As Dave stood over the crumbled remains of his opponent, his chest heaving from the intensity of the battle, the System chimed in his mind.
"Congratulations, Dave. You have gained experience from killing a Rank SSS fighter. Your progression has advanced."
Dave's eyes narrowed. "Progressed?"
"Yes. You have now reached the Middle SSS Rank. The power from your last battle pushed you beyond the early stage. Your strength, speed, and all abilities have increased accordingly."
For a brief moment, Dave let the realization sink in. He could feel it—a surge of raw energy flooding his body, like a dormant volcano suddenly coming to life. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his aura flared brighter than before. It wasn't just a marginal increase; it was like breaking through an invisible wall, the floodgates of power opening wide.
His thoughts raced. If he was going to survive this brutal trial, he needed more than just raw strength. His body had taken a beating, and there was no telling how many more fights were ahead. He needed to be prepared for anything, especially in a tournament where only one would walk out alive.
Healing… The idea flashed across his mind. He had to restore himself quickly, and the System was his best tool. Without hesitation, Dave summoned the System interface.
System Store.
Rows of skills, items, and enhancements scrolled before his eyes, each one a potential asset in this brutal contest. But Dave was focused—he knew what he needed.
"Find me a passive healing or regeneration skill," Dave ordered.
"Searching... Found. Recommended skill: Advanced Regeneration (Passive). This ability will heal your body in real time, restoring you to peak condition without needing rest or external healing. Cost: 10,000 System Points."
Without a second thought, Dave purchased the skill. He felt a warm sensation flow through his veins, like liquid fire, but soothing. His body began to respond almost immediately. The cuts, bruises, and broken bones from his earlier fight started knitting back together. His muscles healed, soreness vanished, and his strength returned in full force.
This is what I needed, Dave thought, flexing his fingers and feeling the energy surging through him once more. He could already sense the wounds closing, his flesh repairing itself faster than any natural healing process could manage. The importance of this passive ability was clear—he would face multiple battles without a break, and now, at least, he wouldn't go into them injured.
He could already feel the difference. Every breath felt easier, every movement smoother, as his body returned to its perfect condition. The trial had just begun, and he knew it would only get tougher, but now he had a major advantage.
But there was no time to celebrate.
Whoosh!
A sharp noise filled the air, and before Dave could react, he was under attack. Two figures appeared from the shadows, moving so fast they were nearly invisible to the naked eye. Dave barely managed to dodge a blinding strike, the air around him warping as a blade swung past his face. His instincts kicked in immediately, his body rolling to the side as another blow nearly took his head off.
Two of them? Dave cursed internally. He had barely finished healing, and already new enemies were upon him. He looked up, eyes narrowing at the two figures standing before him.
The first was a tall, armored warrior, wielding a massive broadsword that seemed to hum with energy. His armor glowed faintly with a dark aura, his face hidden behind a helmet. The second was a lithe, agile figure, a woman wrapped in black, her twin daggers glinting ominously as she moved with the grace of a predator.
This is going to be tough, Dave thought, his mind racing. These two were clearly seasoned fighters, and the way they moved suggested they had fought together before—coordinated, lethal, and relentless.
"System," Dave hissed mentally, "how strong are they?"
"Both opponents are Rank SSS fighters," the System responded immediately. "Be cautious."
Dave gritted his teeth. Great. It wasn't just one powerful opponent anymore—now there were two, and both were on the same level as the fighter he had just killed.
The man with the broadsword moved first, charging at Dave with a speed that belied his massive frame. The ground shook with every step he took, his sword raised high, ready to cleave through anything in its path. Dave's eyes locked onto the incoming attack, his body already reacting as his senses screamed at him to move.
Boom!
The broadsword came down with incredible force, the impact shaking the entire battlefield and creating a shockwave that flattened the nearby landscape. But Dave wasn't there. He had already dodged to the side, moving faster than the warrior could track.
Swish!
The woman came at him next, her twin daggers flashing in a blur of steel as she aimed for his throat. Dave barely managed to block the strikes with his forearms, the daggers sparking against his aura as they clashed. She was fast—blindingly fast—and every strike was aimed to kill.
Dave grunted as he deflected her blows, his body moving in perfect rhythm as he dodged and countered. But even with his new regeneration, he couldn't afford to take too many hits. One wrong move, and he could be cut down before he had a chance to retaliate.
"Focus," the System urged him. "You've grown stronger. Trust in your power."
Dave nodded internally, bracing himself. The real fight was about to begin, and this time, it was against two lethal opponents. He knew the trial wasn't going to be easy—but he wasn't backing down.