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The day was just another average one for Kenzai. His eyes were glued to the screen of his computer, the glow illuminating his pale face in the dark room. The cluttered desk, piles of manga, and empty snack wrappers surrounded him like a fortress. He didn't care about the world outside. Life had always been dull—an endless cycle of monotony. The thought of anything extraordinary, something beyond his screen, seemed like a distant fantasy.
Then came the inevitable. The harsh sound of screeching tires, the sudden explosion of pain as his body was struck by a speeding truck. The world blurred, and Kenzai's last breath was taken in an instant.
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Kenzai woke up gasping for air, heart pounding in a way that felt unfamiliar. His body felt... strange. His hands twitched, the sensation of being alive again slowly sinking in. But it wasn't just that—he was no longer in his room. He was surrounded by lush, green forests, trees towering high above him. The air was thick with unfamiliar scents.
"What... is this?" he muttered, standing up and scanning his surroundings.
Before he could comprehend what had happened, a blue screen flickered in front of him.
System Notification:
Welcome to your new life, Kenzai. You have been reincarnated into the world of Eldria.
You have been granted a system to aid in your growth. Your current level is 1.
HP: 100/100 EXP: 0/100 Skills: None Classes: None
The words swam before his eyes. It all felt surreal, like something straight out of one of the manga he'd always read. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself, but the pain was real. This was not a dream.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps drew his attention. A creature emerged from the bushes—its eyes glinting in the shadows, sharp fangs bared. A wolf, large and ferocious. The creature growled menacingly, its body tense as it lunged at him.
Kenzai barely had time to react. He instinctively tried to run, but his body felt sluggish, uncoordinated. His legs were like lead, and panic surged through him.
The wolf was closing in fast.
System Alert: Battle Initiated.
Target: Forest Wolf (Level 2)
Kenzai's breath quickened as the system's notification flooded his mind. His heart pounded in his chest, and his hands trembled.
HP: 100/100 Enemy HP: 50/50
He wasn't ready for this. He had no weapons, no training, and no experience. The wolf's growl echoed in his ears as it closed the gap. Kenzai stumbled backward, raising his arms in a futile attempt to defend himself.
In that moment, Kenzai's mind raced. His thoughts flashed to his old life—he was just a nobody, a pathetic otaku who had no real strength or purpose. Was this how it was all going to end? Struggling to survive in a strange world he didn't understand?
The wolf lunged forward, its jaws snapping. Kenzai screamed in fear, and just as the wolf's fangs grazed his shoulder, something within him stirred.
A strange, primal energy coursed through his body. Without thinking, Kenzai's hands shot out, instinctively grabbing the wolf's snout, using all his strength to push it away. The wolf snarled, but Kenzai, driven by fear and desperation, managed to shove it off.
He staggered back, panting, heart racing. His body felt more alive than ever, the energy in his veins burning, as if he was becoming something else. Something stronger.
System Notification: You have unlocked the 'Primal Strength' skill.
Primal Strength (Lv. 1): Increases physical strength and enhances combat capabilities.
Kenzai's eyes widened as the words appeared in his mind. His hands were shaking, but his body felt... different. Stronger. The wolf lunged again, but this time Kenzai reacted faster. He ducked, narrowly avoiding its fangs, and then, with a swift motion, grabbed the wolf's throat, slamming it into the ground.
The forest wolf howled in pain, its body struggling against his grip. But Kenzai didn't stop. The fear in his chest had transformed into something else—rage, determination. He was no longer the weak otaku from his old life. He was something else now. Something powerful.
With a final surge of strength, Kenzai crushed the wolf's neck, its body going limp in his hands.
System Notification: You have defeated the Forest Wolf!
You have gained 50 EXP.
Your level has increased to Level 2.
Kenzai stood over the defeated creature, panting heavily. His hands were covered in blood, and his heart was still racing. But there was a strange satisfaction in his chest. He had survived. He had won.
Despite the intense fear he felt earlier, Kenzai realized something important in that moment. This world wasn't like his old one. This world had monsters, and it had systems. But he wasn't helpless anymore. He had the power to change things.