The sky was still carpeted by an ethereal darkness that swallowed both the clouds and the sun.
The atmosphere across the entire earth remained ominous and chaotic as people struggled to understand what was happening.
It was no different in Draven's classroom.
Students moved wildly, their panic evident, while Mrs. Bennet stood frozen near the whiteboard, staring at her system with a puzzled expression.
Yet, while everyone was troubled by the descent of the apocalypse, Draven remained seated, a firm look on his face as his eyes carefully scanned the long holographic window displaying his talent.
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TALENT: Parasitic Contract
RANK: Unique (Evolvable)
EVOLUTION LEVEL: Lv.1
DESCRIPTION:
A rare binding-type talent that links the user to a single target for a fixed duration.
During the bond, the user can share growth, borrow abilities, and extract talents.
The connection forms a controlled dual-layer link, allowing access to the target's power without losing autonomy.
ACTIVATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Target within short–mid range
• One condition must be met:
– Physical contact
– Direct eye contact
ABILITIES:
[1] EXP SYNCHRONIZATION
Gain 100% of the target's EXP during the binding period.
(Only active while Bond is maintained)
[2] TALENT BORROWING
Temporarily use one of the target's talents.
(Max: 1 talent at a time)
[3] TALENT EXTRACTION
Permanently extract a talent using Extraction Points (EP).
(Only possible during active Bond)
CONDITIONS & LIMITS:
• Bond breaks if the target exits range, dies, or the connection is disrupted
• Stronger targets consume more energy and pose a high risk of failure.
• Extracted talents may conflict with the user's core compatibility
DURATION: 24 Hours
COOLDOWN: If an active bond ends prematurely, the user cannot form a new Bond until the original 24-hour duration expires.
ACTIVE LIMIT: 1 Target
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'A unique Talent?' Draven muttered under his breath.
In his last run, very few people awakened unique talents during the first selection. Those individuals eventually rose to become members of the Prime Legion, Earth's mightiest players.
Yet now, right before him, was that same title attached to a talent he had never once heard of.
'Parasitic Contract?'
No talent bore a name like this. And there had never been any players capable of bonding with others in such a way.
'With a talent like this, I could unlock and possess multiple talents. My growth would surpass any other player if I play my cards right...' Draven's eyes gleamed faintly with restrained excitement.
Shovel Operator had been the D-rank talent he awakened in his previous life. Its basic abilities allowed him to dig holes twenty times faster. With it, he spent most of his time doing construction work, digging graves and pits, and handling other menial tasks that revolved around digging.
He survived as a shovel operator without ever slaying a monster, until Chapter Five of the apocalypse forced his hand. Back then, he had no choice but to use his shovel to fight, and through a near-death experience, he managed to awaken new abilities that enhanced his combat capability.
Even so, he only managed to survive up to the ninth chapter, because he met and won the heart of his lover through sheer resilience and a caring nature, during the ending of the fifth chapter.
Thinking about the ridicule he endured because of his weak talent, a wry smile formed on his lips. It disappeared almost instantly as his gaze shifted to the countdown steadily approaching zero.
[ 01:43 ]
It was the timer marking the beginning of the first chapter.
He could not remain seated any longer. He knew exactly what would happen very soon.
Around him, everyone was still struggling with their decisions. Numerous blue holographic windows hovered before many of the students, indicating that they had yet to select their talents.
They were all going to die or mutate the moment the countdown ended. Draven concluded this inwardly, yet he felt no urge to help any of them.
After all, changing the present could easily alter the future he once knew.
His gaze swept across the classroom, settling on those who had already made their selections. He recalled their talents one by one, searching carefully for the most suitable target for his Parasitic Contract.
Soon, his attention locked onto a single person.
A black-haired, petite young lady knelt on the ground, her hands clasped tightly together as she prayed in desperation.
Her name was Cassandra.
She possessed a special talent that had helped them survive Chapter Two of the apocalypse.
'With her talent, I can survive this chapter and grow faster,' he muttered quietly.
Parasitic Contract required either physical contact or direct eye contact. The latter was not possible at the moment, as her eyes remained shut in prayer.
Without hesitation, he moved.
He pushed past several restless classmates, closing the distance quickly. As he reached her, he deliberately stumbled forward, extending his hands just enough to make contact with her back.
At that instant, he activated his talent.
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Target Confirmed...
Scanning Target...
Compatibility: Confirmed
Link Type: Dual-Layer
Binding Successful!!!
[Effects Applied]
• EXP Sync: Active
• Talent Borrow: Ready
• Extraction Mode: Available (requires EP)
• Available extraction points: 0
Connection Integrity: 100%
Countdown Initiated: 24:00:00
════════════════════
The moment the Parasitic Contract formed, Draven felt a distinct mental link establish itself between him and his target.
Cassandra flinched slightly at the touch. She tilted her head toward him, her lips trembling as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She seemed innocent and sweet, but Draven knew she was far from it.
"Sorry... I slipped..."
He apologized immediately, keeping his tone steady.
Cassandra did not respond, her gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before she returned to her previous position and continued praying.
Draven straightened and focused on another window that appeared before him.
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Active Bind(s)
Cassandra Romero
-Talent: Healing Warrior (B)
-Level 1 (0%)
-Novice rank
════════════════════
Without wasting time, Draven extended his finger toward her listed talent. With a light tap, another interface opened.
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Do you want to borrow talent: Healing Warrior (B)... YES/NO, Cost: 100 Mana
════════════════════
He selected YES without hesitation.
A surge of information flowed into his mind, detailing the structure and functions of the newly acquired talent.
════════════════════
You've borrowed talent: Healing Warrior, you've unlocked its abilities... Click to view abilities
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Before Draven could select the option to view them,
The countdown reached zero.
In that instant, everything changed.
The first chapter of the apocalypse began.
Cataclysmic transformations erupted across the world, spreading rapidly and without restraint.