Leveling Up in the Apocalypse

Jack felt like he was in a completely different body. Not even close to the strength of his body during the incursion.

[You have successfully been transported across timelines. In this world. The incursion has already leaked through. But in the form of dimensional rifts. These rifts have leaked mana into the atmosphere. And like you, have empowered them. To form what they call 'hunters' this day and age. We have reformed your body and manipulated the world to place your identity in a similar state. Your name remains as Jack Monroe. You have no family. Your old friends still remain. We could not fully reinstate your true body to its immense strength. And you have been reduced to the power of a E rank. For compensation. You may retain two skills from your past.]

Jack sighed and rubbed his head, it was a lot of information to process.

'So…I'm essentially the same person. But my place in this world is a bit different.'

"I'll choose the skills 'Kings Arsenal', and 'Camoflauge'."

[You have retained the knowledge of skills 'Kings Arsenal', and 'Camoflauge'.]

"Right. These should be the most useful skills to start new. Though it probably would've been better if I could have an extra skill or two. But that's fine."

Jack stood up.

[Please be warned. A shadow of your former power still remains in your weak. It will intimidate weaker monsters. But attract stronger monsters and outer entities. Be careful which rifts you enter until you have become strong again. We will continue to assist you. You have been reset to level 1. Good luck, hunter.]

Jack got out of his bed. And looked at his phone. There were, some artificial memories created in his head. But they were similar to his past life. His childhood remained pretty much the same. He still had no family. And he was still completely irrelevant.

"Actually, this is perfect…since I'm so irrelevant. It'll give me time to get stronger without getting any attention."

Jack didn't have a weapon to his name. And had gained the new knowledge of the world through memories. He knew that he couldn't even attempt to afford one. He would have to use his bare hands. Jack ventured out. The city was a bit…unfamiliar. It was different. It seemed like a lot of buildings had been taken down. And nature seemed to reclaim the land that had been taken. It was more like a modern utopia.

'…This was supposed to be a few years before the incursions…did the appearance of rifts and mana leaking into the atmosphere seriously affect the environment this much?'

He pulled out his hunter license. The bottom of the bottom. E-Rank.

'So this is what the system meant when they said they couldn't fully reconstruct my body. I'm immensely weaker. Judging by these artificial memories. Before I died I was most likely stronger than any hunter on the planet. Or maybe I'm overestimating myself, but if I wasn't. Then when that entity returns. We'll have no trouble. But I have a feeling that won't be the case.'

He walked through the bustling streets. No longer incredibly cluttered. Smelly. And littered with trash. It was quite drastic. But also quite nice. It felt worth it. Dying knowing he had failed protected his other world. But it felt like heaven here. But he still had a responsibility. Eventually. Worlds will collide.