--
The sun was beginning to set as Kenzai limped through the dense forest, his body aching from bruises and wounds. His ragged breath came out in short bursts, and he clutched his right arm, where a deep claw mark still pulsed with faint pain. Despite his enhanced regeneration, he wasn't invincible—he wasn't some overpowered protagonist. Not yet.
"Damn it," Kenzai hissed as he staggered forward, his boots sinking into damp soil. "How did I survive all that just to feel like a beat-up dog?"
The system interface hovered just before his eyes, semi-transparent but persistent:
Quest Completed: Defeat the Frenzied Wolf!
EXP gained: 250
Level Up!
Kenzai opened his status window sluggishly, a small glimmer of satisfaction breaking through his frustration.
Name: Kenzai
Race: Viral Apex (Base Form)
Level: 2 → 3
HP: 45/80
Energy: 32/50
Abilities Unlocked:
Symbiotic Weapon (Basic): Form small weapons from your viral body.
Regeneration Boost: Heal slightly faster.
It wasn't much, but he couldn't deny the progress. Two levels, huh? He would've liked something more dramatic, but the system was stingy with rewards, probably mocking him for being barely competent so far.
"Symbiotic Weapon…" Kenzai muttered, raising his hand. With effort, black viral matter oozed out of his palm, curling into a crude knife-like shape. It trembled before collapsing back into liquid. Kenzai swore under his breath.
I can't even make a proper knife?
Kenzai's muscles burned, and his stomach growled angrily. The fight against the Frenzied Wolf—his first real battle since reincarnation—had been harder than he anticipated. It wasn't just the claws or the speed of the beast. It was the realization that one mistake, one misstep, and he could die for real this time.
"This world isn't playing games," he said to no one.
He glanced up and spotted a faint shimmer of orange light cutting through the trees. A campfire? Kenzai's heart skipped as he crouched low and slowly crept toward the glow.
His mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts. Could it be bandits? Monsters? Or maybe someone who could help? He didn't want to take risks, but exhaustion tugged at him.
As he approached, he noticed a figure seated on a fallen log, staring into the flickering fire. It was an older man with silver-streaked black hair and a rugged face that spoke of decades of hardship. He wore battered leather armor, the kind a veteran adventurer might use, and his weapon—a massive two-handed axe—was planted firmly into the ground beside him.
Kenzai stayed hidden behind a tree, watching.
"Are you going to keep sneaking around like a scared rat," the man said suddenly, his gravelly voice breaking the silence, "or are you going to sit by the fire and eat something before you fall over?"
Kenzai's heart raced. He knew I was here?!
The man didn't look up. "Well? Don't keep me waiting."
After a moment of hesitation, Kenzai stepped into the clearing, his hands raised slightly to show he meant no harm. "I… I didn't mean to spy."
The man grunted. "Sit."
Kenzai obeyed, sinking onto the opposite log. The fire's warmth seeped into his sore body, and for the first time in hours, he felt something close to comfort.
The man tossed him a piece of roasted meat on a stick. "Eat."
Kenzai didn't argue. He bit into it greedily, the savory flavor exploding on his tongue. He realized just how hungry he'd been.
After a long silence, the man finally spoke again. "You're weak."
Kenzai choked mid-bite. "Excuse me?"
"Pathetic, really," the man said flatly, staring at the flames. "The way you move, the way you carry yourself… You've barely survived your first challenge, haven't you?"
Kenzai frowned, anger rising in his chest. "I'm doing my best!"
The man raised an eyebrow, finally looking at him. His sharp gaze pinned Kenzai in place. "Your best isn't good enough, kid. Not in this world. Not if you want to live."
The words stung, but Kenzai couldn't argue. He had struggled. The wolf had nearly torn him apart, and he'd only won by sheer desperation.
"Who… are you?" Kenzai asked quietly.
The man smirked faintly. "Name's Varek. I've been an adventurer in this godforsaken world longer than you've been alive—well, however long you've been alive in this life."
Kenzai froze. "What do you mean?"
Varek's eyes narrowed. "You carry yourself like someone who doesn't belong here. Like someone tossed into the fire without warning. Reincarnated, huh?"
Kenzai's stomach dropped. "How did you—"
"Seen it before," Varek interrupted. "You're not the first soul to end up here. Won't be the last. The gods have a twisted sense of humor."
Kenzai clenched his fists. "I didn't ask for this."
"No one does," Varek said, his voice softening. "But that doesn't matter now. What matters is whether you'll adapt—or die."
Kenzai stared into the flames, Varek's words echoing in his mind. Adapt or die. The system's quests, his viral abilities, his strange new body—they weren't gifts. They were tools. And if he didn't learn how to use them, he wouldn't survive for long.
Varek stood suddenly, grabbing his axe and slinging it over his shoulder. "I'll make you a deal, kid. You can follow me for a while. I'll teach you how to fight, how to hunt, how to survive. But if you slow me down, I'll leave you behind. Got it?"
Kenzai's eyes widened. "You'd… train me?"
"Don't get the wrong idea," Varek said gruffly. "I'm not doing this out of kindness. The strong need challenges to grow, and right now, you're barely a nuisance. But I see potential in you. You're not like the others."
Kenzai rose to his feet, his body still aching, but a spark of determination igniting in his chest. "Fine. I'll take your deal. But don't underestimate me—I'll prove I'm more than just dead weight."
Varek chuckled. "We'll see, kid. We'll see."
As the two set off into the darkening forest, Kenzai felt something shift within him. For the first time since arriving in this cruel world, he wasn't completely alone. And maybe, just maybe, he could become strong enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Quest Accepted: Survive Varek's Training.
Objective: Pass Varek's trials and prove your worth.
Reward: Unlock new abilities and gain EXP.
The system's notification flashed in his vision, but this time, Kenzai didn't feel overwhelmed.
He felt ready.
---
End of Chapter 4