"Where... am I?" he whispered, his voice shaky.

The system’s voice answered. "Location: Unknown. Current status: Safe. Threat level: Minimal."

Jun Xin let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him. For now, he was safe. But the memory of the A-class monster and the overwhelming power gap lingered in his mind.

"Hah, What a monster, The power gap can’t even compare," he said softly, clenching his fists. "I’m weak, too weak. I am lucky enough to escape that nightmare."

As he stood and surveyed his surroundings, determination burned in his chest. He had survived the Gate, but his journey was far from over. With his newfound ability and the system as his guide, he would find a way to grow stronger and face whatever challenges lay ahead. Survival wasn’t enough anymore—he had to prepare for the battles yet to come.

Jun Xin brushed off the dust and checked his surroundings. The plain stretched endlessly, bathed in a strange, pale light that seemed to come from nowhere. There were no landmarks, no sign of life—just an eerie stillness that gnawed at his nerves.

"System, what’s the nearest point of interest?" he asked, trying to focus on the next step.

"Analyzing... No significant landmarks detected within a 10-kilometer radius. Energy signature detected approximately 12 kilometers north. Possible exit from current dimension."

Jun Xin frowned. The idea of walking 12 kilometers in an unknown, potentially hostile dimension wasn’t appealing, but it was better than standing still. He adjusted his grip on the battered weapon still in his hand and started walking north.

The silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of his boots on the dry, cracked ground. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder, half expecting the monster to appear out of nowhere. But the plain remained empty, and the sky stayed dark.

After an hour of walking, Jun Xin’s exhaustion began to catch up with him. The mana he’d absorbed from the crystal had dulled the worst of his fatigue, but his body still ached. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this place was draining him, sapping his strength with every step.

"System," he said, his voice hoarse, "any tips for conserving energy?"

"Recommendation: Rest at regular intervals. Current stamina reserves at 47%. Energy depletion rate increased due to environmental factors."

"Great," he muttered, scanning the horizon for anything resembling shelter. The plain was barren, with no rocks, trees, or even hills to break the monotony. He sighed and kept walking, his thoughts drifting to the monster he’d left behind.

It wasn’t just the power gap that bothered him—it was the realization of how unprepared he truly was. Knowing the monster’s weaknesses hadn’t mattered when he lacked the strength to exploit them. If he wanted to survive in this world, he couldn’t rely on analysis alone.

As he walked, his thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound—like the distant hum of machinery. He stopped, straining to listen. The noise grew louder, coming from the direction he was heading. It wasn’t just machinery; there were voices, faint but unmistakable.

Jun Xin’s heart raced. Could it be other people? Allies? Or worse, enemies?

He crouched low and moved cautiously toward the source of the sound. The barren plain gave way to a slight incline, and as he crested the ridge, he saw the source of the noise: a makeshift camp surrounded by glowing pylons. Inside the camp, figures moved about, their shapes blurred by the shimmering light of the pylons.

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Jun Xin squinted, trying to make out details. The figures didn’t look like monsters, but their movements were stiff and mechanical. He could see a mix of humanoid shapes and what looked like automated drones, all working in unison.

"System, what am I looking at?" he whispered.

"Analyzing... Entities detected: Synthetic humanoids and autonomous constructs. Camp purpose: Resource extraction. Threat level: Moderate."

"Resource extraction? What are they mining?"

"Energy signature consistent with dimensional stabilization artifacts. Likely used for maintaining the integrity of this space."

Jun Xin considered his options. The camp could be dangerous, but it might also hold supplies or information that could help him escape. He needed to tread carefully.

"All right," he murmured. "Let’s see if I can get a closer look without getting caught."

He slid down the ridge, keeping low to the ground. The pylons emitted a faint hum, and the air around them shimmered with what looked like a protective barrier. Jun Xin crept closer, stopping just outside the barrier’s edge.

The camp was more organized than he’d expected. The synthetic humanoids moved with precision, carrying strange, glowing materials to a central structure. The drones buzzed overhead, scanning the area and occasionally descending to make adjustments to the pylons.

Jun Xin’s eyes were drawn to the central structure—a large, cube-like device that pulsed with an intense blue light. The energy it emitted was almost tangible, sending faint vibrations through the ground.

"System, can I interact with that thing?" he asked, pointing to the device.

"Interaction possible. Warning: Device energy levels unstable. Approach with caution."

"Noted," he said, edging closer. He needed to find a way past the barrier first. The pylons seemed to be the key, and he focused on one that looked slightly damaged, its glow flickering intermittently.

"System, analyze that pylon. Can I disable it?"

"Analyzing... Pylon integrity at 72%. Manual override possible with direct access to control panel."

Jun Xin smiled grimly. "Looks like I’ve got a way in."

He waited for a gap in the drones’ patrol patterns before darting toward the pylon. The barrier’s hum grew louder as he approached, and he felt a faint resistance as he reached out to touch the pylon’s surface. A small hatch slid open, revealing a set of controls.

"Let’s hope this doesn’t fry me," he muttered, pulling a small tool from his pack and getting to work. The system guided him, highlighting which wires to cut and which nodes to bypass. Within minutes, the pylon’s glow dimmed, and the barrier in that section flickered and vanished.

Jun Xin slipped through the gap, his heart pounding. He was inside the camp now, surrounded by the synthetic workers. They didn’t seem to notice him, their attention was focused on their tasks. Still, he moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows as he made his way toward the central structure.

The closer he got, the more oppressive the energy became. It pressed against his skin like a heavy weight, making each step harder than the last. But Jun Xin pushed forward, his determination outweighing his fear.

When he reached the base of the structure, he found another control panel. This one was far more complex, covered in glowing symbols that pulsed rhythmically.

"System, can you guide me through this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Affirmative. Warning: High risk of triggering defensive protocols. Proceed only if prepared for immediate engagement."

Jun Xin hesitated. If he activated the device, there was no telling what might happen. But if it was his only way out, he had to take the risk.

"Let’s do this," he said, placing his hands on the panel. The system’s guidance filled his mind, and he began manipulating the controls, each movement precise and deliberate.

The structure’s glow intensified, and the ground beneath him shook. A low, mechanical voice echoed through the camp: "Stabilization sequence disrupted. Initiating lockdown procedures."

Jun Xin cursed under his breath as the synthetic workers and drones all turned toward him, their movements no longer mechanical but aggressive.

"What a luck," he mumbled, readying his weapon. "Looks like there's no easy way out."