Level up or Die

As I drifted off to sleep, my mind couldn't let go of the system's prompt. The question hung in the darkness behind my eyelids, haunting me like a ghost whispering in my ear.

My thoughts blurred as exhaustion took over, and soon I was slipping into unconsciousness. But instead of the usual random dream fragments, something felt different.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in my room anymore.

I was standing in a vast, empty expanse. The ground beneath my feet was smooth and reflective, like black glass. Above me, the sky was an endless void, shimmering faintly with distant lights, almost like stars. It was eerily quiet—too quiet. The air felt heavy, thick with an unspoken tension.

Where am I?

I took a cautious step forward, my foot making an echoing tap against the glass-like surface. The sound seemed to ripple outward, distorting the air around me. That's when I noticed something in the distance—a faint glow, like a beacon calling me.

As I walked toward it, the glow grew brighter, revealing a massive, floating screen suspended in the void. It was the same system interface I'd been seeing in the real world, but here, it was larger, more imposing.

The words on the screen burned brightly:

[Welcome to the Training Realm]

[Enhance your skills. Face your fears. Emerge stronger.]

I reached out to touch the screen, but before my fingers could make contact, the ground beneath me shifted. The reflective surface cracked and shattered, and I felt myself falling—plunging into an abyss of light.

---

When I landed, it wasn't on the glassy expanse anymore. I was in a dense forest, the kind you'd see in old fantasy games. The air was crisp, the smell of earth and moss filling my senses. A notification pinged in my vision:

[Objective: Survive and strengthen yourself.]

[Starting now.]

I barely had time to process the message before a rustling sound broke through the silence. I turned toward it, my heart pounding in my chest. From the shadows of the trees, a creature emerged—a wolf-like beast with glowing red eyes and fangs that looked like they could tear through steel.

It growled low, its body crouching as if ready to pounce.

[Threat Detected: Shadow Beast, Level 3]

[Recommended Action: Fight or Flee.]

Fight? With what?

I patted my sides, searching for a weapon, but my hands came up empty. I had nothing—not even a stick to defend myself.

The wolf didn't wait. It lunged at me, jaws snapping. I barely managed to dive out of the way, the beast's claws raking the ground where I'd just been standing.

[Combat Skill Activated: Evasion, Level 0 → Level 1]

The notification appeared in the corner of my vision, but I had no time to focus on it. The wolf turned, its glowing eyes locked onto me again. This time, I couldn't just dodge forever. I needed to fight back.

Suddenly, a new notification appeared:

[Skill Unlocked: Basic Combat Techniques]

[Would you like to equip this skill? Yes/No]

"Yes!" I shouted instinctively, and a surge of warmth spread through my body. My fists tingled, and somehow, I knew how to fight. It wasn't perfect—it felt rough and unrefined—but it was better than nothing.

The wolf charged again, and this time, I stood my ground. As it leaped toward me, I stepped to the side and delivered a clumsy but effective punch to its flank. The beast yelped, stumbling as it hit the ground.

[Combat Skill Increased: Basic Combat Techniques, Level 1 → Level 2]

Adrenaline coursed through me. I wasn't just surviving—I was learning.

The fight continued, each clash pushing me to my limits. I dodged, struck, and endured, feeling my skills improve with every move. By the time I delivered the final blow, my body was shaking, and the wolf dissolved into black smoke, leaving behind a glowing orb.

[You have defeated Shadow Beast, Level 3.]

[Experience Gained: 30 EXP.]

[Level Up: 1 → 2]

I stared at the screen, breathing heavily. The glowing orb hovered before me, pulsing gently.

[Skill Orb Obtained: Choose a new skill to learn.]

As I reached for it, the world began to blur, and I felt myself being pulled away—back to reality.

---

I woke up with a jolt, my body drenched in sweat. The familiar surroundings of my room greeted me, but the memory of the forest, the wolf, and the fight was still vivid in my mind.

In the corner of my vision, the system's message remained:

[Skills Enhanced: Basic Combat Techniques, Level 2.]

[Progress Saved.]

My breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps as I stared at the glowing notification lingering in the corner of my vision. My body ached as if I had truly fought for my life, and the phantom sensation of impact—my fist slamming into the wolf's body—still lingered in my knuckles.

I swallowed hard. This wasn't just a dream.

Shakily, I sat up, wiping the sweat from my forehead. The room was silent except for the faint hum of my ceiling fan, but it felt different—less real somehow, as if my mind was still halfway trapped in that strange realm. My hands clenched and unclenched at my sides, and I could still feel the lingering heat of the skill awakening inside me.

Was this the system's way of training me? Throwing me into a world where I had to fight to survive? If so… how far would it go?

A soft ding echoed in my ears, making me flinch. A new notification appeared:

[Skill Orb Stored: Choose a skill before your next session.]

My heart pounded as I hesitated, then willed the message open. Another screen materialized before me, listing three options:

1. Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 1) – Increases reaction speed and agility in combat.

2. Basic Weapon Mastery (Lv. 1) – Improves proficiency with melee weapons.

3. Minor Regeneration (Lv. 1) – Accelerates healing for minor injuries over time.

I stared at the choices, my mind racing. Each one had obvious benefits, but I had no idea what awaited me the next time I entered the training realm. If I even could enter it again.

My muscles ached just from thinking about it. What if I get thrown into a tougher battle next time? What if I don't make it out?

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to focus. Panic wouldn't help. If this system had chosen me for something, I needed to adapt. Quickly.

After a few moments of deliberation, I made my choice.

[Skill Acquired: Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 1)]

A sudden warmth flooded my limbs, sharp and electric, like a jolt of energy running through my nerves. My vision seemed clearer, my body lighter. It was subtle but noticeable, like I'd just stretched after being stiff for hours.

Then, just as quickly as it came, the sensation faded. The system's interface disappeared, leaving me alone in the dim light of my bedroom.

I let out a shaky breath and collapsed back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. My heart was still racing, but exhaustion pulled at me again. This time, however, I wasn't sure if I wanted to sleep.

Because now, I knew exactly what was waiting for me on the other side.

And next time, I needed to be ready.