The familiar chill of the stone floor greeted Zuol-Ki once more. He groaned as he pushed himself up, a hand running through his hair. "Shit... not again."

A pair of boots clicked against the floor, the sound echoing around the sparse training hall. Jeok-Myung appeared into view, his usual cool demeanor replaced with an amused smirk.

"Enjoying your nap, Zuol-Ki?" Jeok-Myung teased, offering a hand to help him up. "You sure picked a shitty spot to lie down."

Zuol-Ki grumbled, accepting the offered hand and standing up. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, fucker. You ever sleep on a rock? It's invigorating."

Jeok-Myung raised an eyebrow but decided not to comment further, instead, he led Zuol-Ki towards the training area. As the day's activities started to unfold in the same familiar rhythm, Zuol-Ki couldn't help but dread the upcoming meeting with the second strategist.

As they sparred, Zuol-Ki's mind was elsewhere. The humor faded, replaced by his focus on the strange system and the choices it would soon offer. He began to prepare, mentally going over his past choices and the resulting consequences.

The echo of a familiar voice interrupted his musings. "Not focused today, Zuol-Ki? Your mind seems to be wandering," Jeok-Myung taunted, scoring a hit on Zuol-Ki's shoulder.

"Fuck!" Zuol-Ki hissed, rubbing the hit spot. "You're right. My mind is just… elsewhere. Can't seem to concentrate."

"Well, maybe this will help," Jeok-Myung smirked, launching a fast series of attacks at Zuol-Ki.

Zuol-Ki, with a grimace, knew he had to focus. He met Jeok-Myung's attacks with equal fervor, letting the familiar dance of their blades ground him in the present moment.

Before Zuol-Ki could continue his ribbing with Jeok-Myung, the familiar sight of the messenger bursting through the training hall doors cut him off. "Zuol-Ki, Jeok-Myung, the second strategist calls upon you."

The familiar, surreal sensation washed over Zuol-Ki as the ethereal screen floated up in front of his eyes, presenting the same three options as before.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Proceed immediately to the second strategist]

▶ [Insist on finishing your training before meeting the strategist]

▶ [Confront Jeok-Myung here and now about your trust issues]

"Alright, alright, no need to shit yourself," Zuol-Ki told the panicking messenger, pointing at the first option.

▶ [Proceed immediately to the second strategist]

"We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of...strategizing."

Jeok-Myung looked taken aback but didn't voice his confusion. They walked the well-tread path to the strategist's room, where the familiar, imposing figure awaited them behind a large desk.

"Your task," the Strategist began, the words now predictable to Zuol-Ki, "is to infiltrate the enemy stronghold. We believe they hold a crucial artifact that could turn the tide of the war in our favor."

His words echoed in the spacious room, but Zuol-Ki was hardly paying any attention. He was waiting for the appearance of the familiar screen. And just like clockwork, it shimmered into existence.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Accept the mission]

▶ [Refuse the mission]

▶ [Challenge the Strategist to a duel]

"Well," Zuol-Ki sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes at Jeok-Myung, "since everything else I've done has turned to shit, why not mix things up?" He jabbed a finger at the third option.

▶ [Challenge the Strategist to a duel]

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Jeok-Myung's eyes widened in disbelief, and the Strategist raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement playing on his stern face. "This... will be interesting," he commented dryly, standing from his desk to face the challenge head-on.

As soon as Zuol-Ki's finger made contact with the ethereal screen, choosing the option to challenge the Strategist, the world around him froze. The Strategist, midway in standing, was as still as a statue, a half-smile frozen on his face. Even the air seemed to pause in anticipation.

And then, the familiar screen reappeared, only this time, it had a menacing red countdown timer ticking away in one corner: 15 seconds.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Attempt to make the first strike]

▶ [Defend and counterattack]

▶ [Apologize and retract the challenge]

Zuol-Ki watched the timer slowly tick down - 14... 13... 12... His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Fuck, why are these my options?" he grumbled under his breath, looking at the choices. He was, quite literally, in the fight of his life and he had to make a decision, fast.

His gaze turned back to the timer - 9... 8... 7... With a resigned sigh, he made his choice, hoping for a better outcome than his previous runs.

He reached out, selecting the second option

▶ [Defend and counterattack]

In an instant, time unfroze, the world returning to motion around him. The strategist's half-smile bloomed into a full-blown grin, a dangerous spark in his eyes.

"Interesting. I didn't see that coming," he said, rising from his seat and drawing a sheathed sword from his side. "Are you sure about this, Zuol-Ki?"

Zuol-Ki steeled his nerves, glancing once more at the ethereal screen before it faded. "If I die, I die," he muttered under his breath, positioning himself in a defensive stance.

The Strategist lunged forward, quicker than Zuol-Ki could have anticipated. But before the Strategist's blade could meet Zuol-Ki's flesh, Zuol-Ki moved with an agility he hadn't known he possessed. With a swift move, he sidestepped the attack, turning to deliver a swift counterattack.

Their swords met with a loud clash, vibrating in their hands. Zuol-Ki's heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. But as their swords pushed against each other, he saw a certain gleam in the Strategist's eye.

"Good. Very good, Zuol-Ki," the Strategist said, pushing him back and pointing his sword at Zuol-Ki. "But let's see how long you can keep up."

As the Strategist lunged forward with a deadly precision, an ethereal screen flickered into existence before Zuol-Ki, time once again freezing around him.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Attempt to disarm the Strategist]

▶ [Charge headlong into the Strategist's blade]

▶ [Proclaim your undying love for the Strategist]

Zuol-Ki's eyes widened at the options presented before him. "This has to be some sort of sick joke," he muttered under his breath, feeling the tick of the seconds as the countdown began.

With no sane choice to make, he reached out and hesitantly selected the first option

▶ [Attempt to disarm the Strategist]

The world returned to motion, and Zuol-Ki, moving with a newfound agility, attempted to knock the Strategist's blade out of his hands. Their swords clashed, sparks flying, and for a moment, Zuol-Ki could swear he saw surprise flicker in the Strategist's eyes.

Zuol-Ki's world exploded into action as his blade met the Strategist's in a thunderous clash. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline flooding his veins as he strained against the might of the Strategist. It was a desperate gambit, but the look of surprise on the Strategist's face gave him a glimmer of hope.

And then, with a final push and a twist of his wrist, Zuol-Ki felt the Strategist's weapon slip from his grasp. It clattered onto the stone floor, a harsh ringing filling the room. Silence followed, the sudden absence of the metallic clanging echoing louder than anything.

The Strategist stared, wide-eyed, at the empty space where his weapon once was. His gaze then shifted to Zuol-Ki, a mix of surprise and... respect? It was fleeting, replaced almost immediately by a scowl.

"Well played, Zuol-Ki. I did not expect such audacity from you," he growled, his voice holding a dangerous edge.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Hand the Strategist his weapon back, maintaining your humility]

▶ [Demand respect and an apology from the Strategist]

▶ [Challenge the Strategist for his position]

Zuol-Ki walked over and picked up the Strategist's weapon. ▶ [Hand the Strategist his weapon back, maintaining your humility]

Its cold, metallic weight felt foreign in his hand, and he turned it over a few times before approaching the Strategist. Extending his arm, he held out the weapon, hilt-first. "Your weapon, Strategist," he said, his voice even.

The Strategist studied him for a moment, then took his weapon, his expression hard to read. "Thank you, Zuol-Ki," he grumbled, "your humility is... unexpected."

"Did you expect me to gloat?" Zuol-Ki asked, his tone light. The Strategist didn't respond, his gaze locked onto his reclaimed weapon. "Or perhaps you thought I would try to overthrow you?"

"I wouldn't put it past anyone," the Strategist grunted, "Everyone has ambitions, some more than others. I should know" laughs loudly as if he is proud of displaying it.

Zuol-Ki nodded, remembering his own ambitions. He had wanted to prove himself, to show his worth. Instead, he had been killed and thrown back into this cycle of reincarnation.

"Then let's start fresh," Zuol-Ki proposed, extending his hand, "Shall we? But know some things aren't meant to be forgotten" with a creepy sinister smile

The Strategist eyed him warily for a moment before nodding and accepting his handshake.

However, as he walked away, his system blipped to life once more, a new screen materializing in front of him.

"[Please select an option:]"

▶ [Start training immediately for the mission]

▶ [Investigate the strange energy again]

▶ [Talk to Jeok-Myung about the upcoming mission]