PASSAGE 13: RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

Discharged at last, Alaric finally breathed the familiar air of home. Dinner with his parents was a warm affair, a comforting return to normalcy after the harrowing ordeal. Yet, beneath the surface, a tremor of anticipation crackled within him. It was finally time to explore the enigma nestled in his damaged eye – the Eye of Chronos.

Ever since waking from his hospital slumber, a strange phenomenon had plagued him. A translucent, black window, reminiscent of a video game interface, materialized only before his gaze. Gleaming golden text scrolled across its surface, accompanied by a relentless countdown. "Welcome Player," it had declared, "your first mission will begin in 6 Days, 09 hours and 14 minutes."

The days melted away, each tick of the clock a drumbeat of anticipation. He kept the window a closely guarded secret, its existence known only to him. Finally, the countdown reaches zero. A jolt of energy surged through Alaric as a new message flashed on the screen: "Are you ready to prove your worth to the Eye of Chronos?" Below, two stark options materialized: Yes or No.

Without a moment's hesitation, Alaric slammed his mental fist on the "Yes" option. A ripple of power emanated from his eye socket as a rift, no larger than a doorway, tore open in the center of his room. A swirling vortex of inky blackness pulsed within. This was it. The moment of truth.

Steeling his nerves, Alaric squared his shoulders. Determination etched itself onto his face. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his form dissolving as he crossed the threshold into the unknown. The rift snapped shut behind him, leaving his room empty, a silent testament to the extraordinary event that had just transpired.

Alaric materialized with a gasp, the world solidifying around him. He blinked, taking in his surroundings. A dense forest floor, damp and shadowed, stretched before him. The air buzzed with an unsettling energy, a mix of decaying leaves and… something else. A mischievous cackle echoed through the trees, sending shivers down his spine.

This was no ordinary forest. It was the familiar, yet dreaded, training ground for E-Tier Hunters – a dark, foreboding place teeming with low-level rifters. A familiar translucent window popped into existence, its message stark and clear.

"This is your first mission," it declared in bold, golden text. "'Prove Your Worth': Kill 100 Pebble Goblins (0/100), Kill 100 Bookworms (0/100), Kill 100 Shadow Lurkers (0/100). Condition: Finish the Mission Within 10 Hours. Rewards: Mystery Box. Penalty for Failure: 10 Days Deducted from Lifespan."

Alaric's jaw clenched as he read the final line. Ten days for failure? Panic clawed at his throat. He had no anima powers, no combat training, and certainly no weapon to tackle this onslaught!

"Lumina!" he cried out, desperation lacing his voice. "What's going on? Why am I losing ten days of my life?!"

A shimmering figure materialized in front of him, the playful spirit of Lumina. Her usual carefree smile was replaced with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, hello there, Alaric!" she greeted, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

"This isn't funny!" Alaric retorted, his voice tight with fear. "How am I supposed to kill 300 monsters with nothing?!"

Lumina sighed dramatically, a theatrical air to her movements. "Oh dear, it seems you haven't read all the messages yet, have you?" she cooed, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Alaric's eyes narrowed. Messages? He hadn't noticed. He focused back on the window, noticing a previously unread notification blinking faintly. With a mental tap, he opened it.

Golden text materialized, a welcome message for the Eye of Chronos. Below it, listed as a beginner's pack, were two skills: Temporal Breach, allowing him to open rifts with limited daily uses, and Void Hold, a personal dimensional storage with limited capacity.

A surge of relief washed over him, quickly replaced by a jolt of surprise as he activated Void Hold. A single item lay within – a familiar dagger, its worn hilt and cold steel glinting in the dim light. It was Isaac's dagger, the very weapon Ms. Selena had used…

Gripping the hilt firmly, Alaric took a fighting stance. He wasn't sure what awaited him in this twisted game, but he wouldn't go down without a fight. The first cackle grew louder, closer. It was time to prove his worth, or face the consequences.

A guttural roar shattered the silence as a hulking Pebble Goblin, wielding a crude stone axe, charged at Alaric. Adrenaline surged through him, and he barely managed to deflect the blow with Isaac's dagger. The impact jarred his hands, sending a tremor through his entire body. The goblin, fueled by a primal rage, pressed the attack.

Just as the goblin lunged for another swing, Alaric spotted an opening. With a surge of newfound courage, he countered. The dagger, guided by a desperate hope, plunged deep into the goblin's chest. A burst of golden dust erupted as the creature dissolved into nothingness.

A notification window materialized before him, confirming his first kill – one Pebble Goblin slain, with 99 more to go. But something else caught his eye. A numeral "2" had replaced the "1" next to his level, and a warm green aura pulsed around his body for a fleeting moment. The tremors in his hands vanished, replaced by a newfound sense of vigor.

Confusion clouded his features. "Lumina," he called out, voice laced with disbelief. "What just happened?"

"Think of it like a video game, Alaric," Lumina chimed in, her voice brimming with amusement. "Every time you defeat a rifter and complete missions, you gain experience, leveling up in the process. Each level makes you stronger, faster, more resilient."

A spark of excitement ignited in Alaric's eyes. This… this was a game-changer! Not only did he have the potential to become a true Hunter, but this system ensured his survival. He wouldn't succumb to fatigue or lingering injuries. Every victory fueled his progress, every level a stepping stone to unimaginable power.

A thrill coursed through him. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was a chance to reach the pinnacle, to become something more than just an Untouched. A fire burned bright within him, the promise of strength a beacon guiding him forward. The remaining goblins, mere stepping stones on his new path, charged towards him. Alaric met their assault head-on, a newfound determination hardening his resolve. He was a player now, and this twisted game was about to get interesting.