'...let's go for the second card this time,' he mused, reaching out and grasping the second card from the array.
Instantly, the remaining cards vanished, and the chosen card revealed its contents.
[+3 Stat Points.]
'Yes!' Arlo cheered inwardly, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he stared at the card.
Moments later, the card dissipated, and Arlo's status screen unfurled before him, displaying the stats he could allocate his newly acquired points to.
[Strength: 7] (+)
[Agility: 8] (+)
[Stamina: 5] (+)
[Sense: 5] (+)
[Mana: 0]
[Available Stat Points: 3]
Much to Arlo's disappointment, the Mana stat remained stubbornly locked, refusing to accept any point allocations. This came as no surprise to him, as he still lacked a mana core, a crucial component for mages to wield magic effectively.
While the exact nature of the mana core eluded him, Arlo somewhat understood its significance and resolved to find a way to acquire one upon his return to the other world. For now, he would have to rely on his grimoire to use magic.
With another determined nod, Arlo began tapping on the digital screen, allocating his stat points according to his preferences. Unbeknownst to him, the cab driver glanced at him through the rear-view mirror, a concerned expression etched on his face.
The driver couldn't see the screen so from his perspective, Arlo appeared to have gone mad.
[Arlo Axton.]
[Race: Human.]
[Core Rank: Awakened.]
[Level 2 (40/100)]
[HP: 100/100%]
[Energy: 100/100%]
[MP: 52/100%]
[Strength: 8]
[Agility: 10]
[Stamina: 5]
[Sense: 5]
[Mana: 0]
[Available Stat Points: 0]
Arlo gazed at his overall status window, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. The improvements were undeniable, especially with the level 2 milestone serving as the cherry on top. However, a glance at his magic power reserve revealed a concerning detail—it had dwindled to half its capacity.
While not entirely surprising, given Arlo's repeated trips to and from the other world without rest, the depletion of his magic power was a cause for concern. Despite the grimoire's ability to recover magic power over time, he hadn't given it the time to restore it to its full potential.
'Will I really be able to clear a Labyrinth with around half of my reserve...? Even if it's an F-ranked one...' Arlo pondered, doubt creeping into his thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, Arlo exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the window as the cab neared its destination. The journey had taken approximately thirty minutes, since the London Hunter's Association was located at the heart of the city.
As the vehicle came to a halt, Arlo paid the driver and stepped out, his eyes immediately drawn to the imposing structure before him. The building towered over its surroundings, its glass panels gleaming in the moonlight and a large 'H' portrayed at the top, proudly proclaiming its affiliation with the Hunters.
As he made his way through the parking lot towards the entrance, he couldn't help but notice the diverse array of individuals walking around.
Some were dressed in high-tech battle suits, their high-tech weapons seamlessly integrated into their specialized armor. Others, less fortunate in their financial means, wore more modest attires, their steel armors and weapons similar to the adventurers Arlo had encountered in the other world, albeit with very noticeable differences.
Regardless, Amidst it all, Arlo stood out in his simple orange tracksuit, shivering from the biting cold. Yet, unlike in the other world, no one spared him a second glance as he made his way towards the entrance.
'No one's looking at me… is this a dream come true?' Arlo wondered arrving at the entrance.
As he reached the entrance, the automatic doors slid open, allowing Arlo to step inside. He was instantly greeted by a warm breeze, finding himself in a familiar, spacious foyer with a grand interior that never failed to impress.
The vaulted ceiling soared high above, creating an expansive atmosphere. The polished marble floor gleamed beneath his feet, perfectly reflecting the expression of unease resting on his face.
At the centre of the foyer was a large receptionist desk where countless workers efficiently attended to their duties. To the left and right of the foyer were escalators and elevators which gave access to the upper levels.
Beyond the foyer, was a wide central hallway which stretched into the depths of the building, its length lined with doors which led to countless different rooms.
The air was filled with the sound of phone conversations and murmurs of discussions amongst the hunters gathered by the entrance. Some stood in groups, seemingly waiting for their companions, while others went around searching for groups to join.
'It's lively… this place never changes…'
Arlo's mind drifted back to his first visit to this exotic place, the memory still vivid. With a determined nod, he approached the reception area and joined the line, appreciating the efficiency of the workers as he was quickly attended to.
"Hello, how can I help you?" the receptionist asked with a professional smile.
She was a tall young lady, only slightly shorter than Arlo, with brunette hair tied back in a ponytail and sharp black eyes. Her black uniform bore her name, "Maria." and a badge symbolizing the Hunters Guild, a mark of her affiliation.
"Hello, Ms. Maria," Arlo replied politely. "I'm a hunter, and I was wondering if there were any F-Rank gates that needed clearing."
"Certainly," Maria responded. "May I have your hunter's ID?"
Arlo handed over his hunter's ID, nearly mistaking it for his Adventurer's card in his haste. The receptionist took the card and scanned it using a digital system on the computer behind the desk. As she reviewed the information, her expression shifted to one of concern.
"Mr. Axton, it says here that you're an F-Rank hunter and not registered under a party," she said, her worried gaze meeting Arlo's.
"Yeah, I'm planning on heading in on my own," Arlo responded, his nervous smile failing to conceal his unease.
The receptionist's concern deepened as she explained, "As an F-Rank hunter, you're required to have a minimum of four party members to enter a gate. Unless you register under a party, we're not authorized to grant you access to any gate."
Arlo attempted to persuade her, but she remained resolute in her stance. Defeated, he made his way to the seating area, seeking a moment to gather his thoughts and devise a new plan.
Entering the labyrinth with a party was an impossibility for him, and there were two simple reasons behind his reluctance. Firstly, being part of a party would hinder his ability to use magic freely, and without magic, he was nothing more than an average F-Rank weakling.
The second reason, however, ran far deeper.
"A party..." Arlo's voice trailed off while he lowered his gaze.
His eyes grew hollow as painful memories flickered across his mind, casting shadows of the past.