Congratulations! You have completed Challenge Level 1. All your attributes increase by +1, and you receive a 1% permanent attribute enhancement.
Brama took a deep breath. His chest rose and fell with heavy breathing, as if a thousand kilograms were pressing down on it. Sweat dripped from his temples, slid down his chin, and fell onto the ground still littered with chunks of flesh and blood from the beasts he had just slain. His left hand trembled slightly—not out of fear, but due to the adrenaline that had yet to subside.
His hands were still stained with blood, thick and warm. The metallic scent hung in the air, piercing his nostrils and reviving memories of a battle he never imagined facing in this world.
But there was no time to reflect. The system's notification echoed again, as if celebrating his success with the enthusiasm of a machine indifferent to human exhaustion.
Brama glanced to the side. There, his jet-black crow—Ruda—was cleaning blood from its beak. The bird blinked slowly, calm as always, but its tail feathers were slightly puffed out—a sign that it, too, was exhausted, though unwilling to show it openly.
"So... I'm the only one who gets the stat boost?" Brama muttered softly. "You didn't get anything, Rud?"
The bird merely stared at him, then let out a low sound.
"Kwack..."
Brama let out a short laugh, though it sounded more like a weary grunt. "Well, that's fine. Your experience went up—that's more important than numbers on a screen."
Before he could take a second breath, the system's voice returned. This time, its tone was sharper, more serious.
> Challenge Level 2 will begin in 1 minute. The challenger is advised to prepare.
Brama struggled to stand, his muscles tensing. His body hadn't recovered, but his spirit couldn't afford to falter. He rolled his neck, loosened his shoulders, then clenched his fists.
"Level 2, huh?" he muttered, eyes narrowing at the row of trees ahead, now looking like gates to another world. "Ruda, you ready?"
"KWAAAAACK!!"
The crow's cry echoed loudly, cutting through the silence of the night. Brama smiled. That bird's spirit was always fuel for his own resolve.
> Challenge Level 2 begins now.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Black mist rolled in like a ghostly hand trying to swallow the forest. Dark clouds swirled above, as if a storm was about to break loose. A low rumble followed—not from the sky, but from the ground. A faint vibration spread through the tree roots, like the footsteps of a thousand approaching creatures.
Brama dropped into a defensive stance. Knees bent, back low—his body poised to strike at any moment. He still had no weapon—just bare hands, a soldier's reflexes, and the fledgling power of the system. But for now... it was enough.
From within the fog, new beasts emerged. This time, their bodies were larger, their eyes glowed red like burning embers. Their fangs were longer, claws sharper, and their movements carried the coordination of trained killers.
Brama whispered, "Random formation... Untrained, but their numbers could be a problem."
Ruda instantly took to the air. The crow soared over the battlefield like the shadow of a reaper. Its claws were ready to strike from above.
Brama dashed behind a large tree. As a giant wolf lunged at him, he slipped to the side and twisted his body. With a swift motion, his arm wrapped around the creature's neck and slammed it to the ground.
Crack!
The sound of a neck breaking was satisfying, but there was no time to savor it. Two more beasts charged. He dropped to the ground, rolled, then shattered the first enemy's knee with a kick and elbowed the second one's chin, sending it crashing into a tree.
Ruda dove like a bullet from the sky, its claws tearing into the eye of a horned bear, then instantly pulled back up to avoid a counterattack. Every movement was in perfect sync. Brama on the ground, Ruda in the air. It felt as if they had trained for years, though in truth, this was only the beginning of their journey.
But this challenge was unlike the last. The enemies came in waves. Fifty. A hundred. Two hundred. They just kept coming.
Brama started feeling pain deep in his bones. His breathing grew short. He broke jaws, struck chests, kicked, rolled, locked joints. But still, they came. Now, the blood wasn't just from the enemy. Scratches marked his shoulder, a gash cut across his right thigh, and sharp pain spread through his waist.
And finally...
Congratulations! You have completed Challenge Level 2. All your attributes increase by +2, and you receive a 2% permanent attribute enhancement.
Brama collapsed to his knees. Both hands touched the ground. His breath sounded like that of someone who had just escaped death.
"I'm... still alive..."
Ruda landed on his shoulder, its beak stained with a bit of blood. The bird tilted its head, then let out a soft sigh, as if it too felt the weight of it all.
---
The challenges didn't stop.
> Challenge Level 3 begins.
Challenge Level 4 begins.
Brama was thrown into what felt like an endless battlefield. Trial after trial came like waves from hell. With each level, the enemies became crueler. Scaled beasts with tails strong enough to shatter trees. Twin-horned monsters with iron skulls. Some could even breathe fire and poison at the same time.
Every victory granted more stats, but at the cost of his life force. +3 attributes in Level 3. +4 in Level 4. But Brama began losing something more vital: stamina and hope.
His body was now covered in wounds. Muscles stiff. Blood dried on his skin. Even Ruda flew lower now, its wingbeats unsteady.
And at last...
> Challenge Level 5 will begin shortly. The challenger is granted 10 minutes of rest.
Brama fell into a sitting position. His back leaned against a cold, large rock. He closed his eyes. His breath was no longer heavy—just tired. Deeply tired. His eyelids felt heavy, and in his mind, one simple question appeared:
"Am I going to die here?"
But just as his thoughts began to fade into darkness...
> Ding.
The system's voice echoed. Calm, yet carrying crucial information.
> The system has completed its analysis of the challenge notifications.
Brama opened his eyes. "You analyzed this challenge? So... you weren't gone, just silent?"
> Ding. Correct. The system entered automatic analysis mode to study the challenge pattern.
"And the result?"
> This challenge is part of the requirements to upgrade the system to version 2.0.
Brama fell silent.
System upgrade?
> "If the system levels up, what will happen?"
> Data incomplete. However, it is highly likely that sealed functions and advanced analysis capabilities will be unlocked.
"Sealed functions?" Brama frowned. "Can you help me in the next battle?"
> The system is returning to active mode. The system will assist the Host as before.
Brama exhaled in relief. "Good. Then this time... help me find the enemies' weaknesses. I can't waste any more strength."
> Command received. The system is pleased that the Host is relying on it.
Brama gave a faint smile. "Don't get too proud. We're not done yet."
> Challenge Level 5 will begin shortly.