A bright luminescence was casted on the world, the previously displayed countdown no where to be seen.
Yet… no change occurred?
Was the new chance a lie? If so, then who had the capabilities to display a screen on such an international level?
Quickly, the internet went wild.
'Lmaooo billionaires be really gettin wild these days!'
'Yo did anyone else see that countdown? It aint even new years yet lol'
'Broooo i was excited and all i thought this 9-5 job was gonna disappear or smth!'
Words that mocked the countdown were numerous.
Those who read novels and books thought this was their time to shine as main characters with harems spanning in the thousands.
Before anyone else could mock the countdown, another message appeared to the world, its contents able to be understood by all, no matter the language or disability.
A simple poll: do you like earth? (yes/no)
Many who doubted the screen as a trick by massive holograms to advertise new advancements were quickly surprised to see it was a touch screen.
After 5 seconds of shared shock that the world experienced, another thing appeared on the same message.
Do you dislike earth? yes(1)/no(1)
Some of the population did not understand what the numbers were, why would random numbers be added on to the poll?
'Tf afe the numbers?'
'Spelling error retard lolll'
'Do you lack problem solving skills? They are obviously votes'
Two young boys only a couple kilometers apart, their conviction apparent, were the first to vote on the poll that would decide humanities fate. Midas had no reason to like this rotten place, he had only ever interacted with his 10 closest companions. his outlook on the world was rather limited due to his environment.
Alstair however, lived a life of protection and luxury, he did not like the current affairs going on with some of the companions of his father but he had attachment to the actual land, it was gorgeous and profound.
One wanted everything; one had everything.
As soon as the population of people saw the first two votes, many began voting rapidly.
They acted like voting faster meant the vote mattered more.
Do you dislike earth? yes(1,003,739)/no(5,037,826)
The votes showed that a lot seemed to like earth, votes from those high up, or those with families, stable jobs or a partner, but truly deep in their hearts… no one cared for this planet.
You don't like the planet, you like what's on the planet. If another planet that was identical to earth was available, every creature would go to it if they had the opportunity to.
That exact situation is occuring with Mars right now. Your want to stand out made people vote opposite to the crowd to seem like pioneers of a deluded sense of "love", their lingering human wants forced them to act opposite to their heart to have one last shred of attention.
Humans by their nature are selfish; They wanted it all, Whether it was money, women, attention, skill or titles.
This isn't a bad trait, prioritising yourself is important, but to what extent?
'Feed myself before feeding others' is a common mindset to have, even in situations such as air plane crashes, you are advised to place your own mask before assisting others. but I need to eat tomorrow too, and the day after that, and the day after that. How is a person meant to feed others when my need for food won't ever disappear. What's the need to risk my tomorrow for anothers today?
Eventually you feed no one in your selfish mental battle, all food had ran out due to you eating more than needed to not let others have any. only thinking about yourself is a mindset only fitting the strong.
You can't think of others when you can't afford. You can't spare a person when your weak.
Mercy is a privilege of the strong.
Your belly is filled today, more filled than ever. everyone is starved and the food has molded, your selfish thinking caused this.
Under the thought of 'I will need it someday' you have not only doomed yourself but all the others. The death of many will way heavy on your consciousness, but who cares about your guilt and apologies if you won't live long enough to repent with actions.
The votes were specifically that, no one wanted to vote together, no one chose to debate. They did not want to share their only bread.
The votes were shown to be an anonymous thing, pushing people to show their fangs. Who cares about what you do if you have a mask on?
Do you dislike earth? yes(1,037,816,829)/no(826,826,957)
Eventually comments online began springing up, either calling the voters who voted against them stupid or uneducated. No one wished to debate or convince the others, viewing their opposition as fools who don't deserve a chance at explanation.
Those who voted 'yes' were called ungrateful and greedy. How dare they hate the planet that gave them life?
Those who voted 'No' were called trust fund brats and silver spoon kids. How dare they like the planet that caused so much death?
Many didn't care for the votes, thinking it was just another scheme for advertisement, their 'intellectual minds' weren't going to fall for such a scheme. many even actively avoided voting, thinking that not taking part means they bare no responsibility.
Eventually the numbers switched to percentages of the population, their numerical value was too high for the average human to visualize into a way they can comprehend..
Do you dislike earth? yes(51%)/no(33%)
This meant that 16 % hadn't voted, thinking their vote mattered; it wasn't about the final result, it was about sending a message. Over half the population had picked that they did not like earth. many cheered for the victory of their side, no one understood the implications behind this but due to them processing it as two sides competing, they automatically viewed it as a competition.
This information was later redirected through the announcements of the mysterious screen.
51.34% of the human population dislike earth, as a part of the new chance, a new homeworld will be provided for the human race.
Planet similarity to earth: 48.66%
Initiating transfer.
3…
2…
1…
Upon hearing this, the population split in half: some screamed and wailed in panic, believing the unique screen's insinuation of being brought to a new planet. The others laughed, expecting it to be a fake just like the previous countdown that amounted to nothing.
After then countdown finalized, another eruption of light decended on humanity.
When the light finally dissipated many began looking around, but the fierce gaze of the sun blinded all once more. After a few moments, their eyes got used to the strong solar force, constricting their pupils.
Even those who were indoors or below ground were experiencing the sun, confusing many. With humanities current information on physics, teleportation of this scale should be impossible, so how?
Grass as far as the eyes can see, the grass was up to an average males knees. trees so tall you would almost think they were green clouds battling the sky as the danced and swished.
Sudden eruptions of screams and cries echoed, fear. Those dressed in formal attire remained in it, those with no attire remained that way. Any item aside from clothing disappeared, be it phones or knifes.
Many tried running away from the crowd of the entire human population but a mysterious force field appeared, blocking all deserters.
The population of 8 billion was forced into a location tightly packed. The size of the grassy fields was around the size of a major city. To the north of the grassy fields is more grass, further than anyone can see. To the east laid the vast trees, their magnitude blocking the sun completely, forcing their floors to look like abyss. To the west of the grassy fields is an uphill terrain that continued for a while before turning into a mountain range. To the south was the same mountain range, proving its vastness, completely enclosing humanity on two directions.
Dear humanity, we have listened to your pleas and cries, we granted you a new world. restarting was the main wish upon your desire of a new chance. The majority of you did not favour your planet, therefore we granted you a new one.
Many were shocked to see the same screen that they witnessed on earth appear again, the same screen they called a liar, a fake mirage, turned out to be a power beyond imagination.
Some even got onto the ground and prostrated themselves, yielding to the messages as if they were a god.
A bunch of emotions resonated, excitement, shock, confusion, and the most prevalent of all, fear.
No one knew what was happening, no one knew where they are, no one knew why this had only happened now, no one knew when they would go home, no one knew how to react. A blank canvas, a true fresh start.
Many began thinking about their great ancestors, they were made to hunt, made to discover and create with their bare hands. The Current population which was too used to the comfortable life of cozy houses and provided food could not survive the same way.
They needed strength. In a new world with nothing around, strength was the ultimate factor, or so they thought.
Due to the whole of humanity acknowledging their need for strength to survive, strength will be provided to those who kill one living being, proving their worthiness.
was this a joke?
Humans… the ones who were scared of insects and animals which were 1/100 of their size with but a fraction of their intelligence, those who couldn't even enter a fight without their heart racing and their eyes tearing… were expected to kill?
The flow of blood slowed, their pupils dilated and sweat glands expanded as they read the message, then they reread, then a third time then a fourth, and again and again.
They were hoping the message was joking, they were hoping it was all a farce.
While some read the words for the millionth time, others contemplated if they should attempt it, no one had the bravery to kill another in such a situation, with the whole os society watching.
However…
*BAM
A strong fist landed upon an old lady's head,
Her body collapsed to the ground, her frail body unable to withstand the pressure being applied to it. the bulky man who hit her got on top of her and began slamming his knuckles into her temple again, and again, and again, and again, and again.
His knuckles darkened, being stained with the deep crimson. "yeah bitch, This is what you get for kicking me out my apartment!" He laughed, licking his teeth as he smiled. 'Maybe if this old hags daughter was around, I might have had my way with her,' his thoughts as disgusting as his actions.
the old lady stopped moving, embracing the icy grip of death, a miraculous screen appeared in front of the man who killed her.
"Hahahaha! It seems that the weird screen wasn't lying to us, this looks similar to a game," he mused, clicking away at the screen in front of him before realization struck him. "If killing one old lady gave me this power, and increased my level to level one, that must mean I am the strongest one in humanity right now!" A demonic smirk smeared his face, he looked around before launching at the closest woman. but unlike with the old woman, this man who had garnered the strength of the mystery system was in the realms of superhuman, exploding her head on impact.
The difference in strength between those who were ascended and those who Weren't was akin to the distance between the heavens and the earth.
While the differences between a level one and a level two was akin to an ant and a slightly stronger ant.
But due to no one in humanity being ascended aside from the blood thirsty man, he was a god amongst men.
Everyone dispersed, running as fast as they could, the previous barrier that didn't allow anyone to pass suddenly disappearing.
The requirement for its release was murder.
Many ran, many failed, some even grew greedy, wanting their own power. The easiest targets were taken out first: the disabled, the old, the young, those who weren't privileged enough to be naturally strong were at the other end of countless punches from a multitude of people. The human who delivered the killing blow was the one who ascended and received the system. Those who barely managed to ascend began quickly killing those who attempted to steal their kill.
The population split into 4 groups.
those who sought to kill, focusing on the weak(such as the first ascender).
Those who sought to survive, rounding up in groups and running away to survive(such as previous leaders and popular celebrities). They had used their charm and favourability to gather groups with promises to help them live.
Those who sought to survive, running away alone not trusting others or too confused to make contact with anyone( such as Midas).
Those who didn't move, embracing their death or too busy with the mental overload(such as the elderly).
The world was vastly new, the day length was different, the oxygen in the atmosphere was different, and the land to water ratio was different, causing most people needing to adjust, unable to perform at their best physically. They all needed rest, causing the speed of murders to be on a constant decline.
No matter how different the land was, one thing didn't change- the people- those who hid their true selves behind masks of money or friendships had their masks stripped off the second their life became at stake, their true nature showing itself.
Those who once prayed for peace were now the bringers of chaos.
Those who donated to help the less fortunate were now slaughtering them.
Those who cried for orphans were now covered in the blood of parents.
How truly disgusting humanity is.