Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~ - Chapter 7: Level Up

I am the sword.
Killing a man amidst a thousand miles, no one dares take ten steps.
Killing a man amidst a thousand miles, no one can take ten steps.
Killing a man amidst a thousand miles, ten steps? Not possible!
I am the sword, the sword is me,
On the path towards heaven, each shall wield their own.

It’s 2100, and Vincent Carter – Ying – is a twenty-year-old virgin with a penchant for profanity, he has but three guiding principles:“In a world where honour and valour seem like unaffordable luxuries, cowardice remains the pragmatist’s ultimate virtue. Spinelessness isn’t shameful, it’s simply self-preservative romance.”“Doubt is unironically the cheapest superpower a person can have, after all if it’s human, it’s probably plotting something. And if it’s plotting something, it’s probably hiding something. And if it’s hiding something… well, you get the idea. So question everything, one sceptical step at a time.”And lastly,“Muscle heads – because who needs brains when you can just flex your way through life? Couldn’t be me, I’ll tell you that much.”Armed with nothing but these… questionable (?) values, as well as experiences shaped by a hellish life in the slums, Ying dives headfirst into the latest VR sensation – Cultivation Climax, a world brimming with great magic, ancient mysteries, and blood-curdling conspiracies just waiting to be unravelled.However, because Ying’s life is just that kind of special, he is greeted with a rather ‘lovely’ surprise upon opening his eyes to the new world…Ding![Your misfortune is truly astounding!][You have awakened the absolute WORST talent for Cultivation!]‘…’“…W-what?!”Yes, what indeed.

Year 2022, December the 1st. This was the day it all began.

Labyrinths had started forming all around the world, hundreds and thousands of people lost their lives as casualties.

Mutations followed after, occurring amongst the people, they began awakening super powers, the same for animals.

However these mutations brought along a virus. It quickly spread amongst the dead as they began to rise. Humanity had begun its fall.

Gray who had given up all hopes of living life, was granted a system with a special ability. On the very same day, of the outbreak, he was consumed by a labyrinth.

By the time he had gotten out, a week had passed. It was hell all around. A virus had broken out from the mutations, the dead were walking and spreading this virus.

However this was only the beginning.

Over time the mutations began to evolve and people learnt that the through the cultivation of their powers, they could improve their abilities.

“I can’t believe my eyes. The ice lord actually kissed a man. God, help me!”