“1000 coins! That’s a lot!” James felt like he had dollar signs on his eyes. Now that he thought about it, usually in video games, after a boss fight, players were usually given rewards. However, James hadn’t received any.

[Would you like to upgrade your skills or weapons?]

“Wait a minute! System! Did I miss any treasure chests in the previous boss rooms?”

[Treasure Chest Locations are classified.]

“It has already passed! Don’t be so secretive! It’s not like I can go back and retrieve them, right? Wait. I can’t, right?” James asked. Treasure chests are extremely crucial for survivors. James realized the fact after his third treasure chest. They provided skills, weapons, and even money to upgrade their skills. That was also the reason The System didn’t disclose their locations even when they knew survivors couldn’t return to the previous floor.

[Survivors may not return to the previous dungeon floor. Regardless, information about treasure chest locations is classified.]

“Ugh… Damn it. What did I miss? If every boss monster gave 1000 coins… no. even if they gave only half of it…” James was distraught. He was sure he checked every corner of the first-floor boss room. However, he was not sure about the second floor with the wolf boss monster. It was like he missed a 1 million dollar chance.

[Will you upgrade?]

The System’s notifications came to him again. James clapped his furry cheek. “Alright, no use dawdling on it. Let’s face the future! System, you said mana core grew when I leveled up, right? You said the sooner I buy it, the better.”

[That is correct. At first, your original mana core will have 500 mana and 30 magic in it. However, as you level up, it will grow with you, increasing your mana and magic. However, since you have plundered a mana core from the sahuagin princess, your total mana and magic will be enhanced by it.]

“Alright! Buy the mana core, then.” James felt he was scammed, forced to buy this magic core stuff. However, if he wanted his magic to grow, he had to buy mana core. Otherwise, he could only rely on stagnant magic from plundered mana cores.

[Mana core bought! Please choose your principle and pay an additional 200 coins for its beginner magic.]

“I knew I shouldn’t trust you! What a scammer!” James shouted.

[Survivors can choose to delay choosing and paying the principle magic. The mana core will still grow normally as survivors level up. In the special case of Survivor James, you can still utilize your mana core since it will connect to the water mana core from the sahuagin priestess.]

“No. I have the coins. I wanna choose now. How many principles were there again?”

[There are 6 principles. Water, fire, earth, wind, life, and mind]

“Did you have a rough explanation of what each principle does?”

[Information classified. We are not allowed to disclose any information about any principle of magic. Please inquire with fellow survivors who had the Mana core that you wanted.]

“Ugh… what to choose. Water is out of the question. Although it was merely from a goblin, I knew what fire does. Should I pick the safe path of fire… or should I pick risky ones of mind magic.” James pondered.

“Alright. I will choose mind magic!” James made a decision. He put his hopes in mind magic. The main reason he chose mind magic was so he could read other people’s minds. He wished he could understand people. If he could, he hoped he might be able to fit more into society by knowing their needs and prejudices.

He didn’t wish for more combat ability. He could use the current sahuagin’s priestess core for that. If an enemy with stronger magic appeared, he could plunder from them after he beat them. He had chosen his battle style. He had crossbows, swords, and an axe. He didn’t need further combat ability. He needed something to smooth his relationship with others.

[Second confirmation required. Survivor James. Are you sure you will choose Principle of Mind magic? You can not change your choice later.]

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Yes.”

[Please say, “Survivor James chose Principle of Mind Magic. He was not under any influence and made the decision in full awareness of the consequences. He also understands that he will not be able to change it later.”]

“Why such formalities all of a sudden?” James was suddenly weirded out.

[The System needs clear clarification because you will not be able to change it under any circumstances later.]

“I can still plunder other mana cores, right?”

[Yes. But you may not change your main core. For other survivors, most of them will not be able to access other magic other than their principle.]

“Alright. Good that you take this seriously. I, Survivor James, choose Principle of Mind magic. I was not under any influence and made the decision in full awareness of the consequences. I also understand that I will not be able to change my principle in the future.”

[Confirmation done. 200 coins subtracted. Welcome to the Principle of Mind magic. The principle of Mind Magic focuses on tampering with others’ sense of reality. This magic is separated into six stages. The first stage is to tamper with other’s minds and memories. The second stage is to tamper with their senses directly. Further stages are classified until you meet the magic and mana requirements to unlock them.]

“Alright! Show me my stats.”

[Name: James

Age: 35

Sex: male

Levels: 22

Coins: 720

Stats:

STR: 88

Dex: 83

Magic: 30

Mana: 500

Skills:

* Beginner Axe mastery level 8 (Powerstrike)

* Beginner Sword mastery level 6 (hurricane)

* Beginner Bow Mastery level 5 (Quickshot)

Magic:

* Mind flay

Unique Skill:

* Chimera:

* Goblin stomach (Iron guts) (stomach slot)

* Mana core (Water Spell: ice spear, water manipulation, Magic +60, Mana +1000)(Extra slot)

* Orc’s left arm (STR+10%) (Arm slot)

* Eyes of Mana (mana sense) (Right eye slot)

* Sahuagin’s webbed hands(+10% dexterity in water) (right arm slot)

* Sahuagin’s webbed feet(+10% dexterity in water) (leg slot)

* Sahuagin’s lungs (Underwater breathing) (lung slot)

* Orc’s torso (torso slot)

* Orc’s head (Head slot)

* Jumping Spider’s fang (Weak Paralysis)(mouth slot)(new)

* Jumping Spiders spinneret (Thread creation)(Extra slot 2)

* Lightning Wolf’s fur (physical resistance +5%)(skin slot)

Equipment:

* Leather armor

* Leather helmet

* Vambrace

* Gauntlets

* War axe

* Longsword

* Crossbow

* Leather pouch

* Waterspout dagger

* Hematonic potion

* Leather bag]

A new section about his magic has opened. James queried the System on how to use the magic he just learned.

[Survivors only need to think about the magic, and it will activate on its own. Please experiment with them for the System does not provide an in-depth tutorial about its usage.]

“Alright. I will try. Now. I still have 720 coins remaining, right?”

[That is correct. Will you make further upgrades to your skills? Will you upgrade your weapons? Or will you buy more potions?]

“If my axe was to be upgraded, it would become a lightning war axe, right? What if I upgrade my sword?”

[That is correct. In case you choose to upgrade your sword, it will become a lightning longsword. However, you can change your enchantment later after this first enchantment. At a cost, of course.]

“How much?”

[to change an enchantment in your weapons, it will cost you 300 coins]

James rolled his eyes at the expensive price tags. Before he made another decision, he asked about his weapon skills. More specifically, his axe mastery.

“What would happen if I upgraded my axe mastery to level 10? I can do that, right?”

[Yes. You can upgrade your Beginner Axe mastery to level 10 with 400 coins. As for what happened next, that information is classified.]

“Well. I shall upgrade my axe mastery then.” James made his decision. He assumed he would acquire new weapon skills when mastery reached level 10. To James, weapon skills are more important than the weapon itself. After all, he had experienced it firsthand. He remembered the orc boss was able to beat him with his rusty axe.

That wasn’t to say weapons didn’t matter. James had seen weapons break under the strain of battle, and he understood their importance. But he believed the reverse to be equally true: as long as his weapon held together, his Skill with it would carry him to victory.

Since he could only choose one, he chose weapon skills.

[Confirmed. 400 coins were deducted. Your Beginner Axe mastery is now level 10. Beginner Axe mastery has evolved into Novice Axe Mastery level 1. New Skill gained V-Slash]

“I hope it was worth it.” James muttered, “How many coins do I have now?”

[You have 320 coins remaining]

“Can I upgrade anything else?”

[you can upgrade either your bow mastery or Sword mastery for 200 coins. Or, you could buy a health potion]

“I will buy a health potion then.”

[Done. You have 220 coins remaining.]

“Alright, I have nothing left to do. Let’s go to the next floor and get out of this hellhole.” James shouldered his bags, which had become much lighter. He closed his eyes when he touched the portal, knowing that a blinding white light would flash his eyes.

“What will happen to other survivors?” James asked The System when he waited inside the dull white room

[Marker to the portal will be made available to all surviving survivors. It is up to their discretion when to enter the portal.]

“I see.” James looked at his hand. Fur grew from his hands; one of them was webbed, while the other was muscled. He then rubbed his face. The same furry and rough texture was felt. A foul smell came to his nostrils as he touched his face. A bitter, acidic taste from his chitinous fang dropped intermittently to his tongue.

“Am I human?” James muttered. As the white light poured out again, he swore in his heart that he wouldn’t abandon his feelings, his heart.

Searing heat caressed James’ fur as bubbling, molten lava strewn across the dark cave. Narrow paths among the lava stretched and twisted. Islands of black rocks sometimes floated in the river of searing heat James scanned the surroundings, preparing for an unexpected surprise.

“Well, Lava floor, huh. Should have guessed. After water, comes the fire.” James muttered. After a long time underwater, his foot finally pressed properly on the ground. The weight of armor, axe, swords, bows, and his bag fully pressed on him. The rock beneath his feet felt warm, like the floor of hot springs.

James walked on the winding pathways; the cave was tall and wide. However, the pathway was narrow. Like other dungeons before him, except the second floor, this floor offered an intricate maze of caves.

The ground suddenly shook. A deep rumble rattled the wall as loose rocks fell into the magma below. However, some rocks that were supposed to fall didn’t. They floated, attached to each other, Rocks joined together, forming limbs, torso, and head. It stood tall, almost at four meters height, The monstrosity swam closer to James.

“Well, that’s new.” James looked at what could only be described as a golem. Its joints were made with lava, and it had heads and limbs but no eyes, fingers, or ears. It lacked the finer detail of life, just like an unfinished statue that moved.

“Alright! Let us test our new skills!” James readied his crossbow. It began to glow golden as he aimed his Skill [Quickshot]. He was ready to engage the new monstrosity of this dungeon floor.

And he had just the perfect tool to engage it.