Reborn Vanguard

Kai's chest heaved as he absorbed the aftershock of his victory over the corrupted player. The static energy of Corrupted Fury still tingled in his veins, reminding him of how far he could push himself—but also how fragile his control over the abilities was. The line between power and destruction was razor-thin.

But as he stood in the clearing, catching his breath, the virtual world around him seemed to hum with a different kind of energy. The trees, the ground, even the air felt alive, as if it were all part of a grand system. A system that Kai had only begun to understand. He had been reborn in this world, granted another chance—but what did that truly mean? What was his purpose here, in a world where people lived and died by their level, by the power they could acquire?

The SYSTEM prompt flickered again in his vision, as if waiting for him to acknowledge it. With a thought, the words materialized.

[SYSTEM: Player Kai – Current Rank: Iron]

Iron? That was the lowest possible rank in the system—a rank reserved for the beginners, the weak. His heart sank, but then, a realization hit him. He had been reset. After all, he had died, and now he was starting over. His rebirth had brought him back to square one, stripped of his previous progress.

But it wasn't just about the rank. It was about the system that governed this world—the very fabric of existence in the virtual universe.

The SYSTEM had a hierarchical structure, one based on levels and ranks. Players advanced through these ranks by accumulating power, skills, and experience. The ranks were as follows:

Iron: The starting rank. Players at this level are just beginning, with basic skills and abilities.

Bronze: Players who have gained a deeper understanding of the system and have access to slightly more advanced abilities.

Silver: Players who have refined their skills, becoming competent in multiple abilities.

Gold: Experienced players who have mastered several techniques and can rival most opponents.

Emerald: A prestigious rank, reserved for players who have achieved greatness. At this level, players can shape the world around them with their abilities.

Diamond: The elite, those who have reached the peak of power and influence. Their abilities are unmatched, and their presence is a force to be reckoned with.

Mythical: The highest rank, reserved for the absolute best players in the world. Legends are made at this level, and the power they wield can reshape the virtual reality itself.

Kai's eyes narrowed as he read through the ranks. His current state was far from where he had once been. He had been at Level 150 before his death, but that had been nothing compared to the mythical beings he had heard about in whispers. Players who could obliterate entire cities with a flick of their wrist. Players who could bend reality to their will.

But now? Now, he was back at Iron. He was a beginner once more.

But that was not a reality he intended to accept. He would rise again—he had no choice. The Demon King's influence was growing, and his rebirth wasn't just a chance for personal redemption; it was a chance to change the course of the virtual world. To stop the corruption before it spread.

A new prompt appeared, as if the system were offering him a path.

[SYSTEM: New Objective: Increase Player Rank to Progress.]

Increase his rank. It was simple enough, but it made the challenge clear: Kai had to level up, get stronger, and rise through the ranks. But the question remained: How?

He could copy abilities, but that wasn't enough. He needed more than just random power. He needed strategy, knowledge, and control.

---

The Training Grounds

Determined to find a way to grow stronger, Kai moved toward a nearby structure that had appeared in the landscape. It looked like a training arena, a place where new players honed their skills. As he approached, the gates opened with a soft hiss, and he stepped inside.

The training grounds were vast, filled with various sections designed to test different aspects of a player's abilities. There were areas for combat training, agility tests, strength challenges, and more. It was the perfect place to start his journey, to find the best way to increase his rank.

He walked through the grounds, scanning the environment. Several players were already there, each working on different challenges, but they all had one thing in common: they were all lower-ranked like him. He noticed a few players in the Bronze and Silver ranks, showing off their abilities in controlled sparring matches.

Kai's eyes were drawn to a towering figure in the distance. The player was dressed in heavy armor, his muscles rippling beneath the suit. He was clearly a Gold-ranked player—someone who had achieved great power. His movements were fluid, controlled, as he crushed rocks with his bare hands in a display of strength.

Kai felt a surge of ambition. That was the kind of power he wanted. The kind of power that didn't just come from copying abilities—but from refining his own strength.

Approaching cautiously, he spoke to a player nearby, a young woman wearing the insignia of the Silver rank.

"How do I get stronger?" Kai asked, his voice low. "I need to level up."

The woman glanced at him, sizing him up. "It's not easy. The system doesn't just give power away. You have to earn it, through battles, challenges, and training. But... if you're serious about getting stronger, you'll want to focus on improving your base stats first. Strength, agility, and endurance. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start specializing in abilities. The more versatile you are, the faster you'll rise."

Kai nodded, taking the information in. He had been a skilled player before, but he had relied too heavily on tactics and abilities—he had neglected the physical aspects of his power. He would need to change that if he wanted to rise through the ranks.

---

Determined, Kai entered the combat arena. The instructor, a stern-looking man with a scar across his face, stood at the center. "If you want to get stronger," he said, "you'll have to face real opponents. The higher you rank, the more you'll face enemies who challenge your limits. But remember this: even the strongest players have weaknesses."

Kai stepped forward. "I'm ready."

The instructor nodded. "Then prove it. Show me what you've got."

The battle began, and Kai immediately felt the difference in this fight. The instructor was fast—too fast for him to react without thinking. Every move had to be calculated. Every punch and kick had to be precise.

At first, Kai relied on the Enhanced Durability he had copied earlier, using it to tank hits that would have otherwise crippled him. But the instructor quickly saw through his defensive strategy, taking advantage of Kai's slower movements.

"Not enough," the instructor grunted as he dodged Kai's strike. "You need more than just copying powers. You need discipline. You need to be faster."

Kai's frustration rose. He was using the Copy ability, stacking Corrupted Fury and Enhanced Durability, but it wasn't enough. He had to do more. He needed more power. He needed to grow, not just as a player but as a fighter.

The next few minutes were a blur of movement—Kai dodging, striking, and learning from his mistakes. Each blow, each block, was a lesson. His body ached, his energy drained, but he refused to stop.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the instructor stepped back. "You've got potential. But it's not enough to just copy. You need to make the power your own."

Kai looked at the instructor, panting. "How?"

The instructor's eyes gleamed. "By embracing the system. Rank up, learn to harness your strengths, and then specialize. You're not just copying power—you're becoming the best version of yourself."

Kai clenched his fists. The path ahead was clear. He had a long way to go, but he was no longer just a player at the bottom of the ranks. He was going to climb. And nothing, not even the Demon King's corruption, was going to stop him.

His journey to rise through the ranks—Iron to Bronze, Bronze to Silver, and beyond—had just begun.

---

TO BE CONTINUE