Atreo saw a blinking notification on his HUD.

Level up!

He had been waiting for this moment since discovering the system. Some attributes and abilities, like his Identify and Kore’s essence healing, had come naturally. But this felt different. Level one had only given him attribute points to distribute. If Kore’s level-up was any indication, he was long overdue for an upgrade.

Surviving on willpower and luck hadn't been enough. Over the past few days, he had gotten a taste of what Kore had felt almost her entire life, and he was already sick of it.

He had changed since arriving in Memora. The changes came faster as the days passed. He had defeated Urgon with dumb luck, which he now realized. That realization drove him to seek enemies and destroy them, gaining experience to climb the levels.

He wouldn’t hide and be taken advantage of again. He’d forge a path through this world, where he could protect himself and the people, he cared about from anything.

Kore noticed his intensity and glanced over.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“I leveled up to level two,” Atreo replied.

Hopefully, I can get something that lets me keep up with her. She’s getting stronger and stronger by the day.

“That was fast, Atreo,” Kore said. “I’ve been here for years, and you’ve already caught up to me. Most people don’t get much past level two. If you haven’t noticed, all the bandits back at Hellholm are level two. Except for Abel—he’s in a class of his own.”

“Seriously?” Atreo exclaimed. “The average person in Memora is only level two? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Think about it. Think about what you’ve been through in the last few days. How many times have you come near death and given up? How many times would you have died without me to heal you? A normal person, who isn't forced to face what we have, won’t. The only reason I know this is because the bandits back at Hellholm always throw gigantic parties when someone reaches level two. They make it a point to drag me out and parade me around as if I’m a symbol of the weakness they’ve left behind. But not anymore...” she trailed off as if lost in a distant memory.

Atreo followed her with his eyes. She got like that sometimes; fine one moment, lost in thought the next. He didn’t fault her for it and went with the flow when it happened. She had just said more to him than she had in days, which was positive.

The indicator flickered again, drawing his attention back to his level up.

“By reaching level two as an Unchosen, you now have the option of selecting an Unchosen ability from classes for which you've previously unlocked prerequisites. Due to the uniqueness of your class, your abilities are limited to choices historically left unchosen by others in the world of Memora.”

And just like that, there it was. That piece of information Atreo had been missing since he selected Unchosen. He had been drawn to it from the start and didn’t really know why. He had never been the smartest or the strongest among his peers, but he always tried to walk his own path. Did it isolate him? Yes. Was he bothered by it? Not really. It was who he was, and he wasn’t going to change that.

“These skills are predetermined based on historical data. Greyed-out abilities cannot be selected, but are shown for reference. Please select one ability from the Unchosen choices.”

Ability Overview

Warrior Abilities:

* Charge (Greyed Out)

* Shield Bash (Unchosen)

Ranger Abilities:

* Sniper Shot (Greyed Out)

* Elusive Tracks (Unchosen)

Caster Abilities:

* Fireball (Greyed Out)

* Force of Nature (Unchosen)

Rogue Abilities:

* Assassinate (Greyed Out)

* Smoke Bomb (Unchosen)

Looking over the abilities, Atreo wondered if the Charge ability was what the giant used to surprise him in their battle in the grasslands. While Shield Bash seemed useful, it didn’t resonate with him.

The second set of skills he could choose from were Ranger skills. Sniper Shot was greyed out, and Elusive Tracks was available. Sniper Shot was self-explanatory, so he moved on to Elusive Tracks. He assumed Elusive Tracks was rarely chosen due to the value of Sniper Shot. While Elusive Tracks wasn’t a bad ability, it paled in comparison. The point of being a ranger was to hit others from a distance, right?

He moved on to the Caster class, which showed a wide variety. He seethed when he saw the greyed-out ability, Fireball. He imagined the damage he could have done if he could lob fireballs across the battlefield, detonating small meteors on his enemies in their first boss fight.

No use crying over spilled milk, he thought, and moved on.

The second spell was called Force of Nature, and it seemed like an elementalist-type ability. The protection from ice, fire, water, and earth attacks was nice, and he could imagine it coming in handy, but he was really lacking in offensive capability. He had already put points into Dexterity and Constitution, increasing his survivability to a comfortable point, so he wasn’t too interested in becoming a tank.

Out of all his options so far, he had only been given defensive choices, which made sense to him. He didn’t know many people who would take “Force of Nature” over Fireball at level two. The potential difference was too wide.

The final choice was from the Rogue class. His eyebrows raised in excitement. Rogues were known for killing. His unchosen option had to be good, especially considering the Rogue class hadn’t been offered to him when he first came to Memora. He wondered if his increased Dexterity had enabled him to meet the prerequisites to become a Rogue. The first of the two abilities was the greyed-out Assassinate. He had used his newfound Dexterity when he fought those goblins at the campfire, so he knew how handy increased damage from stealth could be. But since it wasn’t an option, he moved on.

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He groaned in frustration when he saw yet another defensive skill, Smoke Bomb. He sighed deeply and looked at Kore while she picked through Orion’s remains. She was out here draining the life out of people, and he would probably end up throwing smoke bombs at them, confusing both himself and Kore in a fight. Not helpful.

He flicked through the classes again, struggling to find a solid option. Kore chose the perfect time to snap him out of his now-depressive state.

“Come check this out,” she called. He jogged over, making sure not to trip on Orion’s sprawling legs and hooves. When he arrived, he followed Kore’s pointing finger to a metallic pool dripping off Orion’s tusks. Where Orion’s brilliantly shining tusks had been before their fight, only two stubs remained.

“What is it?” asked Atreo.

“No idea,” said Kore. “Do you want it?”

Unsure of the metallic liquid's nature, Atreo used his Identify ability to inspect it. His skill returned a name and detailed description.

Nanoflux

A cutting-edge, cybernetic liquid teeming with microscopic nanobots designed to enhance the abilities and strength of those who absorb it. Originating from the metallic dungeon core, this shimmering, silvery substance pulses with a faint inner glow, hinting at its immense power and advanced technology.

When ingested or absorbed through the skin, Nanoflux rapidly integrates with the user's biological and technological systems, performing a series of enhancements and upgrades. The nanobots within the liquid are programmed to identify and augment the user's physical and mental capabilities, granting them increased strength, agility, and cognitive function.

For defeating Orion the Mighty, you have the opportunity to absorb the Nanoflux.

Would you like to absorb it?

Atreo stood at the edge of the pool of Nanoflux, the silvery liquid shimmering with an otherworldly light. Recent battles had left him physically battered and emotionally drained. The memory of torture and helplessness still haunted him. He craved the power to change his fate, to never be at the mercy of others again.

The Nanoflux represented a chance to transform himself, to gain the strength and abilities he desperately needed. He was drawn to its promise of enhancement, a way to push beyond his current limitations. The lure of increased power, agility, and mental acuity was too strong to resist.

In this moment, Atreo's desire for self-empowerment overrode all other considerations. He wanted to ensure he could face any challenge that lay ahead with confidence and capability. The opportunity to absorb the Nanoflux was his chance to redefine himself and take control of his destiny.

The prompt lingered in his vision, grabbing his attention again:

The option to absorb the Nanoflux will expire in 1 hour 58 minutes.

With a deep breath, Atreo decided. He extended his hand towards the shimmering, silvery pool. As his fingers touched the surface, the liquid seemed to come alive, flowing up his arm like a sentient being. It was cool to the touch, and he felt a slight tingling sensation where it made contact with his skin.

The Nanoflux climbed Atreo's arm in a smooth, fluid motion, leaving a faint trail of silver glow on his skin. The liquid's inner pulse seemed to synchronize with his heartbeat, creating a rhythmic thrum.

As the Nanoflux continued to spread, it rapidly seeped into his skin, causing his veins to light up with a silvery glow. The nanobots began their work, integrating with his biological and technological systems. Atreo felt a rush of warmth and energy coursing through his body.

His muscles tightened and expanded subtly, increasing his physical strength. His senses heightened, each sound and sight becoming clearer and more distinct. His mind became sharper, processing information at an accelerated rate.

The silvery glow intensified momentarily, enveloping Atreo in a radiant aura. Sparks of energy crackled around him as the nanobots completed their integration.

The transformation culminated with a final pulse of energy. Atreo felt invigorated, every part of him enhanced and upgraded. The silvery glow faded, leaving behind only a subtle luminescence in his veins, a permanent mark of the Nanoflux's power.

Atreo flexed his fingers, marveling at the newfound strength and agility coursing through his body.

He turned to Kore, a smile stretching wide.

“I feel amazing,” Atreo said, his voice brimming with newfound confidence. “I feel like I can do anything.”

Kore looked at him suspiciously, her eyes narrowing as she studied his face.

"Your eyes," she whispered, taking a small step back. "They’ve changed."

Atreo frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"They’ve got a silver ring around them now," she replied, her tone edged with concern.

Curious, Atreo opened his inventory and looked at his reflection. Sure enough, a ring of silver encircled his irises, a sign of his transformation. He felt a surge of energy, his senses sharper and his mind clearer than ever.

Kore’s gaze remained wary, but there was also a hint of awe. “I guess the Nanoflux really did change you,” she said, her voice steady but distant.

Atreo nodded, feeling the weight of his new abilities settling into his body. “It’s like I’ve been reborn. I can feel the strength, the agility...everything is heightened.”

Kore crossed her arms, keeping a measured distance. “Just promise me you’ll stay yourself. Don’t let the power change who you are.”

Atreo met her eyes, his expression serious. “I promise, Kore. This power is a tool, nothing more. I’m still me.”

Kore turned away, following her own thoughts, and Atreo took a moment to look at his new stats.

Atreo Level 1 Unchosen (Awaiting level two Confirmation)

Skills Known: Identify

Attributes:

* Dexterity: 3

* Strength: 4

* Intelligence: 2

* Luck: 3

* Will: 2

* Constitution: 5

Atreo sat in awe at the boost to his stats that he’d just received. His dexterity, strength, and intelligence had gone up one point. Additionally, his constitution had gone up 2 points putting hit at a whopping 560 total health.

Testing his new abilities, Atreo clenched his fists, feeling the power coiled within his muscles. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the speed and accuracy of his movements. Even his breathing felt more efficient, each inhale and exhale bringing a fresh surge of energy.

“Did you get anything good from Orion?” Atreo asked.

“Oh yeah, check this out,” Kore replied, handing him a card similar to the Goblin Heckler he’d gotten from CJ.

This one showed Orion, the massive boar, standing on a raised platform. His metallic tusks gleamed, dripping with blood. The background depicted a chaotic forest scene, with creatures either bowing or fleeing in terror. Three silver stars adorned the top, and the card's edges pulsed with a faint, silvery light, indicating its rarity and power.

Kore also handed him a small bag. Atreo inspected it. “Small Bag of Holding, enchanted with space magic. This bag enables the wearer to store objects inside and withdraw them at will. Objects are not limited to size, but larger objects will take up more space, limiting its usage,” he read aloud. “I’d say that’s quite a haul, don’t you think?” He handed the bag back to Kore. “Do you mind if we split it? As much as I need a bag, something about this card has me hooked. You keep the bag, and I’ll take the card. How does that sound?”

Kore nodded in affirmation and put the bag in her hoodie pocket. Atreo laughed at the sight. Even though they’d gained power and made progress, they still looked like hobos and probably smelled like them, too.

“How did your level up go?” Kore asked. “Get anything good?”

Having forgotten all about the level-up, Atreo opened up his interface again. His options had been pretty disappointing, and he reread the first choice, letting out a disappointed sigh.

“Not good, huh?” said Kore as she began to walk away.

Atreo began to close his interface, deciding to make the choice later. When he got to the very end, he noticed that he now had a fifth option: Cybernetic Brawler.

“What the...?” Atreo muttered as he read the description.

“What is it?” Kore asked, turning back around.

“Hang on,” Atreo said, reading aloud,

Cybernetic Brawler Abilities:

* Kinetic Surge (Greyed-out): Channels kinetic energy into a powerful punch, creating a shockwave that deals massive damage and stuns nearby enemies.

* Plasma Fist (Unchosen): Activates plasma energy in fists, dealing burning damage and causing severe wounds.

Atreo squeezed his hand into a fist and pumped it excitedly. A prompt appeared: “Would you like to select the Cybernetic Brawler ability Plasma Fist?” Atreo accepted and jumped in the air, letting out a loud whoop.

Kore watched him with a growing frown. “Are you okay?” she said, her voice laced with concern. “Did you finally snap?”

Atreo stopped his excited dancing and looked at her. “Hey, at least I’m not crying,” he said, dragging out the word “crying” with exaggerated syllables.

Kore caught on and smiled wickedly.

“Oh yeah?” she said, raising her hands toward Atreo. “Let’s see about that.”

Atreo wasted no time in bolting, using his newfound strength to put as much space between him and the wicked witch as he could.