Quests

"User has leveled up. Awarding 5 Stat Points and 1 Skill Point to the user." At the very moment the announcement ended, Darren felt buzzing warmth blossom from his chest and spread to parts of his body. The next thing he knew was that he felt like he had just woken up from a very good slumber.

And a few moments after he leveled up, a tutorial panel popped up in front of him.

▬▬▬Tutorial▬▬▬

[Introduction to the Stat Points]

Stat Points can be used to enhance five different aspects of one's existence. These five aspects are:

►BRU◄

Brutality corresponds to the user's brute strength and stamina

►DEX◄

Dexterity corresponds to the user's general proficiency, reflex, and technique

►VIT◄

Vitality corresponds to the user's toughness, resistance, and regeneration

►SPR◄

Spirituality corresponds to the user's abilities to manipulate ethereal energy

►TEN◄

Tenacity corresponds to the user's mental strength and charisma

[View Status Panel]

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Darren carefully studied the five status points, and found that each one of them was, to some degree, essential. After he was done, he clicked on the button to follow what the tutorial had said.

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◄[Status]►

LVL 2

EXP: 0%

HP: 500/500   

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SP: 100/100    

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Status Points: 5

BRU    10  [+]

DEX    10  [+]

VIT     10  [+]

SPR    10  [+]

TEN    10  [+]

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Just from a look, Darren sort of understood what he was supposed to do to 'invest in his stats.' But as he lifted his hand to try and click on some buttons, a pop-up panel blocked his attempt.

▬▬▬Notice▬▬▬

The system is aware of the user's lack of familiarity with the system functions. Therefore, the system will provide a better guide for the user.

To start, please choose your desired Class.

[Brute] [Rogue] [Mage]

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When Darren saw the word 'Class,' his expression immediately turned into one of extreme shock and delight. He didn't know why and what would happen if he picked something, but just the fact that he was asked by someone about what 'Class' he wanted to be made his heart weep in joy.

After all, no one expected anything great out of Darren.

Biting his dry lips, Darren picked the Brute class.

▬▬▬Notice▬▬▬

You have picked the Brute Class. This will not affect anything about the system's functions, but anything Brute-related will now be highlighted for your convenience. This can be changed later.

Brutes have their whole body as their own weapon and armor.

This class focuses mainly on BRU, backed by both VIT and TEN. It is recommended that the user invests all of his new stat points in BRU for now.

[Return to Status Panel]

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"Ohh . . ." Darren mumbled out loud and clicked on the button, letting him view his stat panel once more. "Okay then."

Darren invested all of his status points into the BRU stat, prompting for an announcement to be made in his head.

"Basic Brute Active Skills Unlocked."

At the same time, the '►' symbol beside the word [Status] began blinking, prompting for Darren to click on it. 

It brought him to the Active Skills panel, where a web of interconnected gray circles that had padlock symbols over them could be seen. Of all the circles, there were only three of them that didn't have padlocks over them.

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◄[Active Skills]►

Skill Points: 1

▼STR

   ►Bash

   ►Tackle

   ►Battle Cry

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After clicking on each skill, Darren found the [Bash] skill most interesting.

▬▬▬Skill Details▬▬▬

Bash: Send an enhanced, blunt body attack at the enemy

Cooldown: 6s

Usage Cost: 8 SP

Costs 1 Skill Point

[Learn]

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After clicking on learn, Darren expected to have a noticeable change happen in his body, but no such thing happened. In the midst of his confusion, a notice panel popped up and explained for him.

▬▬▬Notice▬▬▬

Skills can be deployed or used by thinking of the skill name while performing an action. In this case, [Bash] can be used right before executing a punch or a kick.

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"Huh." Darren nodded and blinked a few times trying to make sure he understood it right.

He then assumed a crude boxing stance and clenched his right fist tight, before muttering in his head, 'Bash!'

Right after he said it, his right arm moved automatically and sent a quick jab at the air. It wasn't anything special, but to Darren's eyes, it was miraculous. It was more powerful than anything he had ever done.

Chuckling to himself, he looked at his fist with excitement. He imagined what heights he would reach with this strange power, and he couldn't help but feel delight from it. Could he finally afford a proper housing? Could he afford fresh food for his siblings? Could he stop doing labor work?

"Thank the gods . . ." Darren muttered under his breath, tears welling in his eyes.

After a few emotional moments, more tutorial panels explaining about various terms and intricacies came up, and Darren made sure to read them all. And with a notice panel, Darren was sent back to his room. His heart was booming in his chest from the excitement and nervousness.

'That wasn't a dream, right?' He thought to himself with wide eyes, looking at his siblings then at the fan in his hand. The blue panel was nowhere to be found, but there was no reason to be disappointed yet.

"S-System." He muttered softly with a hopeful expression, prompting for a panel to appear.

▬▬▬Greetings▬▬▬

Is there anything the user needs?

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Warmth from the extreme delight blossomed in his chest, as he answered the system's query through his thoughts, 'Nothing.'

▬▬▬Notice▬▬▬

Understood.

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