Stark woke up in the morning feeling refreshed, he just had gotten the best night of sleep ever, even in his previous life he couldn't sleep much because of work, but everything in here seemed fine.
Except for the fact 5 seconds later he remembered that today was the 'big' day.
Not only was it his graduation ceremony from 'Lotus' Academy, but this also meant he would have to participate in this 'Class Showcase' event to continue his life in this world.
He had absolutely no way of knowing what could happen there except for the book he had read two days ago, but he had the overall gist of it.
He took a shower, ate some food he had bought from a convenience store nearby, then left, yet again with the same school uniform.
Once outside, he remarked that many people weren't wearing his school uniform, instead opting for armors and clothes with powerful materials (at least for their levels), they also didn't have their usual backpacks, instead they were carrying ones filled with items, and also had their weapons in hand, showing them to others.
Some had small animals/creatures on their shoulders (beast tamer), while others had a wooden cross in hand (exorcist).
Stark on the other hand had nothing, his only weapon were his fist, and he would make sure to beat up everything in his way, he was especially angry after yesterday since most people didn't even consider his performance yesterday as legit.
***
Once in front of the school gates, he saw text written on the giant screen at the top of the academy.
[Head to the gymnasium if you are a third year]
Following the crowd of people, he found himself in front of the giant building, many teachers beside the doors to welcome the students.
There were at least three hundred people inside the gymnasium, all third years who would participate in the 'Class Showcase' and hopefully become stronger.
And after a few minutes inside, minutes where the atmosphere was filled with talking and flexing, the doors of the gymnasium closed, and all the lights went off.
Suddenly, everything became silent as all the students were looking at the stage that had been set.
The 'Class Showcase' wasn't the only interesting part about this whole ordeal, it was also the fact that the group 'Golden Dragons' would be the ones to explain the event and bring them there.
Golden Dragons are a mercenary group specialized in the development of the youth, with the sole goal of making the new classifiers stronger and increasing their chances of survival in the 'rifts'.
Obviously, all their members were extremely powerful and famous, many of them envied by many.
'…' Stark stared at stage with a blank expression, and a few seconds later…
~FLASH~
Five golden pillars of light appeared on it, and what came out of them were three men and two women, each with their respective outfits and weapons in hand, all looking powerful.
"Oh my god!"
"Is that Yuli, the heart master?"
"And that's Alex, the ice magus!"
While most people were amazed by their sudden appearance, the one in the middle, a man in his mid-forties with short white-hair as well as a monocle cleared his throat, resulting in the entire gymnasium to go silent.
"Today is a big day for all of you, it is the start of your lives as classifiers," he began his speech, his voice filled with authority, "I know many have only been dreaming of this moment all this time, but do not forget that fighting is not a game, and that you will truly be risking your lives today."
Next to him, a woman with long blue hair and magnificent ocean-colored eyes stared at the students, a staff in her hand, "The rift you will be going to today, as most of you know, is a beginner level one called 'City Ruins', the recommended level is 5 to 15, so it is advised to be within that range, but i'm sure most of you already are!"
"Wait a damn second," Stark stopped for a few seconds to check his status.
[Level:] 2
'…' he shrugged, 'Oh well…'
"You, as well as many other recognized middle schools from Fellarburg will be participating in this event, as you may all know, the best performing people will probably have all eyes on them, so I advise you to try your best, while also making sure not to die, there is no second life after all," the man in the middle continued, a bittersweet smile on his face, a sign that he had seen hundreds of people die already in front of him.
Through the books he had read, Stark realized that there wasn't just one academy in Fellarburg, instead there were dozens of them, each of them specialized in their own classes or future professions.
Meaning that most of the population that wanted to improve their skills without going to an academy would need to move away, be scouted by a powerful teacher/guild, or just keep going solo/creating a party.
And so just like that, the Golden Dragons' speech ended.
Following that, the students inside the gymnasium were guided toward several buses that were set outside the school to guide them toward the first rift.
Rifts in this world are basically like dungeons where monsters and items spawn, they are a portal to other worlds, and each of the recognized ones are classed by level and difficulty.
There are seven difficulties: Beginner, Novice, Advanced, Hell, Nightmare, Determination, Death.
Thankfully enough, the first one was only a beginner level with a 5-15 level requirement.
But this didn't mean this was easy, far from that, it was only the first one they would need to go through, and even then, many will succumb to the monsters.
Without delay, all students boarded a bus heading towards Leforia, which is located southeast to Fellarburg.
As they drew closer to Leforia, all the students inside the vehicles felt a surge of excitement, and even Stark wasn't spared from that.
For many, it was the first time they were going to get first-hand experience in combat as most only got to their levels using their wealth.
'Pay to win bullshit…' Stark groaned as he looked out the window, the seat beside him was empty as no one wanted to sit next to him.
The bus journeyed on, and before long, they reached their destination.
When they did, the sun had already begun descending, announcing the fact the afternoon was soon to end.
They were now just outside what was called the 'safe zone', every single rift was outside of it, making it impossible for anyone to go without at least risking their lives just a bit.
Not far from them, many corpses of decaying creatures eliminated by the Golden Dragons were resting, making everyone realize the extent of what they were going to do from now on.
"If anyone wants to give up, speak now or silence yourself forever!" Oliver, the leader of the Golden Dragons spoke, "There will be no help inside the rift, and I can promise you way too many new classifiers die before even completing it."
But nobody spoke, they had gone too far to give up now, plus it was either completion and improvement, or the risk of being disowned or kicked out of their family home.
In front of the students was a giant ruin, obscured by a dark aura everyone could sense, no matter their levels.
It was the [City Ruins] dungeon!
Noticing no one was moving, Oliver smiled, "It is great to see such determination, you may now do whatever you feel is right."
And just like that, they were allowed to move around now.
'…' Stark stared at the ruins before him, a face full of excitement, 'Welp, it's now or never, who cares if they don't believe in my capabilities, I don't need them anyway…'
As soon as the Golden Dragons and all other adults disappeared using some intricate spells, all that was remaining around the ruins were students from many different middle schools, making their numbers range in the thousands.
Instantly, the surroundings became alike to some kind of market or guild, many people asking for others to create a party with them, and others selling items they brought just for this occasion.
Stark on the otherhand wasn't asked to join any party, and no one even tried to sell him anything.
But he didn't mind, he only smiled at the sight of all these people try their hardest.
'It's fine… because I have my incredible system!'
[Commentary from Rher: you don't have a system, you have to work just as hard if not harder than them or you'll just die]
'…'
Stark was one of the first people to approach the entrance of the [City Ruins] and entering it.
As he passed through the dungeon entrance, it felt like his consciousness was slapped.
And when he opened his eyes, he found himself in another world.
The sun was burning bright in the sky, and instinctively, Stark looked up to check it out.
But…
'Huh?' the sun wasn't normal, not at all, it didn't have its orangeish color, instead…
It was completely black, casting not its usual light on the world below, but an eerie darkness that made it just enough to see.
His [Perception] skill automatically activated as he looked at it.
[Black Sun: Capable of transforming dead humans into monsters, the power of its rays slowly but surely infects others, so it is recommended to always be on the lookout]
[Tip: look for a bonfire every now and then]
Stark then switched his attention from the sun to his surroundings, and he immediately understood why it was called the [City Ruins].
The entire area was covered in broken and decaying buildings, as well as abandoned cars, the ruins of a once-great city.
Piles of rubble and debris filled the streets, and the air was heavy with the stench of decay and the absence of life.
Shadows hid all sorts of lurking threats, and the silence was broken only by the distant sound of battle.
Stark took a deep breath, feeling the tension building in his chest. This was the first challenge he would need to face in this world, and no one would be here to help him, so he would need to solo this dungeon by himself.
This meant more danger, but also more rewards and experience point, and he was ready to take that risk.
With a determined nod, Stark set off into the ruins, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
He was getting ready to encounter his first monster and see if he was truly capable of dealing with all the shit in this world.
After all, fighting a human was one thing, but fighting monsters with unexplainable appearances was something he had only seen in novels.
It didn't take long for him to encounter his first ever monster in this world though.
As he walked through the seemingly empty streets of the ruined city, he heard noise in front of him, and suddenly, three creatures appeared from behind a corner.
[Name: Decaying Corpses (Black Sun curse)]
[Level: 6]
[HP: 850]
[Strength: 32]
[Stamina: 192 (they don't get tired easily)]
[Speed: 8]
[Defense: 28]
[Skills: Infect; Bite]
'850 HP…' Stark repeated, his eyebrows raised, it was extremely tough even for a level 6 monster, not that he knew anyway.
Plus, the thing that worried him the most was the fact that he could only use his fists as weapons, meaning he would have to approach them no matter what.
Thankfully enough, their speed was extremely low, and their defense not so great either.
And so without hesitation, he focused his thoughts on the battle ahead.
"Domination, activate!" he whispered the words, and suddenly the same aura that had aided him against Daniel surrounded his legs and hands.
Not wanting to waste time, Stark dashed at the monsters, and before they could even attack…
~SLAM~
"-928!"
He hit the first one in the head, causing it to die with a single attack.
It was an instant-kill.
Surprised, Stark backed away to look at his fist again, it was still surrounded by that aura, but it shone brighter than before, a sign that he was starting to dominate the battle.
Without any delay, Stark charged at the remaining two Decaying Corpses.
They were caught off guard by his sudden attack, and the aura in his fists dealt massive damage to both of them.
"-953! -856!" Stark punched them in quick succession, eliminating the last two monsters with ease.
The air was heavy and still, the devastated street silent once more.
Stark examined the bodies of the Decaying Corpses, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a strange symbol inscribed on them.
'What is this, some sort of mark left by the curse of the Black Sun?' he wondered, his curiosity piqued, but eventually didn't put much more thought into it as he would need to keep going if he didn't want to get ambushed.
[You have slain three "decaying corpses lvl6", gained 1800EXP!]
'Phew…' He sighed, it would have been devastating if he failed to even defeat a single one of the weaker monsters, but thankfully he was able to deal massive amounts of damage, almost crossing the 1000 mark.
He continued his way through the streets as he was officially now in the area where monsters would constantly appear to stop him.
He also felt the rays of the black sun on him, but luckily they didn't seem to affect him, yet.
On his way, he encountered more decaying corpses and even some 'cursed dogs', the same symbol was on them when he inspected their dead bodies.
[You have slain two "decaying corpses lvl6", gained 1200EXP]
[You have slain four "cursed dogs lvl7", gained 2884EXP]
Each of these horrifying creatures were extremely fast, enough to almost take Stark by surprise the first time he encountered them, but thankfully enough he was able to avoid them quite easily when his eyes were on them.
Their HP was also lower than the decaying corpses, allowing him eliminate them in one hit too.
[Your level has increased to level 3, granting you one skill point and boost in stats]
[Experience: 1355/10000]
He hadn't paid much attention to it before, but he realized he had gotten something called 'skill points', and so he wanted to check what they were.
…
[Skill Points]
[Description: Able to allocate one to upgrade a skill by one level, once used, it is impossible to get them back, so make sure to use them wisely]
[In Inventory: 2]
…
'Hm…' he thought, 'well, I guess can try that…'
But right as he was about to try, he heard a heart wrenching scream behind him.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
You may also Like
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT