Yuri planted his feet into the cracked ground, pressing against the wound on his side with a trembling hand. He looked toward the horizon again.
The city he had seen wasn't a hallucination. It was real—floating in the sky, encircled by glowing blue rings that moved like tiny moons. But it wasn't close, and the path there wouldn't be easy.
Ahead of him stretched a barren land, carved with deep fissures and rising black smoke from underground. Everything in this world whispered the same thing:
"You'll reach it only if you become a monster among monsters."
But Yuri didn't turn back. He walked. Every step hurt. Every breath was a weight. But he didn't stop.
[Dominance System: Old Shelter Detected]Distance: 900 meters. Status: Abandoned – Low threat.Track it? [Yes/No]
He pressed Yes, and faint light lines lit up on the ground, forming a path forward.
As he walked, Yuri mulled over this "System." It wasn't just a tool. It had the cold precision of a mind—uncaring, unforgiving, and stingy with rewards unless he earned them.
"It's testing me like I'm a rat in a maze."
But he didn't hate it. If anything, he understood it. For the first time in his life, pain had meaning. Fights had results. The world he'd come from was unfair. This one? It played by one rule: strength.
After about half an hour of walking, he arrived at a hole in the ground. Broken stone and rusted metal surrounded the entrance—some kind of old, buried facility.
Yuri stepped inside cautiously. The darkness was thick, but a faint green interface appeared in his vision, showing him the first few meters.
[Training Shelter – Level 1]Objective: Survive the Basic DrillDuration: 10 MinutesRewards: Skill Points – Basic Gear – Expanded Ability Analysis
He didn't hesitate. He entered.
The doors slammed shut behind him. Dim green lights flickered on. Mechanical sounds echoed through the shelter—something was waking up.
From hidden compartments in the walls, crude humanoid machines emerged. Their metal limbs were armed with rods, their eyes glowing red.
[Basic Drill Activated]Enemies: 3 UnitsThreat Level: ModerateSkill Trigger Available: Death Strike – Ready
"Three? Worse than the wolf," he muttered, taking a deep breath and steadying his stance.
The machines charged at once. But Yuri wasn't the same man who fought blindly before. This time, he moved with intention—dodging the first attack, striking a joint on the second unit, stepping back before the third could flank him.
Each movement triggered feedback:
[Successful Dodge – +0.1 Speed][Precise Strike – +0.2 Combat Instinct]
He took a hit to the leg, but used it to grab one unit by the arm, flipping it over, snatching its weapon, and using it against the next.
Five minutes passed. Then ten.
All the enemies lay broken.
The system spoke again:
[Basic Drill Completed]Yuri has reached Level 3Skill Points Earned: 5Loot Acquired:– Worn Leather Vest (+1 Endurance)– Iron Rod (Damage: 4)New Skill Unlocked: "Analytical Gaze" – Reveals enemy weaknesses in direct combat
Yuri stood still, panting. Sweat dripped down his face despite the cold air, but his expression had changed.
"I'm starting to understand the game…"
He stepped out of the shelter in torn clothes, but stronger, more focused—and something in his eyes had sharpened.
The sky was still grey. The floating city remained distant, like it was watching him from above.
"I can't reach it yet… but I will."
Another prompt appeared:
[Next Objective Available]Target: Reach the village of Edran – First human contact zoneDistance: 18 kilometers – Region: Wild Beast TerritoryReward: Access to Quest Network – NPC Interaction – System Rank Upgrade
For the first time since waking up in this world, Yuri smiled.
"A village? People? A bigger system?... Fine. Let's take this hell to the end."
And he walked on.
In his eyes—something new had taken root:The seed of ambition.