The night sky, a celestial canvas draped in darkness, unveils the cosmos in all its splendor. It is a vast expanse adorned with twinkling stars, constellations, and the silent dance of celestial bodies. The moon, a luminous sentinel, casts its gentle glow, revealing the intricate tapestry of the universe. Against this cosmic backdrop, planets may make their fleeting appearances, and meteors streak like ephemeral fireworks. The night sky, a source of wonder and contemplation for millennia, invites observers to ponder the mysteries of the universe and their place within it. It's a tableau that transcends time, connecting humanity across cultures and generations through shared experiences beneath its celestial embrace. In its quiet beauty, the night sky inspires awe and a sense of both insignificance and interconnectedness, fostering a profound appreciation for the vastness and complexity of the cosmos.
Jack found himself captivated by the celestial display above, unable to surrender to the embrace of sleep. The night sky, an expansive canvas dotted with twinkling stars, held an inexplicable allure that kept him awake, the reason eluding his understanding.
Despite attempting every conceivable method to coax himself into slumber, Jack's efforts were futile. This insomnia, a novel experience for him, became increasingly perplexing. Unlike his comrades, who retired to their respective rooms for the night, Jack remained ensnared by wakefulness.
Perplexed by his nocturnal restlessness, Jack pondered, 'Why can't I sleep?' A plethora of reasons typically accounted for sleeplessness – stress, worries, or lingering thoughts. However, these explanations seemed incongruent with Jack's reality. No longer bound by the constraints of humanity, he existed as an undead entity, impervious to stress or worldly concerns as described in the novels he once devoured.
'I'm already dead. So the dead can't sleep,' Jack concluded. This realization sparked a flicker of curiosity, leading him to recall a particular feature that could potentially occupy his sleepless hours.
"How can I activate that thing again?" he mused.
Ding!!
[User: Jack Hales]
[Race: Undead]
[Level: 4]
[50/800 Exp]
[Strength: 10]
[Agility: 10]
[Stamina: 10]
[Status point: 3]
Once more, the intrusive notifications materialized before him. Jack's gaze fixated on the status points feature, an aspect of the system he had yet to explore fully.
'Umm, I haven't used that feature, especially those status points,' Jack contemplated. 'I still don't understand what exactly they are used for, though.'
To address Jack's inquiry, a timely notification emerged.
[Status points, anytime gained could be used to increase your stats]
'Hmm, okay then. Add a status point to strength,' Jack decided, prompting another notification.
[Strength 10 >>> 11]
[Status point successfully added]
[Strength 11]
A sudden surge of energy coursed through Jack as the status point took effect. Initially foreign, the newfound strength gradually assimilated into his undead form, leaving him invigorated.
'Whoa, is this what this thing does?' Jack marveled at the unexpected benefits. The perceived value of status points surged in his mind, leading him to allocate all remaining points to his stats.
[Agility: 10 >>> 11]
[Agility: 11]
[Stamina: 10 >>> 11]
[Stamina: 11]
[Status points 0]
Having invested all his status points, Jack surveyed his enhanced stats with a sense of satisfaction.
[Strength: 11]
[Agility: 11]
[Stamina: 11]
This newfound strength compelled Jack to test its limits. He effortlessly lifted his meager bed, a once cumbersome object now feeling weightless in his augmented hands. Placing the bed on the floor, Jack marveled at the transformation.
'Impressive. I haven't even tested my strength yet after becoming undead, and adding some status points just made me stronger,' Jack mused, exhilarated by the prospect of newfound capabilities propelling him toward greatness in this altered world.
Seated on the bed, Jack delved deeper into the system, exploring its intricacies for any overlooked features. Abruptly, a knock interrupted his exploration, prompting him to approach the door. To his surprise, Hewitt and Bin, two individuals he hadn't expected, stood outside with disconcerting smiles.
"How can I help you?" Jack inquired, perplexed by their unexpected visit. Aware of the strained relations between them, he awaited an explanation.
"Oh, nothing much. We thought you might want to hang out," Hewitt suggested with an apologetic tone. "Despite our rocky start, Bin and I wanted to extend an apology by treating you to some drinks. A symbolic gesture of reconciliation, you could say."
Jack, though initially suspicious, felt a twinge of interest at the mention of drinks. The turbulent changes in the world had left him mentally fatigued, and the idea of unwinding with a drink appealed to his senses.
"Alright, I'll join you, but let me change into something more comfortable first," Jack agreed, hastening to switch into the clothes Leo had generously provided. The attire, crafted from the skins of the creatures they hunted, felt unfamiliar yet oddly suitable for this transformed world.
Clad in his new garments, resembling a shirt and pants, Jack accompanied Hewitt and Bin toward the source of their proposed drinks. They navigated through the shelter, a compact city of individual houses, the streets bustling with residents engaged in their nightly activities.
The trio reached a small building at the city's center, and as Jack entered, he failed to notice the subtle signage indicating the establishment as a bar. Unbeknownst to him, the night coincided with a special event – fight night.
The dimly lit interior greeted them, enveloping the air with the scent of aged ale and distant echoes of laughter. Wooden tables and chairs adorned the space, leading towards a weathered bar counter at the far end.
Guided to a corner table, Jack, Hewitt, and Bin settled in, ready to indulge in the anticipated drinks. As they ordered, Jack couldn't help but notice the charged atmosphere, a combination of tension and excitement. His curiosity piqued, he inquired about the peculiar setting.
"Oh, it's fight night," Hewitt explained with a mischievous grin. "People gather to watch matches and place bets. It's a way to let loose and have some fun."
Intrigued, Jack observed the impromptu ring in the center, where various individuals engaged in intense combat. The crowd's roars and cheers accompanied each clash, pulling Jack into the spectacle.
******
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