Laniel sat in his modest room, the early rays of sunlight filtering through the thin curtains. The room, though plain, was an odd sanctuary. Its simplicity allowed him to think without distraction, though thinking wasn't always a comfort these days.
He flexed his hands, still marveling at the strength coursing through his body. Yet, no matter how much stronger this body was than the one he had left behind, his mind kept returning to the same haunting thoughts.
"I died."
It was an undeniable truth. The body of Lanark lay somewhere, lifeless and forgotten, while Laniel—this new version of himself—lived on. His fingers dug into his palms as he considered what that really meant.
The system chimed, cutting through his swirling emotions like a sharp blade.
> System Notification: Task Available.
Objective: Clear the mission in the War Zone.
Difficulty: Medium.
Rewards: EXP, skill points, and access to the War Zone progression system.
Penalty for Failure: Temporary stats reduction.
Laniel straightened in his chair, his brow furrowing as he read the notification.
"The War Zone," he thought, his chest tightening. He'd heard of it even before his rebirth. The War Zone wasn't just a game. It was a proving ground, a place where only the most skilled Gamers dared to tread. For someone like him, still finding his footing, it felt like an impossible leap.
But the words "penalty for failure" gnawed at him. The stakes were real. If he failed, the consequences would be immediate and tangible.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I can't run from this. If I'm serious about becoming stronger, I have to start somewhere."
---
After a moment of hesitation, Laniel swiped his hand across the interface, selecting "Accept Task."
The system responded immediately, its voice cold and emotionless.
> Task Accepted. Prepare for transport.
Countdown: 10 seconds.
Laniel's heart pounded as the countdown began. He stood, gripping the hilt of his longsword tightly. Though it was a basic weapon, it felt reassuring in his hand—a small anchor in the storm of uncertainty swirling inside him.
When the countdown hit zero, the world around him dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors. His room faded away, replaced by the harsh, unyielding landscape of the War Zone.
----
Laniel landed in a crouch, his boots crunching against the rocky terrain. The air here was heavy, laced with the metallic tang of blood and the faint scent of ash. He scanned his surroundings: jagged cliffs rose in the distance, and ruins dotted the landscape, their crumbling structures a stark reminder of past battles.
The system chimed again, bringing up his mission details.
> Objective: Eliminate three enemies and secure the central beacon.
Time Limit: 30 minutes.
Laniel exhaled sharply. It sounded simple enough, but he knew better than to underestimate the challenge ahead.
---
It didn't take long for the first enemy to find him. A low growl echoed through the air, and Laniel turned to see a beast stalking toward him. It was canine in shape, but its body was twisted and malformed, its muscles bulging unnaturally beneath its matted fur.
Laniel tightened his grip on his sword. "A mutated wolf. I've fought these before. I can handle this."
The wolf lunged, its claws swiping through the air with alarming speed. Laniel sidestepped, bringing his sword down in a calculated arc. The blade sliced through the wolf's side, eliciting a pained yelp.
But the beast wasn't done yet. It whirled around, its glowing red eyes locking onto him with renewed fury.
Laniel steadied his breathing, his mind racing. "Stay calm. Watch its movements."
When the wolf lunged again, he was ready. He ducked beneath its claws, driving his sword upward into its chest. The beast let out one final, anguished cry before collapsing to the ground.
> Enemy Defeated. EXP Gained: 150.
Laniel allowed himself a brief moment of relief before moving on.
---
The second enemy was waiting for him near the ruins—a humanoid figure with elongated limbs and twin daggers that gleamed ominously in the dim light.
Laniel approached cautiously, noting the fluidity of the creature's movements. It didn't attack immediately, instead circling him like a predator sizing up its prey.
"This one's different," he realized, gripping his sword tightly. "Smarter. Faster."
The creature struck without warning, its daggers flashing in a blur of motion. Laniel barely managed to block the first strike, the force of the impact jolting through his arms. He stumbled back, narrowly avoiding a second slash aimed at his throat.
"It's testing me," he thought, gritting his teeth. "Trying to find an opening."
He couldn't afford to play defensively. With a burst of determination, he charged forward, feinting to the left before delivering a powerful strike to the creature's torso.
The blow connected, but the creature recovered quickly, its movements becoming even more erratic. Laniel dodged and parried, his heart pounding as the fight dragged on.
Finally, he saw his chance. When the creature lunged again, he sidestepped and brought his sword down with all his strength, severing one of its arms.
The creature let out a guttural scream, dropping its remaining dagger. Laniel didn't hesitate, delivering the finishing blow.
> Enemy Defeated. EXP Gained: 300.
Laniel staggered back, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped down his face, and his arms felt like lead.
"Two down. One to go."
---
The final enemy was unlike anything Laniel had faced before. A towering golem made of jagged stone and iron stood in his path, its glowing core pulsing with energy.
Laniel's stomach churned. "How am I supposed to beat that?"
The golem didn't give him time to think. It raised one massive fist and brought it crashing down, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground. Laniel dove to the side, barely avoiding the attack.
"I can't fight this thing head-on," he thought, his mind racing. "I need to find a weakness."
He studied the golem's movements, noting the way its joints creaked and groaned with each step. The glowing core in its chest seemed to be the source of its power, but reaching it would be nearly impossible.
Laniel darted around the battlefield, using the terrain to his advantage. He led the golem toward a cluster of boulders, hoping to trap it in the narrow space.
When the golem swung its massive arm, Laniel ducked beneath it, driving his sword into the exposed joint of its elbow. The golem let out a low, mechanical groan, its movements becoming sluggish.
Laniel seized the opportunity, scaling the creature's back and plunging his sword into its core. The golem shuddered violently before collapsing into a pile of rubble.
> Enemy Defeated. EXP Gained: 500.
Laniel fell to his knees, his entire body trembling. He had done it.
---
The central beacon stood atop a raised platform, its soft blue glow a stark contrast to the desolate landscape. Laniel approached cautiously, half-expecting another enemy to appear.
When he placed his hand on the beacon, a surge of energy coursed through him.
> Objective Complete. Mission Cleared.
Rewards: 800 EXP, 2 skill points, War Zone progression unlocked.
The system chimed, displaying his updated stats.
> Level Up!
Level: 4
Strength: 20
Agility: 17
Endurance: 16
Laniel allowed himself a small smile. He had survived.
---
When he returned to the real world, the weight of the mission hit him. Though he had succeeded, the challenges he faced were only a taste of what lay ahead.
He thought of Druwel and his gang—Gamers who could dispatch enemies like these without breaking a sweat. Compared to them, he was still just a beginner.
"I have a long way to go," he thought, his fists clenching. "But I'll get there. No matter what it takes, I'll become strong enough to stand on my own."
With renewed determination, Laniel began planning his next steps.