Upon entering the store, Lucas surveyed the surroundings, finding no signs of zombies present. With a relieved exhale, he settled down on the ground next to Lucy, who had already taken a seat. Finally, having a moment to check their notifications, Lucas began the conversation.
“It seems I took down 17 level 1 zombies and 2 level 2 zombies. How about you?” he inquired.
Lucy, still catching her breath, quickly accessed her notifications. “I managed to eliminate twelve level 1 zombies. I've reached level 5.” Grateful for Lucas's assistance, Lucy recognized that she had been able to eliminate a considerable number of zombies due to his distraction.
Lucas advised, “You should invest all your stat points in strength.” Muttering his instruction, he allocated four points to his own strength.
---
[Allocating 4 Stat Points to Strength!]
---
Lucy, following suit, invested her four stat points into strength. “Ding!” The confirmation resonated in their minds. An unexpected announcement followed.
---
Achievement Cleared:
[Platinum] Eliminate Four Level 2 and Forty Level 1 Zombies in Four Days.
Rewards:
Hurricane Ring [Heroic]
Appraisal Magnifier [Uncommon]
---
“Huh?” Lucas exclaimed; his gaze fixated on the newly acquired items.
“Lucas, what's going on? Did you complete another achievement?” Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued.
Lucas nodded, sharing, “This is my third completed achievement. It appears I've already taken down approximately forty level 1 zombies and four level 2 zombies... around four groups of zombies.”
Lucy was taken aback. “You've eliminated that many?”
Lucas acknowledged her amazement with a subtle grin. “Yes, well, I am determined to gain strength.”
Lucy's internal monologue chimed in, “Of course, he's accumulated this many kills. He's truly driven to increase his strength.”
Observing the rewards, Lucy commented, “So, you received a silver ring and a magnifier? Are they even useful?”
Lucas clarified, “Indeed, they are useful.” He picked up the magnifier, explaining its purpose. “This is called an appraisal magnifier. Do you understand the term 'appraisal'?”
“No, I'm not familiar with that word at all.”
“Understandable. It's not a common term. In the context of games, it refers to a skill that allows you to detect or unveil the properties of an item.”
Lucas then picked up the Hurricane Ring, a seemingly ordinary piece of jewelry with a slightly thicker band and a wing symbol engraved on it.
“Do you see this symbol? Let's examine it together,” Lucas instructed, moving the magnifier over the ring.
---
Name: Hurricane Ring
Rank: Heroic
Abilities:
[Hurricane Spiral]: Summon a Violent Wind to the Target for 30 seconds. (1 use/day)
[Hurricane Leap]: Jump High into the Sky and Fall Back Down with the Help of the Wind. (3 uses/day)
---
“Can you see it?” Lucas inquired, pointing to the magnified information.
Lucy's excitement overflowed. “Oh my God, yes! That's a supernatural ability!”
Lucas maintained his calm demeanor. “Yes, well, considering our current situation, such things should be less surprising. After all, we're navigating an apocalyptic world with unknown, advanced technology.”
Lucy regained her composure, realizing her overly enthusiastic response. “You're right, apologies for my overreaction.”
Lucas concluded their discussion. “We should rest here for a few hours before using the ability. I can activate it once per day.”
Shifting gears, Lucas addressed their immediate needs. “Are you hungry?” He retrieved his canned food and stated.
“Yes, a little,” she shyly responded.
“Everyone needs to eat to live. You don't have to be afraid to admit that.”
“Umm… Lucas, can I borrow the magnifier?” Lucy asked.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Huh? Why...? Sure,” Lucas agreed, puzzled by her request. She swiftly took hold of the magnifier, positioning it over her katana.
---
Name: Basic Katana
Rank: Uncommon
---
Lucy read the words that appeared on the palm-sized magnifier.
Lucas burst into laughter. “HAHA! Done already? Your approach is quite interesting,” he remarked as Lucy returned the magnifier with a glum expression. He took another mouthful of food and used the magnifier to appraise his items.
---
Name: Zombie Resistance Vambrace (1/3)
Rank: Rare
Description: Provides protection against zombie infection three times.
---
---
Name: Inventory Pouch (22/100)
Rank: Epic
Description: Can store up to a hundred items in the pouch's subspace.
---
---
Name: Basic Dagger
Rank: Common
---
Lucas “...” Lucy observed all the system items Lucas was appraising and her expression grew even gloomier. Although Lucas's other items appeared to lack any abilities, two of them seemed to provide skill-like capabilities. She glared bitterly at Lucas.
“Hey, don't give me that look. I can't control what rewards the achievements provide,” he chuckled nervously, sensing her discontent. “I'm sure you'll complete an achievement soon and receive another item, perhaps with an ability.”
Lucas waited for Lucy to regain her composure, recognizing that everyone was human and no one was perfect.
“Opening system!”
---
Name: Lucas Tharla
Age: 16 years old
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Class: None
Subclass: None
Subclass: None
Subclass: None
Level: 8 (360/700)
Stats:
Agi: 14 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Str: 30 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Int: 27 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Vit: 25 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
Skills:
Unallocated Skill Points: 8
Coins: 180
Achievements Completed: 3 ᐃ
Items: 5 ᐃ
---
Lucas pondered as he gazed at the information on the screen. ‘I'm nearly at level 10 now.’
Curious about his introspective expression, Lucy also examined her profile.
“Opening system!”
---
Name: Lucy Lyons
Age: 16 years old
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Class: None
Subclass: None
Subclass: None
Subclass: None
Level: 5 (190/400)
Stats:
Agi: 7 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Str: 22 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Int: 17 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Vit: 32 (Average Adult Human: 20)
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
Skills:
Unallocated Skill Points: 5
Coins: 85
Achievements Completed: 1 ᐃ
Items: 1 ᐃ
---
Witnessing her strength reaching the average level of an adult human helped ease Lucy's anxiety. Reminded of how Lucas had rescued her and continued to support her, she decided not to act immaturely. She apologized, “I'm sorry. I was being rude.”
He responded nonchalantly, “It's alright. People aren't inherently rude or bad. It's about how we define their behavior. And for me, you've never been rude.”
“Thank you, Lucas,” Lucy expressed warmly, looking at him with gratitude.
“I'm glad you're feeling better now. My stamina seems to have recovered. Let's leave this place,” she suggested, aware that Lucas had extended their rest due to her condition, not his own.
“Really?” he asked, considering her proposal. “Alright then, but first, let me store some of these clothes in my inventory.” He retrieved his golden pouch and began placing various men's and women's clothing into it. The pouch seemed to have an endless capacity, swallowing up the items.
“Let me help,” Lucy offered, approaching and selecting attractive men's clothing to contribute. She felt remorse for her previous behavior and wanted to make amends.
“I think that's enough, Haha,” Lucas laughed, amused by the sight of the bulging golden pouch displaying “(75/100)” in his inventory section. “We've stored quite a lot. We might not have space for more items.”.
Lucas suppressed his laughter, observing Lucy's shyness. “I've finished what I wanted to do. Let's go,” he said, giggling as he gently guided Lucy out of the clothing store, concerned she might bump into something if she kept her head lowered.
His gaze remained fixed on Lucy. “Since I can use hurricane leap three times a day, I'll demonstrate it later when we're in a safer spot.”
Lucy's face lit up with excitement. “YES!” Her enthusiasm might have seemed immature, but considering her age and the thrilling circumstances, it was quite reasonable.