The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Jake's hospital room, casting long shadows on the floor. He lay there, wide awake, his mind racing with thoughts about the world he had been thrust into and the challenges that lay ahead.
The Sage Enlightenment System had granted him a new identity, new powers, and a new purpose. But Jake knew he couldn't just rely on those alone; he had to fully understand and utilize the system to survive and thrive in this world.
Sitting up in bed, Jake focused his mind, summoning the system interface. The now-familiar blue light enveloped him, and the translucent display appeared before his eyes.
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[Sage Enlightenment System]
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Name: Lee Joo-Hee (Jake Garcia)
Class: Sage of Eternal Leaf
Level: 1 (0/100)
HP: 140/140 | MP: 210/210
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Stats:
- Strength: 11
- Dexterity: 13
- Vitality: 14
- Magic Power: 21
- Intelligence: 18
- Wisdom: 19
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Skills:
- Healing Touch (Skill Level 1 - 0%): Amplified healing abilities, allowing for rapid recovery of wounds and ailments.
- Verdant Growth (Skill Level 1 - 0%): Manipulation of plants and nature, enabling the user to control and accelerate plant growth.
- Nature's Embrace (Skill Level 1 - 0%): A protective barrier formed from natural energy, capable of shielding the user and others from harm.
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Jake studied the status screen, noting the values and skills with a mixture of curiosity and determination. The system felt reminiscent of the many cultivation and RPG novels he had read back on Earth.
He understood the basic mechanics: gain experience, level up, and grow stronger. But the path to power here was not just about personal strength—it was about survival in a world teeming with danger.
After a moment, the system sent a notification:
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[The system has generated two quests to help the host become familiar with its functions. Would you like to confirm?]
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Jake clicked the confirm button on the system interface, and immediately, two more notifications appeared—the quests the system had promised to generate.
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[ First Steps ]
- Objective: Familiarize yourself with the Sage Enlightenment System by using each of your abilities at least once.
- Reward: +50 EXP, +5 Magic Power.
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[ Strengthening Bonds ]
- Objective: Spend time with Sung Jin-Woo and support him in his recovery.
- Reward: +30 EXP, +3 Intelligence.
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The first quest, "First Steps," seemed straightforward enough. It was essentially a tutorial quest, meant to help him get used to the system's functions.
The second quest, however, was more intriguing. "Strengthening Bonds" was clearly tied to Sung Jin-Woo, and it highlighted the importance of relationships in this world.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He quickly dismissed the system interface as the door opened, and Sung Jin-Woo stepped inside.
He looked better today, the color returning to his cheeks, and his movements less strained. Seeing him like this brought a wave of unknown relief to Jake.
"Morning, Joo-Hee," Jin-Woo greeted with a small smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Jake shook his head, returning the smile. "Not at all. I was just… thinking about what we talked about yesterday. Getting stronger, I mean."
Jin-Woo nodded, his expression serious. "Me too. We can't afford to stay weak in this world. I was thinking we should start with some light exercises today, just to see where we stand."
Jake agreed, and they made their way to a small training area on the hospital grounds, one that had been set up for recovering hunters. It wasn't anything fancy—just a few weights, some basic weapons, and open space for movement—but it would do for now.
As they warmed up, Jake decided to test his abilities, starting with Healing Touch. He pinched his left hand hard enough to draw blood.
Focusing on the energy within him, he gently pressed his palm against the small wound. A soft, green light radiated from his hand, and within seconds, the wound healed completely.
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[Healing Touch activated. Proficiency increased by 10% after skill usage.]
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Jake smiled to himself, pleased with the result. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Next, he turned to Verdant Growth. Stepping outside the facility to feel the earthen soil beneath him, he crouched down and placed his hand on the ground, focusing intently.
The earth responded almost immediately, and within moments, a small plant sprouted, its leaves unfurling rapidly in the soft morning sunlight.
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[Verdant Growth activated. Proficiency increased by 10% after skill usage.]
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It was a sight to behold, watching a plant grow from nothing. Jake smiled, marveling at the scene. He could never have done this back in his world, where the concept of magic was nothing more than fantasy. It's as if I have the power to create life in my hands, he thought, awestruck.
For someone who had always dreamed of moments like this but could never experience them due to the limitations of the world he was born into, it was a deeply fulfilling experience.
Finally, Jake tested Nature's Embrace. He whispered the name softly, and almost instinctively, his mind envisioned a protective barrier around him, as if a machine in his head guided the process. Drawing energy from the surrounding nature, a faint, shimmering shield formed, encasing him in a gentle, protective aura.
Jake stood amazed, hardly believing he was experiencing something he had only ever read about. The realization that he, a mere reader, could now wield such power left him in awe.
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[Nature's Embrace activated. Proficiency increased by 10% after skill usage.]
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With the basic quests completed, Jake received a notification.
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[Quest: First Steps Complete. +50 EXP, +5 Magic Power gained.]
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He felt a slight surge of energy within him as the rewards took effect. It wasn't a lot, but every bit of growth counted in a world like this. Jake couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having taken his first steps towards mastering his new abilities.
As the morning wore on, Jake and Jin-Woo practiced together, though Jake was careful to keep his more mystical abilities hidden. Jin-Woo only knew Lee Joo-Hee as a healer, and if Jake suddenly displayed powers beyond that, it could raise suspicion.
Better to keep things under wraps for now, Jake thought. Instead, he focused on physical exercises, pushing his body to adapt to the enhanced strength and agility granted by his stats.
Jin-Woo, for his part, seemed to appreciate the company. He was still recovering, and Jake noticed that his movements were more deliberate, more careful. It was clear that the events of the double dungeon had left a deep impact on him, both physically and mentally.
After a while, they took a break, sitting down on a bench to catch their breath. Jin-Woo glanced at Jake, his expression thoughtful. Joo-Hee has been by my side from the very beginning, he reflected. Even when I was called the weakest hunter, she never left me. She always supported me, always healed me when I got hurt. She's such a kind woman… to the point where I feel like I don't deserve her presence.
Jin-Woo smiled, and for a moment, the two of them sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the peace of the morning. Jake felt a small sense of accomplishment—he had taken his first steps towards becoming stronger, and he had started to build a deeper bond with Jin-Woo.
But he also knew that this was only the beginning. The path ahead was long and fraught with danger, and Jake would need to grow much stronger if he was to survive in this world and fulfill his goals.
As they returned to the hospital, Jake's thoughts were already turning to the next steps. He needed to explore more of the system's capabilities, to understand the full extent of his powers, and to find ways to increase his level quickly.
But for now, he would take things one step at a time.