Jogador de Origem

2028, South Sea, Anping Island.

On the vast expanse of ocean, wild winds swept up dark clouds, churning relentlessly. Lightning exploded with dazzling brilliance between the roiling masses, thunder rolled over everything, as if all the waves in existence had been set ablaze, the wind and surf converging, rushing towards the island.

Anping Island, a large landmass with tens of thousands of inhabitants, belonged to the South Sea archipelago. Over the past decade, it had gradually developed its tourism industry, attracting travelers from across the country.

Yet confronted by this sudden and perilous disaster, both tourists and coastal locals were evacuating toward the central town.

On the island’s edge, dozens of red-brick cottages stood scattered, home mostly to fishermen.

The gale toppled a utility pole, a rapid crackling arc sounded, and then the area plunged into darkness.

Inside the cottage’s living room, a young man rose from a wooden chair, switched off a black-and-white television older than himself, walked to the modest bathroom, tore up last year’s summer homework book, and soaked the shreds in the basin, slowly pulping them into paste.

The mirror reflected his figure—handsome features, upright build, the muscles beneath his short sleeves pronounced and hard.

Jiang He, seventeen, fresh out of high school.

He was waiting for a courier, two days overdue, to deliver his university acceptance letter.

“If we don’t run now, we’re doomed,” came a voice.

Jiang He’s mouth twitched. He turned toward the bathr