Kingdom: A New Era

In Tarou, a remote village in the countryside of Qin, a boy of around 10 years old gazes into a pond, observing his reflection—a boy with black spiky hair, fierce black eyes, and a handsome face.

'It's been a week since I arrived in this world' he thinks to himself. 'This world is also known as the 'Kingdom' manga or anime. I was born to a father named Ley Wei, a soldier who passed away in battle on the day I reincarnated into this world.'

From the memories of this boy's body—named Ley Lin—he understands his reputation in the village: humble and cowardly. Ley Lin had no other family; his only relative, his father, perished in battle, leaving him a house, some money, and a name to inherit.

He confirmed that this was indeed the world of "Kingdom" manga/anime upon learning the name of His Highness of Qin kingdom who is yet to be crowned, Ei Sei, and encountering a boy named Shin, who resembled the main character. Ley Lin visited the town's shop district to purchase rations.

'If this is the 'Kingdom' manga/anime world, then no one is safe in this accursed place,' he muttered to himself while observing birds soaring in the sky. 'There's no way of knowing when soldiers will come to kill or enslave us. Only the strong will prevail in this world. Even though I aspire to be a great general like in 'Kingdom', survival comes first before that wish.'

Returning home, Ley Lin enjoyed a good lunch and then inspected his home storage. Since his father was a soldier, he discovered weapons—a spear, shield, and light armor. He was astonished that the old man (referring to his father) had such valuable items hidden away in the house.

He walked out into the open courtyard with the spear and began swinging it randomly. After some time, his hands started to ache, and he dropped the weapon numerous times. Eventually, after many attempts, he began to grasp how to wield the weapon, although he still lacked proper technique and formation in his swings.

Following his exercise, Ley Lin approached his uncle, a friend of his late father's, to ask him to train him in spear techniques. His uncle agreed and demonstrated some basic spear formations which Ley Lin diligently practiced. However, after a week of training, both Ley Lin and his uncle concluded that he didn't possess a natural talent for spear wielding. Instead, they noticed Ley Lin's aptitude in archery—his ability to view distant objects with precision.

Realizing the importance of close combat in this world, Ley Lin purchased a bow and arrows. He then began practicing both archery and spear techniques to develop a well-rounded skill set.

After a month of dedicated training, Ley Lin's archery skills improved significantly. He could now shoot arrows accurately at a distance of 20 meters and manage up to 30 meters with less precision, still marveling at his natural talent for archery.

His spear wielding had also progressed; he could wield the spear freely, unbothered by its weight, and use it effectively for defense. However, Ley Lin knew that mere skills with weapons wouldn't be enough to survive in a war—he needed to confront the reality of bloodshed.

To prepare himself mentally, Ley Lin began hunting in the nearby jungle areas, where a diverse range of fauna existed unlike in modern times. He started with rabbits, taking them to a butcher and observing the butchering process. While this might seem harsh or cruel, Ley Lin understood that enduring this brutality was essential for facing the gruesome realities of war.

Despite the discomfort and challenges, Ley Lin recognized that as a talentless and lazy person from the modern era, he had limited options in this primitive world where survival was paramount. Adaptation and resilience were key to his survival.

After enduring weeks of discomfort and bouts of vomiting, Ley Lin gradually developed a resistance to the butchering process as he skinned rabbits himself. However, he acknowledged that this was still far from the gruesome reality of war and that his lack of fighting skills posed a serious risk.

Determined to face the challenges ahead, Ley Lin devised a plan: he would first focus on maximizing his archery and spear wielding abilities while also improving his physical strength and conditioning. He realized that a strong body was crucial for survival in this harsh world.

Ley Lin embarked on an intense training regimen, pushing himself to the limits. He ran 10 kilometers daily, lifted weights, climbed hills repeatedly, and engaged in rigorous calisthenics such as push-ups and pull-ups. He committed himself to any exercise that he believed would strengthen his body and prepare him for the trials ahead.

Slowly shedding his previous laziness, Ley Lin's motivation was fueled by the anticipation of an exciting future and the harsh reality of survival in a cutthroat world. He knew that he had to leave behind his former self to stand a chance in this dog-eat-dog environment.