Just as Alex absorbed the significance of completing his first mission, another notification appeared, its glow pulsing slightly more than before.
[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]
He stared at the message, "Oh. Already?" Alex felt a surge of excitement and curiosity. His eyes moved over the details as new information filled the screen.
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[Level Up Rewards]
All attributes increased by 1.
Free Points Earned: 6
=====
He blinked, surprised. Not only had each of his attributes increased, but he had also earned something called "Free Points." Reading further, he quickly understood their value.
These free Points could be allocated to any attribute of his choice, allowing him to shape his growth based on his needs.
Alex opened his Status panel, eager to see the changes. Each attribute—Strength, Speed, Stamina, Intelligence, Charisma, and Luck—had risen by a single point. Though it was a modest boost, he already felt a sense of progress.
=====
[Attributes]
Strength: 6
Speed: 6
Stamina: 7
Intelligence: 9
Charisma: 5
Luck: 5
=====
"I never knew that I was smart," Alex couldn't help but chuckle. He was just teasing himself, fully aware of how clueless he was in the class. He believed that if this system had been given to one of the top students in his class, they would have achieved more than a 15-point increase.
The same would apply if it had gone to one of the top athletes at his university; they would definitely have better physical attributes than he did. However, he didn't care about that because the Empire System had chosen him. Now, he felt he had to make the most of this opportunity and make everything meaningful.
And now, six Free Points are waiting to be allocated. "What should I choose?" He paused, considering his options. Each attribute offered something unique, and he understood that this decision would shape his abilities in the long run.
Alex mulled over the options, feeling the weight of his choices. He knew he could use a boost in several areas, but two attributes stood out in his mind; Intelligence and Luck.
Intelligence—he reread the description. It reflected mental acuity, comprehension, and problem-solving skills. He believed that an increase here would sharpen his learning ability, helping him make smarter, strategic choices.
After his reckless decision at the store, he realized he could no longer afford to act without thinking. If he wanted to make the most of the Empire System, he needed a sharper mind to tackle the challenges ahead.
Besides, there were still his studies to consider. He had always wished for a sharper mind, and this time, luck was on his side.
Then, there was something else that tugged at his attention, Luck. A part of him still stung from the memory of being stabbed, from the twist of fate that had led him to that situation in the first place. Extra luck might help him avoid another run-in with the wrong people at the wrong time.
With a firm decision, he allocated five points to Luck and one to Intelligence. He watched as his Luck increased to 10 and Intelligence to 10.
He smiled, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling over him. "What a nice number," he murmured. Ten felt like a milestone, a solid foundation to begin whatever journey the Empire System had in store.
As Alex sat there, absorbing the strange new reality unfolding before him, the door to his room opened, pulling him out of his thoughts. Nicole stepped in, her eyes widening slightly when she saw him awake. A warm smile crossed her face, and she looked relieved.
"Alex! You're up!" she said, her voice a blend of excitement and relief. She quickly ran and hugged Alex.
Behind her was a doctor in a crisp white coat, clipboard in hand. The doctor gave Alex a polite nod as he approached the bed, his eyes scanning Alex with a practiced, professional gaze.
"You've been through quite an ordeal, Alex," the doctor said, checking his vitals on a monitor beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Alex shifted slightly, feeling a dull ache where he had been stabbed. Still, beyond that, he felt remarkably fine, given what he remembered of the incident. "Honestly… I feel okay. Just a bit sore."
The doctor raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's good to hear. You're healing faster than we expected."
He then added, "With the kind of injury you sustained, it's common to experience lingering pain, but your vitals are stable. Keep resting, and we'll monitor you over the next few days."
Nicole's gaze never left Alex, her expression softening as the doctor spoke. She finally stepped closer, her tone gentle. "You really gave us a scare, Alex. When I saw you go down… I thought…"
Her voice trailed off, and she took a breath, steadying herself. Alex felt a pang of guilt but managed a reassuring smile. "I'm still here," he said, trying to keep things light, even though he knew he'd come dangerously close to not being.
Nicole's expression shifted to a slight smile, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. Nicole gave him a comforting smile. "By the way, Alex, you don't need to worry about the hospital bill. Mr. Palmer—the owner—said he'd cover the expenses."
Alex sighed in relief, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. He barely scraped by as it was, and the thought of a medical bill had been quietly gnawing at him since he'd woken up. No matter how small, he knew he couldn't afford it.
"That's… a huge relief," he admitted, his voice laced with genuine gratitude.
One of the harsh realities of living in this country was the high taxes, yet many essential services seemed out of reach. Healthcare, especially, was a burden. Most people couldn't count on public support, forcing them to commit to expensive private medical insurance and stretching their budgets further.
For people like Alex, barely making ends meet, even a minor medical setback could spiral into debt. He was grateful that, at least this time, he'd been spared that particular worry.
A thought struck Alex, and his brow furrowed. Mr. Palmer wasn't exactly known for his generosity, especially regarding money. The man had always been strict with payroll, enforcing every rule to keep costs low. So why would he agree to cover something as expensive as a hospital bill?
"Wait a second," Alex murmured, glancing up at Nicole. "Mr. Palmer… he's not really the type to spend money like this. How come he's covering my bill this time?"
Nicole gave him a thoughtful look, hesitating for a moment. "I thought the same thing, honestly. But… well, maybe he feels a bit responsible. It happened on his property, and if word got out about an employee being injured in a robbery, it might not be good for business."
She shrugged, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Either that or he had a sudden change of heart. It's your luck!"
Alex considered her words, though he still felt there had to be more to it. Mr. Palmer was nothing if not pragmatic, and this level of generosity just didn't add up.
Alex leaned back against the hospital bed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. 'Luck, huh? It is already showing then,' he thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Maybe those points he had put into Luck were already starting to shift things in his favor.
The thought was almost surreal—barely an hour ago, he had felt as if life was nothing but a series of unfortunate events. Here he was, wondering if this strange Empire System could make a difference. If luck was on his side, perhaps there was more to come.
"Hey, Alex." Nicole watched him, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "You seem deep in thought. Something on your mind?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Alex snapped out of his reverie, giving her a reassuring smile. "Sorry. I was just… thinking that maybe what you said is true. Maybe... my luck's turning around," he said, his words carrying a double meaning he knew she wouldn't catch.
Nicole's smile brightened, lighting up her face. "Of course it is," she said warmly. "With how you tried to help me… I'd say you deserve a major turn in your life. I really hope things change for you, Alex."
She leaned in close, and before he knew it, she was at his ear, her voice soft and sincere. "Thank you for saving my life."
Alex felt his heart race, and heat crept up his cheeks. Her sudden closeness caught him off guard, and he could feel his face flushing red. Before he could respond, Nicole pulled back, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"I should head home now," she said, looking sheepish as she stepped back. "But I'll come by tomorrow to check on you. Rest up, alright?"
Alex nodded, still feeling his cheeks burn as he watched her leave. The room fell quiet once more, yet the warmth from her words—and her closeness—lingered, leaving him with a strange, fluttering feeling he couldn't quite shake.