Level Up

[THREE MONTHS LATER]

[AUTHOR'S POV]

Grey Haven had seen its fair share of changes over the past three months.

New children arrived at the orphanage, bringing a new company to the home.

Arthur, who had grown noticeably stronger, more composed, and confident, was the subject of much chatter among the orphans and even Granny herself. 

"How'd you get so strong, Arthur?"

One of the younger boys asked one day, watching him carry a hefty sack of potatoes with ease. 

Arthur chuckled, brushing it off with a practiced smile.

"Just a bit of training and hard work."

He replied casually, downplaying the rigorous routines he put himself through daily. 

But his explanation had an unintended effect.

Inspired by his dedication, the other children began putting more effort into their chores and studies, hoping to emulate even a fraction of his results.

Granny, meanwhile, observed Arthur's growth with quiet pride and occasional concern. 

One evening, she pulled him aside.

"Arthur, you've grown into a fine young man. If there's anything you need, or anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask, alright?"

She said, her voice warm but firm. 

Arthur smiled softly at her.

"I will, Granny. But honestly, you're already doing more than enough." 

His training progressed steadily.

Over the months, he mastered controlling his barrier, starting from the basketball-sized sphere to creating larger constructs as big as a two-story building.

Not only that, but he refined its shape, forming cubes, pyramids, and even intricate prisms.

The creative aspect of the Innovate Clear still eluded him, bringing life into his inner world on his own was a daunting task he wasn't yet ready to tackle. 

His growth wasn't just in technique, his Stats had increased tremendously.

His Level is now at 9, and he is on the verge of breaking through to Level 10. 

Currently, it was a chilly night as winter loomed over Grey Haven.

The orphanage was warm and lively, the smell of hearty stew wafting through the air as Arthur helped Granny with the cooking.

The children gathered around the long table, chattering and laughing as they enjoyed their meal. 

"You're really good at cooking, Arthur!"

One of the girls complimented, her cheeks puffed with food. 

"Yeah!"

Others chimed in.

"You should be a chef!"

Arthur smiled, shaking his head.

"Thanks, but I think Granny deserves most of the credit. I just follow her recipes." 

Granny chuckled softly from the corner, but Arthur didn't miss the way she winced as she moved to sit down.

Her movements were slower, and her hand lingered on the chair for support before lowering herself into it. 

As the children took over cleaning up, Arthur approached her.

She was sitting by the window, gazing at the stars with a peaceful expression. 

"Granny," he said gently, pulling a chair beside her.

"Are you alright? You seemed a bit stiff earlier." 

She waved him off with a smile.

"Oh, it's nothing, dear. Just a little tired from cooking, that's all." 

Arthur frowned.

"I've brought it up before, but maybe it's time to hire some help. It doesn't have to be full-time staff, but you shouldn't push yourself so hard." 

Granny shook her head firmly.

"Arthur, this is my home, and you children are my life. I won't sit idly by while someone else takes over my role. They still need me, and I'm not done guiding them toward a better future." 

He sighed but respected her wishes.

As he got up to leave, he muttered under his breath.

"You're already doing a great job, though." 

Granny didn't respond, but a soft smile graced her lips as she continued watching the stars. 

Back in his room, Arthur lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

The warmth of the evening couldn't quite shake the unease he felt about Granny.

Turning on his side, he closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep. 

But his restlessness won out.

With a sigh, he shifted his focus inward, calling upon the Innovate Clear to enter the inner world. 

The sensation of weightlessness washed over him as the room faded away.

Moments later, he found himself standing on the serene waters of the inner world, the vast expanse stretching endlessly around him. 

"Gaia. Mind helping me out?"

He called softly, his voice echoing faintly.

[A FEW MINUTES LATER]

The ruins of the abandoned village stretched out like a graveyard under the dim, cloud-covered moonlight.

Rotting structures sagged under their weight, and the stench of decay hung thick in the air.

Arthur stood at the edge of the desolation, his grip tight on the axe he'd borrowed from the woodcutting shed back at Grey Haven.

Around him, the faint groans of the undead grew louder as they sensed fresh prey.

He exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves.

The axe in his hand was a little too heavy for comfort, but it would have to do.

His muscles tensed, and then... 

"THIS! IS! SPARTA!"

He bellowed, charging forward with wild abandon. 

The nearest undead, a rotting figure with a broken jaw, was sent flying into a crumbling wall by Arthur's boot.

The impact shattered the creature into a lifeless heap.

The sound drew the attention of the horde.

Dozens of undead turned their heads toward him, their hollow eyes filled with hunger. 

Arthur planted his feet, raising the axe.

"You want a piece of me, you undead fucks? Then come and get it!" 

Before he could take another step, music began to echo from the sky.

A heavy, aggressive beat.

It took him a moment to recognize the song.

The Only Thing They Fear Is You.

"What the-? Seriously, Gaia?!"

He yelled, looking up at the dark sky. 

Her voice rang in his mind, filled with amusement.

(What? It's motivating.)

Arthur groaned, his irritation briefly breaking through his focus.

"You could at least ask what I wanted as a soundtrack!" 

(Less complaining, more ripping and tearing until its done.)

She replied smugly making his eye twitch.

"I shouldn't have shown you those games."

The horde surged toward him, forcing him to push aside his annoyance.

Swinging his axe with both hands, he struck down the first wave of the undead with wild, brutal efficiency.

Limbs flew, skulls shattered, and bones crumbled under the force of his blows. 

One zombie lunged for him, teeth gnashing, but Arthur dodged and brought his fist crashing into its jaw, sending it staggering back.

He followed up with a swing of his axe, splitting its head clean in two. 

"Too slow, bitch."

He taunted, sidestepping another attack. 

The fight continued, his strikes methodical but ferocious.

Yet no matter how many he cut down, more rose to replace them.

The horde seemed endless, and Arthur's muscles began to ache with the effort. 

"What the hell?!"

He growled between breaths, his axe cleaving through another undead.

"There's no end to these things!" 

(Obviously. But quit whining, just consider this as cardio.)

She replied cheerfully.

"Cardio?"

He snapped, kicking a zombie hard enough to send it crashing into two others.

"I'm gonna die at this rate!" 

(You'l be fine. You've survived worse. Besides, I'm keeping an eye on your vitals.)

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?!" 

The horde began to close in, forcing Arthur to retreat.

He climbed onto the roof of a half-collapsed building, panting heavily.

His health bar flashed in his right vision.

XxX

Health: 639/900

XxX

"This is fine."

He muttered, spitting blood onto the roof.

"Yup, totally fine." 

He jumped back down into the fray, stomping on a zombie as he landed.

His axe rose and fell, cutting a path through the undead.

He fought with raw determination, refusing to back down despite his mounting injuries. 

Hours passed.

The horde only grew larger, and Arthur's strength began to wane.

With no other option, he ducked into a house, barricading the door behind him.

He leaned against the wall, struggling to catch his breath. 

"That's it. I'm officially out of ideas." 

He muttered.

Then all of a sudden.

...

An eerie silence emerged outside, making his skin crawl. 

"The fuck?"

He called out cautiously.

"Why is it so quiet all of a sudden?" 

His answer came in the form of the ceiling collapsing above him.

Dust and debris filled the room as a massive shadow loomed over him. 

Arthur's eyes widened in horror.

"Holy shit."

Standing before him was a monstrous amalgamation of undead.

A grotesque fusion of countless bodies melded together into a towering giant.

Its multiple glowing eyes radiated malice, and its twisted form pulsated with unholy life. 

His Observe skill is activated instinctively.

XxX

Name: Undead Amalgamation

Level: 20

Health: 20,000/20,000.

XxX

Arthur's jaw dropped.

"You've got to be kidding me!" 

The giant's massive hand shot forward, slamming into him before he could react.

The impact sent him hurtling through several walls, each crash jarring his already battered body.

*Groan*

*Cough x4*

Coughing up blood, Arthur struggled to his feet.

"Gaia! What the hell is that thing?!" 

He yelled. 

(Isn't it obvious? That thing is your boss battle.)

She said casually.

(You've been getting it easy these past few months, so I thought I'd spice things up a little bit.)

He groaned, wiping blood from his mouth.

"This isn't spicing things up! This is a death sentence!" 

The giant roared, its grotesque arm reaching out to grab him.

He swung his axe desperately, managing to gouge one of its glowing eyes.

The creature howled in pain, its health dropping slightly to 19,000/20,000. 

Arthur widens in shock.

"So the eyes are the weak spots?" 

But then the creature retaliated, grabbing him and slamming him into the ground repeatedly.

His health dropped rapidly, and by the time it tossed him aside, he was barely hanging on 98/900.

"Oww... So that's what Loki felt..."

Struggling to stand, Arthur activated his Second Wind skill, regaining a burst of energy.

He spotted a pitchfork among the rubble and grabbed it, formulating a plan.

"Okay, better than nothing. I should better play this smart then."

The battle became a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Arthur darted between ruins, using his surroundings to his advantage.

Each time he managed to hit one of the giant's eyes, it roared in agony, its health gradually depleting. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, only one glowing eye remained and its health is now 987/20,000.

The Amalgamation, now blind with rage, entered a frenzied state, destroying everything in its path.

Arthur, bruised and battered during his assault, stood his ground. 

"This ends now, you wannabe Elden Ring boss."

He muttered, gripping a wooden stake. 

He baited the creature into charging.

At the last second, he slid beneath its legs, causing it to crash into a building.

Climbing onto its back, he ignored its thrashing and drove the stake into its final eye with all his strength while activating Double Impact.

"DIE!"

The Amalgamation let out a deafening wail before collapsing, its massive body disintegrating into ash.

*Pant x3*

"I... did it.."

Arthur fell to the ground, too exhausted to stand up right.

A notification flashed in his right vision, showing his new level and his stats doubled.

XxX

Level Up!

HUD Upgraded!

Name: Arthur

Titles: Reincarnator, The Man Who Impersonates God, Granny's Favorite, Golden Boy of Grey Haven, Master Chef, Ultimate Survivor, Undead Slayer [New]

Age: 5 

Race: Human 

Gender: Male 

Health: 1,000/1,000

Mana: 1,000/1,000 [Unlocked]

Level: 10 [200/10,000]

Stats:

- Strength: 1552 [You can stop a speeding truck with one hand]

- Dexterity: 1464 [You find speeding bullets pretty slow]

- Constitution: 1504 [You can thrive in the middle of the desert]

- Intelligence: 1533 [You think a computer is as dumb as a brick]

- Wisdom: 1512 [You are almost as wise as Uncle Iroh]

- Charisma: 1482 [You could persuade two straight girls to kiss each other]

- Luck: 753 [You have a chance to land a coin on its side on top of a needle]

Active Skills: ??? [Locked], Triple Impact [Upgraded from Double Impact], Second Wind, Observe, Berserk Mode [New], Flash Step [New], Foresight [New], Intimidation [New], Beginner's Luck [New]

Passive Skills: Combat Expert, Medical Expert, Agriculture Expert [Upgraded from Gardening and Farming], Projectile Expert [Upgraded from Projectile Throwing], Knitting Expert, Cooking Expert, Hunting Expert [Upgraded from Fishing and Trapping], Sword Expert, Shield Expert, Bow Expert, Pain Resistance [Upgraded from Numb], Translate, First Impression, Minor Healing Factor [New], Photographic Memory [New]

Items: Innovate Clear, ??? [Locked]

Currency: 0

XxX

Arthur looked at the new information with interest but was too exhausted to think about it.

Gaia appeared standing near his head, her expression smug.

"So, did you have fun?" 

Arthur raised a trembling hand, flipping her off.

"Shut up... Let me... pass out..."

He muttered before passing out. 

She chuckled, kneeling beside him.

Gently, she placed his head on her lap, brushing his hair softly.

"Arthur, you are the weirdest human I have had the pleasure of meeting."

"But if it's you... Maybe I'll finally be free."

She whispered, her voice tinged with hope.

*Humming*

She began to hum a soft lullaby as Arthur drifted into a deep, well-earned sleep.

[THE NEXT MORNING]

"Has anyone found where the axe is?"

One of the older boys asked.

From the corner of the room, Arthur could bee seen sweating buckets as he pretends to read a book.

'I should buy a new one later.'

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Hello readers!

What do you think of the fight scene?

I feel like I just rushed it, but let me know in the comments.

Thank you everybody and see you later!