Guided by his newly acquired Echolocation skill, Ji-Hoon moved forward with growing confidence through the depths of the cave. The echoes bouncing off the walls allowed him to mentally map his surroundings, avoiding stalagmites and hidden crevices that could have tripped him. The cave seemed endless, but he could sense that he was nearing something important.

After a few minutes of walking, he entered a vast chamber illuminated by an eerie glow from luminous crystals embedded in the ceiling. In the center of the room lay an ancient stone map, intricately carved into the ground. Ji-Hoon stepped closer, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

The map was incredibly detailed, depicting various regions of Eryndor: the Royal Capital, the Holy Lands, the Shadow Forest, the Scarlet Mountains, and other places he had never heard of before. Strange symbols were etched beside each location—warnings, clues, or perhaps something more.

“This is amazing,” Ji-Hoon murmured, tracing the outlines of the map with his fingers. “It’s like this cave is meant to be a starting point… or maybe a test.”

He spent several minutes studying the map, committing key locations and their symbols to memory. He had a feeling this knowledge would be useful later, especially if he had to journey across the kingdom in pursuit of his vengeance.

Once he was satisfied, Ji-Hoon resumed his path. The cave seemed to be guiding him, as if it had been designed to challenge those who dared enter. After navigating through a narrow passage, he came upon a massive boulder blocking his way.

Carved into the rock was an intricate puzzle—a series of interlocking circles with runes that appeared to be adjustable, waiting to be aligned in the correct sequence.

“A puzzle, huh?” Ji-Hoon smirked, rolling up his sleeves. “Alright, let’s do this.”

He spent several minutes twisting and aligning the runes, testing different combinations. At first, nothing seemed to work. But then he recalled the symbols he had seen on the map. Using them as a guide, he adjusted the runes accordingly.

A soft click echoed through the chamber as the circles locked into place. The boulder trembled, then slowly rolled aside, revealing a hidden passage.

“It worked!” Ji-Hoon grinned in satisfaction.

Stepping through, he found himself in another part of the cave. The air was cooler here, and in the distance, a faint light hinted at a possible exit.

[Notification: You have solved the cave’s puzzle. Reward: 10 experience points.]

Ji-Hoon checked his experience bar—it now read 12/100.

“Eighty-eight more points to go,” he muttered. “I’ll get there.”

As he ventured deeper into the cave, his footsteps echoed against the stone floor. The glow ahead grew brighter, drawing his attention to an ancient monument standing at the center of a spacious chamber. The monolith was covered in mysterious runes, pulsing with an ominous energy.

Embedded at the top of the monument was a sword, unlike any he had seen before. Its blade was deep black, streaked with crimson veins that pulsed like living tendrils. The hilt was adorned with intricate engravings, and the grip, wrapped in black leather, seemed perfectly shaped for his hand.

Ji-Hoon stepped closer, captivated by the weapon. He could feel an odd energy radiating from it, almost as if it was calling to him.

“This sword…” he murmured, reaching out.

The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a strange warmth coursed through his arm. With a firm tug, he pulled the sword free from the monument. Instantly, his Avarice System activated, displaying a glowing interface in front of him.

[Notification: Weapon detected. Analyzing...]

A soft light enveloped the sword, and detailed information appeared on the screen.

[Name: Voracis, the Blade of Avarice.

Effect: This sword absorbs a portion of the life energy from defeated enemies, increasing its wielder’s strength. It is linked to the Avarice System and evolves based on its user.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Status: Added to equipment inventory.]

Ji-Hoon examined the sword, impressed by its design and potential.

“Voracis, huh?” he murmured. “Looks like you were meant for me.”

But before he could revel in his new weapon, a deep rumbling shook the cave. The ground trembled violently, and chunks of rock began to fall from the ceiling.

“A trap!” Ji-Hoon realized too late.

The monument cracked, its runes flickering and fading. Behind him, the cave entrance he had passed through moments ago was collapsing, massive stones crashing down in a chain reaction.

There was no time to think. Clutching Voracis tightly, Ji-Hoon sprinted forward, dodging falling debris as the tunnel behind him crumbled. The distant light was his only hope.

“Come on, come on!” he urged himself, pushing his legs to their limit.

Reaching a more stable section of the cave, he turned back just in time to watch the passage collapse entirely, sealing off the path he had come from. His heart pounded, but he was safe.

[Notification: You have escaped the cave collapse. Reward: 5 experience points.]

Checking his experience bar, Ji-Hoon saw it now read 17/100.

“Eighty-three more points,” he muttered, catching his breath.

He raised Voracis, watching its dark blade reflect the dim light of the cave.

“You and I, we’re going to make a good team.”

Regaining his composure, Ji-Hoon pressed forward. The air was cooler here, and the light ahead was growing stronger, signaling an exit. Gripping Voracis tightly, he felt its dark energy resonate with his own.

“That must be the way out,” he murmured, determination in his voice.

Breaking into a run, his footsteps echoed through the stone corridor. The brightness intensified, and soon, he emerged from the cave, momentarily blinded by the sunlight.

As his eyes adjusted, he found himself standing in the Shadow Forest. Towering ancient trees cast long, shifting shadows, and the air was thick with an almost tangible magical energy. The ground was covered in moss and fallen leaves, while birdsong echoed from the canopy above.

Taking a deep breath, Ji-Hoon took in his new surroundings—until the Avarice System reactivated, displaying a new message before him.

[Notification: You have entered the Shadow Forest. Initial training sequence beginning.]

Ji-Hoon nodded, ready to learn more about his system. The interface presented a set of basic tutorials, explaining the mechanics of the Avarice System.

[Tutorial 1: Stats and Levels]

* Strength: Increases physical power and combat damage.

* Agility: Enhances speed and dodging ability.

* Endurance: Boosts resilience and stamina.

* Intelligence: Improves magical skills and puzzle-solving ability.

* Luck: Influences rewards and random events.

[Tutorial 2: Skills and Absorption]

* Skills can be acquired by absorbing energy from defeated enemies.

* Each skill has a mastery level that increases with use.

[Tutorial 3: Quests and Rewards]

* Completing quests grants experience, items, and skills.

* Rewards vary depending on difficulty.

Ji-Hoon spent the next few hours training, testing out his Echolocation skill and practicing with Voracis, getting accustomed to its weight and power.

At the end of his training, the system displayed a congratulatory message.

[Notification: Initial training completed. Reward: 100 experience points.]

Ji-Hoon checked his experience bar—it now read 117/100.

[Notification: You have reached Level 2. Stats increased.]

A surge of energy coursed through his body, making him feel stronger in an instant. He glanced at his updated stats:

* Strength: +2

* Agility: +1

* Endurance: +1

* Intelligence: +1

* Luck: +0

“Level 2,” Ji-Hoon murmured with a satisfied smirk. “Now, I’m starting to get the hang of this.”

He lifted Voracis, feeling a deeper connection to the weapon.

“It’s time to get to work.”