Dungeon?

After Li Jing left his house, Lin Xiao decided to test his new map feature.

Activating it, he saw a detailed overlay of the area within a 100-meter radius. It showed the layout of his house, nearby streets, and even the positions of people and animals within its range.

He watched the small dots representing his mother and the cats moving around the house.

"This will be incredibly useful," Lin Xiao thought, appreciating the strategic advantage it provided.

He could avoid potential dangers and track movements around him with ease.

With the map feature tested, Lin Xiao focused on completing his daily missions. He had just 40 Exp left to level up.

As he completed his last mission for the day, the familiar notification appeared:

[Level Up! - Current Level: 3 - Reward: 2 Stat Points, New Features Unlocked: Dungeons, Skill Points]

Lin Xiao's heart raced with excitement. He quickly opened his status window to allocate the new stat points and explore the new features.

[Status Window]

Name: Lin Xiao

Race: Human

Class: None

Level: 3

Experience Points (EXP) to Level Up: 0/500

Strength: 11.5

Stamina: 8.5

Intelligence: 12

Mana: 130.5

Charisma: 8

Stat Points: 2

Skill Points: 0

Skills: Strength Sharing (MAX), Photogenic Memory (MAX), Memory Manipulation (Lvl 1), Power Burst (Lvl 1), Map (Lvl 1).

He pondered where to allocate the points, considering the benefits of both charisma and stamina. Ultimately, he decided to enhance his stamina, believing it would be more beneficial in the long run.

As soon as he allocated the points to stamina, a new notification appeared, indicating a skill unlockable. Without hesitation, he pressed it, eager to see what new ability he would gain.

[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Steps - Whenever you are in the dark, your speed and endurance increase by 20%]

Lin Xiao couldn't help but grin. This new skill would be incredibly useful, especially for stealth and escaping difficult situations.

Next, he started to explore the new features. The Dungeons option intrigued him.

[Dungeons: Special areas accessible through portals that appear in various locations. Only you and those you approve of can see these portals (You can use the Map feature to find portals). Within dungeons, you can fight enemies, gain EXP, and obtain valuable loot. Each dungeon has its own unique challenges and rewards]

Lin Xiao couldn't help but be happy because he now has another option to get stronger.

The idea of having exclusive access to hidden areas filled with opportunities for growth and rewards was thrilling.

The Skill Points feature allowed him to level up his skills directly. Each level increase required a certain number of skill points, which could be earned through missions and battles in dungeons.

Lin Xiao decided to test his luck with a dungeon. Using the map feature, he scanned for any nearby portals. To his surprise, a small portal shimmered in the corner of his room, barely noticeable.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered, stepping towards the portal. As he approached, the portal expanded, engulfing him in a bright light.

Lin Xiao stared at the lush green fields and rows of empty plots before him, utterly speechless.

This was not what he had expected from a dungeon at all. He had been ready for combat, for facing off against fierce monsters, not… planting crops.

The system's voice echoed in his mind, cheerfully oblivious to his disappointment.

[Welcome to the Beginner's Dungeon: Planting Simulator. Your task is to plant and cultivate crops. Complete the task to earn 50 Exp and an iron shovel.]

"But you said 'defeat the enemies,' not 'tend the garden,'" Lin Xiao muttered under his breath, feeling a bit let down.

[Dungeons' difficulty and missions are related to the location they are found in]

Sighing, Lin Xiao decided to make the best of it. "Well, it's not what I expected, but if it gets me Exp and an iron shovel, I might as well get it done."

Lin Xiao took stock of his surroundings. There were various seeds, a watering can, and some basic farming tools laid out neatly on a wooden table nearby.

The plots of land looked fertile and ready for planting. He picked up a bag of seeds labeled "Beginner's Mixed Crops" and got to work.

The process was surprisingly soothing.

Lin Xiao planted the seeds, watered them, and watched as the system's interface provided guidance and updates on the growth stages of the plants.

He marveled at how quickly the crops sprouted and grew, thanks to the accelerated time flow within the dungeon.

Hours passed, and Lin Xiao found himself enjoying the simple, repetitive tasks.

He realized that this peaceful activity gave him time to think and reflect on recent events, especially his actions regarding Zhang Wei and joining the supernatural association. 

Finally, after what felt like a day of hard work, the crops were fully grown and ready for harvest.

Lin Xiao carefully collected the produce and placed them in the designated storage area.

[Task Complete: Beginner's Planting Simulator - Reward: 50 Exp, Iron Shovel]

Lin Xiao opened his system backpack and saw the iron shovel, a simple yet sturdy tool. He couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "An iron shovel... really?"

With the mission complete, the portal reappeared, and Lin Xiao stepped through it. He found himself back in his room, blinking in surprise.

Only a minute had passed in the real world, while he had spent a whole day in the dungeon.

"Well, that was... something," he muttered, looking around his room.

"Who knew I'd be starting my journey with a shovel?" he said to his cats, who meowed in response. "Let's get some rest. We've got a lot more to do."

...

Lin Xiao woke up early, feeling a mix of anticipation.

Today, he was supposed to visit the military base, a significant step in his new life as a member of the supernatural association.

Last night, he received a message from Li Jing informing him that she had arranged for his absence from school. As he headed to the bathroom, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and paused.

The reflection staring back at him was almost unrecognizable. His features had become more refined, and his complexion was flawless, reminiscent of the idols he often saw on TV.

While most people would be thrilled by such a transformation, Lin Xiao felt a pang of sadness.

His life had changed drastically since he acquired the system, and he couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like if he had never received it.

After freshening up, Lin Xiao dressed in a simple yet tidy outfit, deciding that looking presentable was important for his visit to the military base.

As he prepared to leave, his two cats, Xiao Bai and Lil'blackie, watched him intently. He knelt down to pet them, feeling a sense of comfort in their presence.

"Today is going to be a big day," he said softly to his cats. "I need you two to stay out of trouble while I'm gone."