The Last Guardian Of The Apocalypse

Chapter 6: Reality... or Another World?

"...3..."

"...2..."

"...1..."

The glowing screen in front of Ethan suddenly disappeared.

Everything turned white.

...

...

Beep... Beep... Beep...

A familiar sound echoed into his ears.

Ethan slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the white ceiling of Room 309.

The second thing he heard was the steady rhythm of a heart monitor.

He blinked several times.

"...I'm alive?"

His body felt perfectly fine.

No wounds.

No broken bones.

No signs that he had just witnessed a battle powerful enough to destroy an entire hospital.

He quickly looked around.

The room was spotless.

The walls weren't broken.

The windows were intact.

Even the hospital bed that had been sliced apart by the Shadow Devourer looked brand new.

A nurse walked in carrying a clipboard.

"Oh! You're awake!"

She smiled warmly.

"You gave us quite a scare after that traffic accident."

Ethan stared at her.

"What... about the explosion?"

The nurse frowned and was confused.

"Explosion?"

"The monster..."

"The man with the golden spear..."

Ethan said boldly .

She laughed softly.

"You must have had a strange dream while you were unconscious."

Dream?

he asked confused.

No...

It had felt too real.

Far too real.

he thought within

The nurse checked his pulse before smiling again.

"Good news. Your test results are normal."

"You'll be discharged in about thirty minutes."

She left the room.

Ethan sat quietly.

"...Was I really dreaming?"

DING!

A familiar blue screen appeared.

The Almighty Guardian System Activated.

Ethan nearly jumped off the bed.

"So it wasn't a dream!"

Another message appeared.

Host has unlocked: Dual Realm Vision.

Ability Description:

The Host may observe both the Human Realm and the Guardian Realm.

Before Ethan could react...

The hospital room shimmered.

For a brief second...

Everything changed.

The clean white room became a battlefield.

The walls were cracked.

Golden scorch marks covered the floor.

Dark claw marks stretched across the ceiling.

Then...

Just as quickly....

Everything returned to normal.

Ethan's breathing became heavy.

"I can see both worlds..."

The System replied.

Correct.

The Human Realm continues as if nothing happened.

The Guardian Realm preserves the truth hidden from ordinary eyes.

"So... both worlds exist at the same time?"

Correct.

Ethan slowly smiled.

"This System is unbelievable..."

Another screen appeared.

Congratulations!

New Feature Unlocked: Daily Missions.

A golden gift box appeared on the screen.

Would you like to view today's mission?

"Yes."

The box opened.

Daily Mission #1

Leave the hospital with a smile, and no account should you stop smiling .

Reward:

$1,000

+5 Guardian Points

Bonus Reward:

If you make three strangers smile, receive:

Basic Negotiation Skill

Penalty for refusing:

No rewards.

Ethan chuckled.

"...That's easy."

For the first time since Lily left him...

He smiled naturally.

Thirty minutes later...

The doctor handed him his discharge papers.

"Take care of yourself."

"Thank you."

Ethan packed his small bag and walked toward the reception desk.

As soon as he reached the lobby...

A familiar voice froze him in place.

"Oh?"

"I thought that was you."

His smile disappeared.

Lily.

She stood beside the reception counter wearing a designer dress.

Three fashionable friends surrounded her.

Victor was nowhere to be seen.

The moment Lily noticed Ethan's cheap clothes...

A smug smile spread across her face.

"So..."

"You are still alive and you survived the accident."

Her friends turned to look at him.

One of them whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Isn't that the broke boyfriend Lily dumped?"

Another laughed.

"I heard he couldn't even afford to buy her birthday gifts."

Heat rushed to Ethan's face.

He tightened his grip on the discharge papers.

Lily folded her arms.

"Ethan... you really should stop embarrassing yourself."

"I've already moved on."

"So should you."

Her friends burst into laughter.

Several patients in the waiting area turned to watch.

One woman even shook her head sympathetically.

Lily took one step closer.

"Tell me..."

"Did you come here by bus?"

More laughter.

Ethan remained silent.

Not because he had nothing to say...

But because he just realized that he had failed the task .

the System suddenly spoke.

DING!

mission failed

Ethan asked worriedly

" is there any other way I can still get the bonus. "

"you still have your bonus which is for you to make 3 people smile and you get $500"

the system replied

" thank goodness"

Ethan said relieved

Special Mission Activated.

Mission: Respond with dignity.

Objective: Do not insult Lily or lose your temper. Instead, prove your worth through your actions.

Reward:

$10,000

Master Negotiation Skill

Beginner Investment Knowledge

Hidden Reward: ????

Failure: Lose all rewards and 10 Guardian Points.

Ethan slowly looked up.

The humiliation still burned in his chest.

But this time...

He wasn't the same man who had walked into Blue Orchid Restaurant a few days ago.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

He slipped his phone into his pocket and took a single step toward Lily.

Lily frowned.

"...Why are you smiling?"

Ethan smirked while still walking in her direction

DING!

Hidden Mission Updated...

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has appeared within 30 meters of the Host.

Time Remaining: 60 seconds.

Ethan's eyes widened.

"What opportunity?"

The System answered with just one sentence:

"Your future fortune is about to walk through the hospital's front door."

End of Chapter 6

Ethan ignores Lily's insults because the System has detected something far more important. Who is about to enter the hospital, and how could that person change Ethan's life forever?