Kai felt as if he were floating through space, weightless and numb. Then, just as abruptly, everything came rushing back.
Air filled his lungs. His heart gave a sudden kick. The darkness thinned, giving way to light.
He sucked in a sharp breath, wrestling with the pressure in his head until he could move.
He was still sitting, but not on the rough concrete of the terrace. The ground beneath him felt… soft. He pushed himself upright and spun around, scanning his surroundings.
Kai's face twisted in confusion, almost like a literal question mark had popped up above his head.
He'd had plenty of guesses about what might happen when the countdown hit zero.
Maybe cracks would tear through the earth, spewing monsters into the streets. Maybe he'd finally get to go full Goblin Slayer mode.
Or maybe people would start awakening superpowers. Maybe… it was all a hoax, and he was just dreaming.
Sure, "getting teleported to a new world" was on the list too. He'd read enough Truck-kun stories to include that one.
But getting teleported into a wardrobe… wait, was this a chamber? A dressing room? Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't on the list.
Kai now stood in what could only be described as a dressing chamber. It felt like something out of an old noble's estate.
The room was spacious, dominated by a single wardrobe. It was massive and ornate, reminiscent of the one from Narnia, the kind that kids got yeeted into. A large full-length mirror adorned its front.
Soon, something made Kai's eyes twitch. In the mirror, his own reflection stared back, almost as if mocking him.
His T-shirt and shorts were gone. Even his underwear had vanished. His phone, earbuds, and the silver family ring all three Ashveils wore were missing too.
He was completely naked, showing off both his abs and his impressive… manhood, like some old marble statue.
At least the room was empty. If anyone else had been here, he might have died of embarrassment.
Kai's fingers traced the faint mark on his bare left ring finger, the spot where the ring had been.
He let out a slow, weary sigh. If I'd known this was coming, I would've stashed my things somewhere safe. Hopefully no one swiped them.
Kai decided to forget about his ring for now and focus on his surroundings.
He walked toward the only wardrobe, catching his reflection in the mirror.
Hmm… not bad. He gave himself a nod and yanked the double doors open.
Inside was a black haori-style martial outfit. The inner layer was a fitted turtleneck, tucked neatly into loose, mobility-focused pants cinched at the ankles.
Over it draped a flowing coat-like haori, adorned with golden dragon patterns.
A bronze gauntlet and a sheathed dagger rested alongside the outfit.
Kai finally realized this place was just like a game's custom dressing room, set up before the real show began.
And the outfit he'd received was exactly what a modern Martial Artist would love to wear.
Kai grabbed the outfit and slipped into it without hesitation. Once dressed, he slid his right hand into the bronze gauntlet.
He glanced at the mirror and couldn't help but grin like an idiot.
He looked perfect… or at least he thought so. For a moment, he imagined going toe-to-toe with Mike Tyson, until reality hit and he pictured himself getting knocked out by the very first punch.
As he lingered in his daydream, another panel flickered to life in his mind.
— ✦ —
[ Novice Dragonweave Set ]
Grade: Common
Durability: 100%
Description: A newly designed Martial Arts set, crafted by the Golden Dragon Sect.
Feature:
◆ Dragon's Mending – Gradually restores itself when infused with mana. Activates only if durability is above 20%.
— ✦ —
Oh, Dragonweave… Now that sounded fancy. And the Golden Dragon Sect? Holy shit, am I actually getting yeeted into a cultivation world?
Kai shook his head. No point overthinking it. His eyes flicked to the new timer that had appeared when he entered the dressing room, just two minutes left.
As he turned away from the wardrobe, he noticed a utility belt hanging beside it, complete with two small pouches and a sheath holder neatly attached.
He cursed himself for not checking sooner and fastened the utility belt around his waist. Curious, he opened both pouches.
Inside, one held three small vials filled with a thick, red liquid, while the other contained a rectangular case with five neatly arranged green pills.
Kai held both items in his hands, and their runic panels appeared in his mind.
He nodded knowingly, like a sage. Just by looking at the vial and pill, he already had an idea.
The red vial was a Common grade healing potion. Applied to wounds, it stopped bleeding immediately and could also mend minor injuries or internal damage.
The green pill was a nutrient supplement, providing a full 24 hours of sustenance and hydration. With five pills, he could survive without food or water for five days, simply taking one each day.
He returned the items to the pouches and waited for the countdown to reach zero.
Seconds ticked by until the final moment arrived. His vision went dark, and that same unnerving sensation of nothingness curled around him once more.
One moment he was in the dressing room; the next, he vanished. The room dissolved into motes of light, fading from existence.
* * *
Kai didn't exactly feel nostalgic about being teleported again so soon… mostly because, just like before, he couldn't feel a thing while it happened.
Then, all at once, his senses came rushing back.
"Haa… haaaa…"
He dropped to one knee, exhaling slowly as the world steadied around him. His gauntleted right hand pressed against the ground for balance, the metal crunching against something brittle.
Leaves?
Blinking away the fog in his vision, he looked down at a carpet of dry leaves scattered over bare soil.
As his sight cleared, he finally took in his surroundings.
Towering trees loomed all around, their trunks so wide that three people linking arms probably couldn't wrap around one.
They stretched so high their canopies seemed to merge into a living ceiling.
Thankfully, sunlight barely filtered through the dense leaves. Otherwise, he'd have to live like a vampire… the kind that bursts into flames without his tinted glasses.
A flicker of movement caught his eye to the left. At least he wasn't alone here, unlike in the dressing room.
Liam, their bald gym trainer, wore a Warden set: chainmail armor, shield in one hand, sword in the other.
Beside him stood Mahima, the female trainer. Tall and toned, with defined abs and long black hair, she wore a Warrior set tailored for women.
Nearby were the two freshmen from his college, Scott and Luke.
Kai's eyes swept the rest of the clearing… and he froze, every instinct snapping to high alert.
No other humans were nearby.
Four orcs. At least, that's what they looked like. But these were nothing like the ugly, bald, hulking brutes from fantasy novels.
Two had ashen skin, smooth and slate-like, while the other two bore deep, earthy green tones reminiscent of Warcraft orcs.
The one closest to him stood out the most. Black hair braided back, pale markings etched across sharp features, and cold green eyes that seemed to say: 'You're already dead, you just don't know it yet.'
He wore the same Martial set as Kai, though he had skipped the turtleneck and coat, either by choice or sheer disregard for style.
A commotion near the freshers caught his attention. They were gawking at something, and Luke was practically drooling in disbelief.
Kai followed their gaze and immediately understood.
A female orc. Ashen skin, long white hair woven into thick braids, sculpted abs, and standing a head taller than Kai.
She, too, went topless, leaving her… massive breasts fully exposed. Kai had to admit, no human woman could match that.
Before he could decide whether to roll his eyes or look away, Omnix's voice echoed in his mind.
[ Recognition granted. You are hereby acknowledged as a 'Candidate' in the Liminal Restoration Cycle. ]
[ Phase I – Ludus Supervivendi. ]
[ The Game of Survival Begins… ]