Reborn Vanguard

Trial by Fire

Kai awoke on the second morning of his rebirth with a newfound clarity. The system's interface flickered before his eyes, detailing his rank, points, and abilities. After his initial free-for-all victory, the path forward was clearer, though it remained daunting.

He was an Iron-ranked player with 4 points from two kills. His Copy ability was still an enigma, but the memory of that last match lingered, providing some clarity. Each kill allowed him to learn about his opponent's power, provided their rank was equal to his, and only if his body could handle it.

The ability he had gained—Stone Armor—was something he had copied from a burly Iron-ranked opponent named Dren, who had used it to shrug off multiple attacks. The second ability, Shadow Dash, had been from a nimble rogue-like player who had evaded almost every attack until Kai outmaneuvered him. Copying these abilities had pushed his energy reserves to their limit, but the payoff was worth it.

This wasn't just about combat anymore. The virtual reality system had structured its ranking system to ensure only the best advanced. Each rank—Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald, Diamond, and Mythical—required progressively more points to ascend. Iron players needed 100 points to reach Bronze, while Bronze players needed 200 to move to Silver. Winning matches provided 10-30 points, depending on performance.

But the most critical rule was clear: players could only engage in battles twice a week. This limit made every fight count and meant every loss delayed progression.

Kai knew that surviving in this world would require more than brute force. He needed to master the powers he had already copied and find a way to optimize his energy usage.

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The System's Announcement

As Kai walked into the central hub of the Iron-ranked arena, the system's voice echoed through the vast hall.

"Attention, Iron-ranked players. Weekly matches are now open. Please register to participate. The leaderboard will update after each match. Remember, only the top 20 players will qualify for the Bronze promotion tournament at the end of the season."

Kai scanned the room. The hub was filled with players, all at different stages of readiness. Some were discussing strategies, others reviewing holographic stats.

He stepped toward the registration panel, where a holographic list of available matches appeared. Each slot listed a random set of competitors, ensuring no one knew who their opponents would be beforehand.

Kai entered his details, feeling the weight of the moment. This would be his first official ranked match, and he couldn't afford to waste the opportunity.

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The Battlefield

Kai was transported to a sprawling forest arena. The sunlight streamed through the canopy, and the distant sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds gave the illusion of serenity. But he knew better. This was a battle zone.

The match was a four-player free-for-all. Points would be awarded for eliminations, with the victor earning an additional 10 points. A holographic timer appeared before him: Match Start: 00:10... 00:09...

He crouched low, scanning his surroundings. The forest offered plenty of cover but also limited visibility. The other three players would be close.

00:03... 00:02... 00:01...

The timer hit zero, and the match began.

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The First Encounter

Kai moved silently through the underbrush, relying on the agility granted by Shadow Dash to reposition quickly. His first opponent revealed themselves moments later—a wiry man wielding twin daggers glowing with a faint blue light.

Before Kai could react, the player lunged, slashing at him with precision. The daggers left trails of frost in their wake, narrowly missing Kai's torso as he used Shadow Dash to evade.

This was a test of skill. The man was faster, his movements sharp and deliberate. But Kai noticed something—every time the man attacked, his energy drained visibly, indicated by the faint glow around his form dimming slightly.

Kai needed to outlast him. He activated Stone Armor, feeling the familiar weight settle over his body. The next strike hit him squarely in the shoulder but bounced off harmlessly.

Using the brief opening, Kai counterattacked. A swift punch to the gut sent the man stumbling, and a follow-up kick to the chest knocked him out cold.

As the system awarded Kai 2 points, a familiar rush coursed through him. The daggers' frost ability was now his to wield, provided he didn't push his energy reserves too far.

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The Final Showdown

The last two opponents fought fiercely in a clearing up ahead. One, a burly fighter with flaming gauntlets, was trading blows with a woman whose whip seemed to cut through the air with sonic speed.

Kai waited, observing their techniques. The gauntlets unleashed bursts of fire with every strike, while the whip's sonic waves created small shockwaves that destabilized the ground.

When the burly fighter landed a decisive blow, sending the woman flying into a tree, Kai made his move. Using Shadow Dash, he closed the distance, striking the man's exposed side before retreating into the shadows.

The man roared, unleashing a fiery explosion in all directions. Kai activated Stone Armor, absorbing most of the impact, but the heat still singed his skin.

It was a battle of attrition. Kai darted in and out of the fight, using his copied abilities to keep the man off-balance. Eventually, the fighter's energy waned, and Kai landed the finishing blow.

The system's announcement echoed through the arena:

Winner: Kai. Total Points Earned: 18. Current Points: 22.

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Aftermath

Back in the hub, Kai reviewed his performance. His victories had been hard-fought, but his reliance on copied abilities had drained his energy reserves dangerously low. He needed to refine his strategies and learn how to balance his power usage effectively.

But as he stared at the leaderboard, where his name now sat at 17th place, a small smile crept onto his face.

The path to Bronze was long, but Kai was determined. Each battle brought him closer to mastering his abilities and uncovering the secrets of the virtual reality system. And with every victory, the Demon King's shadow loomed larger, a constant reminder of the greater battle ahead.

For now, though, his focus was clear: climb the ranks, grow stronger, and prepare for the challenges yet to come.