The impact of the personal terminals shutting down was far greater than many people had imagined.
Because it severely damaged humanity's collective consensus.
Before this situation arose, all living humans could be called "Ascenders," the only difference being their varying levels of Psychic Power.
Furthermore, the Apocalypse Rules White Paper, published by the Strategy Research Room, contained methods for increasing one's Psychic Power limit. Thus, many people were optimistic, believing that falling behind early on wasn't a big deal, as they could slowly catch up later.
But the shutdown of personal terminals completely shattered this illusion.
Just imagine: would those who could no longer use their personal terminals still have the right to call themselves Ascenders? Would others still recognize them as such?
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before a huge, irreparable chasm formed between Ascenders and ordinary humans.
