Volume One: King of Verbal Combat

Chapter One: Jester Brooks

　　Desire is the driving force of progress, but it also breeds destruction.

　　In the year 2206 AD, human civilization faced the most severe energy crisis in history. At the same time, due to excessive exploitation, Earth's climate became extremely harsh. The lunar colonies could not support the immigration of more than ten billion people. The Salvation Project was launched: humanity decided to create a small "artificial black hole" in the Earth-Moon system to provide eternal energy and improve Earth's environment. This plan was obviously extremely dangerous, but it was the only option at the time.

　　In 2216, the black hole was successfully created, but the consequences were beyond human imagination. The black hole caused a high-dimensional plane to overlap with Earth, producing a spatial energy resonance effect that led to drastic changes on Earth: spatial rifts, supernatural abilities, mutated creatures. The planet plunged into total chaos. Traditional weapons were largely ineffective against these monsters. After even nuclear weapons failed, Earth's population plummeted to just over 200 million in three short years, and the old civilization was almost completely destroyed. Humanity entered the apocalypse.

　　Yet, in such a crisis, humanity's extraordinary vitality, matching its greed, was revealed. After years of struggle, people discovered that the dangerous energy that mutated Earth's creatures and brought beings from other worlds also changed many humans. In their resistance, they constantly sought ways to grow stronger. Through countless efforts, they finally established an entirely new combat system. As this system was created through the sacrifice of countless heroes, it was called the Heroic Soul System, signifying that the souls of heroes never perish.

　　At the same time, the great scientist Grant Grayson discovered a scientific method to use the alien energy. People called this power "Grasso's Force," and the corresponding technology was known as rune technology. After paying a heavy price, humanity mastered this new energy and escaped the brink of extinction.

　　After centuries of struggle, humanity regained its footing on Earth. By combining old technology with the new combat system, cities were formed and continuously expanded. The new humans who ignited their soul fire became the main force defending the cities, known as Heroic Soul Warriors. The most important department in every city was the Heroic Soul Academy, the cradle of warriors. As the old order was completely broken, two main structures dominated the reborn human society: the Imperial Alliance and the Free Federation.

　　Free Federation: Basically continued the old era's order, serving as a transition for some of the old ruling class. Parliament is the highest authority, with major family conglomerates holding real power. They inherited most of the old era's resources and technology, reject mutants, and strictly forbid intermarriage with them.

　　Imperial Alliance: Inherited little from the old era's resources. The human groups abandoned during the dark age grew and multiplied through blood and fire, forming a national alliance. The hierarchy is strict, accommodating humans, new humans, and alien races, pursuing a survival path where strength is supreme.

　　At first, the two groups often clashed over resources, but under the pressure of powerful enemies, they eventually reached a peace agreement, ushering in the best period of development since the new human era. In just a hundred years, the human population quickly recovered to about one billion. It must be admitted that with wisdom and strong reproductive ability, humans once again became powerful contenders for Earth's dominance.

　　But what is lost is destined never to return. In today's world, besides humans, five major forbidden zones have formed due to mutations, filled with forces that humanity still cannot conquer. In addition, the influence of higher dimensions has made humans realize they are not the chosen ones.

　　New Era, year 516. Caesar's Empire, one of the three great empires of the Imperial Alliance, the best hospital. A skinny little child lay in the intensive care unit, barely clinging to life.

　　"Shirley, don't be sad. I believe this child will pull through!" William Carter comforted his wife.

　　But tears still fell from Shirley's eyes, drop by drop. Just a poor little baby, beset by misfortune since birth, barely surviving disaster, yet still suffering from severe physical effects. "This is God's punishment. We should have..."

　　William Carter gently shook his head. This matter had already been jointly sealed by the Free Federation and the Imperial Alliance, becoming taboo. After all, it was the greatest man-made disaster since the new human era, once again proving that those whom God wishes to destroy, he first drives mad. But as for right or wrong, who can truly know?