When Elio emerged from the book at level 15, morning had already painted the sky in hues of dawn.
His mind felt heavy, though his body hummed with renewed energy from the level gain. The past three days had been a blur of endless trials, his eyes not finding rest.
He couldn't help but regret spending those first three days establishing standardized methods instead of beginning the ascension immediately.
The regeneration that accompanied each level increase kept their bodies in peak condition, masking the fact they hadn't slept in three days.
Their minds, however, told a different story.
The constant strain of combat and concentration had left small invisible scars that even the system's healing couldn't touch.
♢♢♢♢
"One thousand twenty-four silicon creatures?" Zara shook her head as they walked, her voice filled with awe and concern. "And tomorrow it'll be two thousand forty-eight."
