Chapter 5: Mastery Level Ups (REVAMPED)

With a look of anticipation, Jay added 1 Undistributed Stat to his Strength attribute. Instantly, he felt a subtle yet noticeable shift as his muscles seemed to tighten and grow stronger.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ Undistributed Stats: 5 ➟ 4 ﴿

﴾ Strength: 12 ➟ 13 ﴿

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Curious to test the changes, he lifted his mini trekking bag and was amazed to find it felt lighter than before. It confirmed that he could successfully distribute Stats into Attributes, each adjustment directly enhancing his capabilities.

Encouraged by this discovery, he carefully considered which attributes would best improve his chances of survival. 

He decided to focus on the three key physical attributes: Strength, Agility, and Endurance. With that strategy in mind, he added 3 Undistributed Stats to Agility and 1 to Endurance.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

 ﴾ Undistributed Stats: 4 ➟ 0 ﴿

 ﴾ Agility: 10 ➟ 13 ﴿

 ﴾ Endurance: 12 ➟ 13 ﴿

 ﴾ Stamina: 60/60 ➟ 65/65 ﴿

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

As soon as he added 3 Stats to his Agility, a wave of pain coursed through his body. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to make him wince. 

The sensation quickly subsided, replaced by a heightened awareness of his own movements. His reflexes sharpened, reaction time quickened, and control over his body became more precise.

Curious to test his enhanced agility, Jay threw a few punches into the air. Each strike was noticeably faster than before, his fists cutting through the air with surprising speed. His entire body felt lighter, more responsive. 

The changes weren't limited to just agility, though. The single point he had allocated to Endurance made him feel sturdier, muscles more resilient, and even his skin seemed tougher to the touch. 

The increase in Endurance had also bolstered his Stamina, providing him with a deeper reserve of energy.

As he reveled in these changes, his thoughts drifted back to the║Night Vision║ Skill. The word "Common" beside its Lv.3 label piqued his curiosity, making him wonder what higher grades of the skill might offer.

Suddenly, he remembered how he had uncovered additional information earlier by focusing on the words║LOOTED STATUS║. This memory reignited his curiosity, prompting him to consider what other secrets he might discover if he concentrated again.

So, he decided to try the same method again. Opening the║STATUS║ tab, he focused intently on the words "Common Grade." As he concentrated, it worked—another notification appeared alongside his STATUS tab.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

Grades for Skills and Spirit Items

Common UnCommon Rare Epic Legend Arcane Myth Exalted Paragon Sovereign

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

With the new information, he understood what lay beyond the Common Grade. It became clear that the Skill Grades applied not just to skills but also to Spirit Items. 

His thoughts shifted to Spirit Items, and his eyes fell on the Rusty Sword he had placed beside his trekking bag.

Curious, he picked up the sword. The blade, worn and rusty, bore clear signs of age and neglect. Jay observed it for a while, taking in every detail—the jagged cracks along the edge, the way the rust had eaten into the metal, and the dull, uneven surface that once might have shone with purpose. As he studied the sword with utmost attention, a notification suddenly appeared.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ You have acquired Lv.1║Inspect║ ⧼Common⧽ due to your actions ﴿

Allows you to find information about anything, provided the Skill's grade and level are sufficient.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

A wave of excitement washed over him. He had gained a new skill simply by observing and interacting with the world around him.║Inspect║ was exactly the kind of skill that could prove invaluable in this unfamiliar environment, even though it was still at a low level.

Eager to make the most of his new ability, he decided to start using║Inspect║ on everything within reach, beginning with the kitchen knife.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

 ﴾ Kitchen Knife ﴿

 A standard knife designed for food preparation, with a sharp blade and sturdy handle. While practical for cutting and slicing, it lacks any magical properties and doesn't enhance any Stats, as it is not a Spirit Item. Its usefulness is limited to ordinary tasks.

 ﴾ Mini Trekking Bag ﴿

A compact bag designed for carrying essentials over long distances, especially on challenging terrains. Built for durability and comfort, it's perfect for climbing and trekking. However, as it is not a Spirit Item, it doesn't enhance any Stats and serves only its practical purpose of storage.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

By the time he finished using the║Inspect║ Skill on everything in his bag, the Skill had leveled up once.

Finally, he turned his attention back to the Rusty Sword. Using his upgraded║Inspect║ Skill, the sword's description appeared before him.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

 ﴾║Rusted Short Sword║⧼Common Grade⧽ ﴿

A heavily chipped, yet surprisingly sharp sword, showing the effects of time and neglect. Once abandoned due to its worn condition, it still retains a faint edge despite its age.

Effect: Strength+3 ⧫

Requirements: 10 Strength

Condition: Decayed

Durability: 38/100

 ﴾ Do you wish to form a bond with║Rusted Short Sword║? ﴿

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

He accepted the change mentally, and immediately, a surge of strength coursed through his body. His muscles painfully squirmed for a few seconds, then expanded, becoming bulkier, while his abs, which had always been present, emerged with a definition as sharp as if they had been sculpted from rock.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ Strength: 16 ⧼ 13+3 ⧫ ﴿

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Despite his regular workouts, he had never seen his muscles so pronounced, nor had his abs ever looked so chiseled. 

The transformation was stark—unlike the subtle increase he felt after adding just 1 Stat, the addition of 3 Stats to his Strength Attribute had led to a visible change.

He felt a sudden mental connection with the Rusted Short Sword, a bond that allowed him to sense the sword's condition as if it were an extension of himself. With his increased strength, the weight of the sword felt almost negligible in his grip.

Curious, he experimented further. Even after releasing the Rusted Short Sword, the extra 3 Stats in his Strength Attribute remained, marked with the '⧫' symbol, indicating they were derived from the Spirit Item. The realization brought a sense of empowerment, knowing the bond with the sword had a lasting impact on his abilities.

With that understanding, Jay turned his attention to the║Weapon Mastery║ section. He had obtained║Minor Sword Mastery║ and║Minor Dagger Mastery║ after defeating the Goblins but had been waiting for the right moment to test them out.

With no immediate threat looming over him, he decided to take advantage of the calm and test his newly acquired skills. Gripping the Rusted Short Sword firmly, he began to practice the sword stances and moves from the Lv.1 Sword training methods that had been directly imprinted into his mind when he gained║Minor Sword Mastery║.

As Jay moved, it felt as though the knowledge of each basic technique was already embedded within him—the way to hold the sword, the exact angle for each slash, the precise posture for every stance. Yet, while his mind grasped these techniques perfectly, his body struggled to keep up. His movements were rough, lacking the fluidity and precision that came with experience.

Although Jay wasn't new to training, having spent years honing his skills in mixed martial arts, wielding a weapon was unfamiliar territory. The mechanics were different, and the muscle memory he had developed over time didn't translate directly to swordsmanship. 

Still, the process felt surprisingly intuitive. Knowing how each move should look and feel made the practice easier, even though his body hadn't yet adapted to the demands of handling a sword.

He focused intently, repeating each stance and swing, correcting his form with every attempt. The sword began to feel more like an extension of himself, the connection between mind and body growing stronger as he practiced. 

As Jay continued, a sense of familiarity started to settle in. His swings became smoother, his footwork more precise. The stances that had initially felt awkward began to flow more naturally. He could feel the resistance in his muscles lessening as they started to remember the movements.

Lost in the rhythm of his training, Jay entered a state of deep concentration, where nothing existed but him and the sword. 

The world around him faded away, leaving only the sound of the sword slicing through the air and the steady beat of his heart. Each swing, each step, brought him closer to mastering the basics.

Jay couldn't help but marvel at the speed of his progress. He had always been a quick learner, but this felt different. He wondered if his inborn talent for rapidly acquiring muscle memory with just a few practices was making his training progress faster than it should.

After an intense practice session that barely lasted a quarter of an hour, something remarkable occurred. A faint, light grey plasma-like aura began to form around the Rusted Short Sword in his hand. The energy pulsed softly, flowing around the blade as if responding to his efforts.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

 ﴾ Congratulations! You unlocked Lv.1║Sword Aura║ by comprehending Lv.1║Minor Sword Mastery║ ﴿

Congratulations! Through your deep understanding of Lv.1║Minor Sword Mastery║, you have unlocked a new ability.

 ﴾ Lv.1║Sword Aura║ ﴿

Damage Output increases by 10% when channeled into a Sword Spirit Item, enhancing the weapon's effectiveness in combat. The blade strikes with greater force and precision, making each attack more devastatingCost: Consumes 5 Spirit Energy per minute to maintain this enhanced state, requiring careful management of resources during prolonged battles.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Jay didn't notice an obvious difference when he coated the║Rusted Short Sword║ with║Sword Aura║. To test its effectiveness, he slashed at the ground with the aura active, then repeated the slash with the aura deactivated. 

The results were there, but they were subtle—only a slight increase in the damage was apparent, not easily noticeable at first glance.

To better understand the difference, Jay devised a simple test. He marked the ground with a deep cut using the sword without the aura, then performed the same slash with the║Sword Aura║ activated. The second mark was marginally deeper and wider, a small but clear indication of the enhanced damage output.

If his normal attack would produce an imaginary damage of 100 points, using the║Sword Aura║ would increase that output to 110. Though the difference was slight, it was enough to matter in a critical situation. However, Jay also observed that using the║Sword Aura║ had a cost

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ Prolonged use of║Sword Aura║on the║Rusted Short Sword║ has caused its durability to degrade. The sword's durability has decreased by 1. ﴿

 ﴾ Durability: 37/100 ﴿

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Despite the plummeting durability, Jay continued to use the║Sword Aura║, believing it would accelerate his training and deepen his understanding of the new ability. He pushed through, focusing on each strike and the energy coursing through the blade, convinced that the benefits outweighed the cost.

His bets turned out to be right, as the continued use of║Sword Aura║ did indeed accelerate his progress. After two more intense practice sessions, a notification appeared, congratulating him on his advancement.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ Congratulations! Your understanding of║Sword Aura║ has advanced your║Minor Sword Mastery║ ﴿

 ﴾ Lv.2║Minor Sword Mastery║ ﴿

Lv.2 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Along with that notification, he felt the information being sent directly into his mind—it happened in less than a split second. His familiarity with swords deepened once more, and it felt as though he had been training with them for an entire month. Advanced sword training methods seamlessly integrated into his thoughts, each new technique as clear as sky.

Typically, mastering such a skill would demand years of dedicated training and effort. But by assimilating with the System, Jay found himself learning at an extraordinary pace. It felt almost magical, how much knowledge he absorbed in just a few intense training sessions.

Excited by the potential of this rapid growth, Jay set his sights on practicing and leveling up his║Minor Sword Mastery║ to enhance his chances of survival. 

With enough food to last two days if rationed carefully, he put aside any concerns about supplies and focused entirely on mastering the newly acquired sword techniques.

Driven by this rapid progress, Jay pressed on with his intense training, pausing only for brief moments of rest when absolutely necessary. He could feel the mastery over his sword growing with each movement. 

Before long, yet another notification flashed before him, signaling another leap forward in his skill development.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

 ﴾ Congratulations! You have advanced to Lv.2║Sword Aura║ by comprehending Lv.2 ║Minor Sword Mastery║ ﴿

 ﴾ Lv.2 ║Sword Aura║ ﴿

Damage Output increases by 20% when channeled into a Sword Spirit Item, enhancing the weapon's effectiveness in combat. The blade strikes with greater force and precision, making each attack more devastatingCost: Consumes 10 Spirit Energy per minute to maintain this enhanced state, requiring careful management of resources during prolonged battles.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Jay noticed something intriguing. When his Sword Aura increased from Level 1 to Level 2, the once light grey aura around his sword grew brighter, more intense. With this change came a tangible improvement—his attacks now dealt 20% more damage than before, a significant boost that made each strike more powerful.

But he didn't stop there. The taste of progress only fueled his determination. 

Jay had always been a training fanatic. From a young age, he had poured his energy into martial arts, excelling in every physical challenge he faced. While others struggled with the rigors of training, Jay thrived on it. 

Fights and physical conditioning were his strengths, where he could push his body and mind to their limits. Academics, however, had never been his strong suit—he was below average in studies, his grades a far cry from the excellence he achieved in martial arts.

With the System's magical abilities at his disposal, a new realm of possibilities had opened up to him. The idea of combining his natural prowess with this newfound power filled him with excitement. 

The prospect of accelerating his growth and mastering skills in mere hours ignited a fire within him. It was a place where hard work and dedication could be amplified by the System's gifts.

Driven by the newfound potential, Jay plunged into an intense 12-hour training regimen. Every movement was deliberate, every swing of the sword driven by a relentless pursuit of perfection. 

The light grey aura of his║Sword Aura║ had brightened, signaling a significant increase in his power. Yet, instead of resting on this achievement, Jay dove even deeper into his training.

He pushed his body to its limits, taking only brief breaks to catch his breath and recover his stamina before diving back into practice. Sweat poured down his face, his muscles burning with exertion, but he welcomed the pain. 

It was a testament to his progress, a sign that he was pushing beyond his previous boundaries. Jay's focus remained unwavered, driven by an insatiable desire to improve. Each hour was filled with relentless repetition of sword techniques, refining his form, increasing his speed, and perfecting the precision of his strikes.

The world outside his training seemed to disappear, reduced to nothing more than the sound of his sword slicing through the air and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Time became meaningless; the only thing that mattered was the next swing, the next step, the next ounce of strength he could squeeze from his weary muscles.

His hands grew raw from gripping the sword, his body aching from hours of rigorous training, but he continued without hesitation.

As the hours dragged on, the physical toll became evident. His movements slowed, his body protested with every swing, yet he refused to yield. 

The magical abilities of the System had opened a door to potential he had never imagined, and he was determined to walk through it. Each hour of training, each drop of sweat, was a step closer to unlocking that potential.

Finally, after 12 hours of relentless effort, drenched in sweat and teetering on the edge of exhaustion, Jay was rewarded for his hard work. 

When the notification appeared before him, confirming the results of his tireless dedication, he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. This was what he lived for—the grind, the progress, the tangible proof of his growth. 

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

﴾ Congratulations! Your understanding of Sword Aura has advanced your Minor Sword Mastery ﴿

 ﴾ Lv.11 ║Minor Sword Mastery║ ﴿

Lv.11 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

After acquiring Lv.11║Minor Sword Mastery║, Jay felt the weight of mental exhaustion bearing down on him, but his curiosity and determination drove him to keep going. He was eager to advance to Lv.11║Sword Aura║ and see how the aura would evolve.

Previously, when he advanced to Lv.10║Sword Aura║, the grey-colored aura surrounding his sword had brightened to the point where it was no longer just grey. 

Jay noticed something extraordinary—a few cyan-colored sparks began to flicker within the pure grey aura. This glimpse of change only fueled his desire to push further.

Despite the overwhelming fatigue that gripped him, Jay persisted. Each swing of the sword felt heavier, his muscles screamed for rest, but he pressed on, driven by the need to witness the transformation.

After another grueling hour of training, Jay finally collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, his chest heaving with labored breaths. 

But despite his physical and mental fatigue, a spark of excitement burned within him as he eagerly stared at the newly popped-up notifications, ready to see the results of his relentless effort.

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Author Note:

I've been working on significantly enhancing the earlier chapters of this story. When I started three years ago, my writing wasn't as descriptive or engaging as it is now, and I left quite a few loopholes.

Many of you have been kind enough to point out grammatical errors and story gaps, and I'm committed to addressing those. There won't be any changes to the plot, just massive improvements in quality and the visual appeal of the system notifications.

For those who have just started reading this book, if you choose to continue with the Regular chapters, please bear with the lower quality or consider waiting for the Revamped versions to be released. If you'd like to learn more about the story, proceed with the Regular chapters.

Revamped Chapter Release Rate: 4 Chs/Week.

<<<< Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun >>>>

These releases won't conflict with the usual chapter updates. Essentially, there will be a chapter released every day—whether it's a regular one or a revamped version. It could be either, but rest assured, there will be a release every day.

For now, the advanced revamped chapters will only be available to PRIME & OMEGA Patrons. Any reasonable changes they suggest will be added, and they will be credited at the end of each chapter they contributed to.

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