The novice village of Battlefield Eternal buzzed with frenetic energy, its stone towers and glowing runes a stark contrast to the chaos of its players. Newcomers scrambled for quests, their starter gear clinking as they darted between vendors and training grounds. Kael Draven moved through the crowd like a shadow, his Nightstalker's Cloak billowing behind him, the Chieftain's Blade gleaming at his hip. At level 6, his stats dwarfed those of his peers, glitched beyond reason by his unique talent, Conceptual Flaw, and passive skills, Fragmented Insight and Erratic Resonance. The whispers followed him everywhere—Bug King, a title born from his impossible feats in the Shadow Den and his humiliation of Joren. Kael relished it. Let them talk. Let his betrayers tremble.
His interface pinged with a new quest: Conquer the Ironspire Trial. A level-5 challenge designed for elite novice players, it involved scaling a fortified tower overrun by mechanized constructs. Success promised rare gear and a ticket to the main cities, a step closer to Kael's revenge against Rhea, Cassian, Markus, Lena, and Joren—the traitors who'd killed him for the Heart of Varkis in his past life. He knew they were here, in the village, climbing their own paths. Joren, the weakest, was already in his sights. Today, Kael would cement his dominance and send a message: the Bug King was unstoppable.
The Ironspire loomed on the village's edge, a jagged tower of steel and stone, its peak shrouded in digital mist. A crowd gathered at its base, players forming parties for the trial. Kael spotted Joren among them, his rogue avatar skulking near a group of novices. Joren's eyes locked onto Kael, his smirk replaced by unease. Good. Kael wanted him scared. He approached the trial's NPC, a stern construct named Overseer Korr, its metallic frame etched with runes.
"Solo entry," Kael said, his voice cutting through the crowd's murmurs.
Korr's eyes glowed, scanning him. "The Ironspire is no place for lone warriors, even ones called Bug King. Are you certain?"
"Certain," Kael replied, his gaze fixed on Joren. The rogue shifted, whispering to his group. Kael's Fragmented Insight flickered, revealing Joren's intent: Weakness: Overconfidence. Bait and Strike. Joren was planning something—a trap, perhaps. Kael welcomed it.
The portal to the Ironspire opened, and Kael stepped through. The interior was a labyrinth of gears and pistons, constructs patrolling its halls. The trial's objective was simple: reach the peak, defeat the Ironspire Guardian, and claim the Spire Key. Most parties took hours, coordinating to survive the constructs' relentless assaults. Kael planned to finish in minutes.
The first wave of constructs—clockwork drones with spinning blades—surged forward. Fragmented Insight flashed: Weak Point: Central Gear. Disable. Kael's blade struck true, the drones stuttering as their gears jammed. Erratic Resonance amplified his next swing, sending a shockwave that shattered five constructs at once. Loot poured out—twice the normal amount, glitched by Conceptual Flaw. Kael's inventory filled with Iron Cores and a rare Cog of Precision, a crafting material coveted even in the main cities.
The crowd watching via the spectator feed erupted. "He's breaking the game!" a player shouted. Kael ignored them, climbing the tower's spiraling ramps. Each floor tested him with stronger constructs—hulking sentinels, laser-firing turrets, and trap-laden corridors. His powers made a mockery of them. Conceptual Flaw warped trap triggers, causing them to misfire; Fragmented Insight revealed critical weaknesses; Erratic Resonance turned his strikes into devastating blasts. By the third floor, he was level 7, his stats climbing unnaturally.
At the tower's peak, the Ironspire Guardian awaited—a colossal construct with four arms, each wielding a plasma blade. Its health bar glowed, a level-8 boss meant to crush solo players. Kael's pulse quickened, not with fear but anticipation. This was his stage. The spectator feed buzzed with excitement, players betting on his failure. Among them, Joren's group watched, their faces tense.
The Guardian charged, its blades a blur. Fragmented Insight triggered: Weak Point: Core Matrix. Overload with Consecutive Hits. Kael dodged, his Chieftain's Blade striking the matrix in rapid succession. Erratic Resonance surged, amplifying each hit into a critical explosion. The Guardian's health plummeted, its arms glitching into spasms. Kael pressed the attack, Conceptual Flaw warping the boss's AI. Its next strike froze, pixels fracturing like shattered glass. Kael's final blow obliterated the Guardian, its core detonating in a shower of sparks.
The loot window materialized: a Spire Key (unlocking city access), a Guardian's Pauldron (rare armor boosting defense), and another Fragment of the Eternal. Kael pocketed the fragment, now holding four. Their purpose remained elusive, but their connection to the founding races—and the Origin Crystal—grew clearer. The system's voice announced his victory: Ironspire Trial Complete. Solo Clear. Record Time: 17 Minutes.
The crowd outside roared, their cheers tinged with disbelief. Kael exited the portal, the Spire Key glowing in his hand. His level hit 8, his stats rivaling those of city-tier players. The Guardian's Pauldron adorned his shoulder, its sleek design amplifying his menace. Players parted as he approached, their whispers a chorus: Bug King. Bug King.
Joren stepped forward, his group trailing behind—four novices, all level 3 or 4, their gear standard issue. "Impressive," Joren said, his tone dripping with false admiration. "But you're still just a glitch. Let's see how you fare against real players." He gestured to his group, their weapons drawn. "Five against one. Duel us, Bug King."
Kael's eyes narrowed. Joren was baiting him, hoping numbers would overwhelm him. In his first life, Joren had been a coward, striking from the shadows. Now, he was bold, fueled by jealousy and ignorance. Kael accepted the duel, the system erecting a transparent arena. The crowd's excitement spiked, the spectator feed broadcasting to the village.
Joren's group spread out, a mage casting a fire rune, a warrior raising a shield, two archers nocking arrows. Joren vanished, his stealth skill active. Kael stood still, his senses sharp. Fragmented Insight flashed: Weakness: Coordinated Attack. Disrupt Mage First. The mage's rune glowed, ready to unleash a fireball. Kael moved, Erratic Resonance amplifying his speed. His blade sliced through the rune, glitching it into a harmless spark. The mage stumbled, shocked.
The warrior charged, shield first. Conceptual Flaw activated, warping the shield's trajectory. It veered, exposing the warrior's flank. Kael struck, sending him sprawling. The archers fired, but Fragmented Insight revealed their aim: Weak Point: Arrow Tips. Deflect. Kael's blade spun, deflecting both arrows back at their shooters. They fell, health bars zeroed. Joren reappeared, daggers aimed at Kael's back. Erratic Resonance triggered, turning Kael's dodge into a blur. He grabbed Joren's wrist, twisting it until the dagger clattered to the ground.
"Yield," Kael said, his blade at Joren's throat. The rogue's eyes widened, fear replacing bravado. The arena dissolved, the crowd roaring. Joren's group lay defeated, their pride shattered. Kael spared Joren, letting him live—for now. His revenge would come when Joren had more to lose.
"You're a monster," Joren spat, retreating. Kael ignored him, his focus on the Spire Key. It unlocked access to Arcturus, the first main city, where stronger foes and greater rewards awaited. His betrayers—Rhea, Cassian, Markus, Lena—were likely headed there, climbing the ranks. Kael would follow, his power growing with each step.
Instructor Veyra approached, her NPC frame radiating unnatural awareness. "You've claimed the Ironspire, Bug King," she said, her voice low. "But the founders watch. Their battlefield is no game. What drives you?"
Kael met her gaze, his voice steel. "Revenge. Power. Survival." He didn't elaborate. Veyra's runes flickered, as if the system itself recoiled from his words.
"The fragments you carry," she said, glancing at his inventory. "They're keys to the eternal. Guard them well." She turned, vanishing into the crowd.
Kael opened his inventory, studying the four Fragments of the Eternal. Their descriptions remained vague, but Veyra's words confirmed their importance. The founding races, the game's creators, had designed Battlefield Eternal as a crucible, testing worlds for their amusement. The fragments were part of their plan, tied to the Origin Crystal—the prize that could sublimate life itself. Kael would unravel their secrets, but first, he'd dominate the village's remaining challenges.
His interface pinged: Countdown to Invasion: 728 Days. Time was ticking. The novice village was a stepping stone, a place to hone his glitches before the main cities and the cosmic battlefield beyond. Joren's defeat was a warning to his other betrayers, a promise of the reckoning to come. Kael's powers were a flaw in the founders' design, a weapon to break their game. He'd tear through Arcturus, claim the Origin Crystal, and make Earth untouchable.
As he headed toward the village's exit, players watched in awe, their whispers a mantra: Bug King. Bug King. Kael's grin was cold. The novice village was his. The battlefield would be next.