Reborn Vanguard

Chapter 4: The First Trial – Free-for-All

Kai stood at the center of the grand arena, feeling the weight of his decision press on his chest. The battlefield was a massive open expanse, a chaotic scene where players of all ranks were vying for power and dominance. The arena stretched out in every direction, filled with towering structures, glowing power-ups scattered across the terrain, and looming hazards. It felt like every inch of the space buzzed with the energy of anticipation.

He wasn't sure what exactly to expect. The rules were simple, but the competition would be fierce. The free-for-all battle was designed to test every aspect of a player's combat ability and strategy. Iron-ranked players, like him, were surrounded by those who would stop at nothing to climb the ranks.

"FREE-FOR-ALL BATTLE: BEGINNERS' BRAWL. The rules are simple: earn points by eliminating fellow players. Each kill earns you 2 points. To advance to the next rank, you need 100 points. As you rank up, the points required will double."

Kai's thoughts flickered as he absorbed the information. Two points per kill. He had 100 points to earn before he could move on to the next rank. Easy enough, he thought, but the competition would grow more intense with each rank. Players at higher ranks would need to eliminate more opponents, and as the point system doubled for each new rank, advancing would become exponentially harder.

The only problem? Kai couldn't fight anyone above his current rank—he had to target players who were Iron-ranked like him. If he made a mistake and engaged with someone higher, he would be out of his depth and could risk being killed without earning any points.

The countdown began. His heart raced in anticipation, every nerve alert and focused. This was his chance to prove that he wasn't just a mere player in this world—that he had something more. The buzzer sounded, signaling the start of the battle.

"3… 2… 1… BEGIN!"

Immediately, the arena erupted into chaos. Players scattered in every direction, eager to claim power-ups, gain position, or engage in early skirmishes. But Kai wasn't in a rush. He had to be calculated. Reckless charging into battle could end in disaster.

His mind raced as he considered the most effective way to use his newly granted Copy ability. It was the one edge he had that others didn't, but it came with its own risks and limitations. The system allowed him to copy abilities from other players or power-ups, but there were restrictions. His body could only handle two copies at once, and both abilities had to remain balanced within his physical and energy limits. If his reserves weren't in sync, his body could overload and reject one of the abilities.

"Stay calm," Kai muttered to himself. "You've done this before."

In the virtual world, he had faced many challenges, but now it felt different. This wasn't just a game anymore. His survival depended on his decisions—on his ability to adapt and learn. And with Copy, he could become more than just another Iron-ranked player. He could be an unpredictable force.

His eyes scanned the arena as he moved quietly through the battlefield, avoiding larger conflicts. His first step was to locate someone with an ability he could use.

He spotted a smaller player, their back to him, seemingly preoccupied with a glowing power-up. It was the perfect opportunity. The player was holding a power-up labeled Enhanced Strength.

Perfect, Kai thought. This was the ideal ability for his first copy. He needed to make his body stronger if he was going to survive the upcoming battles.

Kai approached carefully, watching the player closely. The moment they activated the power-up, he saw the surge of energy ripple through their body. The Enhanced Strength ability would temporarily increase the player's physical power, making them formidable in hand-to-hand combat.

Kai reached out, activating Copy. His vision blurred as the ability transferred to him. The rush of power was immediate. His muscles swelled slightly, and the weight of the world seemed to lighten. His strength increased by a substantial amount, making him feel like he could lift anything. His speed was also enhanced. He could feel it in his every movement.

But before he could fully assess the ability, the player noticed him, turning around just in time to see Kai's enhanced strike coming.

With the strength of the Enhanced Strength ability, Kai struck with force, sending the other player tumbling back. They barely had time to react before Kai rushed forward, using his enhanced speed to close the gap and land a finishing blow.

Ding!

"You've earned 2 points for eliminating an opponent."

Kai took a deep breath. His first kill. But this was only the beginning. With the Enhanced Strength ability, he could dominate in combat—but he had to be careful not to use it recklessly. It was only a temporary buff, and he needed to conserve his energy for the bigger challenges ahead.

Kai's eyes darted around, scanning for his next opportunity. There were still a lot of players in the arena, and every corner of the map seemed to hide someone ready to strike. His first kill had come easy, but now things were about to get more difficult. He needed another ability, something that could give him an advantage without wearing him down too much.

That's when he spotted a group of three players huddled near a healing station. They were talking, strategizing. Two of them had already gathered points, likely from earlier eliminations, and one appeared to be using a health power-up. Kai moved closer, silently creeping through the shadows, staying low to the ground. If he was lucky, he could copy the healing ability and use it to restore his own strength later.

His heart pounded as he positioned himself close enough to the group. The player with the healing power-up stood in the center, activating the item. It shimmered with a soft, blue light as it healed their wounds and restored their energy.

This is it, Kai thought.

He activated Copy again. The moment he made contact with the healing energy, a warm, soothing sensation flowed through his body. His health was restored to full, and the ability was added to his repertoire. The power didn't just heal; it made him feel revitalized, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.

Now, with both Enhanced Strength and Healing Touch, Kai was a far more formidable opponent. He could dish out powerful blows and recover quickly if the fight turned against him. He stayed in the shadows, watching his targets closely, waiting for the right moment to strike.

After a few more kills, Kai was nearing his goal. He had 92 points, just 8 away from advancing to Bronze rank. But now, the final challenge approached. A group of powerful Iron-ranked players had gathered at the center of the arena, and they were engaged in a heated skirmish. Kai could see the desperation in their movements—the fear of failure.

The next few moments would determine his fate.

He watched from a distance, weighing his options. There were too many players to confront head-on. But he had something they didn't—he had the Copy ability, and with his current stack of abilities, he was ready for the fight.

With a deep breath, Kai stepped forward, using his enhanced strength to move swiftly. He had no intention of fighting everyone. But the center of the arena was where the best loot was, and if he could steal a kill, he would gain the points he needed to rank up.

As he charged into the fray, Kai's strength and healing ability made him a formidable force. He knocked out one player, then another, all the while keeping his distance from the others. His speed and precision allowed him to pick off the weakest players, earning him the last few kills he needed.

Finally, with a final strike, Kai eliminated his last target. The arena was quiet.

Ding!

"You've earned 2 points for eliminating an opponent."

Ding!

"Congratulations! You've earned 100 points and have advanced to the Bronze rank."

Kai stood alone in the middle of the arena, breathing heavily. He had done it. The climb to the Bronze rank had just begun, and with his abilities, he felt unstoppable.

But the game was only going to get harder from here. He had to remain vigilant, focused, and ready for whatever came next. The next rank awaited, and with it, new challenges.

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