Era of Players: Death God

The open forest stretched endlessly around Noah, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. Towering trees swayed gently in the breeze, their emerald leaves rustling in harmony with the chirping birds above. The fresh scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filled the air, creating an atmosphere of serenity—an ideal place to rest after conquering the dungeon.

Noah took a deep breath, allowing himself a rare moment of relaxation. He had been pushing himself nonstop, training, fighting, and growing stronger at an alarming rate. Now that he was the first to clear the dungeon, he had earned this brief respite before venturing into the next challenge.

His destination was set—the waterfall in the heart of the forest. The distant roar of cascading water guided him, and with his enhanced speed, he arrived in no time.

The waterfall was breathtaking. A towering curtain of crystal-clear water crashed down into a wide, tranquil pool below, sending a fine mist into the air. The sunlight filtering through the dense canopy created a shimmering effect, rainbow-colored reflections dancing across the water's surface. Moss-covered rocks lined the pool, and a small clearing nearby provided the perfect spot to rest.

Noah wasted no time. He shrugged off his coat and shirt, setting them aside before stepping toward the water. The cool mist brushed against his skin, sending a pleasant chill through his body. With a smooth motion, he undid his boots and stripped down, stepping into the shallows.

The water was refreshingly cold, a stark contrast to the warm forest air. He waded deeper until he was waist-deep, then took a deep breath and submerged himself completely. The water enveloped him in an instant, washing away the exhaustion clinging to his body.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Noah allowed himself to simply exist. Floating beneath the surface, his mind drifted, free from the weight of battle, of strategy, of survival.

It was quiet. No system notifications. No monsters lurking. No threats.

Just him and the endless tranquility of the water.

After a moment, he resurfaced, taking in a deep breath as the cold air hit his damp skin. He ran a hand through his wet hair, pushing it back as he turned his gaze to the waterfall.@@novelbin@@

There was something mesmerizing about the way the water fell endlessly, breaking against the rocks below, yet never ceasing. It reminded him of himself—always moving forward, never stopping, no matter how much was thrown his way.

A small chuckle escaped him. "Getting poetic now, huh?"

He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on such thoughts. Instead, he swam closer to the waterfall, feeling the sheer power of the rushing water as it pounded against his shoulders. The sensation was exhilarating, like a full-body massage mixed with a test of endurance.

He let the water crash over him for a while, letting it wash away the tension in his muscles.

After thoroughly enjoying his bath, Noah climbed onto one of the smooth rocks near the edge of the pool, letting the sun dry his skin. He leaned back on his elbows, closing his eyes as he reviewed his next steps.

• First, assess his current strength. Soul Ascension had given him an overwhelming advantage, but he needed to test its limits further.

• Second, choose his next dungeon carefully. The upcoming challenges would only get harder, and rushing in blindly would be reckless.

A deep rumble in his stomach reminded him of another important priority—food.

With a smirk, he stood up, shaking off the last drops of water before heading to his belongings. Drying off quickly, he redressed and pulled out his cooking kit from his item box.

If he was going to take a break, he might as well do it properly.

He gathered fresh ingredients from his storage—some wild vegetables he had picked up along the way, a cut of seasoned meat, and a handful of herbs to enhance the flavor.

Starting a small fire, he skewered the meat, letting it roast over the flames while the vegetables sizzled in a pan. The rich aroma filled the air, blending perfectly with the natural freshness of the forest.

As he cooked, his mind drifted back to Lilith.

Would she catch up soon? Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

He had no doubt.

Smirking to himself, he took a bite of his meal, savoring the rich flavors.

"Well, if she does, I'll be ready."

With that, he enjoyed his food, the peaceful sounds of the waterfall and the forest serving as the perfect backdrop for his well-earned rest.

With his hunger satisfied and his body rejuvenated from the bath, Noah decided to continue his routine with some light exercise.

He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar tension in his muscles loosen. The forest clearing provided the perfect training ground—wide open space, soft earth beneath his feet, and the soothing sound of the waterfall in the background.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. Time to move.

He started with basic warm-ups—jumping jacks, push-ups, squats—before transitioning into something more dynamic. His body was a well-oiled machine, honed through countless battles, but even the sharpest blade needed polishing.

Slowly, he took a stance, imagining an invisible enemy before him.

A step forward. A pivot. A strike.

His movements flowed like water, transitioning seamlessly between Karate and Taekwondo techniques. A quick front kick, a spinning roundhouse, a sharp elbow strike—all executed with deadly precision. The air whistled as he moved, his strikes cutting through it as though it were a tangible opponent.

His training wasn't just about strength—it was about control. Power meant nothing if it wasn't properly directed.

He shifted his stance, focusing on Taekwondo now. Footwork was key. He executed a rapid series of kicks—a side kick into a spinning hook kick, finishing with an aerial back kick that sent leaves swirling around him.

In his mind, he wasn't just practicing—he was fighting. His imaginary opponent dodged, countered, forced him to react. His body responded instinctively, twisting and turning to avoid unseen blows.

Then, he switched to Karate, refining his hand strikes. A flurry of punches—straight, uppercut, palm strike—each one precise, each one capable of breaking bone.

His breathing remained steady, controlled. His muscles burned with exertion, but he welcomed the feeling.

Deciding to push further, he began integrating mana into his movements. His strikes became sharper, his kicks faster. A faint glow surrounded his limbs as he focused his energy, reinforcing each movement with supernatural force.

He punched forward, and a shockwave of condensed air blasted the ground before him, scattering dirt and leaves.

He jumped, twisting in midair as he executed a spinning kick. The sheer force of his motion sent a wave of displaced wind outward, rustling the trees around him.

A smirk tugged at his lips. This was fun.

His training continued, alternating between martial arts and mana-enhanced strikes. He visualized different opponents—monsters, warriors, enemies stronger than him. How would he counter them? How would he strike?

He lost himself in the flow, body and mind working in perfect unison.

As a final test, Noah decided to execute a finishing technique.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. Then, in a flash, he vanished.

Shadow Steps.

He reappeared behind his imaginary enemy, his black sword Nemesis in hand, its edge gleaming ominously. His body moved with instinctual precision as he slashed forward, unleashing a dark crescent of energy that carved through the empty air. The power of the attack sent shockwaves through the clearing, shaking the leaves in its wake.

He exhaled slowly, lowering his sword. His pulse thrummed with adrenaline, but his mind was clear.

Satisfied with his training, he sheathed Nemesis and took a moment to cool down. He stretched his muscles, allowing the tension to fade, before dropping into a meditative stance near the waterfall.

Eyes closed, he focused inward.

His mana swirled within him, refined and powerful. His body, stronger than ever. His mind, sharpened and clear.

A small smile played on his lips.

He was ready for the next challenge.