste the opportunity. He swung his arm in a wide arc, releasing another blast of energy.

  The creatures exploded in a shower of sparks and grotesque body parts. As each one fell, the local Node’s energy bank slowly increased. But Adrian knew it wasn’t enough. Not yet.

  Another Aswang lunged at him from the shadows, its claws extended. Adrian sidestepped, drawing his blade—a sleek, obsidian weapon forged from the same cosmic energy that powered the Genesis Ring. He thrust it forward, driving it deep into the creature’s abdomen. The Aswang screeched, its body writhing in pain, but Adrian twisted the blade, channeling the energy directly into the beast’s body.

  The creature’s form collapsed into dust, leaving behind a glittering Mana Crystal. Adrian snatched it up without thinking. The crystal pulsed with energy, a small but valuable prize in the grand scheme of things.

  The notification chimed again:

  Energy Harvesting

  You have obtained a Mana Crystal. Use it to increase your power and abilities. The Admin's Tax has been deducted: 10%.

  Adrian pocketed the crystal. Every little bit counted. The Tax may have taken a chunk, but it was necessary. He understood that now. He had to play the System’s game—or let the game play him.

  The air shifted. Adrian felt it, a subtle shift in the atmosphere. A deeper, darker presence had arrived. The first World Boss.

  It appeared on the horizon—a massive shadow, larger than anything he had faced before. A monstrous creature, part crab, part vampire, with thousands of writhing, bloodthirsty minions crawling around it. The Typhon-Aswang Hive.

  Adrian’s eyes narrowed. This was it. This was the challenge he had been waiting for. The creature was powerful, far more than any ordinary Aberrant. It would require all his strength, all his energy, to defeat it. But if he could conquer it, if he could secure this Node, the path forward would be much clearer.

  But before he could move, another voice interrupted his thoughts—a voice he recognized.

  “Adrian!”

  It was Eva, the medical researcher, her voice crackling with static as she broadcasted through the communication system. “We’ve got a situation. I’ve got a few survivors holed up in a research lab. They’re getting overwhelmed by these things. We need to talk strategy.”

  Adrian gritted his teeth, torn between the urgent need to deal with the World Boss and Eva’s request. But the System had made one thing clear: He couldn’t do this alone.

  “Hold tight,” he said, his voice calm, though his heart was racing. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  He turned towards the direction of Eva’s call, already preparing for the next fight. The game was far from over.