Renji tightened the strap of his worn-out backpack as the automated train sped through the outer edges of the city. Beyond the transparent walls, barren land stretched far and wide — territories humanity was still struggling to reclaim.
They called them "Gates." Not because the zones themselves were artificial — but because access to them had been stabilized, reinforced, and categorized by human science. The true locations? Warped remnants of Earth claimed by the Voidspawn decades ago.
Renji glanced down at his gate registration screen:
Gate ID: Zone-44F: Rabbit Nest
Threat Level: F-Rank (Low)
Stability: Controlled
Classified Notes: Mindless-type infestation. Do not underestimate. Survivability not guaranteed.
So this was his starting point. Not some legendary battlefield — just a warped patch of farmland overrun by mutated beasts.
He smirked.
"Yeah, sounds about right."
This should be easy even if my stat is awful.
As he arrived at the staging ground, a dozen other students were already gathered. Some looked anxious, others overly confident in flashy gear and fake bravado. He recognized a few faces from the academy orientation — none paid him any attention.
A short briefing was being given by a bored-looking gate supervisor.
"No parties above 4. Stick to your level. This is still enemy territory. If you die, that's on you. Next."
Standard stuff.
Renji quietly stepped past the others and walked toward the gate. It stood like a shimmering veil — a circular ripple of blue light, humming softly between two tall pillars reinforced with suppressor tech.
He paused. Took a breath.closed his eye's.
Then stepped inside.
[ Entering Zone-44F: Rabbit Nest ]
Light bent around him. The air changed.
Suddenly, he stood in the middle of a wide grassy field. Artificial sun panels above the dome shone light down — but the land itself was real. Real dirt. Real blood. A farming district from the old world, now corrupted by Voidspawn presence.
At first glance, it looked peaceful.
But Renji wasn't fooled.
He scanned the terrain. Burrows pocked the hillsides. Faint claw marks marred the ground, and a thick scent of rot and wet fur hung in the air.
Then he saw it.
His first enemy.
A rabbit — but nothing like the fluffy pets from the other side. This one was the size of a bulldog, with sharp, yellowed claws and eyes that twitched in every direction. Its matted gray fur was tangled with dried blood, and two razor-like front teeth jutted from its snarling mouth.
It locked eyes with him.
And charged.
Renji reacted on instinct, barely dodging to the side. The rabbit moved fast — much faster than he expected. Its claws grazed his jacket, tearing a chunk off the side. He stumbled back, grip tightening on the rusted training blade he'd picked up secondhand.
It's just one. Just focus.
The creature turned quickly and leapt again. This time, Renji crouched and rolled forward under its body, turning and slashing in the same motion. His blade cut across one of its hind legs. The rabbit shrieked and twisted violently, trying to claw him again.
He ducked under the swipe, pivoted, and drove his blade upward — straight into its exposed belly.
Blood spurted onto his face.
The rabbit twitched, let out a broken squeal… and collapsed.
Dead.
[ +20 XP ]
[ Beast meat acquired. ]
[ Beast fang acquired. ]
Renji fell to one knee, breathing heavily.
He stared at the corpse.
His heart pounded in his ears. His grip on the blade trembled slightly. But he wasn't scared. Not anymore.
"…I did it," he whispered.
His first kill.
Then, for the first time in a while, he laughed.
Not a crazed laugh like the one he'd let out after his resurrection. No — this was real. Raw. A laugh of survival. Of victory.
He stood, wiped the blood from his eyes, and looked toward the next hill.
There were more out there. Stronger ones. Faster ones.
But he wasn't backing down.