The next morning, the city felt different. Shadows lingered longer in the alleys, and the hum of neon seemed sharper, almost as if it were warning him. Kalyan stood on the edge of a small rooftop, the beginner sword strapped to his back. His eyes scanned Sector 7, already aware that his first task had only been a warm-up.
A soft chime resonated in his mind—the Sage King System.
New Task Available:
Investigate minor dungeon outbreak in District 3 Eliminate all hostile creatures Reward: 100 Points + Intermediate Gear Difficulty: Moderate
Kalyan exhaled, his mind already calculating strategies. This wasn't just about defeating monsters anymore. It was about survival, efficiency, and planning for escalation.
Entering District 3
The streets of District 3 were narrower, older, the buildings leaning as though tired of holding the sky. Broken signs hung precariously, and shattered windows reflected Kalyan's determined gaze. A faint scent of smoke and decay clung to the alleys.
From the shadows, low and mid-level monsters appeared—not three this time, but a dozen, moving in coordinated patterns. Their eyes glowed faintly red as if sensing Kalyan's intent.
This is the first test of real danger.
Kalyan crouched, analyzing the enemy. Their behavior was predictable but aggressive. He could handle them, but each strike needed precision, timing, and minimal exposure.
Combat Strategy
He leapt forward, using manual activation cautiously. Each motion flowed seamlessly with instinct, but he maintained discipline. Energy surged through him, making his reflexes razor-sharp. He struck with the iron sword, eliminating two monsters in rapid succession.
But this time, the system imposed a cost. His vision blurred briefly, his muscles screamed, and a sharp pain stabbed his side. Manual activation always demands something—a reminder that power had a price.
Even small actions have consequences. Remember this.
Kalyan adjusted, using the environment to his advantage. Narrow alleys forced monsters into chokepoints. Broken walls became shields. Every object in the area was a potential tool.
He worked methodically, eliminating monsters while minimizing energy expenditure.
System Interaction
After clearing half the creatures, the Sage King System spoke directly, a rare auditory message this time:
Kalyan, your strategy is solid. Continue, but observe: stronger entities may not require brute force. Efficiency often surpasses power.
A glowing icon appeared on his interface—First Dungeon Point Bonus. Points weren't just for strength; they rewarded smart choices, tactical thinking, and control over the battlefield.
Reward: +20 Bonus Points
The Mini-Boss Appears
A deep rumble echoed through the alley. Dust fell from crumbling rooftops as the ground shook beneath him. Emerging from the shadows was a creature larger than any he had fought before—a Mirefang Beast, with scales black as night and glowing orange eyes.
It was clearly an A-rank monster for this dungeon.
Kalyan's heart raced. This wasn't just a task anymore; this was a lesson in caution and patience. One wrong move and even the Sage King System couldn't save him.
Now is the time to apply everything I've learned.
He circled the beast, noting its weak spots and attack patterns. The system flickered, offering hints: timing, angles, elemental weaknesses. But Kalyan knew—the choice to follow or ignore these hints carried risk and reward.
He tightened his grip on the sword, sweat dripping down his temple, ready for the first real test of his reincarnated life.
The battle would define not only his strength, but how he would think, survive, and grow in this world. This was no longer practice. This was reality.