Virtual Space.
Amir didn't know how much time had passed before the next notification chimed.
[Tutorial Rewards Received. Open?]
He tapped the 'Yes' button.
A soft ripple of light swept over the virtual screen as the system processed.
[Title Acquired: Prodigy]
Your growth rate and adaptability have been noticed.
Effect: +15% Experience Gain, +10 Reputation with Instructors.
[Trait Acquired: Feral (Uncommon) – Level 1 / 5]
Pain sharpens you. In the heat of battle, you move like a wounded beast.
Effect: +5% Strength and Agility when HP is below 50%..
Note: This trait gains experience through sustained combat while injured.
[Trait Acquired: Blood-Forged (Rare)]
You learn from each scar. The edge of death leaves a permanent mark.
Effect: Permanently increases a random stat after surviving a deadly encounter.
Note: Triggers only after high-threat battles.
Amir let the glow from the notifications fade. The light lingered in his vision, soft but sharp-edged—a memory made of fire.
His arm ached, his ribs throbbed, and dried blood clung to his armor like a second skin. And yet, he grinned.
These weren't just rewards. They were a foundation to build his future on.
"Not bad for a tutorial," he muttered, sitting up straighter.
His eyes drifted back to Blood-Forged, narrowing slightly as he read the description again.
"What counts as a 'deadly encounter'?" he wondered aloud. "Low HP? Boss fights?"
There was no answer—just his own thoughts and a steady hum he might have taken for wind.
He tapped his fingers against the side of his spear. The tutorial boss had taken him below half health. Maybe that was the threshold. Or maybe it needed to be worse—real survival, not just a tough fight.
Either way, it meant the system rewarded risks.
Amir wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a warning.
His gaze slid down to the Feral trait. Level 1 of 5.
The phrasing hadn't escaped him. It would grow with use.
"So I get stronger by pushing through pain," he murmured. "Of course."
He wouldn't complain, though. Blood-Forged and Feral—together, they painted a path forward.
Amir leaned back against the wall and let out a breath. It wasn't just the rewards—it was the direction they gave him. Fight hard. Take hits. Survive.
And from that survival, grow.
The system wanted him to become something more than human—a beast, a monster, a weapon.
So be it.
Amir leaned back against the cold stone of the arena wall, exhaling slowly. For the first time since he lost it all, he could see the shape of his future—not just as a player, but as a force.
Just as the silence began to stretch too long, another chime echoed through the coliseum—a calm, neutral tone that swept through the air like wind across water.
[System Message: Tutorial Complete. Please select a Starting Village.]
A new interface unfolded before him—a rotating globe suspended in midair, slowly spinning as pale lines etched the continents into view. Thousands of blinking lights dotted its surface like stars, each one a fortress, village, or city.
As he zoomed in, towns and settlements bloomed into focus—each labeled with a name, regional climate, and a short description.
All of the cities and capitals were greyed out, unavailable to newcomers, though their information was still accessible with a quick tap.
'Probably locked behind level caps or faction requirements,' Amir thought. It made sense. This wasn't the kind of game to hand out power for free.
He leaned forward as high-level settlements flickered past—snow-covered fortresses in the north, jungle outposts in the south, vast river cities fed by trade routes in the east.
Each hinted at a unique challenge, a different kind of life. But none of them mattered.
Amir narrowed his eyes. "Show me Plum Village."
The globe rotated with smooth precision, centering on one of the five major continents: Kalreth.
Near the northern third of the landmass, far from any major population centers, a marker blinked softly. The map zoomed in—revealing Plum Village, nestled among coniferous forests and rolling hills, just south of a massive jagged mountain range and north of a confluence of rivers.
A panel opened beside the marker.
[Plum Village
Climate: Cool, mild seasons
Dominant Kingdom: Thalvantar
Description: A modest crafting outpost defended by militia, Plum Village is frequently attacked by bandits and monsters.
Closest City: Raventon — 11 hour trek on foot
Status: Struggling, Neutral Alignment]
A small kingdom with little history on a contested continent, wedged between stronger enemies.
Why would Jayden choose here of all places?
Amir would have to trust him.
He took a breath and clicked on Plum Village.
It was the start of a new adventure—a new life.
His world spiraled—light, motion, sound—then steadied.
And it was on fire.
Smoke stung his eyes. Steel clashed in the distance. Plum Village burned.
Fire crawled up the sides of workshops, and the thatched roof of a nearby cottage collapsed in a rush of embers. Screams echoed between timber walls as villagers fled through the flame-lit streets.
A militia horn blared in the distance—three short bursts.
[Emergency Group Quest: Village Defense
Description: Plum Village is under attack. Bandits have breached the southern gate. Defend the village and help repel the invaders.
Objective: Repel the bandits (Remaining: 43), Prevent the destruction of key buildings (Optional)
Reward: +10 reputation with Plum Village residents, +2 unassigned stat points, EXP.]
Bandit attack.
"Perfect timing," Amir muttered, already reaching for his spear.
Outside of the tutorial, his gear had durability now—his leather armor, his shield, and his spear. He had no clue how long they'd last.
The teleportation platform behind him pulsed with light then dimmed with a slow hum.
He stood alone in the center of the square, overlooking a wide lane that descended into chaos.
Villagers scattered—some ducking into alleys, others dragging the wounded toward shelter. Militia guards held a thin line, their mismatched armor clashing against the crude blades of the attackers.
There were at least a dozen bandits Amir could see. Leather-clad, red-marked, faces smeared with soot and blood, they moved in packs, overwhelming the few trained defenders with sheer aggression.
Amir didn't see the player insignia above their heads; they were all NPCs.
One broke from the pack—a stocky man with a chipped axe, charging toward a downed guard slumped against a wall.
Amir moved.
The bandit's axe raised high, ready to split the guard's skull.
His spear blurred, catching the bandit off-guard. The force of the blow lifted the man off his feet and drove him into the wall, spearhead through his back.
Blood sprayed. The body slumped.
[Level 4 Starved Bandit killed. EXP Gained.]
The corpse didn't vanish. It just sagged there, crumpled and real.
It sickened him, watching his EXP bar tick upward while a lifeless body leaned against the wall—but he reminded himself it wasn't real.
Two more turned toward him, blades drawn.
"Come on, then," Amir growled, shifting his stance.
The first swung wide. Amir sidestepped, letting the blade whistle past, then struck low—thrusting into the thigh—before sweeping to catch the second across the chest.
The second's saber slash came up short. Amir's reach was too long.
He pressed the advantage, targeting the second bandit with a lunge.
Parried.
The first retaliated, swinging low at Amir's legs.
He blocked with ease, pivoted, and slashed the first attacker's arm. The saber clattered to the ground.
The second stepped in again—a stab aimed at Amir's chest.
He sidestepped; he was late. The blade cut across his ribs even with his armor. Pain flared.
[HP: 147 / 170]
Anger flared hotter.
Amir struck wildly, pushing the bandit back with heavy, unrelenting thrusts. The bandit retreated, jumping back at each strike—until he hit a wall.
Eyes wide, the bandit ducked. Too slow.
The spear punched through his throat.
[Level 5 Starved Bandit killed. EXP gained.]
[Level Up: You have reached Level 1.]
[+1 to all base stats, +2 unassigned stat points.]
The body dropped to the floor.
Amir turned, catching the last bandit scrambling for his fallen weapon. The man's hands trembled. He barely managed to lift the saber before Amir closed in.
He strode calmly toward the bandit. The bandit fiddled with his blade, almost petrified.
Amir batted the blade aside—hard. There was no resistance.
A single thrust silenced the man.
[Level 2 Starved Bandit killed. EXP gained.]
He stood over the bodies, chest heaving. Blood seeped from his ribs, warm and wet—but he was standing. He was alive, learning, getting stronger.
Shouts rang out behind him—different from the villagers' panic. They were louder, bolder.
"Holy shit, did you see that?"
"What kind of attack scares an NPC?"
Three figures sprinted into view, glowing insignias hanging above their heads—players. All were low-leveled from their gear, most of it being from the tutorial armory. One of them waved.
"Hey! You good?"
Amir nodded, wiping blood from his chin. "Yeah. What's the situation?"
"South gate's getting hammered," one of them said, panting. "Most of the newbies and militia are stationed there. We're regrouping and setting up a trap—too many bandits to take head-on."
"Nobody wants to die over there, so we're all playing it safe," another added in justification. "Death penalty's too brutal."
Amir didn't hesitate. "Lead the way."
They moved as a group, weaving through alleys lit by flame. The scent of smoke and blood grew thicker with each step. Screams echoed from deeper within the village.
When they reached the south gate, chaos met them.
Militia and players stood shoulder to shoulder in messy rows, some hiding behind overturned carts and makeshift barriers—wood, metal, whatever they could find.
Weapons trembled in unsteady hands. Bodies covered the ground.
The wooden gate had already splintered inward, and nearly three dozen bandits surged through the breach, their crude blades and wild eyes betraying desperation.
Amir spotted him instantly.
Jayden stood near the back, dagger in each hand, eyes scanning the enemy line. His cloak was singed, face smudged with ash—but he was unmistakable.
Their arrival drew his eye.
"Amir?!" Jayden's expression broke into something between shock and relief. "You're already here?"
"Yeah," Amir said, falling in beside him. "Nice welcome party."
Jayden grinned. "Told you Plum Village would be interesting."
"Let's make it memorable."
Amir readied his spear again, blood still dripping from the blade. "What's the plan?"
Jayden didn't look away from the front. "We're gonna wipe them out. All their forces are inside the walls—we sent a team through the eastern gate to circle around and trap them in. We just need to hold long enough to trigger the ambush."
Amir frowned. "Should we really be that greedy? These guys are dangerous."
"They're weaker than usual. Last week we raided their supply stash—they've been starving ever since." Jayden pointed with his dagger. "Haven't you seen the notifications?"
Amir didn't need to.
The signs were obvious now; their attacks were wild, uncoordinated. Their eyes burned with desperation, not discipline. Their flushed faces, slouched posture, and trembling hands spoke of hunger and exhaustion. They were weak—dangerous, but faltering.
Jayden continued. "We rotate the front every thirty seconds. Keeps people fresh. First line feints fatigue, pulls back, next group takes over. Archers keep them off us during the swap."
The line ahead shifted. A wounded player shouted, "Switch!" and stumbled back, blood streaking her arm. Two more dashed forward to take her place, weapons raised.
Jayden and Amir stepped up, just behind the new pair.
A bandit lunged from the smoke, shrieking, blade raised overhead. An arrow caught him between the eyes, and he crumpled mid-charge.
Jayden's voice was cold and focused. "Wait for the call."
Amir planted his spear into the dirt beside him, the shaft steady in his grip. It felt right—like it belonged there. Like he belonged here.
Another shout rang out: "Next switch in ten!"
Jayden glanced at him. "Think you can hold a line?"
Amir met his gaze, eyes hard. "I've done worse."
Jayden smirked. "Then let's remind them who they're messin' with."
A low war horn echoed from somewhere beyond the village wall—three long notes.
Jayden's eyes lit up. "That's the signal. Our flankers are almost in position."
"Then it's time," Amir said, stepping forward as the line ahead began to rotate again.
He leveled his spear, blood-slick but steady, and locked eyes with the oncoming wave of bandits.
No fear. No hesitation. Just focus.
The bandits surged forward. Amir stepped into the storm.