Chapter 4: The World Unveiled
The morning sky was painted with hues of red and orange, but there was no beauty in it—only chaos and tension. The entire world was transforming, and Kai could feel it. His body, still recovering from the fight with the Hunter, pulsed with renewed energy. The system was silent now, but he knew something big was coming.
As if on cue, the silence was shattered by a booming, mechanical voice that echoed across the city, reverberating through the earth itself. It wasn't just in Kai's mind—it was everywhere.
[System Announcement: Ranking of the World's Strongest Territories Activated.]
Kai froze, his mind racing. He had heard of this from his previous life. This was the event that had set the stage for the global chaos that followed. The System Ranking would announce the strongest countries, marking them as targets for weaker nations seeking power—or alliances for those who sought survival.
The voice continued:
[Top 10 Territories Ranked by Power:]
1. Zalvor Empire – Dominated by the Phoenix Titan, a creature whose flames can incinerate entire cities.
2. Vyndor Republic– Guarded by the Leviathan Beast, a sea serpent of unmatched size and strength.
3. Kryth Dominion – Ruled by the Chimera Sovereign, a three-headed beast wielding elemental mastery.
4. Oblivion State – Host to the Void Wraith, a creature born of shadows and nightmares.
5. Arland Federation– Protected by the Iron Behemoth, a colossal metallic creature impervious to attacks.
6. Eos Kingdom– Home to the Celestial Griffin, a legendary beast that controls wind and light.
7. Sargoth Alliance – Backed by the Thunder Hydra, a multi-headed serpent with unparalleled electric power.
8. Cindral Pact – Defended by the Earth Golem, a creature made of indestructible stone.
9. Velkris Coalition – Ruled by the Frost Wyrm, a dragon capable of freezing entire landscapes.
10. Orca Peninsula– Represented by the King Kong Beast, whose raw physical power is unmatched.
Kai's stomach churned as he read the final entry. **King Kong** was the last on the list. He had consumed its flesh and gained its power, but it was the weakest among the strongest. The thought filled him with both determination and dread. If King Kong was the weakest, what kind of monsters were the others?
The announcement wasn't finished.
[The Arena of Ascension is now active. Fighters from all over the world may compete. The winner will gain a secret ability: 2x Points per Level Up.]
Kai's breath caught. A secret ability? That was something even he didn't know about in his past life. If someone gained that ability, their growth would skyrocket, and they'd become nearly unstoppable. He clenched his fists. He couldn't let that opportunity slip through his fingers.
But it wasn't going to be easy. The Arena of Ascension wasn't just a place for ordinary combatants—it was a battleground where only the strongest survived. Creatures, Hunters, and even nations would send their champions to claim the prize.
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Preparing for the Arena
Kai's mind raced as he processed the implications. He was stronger than before, but he wasn't ready to face the kinds of monsters and warriors that would gather at the Arena. He needed more power—and fast.
The system's interface flashed in his vision, a reminder of his current status:
[Current Status]
- Points Available: 2000
- Abilities:
- Strength: Enhanced (From King Kong)
- Speed: Enhanced (From Griffin)
- Regeneration: Rapid (From King Kong)
- Flame Mastery: Advanced (From Cerberus)
He stared at the Points Available section. 2000 points weren't nearly enough to bridge the gap between him and the world's top fighters. He needed to hunt more creatures, earn more points, and unlock new abilities.
His gaze shifted to the remains of the Cerberus nearby. The system had already absorbed its essence, but there were more beasts out there. He had seen the rankings—if King Kong was the weakest, the other creatures listed in the rankings would be far more powerful. But where would he even begin to find them?
The system answered his unspoken question.
[New Quest: The Path to the Arena]
- Objective 1: Defeat a Ranked Beast to gain entry to the Arena.
- Objective 2: Survive three battles in the Arena of Ascension.
- Reward: 5000 Points and access to the Double Points ability.
Kai's heart pounded. The quest was clear, but the path ahead was anything but easy. If he wanted to enter the Arena, he had to defeat one of the ranked beasts. Each of them was tied to a powerful territory, and taking on one of those creatures meant facing not just the beast itself, but also the warriors and champions of that land.
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The First Step
Kai didn't hesitate. He set off toward the edge of the city, his enhanced speed allowing him to cover ground quickly. His goal was clear: find the next beast, defeat it, and claim its power.
As he moved through the desolate streets, he couldn't help but notice the changes in the world around him. Buildings had crumbled, their remains overgrown with strange, glowing plants. The air was thick with energy, almost as if the system itself was alive, reshaping the world to suit its twisted game.
He stopped abruptly when he heard a low growl. His eyes darted toward the sound, and he spotted a massive creature lurking in the shadows. It was a Shadow Wolf, its dark fur shimmering with an eerie, unnatural light. The beast's glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kai, and it bared its fangs in a snarl.
Kai gripped his knife tightly, flames sparking to life in his free hand. This wasn't a ranked beast, but it was still dangerous. And more importantly, it would give him the points he needed to grow stronger.
The Shadow Wolf lunged at him, its movements almost too fast to follow. But Kai was faster. He dodged to the side, unleashing a burst of flames that engulfed the creature. The wolf yelped in pain, but it didn't back down. It circled him, looking for an opening.
Kai didn't wait. He charged forward, his knife slashing through the air with deadly precision. The blade found its mark, cutting deep into the Shadow Wolf's side. The creature howled as it collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into a cloud of dark smoke.
[Flesh Consumed: Shadow Wolf. Power Assimilated.]
[Points Earned: 1000]
The familiar surge of energy coursed through Kai's body, and his system updated once again.
[New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Step – Temporarily become invisible to evade attacks or ambush enemies.]
Kai smiled grimly. Every fight, every victory, brought him closer to his goal. The Arena of Ascension was waiting, and he intended to be ready.
"I'll win," he muttered, his eyes burning with determination. "No matter what it takes."
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End of Chapter 4