Noah stood at the entrance to the Dungeon Guardian's lair, his body weary from the numerous battles he'd fought and won. The monster-infested hallways had given him a taste of the power this dungeon held, but now, standing on the precipice of his first major challenge in this world, a strange realization began to dawn on him.
He had leveled up, multiple times now, and yet he had never once considered the **attribute points** that came with each level. His mind had been too focused on the immediate goal—fighting, surviving, and honing his swordsmanship. But now, as he steadied himself, preparing for the battle ahead, it hit him like a sudden gust of wind.
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**"Attribute points…"** Noah muttered under his breath.
As a level 5 **Hunter**, he had accumulated five attribute points—one for each level. And unlike his previous life, where power came from sheer determination, in this world, every point mattered. Strength, agility, dexterity—each stat could define the difference between life and death.
Noah's eyes narrowed as he recalled his frailty—the weakness of his human body. The same body that had been a shell of the powerful existence he had once been. He hadn't fully realized the toll that the limitations of his physical form would impose on him, but now, standing on the cusp of a major battle, the truth became impossible to ignore.
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**"I need to get stronger."**
Noah had always been a tactical thinker, able to plan and manipulate situations to his advantage, but that wouldn't be enough here. Strength wasn't just a means to protect himself. It was the foundation of everything. His sword—**Abyssal Night**—would only carry him so far if his own body couldn't keep up with the demands of combat.
He had no time to waste. With a quick motion, he opened his status window.
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**Noah's Status:**
- **Class:** Hunter
- **Level:** 5
- **Strength:** 5
- **Agility:** 4
- **Dexterity:** 4
- **Mana:** 4
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His fingers hovered over the points in his status window. Normally, the wise choice would be to distribute the points evenly, creating a balanced fighter. But Noah wasn't interested in balance right now. Not when facing monsters far stronger than him, not when his sword couldn't rely on sheer speed alone to get the job done.
He needed **raw strength**.
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Without hesitation, he allocated all five of his attribute points to **Strength**. The moment he confirmed the change, a surge of power coursed through his body. He felt it immediately: his muscles tightened, his bones felt denser, and his body became more solid. The transformation wasn't visual, but Noah could feel it deep within, a subtle but unmistakable shift in his physical prowess.
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**Strength: 9**
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His heartbeat quickened. The world didn't change in dramatic fashion—there were no glowing lights or sparks flying through the air—but Noah knew. He could already sense that his body was more capable. His senses had sharpened, his balance improved, and his movements felt more grounded. He was stronger now.
And this new strength gave him the confidence he had been lacking. He wasn't just a hunter now. He was a force to be reckoned with.
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As he stood before the Dungeon Guardian's lair, Noah flexed his hands around **Abyssal Night**. He could feel the weight of the sword differently now. Stronger hands meant a more controlled grip, more deadly strikes. The power he had gained from his attribute allocation would give him the edge he needed.
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**"Let's see what you're made of."** Noah muttered, stepping forward into the shadowy lair.
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The lair stretched out before him, vast and filled with the scent of decay. The low hum of mana vibrated through the air, and his senses, enhanced by his new strength, tingled with anticipation. Ahead of him, the outline of the **Dungeon Guardian** slowly came into focus—a hulking, grotesque creature with scales as black as night, sharp claws that glinted in the dim light, and a massive maw filled with rows of jagged teeth. Its eyes, however, were the most terrifying feature—glowing a bright, unnatural blue, and staring directly at him.
Noah's heart pounded in his chest, but the fear didn't paralyze him. It fueled him. He had just become stronger, and now, he was ready to test it.
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The Dungeon Guardian roared, shaking the very walls of the lair. Noah didn't hesitate. He leaped forward, his legs powered by his newly gained strength, closing the distance between them in an instant. The creature swung its massive claws down at him, but Noah sidestepped with ease, a graceful motion he had perfected from his previous life's sword training.
He raised **Abyssal Night**, slashing at the Guardian's exposed flank. The sword bit deep into its tough hide, drawing a screech of pain from the monster. But Noah knew this battle wouldn't be won in a single strike.
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He moved with precision, dodging the Guardian's attacks and countering with calculated strikes. Each blow he landed felt stronger, more impactful than before. The boost to his strength was evident, the sword cutting through the creature's defenses with far more ease than he expected. But the Dungeon Guardian was no weak foe—it fought back with relentless fury, swinging its claws and tail in deadly arcs, forcing Noah to constantly dodge and reposition.
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**"You'll have to do better than that."** Noah muttered, gritting his teeth.
Despite the progress he had made, the battle was far from over. He could feel the strain on his body. The Guardian was a beast of immense size and power. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, even with the strength boost.
But he was ready. He had something the Guardian didn't: strategy.
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With one final roar, the Guardian lunged forward, its mouth gaping wide, ready to swallow Noah whole. But Noah was faster. He dodged the creature's bite, darting around its side. As it turned to face him, he swung **Abyssal Night** upward, carving deep into its side, aiming for the exposed weak points he had been studying throughout the battle.
The sword cleaved through, sending a shockwave of power through the Guardian's body. It staggered, momentarily stunned.
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Noah seized the opportunity, his sword flashing in a final, decisive arc. **Abyssal Night** sunk into the heart of the creature, and with a final scream of agony, the **Dungeon Guardian** collapsed to the ground, its life force extinguished in an instant.
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**"Level 6 Hunter. Experience gained: 150."**
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Noah stood over the fallen creature, chest heaving as he took in the sight of the defeated monster. The adrenaline of the fight coursed through his veins, but his mind was already on the next challenge, the next step. He had done it. He had conquered his first true dungeon boss, and in the process, he had grown even stronger.
But Noah knew this was only the beginning.
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**"I'll rule this world... and then, the next."**
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With his new strength, there was nothing that could stop him.