As Zephyrion's fingers made contact with the Skullsplitter, the system's robotic voice chimed in, instantly providing details about the war hammer.
Though he couldn't wield this weapon yet, Zephyrion understood his current lack of power.
He wasn't even ranked as a martial artist yet, and his strength stat was so pitiful that he doubted he could even lift the massive hammer, let alone swing it.
As Zephyrion examined the weapon, he marveled at its menacing allure. The hammer was a fusion of fiery red and obsidian black, which bore a savage wedge shape, with two distinct sides.
One side lay flat and blunt, ideal for crushing armor and bones, while the other boasted a long, razor-sharp metal tip, adorned with serrated edges designed to pierce through the most formidable defenses.
"This weapon must been forged from a powerful creature," Zephyrion mused as he examined the war hammer. It was the same weapon he had seen on his computer wallpaper the previous day, but now, seeing it in person, he couldn't help but be awed.
With no other arms at his disposal, Zephyrion decided to use this mighty hammer as his primary weapon for now. Until he found another one, he deemed it wise to wield this formidable hammer.
Zephyrion's gaze shifted from the imposing war hammer as he gently grasped a mysterious wand crowned by a small, radiant orb resting atop it.
[The host is in contact with a mana storage wand. The host didn't have any mana and no talent in magic art, rendering the wand inaccessible.]
"Hmm, a mana-storing wand," Zephyrion pondered, his curiosity piqued. He extended his hand to caress the radiant orb atop the wand.
["The host is now in contact with the core of an intermediate beast. Would the host like to refine this core to gain 10 attribute points or coins?"]
Zephyrion's amazement coursed through him, he had stumbled upon a beast core! It was a revelation, he mistaken it for a mere luminous orb just now. He paused, savoring the moment as he touched and explored the core, not rushing to respond to the system.
After satisfying his curiosity for several moments, he finally replied, "attributes point, please."
["The refining process commences."]
In an instant, Zephyrion watched as the core was enveloped in a brilliant glow, and within mere seconds, it vanished from his grasp.
["The refining process is completed, and the host had been granted 10 attribute points."]
"Hehehe, the more attribute points, the better. Besides, I've got a strategy for distributing them among my stats now," Zephyrion beamed, casting a sidelong glance at the war hammer.
He gently placed the now useless wand into the box, a surge of excitement coursing through him as his gaze landed on the two manuals nestled within. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out with and picked one of the books.
[The host has stumbled upon a Berserker Combat Style manual. Would the host like to learn this combat art?]
[Note: The host possesses only one vacant slot for acquiring additional combat styles.]
"Time to become rank, alas. Yes, system, I want to learn this combat style now."
[Initiating learning process: 1/100%]
A torrent of knowledge about the berserker combat style surged into Zephyrion's mind. "This is the advantage of having a system. What might take others months or years, I can grasp in mere seconds," he mused inwardly as he absorbed the wealth of combat style information.
["Learning process completed, the host has now mastered the "Barbarian" berserker combat style."]
["The host has unlocked the ability to cultivate and harness internal energy."]
["To advance to the early outer stage, the host must either increase the accumulation of internal energy within his body or use attribute points to increase stats in accordance with the combat style he practiced."]
"Yashin's father was actually a barbarian, huh? That explains his imposing stature in that wallpaper I saw yesterday."
Zephyrion couldn't help but be surprised. He glanced at his own physique and shook his head ruefully. "I may not have the body of a barbarian, but now that I've trained in this combat style, I'll make the most of it until I discover another."
Zephyrion didn't let it bother him as he filed that thought away. Instead, he recalled the system's guidance on reaching the rank of a martial artist.
With eager anticipation, he thought, "Status screen."
[°Race: Human°]
[°User: Yashin°]
[°Age: 19°]
[°Martial Art Stage: Unranked°]
[°Magic Mastery: Unranked°]
[°Coins: None°]
[°Experience points: 0/200°]
[°Physical attributes: 23 points°]
[°Level: 2°]
[°HP: 100/100°]
[°Strength: 3/100°]
[°Agility: 5/100°]
[°Stamina: 5/100°]
[°Defense: 2/100°]
[°Mana: 0/100°]
[°Charm: 10/100°]
[°Shop: Accessible at Level 10°]
[°Daily Quest: Serializing°]
[°Main Quest: Become ranked in both martial and magic arts within two days°]
[°Reward: 10 physical attributes to assign to any stats]
[°Punishment: 5 attributes randomly deducted from any stats°]
"Hmm, which stats are crucial for a barbarian?" Zephyrion pondered for a moment, then made his choice- he would increase his strength, defense, and stamina.
"Hey system, allocate 7 points to strength, 6 to defense, and 3 to stamina, please."
["Infusing ..... Stats upgraded]
Immediately the stats were upgraded, Zephyrion felt a wave of heat coursing through his entire being, beads of sweat forming rapidly in seconds. "Hey... System, what's happening to me? Why am I heating up all of a sudden?"
[You're on the brink of breaking through to the early outer stage. Cultivate and allow your body to absorb the surrounding energy.]
The cold robotic tone of the system sounded.
Upon hearing the system's words, Zephyrion wasted no time and settled down on the floor to commence his cultivation.
As if transformed into a statue, he stood perfectly still, began to cultivate, allowing the surrounding energy to flow into him through his open pores.
Zephyrion had been immersed in cultivation within this hidden room for a full thirty minutes, his body drenched in sweat, and his head seemingly emitting wisps of smoke, making his silver hair resemble flickering flames.
After an additional half-hour of intense dedication, at last, Zephyrion sensed every pore in his body loosening, a process that appeared very painful, yet he bore it with resolve, never uttering a word.
AAAAHHHHH!
After five minutes of enduring the pain, Zephyrion's shout reverberated, and then, with a resounding boom, he broke through to the early outer stage of martial arts. He promptly rose to his feet, clenching his fist.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving the early outer stage!]
"Outer stage... Outer stage, here I come!" Zephyrion laughed heartily. The feeling of losing his power and being vulnerable to any attack was so unpleasant that he didn't dare venture outside his house for fear of being shot to death.
With this momentum, Zephyrion remembered the main quest- to become ranked in both martial and magic arts within two days.
He reached for the second manual book, which turned out to be an Earth Magic Spellbook.
[The host is in contact with an 'earth magic spellbook.' Would the host like to learn this earth spellbook?]
[Note: The host possesses only a single available slot for mastering additional magical elements.]
[The host didn't have any mana on his stats, and thus is block from learning this earth spellbook]
"Then add all my remaining attributes point to mana." Zephyrion rolled his eyes.
[Infusing 7 attributes point to mana... Mana stat upgraded]
[Learning process initiating: 1/100%]
If it were anyone else aspiring to become a mage, they would need to comprehend and master the spells inscribed in the books for months or even years before achieving attunement.
However, Zephyrion possesses a system, a mere touch of the book, and he learns all the spells it contains in seconds.
[Learning process completed.]
[The host has now mastered the Earth magic spellbook.]
[To attain the attunement stage, the host must immediately meditate, sensing the mana in his surroundings and nurturing a deep familiarity with its essence.]
Upon hearing this, Zephyrion swiftly seated himself on the ground and entered a deep meditation. In less than half an hour, Zephyrion's voice resounded.
"Earth wall!"
In an instant, a robust barrier of earth, standing as tall as an adult, shot out before Zephyrion. Only just it didn't last long for two seconds before crumbling to the ground.
[Congratulations to the host for reaching the early attunement stage of the magic art]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the main quest. You've earned a reward of 10 attribute points.]
"Hehehe, I, Zephyrion Venomblade, shall etch my name into the annals of this world's memory, and my enemies will shiver in fear at the mere mention of my name," Zephyrion exclaimed with a wild, arrogant laugh.
["My apologies for interrupting your vivid imagination, dear host, but I must remind you that Zephyrion Venomblade is no longer among the living. Perhaps what you intended to say was: "I, Amon Yashin, shall etch my name into the annals of this world's memory, and my enemies will shiver in fear at the mere mention of my name. Right?"]
Zephyrion was taken aback for a moment before he let out a thunderous roar. "You f*cking system! Must you constantly spoil my moments of joy?"