Pulkit stared at the glowing screen in the cramped confines of the storage box, his breath shallow as the next notification materialized.
[Player Status Unlocked]
A semi-transparent panel appeared, listing his attributes:
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 5
Spirit: 5
Endurance: 5
Perception: 5
Vigor: 5
Unallocated Stat Points: 10
Pulkit's eyes widened. He stared at the attributes, his mind racing to comprehend the situation. Before he could process, another notification popped up:
[World Announcement]
Congratulations! You are the first to survive an S-rank dungeon outbreak for 24 hours.
Reward: 1000 Achievement Points.
His heart skipped a beat. S-rank dungeon? That's... impossible! He recalled countless stories where S-rank dungeons were apocalyptic-level disasters. A third notification snapped him out of his thoughts:
[System Function Unlocked: Novice Shop]
You can now purchase resources, weapons, and skills using Achievement Points.
Pulkit took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He thought back to the countless novels and anime he had consumed, recalling the strategies protagonists often employed in such situations.
Don't rush. Think it through.
Instead of allocating his stat points immediately, Pulkit decided to explore the shop. He summoned the shop menu, which opened with a flicker, revealing three categories: Weapons, Resources, and Skills. His curiosity drove him to the Skills section first.
At the top of the list, his gaze locked onto a skill: S-rank: High Regeneration. His heart leapt at the thought of possessing such an overpowered ability. But just as he was about to select it, the skill vanished before his eyes.
"What?!" Pulkit exclaimed, his voice cracking in frustration. A second skill disappeared, followed by another. He realized with dread that others were also accessing the shop, rapidly buying up the best options.
Panic set in. Frantically scrolling, his eyes landed on a skill:
Summoner of the Dead
Cost: 1000 Achievement Points
Pulkit froze. The name alone carried a tantalizing allure. Summoner of the Dead... A skill with the potential to become S-rank! The thought of wielding such overwhelming power sent a thrill through him. His mind raced with visions of becoming a necromancer, commanding legions of the fallen. Fueled by excitement and the fear of losing the skill, he hurriedly purchased it.
The glow of the system enveloped him as the skill registered. A new window appeared, detailing its effects:
Summoner of the Dead
Rank: F
Effect: Allows you to summon only those monsters you have killed. The summoned monster's rank cannot exceed the skill's current rank. Current summon limit: 1. Skill proficiency: 0.0%.
Pulkit's excitement plummeted. Summon only those monsters I've killed? And just one at a time? The limitations crushed his initial hopes of becoming an all-powerful necromancer. He slumped back, staring at the screen in disbelief.
As the glow of the system faded, reality came crashing down. He was the sole survivor of an S-rank dungeon outbreak. His friends, his family, and everyone he had ever known were gone. The weight of it all pressed down on him, threatening to suffocate him. For a moment, he longed for the comfort of his old life—his novels, his quiet days, the simplicity he had taken for granted.
But then, a spark of resolve ignited within him. I'm alive. And if I'm going to keep living, I need to become stronger.
He clenched his fists and sat up. "No more regrets," he muttered. "If this is the world I'm in now, I'll survive. I'll fight. I'll win."
Slowly, Pulkit lifted the lid of the storage box. He took cautious steps toward the door, his ears straining for any sound. When he opened the door a crack, the first thing he noticed was bloodstains smeared across the floor. His breath hitched. The dogs... they've left.
But then a faint, grotesque chewing sound reached his ears. He peeked out and froze. One of the demonic dogs was feasting on a piece of flesh just outside his door, its back turned to him.
Pulkit's heart raced. This was his chance. Without hesitation, he allocated all 10 stat points into Strength, feeling a surge of energy course through his body. He grabbed a rusty knife from a nearby drawer and crept toward the dog. Every step felt like an eternity, but the creature remained engrossed in its meal.
When he was close enough, Pulkit gripped the knife with trembling hands and lunged. He drove the blade into the dog's skull with all his strength. The beast let out a strangled yelp, its body convulsing before collapsing in a lifeless heap.
Panting, Pulkit stepped back, staring at the bloodied knife in his hands. His first kill.
He dragged the corpse into the room and activated his new skill. A cold, blue light enveloped the body as the system responded:
[Skill Activated: Summoner of the Dead]
Demonic Dog (F-rank) successfully registered.
The corpse disintegrated into dust, leaving behind a faint, glowing silhouette. With a thought, Pulkit summoned the demonic dog. It materialized in front of him, its pure dark body rippling with muscle, red eyes glowing faintly, and deadly claws gleaming in the dim light. The creature stood obedient, awaiting his command.
Pulkit stared at his first summon, a mix of awe and determination in his eyes. This was just the beginning.