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Without any clue on how to unlock it, he decided to leave it for now and focused on his immediate survival. He conservatively drank water from one of the two bottles he had brought with him while contemplating his next course of action.
Jay decided to scout his nearby surroundings to understand more about the Trial Zone. Slowly, he tied his boxing wraps around his hands, covering his wrists, and armed himself with the kitchen knife in his right hand. He carefully placed the bushes back at the entrance of the tree's burrow to keep it hidden.
When Jay first received the notifications, a similar situation occurred once again when the ║STATUS║ tab appeared. It only took a fraction of a second for him to go through all the information within the Status tab as all its contents were instantly projected into his mind.
Even though he vaguely understood the meaning behind attributes such as Strength, Agility, and so on, he didn't get a clear understanding of them.
While mulling over it, he subconsciously concentrated on the attribute 'Strength,' and another notification appeared, giving him a clear understanding.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Strength: Increases muscle power and attack power ﴿
Muscle Power: Enhances your ability to lift, carry, and move heavy objects easily. Tasks like breaking down doors or moving obstacles become simpler.
Attack Power: Boosts the force behind physical attacks, making each punch, kick, or weapon strike more powerful and damaging. Defeat enemies more efficiently.
Combat Endurance: Sustain high-intensity combat for longer without tiring, becoming a formidable opponent in prolonged battles.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Through this accidental discovery, Jay concentrated on the remaining attributes. As he focused, other notifications appeared, providing insights into the other attributes.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Agility: Increases movement speed, reaction speed, and reflexes ﴿
Movement Speed: Move quickly and smoothly across the battlefield, dodge attacks, and navigate complex terrains with ease.
Reaction Speed: Anticipate and respond to threats instantly, gaining an edge in combat and high-pressure situations.
Reflexes: Perform acrobatic maneuvers, dodge enemy attacks, and execute precise movements with grace.
﴾ Endurance: Increases overall Stamina and Body Constitution ﴿
Stamina: Sustain physical activity for extended periods without fatigue, allowing for longer exploration and combat.
Body Constitution: Enhances bone density, tendon strength, and skin hardness, making you more resilient to physical damage and reducing injury risk.
Body Defense: Improves defense against physical attacks, increasing your chances of survival in tough situations.
﴾ Vitality: Increases overall Health, Regeneration properties, and Immunity from diseases ﴿
Health: Boosts your maximum health, giving you a larger health pool to withstand more damage.
Regeneration: Accelerates healing, allowing quicker recovery from injuries and wounds.
Immunity: Strengthens your immune system, making you resistant to diseases and infections.
﴾ Spirit: Increases perception of time, thought processing speed, critical thinking, all five senses, Spirit Pool ﴿
Perception of Time: React to events swiftly and accurately, giving you more 'time' to make decisions.
Thought Processing: Enhances cognitive abilities, enabling rapid analysis and strategic problem-solving.
Enhanced Senses: Heightens sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, providing a more detailed perception of your environment.
Spirit Pool: Expands your access to Spirit Energy, enhancing your ability to perform powerful abilities and skills.
﴾ Luck: Increases Item Drops, Survival. Undistributed stats are ineffective ﴿
Item Drops: Enhances the chance of receiving rare and valuable items from defeated enemies, giving you better rewards from battles.
Survival: Improves your odds of surviving dangerous encounters and critical situations, often resulting in favorable outcomes.
Rarity: Unlike other attributes, luck cannot be increased through undistributed stats and is very difficult to obtain, making it a highly coveted and rare attribute.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
After going through the ton of information gave him a clear grasp of the six attributes, he concentrated on other unknown words such as Life Energy, Level, and Innate Talent.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ LIFE ENERGY ﴿
Life Energy is the vital essence that sustains every being, the core force of life itself. Through the System, you will absorb this Life Energy by vanquishing creatures.
﴾ LEVEL ﴿
Once Life Energy reaches a specific value, you can increase your level. Each level increment grants you five undistributed stats to enhance your attributes, increasing your survivability.
﴾ INNATE TALENT ﴿
Once assimilated with the System, every individual above 18 years will awaken an Innate Talent that has the most affinity with them ﴿Throughout the Universe, all Innate Talents are separated into five categories:
ELEMENTAL, WEAPON, MARTIAL, VARIANT, and UNIQUE.
While the first four categories have 10 Grades, the UNIQUE category does not have any grades and is the rarest, making it equally harder to reach higher Tiers. Every Innate Talent within the first four categories has 10 Grades, and the higher the Grade of an Innate Talent, the greater their Affinity and Comprehension towards the said abilities.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
After going through these descriptions, Jay gained some theoretical knowledge about his 'Status.' However, he didn't receive any description when he concentrated on his Innate Talent,║LOOT║, as it was locked.
Using the position of the sun above him, Jay determined an eastward direction, hypothesizing it based on the sun's trajectory. He moved towards the east, where the tree density was higher, providing more cover.
As he moved, he marked the trees every 20 meters to ensure he could find his way back to his hideout. Each time, he stopped to thoroughly scan his surroundings for any potential dangers or edible fruits.
After traveling nearly 500 meters, Jay finally heard voices speaking in an unknown language. He carefully moved toward the source of the noise and, through the bushes, spotted two green midgets with pointy ears and ugly faces. One wielded a rusty sword, while the other held a rusty mace.
To his surprise, they had already sensed his presence and rushed toward him. Quickly, Jay picked up a small stone. When they got closer, he threw it at the green midget with the rusty mace. The stone hit its head, slowing it down, allowing Jay to dodge the incoming slash from the first green midget with relative ease.
Now that the first green midget had missed its attack, there was an opening in its defense. Realizing that they intended to kill him, Jay swept the last bit of hesitation from his mind.
He took advantage of the opening and stabbed the first green midget in the neck with his kitchen knife. The moment it died, a series of notifications appeared on the left side of his vision.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Lv.3 Goblin Killed ﴿
﴾ 75 Life Energy obtained ﴿
﴾ Congratulations! You have gained Lv.1║Minor Dagger Mastery║﴿
﴾ Lv.1║Minor Dagger Mastery║⧼Stage-1⧽ ﴿
Lv.1 Minor dagger Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery over dagger type weapons and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.
﴾ Lv.1║Dagger Aura║⧼Locked⧽ ﴿
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Through these notifications, Jay learned that the creatures attacking him were goblins. Picking up the rusty sword from the dead goblin, he steeled himself and moved toward the remaining one.
The second goblin, seeing its companion slain, became enraged. It let out a guttural growl, its beady eyes filled with malice. Despite its short stature, it swung the rusty mace with surprising force, aiming for the side of Jay's head.
Jay's instincts kicked in as he saw the mace hurtling toward him. Understanding the goblin's intention, he ducked down, feeling the rush of air as the mace narrowly missed him. Simultaneously, he slashed at the goblin's knees with the rusty sword, a swift and precise move.
The blade cut through its flesh, causing the goblin to shriek in pain and collapse to the ground, blood gushing from its knees.
The goblin, now incapacitated but still dangerous, swung the mace wildly from its position on the ground. Jay had to leap back to avoid the desperate swings. With calculated precision, he circled the fallen creature, looking for an opening.
The goblin, realizing its vulnerability, snarled and tried to push itself up, but its legs buckled under its weight.
Seizing the opportunity, Jay darted forward, his movements fluid and controlled. He kicked the goblin's mace away, disarming it.
The creature clawed at him with its free hand, but Jay deftly dodged the attack. He raised the rusty sword and brought it down in a powerful arc, slicing through the goblin's shoulder and chest. The goblin let out a final, anguished cry.
Not wasting a moment, Jay jumped towards the goblin and, with both the kitchen knife and the rusty sword in hand, delivered the finishing blow.
He stabbed the goblin in the chest, driving the blades deep into its heart. The creature's body convulsed before it finally went still, its lifeblood pooling on the forest floor.
As the goblin's life force ebbed away, Jay felt a strange sensation, as if a rush of energy was flowing into him. A series of notifications appeared in his vision.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Lv.3 Goblin Killed ﴿
﴾ 75 Life Energy obtained ﴿
﴾ Congratulations! You have gained Lv.1║Minor Sword Mastery║﴿
﴾ Lv.1║Minor Sword Mastery║⧼Stage-1⧽﴿
Lv.1 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery over sword type weapons and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.
﴾ Lv.1║Sword Aura║⧼Locked⧽ ﴿
﴾ Congratulations! You have reached Lv.1 ﴿
﴾ 5 Undistributed Stats are available ﴿
﴾ ║LOOT║ is unlocked ﴿
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Despite the increase in his level and the newly gained║Minor Sword Mastery║, Jay's attention was captured by the notification about║LOOT║.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾║LOOT║﴿
⧼Unique Category⧽ ⧼Grade Unknown⧽
Grants the ability to loot 10% of the Stats from any entity within 1 hour of its death.Grants the ability to choose one from ⧼ INNATE TALENT / WEAPON MASTERY / SKILL ⧽
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
"Damn!!" was the only word that left Jay's mouth. Just thinking about the potential of his Innate Talent left him standing in amazement, and it took a few seconds for him to recover from his daze.
He wanted to test out his Innate Talent, and the situation seemed perfect with the two dead goblin bodies in front of him.
He looked towards the first goblin he had killed and activated║LOOT║with a thought.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Choose one to loot from the Dead Lv.3 Goblin ﴿
﴾ Lv.2║Nimble Fingers║⧼Common⧽ ﴿
Increases the dexterity of your fingers Two-fold, enhancing speed and precision. This skill improves fine motor tasks like lockpicking, crafting, and precise weapon handling, offering a key advantage when swift, nimble actions are required.
﴾ Lv.3║Night Vision║⧼Common⧽ ﴿
Grants the ability to see clearly in the dark, with a vision range extending up to 30 meters. This skill enhances your ability to navigate and detect threats in low-light environments, providing a crucial advantage when visibility is limited.
﴾ Lv.1║Minor Sword Mastery║⧼Stage-1⧽ ﴿
Lv.1 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery over sword type weapons, enabling more effective combat maneuvers.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Jay could see the descriptions while using ║LOOT║. The potential of each skill was intriguing. "Nimble Fingers" would increase the dexterity of his fingers, making his hand movements much quicker and more precise.
"Night Vision" would allow him to see clearly in the dark, a crucial advantage in the potentially dangerous and unlit environments he might encounter. Although "Minor Sword Mastery" would grant him basic sword techniques, he already possessed some level of proficiency with the short sword.
After a brief consideration, he chose the skill ║Night Vision║. He figured that being able to see in the dark could provide a significant edge in this unknown terrain.
As he made his choice, he watched as a transparent energy began to flow from the dead goblin toward him. The energy felt ethereal and cold, yet invigorating as it invaded his chest and spread throughout his body.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ 7 Stats Looted ﴿
﴾ Lv.3║Night Vision║⧼Common⧽ Looted ﴿
By acquiring Looted Stats, you have awakened your 1st Innate Exclusive Skill.
﴾║LOOTED STATUS║﴿
A unique Secondary Status has been created to manage and display Looted Stats.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Although he was curious about how the║LOOTED STATUS║worked, he decided to save the experimentation for later. He knew he couldn't linger near these dead goblins for long, as the smell of blood would likely attract other creatures.
Glancing at the second dead goblin, he activated║LOOT║again, eager to see what other skills he could acquire.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Choose one of these to loot from the Dead Lv.3 Goblin ﴿
﴾ Lv.4║Nimble Fingers║⧼Common⧽ ﴿
Increases the dexterity of your fingers four-fold, enhancing speed and precision. This skill improves fine motor tasks like lockpicking, crafting, and precise weapon handling, offering a key advantage when swift, nimble actions are required.
﴾ Lv.4║Night Vision║⧼Common⧽ ﴿
Grants the ability to see clearly in the dark, with a vision range extending up to 40 meters. This skill enhances your ability to navigate and detect threats in low-light environments, providing a crucial advantage when visibility is limited.
﴾ Lv.1║Minor Mace Mastery║ Stage-1⧽ ﴿
Lv.1 Minor Mace Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery over mace type weapons and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Jay realized that if he had checked both goblins before making a choice, he could have acquired a higher level of║Night Vision║. However, he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he opted for the skill║Nimble Fingers║, considering that it would greatly enhance his dexterity, making his fingers more agile and precise.
Once again, he watched as the transparent energy flowed from the second goblin's body towards him.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ 8 Stats Looted ﴿
﴾ Lv.4║Nimble Fingers║Common⧽ Looted ﴿
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Satisfied with his gains but aware of the need to stay cautious, Jay knew he had to move quickly and find a safer location.
The blood from the goblins could attract other dangerous creatures, and he needed time to understand his abilities and plan his next steps in the Trial Zone.
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Author Note:
I've been working on significantly enhancing the earlier chapters of this story. When I started three years ago, my writing wasn't as descriptive or engaging as it is now, and I left quite a few loopholes.
Many of you have been kind enough to point out grammatical errors and story gaps, and I'm committed to addressing those. There won't be any changes to the plot, just massive improvements in quality and the visual appeal of the system notifications.
For those who have just started reading this book, if you choose to continue with the Regular chapters, please bear with the lower quality or consider waiting for the Revamped versions to be released. If you'd like to learn more about the story, proceed with the Regular chapters.
Revamped Chapter Release Rate: 4 Chs/Week.
<<<< Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun >>>>
These releases won't conflict with the usual chapter updates. Essentially, there will be a chapter released every day—whether it's a regular one or a revamped version. It could be either, but rest assured, there will be a release every day.
For now, the advanced revamped chapters will only be available to PRIME & OMEGA Patrons. Any reasonable changes they suggest will be added, and they will be credited at the end of each chapter they contributed to.
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