As Asher returned to the familiar graveyard where he stood, he looked at his hands radiating with power.
[Memories absorbed you have learned Aeron's technique, 'Earth Shattering Fist']
[Integration was complete, the host can now use the technique]
[Skill: Earth Shattering Fist
Type: Offensive/Physical Technique
Description: A martial technique focuses on generating immense force through a single, precise punch. The host can channel the energy to amplify physical power to deliver a strike capable of cracking the ground or blowing enemies away.
Effect: Delivers a concentrated punch with explosive power. It can create shockwaves on impact, damaging nearby enemies or objects. Capable of staggering stronger foes or breaking through their defenses. Caps with level.
[Technique Evolution possible]
[Evolution Shard needed (1/10) to upgrade the technique]
"Evolution Shard? System, what is an Evolution shard, and why do I have one?" He asked, full of confusion.
[Evolution Shard, from what it says, can evolve the skill, techniques and other abilities as long as the requirement is fulfilled]
[Item: Evolution Shard
Description: A rare and mysterious fragment born from the essence of creatures and beasts. The Evolution Shard holds the ability to transcend limitations, evolving skills, techniques, and abilities to become the ultimate lifeform.]
[The effect of this item allows the evolution of skill, technique, or ability when all requirements are fulfilled. This evolution unlocks new powerups and unique effects]
[For the requirements, the skill, technique, or ability must meet the minimum usage or mastery level. The Evolution shard needed to evolve will lower as long as the host, can find ways to have an idea on how to evolve the skill on his own]
[Note: The shard cannot be used to create new abilities. If you do that, then you are dumb. Its only function is to evolve existing ones. Once consumed, the shard integrates into the user energy core, activating the transformation instantly. This shard drop is rare, sometimes from low-level zombies to elite enemies and bosses]
[The Evolution Shard you have acquired from the martial artist zombie has been stored in your inventory] - The system notified him.
He opened the system inventory and saw it, "Can I hold this shard?" he muttered as he clicked the unstore button.
Then, the air in front of him vibrated as a white crystal appeared in thin air. Before it could fall to the ground, he caught it.
The crystal was radiating with white crystal tear energy. From its mirror-like formation, he could even see his reflection.
It was the size of a baseball, but it was not a circle since it was a shard.
(Click me to see the comment)
Storing it back inside, he wanted to continue his hunt to become strong. Then, a whistling sound came from his back.
He felt his scalps numbed as his instinct shouted to duck or run. Then he saw that he was falling, falling? The moment his upper body dropped to the ground, he died cut into two pieces.
The pain was so painful, it was excruciating pain as he woke up in his bed writhing in pain. He was about to shout but bit his teeth until his face turned red.
Hie eyes were red as his forehead began to form lines from the pain, moments passed it began to subside as he lay their full of sweat.
"The heck, the pain was so real, it almost felt like my body was cut into two," he exclaimed, taking deep breaths and touching his abdomen where he was cut.
"Is that really not a dream?" he cursed as he sat in bed, his hand in his face, looking down on the wet bed sheet.
"System, are you there?" he asked, wondering if it was really a dream.
[Yes Host] - The system replied.
Seeing this, his eyes brightened as he stood up in the bed. "So it was really not just a dream!" he exclaimed as he pulled the panel into his face to kiss it.
The system that was kissed could not help but make a puking emoji.
[Host, please don't do that to the system. I was not programmed to be gay please be mindful]
It reprimanded him, and Asher laughed. "Haha, I was just driven by my emotions. System, can you show me my status?" he asked.
[Name: Asher Veyron
Level: 1 (60/100)
Aether Core: 22
[Note: After you reach 100, the core will naturally form to store this value]
Strength: 14 → 69
Speed: 10 → 23
Defense: 10 → 30
Constitution: 10 → 15
Skills: Rotting Touch(Fragments, 4/5)
Techniques: Earth Shattering Punch]
...
Seeing the massive increase in stats, especially the strength and other stats.
"I truly appreciate Aeron for granting me this power; my dream is truly amazing," he expressed, feeling grateful and in awe.
"But for real, who killed me with just one strike?" Asher was then back in deep contemplation.
What he saw seemed to be a person in black clothes, like a ninja or samurai. But he died, not knowing his true identity.
"Whoever you are, killing me is not a good idea," Asher bellowed with a deadly gaze.
"How can I measure my strength? Should I go to the school and use the Combat Power Index(CPI) to measure my strength?" he thought inwardly, but he had to sneak inside.
He planned to surprise the whole school, his best friend, and the two girls on the last day of the week; he did not plan to be low-key.
He wanted to become famous and join the academy to become stronger and slay beasts.
"I'm very close to my dream," he mused.
"You beast, just wait for I, Asher Veyron, to slaughter all of you and avenge my family, every person that died because of your own fun," he groaned as he looked at the window, and it was still night.
"If I go back to sleep, can I go back?" he thought as he went back to bed, then a panel appeared.
[Loggin back to 'Nightmare's World' is in cooldown]
[5 Hours]
Seeing that it was on cooldown, he decided to wait. "Maybe I should watch some TV to pass the time," he thought, as he no longer felt tired.
He was filled with vitality and power, and sleeping was no longer needed.