I returned to the Safe Zone and opened its screen,

< Duration 5 days, 14 hours, 32 min>

After meticulously calculating the time, I came to the realization that I had already spent precisely 1 day, 9 hours, and 28 minutes in this tutorial, only a day and a bit had passed and so much had already happened, I had 5 more months to go and some more... As I observed the remaining time of 5 days and 14 hours on my protection, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to the safe zone stone once the allotted time expired. Would it still remain active, allowing me to utilize its features, or would I be locked out unable to use the command ? As I examined the message regarding the , it became clear that its access was limited to the during the tutorial phase. However, there was still a lingering question in my mind: Did the safe zone need to be actively active for me to access the system market, or could I access it even after the protection time expired? The message didn't provide a clear answer to this query, leaving me uncertain about the availability of the system market once the 7-day mark concluded.

With the uncertainty surrounding the availability of the system market after the 7 days, I didn't want to take any chances. I made a firm decision to prepare myself as thoroughly as possible before the protection time ran out. The thought of being unable to purchase essential equipment, tools, skills or being able to sell for the next five months and a few days without access to the store was daunting. Therefore, my preparation would be paramount to ensure my survival, assuming that I would be locked out.

I opened the selling tab once again. During my initial exploration of the and its commands, there had been no items available for me to sell. However, to my delight, this time I was pleasantly surprised to find a few items that I could sell. It seemed that some of the loot I had obtained from defeating the boss beast could be exchanged for essence.

Checking the tab, I was prompted with the following screen.

Item

Quality

Quantity

Essence

Total

[Boss] Beast Core

Common

1

200

200

[Boss] Tusks

Common

4

30

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120

I carefully assessed the list, taking into account the value of each item and the amount of essence I could potentially gain. This discovery provided a glimmer of hope, as it provided me with an extra source of income, with a determined mindset, I selected the boar tusks and the beast core. I knew that holding onto these items wouldn't be of much use to me at the moment and selling them would provide a valuable boost to my essence reserves. Perhaps someone with the right skills and knowledge could craft something out of them, but for now, I needed all the essence I could get.

As I confirmed the sale, a notification popped up, indicating the successful transaction. My essence count increased by 320, leaving me with 507 essence. It was a small victory, but every bit counted in this new world.

Satisfied with my decision, I closed the selling tab and turned my attention to my Status tab, with the newly acquired essence from selling the boar tusks and beast core, I had accumulated enough to level up once more. Leveling up to level 4 would grant me two additional attribute points that I could invest in Arcana. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to enhance my understanding of the attribute as well.

Excitement filled my thoughts as I navigated to my status screen, with the essence in hand and the option to level up, I considered conducting a little experiment. Instead of assigning both attribute points to arcana at once, I decided to allocate only one point initially. This way, I could test whether a slight increase in arcana would be sufficient to activate the Enhanced Focus skill.

Carefully weighing my options, I deliberated over the potential outcomes. It was a risk, as I could potentially waste the attribute point if it didn't result in the desired effect. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I resolved to take the chance.

I selected the option to level up, spending 450 essence and leaving me with 57 essence remaining.

Name:

Nathan Brown

Level:

4 (0/800)

Path:

None

Aspect:

None

Essence

57

One of the attribute points was invested in arcana, boosting its level by a one. As the point was absorbed, a surge of energy pulsed through me, indicating the growth of my magical potential. With the absorption of the attribute point, a peculiar sensation washed over me. It was as if a minuscule amount of energy had become intricately intertwined with my being. This newfound connection to the essence was both perplexing and disorienting, much like the experience of consciously perceiving my own heartbeat or controlling my breath.

As I focused my awareness inward, I could sense the subtle currents of energy circulating within me. It was a delicate balance, like a gentle stream meandering through the channels of my body. With a conscious effort, I could manipulate and direct this energy, guiding it to different parts of my being.

Experimenting with this newfound ability, I directed the energy to flow towards my limbs, imbuing them with a faint, tingling sensation. It was as if I could enhance their responsiveness, making them feel more attuned and agile.

Next, I directed the energy towards my mind, feeling it course through the pathways of my thoughts. It was an intriguing sensation, as if I could sharpen my mental faculties and heighten my cognitive awareness. Thoughts seemed to flow more effortlessly, and my focus became sharper.

However, this control over the energy was still rudimentary and limited. It required immense concentration and a delicate balance to maintain the flow. After a few moments of manipulating the energy within me, I began to feel a subtle depletion, akin to the sensation of holding one's breath for too long. Just as one eventually runs out of oxygen and needs to breathe again, I sensed that I had exhausted the immediate reserves of this energy.

It was as if I had tapped into a limited wellspring, one that required time to replenish. The recovery process was slower than I had anticipated, highlighting the intricate nature of this energy and its connection to my own essence.

As I patiently waited, I could feel the energy gradually replenishing itself, like a gentle trickle refilling a reservoir. It was a gradual process, and it reminded me of the need to find a delicate balance between utilizing the energy and allowing it to replenish naturally, this newfound connection to the essence intrigued me. It hinted at the untapped potential within myself and the vast possibilities that lay ahead.

With further training and understanding, I believed I could harness this energy more effectively, unlocking greater capabilities and mastering the art of manipulating the essence within me.

For now, this glimpse into the world of energy manipulation served as a reminder of the intricate nature of this new reality. It urged me to delve deeper into the mysteries of the essence, to unravel its secrets, and to harness its.