Sam snapped out of his meditative state, his eyes widening in shock as the message gradually faded away. Was it truly supposed to be this effortlessly attained? Sam, unfamiliar with the intricacies of skill acquisition, had always thought it to be a challenging endeavor. The concept of meeting certain conditions was new to him, and a swift verification of his status page assured him that his mind wasn't deceiving him.

Could the guild have deceived him? The more Sam mulled over the situation, the more plausible it appeared. Doubts seeped into his mind, challenging his understanding of the world, his education, and the information provided by the guild. This marked the second occasion where assurances he held to be true turned out to be false—first with the boss hobgoblin, and now with the seemingly straightforward process of acquiring a skill.

Perhaps they didn't lie outright, but they certainly concealed the genuine process of acquiring skills within the dungeon. Such secrecy likely served as a means of controlling and maintaining power over those navigating its floors. The notion left a sour taste in Sam's mouth; engaging in such practices felt morally tainted.

Sam pondered the dungeon's threat to humanity. Why make things any more challenging? The rationale eluded him, but he recognized the futility of dwelling on matters beyond his immediate control. After all, he had a boss to outrun.

Sam refrained from practicing his new [Meditation] skill, wary of being caught off guard. Instead, he lingered in the area until the thundering footsteps of the unique boss echoed in the darkness ahead. He waited until he could discern a vague outline before darting off, jogging slightly as the beast pursued him.

Sam was hoping for a unique drop, with a health potion being his main target. When the sun came up, his unique skill charge would be full, allowing him to freeze the status effect it would give him—that was the goal. Anything else would be considered a bonus.

Unknown hours later, the colossal beast tumbled with a resounding crash, crushing grass and tearing through the earth as it fell with the force of a charging storm. Sam, quick as a striking snake, unleashed a swift slash with his [Jade sword], and like a vivid river, pink blood spilled out in copious torrents. The mighty creature succumbed a few moments later, its life extinguished in a final, shuddering breath.

Black smoke peeled off its transforming body, coalescing into a single crimson potion that Sam swiftly snatched and downed the moment it took form. A black screen popped up in his vision as his skill worked, informing him that he had unlocked the health stat after freezing the status effect.

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With a thought, Sam pulled up his status screen.

[Name: Sam [No last name]

Age: 20

Unique skill: Effect editor[U] [0/1 Charge]

Stats unlocked[3/???]:

Stamina: 20/20(+1/s)]

Mana: 5/5(+1/s)]

Health: 20/20(+1/s)]

Bonds[1/1]

Jade sword[U]

Unique skill: Bleed[1], Mend[1]

Status effects:

+1 stamina/S [∞]

+1 Mana/S [∞]

+1 Health/S [∞]

Skills:[1/7]

Meditation[1]

Sam was pleased to see his progress. Now, he could truly go hunting, as long as he didn't bite off more than he could chew, 100 goblin ears would be collected in no time. As if the dungeon were eavesdropping on his thoughts, a solitary goblin charged at him, wielding a rusty sword that gleamed with malevolence. Caught off guard, Sam desperately sidestepped the assault, narrowly evading the blade's menacing arc. In his swift evasion, he incurred a stinging cut on his bare back, reminiscent of a burning lash from a whip.

A searing, agonizing pain coursed through him as his body underwent rapid healing, diverting his attention away from the menacing goblin. Sam grimaced in distress as he felt the vicious bite of a second slash, this time on his left leg. The pain intensified, prompting a guttural scream to escape his lips, accompanied by the vivid spectacle of scarlet blood gushing from the freshly inflicted, deep wound.

Sam swung his blade wildly, desperation driving his movements as he aimed to strike the goblin. His erratic cut managed to slice the tip of the creature's fingers in a wild arc. Despite the seemingly minor wound, pink blood began to ooze from the goblin's injured digits, resembling a small fountain of vivid hues. The creature dropped its rusty blade, frantically attempting to staunch the bleeding, but its efforts proved futile. Within moments, it succumbed to the relentless blood loss, vanishing in a puff of smoke that left behind three goblin ears.

Sam willed his body to move, but a searing pain shot through him, causing his form to convulse as he collapsed onto the ground. The impact intensified his agony, and he bit down on his tongue to stifle any potential screams, wary of alerting other goblins to his vulnerable state. As he lay there, Sam could sense his body undergoing rapid healing, expelling small chunks of rusted metal from his back and left foot. The filthy goblin had left a parting gift, breaking off its blade within his wounds.

Fully healed, Sam couldn't help but curse under his breath. Healing was no walk in the park, he realized. Rapid healing, in particular, proved to be a painful ordeal. The prospect of enduring such agony every time he needed healing left him apprehensive and somewhat terrified.

His blood tainted a small patch of the grass, and the scent of iron hung thick in the air as his blood dried on the swaying blades. Sam swiftly rose, clutching his sword and the two goblin ears, and briskly walked away. He paid little attention to whether the goblins could detect the scent of his blood or hear the echoes of his battle. Sam, unsure of the volume of his screams during the skirmish, contemplated the possibility that they might have been louder than he perceived.

As the distance increased, Sam pondered his new status effect and considered how he would store the goblin ears. Carrying them by hand was swiftly dismissed. The absence of his pack was indeed a setback, but Sam had a plan; he could fashion a new one from the most abundant resource around: grass.