PASSAGE 17: METAMORPHOSIS
A sliver of sunlight, sharp as a blade, pierced through the gap in his curtains, dragging Alaric from the depths of sleep. With a groan, he cracked open his eyes, and a notification window materialized in front of him, courtesy of the ever-present Eye of Chronos. "New Message Received," it blared in bold letters.
Intrigued, Alaric swiped the notification open. The message was brief but impactful: "Please allocate your remaining attribute points to avoid potential loss of points. You have 20 remaining attribute points."
A jolt of energy shot through him. So, it really was like a video game! Not only did he receive a power boost with each level up, but he also got a pool of points to further customize his growth. A surge of excitement bubbled within him. Leveling up meant not just brute strength, but the freedom to tailor his abilities to his fighting style.
He shot out of bed, his newfound energy burning off the last vestiges of sleep. Without wasting a moment, he willed his info card to appear, eager to see the extent of his options. The card materialized, displaying his current stats in all their glory.
Alaric Cruz
Level: 10
Job Title: UNTOUCHED (Unrecognized Potential)
SKILLS
Temporal Breach (Lv. 1): A momentary tear in the fabric of time, creating a volatile passage between two points in the timestream. The potency and stability of this breach are directly tied to the wielder's level of experience. (2/2)
However, after each use, the weapon enters a 2-hour cooldown period before another temporal breach can be opened.
Void Hold (Lv. 1): It traps the essence of a captured target within a personal pocket dimension, effectively erasing them from the physical realm. Void Holds are prized by hunters and law enforcement for their ability to completely neutralize even the most powerful individuals. Capacity (2/10)
PASSIVE
Chronostalxis (Lv. 1): With the use of the Eye of Chronos, the player automatically collects the remaining life essence of the one they kill and turns it into experience.
PASSIVE SKILL 2: (Unrecognized)
ATTRIBUTES (Base + Growth)
Strength: 152 (100 + 52)
Agility: 104 (50 + 54)
Intelligence: 55 (30 + 25)
Resilience: 78 (40 + 38)
Insight: 50 (30 + 20)
Remaining Attribute Points: 20
A smirk played on Alaric's lips as he scanned his info card. Level 10 and already packing a serious punch. The bonus points were just the icing on the cake. Now came the real challenge – deciding how to mold his newfound power into the weapon he needed to conquer the Eye of Chronos.
A fire of determination ignited in Alaric's eyes as he scanned his attributes. Each number represented a piece of his potential, a stepping stone on his path to power. His mind drifted back to his childhood hero, Elias Hawk – the legendary S-Tier Reaper, a whirlwind of steel and fury who haunted the nightmares of rifters across the globe. Alaric had devoured every news article, every grainy video showcasing Elias's breathtaking speed and ruthless efficiency. The Reaper title wasn't just a rank – it was a symbol of unmatched agility and devastating precision.
A decision solidified within him. With a resolute nod, he allocated 10 of his precious attribute points to Agility. Reapers were renowned for their lightning-fast movements, a blur of blades carving a bloody swathe through enemy ranks. The remaining points presented a dilemma. More speed was tempting, but raw power and resilience were equally important for a Hunter venturing into the treacherous depths of the Eye of Chronos.
After a moment's deliberation, he split the remaining points evenly, allocating 5 to both Strength and Resilience. A surge of power coursed through him as the points materialized into tangible improvements. He felt lighter on his feet, his muscles humming with newfound vitality. A subtle thrumming resonated within his bones, a testament to his increased resilience.
A satisfied grin stretched across his face. This was just the beginning. With every level gained, every enemy vanquished, he would grow stronger, faster, more adaptable. And one day, perhaps, he wouldn't just be inspired by Elias Hawk – he might even surpass him. The Eye of Chronos awaited, a crucible ready to forge him into the Reaper he was destined to become.
Alaric looked once again in his profile card
Alaric Cruz
Level: 10
Job Title: UNTOUCHED (Unrecognized Potential)
SKILLS
Temporal Breach (Lv. 1): A momentary tear in the fabric of time, creating a volatile passage between two points in the timestream. The potency and stability of this breach are directly tied to the wielder's level of experience. (2/2)
However, after each use, the weapon enters a 2-hour cooldown period before another temporal breach can be opened.
Void Hold (Lv. 1): It traps the essence of a captured target within a personal pocket dimension, effectively erasing them from the physical realm. Void Holds are prized by hunters and law enforcement for their ability to completely neutralize even the most powerful individuals. Capacity (2/10)
PASSIVE
Chronostalxis (Lv. 1): With the use of the Eye of Chronos, the player automatically collects the remaining life essence of the one they kill and turns it into experience.
PASSIVE SKILL 2: (Unrecognized)
ATTRIBUTES (Base + Growth)
Strength: 157 (100 + 57)
Agility: 114 (50 + 64)
Intelligence: 55 (30 + 25)
Resilience: 83 (40 + 43)
Insight: 50 (30 + 20)
Remaining Attribute Points: 0
A self-satisfied grin stretched across Alaric's face as he admired his improved stats. The power coursing through him was undeniable, a testament to his newfound potential. But as his gaze lingered on his info card, a flicker of curiosity snagged his attention. Two sections remained shrouded in mystery – the locked passive skill and the blank job title.
Unable to quell his inquisitiveness, Alaric called out to Lumina. Her ethereal form shimmered into existence, a yawn escaping her lips as she rubbed sleep from her eyes. "What is it, Alaric?" she mumbled, her voice thick with drowsiness. "It's still early, can't this wait?"
"Sorry to bother you," he apologized, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "I just had some questions about my profile card." He pointed to the sections that piqued his interest.
Lumina's drowsiness instantly vanished, replaced by a spark of curiosity. "Oh! You've already unlocked your profile card," she exclaimed, flitting closer to take a peek. "Let's see here…"
She traced a finger down the information, her brow furrowing slightly. "Ah, right. When you level up, you don't just get stat boosts. You also gain skills – either active skills like Temporal Breach or Void Hold, or passive skills like Chronostalxis. It seems you're on the verge of unlocking another passive skill, but I can't say for certain what it will be. It depends on your growth and the path you choose within the Eye of Chronos."
Her gaze shifted to the blank job title. "As for this," she explained, a playful glint in her eyes, "that's a designation awarded based on your level and attribute distribution. The strengths you choose to cultivate will ultimately define your role as a Hunter. Who knows, maybe with your focus on agility, you'll indeed become the Reaper you admire so much."
A wave of excitement washed over Alaric. The path to becoming a legend like Elias Hawk suddenly felt more attainable. With careful planning and strategic use of his attribute points, he could forge his own destiny within the Eye of Chronos.
"Thanks, Lumina," he said, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "That explanation really helps."
Lumina winked. "No problem, Alaric. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need a little more beauty sleep. But remember," she added with a mischievous wag of her finger, "the choices you make now will shape the Hunter you become."
Alaric nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. The Eye of Chronos beckoned, and he was ready to answer its call. The journey to becoming a Reaper, a Harbinger of Time, had just begun.