Ethan stood in awe, his heart racing as he absorbed the myriads of notifications flooding his mind. Each one was a testament to his hard-fought battles and a glimpse into the bright future ahead.
"Woah! I can feel the strength coursing through my veins," he muttered, reveling in the sensation.
DING!
[Quests Completed! Congratulations Host]
- Level Up Aura Control Skill: Create Three New Skills.
Status: Completed!
Reward: Custom Made Energy Suit.
- Level Up to Level 5: Unlock Main Skill of Face of Terror.
Status: Completed!
Reward: Face of Terror Main Skill.
- Hidden Quests:
1. Defeat A Beast (First Time): Completed!
Reward: Pathfinder.
2. Fight the Silver Rank Pandion Monk: Completed!
Rewards: Weapons' Constitution & Hammer Arts.
- Bonus Reward for Completing Quests Before Time Limits: Xenos (War Hammer).
DING!
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 20%]
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 30%]
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 50%]
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 80%]
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 90%]
[Spirit Beast Awakening Progress: 99%]
[Congratulations Host!]
Ethan's eyes widened as he took in the glowing screen before him. He couldn't believe the sheer magnitude of rewards he had received. Alongside the Custom Made Energy Suit, he was on the cusp of awakening his very own Spirit Beast. This was a milestone many only dreamed of, and the luck he had found in this chaotic world was almost too good to be true.
As he pondered the significance of this moment, he felt a peculiar sensation—a soft, slithering motion across his shoulder and up to his neck. A sudden hiss echoed in his ears, and memories of past encounters flooded back, leaving him momentarily paralyzed with fear. He hesitated but then mustered the courage to reach for the creature, his heart pounding in his chest.
A small serpent had coiled itself around his arm, its vibrant red scales glimmering in the light. At just 26 inches long and 4 inches wide, it was a baby version of the serpent that had nearly ended his life. But this time, as it looked at him with curious black eyes and a softly glowing blue rune on its forehead, a sense of awe began to replace his trepidation.
He marveled at the creature, its two small bronze-colored horns giving it a unique charm. "This is my Spirit Beast?" he thought, unable to contain his excitement. He was overwhelmed with a feeling of connection, realizing that he had a powerful ally at his side.
[System Identification Unlocking]
[System Identification Unlocked]
Ethan's anticipation peaked as he accessed the information about his Spirit Beast.
---
Name: None
Race: Psyche-Eyed Serpent
Rank: Bronze (Mid)
Strength: 10
Speed: 10
Stamina: 09
Perception: 06
Intelligence: 05
Affinity Energy: 45
---
The realization struck him like lightning. He now possessed a Spirit Beast capable of growing alongside him. Not only did he have newfound strength, but the journey ahead promised challenges and rewards he could scarcely fathom.
With a grin stretching across his face, he decided to check out his rewards, eager to harness every advantage he could.
[Accessing Storage Space]
[Host Can Now Use Storage Space]
[It Can Only Store Non-Living Things for Now]
A vivid red screen appeared, showcasing all the rewards he had earned. Ethan selected the Energy Suit first, curious about its potential.
A blue, glowing sphere the size of a baseball appeared in his palm.
Staring at the glowing ball, Ethan's mind raced. An energy suit was a coveted item, typically worth over a hundred gold cards depending on its grade. To own one, let alone receive it for free, was an incredible stroke of luck.
He contemplated trying it on but decided against it, realizing he needed to assess all his rewards first. He had a duel coming up in a month, and every resource was crucial to ensuring his victory.
Next, he turned to the Weapons' Constitution. A simple black doll materialized in his hands, its unassuming appearance making him question whether he had been tricked. No energy emanated from it, but the system's voice broke through his skepticism.
[Artifact Identified]
[Weapons' Constitution (???)]
[Would You Like To Use?]
[Yes/No]
Despite his initial confusion, he selected "Yes." Desperation for cultivation resources outweighed his hesitation.
[Weapons' Constitution Used]
[Host Prepare for a Little Bit of Pain]
The warning echoed in his mind as the doll disintegrated into shimmering particles of light, enveloping him.
The sensation began as a gentle warmth but quickly escalated into an intense, all-consuming fire coursing through his veins. He fell to his knees as the burning sensation intensified, and within moments, it felt like every cell in his body was being set ablaze.
The pain surged, reaching a crescendo that made him feel as if he were being torn apart from the inside. Collapsing onto the floor, he gasped for breath, the sheer agony overwhelming his senses. Cursing the system in his mind, he felt utterly betrayed. This was no mere "little bit of pain."
Just as he thought it might end, a new wave of torment struck, more potent than the last.
BOOM!
His body shook violently, his veins feeling as if they were on the brink of bursting. Blood boiled in his veins, his heart racing at an impossible rate, and his mind accelerated to unimaginable speeds.
Through the haze of pain, he could feel his muscles twisting, expanding, and tearing. Yet externally, he was only drenched in sweat, battling the torment that threatened to consume him entirely. His reality was a nightmare, but he had no choice but to endure it, knowing that true strength often came at a heavy price.
As the agony persisted, Ethan clung to the hope that, once it was over, he would emerge stronger than ever. He was determined to rise above the pain, knowing that the path to greatness was paved with suffering and resilience.