Chapter 4: The Enigmatic System

As consciousness returned to Kael, he found himself lying on the cold, damp floor of his cell. The events of the previous day felt like a distant dream, and yet, the strange surge of power that had coursed through him was very real. As he tried to sit up, he noticed a faint blue glow hovering in front of him, just out of reach.

<System Online.>

The words appeared on the hovering screen, cryptic and enigmatic. Kael blinked in surprise, his mind struggling to comprehend what he was seeing. Was this some kind of illusion, a trick played by the Orcarok to further torment him?

<System Booting.>

The screen blinked, and a series of unfamiliar symbols danced across the surface. Kael couldn't make sense of the language, and he felt a mix of curiosity and unease. It was as if he had stumbled upon something ancient and forbidden.

<System Activation Complete.>

<Skill Unlocked - Extremely Common: Inspect>

Kael watched as a new prompt appeared on the screen, detailing the skill that had just been unlocked. Inspect, it said, but there was no further explanation. He reached out tentatively, trying to touch the screen, but his hand passed right through it, as if the system were an intangible illusion.

Unsettled, Kael withdrew his hand and focused on the words that had appeared before him.

<Inspect - Extremely Common: Surface level information about an item or person.>

The description offered little insight, but it was apparent that the skill was meant to provide some form of insight. Kael wondered if he could use it to learn more about the crystal that had granted him its power. He focused on the glowing crystal he had absorbed, and willed the skill to activate.

<Inspecting...>

To his disappointment, nothing happened. The skill remained silent, unable to provide any additional information about the crystal. It seemed that at his current level, the skill could only offer surface-level details, and he already knew what the crystal did. He decided to try it later when he had more experience and skill points to invest.

As Kael pondered the strange system before him, another prompt appeared on the screen.

<Skill Unlocked - Extremely Common: Danger Detection>

The words startled him, and he looked around cautiously, half-expecting an attack from an unseen foe. But there was no immediate danger, and the prompt offered some solace.

<Danger Detection - Extremely Common: Shows locations with extreme levels of danger that could end your life.>

The description was straightforward, and Kael understood that the skill would help him avoid deadly situations. It could be a valuable asset in this treacherous place, where danger lurked around every corner.

The blue screen vanished, leaving Kael in darkness once more. He felt a strange mix of relief and trepidation. The system seemed to offer him a source of power and knowledge, but it also felt alien and unpredictable. He couldn't help but wonder where it had come from and what its true purpose was.

For the next few days, Kael tried to use the Danger Detection skill to assess his surroundings. It proved helpful, guiding him away from potential dangers and allowing him to avoid confrontations with the Orcarok overseers. However, it did little to change the harsh reality of his enslavement.

As the days turned into weeks, Kael continued to toil in the mines, using the system's skills to survive and endure. But the Absorb skill remained dormant, seemingly unchanged.

The percentage on the Absorb skill remained at 0.00%, leaving him wondering about its true potential. The enigmatic skill offered no clues, and Kael knew that it would take time and experience to fully grasp its capabilities.

As he endured the relentless suffering, Kael found solace in the system—a mysterious companion that offered him strength and insight in a world of darkness and despair. He knew he was far from free, but he also knew that he was no longer entirely helpless.

The blue screen remained a silent observer, guiding him discreetly as he navigated the treacherous path of survival. Kael had no idea where this journey would lead him, but he felt a sense of determination growing within him, fueled by the enigmatic system that had chosen him as its wielder.

He wondered what would happen when he finally absorbed another crystal. Would the system react, granting him more power and insight? The uncertainty both excited and concerned him. He knew he had to be cautious, for the Orcarok would show no mercy if they discovered the true source of his newfound strength.

Kael decided to test the Absorb skill on a glowing crystal he had found during his labor in the mines. The crystal pulsed with an ethereal energy, its glow mesmerizing and otherworldly. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating the consequences of his actions, but the allure of the system's power was too tempting to resist.

<Absorb - 0.00% : ???>

He stretched out his hand and touched the crystal, and to his amazement, it disintegrated before his eyes, flowing into him like a river of light. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and he felt a subtle change within. But as the crystal dissolved into him, Kael's worry shifted to someone else seeing this spectacle. He quickly looked around, but it was as if he was the only one who could see the system.

<You have Absorbed Glowing Crystal. You have gained 50 EXP.>

The prompt appeared on the screen, confirming that he had successfully absorbed the crystal and gained experience in the process. Kael was relieved that no one else had noticed the event, but he also couldn't shake the feeling that the system was a closely guarded secret—one he must protect at all costs.

Days turned into weeks, and Kael continued to use the system's skills to navigate the hardships of his captivity. The Inspect skill, while still limited, proved helpful in understanding the properties of various items he came across. The Danger Detection skill had saved him from countless perilous situations, allowing him to avoid the deadliest corners of the mines.

Yet, the Absorb skill remained enigmatic, its purpose shrouded in mystery. Each time Kael encountered a glowing crystal, he couldn't resist the temptation to absorb it, hoping that it would unveil more of its hidden potential. However, the percentage on the skill remained stubbornly unchanged.

During one particularly grueling day in the mines, Kael stumbled upon a cache of glowing crystals, scattered amidst the rocks and rubble.

<You have Absorbed Glowing Crystal. You have gained 50 EXP.>

The prompt appeared once more, indicating that he had absorbed the crystal and gained more experience. Kael felt a glimmer of hope—perhaps the Absorb skill was gradually unlocking its potential, evolving with each crystal he consumed.

As the days turned into months, Kael's bond with the enigmatic system grew stronger. He had become reliant on its skills, relying on them to survive in this brutal world of slavery and hardship. The system remained a silent companion, always present yet never intrusive.

However, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that the system held even greater secrets—ones that were waiting to be unlocked. The Absorb skill, in particular, seemed to hint at untold power, its mysterious description teasing him with its enigmatic nature.

Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Kael knew one thing for certain: this system had chosen him, and he would embrace its gifts, unlocking its full potential to navigate this treacherous world and, ultimately, reclaim his freedom.