The last thing Arin remembered was the searing pain. Betrayal had come swiftly—friends turned foes, alliances shattered like fragile glass. His body, once filled with vitality, had succumbed to the cold embrace of death. Yet, death was not the end.
Darkness enveloped him, a void stretching infinitely in every direction. He floated, suspended between existence and oblivion. At first, there was silence—a deafening absence of sound. Then, a voice echoed, deep and resonant, reverberating through the void.
"Arin, your time is not yet over."
His eyes snapped open, and he gasped for air as though he had been drowning. The sensation of grass beneath his fingertips and the warmth of sunlight on his skin were jarring contrasts to the icy grip of death he had just experienced.
Where am I?
Arin sat up, his senses overwhelmed by the vibrant world around him. Towering trees with emerald leaves swayed gently in the breeze, and the air carried the faint scent of flowers and earth. It was nothing like the urban sprawl of his past life.
"Rebirth…" he whispered, piecing together the fragments of his memory. He remembered the betrayal, the pain, and the sensation of falling into darkness. But this… this was new.
A soft chime echoed in his ears, pulling his attention away from the scenery.
[System Initialization Complete.]
[Welcome, Arin. You have been chosen as a Conqueror Candidate.]
A translucent blue interface appeared before him, filled with text and symbols he instinctively understood.
Name: Arin
Title: None
Level: 1
Stats:
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Vitality: 10
Skills: No
EXP Modifier: 100,000x
The final line made him pause.
"100,000x EXP Modifier?" Arin muttered, his brow furrowing. He wasn't entirely sure what it meant, but the implication was clear—it was something extraordinary.
The system chimed again.
[You have been granted a unique advantage. Utilize it wisely, for the path ahead is fraught with peril.]
Arin's first hours in the new world were spent acclimating to his surroundings and the system interface. The forest, while serene, held an undercurrent of danger. Distant growls and rustling leaves hinted at predators lurking nearby.
"Status window," he said aloud, and the interface reappeared. The layout was intuitive, allowing him to explore his abilities and potential.
The EXP Modifier was the most intriguing aspect. Every action he took, every enemy he defeated, would grant him experience points multiplied by 100,000. It was a game-breaking advantage in any world with a leveling system.
"First, I need to test it," Arin decided, scanning the forest for something to fight.
It didn't take long to find a suitable target. A small creature, resembling a wild boar but with jagged tusks and glowing red eyes, emerged from the underbrush.
Enemy Identified:
Lesser Forest Boar
Level: 2
Threat Level: Low
Arin's heart pounded as the boar charged. He lacked a weapon, forcing him to rely on his instincts and agility. Dodging to the side, he grabbed a sturdy branch from the ground and swung it with all his might.
The boar squealed in pain but retaliated, its tusks grazing Arin's leg. Ignoring the sting, he struck again, this time aiming for its head. The creature collapsed with a final cry.
[+500 EXP gained.]
[With 100,000x EXP Modifier, you have gained 50,000,000 EXP.]
[Level Up! Current Level: 10.]
Arin's jaw dropped as a surge of energy coursed through his body. His muscles strengthened, his senses sharpened, and the pain in his leg vanished.
"So this is the power of the modifier," he whispered, marveling at the transformation.
The First Awakening
As Arin delved deeper into the forest, he encountered more creatures—wolves, giant spiders, and even a low-level goblin. Each battle pushed him to his limits, but the rewards were immense.
By the end of the day, his status had improved drastically.
Level: 20
Stats:
Strength: 50
Agility: 45
Intelligence: 40
Vitality: 55
Skills Acquired:
Basic Swordsmanship (Upgraded): Allows for precise and powerful strikes with bladed weapons.
Shadow Manipulation: Control and shape shadows for offensive and defensive purposes.
The system also offered him the ability to upgrade skills and items using his accumulated experience points.
"Upgrade Shadow Manipulation," he commanded.
[Upgrading Shadow Manipulation…]
[Skill upgraded to Abyssal Dominion.]
[Effect]: Gain mastery over shadows, allowing the creation of constructs and enhanced combat techniques.
Arin experimented with his new ability, summoning tendrils of shadow that coiled around his arms. They moved like extensions of his will, striking with precision and speed.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.
A Village in Peril
As night fell, Arin stumbled upon a small village nestled at the edge of the forest. The sight of people—farmers, merchants, and children—filled him with a bittersweet nostalgia.
However, the atmosphere was tense. The villagers huddled together, whispering in fear. Smoke rose in the distance, and the faint sound of screams carried on the wind.
"What's going on here?" Arin asked a passing villager.
The man glanced at him, eyes wide with terror. "Bandits… They've taken over the village outskirts. They're demanding gold and… and our children as hostages."
Arin's expression darkened. The memories of betrayal in his past life resurfaced, fueling his resolve.
"Where are they?" he demanded.
The villager hesitated before pointing toward the eastern edge of the village. "There's at least a dozen of them, heavily armed. Please, don't get yourself killed."
Arin's lips curved into a cold smile. "I won't die that easily."
Justice in the Shadows
Under the cover of darkness, Arin approached the bandits' camp. His newly acquired shadow abilities allowed him to blend seamlessly into the night. From his vantage point, he counted fifteen bandits, most of them drunk and oblivious to their surroundings.
"Let's see what Abyssal Dominion can do," he whispered.
Summoning tendrils of shadow, he struck with surgical precision. The first bandit didn't even have time to scream as a shadow pierced his heart. The others soon followed, their cries muffled as Arin's constructs silenced them one by one.
By the time the leader realized what was happening, it was too late. Arin emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing faintly with power.
"Who… who are you?" the leader stammered, his sword trembling in his grip.
"Your end," Arin replied coldly.
The battle was over in seconds. The leader's strength was no match for Arin's speed and shadow manipulation.
A Hero Emerges
The villagers were stunned when Arin returned, carrying a sack filled with the stolen gold and supplies.
"They won't bother you anymore," he said, tossing the sack at their feet.
The village elder stepped forward, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, young man. We owe you our lives."
Arin shook his head. "Just doing what needed to be done."
As the villagers celebrated their newfound freedom, Arin slipped away, his mind already focused on the next step of his journey.
"This world is filled with opportunities," he thought, gazing at the starry sky. "And I intend to seize them all."