The air around me seems to hum with possibility. My body feels alive in a new way, each movement flowing with purpose and intent. I take another step, still feeling the weight of the *Enhanced Baseball Bat* in my hands, but now it's more than just a weapon. It's an extension of me, my will manifested in its weight and balance.
The creature's body lies still now, its unnatural shape a grotesque reminder of the trials that await me. I can feel the remnants of the battle, the adrenaline and fear, slowly draining from my system. But the *Mana Awakening Pill* glows in my other hand, a small yet vital key to unlocking my potential. It calls to me, offering a chance to push beyond my limits.
I hesitate for a moment. Should I take it?
I've seen how dangerous these kinds of pills can be—how they can alter the very fabric of one's existence. But something tells me this one will be different. I know that to survive in this world, I need to grow, to reach for the power that lies beyond what I've known so far.
With a single breath, I swallow the pill.
At first, nothing happens. But then, warmth spreads through my body, as if every muscle, every nerve, every cell is being charged with energy. My mana reserves surge, and I can feel it—this new force inside me, ready to be wielded. I open my eyes and clench my fist, feeling a rush of power, the familiar but now heightened sense of control over the energy that flows through me. I've taken the first step into a new realm of power, one that could reshape my entire approach to combat and survival.
The chest before me has already served its purpose. But it feels as if this is just the beginning, a new chapter in the journey that lies ahead.
I turn away from the chest and look toward the path ahead. The world around me seems less like an obstacle and more like an opportunity. With my new skills, my new strength, I can take on anything.
The creatures that roam this world, the trials that lie beyond the towers—they won't stand a chance. I know there will be challenges, but now I can face them with the confidence of someone who has not only survived but evolved.
And so, I step forward, the *Enhanced Baseball Bat* in my hand, my every movement now infused with purpose, my body and mind synchronized as one.
Level 8.
It's just the beginning.
As I make my way forward, the air around me grows colder, the dim light of the environment flickering as if it's being choked by an unseen force. My senses are on high alert. Something's coming—something big. A sudden rumble shakes the ground beneath me, and I feel the vibrations in my bones.
I spin on my heel, just in time to see a horde of figures emerging from the shadows. At first, they're slow, their movements lethargic, but there are *so many* of them. The sheer mass of rotting, decaying corpses lurching forward in a mindless, synchronized march chills me to the core.
A Zombie Legion.
Level 10.
It's a boss-tier mob, a flood of death walking in a grotesque sea of decay. Their eyes, or what remains of them, glow with a faint, hollow light, their mouths agape in a constant, eerie moan as they shuffle toward me. The air stinks of rot, of death, and I can practically hear the cries of lost souls within their decaying bodies.
I tighten my grip on the Enhanced Baseball Bat, feeling the surge of power still pulsing through me from the Mana Awakening Pill. I won't let them overwhelm me. Not now.
The first zombie reaches me, its hands reaching out to claw at me, but with the newfound Jujutsu Combat Skill and my heightened reflexes, I'm already moving. I sidestep, my body fluid, instinctive. As I twist, I swing the bat in a calculated arc, landing a blow to the creature's skull. The bat connects with a sickening crack, and the zombie collapses to the ground, its head caved in.
I barely have time to process the kill before another zombie rushes toward me. I don't hesitate. I shift my weight, using the force of its charge against it. A swift step to the side, a twist of the body, and I throw it over my shoulder with a smooth, practiced motion, using the bat as a lever. It lands with a thud on the cold, unforgiving ground.
But there are so many. And they keep coming.
I dodge and weave, striking with precision, every movement amplified by my new skill, turning each encounter into a dance of fluidity and control. The zombies fall one by one, their bodies piling up in a grotesque heap. Their rotting forms are no match for the precision I now command.
The last of them falls with a guttural growl, its head crashing to the ground. The fight is over, but my heart is still pounding in my chest, my breath coming in sharp bursts. I stand there for a moment, taking in the sight of the fallen horde, a small, grim sense of accomplishment settling over me.
And then, as if to punctuate the victory, a glowing light emanates from the pile of corpses. I turn, wary but curious, and watch as a small chest materializes before me, its surface glistening with faint golden runes.
I approach it cautiously and open it, knowing that whatever's inside will be both a reward and a challenge. As the chest clicks open, three items fall into view, each one glowing with a different hue.
First, a stack of bills — 500 euros, a strange sight in this world, but I'm not going to question it. It's a small boon amid all this madness.
Second, a basic sword, its simple design belies the subtle quality of its craftsmanship. It feels light but sturdy in my hand, and I can already tell it will be a reliable weapon in close quarters.
Finally, a simple spellbook, its pages flickering with a fiery orange glow. Simple Fire Spell — it's not much, but it's a start. A spark of magic I can wield.
The rewards are humble but valuable. I know they will help me in the battles to come. But for now, I feel the weight of the fight lifting off my shoulders. With the Zombie Legion vanquished and my spoils in hand, I take a deep breath, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
500 Euros.
Basic Sword.
Simple Fire Spell.
I close the chest and stow the items away, the sword strapped to my back, the fire spell tucked into my inventory for later use. This world is strange, filled with danger and surprises, but with each step, I'm growing stronger.
Level 8. Level 10 Zombies. The rewards keep coming, and I'm ready for whatever's next.
I stand there, catching my breath as the last of the zombies crumble to the ground. The echo of their groans fades, leaving nothing but silence in their wake. As the battle subsides, my body hums with the aftereffects of the fight. My heart is still racing, but there's a quiet satisfaction, a sense of power as I take in the aftermath.
I quickly check the notification window that pops up before me.
Experience: +200 EXP per Zombie
Total: +6,000 EXP
My eyes widen in surprise. I didn't realize how many zombies there had been until now, but the numbers don't lie. Thirty of the monsters, each worth 200 experience points, add up to a substantial amount.
Level 8 is now a distant memory, already surpassed. I feel the rush of energy as the experience surges through me, filling the gaps in my abilities and fortifying my resolve. The rush of levelling up again is a sweet, intoxicating sensation. It's as if I can feel the very fabric of my being shifting and evolving.
Level 9 reached.
A quick surge of energy runs through my body, and I feel a brief moment of lightheadedness before it passes. My mana pool expands slightly, my reflexes become sharper, and I know my capabilities have grown even further. I stand taller, and more confident. Each level-up isn't just a number—it's a change, a transformation.
But the rewards don't stop there. I glance at the chest, now fully opened before me, a reminder of the spoils of battle. The 500 euros are still neatly stacked, the basic sword glinting in the dim light, and the fire spell nestled within the pages of a simple book.
I've learned something today: in this world, battles don't just offer survival—they offer growth. And with this kind of reward, I can't help but feel like I'm on the right path.
As I continue to absorb the victory, I can't help but think of what lies ahead. This fight was just one of many. The tower looms, and beyond it, there's more to be done. But for now, I take a moment to enjoy the fruits of my hard-earned experience.
The hum of the dungeon's eerie atmosphere slowly fades as I stand amidst the remnants of the defeated monsters, my breath slowly evening out. The air feels less tense, as though the weight of the place has been lifted. I feel a strange sense of accomplishment settling into my bones—the dungeon has been conquered, and the feeling is like a weight dropping from my shoulders.
As I glance around, the familiar glow of a chest appears before me, flickering faintly with golden light. I step forward, cautious but expectant. The chest clicks open with a soft, resounding sound, revealing the treasure inside.
Dungeon Completion Reward:
- 1,000 Euros.
- Basic Sword Skills – Level 10.
- Survival Skills: Forest or Apocalypse.
I can't help but smile at the hefty sum of euros, a reminder that in this world, even the strangest places have their rewards. The money isn't something I take lightly—it's a tangible benefit in this twisted new reality.
Next, I focus on the Basic Sword Skills reward. I've already grown accustomed to wielding weapons, and the thought of improving my swordsmanship sends a thrill down my spine. I can already feel the faint shift in my movements, my stance, and my awareness of the blade as it comes alive in my hands.
I take a moment to test it out, swinging the sword through the air with an easy, fluid motion. My grip tightens, and the blade hums as if it's resonating with the changes. It's sharper, and more precise. I feel more in sync with it than ever before.
Basic Sword Skills Level 10:
At Level 10, the sword becomes an extension of you, as instinctive as breathing. Your movements are precise, your strikes unerring, and your defence impenetrable. You are no longer just wielding a weapon—*you are the weapon.*
A rush of knowledge floods my mind. With every swing, my body now moves in perfect harmony with the sword. I feel confident that I can take on even more challenging opponents. My combat style has become second nature, effortlessly flowing from one attack to the next.
But it's the final reward that grabs my attention: Survival Skills: Forest or Apocalypse. The choices flicker before me, like a momentary crossroads in my journey.
The choice isn't an easy one. A forest could be a wild, unpredictable place, filled with dangers both natural and unnatural, but it's familiar in its own way. The apocalypse, though, would require a different set of survival instincts altogether—those built around chaos, scarcity, and the constant threat of annihilation.
I weigh my options, instinctively feeling the challenge in both paths. Survival in either environment would be brutal, and demanding. After a moment of thought, I chose the *Survival Skills: Apocalypse* option. I feel a dark thrill at the thought of adapting to a world that's no longer stable, where the rules of survival are completely different from anything I've experienced so far.
The decision settles into my mind, and suddenly, I feel an influx of new knowledge. I see in my mind's eye visions of desolate landscapes—rubble-strewn cities, overrun bunkers, shadowed alleyways. My body feels more attuned to the idea of navigating such a world, my senses sharp, my awareness heightened. The world around me may have fallen apart, but I feel more capable and more ready to endure it.
Survival Skills: Apocalypse Unlocked.
At this level, your instincts sharpen to become a master of survival in hostile environments. You can locate shelter, and resources, and navigate urban decay or wilderness with ease. Your body adapts to harsh conditions, and you can sustain yourself even in the most extreme situations.
I let out a deep breath, my gaze sweeping the dungeon once more, now sensing it in a way I never had before—every shadow, every crevice feels like a place of potential survival. The reward isn't just physical; it's mental, shaping my mind into one that can endure whatever this world throws at me.
With my rewards in hand and my path forward now more clearly defined, I take a moment to center myself. The world out there is unforgiving, but I feel ready for what's next.
I close my chest and prepare myself, knowing that there's no turning back now. Whatever comes, I will be prepared.
I activate the Instant Escape, and the world around me begins to blur. In an instant, the world of the dungeon fades away, leaving me standing in the quiet, safe space I once called normal.