Ester's fingers blurred across the tablet. Pale blue light spilled from the screen, projecting a collapsing world map into the air.
"To put it simply, our world—the Armor Link server—didn't vanish when it shut down," Ester's voice was chillingly clear in the silent mall. "Instead, due to an unexplainable supernatural phenomenon called 'Dimensional Collapse,' the game data leaked into your reality like ink dropped into water, staining it black."
On the projection, countless red dots spread globally like a virus.
"In short: Reality has been gamified."
Ester swiped to display a set of terrifying data points:
[Data Restructuring]: Physical laws have been rewritten. Conventional weapons like guns now deal 100% reduced damage to monsters. Only "Armor Armaments" generated through System Authority can inflict fatal wounds.
[Ecological Invasion]: The Brutes you saw are just scouts. As the fusion deepens, "Plane-Rank Bosses" capable of ending civilizations will inevitably descend upon your cities.
[Class Selection]: The part you care about most.
Ester turned to the six warriors, her gaze devoid of pity. "The system assigns classes based on soul traits. Currently, 99% of awakened humans are 'Warrior Types.' While you can fight, you have a fatal flaw: your armor is a non-renewable consumable."
"What do you mean?" one warrior stammered, touching a crack on his gauntlet.
"It means once your armor's durability hits 0%, it will shatter into sparks, just like Lawson's did. And in this broken reality, without the game company's server maintenance, you can never repair it."
The crowd erupted in panic. These "heroes" were essentially suicide squads with single-use weapons.
Suddenly, Ester spun around. Her pink pupils locked onto the silent Lawson, flashing with a rare, fanatical spark.
"However, an 'Error' that defies all logic has appeared. Or rather, a miracle."
The image on the tablet froze on Lawson's profile, surrounded by a radiant, golden SSS-Rank insignia.
"Everyone else was born to 'consume.' But Lawson... he awakened as an [SSS-Rank Armor Smith]. This is currently the only known Supreme Production Authority in human history."
Ester stepped close to Lawson, her doll-like face inches from his. "Lawson, in an era where metal is life, you aren't just a 'blacksmith.' You are the only Being on Earth who can mend a hero's soul—and perhaps, craft the 'God Gear' itself."
The way people looked at Lawson changed instantly. From mere respect to a burning, desperate hunger for a savior.
Lawson's mouth twitched as he stared at the golden anvil icon on his phone. "So... I went from a frontline God of War to the world's only nanny and logistics manager?"
He ruffled his hair, his gaze suddenly turning razor-sharp. "Ester, there isn't even a decent wrench here, let alone a forge. How am I supposed to craft? With my bare hands? Am I becoming a Creator God?"
"What is this nonsense? A game becoming reality? Ridiculous!" "Keep your death-trap armor game to yourselves..."
Before Lawson could finish, the crowd grew restless. Accustomed to a peaceful life, they refused to believe the nightmare. Most fled the mall, leaving only the six warriors, Lawson, Katie, and Ester.
Ester sighed. "People won't believe in the coffin until they're being nailed inside. They'll believe once they're being eaten."
Her tongue was as accurate as a prophecy. A deafening explosion rocked the mall entrance, followed by blood-curdling screams. Those who had just left had run straight into a fresh pack of Shadow Shifters.
"Dammit! Emergency Mission triggered!" Ester stared at the spiking data on her tablet. "Warriors, prepare for battle! Check your mission lists and rewards. Accomplish the objective at all costs!"
The warriors' phones lit up simultaneously:
[Mission Type: Co-op]
[Rank: D]
[Objective: Defeat Brutes (0/20)]
[Reward: 200 Linked Points (LP)]
"Linked Points are the only currency in the Armor Link," Ester added with a hint of greedy excitement. "They are needed for crafting and are the only source of energy to strengthen your armor. If you want to survive, earn your keep!"
"You can earn money by killing monsters?" The exhausted warriors were instantly revitalized. They turned as one, charging toward the smoke-filled gates.
"Another wave? Are these things hungry, or just in a hurry to die?" Lawson grunted, rushing toward the exit.
Outside, the air was filled with the sounds of slaughter. Having learned the rhythm, the six warriors were now handling the Brutes with ease. Lawson stood back with his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips.
"These six... they might actually be the 'Keys' to saving this world. With a little polishing, we might actually clear this nightmare."
"Don't be too humble, Senior Lawson." Katie spoke up, her voice clear despite the chaos. "If they are the 'Keys,' then you are the 'Locksmith' responsible for grinding them into perfection."
Lawson looked away, changing the subject. "By the way, my dear boss and underclassman, you must have received a notification too, right? You were a veteran with seven years of 'military service' in the game."
"I... did." Katie hesitated, turning her screen around. Deep blue fluorescence illuminated their faces: [Core Data Inherited: SS-Rank Origin Armor — {Moon Swift} — Transfer Complete.][Status: Ready. Initiate Armor Link? YES / NO]
Lawson's breath hitched. "SS-Rank... What are you waiting for?! Link up! Once {Moon Swift} hits the field, these trash mobs won't even have the right to become dust!"
Katie bit her lip, a look of hesitation crossing her face. "Actually, I wanted to—"
BOOM!
A deafening roar cut them off. The ground beneath the warriors exploded as dark purple, hooked vines erupted like venomous snakes, binding the warriors into helpless cocoons.
At the end of the vines, a terrifying figure emerged from a blooming lotus of thorns. Lawson's pupils shrank. "Impossible... why is an Elite-Rank Shadow Shifters appearing this early?"
It was a nightmare for any novice—C-Rank Elite: Brute Priest.
"Stop hesitating! Link now!" Lawson switched into his 'Iron Commander' persona. "Katie! {Moon Swift} has the stats to crush that thing! DO IT!!"
In the desperate moment, Katie's finger trembled as it hovered over [YES].
But a thousandth of a second before she could touch it—a streak of blazing orange light, like a meteor tearing through the night, roared past her ear!
SHRED—!
The sound of blades cutting through dry wood echoed. The vines binding the warriors shattered like paper.
In the center of the battlefield stood a suit of armor that mimicked an apex predator. The orange coating possessed a cold, metallic luster, every line bulging with explosive, feral beauty.
Lawson froze for half a second, then his shoulders relaxed. He looked at the massive orange silhouette and winked at the stunned Katie.
"Looks like your 'Big Gun' is destined for a debut in the next chapter." He smirked, his voice laced with unhidden bravado. "Our Earth-element S-Rank Armor— {Tiger Soul}. Dodge is on the field!"
The chest plate was a molten, fiery orange, its lines as sharp as if carved by a chisel, perfectly replicating Dodge's powerful physique. The shoulder guards were shaped like tiger claws, sharp metallic talons poised to strike. The helmet was a roaring mechanical tiger, its electronic visor glowing with a lethal orange light.
"—S-Rank Warrior Dodge, officially synced!" a thunderous voice boomed from the tiger-head helmet. "Die, Brute Priest! I'm taking your core!"
Dodge's energy gauges surged. But just as he was about to unleash a total stat-crush on the Elite monster, a streak of blue flame cut across the battlefield.
A male warrior—one of the rookies—had charged first! He was like an out-of-control missile, heading straight for the Brute Priest.