Chapter 11. Exiting the Portal

After my affirmative answer to her question, she told me about the final ability that would replace the third ability of the previous owner of this body.

"Here is the information about the ability you need," she said, presenting an information sheet in front of me.

Name: "Devastating Strike" Description: "Devastating Strike" is an ability that allows the user to enhance their attacks and temporarily increase the chance of landing a critical hit. When activated, the user gains the power of destruction, making their attacks more deadly and penetrating.

Triggering the "Devastating Strike" requires the user to expend mana. For every additional 100% damage, the user loses 1 unit of mana. The maximum percentage increase in damage when using the ability is 1000%.

This ability also provides a temporary bonus to the chance of landing critical hits, and the damage from such hits is increased for a certain period of time after activating the ability.

"Devastating Strike" becomes particularly useful in decisive moments of battle when the user wants to enhance their attacks and deal a lethal blow to the opponent. By controlling the use of mana, the user can tactically apply the ability to achieve maximum damage.

Ultimately, "Devastating Strike" grants the user the ability to perform enhanced attacks, increasing the likelihood of a critical hit. This gives an advantage in combat and allows for devastating strikes against enemies.

Realizing that this was no longer a passive skill... Although there were some abilities in the game that could be activated for automatic use while remaining passive.

"So, now the important question. How can I acquire these abilities?" I asked.

"I can directly transfer the abilities to you, deducting points from your account," she replied.

"Oh, that's even better," I said with a smile. "Please proceed with the transfer."

"Congratulations on your first purchase. As a bonus for your first purchase, I will refund you 10% of the payment," she said, and a cashback of 20 points appeared before me.

"BL.....!!!!!" I almost cursed in surprise.

"Why didn't you tell me I would get 10% back? I would have bought everything!" I exclaimed, unable to contain myself.

"You didn't ask me," she said with a hint of laughter.

"Are you laughing at me right now?" I asked her, my face contorted.

"You seem to have forgotten that I can't feel, especially joy and annoyance," she said, still with a hint of laughter.

"Alright, are there any bonuses for the second purchase?" I asked her.

"Considering your attitude towards bonuses, I was planning to cancel the 5% bonus for the second purchase," she replied.

"Wait, wait. Don't cancel it. It's my own fault for not asking about it earlier," I quickly said, as if trying to stop someone.

"Since you insist, I will leave the 5% bonus for your second purchase," she said.

"If I remember correctly, low-ranked monsters attack in large groups, right?" I asked her.

"Yes, you remembered correctly. They prefer to engage in continuous mass attacks to overwhelm the enemy with numerical advantage," she said.

"So, they will swarm a single enemy until they kill it, right?" I clarified.

"Yes, that's why you should choose abilities that will help you withstand such opponents," she advised.

"Of course," I said briefly, and then added, "For that reason, I asked. I assume they won't send me straight to monsters above Rank 3 or 4," I asked.

"The previous host of this body had access to dungeons of only Rank C, so until you raise your clearance level, you won't be able to venture into dungeons above that level without a group," she replied.

"Do these places have levels?" I asked her and immediately continued, "I thought the level of a dungeon could only be seen once you enter it."

"Since this world has been battling monsters for over 5 years, the people in this world have developed the ability to assess the level of the appearing portals and dungeons," she answered.

"Can you then briefly explain them to me?" I asked.

"Of course, here's a brief list," she said, and a message appeared before me.

Levels of Portals and Dungeons (Known at the moment) SSS Level: Portals and dungeons of the strongest and most dangerous monsters. SS Level: Portals and dungeons of very high-level monsters. S Level: Portals and dungeons of high-level monsters. A Level: Portals and dungeons of average-level monsters. B Level: Portals and dungeons of lower-average-level monsters. C Level: Portals and dungeons of beginner-level monsters. D Level: Portals and dungeons of very weak-level monsters. E Level: Portals and dungeons of minimal-level monsters. F Level: Portals and dungeons of the lowest-level monsters.

"Why does it say 'at the moment'?" I asked.

"The levels of monsters in portals can change if monsters of higher categories, unknown to humans, appear. It's possible that in the future, the current A-level portal might become only a C-level portal, making the current scheme obsolete," she replied.

"Wait, do you think that or do you know it?" I asked her with a touch of fear on my face.

"It's just my speculation," she calmly replied.

"I hope your speculations remain just that," I said, calming down.

I should save up points in the system for higher-level abilities. Right now, it's probably best to acquire abilities and items to improve my statistics and save my life.

And then it hit me.

"Can you increase your level directly by spending points?" I asked her, excitement coursing through me. This thought had only just occurred to me, but if it was possible, it would be worth the expenditure. Even though abilities of the 4th category cost 500 points, their power would undoubtedly be greater.

"Yes, you can, but the cost for the 2nd level of the system is 2000 points, which is equal to purchasing 4 abilities of the 4th level," she replied.

In that moment, I momentarily lost my excitement and stared blankly at the cave wall. My eyes seemed to lose focus. But within seconds, my unfocused pupils narrowed, as I realized that even at that cost, it was a bargain considering the multitude of abilities available to me at that level.

"Then deduct them," I said.

"You currently have 4100 points. Deducting 2000 points, and with a bonus of 100 points for the second purchase, you have 2200 points remaining," she quickly replied.

"That's excellent. Now, please select abilities that suit my conditions," I said, beginning to list the descriptions of the abilities I desired.

After a while, Ever responded to me.

"Taking into account your preferences, here is a proposal of abilities that fulfill your requirements," she said, and a list with brief descriptions appeared before me.

Ability: "Shadow Leap" - allows for instant teleportation over short distances, concealing oneself from enemies and evading danger. Cost: 500 energy points.

Ability: "Earthly Traps" - allows you to set traps that slow down enemies and deal damage to them. Cost: 100 energy points.

Ability: "Invincibility Aura" - passively enhances your defense and that of all allies within a small radius, based on the number of enemies nearby. The more enemies, the stronger the aura's effect. Cost: 500 energy points.

Ability: "Protective Shield" - temporarily creates a powerful energy field around the main character, rendering them completely invulnerable to enemy attacks. Cost: 500 energy points.

Ability: "Summon Bird Flock" - utilizing magical power, creates a magical bond with birds. You will be able to summon 3 to 5 birds randomly during battles. The birds attack enemies, dealing damage, and distract them, creating chaos on the battlefield. Cost: 500 energy points.

Ability: "Healing Aura" - creates an aura around the main character that passively increases the healing rate of both the hero and their allies within a small radius. Cost: 100 energy points.

I scanned through the descriptions of the abilities quickly. These were exactly what I needed. Although they didn't include information about the mana or other energy consumption, I assumed it would be within my mana capacity. But what bothered me was the total cost. It was equal to the amount of points I had left. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was now at zero.

"I'm proceeding with the purchase," I said, solemnly pushing aside the bitterness of spending all my points.

"The exchange has been completed. 2200 points have been deducted from your balance," she quickly replied, returning me to the anguish of having spent my points.

"Well, now it's time to get out of here. I've overstayed my welcome," I said, taking out the stone from my pocket that was supposed to release me from this place.