Ethan stood at the edge of a crumbling street, eyes scanning the ruins of Nova York. The city had once been the pulse of a thriving world—now, it was just a shadow of its former self. The towering skyscrapers, which had once reached toward the heavens, now stood broken and hollowed-out, their glass shattered and their steel frames twisted like the remains of a forgotten dream. The streets, once bustling with life, now echoed only with the sound of wind and distant growls of monsters.

  "Nova York," Ethan muttered to himself, a bitter edge to his voice. "Once the city that never sleeps. Now, it's just a graveyard. No one's coming to fix this."

  He turned away from the view and glanced at the group trailing behind him. Despite his cold exterior, he couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of responsibility toward these people. He decided to stick with them for the meantime, while he searched for his purpose.

  They decided to hunt monsters and grind levels, and came to a consensus about the possibility of stronger monsters appearing, they need to grow stronger.

  The team had gathered as they held their makeshift weapons, each of them armed with the tools of necessity. No one had anything fancy. This wasn’t about style. This was about staying alive.

  Mia was the first to step forward, holding a rusty kitchen knife, its blade chipped but still sharp. She handled it with precision, her movements calm and purposeful. Even though she was new to the whole "fight for your life" thing, there was an air of grace about her. She wasn’t flashy, but she didn’t need to be.

  "Ready, everyone?" Mia asked, her voice soft but steady. Her eyes flicked to Ethan for confirmation.

  Ethan just nodded. "We move quickly. No heroics. Just stay sharp."

  Alex, who was fiddling with his makeshift spear, couldn’t help but smirk. He’d fashioned it from a broken streetlight pole, the sharp end tipped with jagged metal. It looked flimsy, but he was all about speed. He twirled the spear between his hands, his grin widening as he caught Ethan’s glance.

  “Got my pointy stick ready to go,” Alex said with a wink. “Let’s see if these monsters are as tough as they look.”

  "Just don’t get yourself killed," Ethan replied, his voice flat.

  Alex rolled his eyes. “Come on, man. I’ve got this. Speed and agility, that’s the name of the game.” He jabbed the spear into the air like it was a sword. "It's not about size—it’s about finesse."

  Ava, standing nearby, adjusted her grip on her weapon—a baseball bat, nails sticking out from the wood. It was crude, but it would work. She looked at the others with a calm expression, her stance steady. She didn’t speak much, but when she did, it carried weight.

  "I’ll keep it simple. Hit hard, hit fast," Ava said quietly, eyes scanning the street. "We don’t have time for fancy moves."

  "You’re gonna need more than a bat for some of these creatures," Alex teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

  Ava didn’t answer, simply giving him a look that made Alex back off. He knew better than to push her too far.

  Cameron, their former police leader, was the last to speak. He had fashioned a spear-like weapon by attaching a jagged piece of rebar to a broomstick. It wasn’t pretty, but it was functional. His movements were calculated, every step measured.

  "Let’s keep it together," Cameron said, his voice low and commanding. "We’re not here to get reckless. Stay in formation, and don’t split up."

  Alex laughed under his breath. "You sound like a drill sergeant. You sure you’re not missing a whistle?"

  Cameron shot him a look, but there was no humor in it. “I’ll drill your ass into the ground if you don’t follow orders. Stay focused.”

  Alex raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get all serious.”

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  Ethan glanced at the group one last time, his eyes flicking from one member to the next. “Everyone knows their role. No mistakes. Let’s move.”

  The group advanced into the desolate city streets, moving quickly through the wreckage of what used to be a thriving metropolis. Their weapons were all they had between them and whatever monsters lurked in the shadows.

  It wasn’t long before they encountered their first group of monsters. They emerged from the ruins, twisted and distorted versions of familiar creatures—misshapen, with too many eyes, jagged teeth, and claws that looked like they could tear through steel. Their hissing, guttural growls filled the air as they charged with unnatural speed.

  Mia reacted first. Her knife flashed as she lunged at the nearest monster, slicing it across the side. The blade dug deep into its rotting flesh, and the creature howled in pain, stumbling back.

  You have gained 10 EXP.

  “Nice one, Mia!” Alex called out, his voice filled with enthusiasm. “That’s how it’s done!”

  Mia barely acknowledged the praise, already shifting her focus to the next monster. Her eyes were locked on it, calculating her next move.

  Alex grinned, not wasting any time. He stepped forward, the jagged pole spear in his hands, and thrust it into the chest of another creature. With a quick twist, he yanked it out, blood spraying across the pavement.

  You have gained 12 EXP.

  “Slow and steady, huh?” Alex muttered, his tone cocky as always. “These things are barely a challenge.”

  Cameron followed close behind, his rebar polearm swinging in a calculated arc. He struck one of the monsters in the head with a precise blow, dazing it. With a swift second swing, he finished it off, sending it crashing to the ground.

  You have gained 15 EXP.

  "That’s how you do it," Cameron said, his voice steady and authoritative. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his focus unshaken.

  Ava moved in next, her bat with nails sticking out swinging like a heavy hammer. The nails embedded themselves into the side of one of the creatures, and it screeched in agony. She swung again, this time bringing the bat down with a sickening crunch to the skull, dropping the monster in one final blow.

  You have gained 14 EXP.

  Ava didn’t say a word, just wiped the blood from her bat and got ready for the next round. Her quiet demeanor was a stark contrast to the brutality of the fight.

  Finally, it was Ethan’s turn. He didn’t hesitate. His axe—taken from a nearby construction site—swung in a clean arc, cutting through the air with deadly force. He buried it deep into the skull of a monster, the blade slicing through bone like butter. The creature collapsed instantly, twitching as it hit the ground.

  You have gained 20 EXP.

  Ethan’s movements were precise, almost mechanical in their efficiency. The other members of the group exchanged glances, their surprise evident. The way Ethan swung his axe with such raw power left them in awe. It wasn’t just strength—it was something else. Something unnatural.

  “Damn,” Alex muttered under his breath. “What the hell’s up with you, man?”

  Cameron’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not normal. How are you already this strong?”

  Ethan didn’t answer. Instead, he casually wiped the blood from his axe and looked around, scanning the area for any more threats. “Keep it down. There are more of them.”

  Mia stared at him, bewildered. “How... how are you already this strong?”

  Ethan glanced at them, his voice cool and unbothered. “Just keep grinding.”

  It wasn’t surprising that Ethan’s level was higher than theirs. With his ability to replicate items he didn’t need to worry about the physical toll of combat.

  While the others had to manage their wounds and energy, carefully rationing what little they had, Ethan could keep fighting without ever fearing exhaustion or injury. The constant replenishment of his potions allowed him to grind endlessly, fighting monster after monster with no concern for his physical state.

  The only thing that truly limited him was mental exhaustion, but even then, his cold, pragmatic nature kept him moving forward. Unlike the others, who were forced to rest, recuperate, and strategize, Ethan simply pushed through, his body and mind a well-oiled machine, constantly moving toward the next fight.

  In a world where the others were bound by the constraints of their own mortality, Ethan was free to hunt, level up, and grow stronger.

  [Ethan Walker]

  Age: 22

  Level: 13

  Strength: 27

  Dexterity: 27

  Vitality: 27

  Wisdom: 18

  Intelligence: 18

  Stat Points: 0

  Skills:

  Perfect Replication [Lvl. Max]

  Skill Points: 0