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Hands of God

In the years following the Cataclysm, the world had become unrecognizable. The event that tore through the fabric of society, eradicating one-fifth of the global population, had left a scar so profound that the remnants of humanity could only gaze upon the new Earth with awe and horror. The planet expanded, continents drifted and reshaped like pieces of a colossal puzzle thrown asunder, and from the ocean's depths, new lands rose, teeming with unforeseen dangers and mysteries. The Cataclysm had unleashed chaos upon the world. Earthquakes shattered cities, volcanoes blanketed the skies with ash, and tsunamis erased coastlines. In the aftermath, as the dust settled and the earth stilled, the survivors faced a reality where the rules of existence had been rewritten. The exploration of the newly emerged lands by world governments unveiled a truth more terrifying than the destruction itself. The fauna of the planet had evolved, or rather, mutated into beings of immense strength, size, and peculiar abilities that defied the laws of nature. The first teams sent to delve into these uncharted territories met with fates so grim that the tales of their end served as dire warnings to those who dared to follow. Yet, amid this desolation, a glimmer of hope shone through the younger generation, those untouched by the cruel hand of puberty at the time of the Cataclysm. They emerged from the chaos changed, endowed with unique powers and abilities that manifested as they stepped into adolescence. Governments, in their desperation to reclaim some semblance of order and safety, saw in these gifted youths the key to confronting the new perils that now roamed the Earth and lurked within the mysterious dungeons that led to realms unknown. Whether these portals opened to different dimensions or distant planets remained a mystery, a puzzle that the brightest minds endeavored to solve. Among these young prodigies was our protagonist, a late bloomer named Eli. Unlike his peers, Eli had not shown any signs of the extraordinary powers that had become common among the post-Cataclysm generation. This made him the subject of ridicule and isolation, a boy on the fringes of a society that valued strength and supernatural abilities above all else. Eli's days were a monotonous blend of longing and despair, watching from the sidelines as his classmates showcased their abilities with pride and arrogance. The sting of exclusion was a constant companion, a reminder of his inadequacy. Yet, Eli harbored a quiet hope, a belief that his time would come, that he too would awaken to the powers that seemed his birthright. And then, on a day that seemed no different from the rest, fate decided to turn the pages of Eli's life. It was a day that began with the same taunts and jeers, the laughter of his peers echoing in his ears as he made his way through the school corridors. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and red, a strange sensation began to stir within him. It started as a whisper, a faint murmur in the depths of his being, growing in intensity until it was a roar that consumed his every thought. Eli doubled over, clutching at his chest as an indescribable power surged through him, a force so overwhelming that it threatened to tear him apart. The world around him faded to black, and in that moment of terrifying darkness, Eli was reborn. When he awoke, the world had not changed, but he had. Eli stood, a newfound strength coursing through his veins, and with it, a sense of purpose. He was no longer the boy who watched from the shadows, but a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needed it. The journey ahead would be fraught with dangers, but Eli knew that he was no longer facing it alone. His powers, a gift from the Cataclysm, were his to wield in the fight to reclaim their planet and unravel the mysteries of the dungeons that beckoned with promises of untold adventures.

Lynneage · Urban
Not enough ratings
21 Chs

Chapter 5: The Power of Ten

Eli, still marveling at the newfound capabilities of his Hands of God System, contemplated the potential of investing skill points directly into the Multi-Handed skill tree. The skill had been leveling up through usage, but the option to manually enhance it intrigued him. 'What happens if I directly upgrade Multi-Handed?' he pondered, the possibilities swirling in his mind.

With a mixture of anticipation and curiosity, Eli chose to allocate five skill points into Multi-Handed, bringing it to the next level. No sooner had he confirmed his choice than a system notification chimed: Multi-Handed has reached Level 2.

Eager to see the effects of the upgrade, Eli summoned new hands. To his astonishment, not one, but nine additional sets of hands appeared before him, each set ready and waiting for his command. The realization that he now controlled ten sets of hands, a tenfold increase from before, left him momentarily speechless.

A laugh bubbled up from within him, born of both disbelief and a surge of confidence. "Who would dare mess with me now?" he joked to himself, the image of unleashing his tenfold army on any would-be challenger amusing him greatly. "I'm like a one-man gang."

Once the initial excitement ebbed, Eli tasked the hands with their previous mission: to eliminate the spiders. With his vastly multiplied force now scouring the dungeon, Eli decided it was time to explore deeper into the Spider Nest, driven by curiosity and the thrill of discovery.

As he ventured further, a new notification informed him that the newly created hands had leveled up, matching the stats of his original pair when they were at level 2. His first hands, however, had already advanced to level 4, having dispatched a significant number of spiders.

But something puzzled Eli as he delved deeper into the nest: the absence of spider corpses. With hundreds of spiders slain by his hands, the lack of visible remains was baffling. An idea struck him, and he quickly opened the item tab in his system. A wave of relief washed over him as he discovered the contents: 347 spider corpses, 347 poison sacks, and over 50 pounds of spider silk. The system had been automatically collecting the spoils of his hands' labor, depositing them directly into his inventory.

"This... this is a game-changer," Eli whispered to himself, a grin spreading across his face. The realization that he could farm resources so efficiently, without needing to manually collect them, opened up new avenues for exploration and wealth accumulation.

With the Hands of God System, Eli had not only gained a formidable offensive capability but also a means to gather resources on an unprecedented scale. The implications were vast, both for his personal strength and his potential influence within the broader world of dungeon explorers.

As he stood in the depths of the Spider Nest, surrounded by the invisible bounty his hands had secured, Eli felt a surge of ambition. The system had transformed him from an overlooked late bloomer into a powerhouse capable of shaping his destiny.

A couple of hours had passed since Eli's realization about the capabilities of his Hands of God System and the seamless integration of spoils into his inventory. The dungeon, once teeming with threats, now stood nearly silent, a testament to Eli's newfound prowess and the efficiency of his tenfold hands. During this time, his adventures within the Spider Nest had not only tested his limits but had also significantly enhanced his abilities. Now at level 7, Eli had seen a substantial increase in his stat points, distributing them with a strategy that favored resilience and survival.

Given the priority he placed on vitality, Eli had carefully allocated the 100 stat points he gained from leveling up, ensuring that he could withstand the dangers of not just the Spider Nest but other challenges that lay ahead in future dungeons. The allocation reflected his balanced approach to development, enhancing his strengths while bolstering his areas of vulnerability.

Eli Thompson:

Strength: 25 points. An increase that supported the physical demands of dungeon exploration and combat, giving Eli the ability to wield weapons and gear with greater efficiency.

Agility: 22 points. This boost in agility allowed Eli to move with enhanced speed and precision, dodging attacks and maneuvering through dangerous environments with ease.

Dexterity: 23 points. Improved dexterity meant Eli could better control his spectral hands, execute complex maneuvers, and handle intricate tasks or mechanisms encountered in his explorations.

Vitality: 35 points. With vitality as his focus, Eli significantly increased his health and endurance, ensuring that he could endure prolonged engagements and survive encounters with formidable foes.

Luck: 15 points. A modest investment in luck aimed to tilt the odds of finding rare items and experiencing fortunate occurrences slightly in his favor.

Intelligence: 24 points. Enhancing his intelligence allowed Eli to deepen his understanding of magical elements, the system's workings, and the strategic aspects of dungeon exploration.

Mana: 26 points. A higher mana stat ensured that Eli could utilize his Hands of God System more frequently and potentially harness other magical abilities or spells he might acquire.

These strategic allocations reflected Eli's growth from a mere novice to a seasoned explorer, capable of tackling the challenges of the dungeon with confidence. His focus on vitality underscored his understanding that survival was paramount, enabling him to face increasingly perilous dungeons and emerge victorious.

As Eli stood at the precipice of completing his first dungeon clear, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought him to this moment. The Spider Nest, once a daunting challenge, was now a conquered domain, and Eli, with his enhanced stats and army of spectral hands, was poised to take on the world beyond its webbed confines. The sense of accomplishment was palpable, but it was the anticipation of future adventures that truly ignited his spirit. The path ahead was fraught with unknown dangers, but Eli knew that with his current capabilities and the potential for further growth, there was little he couldn't overcome.