Zephyr was carefully observing the system screen, about to check the new rewards. However, he suddenly remembered that he was not alone in the room.
"Is something wrong, Zephyr?" asked Syltharia, noticing his thoughtful expression.
"No, I just got distracted for a moment," he replied, smiling nervously as he refocused his thoughts.
He was in a strange situation. The girls had found him dying in a lake, healed him, and now they were helping him improve his skills, all thanks to a blessing from the fox Fenneris. How important was this fox for it to treat him this way? Why hadn't they asked him more about his origins? It was all a mystery.
Lirael broke the silence, as if she had read his thoughts.
"Who did you fight to end up in that state?"
"I fought a snake..." he replied, trying to remember the details clearly.
"A snake with two large fangs coming out of its mouth?" asked Lirael.
"Yes, exactly that," Zephyr nodded.
"Hmmm... and where did you find this snake? Those monsters are only found in caves or dungeons..." Lirael continued, frowning.
"I was lost in the forest. A few hours ago, I fell into what seemed like a cave, where I fought three types of monsters: mucoratas, red wolves, and the snake," Zephyr explained.
"I know where that is... You're talking about a small cave southeast, near where the monsters live. But what were you doing there?" asked Syltharia.
"Honestly, I don't know. I just woke up there," Zephyr had no excuse and didn't want to make one up.
Lirael stared at him, her left eye glowing for a moment before it dimmed.
"I see..." that was all she said.
"By the way, Zephyr, do you want me to show you the place?" Syltharia asked with a smile.
"Yes, please!" Zephyr replied excitedly. Living a fantasy story like this was something he had always dreamed of, and now he was experiencing it firsthand.
"But before that... Can I put on the shirt?" he asked, pointing at the clothes on a chair.
"Of course, it's over there," Syltharia replied, gesturing.
When Zephyr finished getting dressed, the girls moved toward the door.
"When you're ready, just come out here. We'll go for a walk around the place," Syltharia said, smiling.
Zephyr nodded, and as they left, he seized the perfect opportunity to check the system.
"System, show me the rewards," he said with enthusiasm.
[System]: Congratulations, host. You have defeated Scarlet Fang. Your stats increase by 17, except luck. New skill: Silent Steps. Thanks to your near-death experience, you have gained a new skill: Shadow Hands. Thanks to the blessing of the guardian fox Fenneris, you have gained greater sensitivity to mana.
Status Screen:
Name: Zephyr Blackthorne
Level: 10
Class: Unclassed
HP: 210/210 (+30 for level-up)
MP: 30/30
EXP: 380/5000
Stats:
Strength: 51 (+17 for reward)
Dexterity: 57 (+17 for reward)
Endurance: 54 (+17 for reward)
Intelligence: 56 (+17 for reward)
Speed: 52 (+17 for reward)
Luck: 6 (+0 for reward)
Magic: 0 (No magical abilities)
Rewards Obtained:
HP Increase: +10 for level-up and +20 additional for achievements.
Congratulations, host: You have defeated Scarlet Fang.
Stat Increase: +17 to all stats except luck.
New skill: Silent Steps
Thanks to the blessing of the guardian fox Fenneris, you have gained greater sensitivity to mana.
New skill: Shadow Hands
New Special Skill:
Night Eyes:
Ability to see clearly in the dark for up to 2 hours.
(Cooldown: 24 hours)
Skills:
Silent Steps (Level 1):
Allows the user to move with supernatural agility and softness, making their steps completely silent. This grants the ability to walk, run, or move without being detected, ideal for stealth missions.
Effects of Level 1:
Completely silent steps.
Increased speed and agility when moving.
Reduced friction, allowing for quick changes in direction.
Note:
Does not require mana to activate.
Shadow Hands (Level 1):
Allows the user to move their hands with extraordinary dexterity, facilitating stealth tasks and manipulation without being detected. Every movement of the hands is fluid and silent, ideal for stealing, disarming mechanisms, or performing other stealth actions.
Effects of Level 1:
Completely silent hand movements.
Increased dexterity in manual skills like stealth or theft.
Improved agility for tasks requiring speed and precision.
Note:
Does not require mana to activate.
Mana Sensitivity (Level 1):
Allows the user to perceive fluctuations in mana around them, detecting nearby magical sources and manipulations. It improves the ability to control and use mana more efficiently over time.
..
Zephyr almost lost his balance when he noticed the change in his status. Just as the system had indicated, the rewards were greater when he was on the brink of death. Now, he had gained three new skills, which left him quite excited.
He didn't know how strong people were in this world or how quickly they improved, so he didn't realize the overwhelming growth he was experiencing thanks to the system.
"Zephyr, are you done?" Lirael asked from the other side of the door.
"Yes, just finishing up, I'll be right out," he replied, quickly putting on his shoes. He then headed for the door.
Although he didn't have a clear goal in this world, he was determined to enjoy this new life to the fullest.