The air was thick with tension as dawn broke over the ruined city. Shadows stretched across the crumbling streets, and a pale, gray light filtered through the remnants of high-rise buildings. Chen Lin stood at the edge of the group, his heart pounding in his chest. Today would be his first mission, and he was anything but ready.
"Stay close and follow my lead," Liu Yurong instructed, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "If you fall behind, you're on your own."
The group consisted of six people, including Chen Lin. Liu Yurong, the leader, carried a reinforced steel spear. Lan Xue, a calm and calculating strategist, had a compact crossbow strapped to her back. The scarred man—introduced earlier as Zhang Wei—held a massive hammer that looked far too heavy for most people to wield. Two others, a wiry young man named Fang Jie and a quiet woman named Ming Zhu, were armed with short swords.
Chen Lin, on the other hand, carried a basic knife that Liu Yurong had thrust into his hands earlier. He had no idea how to use it, but he gripped it tightly, trying to steady his shaking fingers.
"We're heading to the South Gate," Liu Yurong announced. "There's been increased activity there. A gate opened yesterday, and we've confirmed at least three mid-level beasts. The mission is simple: eliminate them before reinforcements arrive."
Zhang Wei snorted. "Simple, she says."
The group set off in silence, their movements quiet and deliberate. Chen Lin stayed at the back, his senses on high alert. Every sound—every distant howl, every crack of debris underfoot—made his nerves tighten.
As they approached the South Gate, the atmosphere grew heavier. The air smelled of smoke and decay, and the faint glow of the gate could be seen in the distance. It shimmered like a rippling curtain of light, an ominous portal connecting their world to something far darker.
"We're close," Liu Yurong whispered, holding up a hand to stop the group. "Stay sharp."
Chen Lin crouched behind a broken wall, peeking out cautiously. In the clearing ahead, three creatures stalked the area. The first was a Stone Hound, its massive body covered in jagged, rock-like scales. The second was a Venom Serpent, its sleek form coiled around a broken lamppost, venom dripping from its fangs. The last was a Wind Reaper, a bird-like creature with razor-sharp wings that glinted in the morning light.
Chen Lin's stomach churned. Any one of these monsters could kill him in seconds.
"Zhang Wei, you take the Stone Hound," Liu Yurong said, her voice low but commanding. "Lan Xue, cover him with the crossbow. Fang Jie and Ming Zhu, distract the Wind Reaper. I'll handle the Venom Serpent. Chen Lin…"
She turned to him, her gaze firm.
"Stay out of the way. Watch and learn."
Chen Lin nodded, grateful for the reprieve. He had no illusions about his abilities—he wasn't ready for a fight.
The group moved into action with practiced precision. Zhang Wei charged the Stone Hound, his hammer crashing against its rocky hide with a deafening clang. Lan Xue fired bolts from her crossbow, aiming for the creature's exposed joints. Meanwhile, Fang Jie and Ming Zhu darted around the Wind Reaper, their swords flashing as they kept it distracted. Liu Yurong closed in on the Venom Serpent, her spear striking like lightning as she dodged its venomous strikes.
Chen Lin stayed hidden behind the wall, his heart racing as he watched the battle unfold. The Counter System remained silent, offering no guidance or activation. For a brief moment, he wondered if it would only trigger when he was directly attacked.
As the others fought, the Wind Reaper let out a piercing screech, its wings slicing through the air with deadly precision. One of its attacks grazed Fang Jie, sending him sprawling to the ground. The creature turned its attention to him, its razor wings poised to strike.
Without thinking, Chen Lin moved. His legs carried him forward before his mind could catch up.
"Fang Jie, get back!" he shouted, throwing himself between the Wind Reaper and its fallen prey.
The creature's wings lashed out, but before the blades could reach him, a familiar sensation surged through Chen Lin's body. A metallic sheen spread across his skin, and the wings glanced off harmlessly.
[System Activation: Wind Resistance Acquired.]
Chen Lin's eyes widened as the notification appeared in his vision. His body felt lighter, the wind no longer cutting into him like before. The creature's attacks were now as harmless as a breeze.
Taking advantage of the moment, Chen Lin grabbed his knife and slashed at the Wind Reaper's leg. The blade barely penetrated, but it was enough to throw the creature off balance. Fang Jie scrambled to his feet, joining the attack with renewed vigor.
Together, they forced the Wind Reaper back, and soon, Lan Xue fired a bolt that struck it square in the chest. The creature let out a final, ear-splitting cry before collapsing in a heap.
Chen Lin stood there, breathing heavily, as the battle wound down. Zhang Wei had crushed the Stone Hound, its rocky body shattered into pieces. Liu Yurong emerged victorious against the Venom Serpent, its lifeless body coiled around her spear.
The group gathered in the clearing, their weapons dripping with monster blood. Liu Yurong glanced at Chen Lin, her expression unreadable.
"You've got guts," she said finally. "But don't throw yourself into a fight unless you know what you're doing. That was reckless."
Chen Lin didn't respond. He was too busy processing what had just happened. The Counter System had activated again, protecting him from the Wind Reaper's attacks. But he knew better than to explain.
"I'll be more careful next time," he said simply.
Liu Yurong nodded and turned to the others. "Let's move. We'll clear out the gate before more of them come through."
As they made their way deeper into the area, Chen Lin's mind raced. The Counter System was his greatest secret, his greatest weapon. But the more it activated, the more questions it raised. What was its true purpose? And how far could it take him in this deadly new world?
For now, he kept his thoughts to himself. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford—not when survival was at stake.