"Where am I?" Ishida wondered, feeling a bit confused. As he glanced around, he realized he was in a tranquil garden full of bright, blooming flowers. Their sweet smell was everywhere, creating a peaceful feeling. Above him, the moon was high in the sky, its soft light making everything glow gently, and the garden's colors seemed even more alive.
In front of him, there was a calm lake that looked like a mirror, perfectly showing the moon and stars above. Ishida noticed his reflection in the water, and it surprised him, "Wait, why do I look different in the reflection?" he thought, seeing a change between his real self and what he saw in the water.
But soon, he let go of that thought as he focused on the lake. The water was almost still, only slightly moving when a gentle breeze passed by.
Dark paths wound through the garden, inviting him to explore more. Even though some parts were shadowy, the moonlight was enough to guide him safely, so he wasn't afraid to wander around.
Above him, the night sky was sprinkled with stars, forming patterns that felt familiar, as if they were watching over him. Each star sparkled brightly, standing out against the deep blue backdrop of the night.
Ishida gazed at the stars with a small smile, counting them one by one. "One... two... three..." he murmured, until he reached a total of eight stars shining brightly above him.
With a gentle grin, a thought crossed his mind. "I hope this place never changes... No, I promise I'll never let this place change," he vowed softly to the stars, as if they were listening.
The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the whole scene was wrapped in a peaceful silence, only interrupted by the soft sounds of nature around him. It was a place filled with calm and beauty, a world that felt both unfamiliar and welcoming at the same time.
---
56.1
---
My eyes slowly opened after what was supposed to be a quick nap, but turned into a restful sleep. No... it was more like a beautiful journey, a chance to learn about my life in a new way. It felt like I rediscovered myself, and now my life's purpose felt clear.
Whatever challenges come my way after today, I'm determined not to let myself change. I won't let those who believe in me down, and most importantly, I'll stay focused. No distractions, no doubts or confusion will sway me. I'll confront them directly and find a path toward my goals.
Mom, Dad, Yuzu, Ichiro... even though you're not physically here with me, you'll always live on through me.
---
[Quest - 'Conquering The Darkness' Completed: Rewards Available]
[Do you want to accept the rewards?] [Y/N]
The screen appeared suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at it with a slightly puzzled expression.
'Conquering The Darkness'—what does that mean? And it's asking if I want to accept the rewards... Well, I suppose, "Yes!" Who would turn down rewards?
[Congratulations! You've received new rewards!]
[Here's what you got:
Reward 1: 15,000 EXP. [Level 27 ^(You need 12,060 EXP to level up now)]
Reward 2: 20 Extra Stat Points
Reward 3: Rank Up - Hinoto
Reward 4: No MP cost for Breathing Forms (All Breathing Forms are free to use, based on fatigue and HP level)]
[Note: These rewards aren't part of the main quest rewards]
"Hold on a second... So, first off, I leveled up to 27, which is awesome. Then, I got 20 extra stat points. If that's on top of the usual 5 points for leveling up, that's a total of 25 points... Nice! But the Rank Up to Hinoto has me a bit puzzled. How can the system change my rank in the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Although, if I think back, the system did change my rank once before I was officially informed at the meeting, so I guess it can do that.
This brings up a question I've always had in the back of my mind but ignored because I was too focused on getting stronger and avenging my family: Who or what is this system? Why does it want me to become stronger? How is it able to control all these things?
I really don't know, and maybe one day I'll try to find those answers. But for now, I should follow its guidance and get as strong as I can. Maybe then I'll uncover its secrets.
Plus, I still have two more floors to complete before finishing the quest, so I should focus on that. With these new stat points to use, let's allocate them first before heading to the next floor.
---
Player Profile :
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Name: Ishida Hitotsuki
Level: 27 [Exp : 12,060 needed to Level up]
Rank : Hinoto
Fatigue: 00/100
---
Breathing Style: Moon Breathing
- First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace
- Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing
- Third Form - Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains
- Fifth Form: Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy
- Sixth Form: Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon - Incessant.
- Seventh Form: Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
HP: 620/620
MP: 600
---
Attributes:
- Strength: 66
- Vitality: 62
- Agility: 60
- Intelligence: 60
- Sense: 60
Remaining Points: 25
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
I have 25 stat points to allocate, and I need to use them wisely to prepare for the challenges ahead. Considering my recent experiences and the need to be flexible, I'll focus on enhancing my overall abilities.
"First, I'll put 5 points into Strength."
[Strength: 66 + 5 = 71]
"Next, I'll add 6 points to Vitality."
[Vitality: 62 + 6 = 68]
[HP: 680/680]
"I'll also put 5 points into Agility." Boosting my speed and reflexes is crucial.
[Agility: 60 + 5 = 65]
"Then, I'll add 4 points to Intelligence."
[Intelligence: 60 + 4 = 64]
[MP: 640]
"Finally, I'll assign 5 points to Sense." Enhancing my awareness and perception is important.
[Sense: 60 + 5 = 65]
Now everything looks solid. With these improvements, I'm ready to move on to the next floor.
Just two more floors to go, and then this quest will finally be over. I can't help but wonder how much time has passed outside while I've been in here!
I also wonder if anyone's noticed my absence. Are they looking for me, or will they start searching if they can't find me? Maybe not, but who knows.