Ring! Ring!
“Hello, President?” Riley picks up the phone.
“Hello, can you tell me more about Eli Gray?”
Eli picks his ears and blows them off.
“My ears itch; is someone talking about me?”
Ding!
Converting EXP! MP has been restored to the max!
…
Congratulations! You are level 25! 15>22!
[Level 25: (30/100)]
MP: 725/725
“Woah! I guess I leveled up from beating those guys from Logan Tech.”
Ding!
Due to being level 25, [Mastery Path] has been unlocked! The [Party] has been unlocked!
Would you like to go?
Eli’s eyes widened as he read the notification. He looked around and was alone.
I’m so curious. Mastery? What does that mean? Is it strength, endurance, speed, potential, or intelligence?
Eli tapped on the [Yes] button. Eli’s skin starts cracking, turning into particles, dissipating like mist.
“Eli!… I could’ve sworn he was here,” Jules entered the apartment and scratched the back of his head.
Eli found himself in a void. The ground filled with water. In front of him was a clone. Its eyes are pitch black, and its aura is ominous.
“What the hell?”
Ding!
Please choose a mastery!
“Choose my mastery? I could become strong, durable, fast, or intelligent. What should I choose…” Eli placed his hand on his lips as he pondered. “Well, not intelligence nor strength. I’m too slow, and what’s the use of strength if I can’t hit anyone. I can become a tank, but there’s so much I could take. I think speed is the best.”
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“I can dodge their attacks and hit back. Even if I am weak, the damage will accumulate.”
Eli taps on the [Speed] button.
All [Card(s)] have been sealed!
Ding!
[New Mastery Quest!]
Mastery Quest: Defeat Eli Gray (0/1)
Warning: You’ll lose your system and all abilities. Any stats increased by the system will revert.
I can lose everything I worked for?! My [Cards] have been sealed?! I have to defeat myself.
Eli grits his teeth and rushes at himself.
Eli Gray
(How to Fight)
Strength: C+
Endurance: B-
Speed: B (Up+)
Potential: SSS
Intelligence: B
What the hell?! I guess since I chose speed. Their speed stats will be higher. I’ve always wondered what I looked like when using [How to Fight].
Eli shifts his weight, delivering a punch. The clone’s body sways and kicks Eli’s shin. Eli’s face contorts as he doubles over. The clone shifts their body upwards, hammering an uppercut.
Eli’s head lifts as his feet lift from the ground. The clone throws a punch to Eli’s midsection. Eli tumbles through the shallow water.
Is that how I fight when using [How to Fight]?! This Eli is so damn scary!
Eli stands up, his shoulders slumped. He adjusts his head, but the clone’s fist connects with Eli’s face. Eli’s eyes widened as the clone’s arms wrapped around his waist.
The clone was behind and started lifting him up. The clone falls backward. Eli’s mouth was agape as his eyes rolled back. The clone gets atop Eli’s stomach and begins punching.
Blood spurts from his nose as it mists into the void. The blood marks the clone’s face, and Eli tries guarding himself.
Shit! I am going to…
“DEFEAT YOU!” Eli’s yelled as his fist sank into the clone’s face.
Eli quickly stands up as he shifts his weight, delivering a punch. The clone falls backward, its leg swinging upwards, performing a bicycle kick. Eli’s feet lift from the ground.
The clone catches themselves with their hands. They swing their body, imitating a cartwheel. The clone’s foot connects with Eli’s cheeks, performing the cartwheel kick.
Eli’s head slams into the ground, water splashing into the air, dissipating into a mist. Blood sprayed into the air, a contrast to the endless void.
Am I really this useless? I can’t lose everything! Everything I worked for!
[Feverishness Mode] Activated!
Eli Gray
(Insecurity)
Strength: B (Up+)
Endurance: B+ (Up+)
Speed: B- (Up+)
Potential: SSS
Intelligence: B
I won’t lose! Not to myself!
Eli sprang up and rushed at the clone. Eli’s eyes widened as the clone leaps, its knee raised. The knee sinks into Eli’s face, and Eli staggered back. The clone kicked Eli’s calf.
The clone shifts its body sideways, its legs swung diagonally, delivering a roundhouse to Eli’s ribs. Eli’s eyes rolled back as his view turned sideways.
Eli found himself in the air, sideways. The clone raised its leg upward, performing an axe kick. Eli’s head slams into the ground, water splashing. Eli tries to crawl away, gritting his teeth.
I’m going to die! I am going to die at the hands of my clone! I’m sorry, Jules and Levi, it looks like we can’t accomplish the plan…
[Feverishness Mode] Activated!
Eli Gray
(Heat)
Strength: A+ (Up+)
Endurance: A+ (Up+)
Speed: A+ (Up+)
Potential: SSS
Intelligence: B
Eli gets up, blood dripping onto the water. His vision blurred as the clone sauntered over. Eli shifts his weight, throwing a punch. The clone ducks down.
What is it this time?! An uppercut or—?!
The clone turns backward, its leg swinging back, performing a back kick to Eli’s stomach. Eli’s body tumbles through the water. Black spots fill his vision.
I can’t predict any of his movements! I can’t do this! I can’t beat it!
Eli was hunched over as the clone walked to him. Eli swings his arms, his hands catching a puddle of water. The water makes contact with the clone’s face.
Eli’s fist shot out, sinking into the clone’s face. The clone staggers back as Eli shifts his weight.
[Few Weeks Ago]
“Remember, Eli, do not punch someone in the throat unless you’re in danger,” Levi crossed his arms after training Eli.
[Present]
Eli clenches his teeth as the punch connects with the clone’s throat. The clone staggers but quickly doubles down, rushing at Eli. Eli rips his shirt off, throwing it to the clone’s face.
One more time!
Eli shifts his weight, his arm pulled back, gritting his teeth, and his punch connects with the clone’s Adam’s apple. The clone falls back with a satisfying thud, splashing water in the lifeless air.
Ding!
[Mastery Quest Complete!]
Mastery Quest: Defeat Eli Gray (1/1)