The neon grid shimmered around Aditya as he caught his breath. Level 2 had been tougher than he expected, but he had survived — barely. His Algorithmic Arts hummed faintly, waiting for the next command.
A sudden pulse ran through the digital world. The floating code streams rearranged, forming a message in glowing cyan letters:
"I've been watching you, transmigrator. Let's see if your fame is deserved."
Before he could react, a figure materialized from the neon mist — a young male, slightly taller, with sharp eyes and a cyber cloak that flickered like corrupted code. A smirk curved his lips.
"Name's Kiran," the figure said. "They told me a prodigy had arrived. Let's see if you can keep up."
Aditya's pulse quickened. Another transmigrator. But unlike the Guardian, Kiran didn't give him instructions or warnings — he attacked immediately, sending a barrage of digital projectiles that warped space itself.
Aditya reacted instinctively, deploying a combination of Algorithmic Arts and real-world knowledge. Each projectile was intercepted with digital shields calculated using physics equations, while he hacked a few code fragments to redirect others.
"You rely too much on flashy code," Kiran taunted. "Let's see how you handle strategy."
Aditya grinned. Strategy is my specialty. Drawing on army drills and battlefield tactics, he analyzed Kiran's movement patterns, predicting his attack sequences. Instead of reacting blindly, he created a trap: a looping corridor of holographic walls that funneled Kiran's projectiles back.
The digital world crackled with energy as the trap worked — Kiran dodged but didn't expect the precision timing of Aditya's counterattack. Sparks of neon cyan and magenta lit the battlefield.
"Not bad…" Kiran admitted, adjusting his cloak. "But this is just the beginning. Level 2 has more than code traps — the real test is mind versus mind."
Aditya's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary duel. This was transmigrator versus transmigrator, intelligence, skill, and strategy pitted against each other. He felt the familiar thrill — this was the kind of challenge that would sharpen his Algorithmic Arts, his army-inspired tactics, and bring him one step closer to his dream.
The digital sky darkened. A wave of corrupted code began spreading across the grid, faster than anything either of them had expected.
Aditya clenched his fists, his laptop flickering to life. "Let's see who adapts faster."