Inside a command room in one of Shanghai's countless skyscrapers, a diverse group of people had gathered. Asians, Caucasians, and Black individuals stood side by side, their genders and nationalities all but irrelevant in the pressing moment.2

Chairman Jang, the leader of China, and representatives from guilds across the globe, had convened to address the dire situation in Shanghai.0

Suddenly, the screens at the front of the room emitted a deafening roar. Then, they displayed a gargantuan black dragon so massive, the nearby skyscrapers looked like children’s toys in comparison.0

The representatives, including Chairman Jang, were frozen in place, their eyes glued to the monitors. Even without those, the dragon’s terrifying roar could clearly be heard through the windows, reverberating through the city.0

“H-Holy…!”0

“Oh my god!”0

“What on earth is that…?”0

Fear clawed its way up their spines, making their legs tremble uncontrollably. A primal terror consumed them, stripping them of any semblance of composure.0

With a thud, Chairman Jang stumbled from his chair and collapsed onto the floor. 0

The tablet on the table buzzed endlessly with crisis reports, but he didn't even notice.0

—Chairman! The citizens are in a state of panic!0

—Has the creature appeared here as well?0

—Is this city even safe anymore?!0

The dragon’s roar echoed far beyond Shanghai, reaching distant cities. Already on edge from the catastrophe looming next door, citizens in these areas were in complete disarray.0

The standard protocol for such emergencies was to evacuate to the nearest underground shelter. However, the panic-stricken citizens ignored this entirely.0

Those with...0