It had been revealed to Alex that almost a quarter of the global population were Paragons. While this might not seem like a large number considering the entire population on Earth, it was significant—significant enough that if such a large group knew about a secret power, it would be difficult to keep others from discovering it.
Because of this concern, a system had been developed to manage the situation. A replica of Earth was created beneath the real Earth. Most people called it the "World of Paragons," while others simply referred to it as the "Other World."
The Other World was a complete mirror of Earth, containing everything that existed on Earth at any given moment. This alternate realm was created to handle the aftermath of conflicts that might arise between two Paragons.
When two Paragons fought, especially those at higher levels, the results could be catastrophic, causing destruction and often resulting in casualties. Because of this, the beings known as the "Nine Realms" had come together to create this world that mirrored Earth's timeline exactly.
For instance, if a building was constructed on Earth, it would also appear in the Paragons' World. If the building were destroyed in the Paragons' World, it wouldn't affect the structure on Earth. Additionally, every twenty-four hours, the Paragons' World would reset, automatically repairing any damage caused there—as long as the original on Earth remained intact.
That was why, in a particular town in Egypt, while a peaceful evening settled and regular humans retreated to their comfort zones, none of them were aware that this same quiet town was ablaze in another realm.
Alex and the others had just arrived in the Paragons' World, where the battle was already in full swing. Explosions echoed in the distance, mingling with cries of pain and destruction.
"What was that move you did back there?" Alex asked Merrick, his voice barely audible over the noise.
"That was to bring the vehicles into the Paragons' World. While we can enter this realm as often as we like, the vehicles here are only replicas of the ones outside," Merrick explained.
The group of four moved cautiously down the deserted streets, scanning for their targets. Tamsin, Merrick, and Gwen walked confidently, their faces calm and alert. But Alex felt the tension rising in his own chest with every step.
"This feels a lot different from those simulations," Alex muttered under his breath, glancing around nervously.
"Yeah, that's because if you die here, you actually die," Tamsin replied without turning, her tone calm yet ominous.
Back at their base, Alex and the others had gone through numerous battle simulations where they fought different opponents, using either weapons or hand-to-hand combat.
But now, as he found himself in the midst of this new reality, Alex could truly sense the difference between virtual simulations and the genuine danger of actual combat.
"I wonder, have the others already finished them all off?" Gwen asked, her eyes scanning the street.
"I doubt that. Even though this attack is coming from a no-name clan, I don't think they're weak enough to be defeated so quickly," Tamsin replied.
In the Paragons' World, various factions existed, each with their own goals, and beneath those factions were numerous clans seeking either protection or resources. Those currently attacking the Dragon Roar Faction were known as "Upcomings," small clans striving to obtain a portal that could enhance their resources.
As the group moved forward, their eyes constantly alert for any targets, a man suddenly stumbled out in front of them. His face was twisted in pain, and half of his arm was burnt, releasing the sickening smell of charred flesh.
"You…" the man rasped, barely able to speak.
Without warning, he charged toward them. But after only a few steps, a loud bang echoed in the air. The man dropped to the ground, a bullet hole now visible in his forehead. He was dead.
Merrick stood a few paces away, casually wiping the smoke from his handgun. He looked up and noticed the others staring at him.
"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to turn this into a competition?" Gwen asked with a raised eyebrow.
Merrick grinned, then suddenly dashed off in another direction.
"Wait… what are you all doing?" Alex asked, looking from one teammate to the next in confusion.
"It's just something we do. We usually compete on missions like this to see who can get the most kills," Gwen explained, already sprinting away into a nearby alleyway.
"Hold on! He just killed someone, just like that, and none of you are saying anything about it?" Alex said, turning to Tamsin, who was still standing beside him.
Tamsin looked at him calmly. "What do you think, Alex? If that guy had reached us first, what do you think he would have done?"
Alex stood there, silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
"This is the Paragons' World, Alex. Death is common here. If you really can't handle it, I suggest you go back to the van and wait for us," Tamsin said plainly. "Besides, the others already have a head start on you," he added with a smirk.
He bent his knees slightly, then leaped high, reaching the height of a three-story building. He landed smoothly on a rooftop before disappearing into the distance, just as the others had done.
Now, Alex stood alone in the middle of the deserted street, unaware that a few pairs of eyes were watching him from the shadows.
"Did you see that? One of the masked people just shot a man who charged at them, and then they all split up," Thalassa whispered into the camera in front of her.
Thalassa and Nad had managed to enter the Paragons' realm using the same device Merrick had used earlier. As reporters always looking for a story, they immediately began filming while hiding.
They crouched behind a chunk of a fallen building, with Thalassa holding the camera steady, capturing Alex as he stood motionless in the street.
"What do you think? Should we go ask him some questions?" Thalassa asked in a low voice, glancing at Nad.
"Look, I'd love to capture every moment here, but we need to stay alive to enjoy it later. Just stay where you are, open up that charm of yours, and report away," Nad replied, gripping the camera firmly.
High above, a couple of small drones hovered silently, recording everything without a single sound.
'Ha… all that money I invested for moments like this,' Nad thought with a grin.
Just then, the large piece of debris they were hiding behind started to tremble. Slowly, it lifted off the ground, exposing both Thalassa and Nad.
"Oh… normal humans, here? How is that even possible?" a man asked, stepping forward with a wand in his hand.
The man had black hair and wore a dark robe. Oddly enough, he didn't seem to have any visible feet. Instead, he appeared to be floating about a foot off the ground, as though his feet were either hidden beneath the robe or perhaps nonexistent altogether.
"I don't care how you got here, but this isn't a place for you," the man said, raising his wand and bringing the pillar crashing down toward Thalassa and Nad.
The loud noise immediately caught Alex's attention. He turned back and saw what was happening in the distance.
"That man… he's marked with a red tag, while the other two are marked yellow. What does that even mean?" Alex wondered aloud.
After a quick moment, he shook his head. "Forget it," he muttered.
Without hesitation, Alex pulled out both of his handguns, gripping them firmly. He aimed carefully and squeezed the triggers, firing a burst of qi bullets directly at the floating boulders surrounding the man. One by one, the qi bullets shattered the boulders into pieces, sending chunks flying in all directions.
With the path cleared, Alex pointed his guns directly at the man, steady and prepared.
"I see… you're with the masked clan, aren't you?" the man said, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Alex. "Let's see what's behind that mask of yours," he sneered, his gaze unwavering.
Just then, Alex's system beeped with a notification.
[A target has been spotted.]
[Target level: Level 3 Mage]
[Magic Specialties: Air (Telekinesis)]