Aric Valen awoke to the sound of a calm yet powerful voice echoing in the void:
"Welcome, Irregular. You are chosen for the Infinite Path. Ascend the Tower and discover your potential."
The darkness peeled away, revealing the towering structure ahead. A shimmering gate marked the entrance, with glowing letters spelling: "Level 1: Nexus of Beginnings."
Ding
A sound was heard in Aric's ear
[System Integration Complete]
A translucent screen appeared before him.
Aric, completely shocked by the current events looked at the screen . He was shocked to see that his name and many other things he didn't know was in it.
Name: Aric Valen
Rank: Irregular (Mythical)
Level: 1
Class: None (Unlocked at Level 10)
Systems: None (Unlocked at Level 20)
Cheat Ability: Infinite Creation
Create cheat-level skills, clones, and systems.
Core Stats
HP: 500 / 500 (Health Points)
MP: 300 / 300 (Mana Points for skill use)
SP: 400 / 400 (Stamina Points for physical and dodge actions)
Combat Stats
Attack Power (ATK): 50
Defense (DEF): 30
Agility (AGI): 20
Magic Power (MAG): 40
Luck (LCK): 15
Growth Progress
XP to Level 2: 100
Skill Slots Unlocked: 1
Stepping through the shimmering gate, Aric entered a dense forest bathed in perpetual twilight. The system updated his objective:
Objective: Clear Level 1 by defeating all enemies, including the Guardian of Nexus.
Encounter: The Shadowlings
The air shifted. From the shadows of the forest emerged humanoid creatures, their bodies flickering like smoke.
Lesser Shadowlings
Rank: Trash-Class
HP: 200 each
Abilities:
1. Shadow Claw – Melee slash.
2. Dark Flicker – evade one attacks.
A horde of 50 Shadowlings surrounded him, snarling and ready to attack.
Mid-Battle Status (Updated Dynamically):
HP: 500 / 500
MP: 300 / 300
SP: 400 / 400
Aric's Move
Using Infinite Creation, Aric created his first skill:
Skill Created: Crimson Slash
Type: Rare-Class AoE Skill
Effect: Fire-infused sword strike that damages multiple enemies.
Cost: 50 MP
A crimson blade materialized in Aric's hands. With a single swing, flames erupted, cutting through the Shadowlings. Half of the horde disintegrated instantly.
The remaining Shadowlings lunged, landing minor blows on Aric. He dodged and countered with physical strikes, conserving MP.
Mid-Battle Status (Post-Engagement):
HP: 400 / 500 (Damage from attacks)
MP: 200 / 300 (Spent on Crimson Slash)
SP: 300 / 400 (Dodging and physical strikes)
The last Shadowling fell, and the system chimed: +50 XP
After the Battle: Status Update
Full Status Window
Level: 1
HP: 400 / 500
MP: 200 / 300
SP: 300 / 400
XP Progress: 50 / 100
Abilities:
Crimson Slash (Rare): Fire-infused AoE skill.
Deeper into the forest, Aric reached an ancient temple. Standing guard were ten Elite Sentinels, humanoid constructs glowing with energy.
Elite Sentinels
Rank: Rare-Class
HP: 1,500 each
Abilities:
1. Shield Wall – Reduces incoming damage.
2. Energy Beam – Fires a concentrated energy blast.
"This looks bad," Aric muttered, activating Infinite Creation again.
Skill Created: Phantom Dash
Type: Uncommon-Class Mobility Skill
Effect: Grants invincibility for 1 second and boosts speed for dodging.
Cost: 30 SP
Using Phantom Dash, Aric dodged their attacks, landing precise strikes with Crimson Slash. The Sentinels' shields absorbed most of the damage, forcing Aric to adopt hit-and-run tactics.
Mid-Battle Status (Updated Dynamically):
HP: 250 / 500 (Heavy hits from Energy Beams)
MP: 100 / 300 (Used for Crimson Slash)
SP: 150 / 400 (Spent on dodging and physical strikes)
After a grueling fight, the last Sentinel fell, and the system chimed: +150 XP
Level Up!
Updated Status Window
Level: 2
HP: 550 / 550
MP: 350 / 350
SP: 450 / 450
XP Progress: 50 / 200
Abilities:
Crimson Slash (Rare): Fire-infused AoE skill.
Phantom Dash (Uncommon): Mobility skill.
The ground trembled as the Guardian of Nexus emerged.Aric stood at the edge of the crumbled temple, facing the towering Guardian of Nexus. Its mechanical body radiated energy, gears grinding as it raised its blade. Minions—Shadowlings and Elite Sentinels—stood in formation, their glowing eyes locked on him.The minions were stronger compared to the one's fought by aric before.
Aric glanced at the overwhelming numbers. "The Guardian alone is a nightmare. Adding these minions? I need a plan.This is beyond overwhelming," Aric muttered, gripping his crimson blade.
Guardian and Minions' Status
1. Guardian of Nexus
Rank: Heroic-Class
HP: 10,000
Abilities:
1. Nexus Cleave: Devastating melee attack in a 180° arc.
2. Pulse Wave: Stuns all enemies within a radius.
3. Regeneration Core: Restores 500 HP every 10 seconds.
4. Summon Minions: Calls reinforcements if minion count drops below 10.
2. Elite Sentinels (x10)
Rank: Rare-Class
HP: 1,800 each
Abilities:
1. Energy Beam: Ranged magic attack.
2. Shield Wall: Temporarily reduces damage by 50%.
3. Shadowlings (x100)
Rank: Trash-Class
HP: 300 each
Abilities:
1. Shadow Claw: Basic melee attack.
2. Dark Flicker: Evade one attack.
Mid-Battle Updates and Challenges
Aric used his Infinite Creation ability to craft abilities, but the system's probabilities were now clearly displayed.
Skill Creation Probabilities (Level 2):
Trash: 80%
Common: 15%
Uncommon: 4%
Rare: 0.9%
Heroic and Above: 0.1%
The Learning Curve: Phase 1 (Managing the Horde)
Aric started by focusing on the Shadowlings. Using Crimson Slash, he managed to wipe out 20 of them, but the swarm retaliated. Their attacks chipped away at his health.
Mid-Battle Status:
HP: 450 / 550
MP: 250 / 350
SP: 300 / 450
He quickly realized that stamina management was as crucial as health. "I can't afford to exhaust myself before facing the Guardian directly," he thought.
Minions' Counterattack
The Elite Sentinels launched their Energy Beams, targeting him while the remaining Shadowlings surged forward. Aric, overwhelmed, activated Phantom Dash to evade, draining more stamina.
Phase 2: Creation and Adaptation
With his MP running low, Aric gambled with Infinite Creation to create a defensive skill.
Skill Created: Iron Aegis (Common-Class)
Effect: A temporary shield that blocks up to 200 damage.
Cost: 50 MP
He sighed with relief but muttered, "I need better odds."
Activating Iron Aegis, Aric blocked the next wave of attacks and began targeting the Elite Sentinels. Each Sentinel required precision strikes and dodges to defeat, forcing Aric into a war of attrition.
Mid-Battle Status (After Sentinel Fight):
Elite Sentinels: 10 → 5 remaining.
Shadowlings: 100 → 30 remaining.
HP: 300 / 550
MP: 100 / 350
SP: 150 / 450
---
Phase 3: Confronting the Guardian
The Guardian, seeing its minions dwindling, activated Pulse Wave, stunning Aric and resetting his momentum. It charged forward, swinging its massive blade in a Nexus Cleave attack.
Aric, struggling to recover, barely managed to avoid a fatal blow using Phantom Dash, but the strain left him vulnerable.
---
Learning Through Loss
"This thing is on a whole different level," Aric groaned. "If I can't outlast it, I'll die here."
The system chimed:
[Hint: Strategic use of clones and skills increases survivability. Use your ability wisely.]
He summoned a clone, this time focusing on versatility:
Clone Created: Adaptable Warrior
HP: 1,200
Abilities: Balanced mix of offense and defense.
The clone provided a much-needed distraction, allowing Aric to recover stamina and focus his attacks.
---
Final Phase: A Desperate Gambit
As the Guardian's health dropped below 2,000, it activated Regeneration Core, restoring chunks of HP rapidly. Aric, now low on MP, gambled one last time with Infinite Creation, praying for something impactful.
Skill Created: Heaven's Piercer (Rare-Class)
Effect: A concentrated beam of energy that bypasses defenses and regeneration.
Cost: 100 MP
The odds had finally favored him. "Let's end this!" Aric roared, channeling the skill through his blade. The beam pierced the Guardian's core, bypassing its regeneration entirely. With a final, thunderous crash, the Guardian collapsed.
---
Victory Achieved: Status Update
Full Status Window:
Level: 3
HP: 50 / 600
MP: 0 / 400
SP: 50 / 500
XP Progress: 250 / 300
Skill Creation Probabilities (Level 3):
Trash: 75%
Common: 18%
Uncommon: 5%
Rare: 1.5%
Heroic and Above: 0.5%
Rewards
1. XP Gained: 300 XP
2. Flower of Ascension: Permanent +50 to all core stats.
3. Skill Slots Unlocked: +1 (Total: 2).
Updated Core Stats:
HP: 650
MP: 450
SP: 550
ATK: 100
DEF: 70
AGI: 50
LCK: 25
---
Reflection
Aric sat down near the fallen Guardian, his chest heaving. "I survived by sheer luck… and some skill," he admitted.
The system displayed a final message:
"Prepare yourself. The trials ahead will only grow fiercer. Luck alone will not carry you further."