Nulls are humans who were unable to adapt to the cosmic energy, becoming hollow beings that were drawn to life force. The overwhelming cosmic energy blows up their consciousness, leaving them as hollow husks.
In a bid to get their previous human form back, they are drawn to the life force of normal humans. Driven by their instinctual search for a life force, they stagger aimlessly. Weak individually, but strong in groups.
This made the situation that the three friends were in especially dangerous. The fact that there were three nulls here, with one of them being an abnormal null, meant trouble.
As the null launched itself at Tyrel, Zayden looked as if he was having a case of deja vu. But this time he was not scared. He also launched himself at the null, slamming the metal pole in his left hand on the head of the null.
It was at this point that he remembered. "I'm still weak in this body."
As the null crashed into the ground, a dazed expression appeared on the faces of Tyrel and Darian. Then Tyrel's lips curled into an excited smile.
He jumped over Zayden and headed for the two nulls, swinging widely his metal pole at the null. The null wasn't fast enough to do anything as the pole slammed into its torso area, sending it crashing into the wall of the room.
Tyrel didn't care to see the result of his attack as he faced the second null that had its leg broken. He swung the metal pole upwards, hitting the null on the jaw, sending it into the air. Tyrel didn't stop there as he jumped up after the null and swung his pole down on the head of the null, sending it crashing heavily into the ground.
"We're living in a game," Tyrel said, standing as he gazed at Darian and Zayden. "Watch out," Zayden shouted as Tyrel felt the hand of someone on his ankle, then a window appeared in front of him.
[-10 HP]
Tyrel could feel slightly weak, but he fought through the weakness and stepped on the hand of the null, crushing it before staggering forward.
Zayden rushed forward and slammed his two metal poles on the head of the null. The sound of a cracked skull echoed as the head of the null was split open like a coconut, its brain matter turned to mush.
The null turned into golden particles that floated into the body of Zayden, leaving behind a red orb.
[+50 EXP]
[+ 1 Stamina]
[Congratulations on being the first person to kill null on Gaia]
[Reward: + 1 Green Orb]
Zayden was pleasantly surprised. He never thought that there would be a reward for killing a null first on the planet.
Zayden quickly picked up the red and green orbs before placing them in a backpack and quickly swinging them over his shoulder. He had the time to do this because the nulls were sluggish and would take some time to get back up.
Tyrel was weak; the large reduction in his health took a toll on him, and he would need a few minutes to recover. Darian swung down his metal pole on the null nearest to him, killing quickly.
Just like with Zayden, the null turned into white particles that floated into the body of Darian, leaving behind a red orb.
[+50 EXP]
[+1 Strength]
Without wasting much time, he killed the last null, turning it into particles of energy that also left behind a red orb.
[+ 50 EXP]
[+1 Agility]
[Level Up]
[+4 Ability Points]
[Congratulations on being the first entity to Level Up]
[+1 Green orb]
Once again, Zayden was pleasantly surprised as he picked up the two orbs. He gave one red orb to Darian, making it two in his possession. "Smash it," Zayden said.
Darian was confused, but still decided to do it. He smashed open the two orbs. The two red orbs released dim red lights as the red shell disappeared, revealing an old hardback book and a crude shield, made from the combination of some metal and wood, almost the same height as Darian.
Darian picked up the book and slowly opened it. On the first page of the book was some kind of weird runic writing, but Darian could surprisingly understand it.
"Bullish Charge," Darian said slowly. The book turned into golden particles and entered into the head of Darian. His gaze became vacant for a few seconds, then he slowly opened his eyes.
[You have learned Skill 'Bullish Charge']
[Name: Bullish Charge]
[Tier: Trash]
[Level: 1]
[Description: Charge at an enemy with the strength of a bull, reducing their HP by a large margin]
[Congratulations on being the first entity to obtain a skill on Gaia]
[Skill 'Bullish Charge' Upgraded to Common tier]
Darian remained expressionless as he said. "I got a skill," and that was all. He picked up the shield and looked at its stats.
[Name: Wooden Shield]
[Tier: Trash]
[Description: A shield made from wood and iron]
[Durability 50/50]
"Smash yours too," Tyrel said to Zayden. "Sure," Zayden said. They needed as much help as they could get.
Just like Darian, he smashed the red orb. The dim red glow covered the room as the shell broke into particles of light, leaving behind a book.
Unlike Darian's, which was brown, this book had a faint purple glow around it. On the cover of the book were three shadow-like blades.
With intrigue, Zayden picked up the book and opened it. On the first page of the book were the words 'phantom slash' in weird runic letters that shone a little bit of gold. The book broke down into particles and entered the head of Zayden.
[You have learned the skill 'Phantom Slash']
[Name: Phantom Slash]
[Tier: ???]
[Level: 1]
[Description: Skill must be done with a sword. Release three sword arcs, one 100% real, while two are 50% real.
Zayden was happy. Why, because he had been noticed. Noticed who, by beings that would make his survival easier.
With happiness in his heart, he broke the two green orbs. A green glow so bright that it pierced through the veil of their room shone as the green shell disappeared, revealing a sword and a ring.
The ring was black and would be plain if not for the red runes that adorned the body of the ring. The sword was sheathed, but its blackish gold hilt and sheath were a testament to its uniqueness.
With expectation, Zayden picked up the ring first.
[Name: Spatial Ring]
[Tier: Rare]
[Durability 250/250]
[Description: A ring with spatial storage fifty by fifty meters, with the ability to hold any inanimate object]
Zayden was right, he got a spatial ring. A spatial ring could be seen as a necessity for survival in the apocalypse, and one this big was already a treasure.
Seeing the happiness on the face of Zayden, Tyrel couldn't hold back his curiosity. "Is it good?" he asked. "Yeah, it'll help us to store anything," Zayden said with a smile on his face. How could a ring store things? But from his reply, he deduced that Zayden wasn't ready to explain, so he let it go.
Zayne picked up the sword as the stats appeared in front of him.
[Name: The Grandmaster's Blade]
[Tier: Rare]
[Durability: 400/400]
[Description: A sharp sword made by a grandmaster blacksmith in ancient times from many rare materials]
[Strength +6]
[Stamina +4]
Zayden quickly unsheathed the sword, and a pristine silver blade appeared in front of him. Just like the system said, he could feel the increase in his stats.
Zayden kept the sheath in his spatial ring, much to the surprise of his two friends. "Let's get going, more nulls will be coming here, attracted to the noise and the glows from before," Zayden said.
With a sword now, Zayden no longer needed a metal pole, so he gave it to Tyrel. "I want a skill," Tyrel muttered in dejection. "No worries, there will be more nulls on the way," Zayden said as the trio cautiously walked into the hall.