Levelling up

Ignoring the descriptions and system pop-ups that came after I got the item, I couldn't help but smile... finally, I've gotten my first unique item.

Not to mention the generosity the system has given me, as it gave a bonus of 10 points even though I didn't really level up.

In the game, bonus points were only achieved if you completed a mission for the first time or if you've beaten a record, so seeing it pop out now wasn't that surprising.

But still, because of my dumb zero-level luck, I had thought the system would be merciless with me. But I guess not?

Anyways, looking at the two beautiful silver earrings with sapphire gemstones embedded inside it, I held onto the item and hurriedly put it on my ears.

As they settled into place, a faint, tingling sensation washed over me, like a gentle breeze whispering secrets from distant realms.

It was a curious feeling, one that hinted at the latent power hidden within these seemingly ordinary trinkets.

I glanced around, half-expecting some dramatic transformation to occur, but everything remained as it was.

No sudden surge of energy, no blinding flash of light. Just me, standing there in the dimly lit room, adorned with a pair of exquisite earrings that seemed to pulse with a subtle, almost imperceptible glow.

But as I reached up to touch them, a strange sensation washed over me. It was as if time itself had slowed, the world around me grinding to a halt as I stood there, frozen in place.

At first, I thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me, but then I realized... it was the earrings.

Not long after the world started moving once more.

I guess the effects are true for now... although that was probably just a freebie to show me the effects, as in reality, I don't have the mana yet to effectively use such an item.

Still, the notion of possessing something so rare and powerful filled me with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Although I don't have a mirror right now, luckily, I wasn't new to piercings. Memories of my mother's meticulous grooming sessions flooded back to me.

She always insisted on dressing me up as a child, adorning me with an array of accessories fit for nobility.

While she reasoned it was to accustom me to a future life of luxury, I knew she simply delighted in the act of dressing me up like a doll.

Finally, locking the two earrings between my ears, I wished I had a mirror right now to see if they fit my image properly.

But even without one, I could envision how they might look.

The beautiful earrings, with their sparkling blue sapphires, would undoubtedly complement my features.

With my piercing blue eyes, they'd likely enhance my appearance, adding a touch of elegance and mystique.

[Equipped Item: Tears of Chronos (Unique)]

[Note: Added skill - Time dilation]

[Effects: Movement slow: 50%]

[Note: Mana consumption 10 per sec]

Even the effects were at an all-time display, a constant reminder of the extraordinary power held within the Tears of Chronos.

The allure of testing their capabilities on my own tugged at my curiosity, but alas, without sufficient mana, I couldn't unleash their full potential.

Opening my status screen, I surveyed my current specs for now:

[Status info:]

[Riley Hell]

[Race: Human]

[Level-17]

[Strength: D] [10/50]

[Agility: D] [0/50]

[Endurance: D] [0/50]

[Luck: 0] [Invalid… Error!]

[Power D] [0/50]

[Skill info….]

[Skill - Time dilation]

[Effects: Movement slow: 50%]

[Note: Mana consumption 10 per sec]

[Special abilities]

[Crazy Magnet]

[Description: Evil people will have a certain liking to you]

[Overview: A person who's fated to be surrounded with happiness ???]

[Available ability points: 10]

Looking at my spec right now, truly it was still shit... even the overview became shittier than ever, what's up with the question marks this time?

But with this unique item, I can probably have an easier time putting on an act for the upcoming fight tomorrow.

The only problem was my power stat, which holds the mana in my being. It was the source stat for mana recovery, mana efficiency, and mana output.

In short, it was the very stat that allowed players to go into a more magic-based build... and the thing I really needed right now in order to even remotely use this unique item properly.

Clicking on my name on the system screen, it expanded the hidden details from the summary:

[Riley Hell]

[Race: Human]

[Hp: 1,500]

[Mp: 50]

Truly pathetic, haha….

Even though my power stat started at D, the absurdity of the amount I got was truly something stupid... Lucas with a D status in power would have 300+ mana already... truly some characters are built different.

As I stared at the screen, a sense of frustration bubbled within me.

How was I supposed to compete with the power houses of this world when my resources were so pitifully low?

It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I was always one step behind, and no matter what I do I'll always get the ending fate has written to for me.

At most, I could only use time dilation for 5 seconds max right now, with my mana recovery speed at an all-time low as well.

I would probably be good as dead if I ever got into a situation where it involved a battle of attrition.

I just had to avoid things like that... for now. I better level up to make use of what I got.

I just needed 40 more stat points to upgrade my power stat from D to C, and as a veteran gamer, I knew just the location to abuse the heck out of this game world...

[Goblins Sewers] [(Dungeon)]

[Rank: E]

I'm sorry, Lucas, you were supposed to farm the mobs there, but seeing as they aren't part of your main scenario, they're mine for the taking.

After having a new plan in mind, I went out of the library with a hidden smile tugging at my face... but as I went out, I could feel a presence staring at me...

Looking back, I tried to see who it was, but to my surprise, there was no one except for the people reading at the tables...

'Did I just imagine things?'

….

Underneath the bustling streets of Arken, the largest commercial district of the academy, lies a fairly large manhole.

Nestled in a not-so-well-known part of the dark alleyways, this entrance to the depths below sees only a handful of visitors intentionally or by chance.

Though to the casual observer it might appear like any other manhole scattered across the city streets, the mana it exudes is palpable, pulsing with energy even for someone with a low power level like me.

'Dungeon'

A hot spot for monsters where they can randomly spawn upon a certain period of time, and can only be stopped once you destroy the dungeon core hidden within its depths.

It was a place that borders the world and the dimension it was connected through… a place where their were only 2 ways to get out of, one was by passing the hidden test that lays within it, and second by destroying the dungeon's core hidden beneath it's very center.

In the game only Lucas was able to stumble upon this place as it was a surprise clean up quest intended for farming up Exp.

In the off chance you don't find out about the said dungeon, academy officials easily took care of the dungeon break that happened.

Haah… I almost got lost in the hazy maze-like alley ways but I'm finally here….

As I descend into the darkness, a thick musky foul smell assaults my senses, mingling with the dimly lit background of the narrow hallway.

It's just wide enough for me to properly hold my sword, the streaming dirty waters below passing through canals unseen, carrying with it the detritus of the city above.

Combined with the large cobwebs and unknown dirty substances coating the floor, this was truly the sewers I'd seen in the game.

Though it was described as the moist disgusting place by Lucas and others, actually experiencing it myself was rather dreadful.

[Goblins Sewers] [(Dungeon)]

[Rank: E]

[Progress: 1%]

As expected of a dungeon, I suppose?

Clutching my sword tightly, I scanned the dimly lit surroundings, my senses on high alert for any signs of imminent danger.

Yet, to my relief, the eerie silence of the dark place persisted, suggesting that the goblins remained oblivious to my presence—for now, at least.

It was a fortunate stroke of luck, considering my growing doubts about my ability to clear this foul-smelling labyrinth.

The odor hung heavy in the air, a nauseating reminder of the interconnectedness of all the cesspools in this underground network.

"Damn…" I muttered under my breath, feeling a twinge of frustration at my current predicament.

"I really should invest in leveling up my power stat and learning some wind spells to avoid situations like this in the future."

The eerie silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the distant drip of water and the faint echo of my footsteps.

In the game, the moment you crossed a certain threshold in this dark domain, goblins would swarm out in relentless waves, each wave more formidable than the last.

Dealing with individual goblins was a straightforward task—they were mere mobs, after all, with abysmal strength stats.

But their childlike intelligence and sheer numerical advantage posed a significant threat.

They can even hold onto dangerous weapons coated ion there very own feces, making them extra deadlier.

One wrong move could spell instant death, bringing the dreaded "game over" screen crashing down upon you.

In the game, you would only need to be attentive to the red eyes that glowed in the dark, as they were the telltale signs that a goblin was nearby.

So, as I walked forward, I made sure to watch every dark corner, scanning for any signs of those ominous red eyes watching me.

But there was none—not even the usual 'kekeke' laughter that echoed while they watched their prey.

What was going on?

[Goblins Sewers] [(Dungeon)]

Looking to my side, I could see the system screen popping out, indicating that I was really inside the dungeon.

And yet... why was there no monster here?