Ned staggered out of the rubble, his body covered in a thin layer of soot and debris. Every muscle ached, but he was alive. The echoes of the explosion still rang in his ears, but the silence of the ruined dungeon was far more oppressive. For a moment, he leaned against a shattered pillar, catching his breath and processing what had just happened.
The faint morning light filtering through the cavern's entrance reminded him that he was no longer underground. He glanced back at the collapsed entrance to the dungeon, the faint tremors from the aftermath still rattling the earth. The consequences of his actions were becoming clearer by the second.
This won't go unnoticed.
The dungeon was a frequented training ground for beginners, a relatively safe place for newcomers to test their skills. Its sudden collapse would draw attention, and it wouldn't take long for someone to connect the dots. Ned knew he couldn't avoid suspicion forever. He could claim ignorance, say he barely escaped when the dungeon began to quake, but he doubted anyone would believe that completely.
He sighed and pushed himself upright. There was no time to dwell on what might happen. He needed to focus on what came next. As he began walking away from the rubble, a faint chime echoed in his ears. A system window materialized before him, glowing softly.
[System Notification]
[Congratulations, Ned Forester!]
[You have defeated an adversary beyond your level]
Enemy: Iver, Level 125.
Contribution: 100% (Skill: Moonlight Howl triggered the decisive attack).
[1,250,000 EXP points awarded]
Level up!
Level up!
Level up!
.
.
.
[Level increased from 8 → 36.]
[Inventory Unlocked]
[Title Earned: The Wolf Who Cried Justice]
The notifications kept coming, each more unbelievable than the last. His level had skyrocketed, the massive gap between where he was and where he now stood sending a thrill through his veins. Level 36. It was unimaginable progress, something that would take others months, if not years, to achieve.
Ned blinked at the glowing text, a grin spreading across his face. This... this changes everything. His newfound strength could be the key to ensuring his family's safety, to proving himself in the upcoming final evaluation. He did a quick mental calculation.
If I push myself, I can hit Level 50 and undergo my second awakening before the evaluation.
The thought made his heart race. Even Reena, one of the top students in his class, had been only Level 45 the last time he checked. And now, here he was about to catch up to her.
But there was no time to celebrate yet. Ned resolved to camp nearby and take stock of his gains. He couldn't risk returning to the city so soon. Too many questions would be waiting for him there. As he walked, his path brought him face-to-face with familiar figures.
---
Usain and his party emerged from the woods, their faces lighting up when they saw him. The group looked battered but victorious, their gear covered in blood and grime, but their expressions full of satisfaction.
"Ned!" Usain called out, waving. "You're alive! We thought you might've been caught in the collapse."
Ned forced a smile, raising a hand in greeting. "Yeah, it was close. The dungeon started shaking, and I had to bolt. Didn't even have time to grab the hoverboard."
Usain's brows furrowed, and his party exchanged glances. "Damn. That's a shame. We were hoping you found it. Still, it's good you made it out."
Ned hesitated, carefully crafting his next words. "What about you guys? You look like you made some good progress."
Usain grinned, gesturing to his team. "Yeah, most of us hit Level 20. We got some decent loot, too. Shame about the hoverboard, though. It would've fetched a good price." He noticed that Usain is seemingly nicer to him, maybe the fight in the boss room did have some impact. "New friends are always welcome" he thought.
Ned nodded, steering the conversation away from the collapsed dungeon. He spun a believable tale, mixing half-truths with outright lies, avoiding any mention of Iver or the horrors he'd witnessed. The group seemed to buy it, and after a bit more chatter, they decided to head back to the city to sell their spoils and rest.
"We'll see you around, Ned," Usain said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't push yourself too hard."
Ned watched them go, a pang of guilt tugging at him. He hated lying, but the truth was too dangerous to share. Once they were out of sight, he veered off the path, finding a secluded spot to set up camp.
---
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ned settled by a small fire, his back against a sturdy tree. The area he'd chosen was far from any known monster habitats, a quiet corner where he could safely take stock of his gains. He opened his status window, eager to see the full extent of his rewards.
---
Name: Ned Forester
Title: Banished Spectator, The Wolf Who cried Justice
Talent: Spectator's Insight (Grade ???) , Talaria (Rare)
Level: 3
---
Attributes
- Strength: 10
- Agility: 15
- Endurance: 8
- Mana: 15
- Perception: 30
- Unassigned points: 240
---
Unique Skills
1. Reenact : Mimics observed talents by replicating their mana flow and patterns. Success depends on the complexity of the talent, the user's mana control, and compatibility. Copied talents are temporary but can grow more efficient with practice.
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
---
Other Skills
1. Moonlight Howl: Altert all the Wild Wolves near you and call them for your aid. WIld Wolves are protective of their family by nature and they will treat you one of their own. Inherent skill of Wild Wolves.
---
Talents
Talent Name: Spectator's Insight (???, ???)
- Effect: Allows the user to observe the flow of mana and analyze its patterns in extraordinary detail. This heightened perception enables the recognition and understanding of complex skills, strategies, and talents.
Talent Name: Talaria (Rare, Physical)
- Effect: Enhances speed and agility by amplifying mana flow through the lower limbs.
- Compatibility: 88%
---
Titles:
The Wolf Who Cried Justice: Bonus damage against enemies who threaten innocents
Banished Spectator: ???
---
He grinned as he scrolled through the list. He was extreamly glad that he observed and remembered the mana path when the wild wolf was using Moonlight howl. He didn't think it would work cause monsters and humans have different mana circuts, he spent all the time he stalled to think of way to make it work and he was so glad that it worked. It saved his life.
He stopped thinking about it and started looking at his gains. The Inventory function was particularly exciting. He'd always envied those who could store items without the burden of carrying them. Testing it out, he placed his rusty knife into the system's interface and watched as it vanished, only to reappear when he willed it back.
This is going to make things so much easier.
The title, too, intrigued him. A bonus to damage against enemies who threatened innocents? It was a strangely specific perk, but he wouldn't complain. Every advantage mattered.
Celebrating with a bowl of his trusty slime soup, Ned let himself relax for the first time in what felt like days. The fire crackled softly, its warmth a comforting presence as he drifted into a light sleep.
---
Far from Nexus, deep in the Kingdom of Elves, a very different scene unfolded.
The elven capital was a marvel to behold, a city built into the very heart of nature. Towering trees formed the framework of elegant structures, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Streams of crystal-clear water wove through the streets, and bridges of living vines connected the sprawling levels of the city. Every corner seemed to hum with life, a harmony between civilization and the wild.
In the heart of this serene city, a modest tailor's shop bustled with activity. Its owner, a petite elf woman with nimble fingers, worked diligently at her craft, chatting amiably with her customers. The shop was a picture of success, a testament to her skill and dedication.
But as the last customer left and the sun dipped below the horizon, a faint glow emanated from beneath her skirt. The elf frowned, quickly retreating to the privacy of her room. She pulled up her dress to reveal a small, golden tattoo near her ankle, its light pulsing faintly. A black portal formed in the air before her, and from it fell a single letter, sealed with an oil stamp bearing a golden emblem: a fist encircled by a gear.
Her face darkened as she broke the seal and read the letter. Her expression shifted from shock to sorrow.
"Iver..." she murmured, her voice tinged with disappointment. "You were a good man once."
Far and wide, similar letters found their recipients—hidden operatives, influential figures, and shadowy organizations. Each one bore the same emblem, and each carried the same grim message.
The death of Iver had set something into motion, a ripple that would soon swell into a tidal wave, shaking the very foundations of the world.