Reborn: Vanguard Of Hope

Chapter 17:

The morning air was crisp as Kai and his team approached the gates of Silverspire City. The familiar sight of the towering virtual metropolis, bustling with players of all ranks, filled Kai with a strange sense of nostalgia and foreboding.

This city had been the center of many pivotal moments in his past life, both triumphant and tragic. Yet, this time, the stakes felt different. He wasn't the reckless player who had lost sight of what mattered. He was here to build something lasting, something that could change the tides of the world's endless struggle.

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The Virtual System's Rules

As the team entered the city, a system notification popped up, reminding them of the rules governing matches in the virtual reality system.

[Virtual Arena Rules]:

1. Players may only participate in ranked matches twice per week.

2. Ranks determine matchmaking—players can only face opponents within their rank.

3. Bronze Rank requires 200 points to advance to Silver. Points are awarded based on performance, ranging from 10 to 30 points per win.

Kai absorbed the information, recalling how rigid these rules had felt in his past life. Back then, he'd been frustrated by the limitations, but now he saw their purpose. They forced players to be strategic, to make each match count.

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Team Strategy Meeting

The team gathered in a small room they had rented in the guild district. A simple wooden table, scattered with maps and notes, served as their makeshift war room.

Kai leaned over the table, his expression serious. "We have two battles this week. We need to make them count."

Lyra nodded. "Agreed. But our gear is still lacking. We might be at a disadvantage against better-equipped teams."

Vorn smirked, flexing his newly acquired reinforced gauntlets. "Let them come. We'll outsmart them."

Aelric rolled his eyes. "Brute force isn't always the answer, Vorn."

"Enough," Kai said, cutting off the bickering. "We focus on teamwork. Gear helps, but it won't matter if we can't work together."

He began outlining their strategy, drawing from his past experiences to predict potential opponents' tactics. The team listened intently, their confidence growing with each word.

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First Match: The Free-For-All

The arena materialized around them—a sprawling desert landscape, complete with shifting sand dunes and scorching heat. The free-for-all format meant every player for themselves, with the top three scorers earning points.

Kai scanned the battlefield as the match countdown began. Twenty players were spread across the arena, each one a potential threat.

[Match Start!]

Kai immediately activated Sunflare Dash, a speed-enhancing skill he had copied from a previous dungeon. He darted toward higher ground, avoiding the initial chaos as players clashed in the open.

From his vantage point, he observed the battlefield. One player, clad in heavy armor, was dominating a small group with a massive warhammer. Another, a mage, was raining fireballs from a safe distance.

Kai grinned. "Time to even the odds."

Using Spectral Copy, he mimicked the mage's fireball spell, adding it to his arsenal. He then targeted the warhammer-wielding tank, launching a barrage of fireballs to weaken his defenses.

The strategy worked. The mage, noticing Kai's attack, turned her attention to him.

"Perfect," Kai muttered. He dashed toward the tank, using him as a shield against the mage's counterattacks. As the fireballs hit the tank, Kai struck with a well-timed Solar Slash, depleting the player's remaining health.

[Eliminated Player: +2 Points]

Kai barely had time to breathe before another player attacked—a rogue with dual daggers. The rogue was fast, his movements almost a blur, but Kai anticipated his strikes.

He activated Radiant Shield, a defensive skill he had copied, blocking the rogue's assault and countering with a powerful strike.

[Eliminated Player: +2 Points]

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Endgame

As the match neared its conclusion, only five players remained. Kai had accumulated 12 points, placing him in second. The mage, who had stayed on the outskirts of the fight, led with 16 points.

"I need to take her out," Kai thought, formulating a plan.

Using the terrain to his advantage, he approached the mage's position. She spotted him and began casting a massive spell, her hands glowing with fiery energy.

Kai activated Sunflare Dash, zigzagging to avoid her attacks. At the last moment, he used Spectral Copy to replicate her spell, unleashing a mirrored version that collided with hers mid-air.

The explosion sent both players flying, but Kai recovered faster. He closed the distance, landing the finishing blow.

[Eliminated Player: +2 Points]

[Final Score: 14 Points - 1st Place]

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Post-Match Reflection

Back at the guild hall, the team reviewed Kai's performance.

"You carried that match," Lyra said, her tone both impressed and annoyed. "But you took too many risks."

Kai shrugged. "Calculated risks. And they paid off."

Vorn chuckled. "Still, it was impressive. You've got a knack for turning the tide."

Kai's expression darkened slightly. "It's not just skill. It's experience."

He didn't elaborate, but the weight of his past life hung heavy in the room. The lessons he had learned, the mistakes he had made—they were what truly gave him an edge.

"Next time," Kai said, his voice firm, "we win as a team."

His teammates nodded, determination in their eyes. They were beginning to understand that Kai's drive wasn't just about climbing ranks. It was about building something greater—together.

End of Chapter 17.