Pain. Searing, unbearable pain. My body lay sprawled on the cold ground, blood pooling around me. I could barely move, my limbs heavy and unresponsive. Above me, the figures of my so-called friends stood, their faces twisted with smug satisfaction as they watched me bleed out.
"Why?" I gasped, the word barely escaping my cracked lips. I had fought alongside them, sacrificed everything to protect them. And now, in my moment of vulnerability, they had betrayed me.
The leader of our group, a once-trusted friend, shrugged, a cruel smirk on his face. "You were always weak, Luca. We're better off without you."
The world around me faded, the sky turning dark as my vision blurred. My heart raced, not from fear but from rage. I had been betrayed, and as death whispered in my ear, I felt only one burning desire: revenge.
As the darkness closed in, a voice echoed in my mind, cold and distant.
"Do you wish to change your fate?"
I fought to grasp the words, the last remnants of my consciousness clinging to them. "Yes," I managed to croak, even as my life slipped away.
"Then live again."
In an instant, the darkness shattered like glass, and I felt myself being pulled backward through time. My mind was a whirlwind of memories—the betrayal, the pain, the struggle. But amid it all, clarity emerged. I was returning to a time before it all went wrong.
I opened my eyes to find myself in my old room, surrounded by posters of hunters and glowing screens. My heart raced as I took in my surroundings. I was back—ten years before my betrayal, before my death. Everything felt surreal, yet I could remember every detail of my past life, all the mistakes and regrets.
The world was still as dangerous as I remembered. Gates appeared randomly, opening paths to other realms filled with monstrous creatures. Hunters, equipped with advanced technology, roamed the streets, seeking glory and wealth. But here I was, a mere seventeen-year-old boy with no idea that my destiny was about to change.
Suddenly, a holographic interface materialized in front of me, glowing with vibrant colors and symbols I had never seen before.
"Chaos System Activated."
A menu unfolded, revealing a plethora of options:
Stats
Skills
Inventory
Shop
Quests
I blinked in disbelief. This wasn't just any system; it was something unique—something that had never been available to anyone else. I navigated through the menu with a wave of my hand, feeling the energy pulsing through me.
Then, my eyes widened as a notification appeared:
"Congratulations! You have been granted a six-star skill: Eclipse Blade."
Eclipse Blade? I couldn't believe it. I had read about six-star skills in the legends, but to have one myself was unimaginable. A thrill of power coursed through my veins as the details of the skill filled my mind.
Skill: Eclipse Blade
Level: 1
Description: Merge the powers of darkness and light to unleash devastating attacks.
Requirements: Mastery of balance and control.
Experience Points: 0/100
I could feel the weight of destiny settling on my shoulders. This was my chance to change everything. The system showed me my stats, and I quickly examined them:
Health: 100
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
I had a long way to go, but with this system, I could level up by defeating monsters and gaining experience. My eyes gleamed with determination as I realized that I could take control of my life. No more betrayal, no more weakness.
With newfound purpose, I made my way outside, the familiar streets bustling with life and technology. But underneath it all, a darkness lurked—monsters waiting for unwary hunters to fall into their traps.
As I walked, a gate shimmered into existence just down the block. I knew what lay beyond—a world filled with danger and opportunity.
The moment I stepped through, the air changed, heavy with anticipation. I readied my mind, focusing on my Eclipse Blade skill, feeling its power surge within me. The monsters lurking within the gate didn't stand a chance.
With each strike of my blade, I carved through the darkness, gaining experience points with every kill. The thrill of battle ignited my spirit, and with every enemy that fell, I grew stronger. I could feel the whispers of the system guiding me, pushing me to rise to greatness.
This time, I would not be betrayed. This time, I would forge my destiny.