I sat on a rock, alive.
My face lost its color as cold sweat ran down my back. I died right now, I felt it. The sensation of losing control of my body and mind as all my senses dulled was still fresh in my mind.
I gritted my teeth and looked around.
'Status window'
The golden hologram panel I expected didn't manifest at all. The status window didn't show up, but something else did.
{Hero System}
Greetings! You have entered the tower, and with it, your struggles begin. To prove your worth, clear the 0th floor, and more system functions will be unlocked!
*{Quest: Clear the 0th floor | Reward: unlock system features}
{Hidden quest "The beginning" has been cleared! | Reward: counting feature}
[Tutorial starting in 9:54]
The status window didn't work, but this 'Hero System' did. My mind rapidly cooled down and began listing the differences.
Everyone had their personal status window reflecting their own mind; mine was the typical floating hologram with countless runic-like shapes. The Hero System, unlike the status window, was an old-fashioned hologram that reminded me of the old operating systems.
They worked independently of each other, as this system was activated even before the tutorial. And more importantly, I turned back in time. I had two possible reasons as to why.
The first one, my trait is [Regression] and I didn't know because my status window was fucked up.
The second one, someone or something gave me the Hero System, and my regression was caused by it.
More questions arose, but I focused on the main things and glanced at the rewards the system gave me.
{Hero system}
Floor 0 | Loop 1
Causality: 0%
It seems you have looped for the first time, which is great! You have cleared a hidden quest and accessed the very first system feature. Keep up the good work!
*{Quest: clear the 0th floor | Reward: unlock system features}
[Tutorial starting in 6:24]
Keep up the good work? Fuck it, I died minutes ago, and I wasn't the only one. I abandoned Seyeon and Jiwon, letting them fight against a monster; was it considered 'good work'?
'What are you?'.
Obviously, no reply came back.
***
I gazed thoughtlessly at the sea. Last time I talked to a small group of people but now I was just waiting for the tutorial to begin.
"Hey, what's on your mind?". Jiwon tall figure could be seen at the corner of my eye.
Jiwon was tall and had a toned body. He suffered an unfair death, I clenched my fist.
I won't let it happen again.
"Um... hi?".
Jiwon stood in front of me with a smile, I'm sure my face was still somewhat pale. With a slight smile I replied to him.
"Sorry, I just had a shitty week".
We started chatting like that. Eventually I joined the same group as yesterday and did the same things. Finally, as the timer hit [00:00] I felt an unmeasurable pressure shut down my body.
That 'angel was here'.
"Humans, the time has come. All barriers have been shattered and your sheltered lifes have ended".
While the pressure of its presence made my brain enter a panicked state I tried resisting. Using every ounce of willpower I had, a sense of control returned as my pinky twitched.
After the angel disappeared weapons and food spawned. This time I looked at how other people reacted, almost everyone was breathing heavily some even crying, but someone stood out.
That blonde girl.
She was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and nose. If I had to judge, she had awoken a trait or skill that her body couldn't handle. Maybe she was A rank or even higher.
Before doing anything there was something I needed to confirm.
'stats window'
Identity
[User: Cassian Ardani
Age: 17
Race: Human
Titles: Student]
Progression
[Lvl : 1
Existe?ce rank: f-[ERROR]
Floor: 0]
St?ts
[ERROR]
[STATUS WINDOW CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE]
>Reloading( 0%~~~0.0%)<
My level was back to 1. This was really bad, the only leverage I had was my knowledge, if my level didn't stack I wondered how many tries would I need to clear this floor, how many times would I die?
I brushed off those thoughts and thought about this tutorial, The objective was clear, escape from the island. But doing so wasn't so clear.
At most I've discovered a lot of wild animals and the presence of a tribe. While I pondered on what to do, Kim Seyeon stood in front of the pile of weapons and tried calming the situation.
Then, something clicked.
Seyeon formed a small group and prepared to scout the island. The difference was that this time I chose not to go with them.
Before they could go off, I called Seyeon.
"You should go the opposite direction". I got to the point.
"Why is that?". Seyeon asked curiously, playing with and arrow between her fingers.
"It's dangerous". As I said that, the glow of her eyes increased. For a moment we both were silent.
"how do you know that?". She asked, her tone more serious than before.
My main advantage was information, so what I needed the most was people trusting my information, and I've got a perfect lie for that.
"My skill is 'insight', it randomly gives me advice". Her brows furrowed slightly at what I said, She wouldn't fully trust my words, but at least she couldn't prove them false.
"Cassian you lied right now, didn't you?". My expression broke for a second, how did she know? What trick did she use? Does she remember? A myriad of questions surged but I had no answer.
"what's that look? I'm sure you wouldn't lie so blatantly". She wore a playful smile, which then shifted into an expressionless one.
"But if I find out you lied..".
She then outstretched her hand towards me, my brain raced up as I thought about what to do. But before I could do anything she pinched my cheek.
"I'll be really dissapointed! ". I didn't know what face I was making as she began to giggle.
"You were really scared weren't you? It's fine to lie about your skill, but at least say half-truths, those are harder to detect".
Her golden irises turned off as if nothing had happened and she began to walk away.
I thought about apologizing but the embarrassment held me back. Kim Seyeon was less ordinary than I thought.
***
My eyes scanned the area and I tried to see which groups have been formed.
There were mainly 3. Young kids that were alongside adults and the bleeding girl, a group of rough-looking people and young adults all from 20 to 50.
I finally chose to act. I knew more about the island so it was my responsibility to at least try to guide them a bit.
After Seyeon's group grabbed some weapons everyone avoided them as if they did't exist.
A pile of hundreds of weapons laid untouched along with enough food for days.
Everyone was getting more comfortable with each other but they still lacked unity.
I couldn't bring everyone under my leadership, I didn't have anything that made stand out except my regression. But I just needed to make everyone start working together as a group, at least I could do that much.
"Everyone!". In similar fashion to Seyeon, I was in front of the pile of weapons.
"We're stranded on this unknown island, we should cooperate for our survival". I held everyone's attention as I continued talking
"I'm sure that 'thing' hasn't given us weapons and food for nothing, we need to establish some sort of camp and collect materials".
As everyone was still somewhat shocked, they still hadn't considered what to do. My survival skills weren't notorious but I knew this was a must.
"Heh, I agree with the kid!".
A muscular man with a buzz cut spoke, he was in the rough-looking group and seemed to be someone well-versed in survival.
Him calling me kid made my mouth flinch a little but that was fine.
"We can't be here doing nothing while those young-ins explore the island. I'll begin by collecting some wood!". With that he shot a glance at his small group and they began to follow him.
As he reached the mash of weapons, he looked at me.
"You're more composed than you look kid". I glanced at him mildy annoyed as he grabbed an axe and examined it. What was with old people belittling everyone younger than them?
"I'm not a kid, you know?". After I said than he let out a dry chuckle and alongside his men went to collect some wood.
The other groups also began moving as some adults and teenagers went along the water to see if they could catch some fish.
"Everyone, grab something for self-defense, these weapons should be used!". After saying that I felt that I had done enough.
I quietly blended with the group with the kids as I grabbed some apples.
"Any of you are hungry?". Some nodded while others were to shy to ask. The gazes of the adults softened.
I made eye contact with the blonde girl as she seemed to have stabilized a bit. She was the person whom I was most curious about, so I approached her.
"What happened?". I asked her being as polite as possible as she just looked at me. Seconds passed as the silence remained.
"I'm sorry, she seems to have difficulty talking after her attack". A kind looking lady told me as she helped her support herself.
"My bad, I just wondered if she needed anything". Still smiling, I began making small talk with some of the kids and adults.
With only a look you could see how shitty her state was. Her bloodshot eyes still lingered on me even while bleeding and her hands slightly quivered as if in constant pain.
I felt pity for her, seeing someone so helpless reminded me of something funny.
I was pulled out of my thoughts as a weak grip held the cuff of my sleeve as she trembled slightly, her lips slowly moving to convey something.
"..you'll die".
these two words, more silent than a whisper, left me in a dumbfounded state.
***
Some hours passed just like that, i helped catch some fish and build fires. As for the blonde girl? She had collapsed after saying that!
What the meaning of that?
Well, the meaning was clear, I would die. But why did she tell me that?
Most importantly, how? If it's true what would kill me in the future?
Clenching my head I chose not to worry, even if I die I will go back again, won't I. Regression is really a cheat.
I unconscious smiled as I ate some cooked fish. My body felt sore as i had hunted some snakes that had approached the camp, adding to that I helped collect herbs and bring wood for the campfires. It wasn't all for nothing though.
Progression
[Lvl : 3
Existe?ce rank: f-[ERROR]
Floor: 0]
The only thing left was for Seyeon to come back, I'm sure she hasn't encountered the tribesman from last time but who knows what could've happened.
The camp was lively as everyone got together. Just seeing them eat and laugh despite this dire situation made me feel like I was on the right track.
But everything good can't last forever, approaching on the horizon two figures could be seen. Thinking they could be from Seyeon's group I approached them.
When I recognized the two, my blood froze. The main reason for my failure on the first run came to haunt me for a second time.
I didn't know what to do as they arrived at our camp. Other people also notice the two as they got up and came here.
I tightly grabbed my spear as the tall one stood in front of me.
"Who are you folk?".
We were 80 people, if you don't count the kids ad those who couldn't fight we maybe were 40-50 people, no matter how strong he was he couldn't take 50 people right?
If I played my cards right I could avoid a fight, I had to say the perfect thing for the moment. As I was about to say something, someone stood in front of me.
"We should be asking that question punk". The tribesman called Dagan smirked as if looking at a new toy.
Hong Seokjin, the buzzed muscular man confronted him.
"Where do you come from? I didn't know there was another village on the island I have explored countless times". Dagan deliberately swung around his spear as if threatening us.
"It's weird for so many new people to suddenly appear, don't you think so?". He then proceded to point his spear at Hong Seokjin's neck.
"Calm down, we shouldn't be hostile to one ano-".
"Who the fuck do you think you are". The tension excalated quickly as both Dagan and Hong Seokjin faced one another.
"Rude bitch, don't know how to talk with someone stronger than you?". After hearing Dagan's words everyone in Hong Seokjin's group was angered.
"Watch your mouth".
"Wanna die?".
"Shut the fuck up".
The tension seemed to grip the air as they shot daggers at each other.
"I had a pretty boring face, but beating the shit out of you will be fun". Dagan proceded to launch his sword to the ground as he took a stance.
Seokjin was startled by this, but he then followed suit.
"Do you really think I need a weapon to beat you". He then tossed his axe. But the instant his gaze left Dagan he got immediately knocked out.
Dagan moved in a flash as Hong Seokjin's body flew various meters before falling into the cold sand.
What the fuck was that? My whole body lost the will to fight as my brain pleaded me to run away.
I wasn't the only one, nobody wanted to confront Dagan.
He was unnaturally strong, and I could feel as if a strange 'energy' surrounded him. Why was he so violent? It didn't make sense for someone to attack people they just met, was he a sociopath?
"What? Nobody's gonna do anything". Dagan smirked to himself as he began walking towards Hong Seokjin's body.
"Guess I'll finish him off".
As if taunting us, he walked slowly. His fellow tribesman was just looking away as if he wasn't associated.
His steps remained unbothered. The closer he got, the more I panicked. What could I do against him.
His back seemed unreachable as my feet sunk deeper into the sand.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
I sprinted towards him with all my might and swung my spear. It only found empty air as Dagan sidestepped.
"You're a brave one, aren't you?".
His grin widened like a wild animal.