Chapter 6 - A city of ruins

Tucking away the crystal bracelet, Alexander shifted his focus to his experience points.

Seeing over twenty thousand points, a look of joy spread across his face.

He never imagined that a single sexual encounter with Laura would bring him 20,000 experience points. It was utterly incredible!

During his years in Hurricane City, due to his lowly status, Alexander had seldom interacted with women.

As far as he knew, many loving couples in Hurricane City were married, so engaging in sexual activities seemed quite normal.

But he had never heard anyone mention gaining a large amount of experience from such activities!

Could it be because of Laura's special identity?

Who exactly was she, and why was she in this hidden chamber?

Alexander felt a headache coming on but decided not to dwell on these questions for now.

This time, he not only gained a significant amount of experience but also acquired a precious crystal bracelet. He had struck it rich!

Looking at his full experience points, Alexander decisively chose the "Level Up" option.

The 20,000 experience points only consumed 30%, raising his level from 5 to 10.

A flash of light passed by, accompanied by a pleasant notification sound.

[Ding, level increased to 10, free attribute points +10.]

[Ding, level requirement met, first inheritance officially begins.]

[Ding, undead amulet detected, triggering hidden quest.]

Everything happened so suddenly that Alexander barely had time to react.

A massive vortex suddenly appeared in the center of the chamber, like a vast abyss, swallowing Alexander whole.

After an unknown period, when he woke up again, Alexander found himself in a strange place.

Opening the map, he discovered he was now in the southeastern part of the Arsen Continent, 25,000 kilometers from Hurricane City!

This distance was almost twice the diameter of Earth, but on the map of the Arsen Continent, it was only as big as a peanut.

Unlike the bustling and lively Hurricane City, the environment here was eerily quiet. The land was desolate, unsettling.

A cold wind howled, whipping up dust and sand.

This was a desolate land, underfoot lay ruins, the surroundings riddled with scars.

Weeds grew rampant, with crumbling walls and remnants everywhere, and the bones of dead soldiers scattered about.

Everything here proclaimed that this had once been a bustling fortress, but after a fierce battle, it had become a desolate ruin.

Not far away, a figure in a grey robe suddenly appeared out of thin air.

His body floated in mid-air, blending into the night.

"Interesting, he not only carries the token of the Grim Reaper but also bears the aura of the Goddess of Life."

"How did he manage to balance these two forces within himself without any rejection?"

The man in the grey robe looked at Alexander, a glint of light flickering in his eyes.

"I have waited here for two thousand years. It seems you are the one I've been searching for!"

"Whoosh!"

The grey-robed figure teleported instantly, appearing right beside Alexander.

"Since you've found this place, it means we are fated. Today, I shall bestow upon you a tremendous fortune."

The grey-robed man was decisive, giving Alexander no chance to speak. He draped the grey cloak over Alexander's shoulders.

Before Alexander could comprehend what was happening, he suddenly felt his body heat up.

A powerful energy descended from above, enveloping him completely.

This energy continuously surged into Alexander's body, making him feel as if he was about to burst.

This process lasted for about fifteen minutes, and then the grey-robed man stopped.

His body became transparent, gradually vanishing into the air, completely dissipating.

A faint voice reached Alexander's ears: "The future of humanity rests upon you. Use my power wisely."

Immediately after, he heard a series of notifications.

"You have acquired equipment: Soul Cloak."

"You have gained a special skill: Junior Soul Summoning."

"You have learned a spell: Slow."

...

Alexander was completely stunned. He checked his attribute panel several times, feeling that something was amiss.

Name: Alexander

Profession: Warrior

Talent: Mining Mastery F (fixed effect, non-upgradable)

Special Skill: Junior Soul Summoning

Magic: Holy Light

Slow Spell: (Reduces target's movement speed by 30% for 15 seconds, consumes 5 mana points, cooldown 200 seconds)

Level: 10 (Experience overflow 2333%)

Strength: 5

Defense: 1

Magic: 1

Speed: 2

Unassigned Attribute Points: 10

Health Points: 100/100

Mana Points: 10/10

Resources: Copper coins ×10

Items: Undead Amulet, Soul Cloak, Crystal Bracelet

Army: None

Town: City of Hope (Ruins)

Status: Lord of the City of Hope

Morale: Average

After reviewing his panel, Alexander felt confused.

Why did he gain the special skill of Junior Soul Summoning? 

And when did he become a lord? Where is the City of Hope? Could it be referring to the desolate ruins beneath his feet?

Who would want to be a lord in such a remote place?

Confused, Alexander noticed he was still wearing an old cloak. He took off the cloak to examine it.

Item: Soul Cloak

Level: Supreme God Level

Attributes: Soul Summoning effect +10, combat power of undead creatures +10%.

Attached Skills: Power of Death

Trait: Bound, Quest Item.

Item Description: This is a very rare god-level equipment that grants the wearer the power to control souls. It is also a quest item. It is said that some legendary figures are searching for it, and if you can deliver this equipment to the person in need, you will receive an unimaginable reward.

Another unimaginable reward.

Seeing this prompt, Alexander was once again taken aback by surprise.

The Undead Amulet and the Soul Cloak were both of the same category of equipment, and it seemed likely that the person who issued the quests for these items belonged to the same group. This meant that if Alexander could find the right leads, he might be able to claim rewards for both quests!

This was an opportunity sent from heaven, but the question remained: how could he deliver these items to those who needed them?

While Alexander was still basking in his joy, a howl of a wild beast echoed from a distance.

"Awwooo~"

The moon shone white as snow, its serenity shattered by a wolf's howl.

Not far from Alexander, in a patch of waist-high wild grass, a pair of deep red eyes peered out.

With his level now raised to 10, Alexander could see the attributes of this lone wolf.

Creature: Lone Wolf

Race: Beast

Level: 8

Health: 60/60

Attack: 4-8

Defense: 3

Speed: 5

Skill: Bleeding (Chance to trigger on attack, causing continuous bleeding effect)

The lone wolf, fierce and menacing, bared its teeth and growled, eyeing Alexander as if he were its prey.

Alexander couldn't understand what the wolf was thinking. Its level was only 8, whereas he was now a level 10 Warrior. Did it still see him as the same miner who was once an easy target?

The wolf, having not eaten for a long time, saw Alexander as a delicious meal.

Leaping forward, the lone wolf opened its mouth wide, lunging at Alexander.

Alexander quickly allocated his attribute points and then faced the attack head-on.