Jera D'Ros lived in a run-down apartment on the outskirts of Samar City, Philippines. The building, once full of life, had become a worn relic of the past, with peeling paint and floors that creaked underfoot. His cramped room had only the essentials—a small bed pushed against the wall, a rickety table, and a flickering TV on the verge of breaking down. A dim yellow light hung overhead, barely illuminating the peeling wallpaper, casting a somber, lifeless atmosphere over the place.
That evening, the city felt strangely quiet. The sky was clear and cloudless, its soft glow spilling over the narrow streets. The distant hum of traffic and the occasional bark of a stray dog were the only sounds that accompanied Jera as he wandered aimlessly, seeking a brief escape from his monotonous life.
Eventually, he returned to his apartment and sank into his worn-out chair with a tired sigh. He flicked on the TV, hoping for a distraction. The screen flickered to life, showing cartoons—a small comfort from his childhood.
Jera was a young man shaped by hardship and rejection. Though physically strong, he had long been seen as talentless, a burden. His parents had discarded him, deeming him useless. With no special abilities to speak of, the only thing he had was his relentless persistence.
He slouched in his chair, flipping through channels absentmindedly until he stumbled upon Solo Leveling, his favorite anime. The action-packed scenes immediately captured his attention, drawing him into the fantasy world. He watched eagerly, fully immersed, until—
BZZT!
The broadcast was abruptly interrupted by a news report.
"What? The news?" Jera groaned, frustrated by the interruption.
"Ugh! I wish Solo Leveling was real," he muttered with a sigh, sinking back in his chair, disappointed.
NEWS REPORT
"BREAKING NEWS! Tonight, a massive meteor shower will be visible across Earth, with experts warning that some of the debris may enter the planet's atmosphere and make landfall," the anchor announced, her face serious.
"According to scientists, this is no ordinary meteor shower. Authorities are advising everyone to stay indoors until the event is over."
Jera raised an eyebrow.
"A meteor shower?" he muttered, his curiosity piqued.
Glancing at the cracked clock on the wall, he realized it was already late.
Far from the city lights, in the countryside, farmers and villagers continued their work under the night sky, unaware of the news. Meanwhile, Jera wandered over to his window, drawn by a faint glow. Looking up, he saw the brilliant streaks of the meteor shower cutting across the sky. Fiery trails of orange, violet, and gold illuminated the night, painting the heavens in shimmering hues. For a moment, he was mesmerized by the celestial display. But a strange feeling tugged at him. The meteors were larger than usual—too large—and they seemed unnaturally synchronized, falling at the same time across different parts of the world.
Shaking off the unease, he returned to his chair and resumed watching Solo Leveling, using the fictional world as a brief escape from his dull reality.
The apartment was silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator. The walls were bare, reflecting the isolation that defined his life. His room was simple and modest—no personal touches, no family photos, no decorations. Only the basic furniture remained: a bed, a chair, a small table, and a few scattered belongings.
Jera lived alone, just trying to survive each day. No job, no family, no sense of purpose. He was an empty shell, drifting through life without any clear direction.
After finishing the episode, he turned off the TV. With a sigh, he went to the closet and pulled out his worn camping gear. He had been planning a solo trip to the mountains, seeking solace in nature, far from the suffocating emptiness of the city. He carefully packed his tent, sleeping bag, and supplies, double-checking everything before setting out.
As he stood in the kitchen pouring himself a glass of water, the meteor shower lingered in his mind. He stared out the window, watching the fiery streaks still slicing across the sky.
A strange itch suddenly tickled his nose, and he rubbed it absentmindedly.
"I can't explain it, but something feels off about this meteor shower," he thought, narrowing his eyes at the falling streaks.
"It doesn't seem ordinary—it's happening all over the world at once…" he muttered, feeling a growing unease.
He shrugged it off and turned away from the window.
After cleaning up, Jera layed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts wandered back to Solo Leveling, replaying his favorite scenes in his mind.
Without thinking, he whispered under his breath, "ARISE," echoing the iconic line from the anime.
In the vast emptiness of his dream, a brilliant light suddenly cut through the darkness. A deep, commanding voice echoed, its resonance shaking the void around him:
"YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!"
The words were crystal clear, powerful, reverberating deep within his core. The light intensified, swallowing him whole, until there was nothing left but its blinding radiance.