Chapter 41: The Heartbeat of Power and the Call of the Undead

BADDDUUUMM!

BADDDUUUMM!

BADDDUUUMM!

Gabriel's heart raced with a fervor he had never felt before, pounding in his chest as if it were running a marathon. Each breath he took was deep and labored, struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of his heartbeat. His chest heaved with each intake of air, and his face flushed with excitement, while his muscles tensed, trying to maintain his composure amidst the overwhelming rush of adrenaline.

The recent upgrade to his shield had brought about a significant transformation in its appearance. What was once a majestic piece of armor now looked even more formidable, its design more intricate, the metallic surface gleaming with an enhanced, brighter shine. Though the faded rune etched into the shield had yet to awaken, it now appeared slightly more defined, hinting at the dormant power within.

The upgrade had not only improved the shield's appearance but also its protective capabilities. Gabriel felt a surge of confidence as he swiftly equipped the shield along with his other gear, preparing himself for the unknown dangers that awaited him in the mysterious realm he planned to explore.

This new dungeon, he believed, was far more challenging than the one he had faced during his assessment, but he was willing to take the risk in pursuit of maximizing his gains.

Standing before the mirror, Gabriel took a moment to admire his reflection. He was satisfied with what he saw—a warrior ready to face the perils ahead, armed with newfound strength and resolve. As he was about to check his status panel, a sudden thought flashed in his mind—the limit-breaking pill provided by the academy.

With a renewed sense of determination, Gabriel quickly retrieved the pill from his pocket and swallowed it. Almost immediately, he felt a surge of lightness throughout his body and mind, as if his senses had been heightened and his focus sharpened.

BOOOM!

An intense explosion of energy erupted within him, signaling the moment he had reached the breaking point that Principal Dalhmer had mentioned. All the experience points he had accumulated up until now surged through his body, propelling him towards a breakthrough. The sensation was powerful, unlike anything he had ever felt before—a moment he knew he would never forget.

As the energy coursed through him, Gabriel noticed a strange phenomenon: a thick, black substance began oozing out of his pores, coating his skin in a foul-smelling layer. This black sludge was the physical manifestation of the impurities that had accumulated within his body over time—toxins and harmful elements that were now being purged as a result of his breakthrough.

Taking a deep breath, Gabriel filled his lungs with fresh air, feeling the tension in his body slowly dissipate with each exhale. He then turned his attention to his status panel.

---

[Name: Gabriel Heart] 

[Class: Cleric] 

[Level: 10, Bronze Early Stage] 

[Health Point: 6,430/6,430(+1,370)] 

[Mana: 7,520/7,520] 

[Experience: 307,321/300,000]

[Magic Attack: 1330 (↑260)] 

[Defense: 883(+60)] 

[Attributes: STR: 25, AGI: 21, DEX: 41, INT: 83 (+142), VIT: 63 (+157)]

[Skills:

Light Hurricane Level 10

Healing Totem Level 10

Goddess Blessing Level 1]

[Tome Skill:

Tail Wind

Blessings of the Ocean]

[Talent [☯]: Yin-Yang Soul Harmony (D)]

[Harmony Essence: 62,600]

[Equipment: Gold Staff, Gold Robe, Gold Boots, Gold Mitten, Gold Mitra, Crimson Shield]

[Equipment Effects:

+100% Healing

+90% Max HP

+300 HP

+200 Mana

+50% Mana Regeneration

+20% MATK

+15% Movement Speed

+20% Cooldown Reduction

+60 Defense

+25% Damage Reduction]

---

After meticulously examining his status panel, Gabriel couldn't help but feel a profound sense of satisfaction. He had finally achieved a breakthrough from the Iron stage to the Bronze stage—a milestone he had been striving toward since the assessment. The intense battles he had fought, coupled with the purification of his body, had significantly increased his attribute points by 15 each. This meant he was now stronger, faster, and more agile than ever before.

But that wasn't the only reward for his hard work. The newly upgraded shield had added an extra layer of protection, boosting his defense by a staggering 190 points. With this shield, he felt better equipped to face even the most formidable opponents. Moreover, the shield's additional 25% damage reduction meant that any attack he faced would be significantly weakened, making it easier for him to counter.

All in all, Gabriel was extremely pleased with his progress. He felt more confident than ever, ready to take on any challenge that came his way. The anticipation of testing his new strength was evident on his face as he eagerly awaited the dungeon dive tomorrow.

"I can't wait to test my new strength," he muttered, his voice tinged with urgency.

...

Early the next morning.

As the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, Gabriel stirred from his sleep, his mind still abuzz with the events of the previous day. He took a deep breath, focusing on clearing his mind of any lingering distractions. With a determined look, he began to formulate his plans for the future.

After a few moments of contemplation, Gabriel rose from his bed and walked over to his desk. He switched on his computer and eagerly began searching for mysterious realms to explore. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he scoured the internet for any information on otherworldly places that he could visit.

Gabriel was meticulous in his search, determined to find the perfect dungeon to challenge. He sifted through countless options, filtering through the information with care. His ultimate goal was to find a dungeon teeming with Bronze stage monsters, with the possibility of encountering a few Silver stage creatures as well. He knew that to level up quickly, he needed to face opponents far stronger than what was typically required for his level.

After an exhaustive search, Gabriel finally stumbled upon a dungeon that seemed ideal for his needs. This particular dungeon, known as one of the deadliest and most mysterious realms in Reid City, immediately piqued his interest. It was a place not meant for the faint-hearted, a dungeon where only the most capable adventurers dared to tread.

However, entry into this dungeon wasn't straightforward. Anyone wishing to venture into its depths had to undergo a final interview to prove their capability. Gabriel knew he would need to prepare thoroughly before even thinking about applying for entry.

One of the reasons Gabriel chose this dungeon was the possibility of finding rare materials needed for his parents' class advancements. He was determined to help his parents achieve their goals, and this dungeon seemed to offer the resources necessary to do so.

The Mysterious Realm was home to a vast array of undead monsters, ranging from zombies and skeletons to wraiths, ghouls, and even skeleton knights. Every type of undead creature imaginable could be found within its confines, with the exception of the most ancient and powerful ones. Gabriel knew that he would need to be well-prepared to face these creatures, so he carefully reviewed his skills and equipment.

Fortunately, Gabriel's skill set was a perfect counter to undead opponents. His [Light Hurricane] skill, which carried the light element, had a hidden attribute that allowed it to deal 75% more damage to undead creatures. This would undoubtedly prove invaluable in the upcoming battles.

However, Gabriel was uncertain about the effectiveness of his mutated skill, [Curse Totem (☯)], against the undead. The skill, which appeared to be of the Darkness element, had him concerned. To clarify, he activated his [Yin-Yang Soul Harmony] talent and checked the skill's description. He was relieved to discover that the [Curse Totem (☯)] inflicted "True Damage."

Curious, Gabriel clicked on the term "True Damage," and a detailed explanation appeared before him.

---

[True Damage: A type of damage that isn't tied to any element. It is a "non-element" damage used by only a few skills. True Damage ignores Defense, cannot be resisted, and isn't particularly strong or weak against any type of enemy. It also cannot be evaded.]

---

Gabriel let out a sigh of relief. His most powerful skill could still be used effectively in the Mysterious Realm. Nevertheless, he knew that his current skill set wasn't sufficient for the challenges ahead. "I need to find some AOE light-elemental damage skills in the future, as well as a skill that increases resistances," Gabriel muttered to himself. "I also need to..." He continued to list his needs, realizing just how much he still had to improve.

Despite his many needs, Gabriel was struck by the reality that he didn't possess those skills yet. He had to make do with what he had.

Gabriel spent hours contemplating whether he should enter the Mysterious Realm filled with undead creatures. After thorough research and preparation, he finally made up his mind—he would go.

Once his decision was made, Gabriel quickly began gathering all the necessary documents required for entry into the realm. He meticulously prepared everything, ensuring there would be no issues or delays.

When he was done, he sent off the documents, eager to receive approval and embark on his journey into the unknown.

A few minutes later, Gabriel received an email notification. As he read the reply from the city officials, he was shocked and puzzled. The email contained unexpected information that he hadn't anticipated, leaving Gabriel to carefully consider his next steps before proceeding.