The Omnipotent System

BOOOOOOOM!

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

Anderson blurred forward, a streak of fire and destruction in his wake. In an instant, he was in front of Kieran again, his fist cocked back.

CLAAAAANG!

Kieran barely managed to bring his sword up in time. The impact sent another wave of force through the floating ruins, shattering stone and sending debris flying in every direction. His arms trembled under the sheer power of the strike.

Anderson's eyes gleamed. "Better."

Then he vanished.

Kieran's instincts screamed, and he barely had time to twist to the side as a column of flame erupted from where he stood. Anderson was behind him, moving too fast to track.

FWOOOOOOOM!

A second strike came. Kieran ducked, but the heat singed his hair as the blow missed by mere inches.

Jack was already there.

CRACK!

A fist coated in black lightning slammed into Anderson's side. The explosion of energy sent a shockwave through the battlefield, cracking the floating platforms beneath them.

Anderson slid back slightly. Not much.

Jack clicked his tongue. "You're pissing me off now."

Anderson grinned. "Then come at me properly."

Elamenor was next.

A blur of motion. He closed the distance in a single heartbeat. His fists came down like comets, the air screaming with the force behind each blow.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each strike landed. Each one sent a shockwave rippling through Anderson's body.

And yet—

Anderson barely moved.

Then he lifted a hand—just one hand—and caught Elamenor's next punch mid-swing.

The battlefield froze.

Elamenor's eyes widened.

Anderson smirked. "Not bad."

Then he twisted—and with a single effortless motion, he slammed Elamenor into the ground with enough force to shatter the entire floating island.

CRAAAAAAAASH!

The entire battlefield trembled. Stone and debris rained down from above as a crater formed beneath Elamenor's body. The elf gritted his teeth, coughing blood as he struggled to get up.

Erren gasped. "Elamenor—!"

But before she could react—

Anderson moved again.

FWOOOOOM!

He was suddenly in front of her. His hand shot out—fast, precise, like a bullet aimed for her throat.

But Jameson intercepted.

CLANG!

A dagger met Anderson's fingers, sparks flying from the impact. Jameson's feet slid back, his boots carving lines into the stone.

Anderson's gaze flicked to him.

"You're quick."

Jameson exhaled sharply. "Not quick enough."

Anderson chuckled. "Nope."

Then his knee shot up.

BOOOOOOM!

Jameson barely managed to block, but the force lifted him off the ground and sent him flying. He crashed into a floating ruin, breaking through three layers of stone before stopping.

Erren moved fast, pulling out a glowing sigil.

"Formation: Stasis Lock!"

Golden chains shot from the air, wrapping around Anderson in an instant. The runes glowed, sealing him in place.

For a split second, he was still.

Kieran took the chance.

BOOOOOOM!

He lunged forward, his sword glowing white-hot with pure energy.

SLASH!

The blade cut through the air, aiming for Anderson's chest.

Anderson smiled.

Then—

FWOOOOOM!

The chains melted in an instant.

His body blurred.

CLANG!

He caught the sword with two fingers.

Kieran's eyes widened. "Impossible—"

Then Anderson twisted.

BOOM!

Kieran's body slammed into the ground so hard it left a crater.

Anderson sighed, shaking his head. "You guys are strong."

He rolled his shoulders, fire crackling around him. "But not enough."

He raised a hand.

The sky burned.

FWOOOOOOOOOM!

A pillar of flame erupted, expanding across the battlefield. The heat was unbearable—like the sun itself had descended.

If that attack landed, they were done.

Jack gritted his teeth. "Screw this."

His entire body lit up with black lightning. Sparks crackled across his skin as raw power gathered in his hands.

Elamenor stood, blood dripping from his lip. He wiped it away.

Kieran forced himself up.

Jameson, Erren, and Arianna gathered their strength.

They had one chance.

Anderson's attack descended.

Jack moved first.

BOOOOOOOM!

He shot forward like a missile, his entire body covered in lightning.

His fist collided with Anderson's incoming attack.

The entire battlefield exploded.

A shockwave ripped through the ruins, turning stone to dust. The sky flickered, warping under the clash of power.

And for the first time—

Anderson's expression shifted.

A sliver of surprise.

Jack grinned.

"Gotcha."

Elamenor appeared behind him.

BOOOOOOM!

His fist slammed into Anderson's spine, sending him reeling forward.

Kieran was next.

SLASH!

His sword cut across Anderson's chest, leaving a glowing gash.

Jameson followed.

STAB!

A dagger pierced into Anderson's side.

Erren unleashed a binding spell, locking his movements for just a second.

Arianna raised her hands. "Now!"

Jack clenched his fists.

FWOOOOOOOOOM!

A storm of black lightning exploded outward.

It hit.

Anderson's body was engulfed in a massive detonation, light swallowing everything.

The battlefield vanished in a sea of energy.

Silence followed.

Then—

A slow chuckle.

The dust settled.

Anderson stood.

Barely.

His clothes were torn. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. His hands trembled.

He exhaled.

Then—he laughed.

"Damn."

His gaze flicked to Jack.

"Adams was right about you."

Jack frowned. "What?"

Anderson reached into his coat, pulling out a golden key.

He tossed it to Kieran.

"You pass."

A portal opened behind them.

Anderson's body began to fade, the fight taking its toll.

Kieran, Elamenor, and the others stepped toward the portal—but before Jack could follow—

Anderson grabbed his shoulder.

Jack froze.

Anderson's gaze was serious.

"Adams is planning something big."****"And it involves him."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Anderson smirked. "I think he wants to be a villain in his story."

Jack's stomach dropped.

But before he could say anything—

The portal activated.

And they were gone.

A burst of light surrounded them as the portal finished its job.

The next thing they knew, they were back in the Beginner's Sanctuary.

Jack stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "Damn. That was a workout."

Kieran checked his status screen. His eyes widened slightly. "We leveled up. A lot."

Elamenor smirked. "No kidding. Feels like I could punch through a mountain now."

Jameson flicked his dagger, testing the weight. "We're definitely stronger."

Arianna exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm exhausted."

Erren sat on a nearby rock, stretching out her legs. "Same. My brain is fried."

They all glanced at each other. The adrenaline had faded, and the exhaustion was creeping in.

Jack yawned. "Alright, let's call it here. Time to log out."

One by one, they pulled up their menus. With a final look at the world around them, they logged out.

The game world faded to black.