As the female police officer approached Nick, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and apprehension. Would she have answers to the countless questions swirling around in his mind, or would she treat him as a suspect in a bizarre and unexplained event?

The officer introduced herself as she extended a hand towards Nick. "I'm Officer Martinez," she said with a friendly smile, trying to put him at ease. Nick hesitated for a moment before shaking her hand, curious about what she had to say.

"I've been assigned to this case, and I've been observing the area for a while now," Officer Martinez continued, her tone turning more serious. "You see, there have been several similar incidents occurring across the city. People have been vanishing into these portals, and when they return, they have these mysterious card shards with them."

Nick's eyes widened, and his heart raced as he realized that he wasn't alone in his experiences. He glanced down at the shards he had just obtained, wondering how many others were out there with similar stories. "So, you mean to tell me that other people have experienced the same thing I just went through? They've been in those strange dungeons too?"

Officer Martinez nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's correct. And so far, we haven't been able to determine the origin or purpose of these portals or the card shards. That's why we're investigating."

Nick hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with questions. He was still trying to process everything that had happened to him, and the revelation that others had shared his experience only added to the confusion. "Do you have any leads?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The officer shook her head. "Not yet, but we're hoping that by talking to people like you, who have experienced this firsthand, we might be able to piece together some clues."

A mix of emotions flooded Nick as he considered the strange turn his life had taken. Despite his fear and uncertainty, he couldn't ignore the burning desire to understand what was happening and why he had been drawn into this otherworldly adventure. "I want to help," he finally said, his voice firm with determination. "Whatever it takes to figure out what's going on, I'm in."

Officer Martinez couldn't help but chuckle softly at Nick's eagerness. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Nick, but right now, I just need to ask you some questions about your experience. If you don't mind, please come with me so we can discuss this further."

Nick felt his cheeks grow warm as he realized he had misunderstood her intentions. He nodded, slightly embarrassed but still determined to provide whatever information he could. "Of course, Officer Martinez. I'm ready to answer any questions you have." With that, he followed her, hoping that his account of the events might shed some light on the mysterious portals and card shards.

Officer Martinez was an athletic woman in her mid-thirties, standing at around 5'8" with dark hair pulled back into a professional bun and sharp, hazel eyes. Her impeccably maintained navy uniform displayed numerous commendations and a gleaming gold badge. Although her authoritative presence demanded respect, her demeanor was approachable and compassionate, adapting to the needs of the people she served. Her voice was firm but measured, reflecting her years of experience dealing with various individuals and situations.

As Nick followed Officer Martinez, he couldn't help but notice the atmosphere around them. The streets were bustling with people going about their daily routines, seemingly oblivious to the strange events that had unfolded just moments ago. The warm sunlight bathed the sidewalk, casting long shadows from the trees that lined the street, creating a stark contrast to the dark, foreboding dungeon Nick had just emerged from.

In the midst of this, he noticed that Officer Martinez and her colleagues had secured the area around the portal, cordoning it off with bright yellow caution tape to prevent anyone from getting too close to the mysterious phenomenon.

Rachel, who had been observing the conversation from a distance, approached the pair with a look of concern on her face. Nick's eyes widened as he realized that he hadn't seen Rachel in months, and their reunion was far from ordinary. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion at the sight of his dear friend.

"Nick, are you alright?" she asked, her eyes searching his for any signs of distress. The concern in her voice was palpable, and Nick knew she was genuinely worried about him.

Nick offered her a heartfelt smile, grateful for her unwavering support despite the unusual circumstances. "I'm okay, Rachel. Just a bit shaken, but I'm fine." He reached out and pulled her into a hug. "It's good to see you." He said.

As they parted, Rachel's face was a mix of concern and happiness. "It's good to see you too, Nick. I've been worried about you, and now you're here, standing in front of me after coming out of that...thing." She gestured towards the former portal, her voice filled with disbelief. "I don't understand what's happening, but I'm glad you're okay."

Officer Martinez, noticing the bond between the two friends, included Rachel in the conversation. "Rachel, right? You're more than welcome to join us as we discuss what happened. Your perspective might also be helpful."

As they walked towards the nearby police station, Nick's thoughts turned to his family. They lived in another city, but he couldn't shake the worry that they might be in danger too. "Officer Martinez," he began hesitantly, "would it be possible for me to call my family? I just want to make sure they're safe."

Officer Martinez nodded, understanding the gravity of Nick's concern. "Of course, Nick. As soon as we get to the station, I'll make sure you have a chance to call them. I can imagine how worried you must be."

Nick breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. The thought of his family being in harm's way was almost too much to bear. While he knew that he couldn't protect them from every danger, the opportunity to check on their well-being provided him with a small measure of comfort.

The police station was an imposing building made of gray bricks, with large windows that reflected the sunlight, making it appear even more authoritative. A flagpole stood tall at the entrance, proudly displaying the city's flag, while well-manicured shrubs lined the walkway leading to the entrance. The overall atmosphere exuded a sense of order and security, a beacon of law and order amidst the city's chaos. In front of the station, news crews had gathered, their cameras and microphones ready to capture any information on the mysterious portal incidents that had recently come to light. The media's presence added a layer of urgency and intrigue to the already tense situation.

Officer Martinez led Nick and Rachel towards the station, her confident stride making it clear that she was familiar with the surroundings. As they approached the entrance, the automatic glass doors slid open, revealing the busy interior of the station.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Once inside, the trio walked down a long corridor, passing numerous officers and staff members bustling about their daily tasks. A uniformed officer at the door nodded at Officer Martinez, acknowledging her presence and offering a friendly smile to the newcomers.

Officer Martinez first guided them to the interrogation room, where she proceeded to ask Nick detailed questions about his experience with the portal. As he shared his story, she diligently took notes, occasionally nodding as she connected his account to other similar cases.

Just as Nick was about to share more details, a blue box suddenly appeared in front of him, startling him.

Congratulations! You have leveled up. Please assign your attribute points within 36 hours, or they will be randomly assigned for you.

He couldn't believe that he still had access to the system outside of the dungeon. Intrigued, he quickly checked his status and saw that he had indeed leveled up from 1 to 2.

As Nick mulled over his options, he pondered which attribute to assign his single point to. He considered his Strength, Agility, and Endurance, but then thought about his Wisdom. It occurred to him that Wisdom might be more difficult to increase naturally without using attribute points, as it wasn't something that could be easily trained like the others.

With his decision made, he excitedly assigned the point to his Wisdom. As soon as he did so, he felt a 10% increase in his wisdom, manifesting in a way he couldn't quite describe. It was as if his understanding of the world around him and his ability to make connections had subtly improved, granting him a newfound clarity of thought. The surge of power that accompanied the increase was both thrilling and mysterious, igniting his curiosity about the limits of this system interaction with his human body.

As he contemplated the idea of using his Analyze card to gather more information, Officer Martinez interrupted his thoughts. "Now, Nick, I'd like to hear more about your account of the events inside the portal," she said, refocusing his attention on the matter at hand. She then turned to Rachel, "And Rachel, it's important for us to understand your perspective on this as well, since you witnessed Nick's disappearance and return".

With the questions from Officer Martinez complete, Nick found himself with a few minutes to himself. A thought crossed his mind: could he use his Analyze card in the real world? He decided to give it a try. Looking around the room, he searched for a suitable target to analyze. His eyes settled on a potted plant in the corner of the room, which seemed harmless enough. He focused on the plant and activated his Analyze card.

To his surprise, information about the plant appeared in his mind: its species, age, and even its current health. The card worked just as effectively in the real world as it had in the dungeon, which both excited and puzzled him. He pondered the implications of his discovery and wondered how else he could utilize his newfound abilities.

As he was searching for Officer Martinez to clear his exit from the station, he crossed paths with another person who had just been brought in. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with short, disheveled brown hair and a beard. His eyes were tinged with a mix of exhaustion and determination, and he wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, which looked slightly worn from his ordeal.

Nick and the man exchanged glances, each finding solace in knowing they were not alone in their bewildering journey. Something inside of him told Nick that this person had experienced a similar portal encounter, and he knew the man sensed the same about him. Their shared understanding created a brief, silent bond between them before they each continued on their separate paths

With Officer Martinez's permission, Nick and Rachel were cleared to exit the building. They slipped out of a side door, avoiding the media crews that had gathered out front, eager for any news on the strange portal incidents. The moment they stepped outside, Nick felt the weight of the station's oppressive atmosphere lift off his shoulders, replaced by the familiar hum of the city.

Seeking a quiet spot to call his family, Nick guided Rachel to a secluded corner near a small coffee shop, offering them a respite from the curious onlookers. He pulled out his phone, his hands trembling slightly as he dialed his mother's number. The line rang, and his heart pounded in anticipation.

"Hello?" his mother's familiar voice answered, immediately soothing his nerves.

"Hi, Mom. It's me, Nick," he said, his voice cracking with a mix of relief and concern. "I just wanted to check in and make sure everything's okay back home."

His mother reassured him that everyone was safe and sound, and they exchanged a few words about his recent experiences. Although the conversation was brief, hearing his mother's voice provided him with a sense of comfort and support that he desperately needed.

After hanging up, Nick turned to Rachel, who had been patiently waiting for him. He offered her a small, grateful smile before suggesting that they head back to her place.

Nick cast a sideways glance at Rachel, his face a mask of detachment. "I've been meaning to tell you about my time in the dungeon. It was... an odd experience."

Rachel's warm eyes met his, her concern evident. "You know you can talk to me, Nick. What happened in there?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I encountered these strange cards, and they controlled some sort of battle system. It was nothing I'd ever seen before."

Rachel's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but her voice remained steady. "Wow, that sounds intense. But hey, you made it out in one piece, right? There must be some logic to all of this."

Nick nodded, his analytical mind already at work. "Yeah, I managed to get through it with the help of an Analyze card. It let me study my enemies, making it easier to outsmart them."

Rachel grinned, her optimism shining. "I always knew you were a quick thinker, Nick. I bet you'll crack the code behind these cards in no time."

Nick couldn't help but smile back, her faith in him uplifting. "Thanks, Rachel. It's good to have your support."

Her eyes softened, and she patted his arm reassuringly. "You're not alone, Nick. We'll get to the bottom of this mystery."

They continued walking, the journey to her home was a blur of streetlights and passing traffic, the city's life providing a strange contrast to the surreal events they were discussing.

Upon reaching Rachel's home, they exchanged heartfelt goodbyes before Nick made his way back to his apartment. The streets seemed to take on a new significance now, with the knowledge that a hidden world existed just beneath the surface. He couldn't help but wonder what other secrets were waiting to be uncovered and how his life would change in the days to come.

As Nick made his way back to his apartment, he couldn't resist the urge to test his Analyze card on various objects and people he encountered along the way. He examined a parked car, a streetlight, and even a curious-looking dog, each time receiving a brief, but informative, summary of the target. The card's power was both exhilarating and terrifying, leaving Nick to ponder the implications of this ability.

His thoughts kept circling back to the portals. The idea that they were a one-time occurrence seemed unlikely, especially considering Officer Martinez's accounts of similar events happening across the city. The notion that portals might have opened all over the world was even more unsettling. Nick knew he needed to do some research, to find answers to the many questions that plagued his mind.

Finally reaching his apartment, Nick fumbled with his keys, exhaustion weighing heavily on his body. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar comfort of his home. He had every intention of diving into his research, of trying to make sense of the unbelievable events he had experienced, but his body had other plans.

Dragging himself to his bedroom, Nick collapsed onto his bed, the day's events proving to be too much for his weary mind and body. In the end, sleep claimed him, pulling him into a deep, dreamless slumber, his unanswered questions temporarily set aside as his body desperately sought rest and recovery.