As soon as Kendrik received the notification congratulating him on defeating the Dead Water Demon, he found himself transported back to the desolate realm where his journey had begun.
Without giving Kendrik a moment's rest, another notification appeared:
[Notification]
{Extra challenge successfully completed, now proceed with to the requested challenge. Do you accept this challenge yes or no?}
Kendrik's mind reeled as he tried to process the events that had just transpired. Before he could even catch his breath, another notification popped up:
[Notification]
{Candidate received a reward}
Kendrik's curiosity was piqued. "What reward? What does this mean? Is this some kind of joke?" he wondered.
As he pondered his next move, Kendrik realized that refusing the challenge might result in another challenge. Given his current state, he knew he wouldn't survive another ordeal. Weighing his options, Kendrik decided to accept the challenge.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by the prospect of the reward. "I wonder what reward did I receive? Maybe I should check it out. Who knows, maybe it's a reward that will get me out of here, and I won't have to take these stupid challenges."
Kendrik took a moment to think, considering the possibilities. "No, that doesn't sound like something it would be kind enough to give me. I mean, I don't know much about technology, but I'm sure that to get what I want - to get out of here - I should hold off on checking the rewards. Who knows, if I fail, maybe I can use it as leverage."
The notification still floated in the air, but this time, it didn't come with a time limit:
[Notification]
{Extra challenge successfully completed. Do you wish to proceed to the next challenge?}
Kendrik steeled himself, weighing his options. "I'd better accept this challenge and get it over with. "If I don't, I'm just prolonging my stay in this forsaken place. Here goes nothing." With deep breath, Kendrik made his decision. "Yes, I accept the challenge."
The message board seemed to come alive, responding to Kendrik's acceptance:
[Notification]
{Candidate has accepted this first challenge out of twelve. Does the candidate also want to change his stats?}
Kendrik's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, I have to do these challenges twelve more times?" He then noticed the question about checking his stats. "Okay, I didn't see that at first. Of course, I want to check my stats, so I can know what state I'm in."
The notification revealed Kendrik's stats:
[Notification]
{Candidate name: Kendrik Klaus Dynasty
Age: 17
Title Held: Firstborn Prince of Dynasty Kingdom
Stats:
Heart rate: 75%
Injuries: 80%
Blood loss: 85%
Skill level: 5%
Magic Attributes: Null
Intelligent level: 50%
Challenge completed: 0 out of 12
Extra challenge: 1
Rewards: 1}
Kendrik examined his stats, his expression grim. "Damn, this thing doesn't hold back. Looking at these stats, I'd say I can survive maybe two to four challenges if I'm lucky." But I'm capable. I have to be."
As Kendrik stood ready, the countdown to his first challenge began:
[Notification]
{Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three...}
Kendrik watched anxiously, bracing himself for the excruciating pain of transportation to his next destination. He stretched, preparing himself physically and mentally.
The countdown continued:
[Notification]
{Two...}
Kendrik took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready. Give me your best challenge yet!" He jumped up and down, stretching his arms, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The notification reached its final, accompanied by a blaring alarm sound. But unlike the first time, Kendrik didn't feel his body being tortured and tormented. Instead, he remained where he was, feeling surprisingly fine.
Kendrik opened his eyes, relieved. "Is it over yet?" He felt himself, discovering that he was intact, without any excruciating pain he had experienced before. He looked around, still in the same desolate location.
Kendrik smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "Okay, maybe I was forgiven." But his smile was short-lived, as a new notification appeared with some daunting rules:
[Notification]
{Challenge rules to adhere:
Rule no 1. The candidate must not eat or consume any water or food. Failure to follow this rule may result in an excruciating death penalty.
Rule no 2. The candidate must survive 31 calendar days, starting from now. To complete the challenge, the candidate must still be alive when the time clocks midnight on the last day, which is the 31st.
Let the challenge commense. Good luck.}
The challenge began, and the desolate realm started to glitch, as if a virus was spreading, erasing everything. Kendrik found himself trapped in a strange simulation. The environment transformed, and he discovered himself in a breathtaking garden paradise. Lush green trees, vibrant grass, and an array of ripe fruits and vegetables surrounded him. In the distance, a stunning waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear lake, teeming with fish on one side and pristine drinking water on the other.
Day one had begun, and despite the serene surroundings, Kendrik knew that this challenge wouldn't be easy. His battered body craved rest, and succumbed to exhaustion, sitting beneath a tree laden with juicy red apples. He fell into a deep sleep, unaware of the passing time.
Night and day cycles passed, and Kendrik remained asleep, recharging his depleted energy. The board, ever-present, silently observed his progress.
On the fourth day, Kendrik woke up, feeling rejuvenated and perplexed. He yawned, stretching his limbs, and asked, "How long have I been out?"
A notification appeared:
[Notification]
{First challenge:
Completion days number: 03 out of 31}
Kendrik preserved, undaunted by the challenges the board threw his way. His past experiences, having being abused and starved by Jakob's mother and the servants, had inadvertently prepared him for this ordeal. Whenever his father was away, Kendrik would often go hungry, locked in his room for days or even weeks.
Fifteen days into the challenge, Kendrik began to feel the pangs of hunger and thirst. One moment, he was sitting by the lake, watching the fish swim; next, his mouth and lips were dry, and his stomach growled with increasing intensity. "No, I won't give up; I'm only 15 days in. I'm almost at the finish line," Kendrik told himself, drawing on his willpower and determination.
For the next 20 days, Kendrik continued to push forward, his body weakening, his weight dwindling. On day 21, as he slept, a mysterious girl resembling Leone appeared, walking up to him. "Kendrik, Kendrik! Wake up; you've done so well for yourself. Here, I brought you some food; please take it and eat."
Kendrik's eyes fluttered open, his body craving sustenance. "Leone, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice weak. The girl's resemblance to Leone was uncanny, and for a moment, Kendrik forgot about the challenge. His desperation for food made him hesitant, torn between his desire to eat and his determination to complete the challenge.
Kendrik's hunger and starvation had reached a critical point, and his delusions were intensitifying. He saw a familiar face, Leone, holding out food, and his desperation took over. "Oh man, you have no idea, you're a lifesaver, you've always been one!" Kendrick exclaimed, his gratitude genuine.
However, something was off about this Leone lookalike. As Kendrik hesitated to eat, she tried to force-feed him. "Come on, eat!" Her behaviour was strange, and Kendrik's suspicious grew.
As he gazed into the crystal-clear water, he noticed something peculiar. The Leone lookalike's reflection revealed a glitching, pixelated figure, codes running across her body. Kendrik's eyes widened as he realized the truth.
"Uh, Leone, would you mind sitting next to the lake? I just want to stare at you while I eat," Kendrik said, trying to trick. The lookalike obliged, and Kendrik played along, pretending to eat the food.
While the lookalike was distracted, Kendrik poured the plate of food over her, momentarily blinding her. Seizing the opportunity, Kendrik pushed her into the water, and she fell in which a splash.
The crystal-clear water shook with electricity as the Leone lookalike began to melt, her codes spreading across the water. Kendrik thought he had won, but he was wrong.
A melting, coding hand emerged from the lake, grasping for Kendrik. "You're coming with me!" the Leone lookalike's voice cracked, as she pulled Kendrik into the water.