Chapter 1 A new beginning
In Japan, there lived a famous female prophet named Ryuki Ryo. Every scene she dreamed about eventually came true. According to her visions, she predicted that a terrible disaster would strike Japan in July 2025.
And she was right.
On July 19th, 2025, an unprecedented solar super-flare erupted without warning. A massive coronal mass ejection hurled countless high-energy particles toward Earth like bullets from the sun.
When this destructive solar storm reached our planet, the global satellite network died instantly. Communication systems collapsed completely. Power grids fell like dominoes across every continent. In just one night, the entire world was thrown back to the pre-electronic age.
The solar super-flare hammered Earth’s magnetic shield with incredible force. Our planet’s magnetic field, which had been stable for thousands of years, began to shake violently and weaken rapidly. As this protective barrier crumbled, deadly cosmic radiation poured through the atmosphere and bombarded the surface below. The ozone layer began breaking apart under the intense radiation, and humanity’s last line of defense was disappearing.
People could only hide indoors to avoid the harmful rays. But this was just the beginning of the nightmare. The end of the world had arrived.
The magnetic field’s wild fluctuations triggered deep changes in Earth’s core. These disturbances traveled through the mantle to the crust, waking up volcanoes around the Pacific Ring of Fire. Lava burst from the depths of the earth. Underwater volcanoes erupted, creating massive tsunamis unlike anything in recorded history.
Giant waves crashed into coastal areas with devastating power. Nuclear power plants along the shores couldn’t withstand the earthquakes and tsunamis. Their defenses collapsed, and radioactive materials began pouring into the oceans and atmosphere. Volcanic ash darkened the skies. The acid rain that followed the eruptions lasted for months, poisoning freshwater sources worldwide and destroying agriculture everywhere.
This was a disaster worse than the one that killed the dinosaurs, and now it was happening to humanity.
Most terrifying of all, radioactive dust mixed with cosmic radiation created a web of death that covered the entire planet. DNA molecules shattered and rebuilt themselves under the bombardment of radiation and cosmic rays. Genetic codes were completely scrambled.
Under these extreme environmental changes, Earth suddenly produced two entirely new elements. Scientists who survived would later name them: Destructium (DES) and Luminium (LUM).
Destructium (DES) was chaotic and destructive in nature.
Luminium (LUM) had healing and growth-promoting properties.
Under the influence of these new elements, life on Earth began evolving at an incredible speed.
Plants were the first to change. Some grew into giant monsters, while others developed defense systems never seen before. The animal kingdom transformed just as dramatically. Insects grew metal-hard shells and teeth. Mammals changed in size and gained new abilities. Species that couldn’t adapt to the new environment suffered and died out.
This massive evolution threatened humanity’s dominance over the planet.
About two-thirds of the human population died in the initial disaster and the environmental chaos that followed. Among the survivors, everyone developed some ability to adapt to the new world. A small number of people underwent extreme evolution and became what we now call “Enhanced.”
Eight years have passed since then. The ecological system has stabilized, and Earth has become a completely new world.
This is the story of what happened next.
Nicole’s parents died during the beast attack on the base in the fifth year after the disaster. Her younger brother died in the insect swarm invasion during the seventh year.
In the eighth year after the disaster, Nicole was still alive.
“THUD!”
A heavy thump echoed through the base’s scrap recycling station as Nicole set down a massive industrial generator with both arms, placing it carefully in the designated pile area.
Sam, the recycling station manager standing at a safe distance, stared with wide eyes. “Holy crap! That generator’s gotta weigh at least five hundred pounds. Now that’s what I call Enhanced strength!”
Nicole dusted off her hands and walked toward Sam with no expression on her face. “According to regulations, heavy equipment moving is worth 200 credits, right?”
Sam nodded quickly, fumbling with the credit recording device. “Yes, yes! 200 credits have been logged to your account. Nicole, your strength is incredible. Not many Enhanced are willing to take on these heavy lifting jobs.”
Ever since the solar flare storm triggered the global catastrophe, life on Earth had undergone massive evolution under the influence of two new elements: DES (Destructium) and LUM (Luminium). Human bones became tougher, muscles grew stronger, and a small number of people evolved to several times—even dozens of times—their original capabilities, becoming “Enhanced.”
Nicole’s blue ID badge showed she was a Level 3 strength-Enhanced, theoretically possessing five to six times the strength of an ordinary person. Enhanced individuals were more powerful and controlled more survival resources, living much better than regular people who struggled on the edge of death. While five or six times strength wasn’t top-tier among the Enhanced community, it was still enough to make ordinary people both fearful and eager to please.
“Uncle Sam,” Nicole pocketed her credit card and changed the subject, “I probably won’t be taking recycling station jobs anymore.”
“Huh? Why not?” Sam looked confused. “You’re our most efficient Enhanced worker here, and the credits for heavy scrap are pretty good.”
Nicole shook her head. “I’m going to apply to become a Farm Lord.”
Sam’s expression immediately became complicated.
The Farm Lord project was a sensitive topic at the base. While the official propaganda sounded great, everyone knew what it really meant—leaving the protection of the base to face countless dangers in the wilderness alone.
“Nicole, are you sure about this?” Sam lowered his voice. “Those evolved beasts out there are no joke. I heard just last week another farm got attacked. It was horrible.”
“I’m confident I can handle it,” Nicole said calmly.
Sam sighed, then seemed to remember something. “Well, if you’re really going through with this, you’ll need a reliable transport partner. My niece Emma works in the transport team—she handles supply routes to the outer farms. If you’re really going, I can ask her to look out for you.”
This was exactly what Nicole wanted. In the post-apocalyptic world, personal connections were often more important than individual ability. Sam’s niece, Emma Carter, was a squad leader in the transport team and a very valuable contact.
“That would be amazing, Uncle Sam.” Nicole’s face showed a rare smile. “I’ll definitely need Emma’s help.”
Sam let out another sigh and patted Nicole’s shoulder. “When you get to that farm, remember to be careful. By the way, Nicole, which plot are you applying for?”
“I haven’t officially applied yet. I’m heading to handle the paperwork right now.” Nicole nodded, turned around, and left the recycling station, walking quickly toward the administrative district’s land allocation office.
Walking past the administrative district’s mission hall, she saw a crowd gathered around the electronic bulletin board discussing the Farm Lord project. Most people were just gawking—only a few seemed genuinely interested in applying.
Nicole walked around the onlookers and headed straight for the land allocation office counter.
As an Enhanced, she had the privilege of priority service for all procedures—one of the real perks that came with Enhanced status.
She knew this might be the most important identity change of her life.
From now on, she wouldn’t have to survive by taking base missions to earn credits for disgusting compressed rations, or live in a tiny room in the concrete jungle. Instead, she’d be an independent Farm Lord—an identity that would give her vast lands and freedom of movement, perfect for keeping her secrets safe.
“Hey, what the hell are you doing? I was here first, beat it!” Seeing a young woman alone cutting to the front of the line, several men rolled up their sleeves and walked over aggressively.
Nicole turned around. The moment the approaching men saw her blue badge, they stopped dead in their tracks. Blue badges meant Level 3 Enhanced status, and in this strength-first world, nobody wanted to mess with the Enhanced.
Nicole said coolly, “Want to apply for land? Get behind me.”
Though these men hadn’t even decided whether to apply, they obediently lined up behind Nicole.
The commotion caught the attention of others in the hall. A blonde woman wearing a blue badge and an eye patch walked over to greet Nicole. “So you’re going to be a farmer?”
Nicole nodded. “Hey Sarah, here to pick up a mission?”
In the years since her parents died and she came to Base B26, Nicole had gone on plenty of missions with Sarah’s Razorclaw Squad. Sarah was a warm-hearted person who already considered Nicole family.
Sarah looked around, and seeing no auditory-Enhanced people nearby, lowered her voice. “Did you piss someone off? I can talk to Captain Steve—you could join our squad.”
If it wasn’t about pissing someone off and having no choice, what Enhanced would give up the safety of the base to risk their life farming outside?
Nicole shook her head. “I didn’t piss anyone off. I just want some freedom. Life in the base is too suffocating.”
“Freedom?” Sarah frowned, lowering her voice further. “Nicole, do you know how dangerous it is out there? Just last week a farm got attacked by wolf packs—five people died. You’re safe here in the base. Why take such a risk?”
Nicole was quiet for a moment before saying softly, “Sarah, you know I don’t like being watched all the time. Here in the base, every move the Enhanced make is monitored. I... need somewhere I can feel at peace.”
“But being a Farm Lord isn’t exactly easy either,” Sarah urged. “You’re just one person—you’d have to protect yourself while farming. And if something happens out there in the wilderness, you won’t have anyone to help you.”
“I know the risks,” Nicole said firmly. “But I’ve made up my mind, Sarah. In the base, I’ll always just be someone following orders, doing what others tell me to do. As a Farm Lord, at least I can live life my own way.”
Sarah looked at Nicole’s determined expression and sighed. “You’ve always been stubborn, ever since you were little. So... which farm territory are you planning to apply for?”
“Border region. The more remote, the better,” Nicole said. “It’s dangerous, but it’s also relatively quiet.”
“The border?!” Sarah was shocked. “Nicole, even experienced hunting squads avoid those places. How could you handle it alone...”
“I’m confident I can.” Nicole squeezed Sarah’s hand. “Thanks for caring about me, Sarah, but I’ve already decided. You know my personality—once I make up my mind, I don’t change it easily.”
Sarah shook her head helplessly. “Fine, I can’t talk you out of it. But promise me—if you run into trouble you can’t handle, contact the Razorclaw Squad. Captain Steve knows you too, and he won’t just stand by.”
“I will,” Nicole promised with a nod.
Sarah was about to say more when she saw Base Deputy Commander William Harrison emerge from the office area with his entourage.
William Harrison, dressed in plain military uniform, walked directly to a half-meter-high platform set up beside the office desk and began to speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” William Harrison’s voice echoed through the hall, “I think you all understand that over the past nine years, this disaster has completely destroyed our agricultural infrastructure. Food shortage has become one of the most severe challenges we face. Today, you’ve chosen to stand here, chosen to leave the protection of the base to develop new agricultural areas. This takes tremendous courage and determination. On behalf of the Base Management Committee, I salute every applicant.”
He paused, surveying the crowd in the hall.
“I won’t lie to you—it’s dangerous out there. Mutated animals, harsh weather, contaminated zones—these are all real threats. But that’s exactly why we need true pioneers, people brave enough to fight for humanity’s future. You’re not just growing food for the base—you’re fighting for our species’ survival.”
Nicole looked up, quietly observing this man who firmly controlled Base B26—outwardly gentle but actually shrewd.
“Of course, the base won’t let our heroes fight alone,” William Harrison continued. “Each Farm Lord will receive three months of basic supplies, three years of tax exemption, and full support from our technical department. Remember, you’re not fighting alone—you’re the vanguard of humanity’s revival plan.”
“Whooooo—”
As soon as William Harrison finished speaking, the hall erupted in excitement, and the queue instantly grew by dozens of people.
“But there are two points I must make clear,” William Harrison spoke again, his gentle voice turning stern. “First, the land you apply for cannot be abandoned, transferred, or sold. When a Farm Lord dies, land rights revert to the base. Second, the base will conduct annual evaluations of farm cultivation. Those who fail to meet standards for three years will have their land reclaimed and will be barred from applying for any positions or missions within the base.”
After these two points were explained, the crowd fighting to get in line instantly shrank by more than half, and those still in line began to hesitate.
A tall man behind Nicole called out loudly, “Deputy Commander Harrison, what counts as meeting the standards?”
William Harrison smiled. “For the first three years, adding half an acre or more of edible plant cultivation area per year counts as meeting standards.”
Just half an acre per year—not hard! The tall man relaxed, and Nicole’s tense nerves eased a bit too.
William Harrison looked around, and seeing no more questions, announced, “Well then, Farm Lord registration begins now. After you receive your land assignments, report to Base Gate A tomorrow morning. The base will provide transportation.”
As soon as William Harrison finished speaking, a clerk who had been ready and waiting extended her hand toward Nicole. “ID card.”
Nicole handed over her credit card. In the base, credit cards also served as ID cards—with resources so scarce, many things were combined to save materials.
“Nicole Anderson, Level 3 Strength Enhanced,” the clerk said, quickly scanning the card and entering information into the computer. “Reason for applying for a farm?”
“I want to grow food. There are so many people in the base who don’t get enough to eat—this way I can help them,” Nicole replied. She’d prepared this answer long ago, and her voice sounded sincere and honest.
The clerk looked up at her, noticing her worn clothes and dirty face, then nodded. “Very good. Now you can choose from these available farms.”
