The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM
Chapter 101: ZONE 2

Chapter 101: ZONE 2

Anomaly Zone 2 – The Broken Sky Peak

The storm had finally settled.

Blackened clouds drifted apart, allowing the twin suns of the Upper Realm to pierce through the chaos that had cloaked the mountain for what felt like an eternity. The smell of scorched rock, burnt bark, and thick ozone still lingered, a reminder of the monster that had almost ended him.

Chen Yu sat on a jagged outcrop, one arm resting on his raised knee, his blood-drenched cloak fluttering in the dwindling breeze. His breathing had steadied. The faint hum of Chaos Energy inside him had quieted, for now.

A single line scrolled across his system interface, flickering in and out like it was resisting being acknowledged.

[Skill: Stirring Chaos] – One Use Left.

A trump card he hadn’t even tapped into yet.

He closed his eyes.

"They’ll arrive soon..."

As if summoned by thought, the rift behind him shimmered, the violet barrier of Zone 1 pulsing with spatial distortion. One by one, his comrades emerged.

Constellation Vanguard Reunites

Hui’er was the first to step forward, demonic aura coiling around her with a new sharpness. Her crimson eyes scanned the crater-ridden field and the deep gouges that cut across the mountain ridge.

"So," she said, arms crossed. "You went overboard again."

Chen Yu smirked, his lips still bloodstained. "That’s how you level the playing field."

She didn’t argue—she never did when he won. Roman stepped out behind her, clad in upgraded radiant armor infused with celestial runes. His presence was calm, but the glint in his eyes had hardened.

"You fought alone again."

Chen Yu turned slightly. "I needed to."

Roman gave a small nod. "We’re ready."

And indeed, they were.

[Team Status – 20 Days Inside (≈ 30 Months Real-Time)]

Chen Yu – Class: Lawrenderer | Rank: RR

Strength: 810

Agility: 825

Stamina: 830

Mana: 845

Charm: 950

Energy: 1,520

Skills: [Void Strike], [End of All Beings], [Stirring Chaos], [Peace Among All Beings]

Hui’er – Class: Demon King | Rank: RR

Strength: 805

Agility: 790

Stamina: 820

Mana: 860

Charm: 10/10

Energy: 1,480

Azrael – Class: Shadow Executioner | Rank: R

Strength: 780

Agility: 810

Stamina: 760

Mana: 820

Energy: 1,390

Roman – Class: Holy Knight | Rank: R

Strength: 800

Agility: 765

Stamina: 820

Mana: 810

Energy: 1,420

Lei Meiyun – Class: Draconic Power | Rank: R

Strength: 790

Agility: 760

Stamina: 800

Mana: 780

Energy: 1,400

Bai Ruxue – Class: Legendary Fire Mage | Rank: R

Strength: 730

Agility: 780

Stamina: 790

Mana: 850

Energy: 1,360

Gu Chaewon – Class: Holy Priest | Rank: R

Strength: 690

Agility: 710

Stamina: 780

Mana: 880

Energy: 1,370

Vornark – Class: Beast King Heir | Rank: R

Strength: 820

Agility: 750

Stamina: 800

Mana: 720

Energy: 1,420

Ling Ling – Class: Necromancer Queen | Rank: R

Strength: 720

Agility: 740

Stamina: 760

Mana: 870

Energy: 1,400

Nyzelia – Class: Dark Elf Sword Empress | Rank: R

Strength: 810

Agility: 800

Stamina: 790

Mana: 760

Energy: 1,380

Chen Yu watched each of them step into the mountain clearing. Their presence alone disturbed the wind, and their collective aura shimmered like a celestial banner.

"Welcome," he said, voice firm. "To Zone 2."

Trial Begins Anew

The anomaly zone trembled as more monsters stirred in response to the team’s collective power. Beasts that once ruled the upper peaks now prowled with hesitation. None dared attack blindly—yet.

Chen Yu gestured toward the valley ahead. "This is where your true trial begins. We only have five days left until the Heavenly Collision. It’s time we see how far you’ve come."

"Bring them on," Vornark said, cracking his knuckles.

Azrael remained silent but shadow energy rippled around him.

"We’ll split into three groups," Chen Yu said. "Roman, Ruxue, Meiyun—you take the northern pass. Hui, Ling Ling, Azrael—the southern ravine. Chaewon, Nyzelia, and Vornark with me."

"And if the monsters are too strong?" asked Ruxue, flames licking her sleeves.

"Don’t die," Chen said simply.

They all smirked.

Chaos Unleashed

The teams scattered into the zone, tearing through packs of feral manticores, flame-spitting wyrms, and insectoid horrors. In the northern pass, Roman’s radiant shield deflected arcane blasts as Ruxue incinerated swarms with firestorms. Meiyun, in dragonform, flew above them, roaring as her claws shredded through stone-armored serpents.

In the southern ravine, Hui turned half the battlefield into molten glass. Ling Ling summoned skeletal giants from crumbled monsters, and Azrael blinked in and out of shadows, decapitating beasts before they even sensed danger.

Chen’s own group clashed against an ancient thunder titan, a multi-limbed construct of lightning and steel. Vornark tanked its first blow, his fists glowing as he grappled it down. Nyzelia cut its legs with speed sharp enough to split sound, while Chaewon cast protective shields that absorbed even thunderclaps.

They were winning. But it wasn’t easy. Not this time.

Even now, Chen noticed how Zone 2 warped itself around their strength—manifesting smarter, stronger beasts. The closer they got to its heart, the more the zone bled spatial tears into deeper dimensions.

Whispers in the Core

Late into the third day of battle, Chen Yu meditated inside a shattered cave, surrounded by protective sigils. Hui approached him, removing her gloves, her expression unreadable.

"You’ve grown stronger," she said.

He didn’t open his eyes. "So have you."

Silence stretched.

"Do you feel it?" Hui asked, tone lower now. "The zone. It’s resisting your presence."

He opened his eyes, slowly. "Because I don’t belong to any realm. Not anymore."

Her lips parted but she didn’t speak. Not now.

Instead, she gently sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Then I’ll stand with you... against every realm."

He closed his eyes again.

"Thank you."

Final Day – The Zone Trembles

On the fifth day, as the sun began its descent, all ten core members regrouped at the summit of Zone 2. They bore fresh wounds but unyielding spirits.

Behind them, the zone lay in ruins—trees blackened, mountains cracked, and rivers turned to glass. A battleground carved by titans.

Chen Yu raised a hand—and from his palm emerged a glowing key.

[Zone Cleared: All Members Ranked R or Higher][Access Granted – World Gate Preparation: Complete]

A massive celestial gate unfurled before them. Ethereal in form, it shimmered like liquid stars.

Twilight Reign awaited.

Interlude – Twilight Reign’s Sanctum

Deep beneath a haunted forest of void trees, the cult known as Twilight Reign had begun their blood rituals. Cloaked figures meditated in pools of spiritual corruption. An obsidian moon hovered unnaturally above.

"They’re coming," one of the Elders said.

"Yes," said the masked High Priest, voice trembling. "But they do not know. The last survivor of the Old Star War is with us. A being they cannot face—not yet."

The forest pulsed.