The apocalypse arrived. A wave of genetic recombination and differentiation unleashed a raging tide of mutations, instantly shattering every established rule of human society.
With no other choice, people began creating gods.
A system of socialized child-rearing was rapidly established. To make the most efficient use of resources, every new generation, once grown, would follow the guidance of the "Cicada" into three-dimensional space, where they would fight one another. The losers were eliminated, the victors advanced, and society's classes were divided from that moment on. The Cicada would decide who became a "human."
Gu Qian was known as the "Alliance's Top Beauty." He could fight and kill, yet insisted, "I don't want to be human," and spent nearly five years retaking the exams. He went to the final exam site four times, took a little stroll each time, then turned around and came back.
The entire Federation knew he craved excitement and didn't care if he lived or died. The brats who hadn't yet earned the right to become human steered clear of him.
Then this year, a handsome young man appeared in the dreary exam-prep zone, disagreeing with him at every turn and putting on an even bigger act than he did. Gu Qian was intrigued, and finally couldn't resist making a move. He touched the young man's cheek, then pinched it. Who knew the guy would look carefree and easygoing, but be fussy about everything and a germaphobe, ready to explode at the slightest provocation? And so they became enemies. For a whole year, during the exam-prep period when they couldn't avoid crossing paths, they played at being "two kings who never meet." The whole Federation was waiting for the show.
The two famous rivals met again in a life-or-death exam hall. They stared at each other without a word, then at the crowd watching them with hostile eyes. Neither wanted to make the first move and seem like the one at a disadvantage. They nearly got marked down for deliberately failing the exam.
Gu Qian: "You go first. I don't dare."
Huo Zhi: "No way. I'm scared too."
CP: A sharp-tongued, handsome, charming, talkative, teasing [yeah right] top who can make anything into a big deal x a striking, thick-browed, duplicitous recipient, lifelong honorary president of the looks-first club [the one on the left is the violent sweetheart, the one on the right has no conscience = www]
*Violent sweetheart fresh graduate x human weapon repeat exam-taker
Midsummer, the cicadas sing, the graduating class differentiates, and everyone fights to survive.
[Read Before You Begin]
* The Cicada doesn't lose. The losers don't come back.
* 1v1, happy ending, younger top.
* An atypical artificial infinite-flow story, a fake post-apocalyptic wasteland, a little horror, and my own take on sentinels and guides with biological traits but no spirit forms. In short, a mountain of original worldbuilding, and not very scientific.
* Updates on schedule. If delayed, check @Ordinary Little Xizi. The author is timid. Comments are welcome, just don't be mean. Let's talk things out.
Theme: Human freedom is above all else. The soul will ultimately rise above the rules. Revere life and nature as you would the gods, and always love yourself.
