Chapter Three: The Impossible Hunt

Throughout history, there have been whispers of a creature so rare that even the most ancient records fail to capture more than fragmented mentions of its existence.

Nyz'Gath.

The Eternal Dread.

A being that embodies the very cycle of death and rebirth.

Unlike ordinary monsters, Nyz'Gath is cursed to never truly die, forever trapped in an unending cycle of destruction and renewal.

Upon its death, it is reborn as a Lesser Ghoul, stripped of its former strength, yet with a singular instinct: survive at all costs.

During this vulnerable phase, it moves in the shadows, avoiding anything that threatens its existence.

But even in weakness, it is never alone—for when faced with danger, it summons an army of Lesser Ghouls to its defense.

The chances of encountering Nyz'Gath in this state are one in ten billion—so infinitesimal that most believe it to be nothing more than legend.

To find it, fight it, and slay it before it could awaken to its true form is something that defies all probability.

And yet, Oliver did exactly that.

Through sheer misfortune—or perhaps, the cruel designs of fate—he stumbled upon a freshly reborn Nyz'Gath.

Unaware of the beast's true nature, he engaged it in battle, his mortal body struggling against a creature far beyond his limits.

Every moment, his survival teetered on the edge of oblivion. Even when three more ghouls arrived, even as he was torn apart, he refused to fall without taking one down with him.

And in the instant his blade pierced Nyz'Gath's heart, the trial concluded.

And Oliver hadn't just survived—he had achieved the impossible.

***********

Darkness consumed him.

Oliver's consciousness drifted through the void, his broken body lying still upon the blood-soaked battlefield.

The silence of death surrounded him. Yet, even in death, the system did not abandon him.

A cold, resounding voice echoed within the abyss—an announcement that should have been impossible for the dead to hear.

[System Notification: Performance Evaluation Completed]

You have accomplished what no mortal was ever meant to achieve.

Against all odds, you have hunted the uncountable and slain a creature thought beyond the grasp of those bound by mortality. The world's cycle dictated that Nyz'Gath would always return, evading death until its strength was restored—yet you, an unawakened soul, defied fate itself.

For this act of absolute defiance, a title beyond measure is bestowed upon you.

[Class Awakening: SSS-Rank – Abyssal Warlord]

A class forged in the crucible of endless battle. The Abyssal Warlord is one who walks the path of war without end, a warrior who rises, again and again, until all enemies have fallen. To wield this power is to embrace eternal struggle, for in death, there is no peace—only the call to fight once more.

[Skill Awakening: Unyielding Rebirth]

A skill befitting one who refuses to fall. Unyielding Rebirth ensures that as long as the battle rages, you may rise once more. Should you perish upon the battlefield, your soul will defy oblivion, dragging you back into the fray. However, this gift is not without limits—it may only activate in the heat of combat.

[Error…]

A sudden distortion rippled through the system's voice.

[Critical Conflict Detected: Host Has Perished]

[Unyielding Rebirth Activation Conditions Met]

[ERROR – Activation Postponed Due to Absence of Life]

[System Override in Progress…]

The void trembled. The very rules of existence bent in response to what had transpired.

[New Directive: The Host Has Achieved the Impossible]

[System Protocol Adjusted – Initiating Immediate Revival]

A pulse of searing energy flooded Oliver's remains. The battlefield stirred.

A body torn asunder began to mend, flesh knitting together, muscle reforging, lost limbs regrowing.

Death had claimed him, yet the system had rejected its claim.

With a sharp, gasping breath, Oliver's eyes shot open.

He was alive.

Oliver sat up abruptly, his mind struggling to process what had just occurred.

His body was whole again and was clad in simple leather armor.

His hands clenched into fists, testing his restored limbs. He felt… stronger. Sharper. Alive.

Around him, others stirred they were also wearing the same armor.

Some looked dazed as if waking from a nightmare.

Others sat hunched over, trembling with silent horror. Their faces were pale, eyes sunken, haunted by memories of what they had endured.

The environment was unlike anything Oliver had ever seen before.

A rustic village stretched before them, its wooden buildings and cobbled pathways resembling the starting zones of countless RPGs.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of morning dew and freshly turned soil.

Then, a system message blinked before his eyes.

As he instinctively looked around, he realized he wasn't the only one who had received it—others flinched, their eyes flickering with confusion and fear as they processed the same notification.

[System Announcement: First Trial – Cleared]

Congratulations, survivors.

You have endured the crucible of the Pre-Entry Trial and proven your right to step into the Main World. Out of the 8 billion souls once tethered to Earth, only 1 billion remain.

The weight of those words crashed down upon them like a tidal wave.

For many, the sheer magnitude of loss was incomprehensible.

Cries of anguish pierced the air—the shattered wails of those who feared that their loved ones might not have made it.

Others fell to their knees, numb with disbelief, clutching their heads as though trying to deny reality itself.

Some stood frozen, wide-eyed in silent horror, their minds unable to process the truth.

Yet, not all reacted.

A few remained eerily silent, their expressions unreadable—whether due to shock, denial, or something else entirely. Among them stood Oliver.

Unmoving. Unfazed.

His gaze was devoid of emotion as if the announcement held no weight. After all, he had already died once.

The voice continued, unwavering.

[System Directive: Understanding the Main World]

Now that you have entered the Main World, there are crucial truths you must understand. The life you once knew is gone. Your only path forward is strength. Those who fail to grow will be swallowed by the abyss.

First, you must comprehend the essence of this world—Meta Essence.

Oliver narrowed his eyes. Meta Essence?

The system's voice grew deeper, carrying a weight that seemed to echo into the very fabric of reality...

End of Chapter Three