Kael Ardent's vision blurred as the monstrous claws of the Chimera tore through the air. Pain erupted across his chest, and for the first time, he felt the icy sting of true hopelessness. He had trained, he had strategized, yet it wasn't enough. One mistake, one slip—and his life ended here.
Darkness swallowed him.
When Kael opened his eyes again, he wasn't on the battlefield. Instead, he floated in a vast, empty void, a grid of faint glowing symbols beneath his feet. A calm, yet commanding voice echoed in the silence.
"Kael Ardent… You have been selected."
A holographic screen appeared before him, shimmering with numbers, symbols, and a list of abilities.
Name: Kael Ardent
Rank: SSS
Special Ability: Infinite Troop Evolution
Unique System: Gacha Summoning
Kael stared, dumbfounded. His mind raced. SSS? Infinite troop evolution? Gacha system? This isn't real…
The voice continued, patient and unwavering.
"Welcome to Arcanterra, a world of monsters, lords, and endless war. You have died in your previous life, but now, you are given a second chance. Use your abilities wisely. Survive, evolve, dominate."
A swirling portal appeared before him. Instinctively, Kael stepped forward—and was instantly transported.
He landed in a dense forest, the air thick with mist. Strange, twisted trees loomed over him, and the distant roar of monsters echoed through the night. The ground trembled as something massive moved nearby.
A low growl cut through the silence. Kael's heart pounded—but a calm determination replaced his fear.
He focused on the system before him. A small glowing orb appeared, labeled Troop Summon: 1/3. He touched it, and in an instant, a small creature materialized: a silver-scaled wolf, eyes glowing with intelligence.
"Hello… partner," Kael whispered. The wolf barked once, and Kael felt a strange connection forming.
The growl grew louder. From the shadows emerged a massive Forest Behemoth, its claws sharp enough to crush boulders. But Kael didn't panic. He raised his hand, and the wolf evolved instantly—its body grew larger, muscles hardened, and glowing runes appeared across its fur. Its eyes shone with raw power.
The battle had begun.
With a calm smile, Kael whispered, "Let's see how far we can go…."
The Forest Behemoth charged, and Kael's journey in Arcanterra officially began.
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