ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝟙𝟙: 𝔏𝔳.?? 𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔬𝔡𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱𝔶 𝔈𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔥 𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔯 ⓇⒺⓋⒶⓂⓅⒺⒹ

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Before setting off to search for water, he took a moment to review his progress by checking his status screen.

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﴾ STATUS ﴿ ⧼Primary⧽

Name: Jay | Age: 23

Race: Lesser Human ⧼Male⧽

Level: 4 | Tier: 1 ⧼Mid-Phase⧽

Life Energy: 1250/1500

Strength: 16 ⧼13 + 3✦⧽ | Agility: 21 ⧼16 + 5✦⧽

Vitality: 11 | Endurance: 20 ⧼15 + 5⚜︎⧽

Spirit: 16 | Luck: 7

Health: 110/110

Stamina: 100/100

Spirit Energy: 80/80

Undistributed Stats: 0

INNATE TALENT:║ LOOT║ ⧼ Grade Unknown ⧽

INNATE EXCLUSIVE SKILLS:║LOOTED STATUS║

﴾ ACHIEVEMENT TITLES ﴿

⧼ Common Grade ⧽

║Training Maniac-I║║Lesser Arachnid Hunter║

﴾ SKILLS ﴿

⧼ Common Grade ⧽

Lv.3║Inspect║ Lv.3║Night Vision║

Lv.4║Nimble Fingers║ Lv.5║Blood Poison║

Lv.5║Poison Resistance║Lv.24║Physical Pain Resistance║

Lv.10║Hydraulic Leap║

⧼ UnCommon Grade ⧽

Lv.1║Agility Boost-I║

Lv.1║Passive Stamina Regeneration-I║

﴾ RESISTANCE ﴿

Physical Pain Resistance ➟ 24%

Poison Resistance ➟ 5%

﴾ SPIRIT ITEMS ﴿

⧼ Common Grade ⧽

║Rusted Short Sword║║Adhesive Boots║

﴾ WEAPON MASTERY ﴿

STAGE 1 ⧼ Lv.1 - Lv.10 ⧽

Lv.1║Minor Dagger Mastery║➟ Lv.1║Dagger Aura║ ⧼Locked⧽

STAGE 2 ⧼ Lv.11 - Lv.20 ⧽

Lv.14║Minor Sword Mastery║➟ Lv.14║Sword Aura║➟║Aura Extension║

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His rigorous practice to reach Lv.14║Minor Sword Mastery║had also yielded improvements in his physical capabilities. Notably, his Agility Attribute had climbed to 21 Stats while in Safety mode. The milestone of reaching 20 Stats in Agility had unlocked a new skill.

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﴾║Agility Boost-I║ ⧼Uncommon⧽﴿

* Activating this skill temporarily amplifies the Agility Attribute by 15%, enhancing overall speed, reaction time, and precision for a duration of 1 minute. This boost allows for quicker dodges, faster strikes, and smoother maneuvers in high-intensity situations.

Cost: 10 Spirit Energy

Cooldown: 10 minutes.

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With that skill, his Agility would temporarily surge to 24 Stats, a significant advantage that could make all the difference in tight situations. Faster movement and heightened reflexes would increase his chances of surviving the unpredictable dangers within the Trial zone.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

To prepare for the journey, he decided to free his hands for better mobility. He carefully tied the║Rusty Short Sword║around his waist using boxing wraps, ensuring the blade wouldn’t hinder him while he moved.

The dense forest canopy demanded both agility and balance, making it impractical to carry the weapon in hand while leaping from tree to tree. The fast-paced movement required both hands for stabilizing his body mid-air and ensuring precise landings as he navigated the terrain at high speed.

Jay deliberated on which direction to head next. The East had already led him to Goblins, while the West had revealed the Poisonous Spiders. North was still uncharted territory, holding the potential for valuable resources—or unforeseen dangers.

With the decision made, he avoided the ground entirely and began scaling a towering tree using his║Adhesive Boots║. The boots clung securely to the rough bark, letting him climb swiftly to the upper branches where he could navigate with ease.

Once at the top, he quickly scouted the area before launching himself forward, bounding from tree to tree. The forest blurred as he picked up speed, swiftly covering ground while staying alert for any signs of water. The sun beat down relentlessly, casting harsh light through the canopy, making the shadows dance as he ventured deeper into the woods.

After covering roughly 800 meters, something unusual caught his attention—a small tree, starkly different from the towering giants surrounding it. Unlike the imposing trees that reached skyward, this one stood a mere 5 meters tall.

What truly set it apart were its golden leaves, shimmering brilliantly under the midday sun. Three golden fruits dangled from its branches, their surfaces glistening as if infused with a subtle, radiant glow.

Intrigued, he came to a halt, his gaze locking onto the tree. The fruits hung low, well within reach, their unusual color and potential value catching his interest. Carefully, he activated║Inspect║, eager to learn about the mysterious golden fruits.

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║High Vitality Fruit║⧼Rare Grade⧽

* Instantly restores 100 Health & Permanently increases Vitality Attribute by 10 Stats when consumed for the first time.

* Has potent healing properties capable of curing all diseases and ailments, except those induced by entities or substances of a higher grade.

* A rare fruit renowned for its life-enhancing properties, offering immediate recovery and a permanent vitality boost. Its powerful restorative effects make it highly sought after for strengthening the body and curing most ailments.

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The implications of the miraculous fruit struck him immediately. His thoughts turned to his siblings, who had been born with lingering illnesses. The image of them suffering flashed in his mind, and he wished more than anything to get his hands on the golden fruit and offer it to them.

A single bite could change their lives, potentially curing them of diseases that had plagued them since birth. But to even dream of such a future, he had to survive—survive for 18 grueling months until the Trial Program ended. Only if he made it out alive would he have a chance to help them.

Yet, even with such a powerful motivation, he knew better than to rush toward the tree. The reason was immediately apparent—a hulking, 4-meter-long bear lay slumbering beneath the golden canopy.

Its thick brown fur bristled with an aura of power, while blood splattered across its face hinted at a recent kill. Remnants of its last meal clung to its muzzle, still fresh. Though he couldn’t determine its exact level, the name floating above the creature sent a chill through him:

﴾ Lv.?? Bloodthirsty Earth Bear ﴿

The sight alone made his instincts scream danger. He cautiously activated║Inspect║to gather more information, and instantly, the skill leveled up three times in quick succession—an undeniable sign of just how overwhelmingly strong the bear was.

With the improved skill, more details revealed themselves.

﴾Lv.?? Bloodthirsty Earth Bear ⧼Tier-2⧽﴿

It was clear that the bear wasn’t just there by coincidence—it was guarding the tree and the precious fruits. The beast undoubtedly recognized their value, having staked its claim over the area.

Approaching the tree would be as good as signing his death warrant at this point. Any attempt to get closer would likely provoke the bear into a swift and brutal response, one he was not prepared to face. The gap in power between them was glaring, and recklessness would only end in a fatal mistake.

Realizing that, he mentally marked the area as a no-go for now and carefully backed away, ensuring he made no sudden movements that might alert the bear.

Just as he was retreating, a cool breeze swept in from the northwest, catching his attention. The gentle, refreshing gust carried a hint of moisture—a telltale sign of a nearby water source.

His heart raced at the possibility. Water was essential, not just to quench his thirst but to keep him going in the days ahead.

With a new objective in mind, he quickly adjusted his course and headed northwest. The terrain began to change as he moved deeper into the forest.

After crossing about 300 meters, the thick trees gradually thinned out, revealing a breathtaking sight—a vast, clear lake stretched before him, shimmering under the blazing sun.

The water appeared pristine, reflecting the sky like a mirror, while the surrounding wilderness gave it an untouched beauty. The lake spanned nearly half a kilometer in width, and its length seemed to stretch endlessly.

On the far side, a rugged mountain range rose up, the jagged peaks towering over the landscape, extending along the lake’s edge like natural guardians.

Descending from the treetops, he cautiously approached the lake’s edge, eyes scanning the area for any threats. The water looked almost transparent, revealing smooth pebbles lining the shallow depths near the shore.

He knelt down and cupped his hands to gather some of the cool, crystal-clear liquid. It sparkled in the sunlight, offering a much-needed relief from the day’s exhaustion. As he inspected the water closely, he confirmed that it appeared clean and pure, perfect for drinking.

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﴾ Crystal Lake Water ﴿

Collected from the shores of Crystal Lake, this water is celebrated for its pristine clarity and purity. Free from contaminants, it’s enriched with minerals that quench thirst and subtly invigorate the body, while its purity helps cleanse minor toxins and boost overall vitality over the long term.

* Slightly restores Stamina upon consumption.

* Temporarily boosts natural recovery rates by 5% for 10 minutes, enhancing healing and reducing fatigue.

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Even as he prepared to drink, caution remained at the forefront of his mind. Water sources like this often attracted predators, drawn by the same life-sustaining need that had brought him here.

With that thought lingering, he dipped his hands into the cool, clear water, all the while keeping his senses alert to any shifts in the environment, every muscle in his body ready to react.

Once he confirmed the water’s safety, he scooped up handful after handful, drinking until his thirst was fully satisfied. The Crystal Lake Water surprised him with its refreshing quality despite having no distinct taste or smell.

It was nothing like the water he knew back on Earth; it had a crisp purity that felt almost revitalizing, leaving him feeling refreshed with each sip.

As he stood by the shore, he considered crossing the lake to explore what lay beyond. The mountain range on the opposite side beckoned with the promise of new discoveries, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

Venturing across would mean facing unknown monsters, and with his current strength, the risks outweighed the rewards. The memory of his battle with the Poisonous Spiders was still fresh in his mind.

He had managed to wipe them out only because they were weaker than their levels suggested. If the Lv.10 Poisonous Spider had chosen to attack after the swarm had drained his stamina, things might have turned out very differently.

He couldn’t afford to be reckless. In the Trial Zone, he had no way of predicting when a powerful monster might strike, and his survival depended on constantly growing stronger.

The realization fueled his resolve—he needed to push harder, to keep training, and to continue leveling up if he wanted any hope of making it through the 18-month Trial alive.

With that determination burning within him, he turned away from the lake and began retracing his steps. The forest seemed eerily quiet as he moved through the dense trees. Just as he reached the nearby tree, low, guttural growls rumbled from all directions, sending goosebumps crawling across his skin. He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes scanning the surroundings.

Then, he saw them—a pack of wolves, their eyes gleaming with hunger and malice, slipping out from the underbrush.

There were at least 15 of them, surrounding him in a tight circle. Their sleek bodies moved with deadly grace, muscles coiled and ready to spring at a moment’s notice. The alpha, larger than the rest, stood at the forefront, its fangs bared in a menacing snarl.

Panic threatened to take hold, but he forced it down. He knew that running wasn’t an option—these predators were faster and more coordinated than he could ever hope to be in a straight chase.

Fighting them off, though daunting, would have been his only option—if not for the skill he had recently merged with.