Power of Zero

Cipher continued to climb, his hands numb from the metal tree's surface as his feet strained to find footholds. The higher he went, the more the wind howled, carrying the scent of something foul. His heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline rushing through him as he tried to put distance between himself and the Blaper. The creature, which had initially been a dot in the distance, was now dangerously close, its grotesque form scaling the tree with unnatural ease.

Cipher glanced over his shoulder, feeling his stomach churn as he took in the creature's full appearance. The Blaper's face was an unholy mess of writhing, grotesque features. It resembled a bear, but its face had been twisted, as if someone had jammed it into a blender—distorted, contorted, its mouth full of sharp, jagged teeth. Black fur matted in patches, stiff with what could only be assumed to be blood, it moved with terrifying precision, its massive claws sinking into the tree's metal branches. The creature's eyes locked onto Cipher, gleaming with malice as it drew closer.

His stomach dropped as he reached another branch, feeling the weight of his decisions catch up with him. Was this really how it was going to end? Struggling to stay alive in this nightmare world?

No. Cipher clenched his jaw. I can't die again. Not like this.

His fingers tightened around the tree, and his gaze flicked back down to the Blaper. It was only a few branches below him now, its enormous body pressing against the metal with horrifying ease. Cipher's pulse spiked as the thought hit him: I have to kill or be killed.

He wasn't prepared for this. He only had one skill he'd learned so far—the ability to clap his hands and amplify the sound. But was that enough to stop a creature like the Blaper?

Cipher glanced around, desperation clouding his thoughts. But then, as if a spark of clarity ignited, he remembered the voice—the mysterious presence that had guided him since his arrival.

"As my partner, you're supposed to help me, right?" Cipher muttered under his breath, a surge of frustration tinging his voice. "So what is the ability I used before?"

There was a brief pause, then the voice responded, a quiet chuckle hinting at its amusement. "What you used before was called Amplification Magic—APM. By imbuing your thoughts and intent into the sound you make, you can amplify it. The potential applications are vast. In this situation, APM can be used as a weapon."

Cipher's heart raced as the words sank in. He wasn't helpless. Amplification Magic was the key. It could be the edge he needed to survive this.

"So, what exactly do I need to do?" Cipher asked, more determined now.

The voice responded, "Any sound you make can be amplified. A yell, a clap, a snap—these can be your weapons. Focus, channel your intent, and amplify the impact."

Cipher nodded, glancing around for a solution. He needed something to increase the force of his attack. His eyes fell on a thin, metal branch just above him, swaying gently in the wind.

He reached up, stretching his arm as far as it would go. His fingers brushed against the branch, but it refused to break. He tried again, using his body weight to move it back and forth, only to realize it wasn't wood—it was metal. His breath quickened as he realized time was running out. The Blaper was getting closer, and its snarls grew louder, more guttural, as it closed in on his position.

A bead of sweat ran down his forehead as he yanked the branch with all his strength. Please, he thought, just give me this one shot.

The branch cracked, snapping in his hand with a sharp, metallic sound. Cipher exhaled in relief. He had it.

Holding the branch in one hand, Cipher wrapped his legs tightly around the metal tree, using it to stabilize himself. His other hand gripped the branch with white-knuckled determination. He lifted it high, focusing all his willpower on the act of amplification. His heartbeat thudded in his ears.

Below him, the Blaper was staring up at him, its eyes wide with hunger, its mouth hanging open. Cipher could almost feel the heat of its breath as it waited for him to make a mistake. Its claws clicked on the metal as it prepared to ascend again.

This was it. The moment.

Cipher slammed the branch down onto the trunk of the tree, concentrating every ounce of his energy into the motion. The impact was deafening, a sharp, ear-piercing shockwave that seemed to resonate through the very air itself.

The Blaper recoiled in agony, its entire body tensing as it struggled to maintain its grip. The shockwave reverberated through the creature, causing it to lose its balance. It howled, a mix of pain and fury, as its claws scraped against the metal tree, failing to find purchase.

For a split second, Cipher allowed himself to breathe, watching in awe as the creature faltered. But he didn't have time to relish the victory.

Clang!

The Blaper's body slammed into the metal branches below, each impact causing the air to crackle with the sound of broken bones and twisted limbs. Cipher turned his face away, not wanting to see the brutal consequences of his actions, but the sounds of the Blaper's fall echoed through the trees, each crash harder than the last.

Finally, the noise stopped. Cipher slowly opened his eyes, bracing himself for the sight.

The Blaper was hanging limp, impaled by several metal branches, its twisted body a grotesque, lifeless mass. The creature was no longer a threat. The tree had claimed it in a gruesome display of nature's raw power.

Cipher took several deep breaths, trying to calm the nausea swirling in his stomach. He couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt, but he pushed it down, focusing on his immediate goal: survival.

He began his descent, carefully making his way down the tree, testing each branch before trusting his weight to it. When his feet finally touched the ground, he exhaled in relief. He was alive.

Looking around, he felt the weight of the silence. The battle was over, but the strange world around him was still full of mystery. Cipher collapsed onto the grass, his legs giving way under him. His chest heaved with exhaustion, but he felt something else too—something he hadn't felt in a long time. Relief.

He didn't know how long he lay there, staring up at the sky, but eventually, a voice interrupted the stillness, its calm tone cutting through the air.

"Now that you're no longer in a kill-or-be-killed situation," DEM said, "we should discuss the next steps."

Cipher closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I think I've earned a break... But first, tell me: What should I call you?"

"You may call me DEM," the voice replied. "I am your partner, designed to help you understand and utilize the system here. There are many functions to learn—most importantly, the [System Display] and [Dream Credits]. I suggest you focus now and think about the [System Display]. It will appear in your view shortly."

Cipher did as DEM suggested, and with a thought, a screen materialized in his vision.[System Display]

Name: Cipher Starlight

Age: 15

Role: Knight of Light (Immortal)

Strength: D Class (9%)

Magic: D Class (5%)

Endurance: D Class (7%)

Intelligence: D Class (5%)

Weapons: None

Learned Magic: Amplification {Mastery Level 10%}

Dream Credits: 50

Cipher stared at the screen, taking in the information. Knight of Light. Immortal. The reality of his situation was beginning to sink in.

"So... this is my new reality, huh?" Cipher murmured to himself, still processing the enormity of it all. "I'm not sure what's worse—the monsters or the rules."

DEM's voice echoed in his mind, calm and collected. "Both can be overcome, Cipher. But first, you must understand the system. This world operates on its own rules. And you, as the Knight of Light, have a unique role to play. But before we go any further, there's much more to discuss..."

Cipher closed his eyes, letting the weight of the moment settle in. His journey was just beginning.