Ex rank talent Awakening: 100% Dodge rate

Greg and the entire party stepped outside, their hearts still pounding with anticipation. The fresh breeze kissed their faces, rustling their clothes as they waited for Annabelle to do her thing. The sky above was a calm blue, unaware of the earth-shaking revelation about to unfold.

Annabelle, standing with regal composure, raised her hand. Just like she had done countless times in-game, she called out her inventory. A soft glow surrounded her fingertips as she willed her floating island into existence.

In the next moment, the sky darkened—not with clouds or storm, but with shadow. A colossal shape eclipsed the sun. People on the ground looked up, squinting at the sky.

"What is that?" someone gasped, pointing upward.

It was as if the moon had decided to descend closer to Earth, its silhouette vast enough to block sunlight. But it wasn't the moon. It was a floating landmass—colossal and majestic, hovering like a divine continent suspended above the earth.

The entire street froze. People spilled out of shops, vehicles came to a standstill, phones were pulled out to capture the phenomenon. The air buzzed with wonder and disbelief.

"Bro! Are you seeing that in the sky? That's crazy," one man shouted, already livestreaming the scene.

"Is this also part of the Apocalypse Descent?" a worried woman asked.

"Beats me... but I sure as hell want to go on an adventure," another said, a spark of childlike glee in his eyes.

News of the floating island exploded across social media. Pictures flooded the internet. Comment sections filled with awe, conspiracy theories, and questions nobody could answer. People around the world watched in stunned silence as a floating utopia hovered into global consciousness.

Aaron's jaw was slack. "Wow... how did you guys even get ahold of something so sleek?"

Will George struggled to contain his excitement, bouncing slightly on his toes. "Well? I can't be the only one dying to be in that island!"

Greg, still reeling from the sight, turned to Annabelle. "So… how do we get there?"

Before Annabelle could speak, Rebecca stepped forward, her voice calm as always. "Our ride will be arriving shortly."

"Ride?" Greg asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

Almost on cue, a high-pitched sound echoed through the sky—wings flapping in synchronized rhythm. From the heavens, shining forms descended. Their wings sparkled like polished marble in the sun, manes flowing like silk in the wind.

"Pegasus," Rebecca whispered, her smile never leaving.

"PEGASUS!!!" Aaron and Will George screamed at the top of their lungs, nearly deafening everyone nearby.

Thomas winced. "Can you guys try not to act like children?"

"Sorry, Grandpa," Aaron said, barely containing his joy. "But it's every man's dream to ride a flying horse at least once in their life. It's not every day you get your childhood dream fulfilled, you know?"

Lilith tilted her head. "What's so special about riding flying horses when you can just fly yourself?"

"The rich never understand," Aaron said dramatically, pacing like a street poet. "They don't grasp the sacredness of vacations... or gelatos... or–"

"Stop, Aaron," Rebecca cut in. "I stopped following after gelatos."

"I forgot. You're a rich playboy. Anyway, the thing is—for people who only had movies and books and no supernatural powers, imagination was all we had. Experiencing this now? It's like… living in a dream."

"And planes too…" Will George added helpfully.

Aaron turned, looking betrayed. "Are you for or against me?"

Will shrugged, then muttered, "Not my fault you couldn't afford plane tickets…"

The death glare Aaron gave him was enough to silence any further commentary.

Finally, the pegasus landed in front of the group. One for each person.

They were majestic creatures—each one adorned with armor-like saddles and gentle eyes that glimmered with intelligence. Their wings stretched wide, casting large shadows on the earth.

The group, silenced by awe, climbed onto their respective mounts.

The pegasus took off, ascending smoothly into the sky. People below pointed and shouted.

"Hey! Look at those people riding flying horses! They're going to the floating island!"

"Wait… I know that guy! That's Nemesis!"

"Nemesis?! I knew it! Only he could pull something this crazy off!"

Just like that, the world found another firestorm of headlines. The floating island wasn't just a miracle—it belonged to Nemesis.

The flight was smooth, the wind brushing against their faces. Clouds drifted past like cotton as the floating island drew nearer.

When they finally landed, the ground beneath them was lush and well-maintained, like the entrance to some ancient utopia.

At the heart of the island stood a towering central castle—so vast, so ornate, it looked like it belonged in a fantasy epic. Its architecture defied known styles, blending magical elegance with modern utility. Intricate designs glowed with subtle runes, its towering spires piercing the sky.

Surrounding it were twelve grand castles—each distinct in style but equal in majesty. Their walls glistened with elemental stones, their towers echoing with arcane whispers. These weren't just buildings—they were fortresses, palaces, and homes all in one.

Encircling the twelve were twenty-four slightly smaller castles. Then forty-eight villas. Then ninety-six more.

The pattern continued, the floating island unfolding like a massive, sacred city in the sky—until it was surrounded by 1,536 elegant homes, each one beautiful, elegant, and imbued with charm.

"This central region," Annabelle explained, "is perfectly balanced in elemental properties. Safe, stable, and ideal for governance."

She gestured to the eastern region of the island. In the distance, fire danced across scorched lands. Volcanoes bubbled with molten magma. Rivers of flame carved through the terrain.

"The east is fire-aligned," she said. "Home to salamanders, hellbats, Cerberus, and other flame-dwelling beasts."

To the west, the landscape shifted—icy lakes, crystalline mountains, and snowy fields, home to frost giants, yetis, mermaids, and more.

The northern part revealed an endless desert: dunes, whirlwinds, and ancient ruins, swept by cutting winds and the cries of sand wyrms.

The south was a mountain range—rocky, jagged, and filled with glittering ores and caves. Dwarves, iron eagles, and kobolds roamed freely here.

Around the entire island, defense towers floated silently—equipped with magic cannons, ready to obliterate threats. An invisible barrier shimmered around the island, rendering it immune to long-range attacks.

"You may each claim a castle," Annabelle said. "Customize it however you like. The castle's butler will assist in remodelling to suit your needs. Chefs, gardeners, servants—everything is ready for you."

She herself stepped forward to claim one of the twelve. The central castle she left untouched.

"That one," she said, "will serve as our administrative base—our heart of power."

Greg scanned the system's info on Annabelle's floating island. He couldn't help but feel a little sour.

Twice the size of mine… better environment… and she spent way less to upgrade it, he thought bitterly. But she had the talent. He couldn't argue with that.

Shaking it off, he headed to choose his own castle.

Aaron was already running around his newly claimed palace. "A hundred rooms and it feels like a five-star presidential suite! I love this new life!"

Eventually, they all gathered in the central castle—except Aaron and Will, who took so long touring their castles that the others dozed off waiting.

Greg stood up, voice solemn.

"I'm proud of what we've built… but we're far from ready."

His tone turned serious. "With the Apocalypse Descent, hidden threats will start to reveal themselves. Powerful ones. Too powerful to face head-on."

"Woah, did you just back down from a fight?" Aaron asked. "Didn't think that was possible."

"Because we can't afford to fight them directly," Greg said. "The odds of us losing are... almost guaranteed."

Annabelle leaned forward. "What kind of threat are we talking about?"