Under a starry night, Skyler sat cross-legged, absorbing golden Evol into his body to fill his elemental crystal.
He could sense the tiny particles twinkling around him, and as they entered his body, they automatically flowed into his crystal.
Due to a day spent running around and battling monsters, he had left the area of pine trees behind and was now seated among rows of maple trees with crimson leaves that danced in the cold night breeze, in a section that, for some reason, had not been ravaged by the monster wave.
The oversized blue hoodie and dark trousers he wore were sufficient to keep him warm. After a while, his crystal was filled. He exhaled and opened his eyes.
"I am hungry and thirsty. I have the nuts, but... 505, are there any fruit trees or edible herbs nearby? Or a water source?"
As usual, the system went AFK just when he needed it the most.
"You're useless, you know that, 505?"
He continued on, talking to himself just to stave off the loneliness he was feeling now that he was all alone with nothing to do.
With the hood of his hoodie pulled over his head, he leaned back against a tree trunk, gazing up at the starry sky. So much had transpired in such a short time that it had completely changed his life.
"So, is this my second life? Or perhaps someone has interfered with my future and altered what was meant to happen?"
Skyler wondered aloud, startling 505, who was trying its best to ignore him.
He had seen himself spending the 18 and 19 years of his life with his parents before entering the realm of spirits... Everything went blank, and the next second, he saw himself seated atop a throne.
"Why can't I remember everything? For example, how I fought in that realm to reach that throne. If I could, at least I would have acquired many spells and skills from those memories. Instead, all I've gained is confusion and the unsettling realization that my future has been altered."
With a sigh, he pushed everything to the back of his mind. It didn't matter; he never believed in a second life to begin with. He believed in the present and would make it even better than that memory.
He would acquire new and superior skills than the 'he' who sat on that throne. And he would make sure the person who altered his fate regretted interfering in his life. To do that, he had to grow stronger—stronger than the 'he' who occupied the throne.
Skyler's eyes narrowed in the darkness.
"505, show me progress of the mission I need to complete to pass this test."
A screen flashed in front of him.
("Kill monsters: 300/21
Time remaining: 25 days
Host, you are far behind everyone!")
Skyler clicked his tongue.
After so much hard work throughout the day, his kill count had only reached 21?
But that was to be expected; he wasn't strong enough to take on many monsters at once. So, he had been killing them one at a time while avoiding the other participants.
"I am 1-star right now. It will take me some time to break through to the next star since I haven't been able to find any treasures."
He waved his fingers, feeling the dark Evol around him... but he didn't want to craft his second crystal hastily like the first crystal and end up harming his heart.
"I will first reach 5-star in my Light element. Then I will form my second crystal."
Skyler was about to rest for the night, but his peace was shattered by 505. This time, the system didn't flash a warning screen in front of him about a monster wave; instead, it felt more like an alert.
("The battle stages are about to open. Participants can climb a stage to fight monsters and gain essence and points in return for each kill. Please head to the nearest stage to participate. Participation in the battle stages is not mandatory.")
"Battle stages...? And what is essence?"
He muttered and jolted to his feet when he saw countless pillars of light descending from the dark sky all around the forest.
"What the... 505, give me more details!"
("More information will be provided if the participant climb a battle stage.")
"505?? You are totally useless! Alright, guide me to the nearest battle stage!"
He ran through the cluster of tall trees, heading toward the nearest pillar of light.
Just like him, all the other participants rushed toward the battle stages.
Unlike him, those who had trained to enter this place knew what essence was in the Battle Royal—it was a more concentrated form of Evol that entered a person's body and increased their strength, regardless of their elemental affinity, without harming them—so they were excited to hear the announcement and climb the stages.
"Hopefully, the essence is something shiny... just like the elemental stones."
505: "..." Does its host have nothing in his head except sparkling things?
Skyler paused as he arrived in front of a light pillar, surrounded by trees. One of its ends was connected to the sky, and beneath it, three round white massive stages had materialized out of thin air.
Many individuals, including humans, dwarves, elves, and even a group from the beast race, had already gathered around the stages. He pushed through the crowd to observe the scene. He was more drawn to the pillar of light than to the three stages.
"Why is no one climbing the stages?"
He knew he was the weakest in the crowd, so he did not move first to avoid trouble. A tall man beside him scoffed at his words.
"It's because everyone is waiting for someone else to make the first move, so they can be sure that climbing the stages isn't dangerous. They want a test subject."
Skyler muttered a thank you to the man, only to scurry away when he saw the horns on his head. Thinking how the system had not warned them of any danger, he raised his hand and stepped out of the crowd.
"I will climb. Let me be the test subject."
Hearing him, all eyes in the area fixed on him. Everyone was surprised when they sensed his strength through his aura. Instantly, murmurs echoed in the air.
"A 1-star Light?"
"So weak? Why is he even here?"
"He looks young; don't tell me he arrived here accidentally?"
"Let him climb. We can easily handle him since he isn't powerful."
"I agree as well. Let this human climb."
Skyler didn't wait any longer and quickly climbed one of the white stages. Just as he had expected, nothing happened. A screen flashed in front of him.
("Host has climbed a battle stage. Monsters one star higher than your strength will appear. Defeating each will reward you with essence and points. These kills will also contribute to your mission to pass the preliminary test.
Would you like to proceed?
Note: The stage will be locked once you agree, and you won't be able to leave until you admit defeat.")
Skyler's lips curled upward. The stage will be locked. Doesn't that mean no one else would be able to climb it either?
"Proceed!"
He shouted, and those who saw the wicked smile beneath his hood flinched, feeling as if they had made a grave mistake.