David stood over the lifeless body of the Gloom Serpent, its massive form coiled and twisted in a final death throe. The battle had drained him, pushing him to the very edge of his abilities. Every muscle in his body ached, and his mana reserves were completely depleted. The serpent had been a peak silver-tier beast, far stronger than the one that had fought the honey badger. Yet, somehow, he had managed to bring it down, using every ounce of his strength and every trick he had learned in this unforgiving world.
He knew he couldn’t linger. The battle had caused a considerable amount of noise, and he couldn’t risk another powerful beast being drawn to the commotion. David wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and quickly began the process of extracting the valuable materials from the Gloom Serpent’s body. He worked methodically, his hands moving with practiced precision despite the fatigue that weighed heavily on him.
The serpent’s scales were the prize he sought. They were dark, almost black, with an iridescent sheen that caught the dim light of the forest. As he carefully pried them loose, he marveled at their toughness and flexibility. These scales had natural stealth properties, making them ideal for crafting armor that would not only provide protection but also aid in remaining undetected. The thought of crafting such armor brought a small, tired smile to his face. It was a small victory, but in this world, every advantage counted.
With the scales safely stored in his inventory, David turned his attention to the venom glands of the serpent. The creature’s venom was potent, and he had an idea brewing in his mind. He carefully extracted the glands, ensuring not to spill any of the deadly liquid, and stored them as well.
Satisfied with his work, David cast a wary glance around the clearing. The forest was quiet, but he knew better than to trust the silence. His senses, still heightened from the battle, were on high alert. Without wasting any more time, he began the trek back to the mansion, moving quickly but cautiously through the dense forest.
The journey back was uneventful, but David’s mind was far from calm. The battle with the Gloom Serpent had been a reminder of just how dangerous this world was. Even with all the power he had gained, there were still creatures out there that could easily overpower him. The thought weighed heavily on him, and he resolved to continue pushing himself, to continue growing stronger. He couldn’t afford to be complacent.
Upon reaching the mansion, David felt a wave of relief wash over him. The familiar walls offered a sense of security, a refuge from the relentless dangers of the outside world. But he knew that this security was only temporary. He couldn’t stay hidden here forever. There was still so much to do, so much to learn.
He made his way to the crafting room, his mind already working on the process of creating the armor and poison bombs he had envisioned. The room was dimly lit, with tools and materials scattered about, evidence of his previous projects. David set to work, his movements deliberate and focused.
The first task was to craft the scale armor. He laid out the Gloom Serpent’s scales, arranging them in a pattern that would offer the most protection while maintaining flexibility. The system’s interface guided him, offering suggestions and adjustments as he worked. The scales fit together seamlessly, their natural properties enhancing the stealth capabilities of the armor. As he finished, the system displayed the results of his efforts.
[Gloom Serpent Scale Armor]
* Defense: 120
* Stealth Enhancement: 30%
* Durability: High
* Weight: Moderate
* Special Properties: The natural stealth properties of the Gloom Serpent’s scales make this armor excellent for avoiding detection. The armor also reduces noise while moving by 40%.
David nodded in satisfaction. The armor was exactly what he needed—something that would allow him to move through the forest undetected, giving him an edge in future hunts. He quickly donned the armor, feeling the weight of it settle comfortably on his shoulders. It was heavier than he was used to, but the added protection was worth it.
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Next, he turned his attention to the poison bombs. Using the venom from the Gloom Serpent, he carefully crafted the bombs, shaping them to resemble hand grenades. The process was delicate, requiring precision to ensure the bombs wouldn’t accidentally rupture. He made five of them, each with a hardened shell to prevent leaks. The sixth bomb, however, had a weaker shell, designed to burst on impact with minimal force.
[Poison Bombs (5)]
* Type: Throwable
* Effect: Upon impact, releases a cloud of venomous gas that can paralyze and weaken enemies.
* Durability: High
* Weight: Light
[Poison Bomb (1, Weaker Shell)]
* Type: Throwable
* Effect: Similar to standard poison bombs but with a weaker shell, designed for strategic use.
The crafting process took longer than expected, but by the time he was done, David felt a sense of accomplishment. The cost had been 318 points, leaving him with over 3,000 points even after the expenditure. The points had come easier lately, a sign that he was growing stronger and more capable. It was a small comfort in a world that seemed intent on testing his limits at every turn.
But David knew he couldn’t rest on his laurels. The encounter with the Gloom Serpent had shown him that he was still vulnerable, still far from the level of power he needed to truly be safe. The system had offered a leveling mechanism—a way to systematically increase his power. It was time to consider that option seriously.
David stood in the center of the room, his gaze distant as he thought about the path ahead. The system had been a lifeline, offering him tools and guidance in this hostile world. But it also came with its own challenges, its own costs. The leveling mechanism would be expensive, not just in points but in what it demanded of him.
Fast forward a month. David had spent the time honing his skills, focusing on fighting silver-tier beasts to improve his combat abilities and agility. The experience had been grueling, with multiple injuries to show for it. One particularly nasty wound had forced him to use a medium-grade health potion, costing him 500 points—a steep price, but necessary for survival.
Despite the hardships, his efforts had paid off. He had accumulated over 10,000 points, a testament to his growing power. It was time to take the next step. He entered the mansion, where he usually used the system interface in the safety of the barrier. With a deep breath, David accessed the system and selected the leveling mechanism.
[System Alert: Do you wish to purchase the Leveling Mechanism for 10,000 points? This will unlock new pathways for growth, including attribute increases, skill leveling, and class acquisition. Warning: The process will be painful and may cause temporary incapacitation.]
David hesitated only for a moment before confirming his choice. The system’s warning about the pain was ominous, but he had come too far to back down now.
[System Alert: Confirmed. Prepare for the process. It is advised to lie down or sit down to avoid injury during the procedure.]
David followed the system’s advice, sitting down on the floor. He closed his eyes, trying to brace himself for what was to come. A moment later, a wave of searing pain shot through his entire body, far worse than anything he had experienced before. It wasn’t just physical; it felt like his very soul was being torn apart.
He screamed, his vision going white with agony. The pain was all-consuming, obliterating all coherent thought. He lost consciousness, but even in his unconscious state, the pain continued, manifesting in nightmarish visions that made his body writhe and convulse on the floor.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain began to subside. His body stopped thrashing, finally giving in to exhaustion. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, his mind and body utterly spent.
When David awoke, it was with a start. The memory of the pain lingered, a haunting echo in his mind. He shuddered involuntarily, his hands trembling as he reached for the system interface. With a sense of trepidation, he pulled up his character panel, half expecting to see nothing had changed.
But there it was. His level was unlocked, and he was now at level 1.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself before asking the system for more information on the leveling mechanism. The system responded promptly, displaying detailed instructions and explanations.
[Leveling Mechanism Overview:]
* Leveling: You can now gain levels by increasing skill proficiency and learning new skills. Each level grants a status point in each attribute and a free attribute point. Every five levels, the number of attribute points gained increases.
* Classes and Skills: You can level up specific classes and skills by purchasing relevant matrices from the system. These matrices allow for specialized growth, tailored to your combat style and needs.
David absorbed the information, his mind still reeling from the ordeal. The path ahead was clearer now, but it was also fraught with new challenges. He had taken a significant step forward, but he knew that the real test was yet to come.