Joe took steady footsteps with Shelly on his back, as he made his way to the guild. The sun was setting and it wouldn't be long before nightfall descended. It was crazy to think that almost two days had passed, Joe himself couldn't believe it.

Time flew when the only thing you did was fight for your life every passing second.

Joe was ecstatic to find he had survived almost two days on this planet. He had come to death's door many times, but he was still breathing. That alone brought a smile to his face.

He couldn't help but wonder how his family was doing. Where they as fortunate as him? Did they survive the two days?

Joe shook his head, chasing away the thought. Of course they survived. They were fighters, if he could survive then his family also survived. Yes, they were still alive.

This was one of the many reasons Joe didn't like having time to himself. His mind wondered and always returned with negative thoughts. The past two days brisked by because he didn't have to think about his current situation too much.

He exhaled, and that's when a flashing blue screen materialized before him.

[I See You're Still Alive.]

“Of course I am. I told you didn't I? That bastard could never kill someone like me. I'm still going to reunite with my family no matter what.” Joe's mood lmproved when he said those words, that reassurance was something he didn't know he needed.

[Well I Knew You Could Do It.]

“Yeah… right…” Joe said, rolling his eyes.

[You Did Good. Defeating Mikey Has Had A Huge Impact On Your Progress. Do You Want Me To Show You Where You Stand?]

“Sure go for it.”

[You Have Leveled Up]

[Level Increase: Level 33 → Level 40]

Joe's eyes widened at the sight, he didn't expect such a huge jump. But it was also understandable, considering just how powerful Mikey was. He clung on to his life by the skin of his teeth. [Rapid Leveling] Also influenced his rise, the more he thought about it, the more the spike made sense.

[The Black Blade Has Leveled Up]

[Black Blade Level Increase: 18 → 21]

[The Black Blade Has Reached A New Stage]

[The Black Blade Has Reached A New Sub - Tier]

[Low Common Mana Tool → Middle Common Mana Tool]

[+4 Skill Attribute Points To All Of The Black Blade's Skills]

[Achievement Unlocked: First Mana Tool Sub - Tier Upgrade]

▪︎ Condition: Unlock You First Mana Tool Sub - Tier]

▪︎ Reward: +1 Level Up To The Black Blade

[The Black Blade Has Leveled Up]

[The Black Blade Level Increase: 21 → 22]

[The Black Blade Has Unlocked A New Skill (Black Orb)]

Now this was new. “A sub tier upgrade? What is that?” Joe didn't hesitate to question.

[Equipment, Mana Tools. In Grisha Both These Things Are Divided Into 7 Tiers. Inferior, Common, Uncommon, Superior, Elite, Special And Epic]

These 7 Tiers Each Have Their Own Sub Tiers. These Tiers Are. Low, Middle And High.

To Reach The Next Tier You Must Go Through All 3 Sub - Tiers. Only By Passing All Three Do You Reach The Next Tier.

Meaning In Order To Reach The Next Tier Which Is Uncommon, The Black Blade Has To First Reach The High Common Sub - Tier And Surpass It.]

Syr said a mouthful but Joe got the idea. He nodded in understanding, but Syr was still not done.

[The Type Of Mana Tool You Have Can Also Determine How High You Climb. There Are Many Cases Of Mana Tools Reaching Their Limit At Elie. The Are Exceptions That Have Gone Beyond That But They're Rare.]

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Joe wasn't disheartened too much by hearing that. He just had to be one of the rare ones. He was going to get all his tools to the highest possible tier no matter the cost. Considering he was still at the second tier, that was far from coming true.

[Your Skill (Outsider's Enhancement) Has Leveled Up]

[Outsider’s Enhancement Level Increase: Level 15 → Level 20]

[The Skill Outsider’s Enhancement Has Unlocked A New Stage]

[Outsider’s Enhancement (Beginner) → (Intermediate)]

[Skill Updated; Outsider’s Enhancement (Intermediate)]

▪ Effect: By Enhancing Your Physical Capabilities And Mana Usage. Outsider’s Enhancement Can Now Allow You To Push Your Mana Outwardly For A Limited Distance. This Can Allow You To Launch Destructive Pulses Of Mana During Battle.

▪︎ Distance: 6 Meters

“I see, so it will be similar to those mana punches that bastard threw at me. I think I get it. But what are these stages Syr.”

[Skills Have A Total Of 7 Stages. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Great, Mastery, Legendary, Mythic.

As You Continue To Grow Your Skills Will Also Advance In Stages. Some Skills Have A Pre-determined Stage Where They Will Stop Evolving. Other Skills Don't Have Any Stages Or Even Levels. Examples Include Your [Predator] And [Rapid Leveling] Skills Like Thes Are Rare However And Are Usually Not Useful In Battle.

Joe sighed, so now not only did he have to grow his mana tool by up to Tier 7 but he also had to increase his skill by the same amount. He had made great strides but this showed him he was far from reaching the top. He had to work harder, much harder.

[Achievement Unlocked: Skill Upgrade]

▪︎ Condition: Upgrade Your First Skill By Reaching The Next Stage.

▪︎ Reward: +2 Skill Attribute Points

[Your Rare Skill (Soul Control) Has Leveled Up]

[Soul Control Level 1→ Level 3]

[Your Unique Skill (Outsider's Perspective) Has Leveled Up]

[Outsider’s Perspective Level Increase Level 3 → Level 5 ]

[Your Skill (Weaponry) Has Leveled Up]

[Weaponry Level Increase: 1 → 4]

[Your Skill (Mental Resistance) Has Leveled Up]

[Mental Reistance Level Increase: 1 → 3]

[Attribute Window]

Personal Information:

• Name: Joe White

• Age: 19

• Class: Outsider (Unique)

• Level: 40

Attributes:

Mana Pool: 395 / 4,400

• Skill: 73 → 87 (+2 Class Boost Attribute Points)

• Strength: 70 → 84( +10 Black Gloves Passive Boost Points)

• Speed: 70 → 84 (+10 Black Boots Passive Boost Points)

• Defense: 57 → 64 (+18 Black Sheep Passive Boost Points)

• Mental Strength: 53 → 60

▪︎ Additional Attribute Points:7

Passive Skills:

▪︎ Rapid Leveling [Unique]

▪︎ Outsider’s Perspective[Unique] (Beginner)

▪︎ Weaponry (Beginner)

Active Skills

▪︎ Outsider’s Enhancement (Intermediate.)

▪︎ Soul Control [Rare] (Beginner)

▪︎ Predator [Unique]

Inventory:

▪︎ Mana Tool: The Black Blade

▪︎ Mana Tool: Scorching Dagger

▪︎ Equipment: Black Sheep

▪︎ Equipment: Black Gloves

▪︎ Equipment: Black Boots

• Item: Pathfinder

▪︎ Item: Academy License

▪︎ Dungeon Item: White Fang

Gold Pieces:

• Amount: 0

Joe was a little taken aback to see his full Attribute Window on display. He was still wrapping his mind around all the different tiers but he now had to shift focus. He hadn't seen his full Window in a while, so that was another reason he was so surprised to see it.

Joe was dangerously close to reaching triple digits with his top 3 Attributes, he could smell it. “Ok Syr, give 3 of my attributes to my mental stenghth. Then split the 4 remaining points between defense and skill, by giving each of them 2 points.

[Updated Attributes]

▪︎ Skill: 87 → 89

▪︎ Defense: 64 → 66

▪︎ Mental Strength: 60 → 62

Joe nodded. It didn't take long before he remembered something.

“You mentioned something about the black blade unlocking one more skills. Would you mind showing them to me?”

[Mana Tool Skill: Black Orb]

Effect: The Black Blade Can Concentrate The Mana Infected Into It To The Tip Of Of The Blade. This Will Create A Black Orb Of Mana You Can Launch At Your Opponent From A Distance. The Resulting Blast Can Be Devastating.

Boost: +45 To Your Skill Attribute

Mana Cost: -100 Mana Pool Points

Joe grinned from side to side, a skill like that was bound to come in handy at some point.

“I'm guessing that's everything”

[Yes, Are You Still Expecting More? Don't Be Greedy Joe. This Is A Huge Step For Someone Like You.]

“Relax, I was just checking. No need to get triggered like that Syr. I'm happy with my current progress. There's still a long way to go before I can truly be strong. But we'll take it one step at a time.”

Joe made significant advancements on his way to the to the Adventure's Guild. In the distance he could see a building that stood by itself. It was enormous. Even without getting near it, he knew that was the place.

He trudged towards the building placing one foot in front of the other. It was further than Joe expected, and having Shelly on his back was starting to take its toll. A little sweat tricked down his face, but he committed himself to reaching his destination. After what felt like 8 minutes, he arrived. The sun had set and it was nightime.

Joe stood in front of a large building. It was built of solid bricks and even dwarfed Mikey's hideout which was already large. Even without entering Joe could see the mana signatures lurking inside. There were a lot of them.

A short staircase led to this looming and narrow wooden door. The name of the guild “Silver Phoenix” was displayed proudly above the door.

Shelly started moving by herself as she slowly opened his eyes. “Did we arrive?” She asked with a sleepy voive.

Joe placed her to the ground after a few seconds . She was able to stand by herself and looked significantly better than before. She rubbed her eyes, before stretching her limbs.

Joe's eyes turned to the building in front of him. “Yes, I think this is the place, an Adventure's Guild.”