Back to Zero: The Cascade's Grip (BL)

The dungeon's oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Yi Zhen and Ren Zhi. The labyrinth was a maze of shifting shadows and foreboding silence, its darkened passages echoing with the distant murmurs of unseen horrors.

Yi Zhen, with his slender frame and pale features, moved with practiced grace, his every step a careful calculation. Beside him, Ren Zhi's imposing 187 cm frame and rugged, handsome face cut through the gloom, his broader build a stark contrast to Yi Zhen's more delicate form.

The dungeon's final trial had begun, and their mission was clear: survive the 3S Class promotion dungeon's boss to advance. But the deeper they ventured, the more the dungeon seemed to warp into a living nightmare. The air grew colder, and the silence more ominous. 

The chamber they entered was vast, its walls lined with ancient runes that pulsed ominously. The boss, a monstrous amalgamation of shadow and terror, was supposed to be a 2S Class creature with a limited roaming range. The system's data had assured them of this—only a minor threat. However, what they saw before them was a nightmarish 3S Class entity with freedom to move anywhere, its eyes glowing menacingly in the darkness.

"This isn't right," Yi Zhen's voice trembled with frustration. "The system said this boss was a 2S Class with restricted movement. But look at it—it's a full-fledged 3S Class monster with no limits!"

Ren Zhi's face was a mask of grim determination, but his eyes betrayed his lost. "It's a trap. The system deliberately gave us false information to ensure our deaths. We need to adapt quickly or we're finished!"

The boss let out a bone-chilling roar, and its immense form lunged at them. Yi Zhen and Ren Zhi fought with every ounce of strength they had. The creature's attacks were sudden and brutal, its claws slicing through the air with terrifying precision. The once-manageable fight had devolved into a desperate struggle for survival.

The dungeon's oppressive darkness seemed to tighten around them, amplifying the terror they felt. Each attack from the boss was more relentless than the last. The walls shook with the force of its strikes, and the air grew thick with the stench of fear and despair.

Ren Zhi, with his broader shoulders and formidable strength, tried to hold the beast at bay. His movements were powerful but increasingly strained. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to stem the tide of the monster's fury. Beside him, Yi Zhen fought with a desperate precision, his blade flashing as he attempted to strike the creature's vulnerable spots.

But even their combined strength was insufficient. The boss's attacks became more erratic and devastating. The creature, clearly stronger and more dangerous than anticipated, roamed freely, its movements unpredictable and vicious. The darkness pressed in on them, each second stretching into an eternity of fear and desperation.

Ren Zhi took a brutal blow to his side, his weapon slipping from his grasp. He staggered, his face pale and strained, but his eyes remained defiant. "We can't keep this up! The system lied to us—it's not just misleading us, it's actively trying to kill us!"

Yi Zhen's heart pounded as he watched Ren Zhi fall. The sight of his ally and friend in such peril fueled his rage and determination. "We have to hold out just a little longer. We can't let them win!"

But their efforts were in vain. The boss, now fully unleashed and more powerful than they had ever imagined, overwhelmed them with its relentless assault. Ren Zhi fell to the ground, his body battered and bruised. Yi Zhen fought with a final surge of energy, his blade striking out in a desperate attempt to save his friend. But the boss's monstrous claws struck him down, and darkness closed in around him.

As the life drained from his body, Yi Zhen's mind was a storm of anger and betrayal. The MAIN SYSTEM had deceived them, its false information leading to their tragic end. His last thoughts were a mix of rage and a hatred.

.

.

.

Yi Zhen awoke in a stark, blindingly white room, disoriented and gasping for breath. The sterile calm of the room was a jarring contrast to the chaotic end he had just experienced. He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of his new surroundings. A holographic system materialized before him, its cold, mechanical voice breaking the oppressive silence.

"WELCOME TO OBLIVION CASCADE REALM. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOOSEN AS A NEW PLAYER. TO ESCAPE THIS REALM, YOU MUST PROMOTE TO 4S CLASS PLAYER STATUS. COMPLETE COUNTLESS DUNGEONS AND SURVIVE."

The system's display showed Yi Zhen's new status:

NAME: Yi Zhen

GENDER: Male

AGE: 18

DAYS: 1

PLAYER LEVEL: 0

The realization struck him like a hammer. He was back to his 18-year-old self, granted a second chance in the same cruel realm. His previous life, filled with suffering and endless battles, was now a distant memory.

A harsh, hysterical laugh escaped Yi Zhen as he processed his new reality. "So this is the game they want to play," he muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and determination. "They think they can break me with their lies and traps. I'll rise to 4S Class, and I'll tear this place apart from within. I'll make the MAIN SYSTEM pay for what it's done."

With a vow to not only survive but to conquer the realm and exact his revenge, Yi Zhen prepared himself for the trials ahead. The realm awaited him, and this time, he was ready to face it with a burning resolve and a secret that could change everything.