Chapter 13: Into the Gate with New Allies

---

After weeks of intense training and leveling up, Dabi found himself on the cusp of another breakthrough. His Strength now rivaled that of a regular awakened individual, and his Mana had also grown considerably. His once-sickly appearance had faded, replaced with a more robust and fit physique, though his movements and endurance still trailed behind the elite. Now at Level 12, he had grown more confident, but Dabi knew there was still much to learn.

As Dabi's hunt for more power continued, he received a message from his only true friend, Zen. Zen had been one of the few people who never looked down on Dabi, even when he had been weaker than most.

Zen had awakened with the rare class of Magic Swordsman, a combination of both swordsmanship and elemental magic. His Level 20 stats were impressive, surpassing many of his peers:

Strength: 27

Agility: 28

Endurance: 26

Intelligence: 30

Magic: 32

Zen's combat style combined precision strikes with powerful magic, allowing him to adapt quickly to any situation. Unlike Dabi, Zen's natural talent and strong stats had earned him a spot in a team of seasoned adventurers who regularly cleared dimensional gates.

In his message, Zen invited Dabi to join his team for a mission—a low-level dimensional gate that needed clearing. Dabi had never been part of a team like Zen's, and though he felt nervous, the opportunity to level up quickly and learn more about gate-clearing was too good to pass up.

---

The story continues...

The next morning, Dabi arrived at the designated meeting spot where Zen and his team were waiting. Zen waved at him with his usual bright smile, making Dabi feel more at ease.

Standing alongside Zen was his team—a group of experienced adventurers with high levels:

Kara, the Level 31 warrior, stood tall with her massive two-handed axe. She gave Dabi a skeptical look, clearly not impressed.

Milo, a Level 32 archer, seemed aloof, barely acknowledging Dabi's presence.

Fiora, the Level 34 healer, offered him a polite nod, but remained silent.

Zen's smile never faltered as he introduced Dabi to the team. "This is Dabi, my friend. He's been training hard, and I believe he'll be a great addition today."

Kara didn't hide her doubt. "You're sure about this? He looks... fragile." Her tone wasn't unkind, just direct.

Dabi held his breath, but Zen remained confident. "Trust me. He can handle himself."

Milo shrugged nonchalantly. "As long as he doesn't slow us down, I don't care."

Fiora gave Dabi a sympathetic smile but said nothing.

Despite Zen's reassurance, Dabi could feel the weight of their judgment. He clenched his fists, vowing to prove himself. They didn't know about his system, his ability to grow stronger at a rate unlike anyone else in this world.

As they prepared to enter the dimensional gate, Zen gave Dabi a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Stick close to me for now. You'll get your chance to show what you can do."

The dimensional gate swirled with dark energy as it loomed before them, ready to transport them to a new and dangerous world. Low-level it may be, but Dabi knew that even the simplest gates could hold deadly surprises.

Dabi stepped forward

with the others, ready for the next challenge.

---