Resurgence: eternal evolution

System Prompt:

Quest Activated:

Collect 20 F-rank monster cores.

Reward: +10 Mana, +2 Strength, +2 Speed

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Keal stared at the glowing words in front of him, his heart pounding. A quest. Simple, but it reminded him of the harsh truth. He was alone now—completely and utterly alone. His past was a blur of battles and loss, and now he was stuck in a world where only the strongest survive.

"I can't stay weak," he muttered to himself, his hand tightening into a fist. "I need to get stronger… for ah in, and mom ."

The system's quest was clear, but there was no one to back him up this time. No guild to protect him, no mentor to guide him. It was just Keal—weak, vulnerable, and with a long road ahead.

Keal knew that he couldn't just wait around for another dungeon or portal. He wasn't strong enough to tackle another one after what happened the last time. He was on his own now, and that meant he had to rely on his own wits and determination.

With the system's quest in mind, Keal decided to take matters into his own hands. He needed monster cores—20 of them. Rather than risking a dangerous dungeon run, he made his way to the black market, where he could purchase the cores he needed. The black market wasn't a safe place, but Keal had no other choice. He was broke, alone, and desperate.

The market was hidden away in the slums, tucked between rundown buildings and dark alleys. Keal approached a small, dusty shop. Inside, an older man with a rough face and a wary gaze stood behind the counter. He gave Keal a once-over before speaking.

"What do you want?" the man asked gruffly.

"I need 20 F-rank monster cores," Keal replied, his voice steady but filled with the tension of the moment.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow. "Got the cash?"

Keal reached into his pocket and pulled out the last of his money. It was all he had left. The man eyed him for a long moment, then shrugged.

"Fine. 500 credits," he said, tossing a small pouch onto the counter.

Keal didn't hesitate. He handed over the money, his stomach tight as he felt the weight of the pouch in his hand. The shopkeeper grunted in acknowledgment and shoved the pouch toward him. Keal didn't even check the contents. He was too focused on the next step.

With the pouch of cores in hand, Keal hurried back to the hospital . There was no time to waste. The quest had to be completed, and he couldn't afford to be weak any longer.

Once inside, he opened the pouch and stared at the glowing monster cores. Each one pulsed with a faint energy, a reminder of the power they contained. Keal hesitated for a brief moment before the system's voice filled his mind.

System Prompt:

Absorption Sequence Initiated.

Without a second thought, Keal absorbed the first core.

The pain hit him like a tidal wave—sharp, blinding, and all-encompassing. Every nerve in his body screamed in agony, but Keal pushed through it. He wasn't going to back down now. Not when he was so close to gaining the strength he needed.

One by one, he absorbed the cores. Each one was a brutal test, but with each core, he could feel the power surging through him. His body screamed in protest, but he clen.

Quest Completed. Rewards Activated:

Strength +2

Speed +2

Mana +10

With each core absorbed, Keal could feel himself changing. His body was stronger, faster. The agony dulled, replaced by a deep satisfaction.

He spent the next few days recovering, focusing on his training. The park was his makeshift gym, where he would push his body to its limits, doing push-ups and sit-ups until his muscles burned. No one could see him—this was his moment to prove to himself that he could handle the pain, that he could survive the journey ahead.