Chapter 2: THE COST OF REVIVAL
Kaito's body screamed as it registered the searing heat of blood spilling from his wounds.
His chest was a mass of gashes, the thick scent of iron mingling with the cold, musty air of Noctis Hollow. His pulse thudded painfully in his ears.
Each breath he took felt like he was dragging a blade across his lungs. But worse than the pain—far worse—was the feeling of something slipping away.
Something that was never supposed to leave him.
A deep, gnawing sensation churned in his stomach, and his mind raced, trying to comprehend what had happened.
He had been revived.
This should have been impossible. Eclipse Online was a game built on the premise of permadeath. Once you died, your character's data was erased. There was no second chance, no miracle revival. Yet here he stood, his body battered and broken, but alive.
Or at least, something that resembled life.
[Soul Integrity: 94%]
Kaito's gaze dropped to the glowing stat that hovered at the corner of his vision.
It had only been a few seconds since the battle began, but each time he glanced at that number, it seemed to drop lower.