Chapter 4: Levelling Up.

Advanced chapters on P@treon.com/Rentakun.

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"This place... It's like Undead Burg," I muttered, as a flood of memories from countless failed attempts in *Dark Souls* resurfaced. The setting was uncanny in its resemblance, right down to the oppressive, decayed atmosphere. Except now, the once pixelated horror was a fully immersive reality, and the stench of death permeated the air, adding an unwelcome layer of authenticity. Standing atop one of the ancient ramparts, I took in the eerily familiar surroundings. The backdrop stirred something in me, but I couldn't quite place it—a déjà vu from a different lifetime, perhaps.

A faint shuffling behind me snapped me out of my reverie. I turned to see one of those slow, lumbering zombies—an enemy I knew all too well. Its sluggish movement, a deceptive prelude to a sudden lunge, was something I'd faced a thousand times before. But now, everything moved at a crawl, as if time itself was bending to my will. Was it my heightened reflexes or my boosted Intelligence? Perhaps both. The clarity of my Gamer Mind kept me calm, where once I might have panicked and made a fool of myself.

Instead of reacting rashly, I simply stepped aside and delivered a precise kick to the zombie's midsection, sending it plummeting over the edge of the rampart.

*CRITICAL HIT = 869 X 7.5 = 6517 Damage dealt to Hollowed Undead*

*10 XP gained*

*Through continued use, the skill 'Kicking LV1' has been created.*

*Kicking (LV1):*

*The amateur technique of inflicting damage using one's legs. Governs proper kicking technique, preventing you from looking like an idiot.*

*Effects:*

*+10% Damage with leg-based attacks.*

*+10% Stability when kicking.*

The creature was no match for me—its movements too slow, its strength too feeble. There was no need to waste time with an observation skill when the outcome was so assured. My mind raced with possibilities: perhaps I should seek out something more challenging, something that could truly test my abilities. For now, though, there were more of these undead abominations lumbering my way. I decided to make the most of the opportunity.

With a burst of speed, I charged towards the nearest target but miscalculated, overshooting my mark and nearly toppling off the rampart. My speed was overwhelming—impressive, yet unwieldy. While I knew I wasn't on the level of someone like Flashy Flash, I was still faster than most beings I'd ever encounter. Taking a more measured approach, I slowed down, moving with deliberate caution towards the advancing skeletons, waiting for the right moment to strike.

One of the skeletons obliged by lunging at me, and I stepped back, delivering a punch that stopped just short of its target.

*Air Punch = 869 X 1.5 X 0.1 = 130 Damage dealt to Hollowed Undead*

*10 XP gained*

The skeleton disintegrated on impact, leaving behind only a puff of dust. I turned to the remaining three and, this time, unleashed a series of kicks, each strike slicing through bone with surgical precision.

*Air Kick = 869 X 1.65 X 0.1 = 143 Damage dealt to Hollowed Undead*

*10 XP gained*

*Air Kick = 869 X 1.65 X 0.1 = 143 Damage dealt to Hollowed Undead*

*10 XP gained*

*Air Kick = 869 X 1.65 X 0.1 = 143 Damage dealt to Hollowed Undead*

*10 XP gained*

*The skill 'Kicking LV1' has increased to 'Kicking LV2'.*

*Kicking (LV2):*

*An improved technique for inflicting damage using one's legs.*

*Effects:*

*+15% Damage with leg-based attacks.*

*+15% Stability when kicking.*

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. "Looks like I'm leveling up my kicks quite nicely," I thought. "Maybe I'll be that guy who fights with his hands in his pockets the entire time." The fallen enemies dissolved, leaving behind small piles of coins. Not entirely unexpected, given the Gamer mechanics at play. While I had no intention of amassing a fortune, a few coins picked up here and there wouldn't hurt. I pocketed the seventy-three Yen left behind and set out to find stronger prey.

---

This dungeon was definitely inspired by *Dark Souls*, but it wasn't an exact replica. I dodged backward as a massive club, wielded by a towering skeleton of mismatched bones, slammed into the ground where I'd been standing.

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**Vengeful Bones**

*Cursed Collection of Carcasses*

**Species:** Monster

**Health:** 18,436/44,631 (HP Regen: 126 per minute)

**Mana:** 0 (MP Regen: 0 per minute)

**STR:** 226

**VIT:** 223

**DEX:** 126

**INT:** 51

**WIS:** 41

**LUK:** 12

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A quick observation revealed the skeletal behemoth's stats. Despite its immense health, it was inferior to me in every other way. Its massive HP was likely due to a combination of its level and Vitality, nothing I couldn't handle. I launched a kick at the towering pile of bones, redirecting the force of my attack to splinter hundreds of bones at once.

*CRITICAL KICK = 869 X 8.25 = 7169 Damage dealt to Vengeful Bones*

*Due to the unique nature of the being, the damage is capped at 5637.*

It seemed that once a bone absorbed a certain amount of damage, it shattered, and any excess force was wasted. Still, with my ability to channel the force of my kicks, I could deal significant damage. Ideally, an area-of-effect attack would be more efficient, but I had yet to develop one.

*Through continued use, the skill 'Dodging LV1' has been created.*

*Dodging (LV1):*

*The art of avoiding damage by not being hit in the first place. Proper application of this skill can evade anything from punches to energy blasts.*

*Effects:*

*+3% Chance to dodge when aware of the source and direction of an attack.*

"If all fights are this easy, I won't be able to sharpen my skills," I mused. But this was only the first dungeon, and I hadn't even reached its end. The skeletal creature swung its club again, and I sidestepped, launching myself upwards. Using Angel's Grace, I soared towards the conglomeration of bones that vaguely resembled a head. I landed on it, feeling the individual bones attempt to latch onto my foot before I vaulted higher, unleashing a barrage of Air Kicks as I descended into the mass of bones.

*CRITICAL KICK = 869 X 8.25 X 0.1 = 717 Damage dealt to Vengeful Bones*

*Due to the unique nature of the being, the damage is capped at 522.*

*Air Kick = 869 X 1.65 X 0.1 = 143 Damage dealt to Vengeful Bones*

*Air Kick = 869 X 1.65 X 0.1 = 143 Damage dealt to Vengeful Bones*

The notifications flooded my vision, and I mentally shut off the damage calculations as the ground beneath me crumbled, the bones reduced to powder by my relentless assault.

---

*5850 XP gained*

*You have gained 5 Levels.*

*Boss Monster Vengeful Bones has been defeated.*

*For defeating your first boss of the Undead Dungeon, you have received the Skill: Terror of the Dead.*

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**Terror of the Dead (LV1):** *Gained upon defeating Greater Undead.*

*All living things instinctively fear death. By conquering the undead, you have gained the ability to instill this fear in others. Against those with strong willpower or greater strength, the effect is reduced.*

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Did the real King conquer this dungeon? I wondered if I could use this skill to avoid fighting in front of others until it was absolutely necessary. There's something about revealing abilities too soon that ruins the mystery. Like Saitama's secret: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and a 10-kilometer run every day. The truth was so anticlimactic, yet no answer could have been satisfying.

The unknown, the unseen—that's what stirs fear and curiosity. Nothing kindles the imagination like an unsolved mystery, and nothing destroys it like the cold truth. I'd never reveal the secret of the Gamer, even if it meant risking my life. I'd build myself up, a figure as enigmatic as I was powerful.

"I'm talking to myself again," I realized with a sigh. My parents had said they'd be gone for about an hour, and only twenty-five minutes had passed. That left me with twenty more minutes to play around with my newfound speed and strength.

I stretched, feeling my muscles loosen. I'd gained several levels, and though my stats hadn't skyrocketed, my body felt stronger, more attuned. I didn't bother inspecting my status screen—there was no time to waste. If I remembered correctly, there was supposed to be a dragon in this area, though in this undead-themed dungeon, it would likely be an undead dragon.

I gathered the remaining items dropped by the skeleton—a cumbersome club and a small pile of Yen—before setting out to find the dragon.