Adam read the exception notice, a wide smile spreading across his face. “I thought my attempt had failed,” he muttered to himself, the corners of his lips curving upward, “but this... this is perfect.”

The holographic blue interface before him pulsed faintly, and another notification popped up:

[Congratulations! You have successfully modified the system]

Whenever your experience meets the requirements for leveling up, a consent message will now prompt you before proceeding.

Adam’s grin widened as his eyes scanned the text. He had done it. He had exploited a loophole in the rigid system—something he knew no ordinary person could have even considered.

It was a gamble, but it had paid off. If the system had denied his modification, he would’ve been forced to adhere to the rules, leveling up like everyone else. Now, he held the reins of his progress.

“This gives me such a huge advantage,” Adam thought, his fingers flexing slightly with excitement. “I’ll surpass everyone before they even realize what’s happening.”

With a newfound confidence radiating from him, Adam whispered to himself, “Time for phase two of my plan.”

Despite his triumph, a flicker of doubt crossed Adam’s face. "What if the system rejects this one?" he wondered. His heart raced for a moment, the uncertainty gnawing at the edge of his confidence.

But then, as if to silence his doubts, he straightened his posture, his resolve hardening. “It’s worth a try,” he said aloud, his voice firm.

Steeling himself, Adam raised his hand slightly and commanded, “Reality Manipulation: Activate.”

The familiar blue glow of the system appeared before him, its text shimmering faintly:

Reality Manipulation skill activated.

His eyes lit up with a mixture of awe and determination. He knew this skill was powerful when he first acquired it, but only now was he beginning to grasp its true potential.

“This skill...” he whispered, his voice tinged with reverence. “It’s more powerful than I imagined.”

A new interface popped up, clearer and more responsive than before:

System active. Reality Manipulation mode enabled.

The microphone icon blinked steadily, waiting for his input.

Adam spoke with a calm yet commanding voice. “Listen, system. I want to create a new skill. I’ll call it ‘Mark and Attack.’”

For a moment, the interface flickered, as if processing his request, before a new prompt appeared:

Define skill parameters.

Adam exhaled, his mind racing. He had to articulate his vision with precision. This was no ordinary game mechanic—every word mattered.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

Defining the Skill: Mark

Adam’s voice was measured as he began, each word carefully chosen. “The first phase is the mark. It will allow me to place a glowing red mark on any target using the power of my gaze.”

He paused briefly, visualizing the effect in his mind. His tone grew more assertive as he added, “This mark should only be removable by my command. No one else should have the power to erase it—not the target, not other players, no one.”

The system’s interface shimmered, recording his instructions in real time. Each word seemed to carry weight, bending the system to his will. Moments later, a soft chime sounded, and a notification appeared:

Mark parameters accepted. Target-locking mechanism enabled.

Adam smirked, his confidence growing. “Perfect,” he muttered under his breath. “Now, onto the next phase.”

Defining the Skill: Attack

Without missing a beat, Adam refocused his attention on the system. Another window popped up, its microphone icon glowing in readiness.

“The second phase is the attack,” Adam began, his voice steady but laced with anticipation.

He paused for a moment, carefully structuring his next sentence. “Once a target is marked, I can command any object—be it a knife, sword, stone, or anything else—to attack the marked target.”

As the words left his mouth, Adam felt a rush of exhilaration. He was creating something unprecedented, something that could tip the scales in his favor.

“The object,” he continued, his tone more animated now, “will relentlessly follow the target until it hits. Once the attack is complete, the mark will disappear automatically.”

The system interface pulsed as it processed his input. It seemed to take longer this time, as though the complexity of the instructions required more effort to integrate. Finally, another notification appeared:

Attack parameters accepted. Tracking mechanism integrated.

Adam’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “This is even better than I hoped,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, though the excitement was unmistakable.

Finalizing the Skill...

Adam leaned closer to the glowing interface, his mind already racing with possibilities. “Is the skill ready?” he asked, his tone sharp and impatient.

The system responded immediately, but its reply wasn’t what Adam expected. A red warning window appeared:

Skill status: Partially complete. High energy consumption detected. Warning: Overuse may cause exhaustion.

Frustration flashed across Adam’s face, his jaw tightening. He despised limitations. But as quickly as the frustration arose, he pushed it aside. “I don’t care about the risks,” he said firmly, his voice resolute. “Complete the skill. Do it now.”

The system seemed to hesitate for a split second, as though weighing the consequences of his demand. Then, with a faint chime, a new notification appeared:

Skill successfully created: Mark and Attack.

The final description materialized before Adam:

[You can mark any living or non-living object using your gaze. Once marked, any object you command will attack the target with precision, tracking it until the task is completed]

Adam read the description carefully, his heart pounding with exhilaration. He could almost feel the power coursing through his veins, the possibilities of his creation unfurling in his mind.

A victorious smile spread across his face. He whispered to himself, “Let the game truly begin.”

Adam’s gaze lingered on the glowing interface for a moment longer before he closed it with a swipe of his hand. Around him, the forest was silent.

The tall trees loomed overhead, their leaves rustling faintly in the cool breeze. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, and the faint chirping of crickets provided a soft, almost rhythmic background hum.

But Adam paid no attention to the serene beauty of his surroundings. His mind was consumed by thoughts of his next move. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of energy ripple through his body.

“This skill...” he thought, his eyes narrowing. “It’s not just a tool. It’s a weapon. And I’ll make sure it becomes the most feared weapon in existence.”

The forest seemed to hold its breath, as though sensing the gravity of the moment. Adam stood there, his black outfit blending with the shadows, his presence exuding an almost palpable intensity.

For the first time, he felt like he wasn’t just playing the game—he was rewriting its very rules. And as the moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground, Adam’s journey took a monumental leap forward. The creation of “Mark and Attack” was just the beginning.