Chapter 11 - Efficiency

Yuji takes a break and drinks some water.

'So far, I've only got my dual casting spell to level 4. This is way too slow. There has to be a better and more efficient way of leveling up my skills.'

Yuji leaves the dungeon and calls Ike. Ike picks up after a few seconds and questions Yuji.

"Yoooo, my man. Did the request go through?"

"Yeah. The blacksmith said it should be done in a few days."

"A few days?" Yuji frowned.

He wanted to get his item as soon as possible since he was planning a project, but it seems that it is going to have to be delayed.

"Oh well, no use complaining over it. Alright, let me know when it's finished."

"Okay."

Yuji hangs up and stretches his arms. Suddenly, he gets an idea.

"Hey…I should get that Creation skill that Jee-Han had. It was a game changer for him. I think I'll be ordering some clay, and in the meantime, I'll find a golem creation book"

Yuji orders some clay and hops on the Abyss website. Sure enough, a Golem creation book was there. He buys the book and walks back into his backyard before creating a zombie dungeon.

Yuji absorbs the book and creates his very own golem. Out from the ground was an earth golem, since it was only level 1, it wasn't very strong but it would be more useful as it levels up.

"Alright! It's time to begin leveling you up!"

With each step, the ground quaked as roots empowered its limbs. Its fists, encrusted with rock and moss, met the zombie horde with bone-crushing force. The golem's glowing eye scanned the throng as it pulverized bodies and shattered skulls. It plowed through the horde, creating shockwaves that toppled the zombies.

['Golem Creation' has leveled up by 3]

The golem continued to attack the horde of zombies, gaining exp.

"Nice! Like this, I'll be able to level my skill quickly!"

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In the heart of Kyoto, Japan, a mysterious event was unfolding. Six individuals, with identities shrouded in secrecy, sat at a roundtable.

Their host, known only as "Solace," appeared from the darkness, face veiled by a masquerade mask. A mysterious aura surrounded them, and their voice echoed like whispers from the void.

"Welcome, fellow Abyss members. It is excellent to meet you all."

Each of the six had been selected for their unique skills and talents, rumored to be masters in their respective fields, but little else was known about them. Among them was an enigmatic cult leader, an elusive mana engineer, a prodigious pyrokinesis-user, a brilliant strategist, a gifted blacksmith, and a renowned magician.

Solace continued, "You have been brought together by forces unseen, drawn by a shared affinity for mysteries and the desire to unlock the concealed truths of our world."

Throughout the gathering, the atmosphere remained charged with a sense of intrigue and intellectual pursuit. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls.

"So what, why did you exactly bring us here?" A white-haired person spoke up.

"Isn't it obvious? To bypass the laws of Gaia. As you know, our powers are weakened immensely when using them in the real world."

"And I'm getting that you want our help? Count me in."

Their conversations and plans continuously endlessly until nightfall. With a sense of serenity, Solace bid them farewell. Something was cooking up in Japan, and it was not good.

The six departed from the roundtable, walking into the darkness. They knew that the night's gathering had marked the beginning of something extraordinary, one that would lead them deeper into the mysteries that pervaded the world.

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Yuji took a seat against a wall, catching his breath. He reached for a water bottle and drank to replenish his energy, taking a short break. He had leveled up a couple of levels, but he was more focused on his skills.

"Ok, let's see how much I leveled up!"

He opens his skill list and scrolls through it, finding his two new skills. His Golem Creation skill was level 10, and his Creation skill is at level 5.

"Nice. They've leveled up quite a lot!"

[After detecting overwhelming bloodlust, you unlocked the skill: 'Detect Bloodlust']

"What the-"

Suddenly, he got an overwhelming feeling to look behind him. Quickly, he turned around, and there stood a man in a business suit, just smiling at him.

"How did you-!"

"Well, hello there, Tsutsumi Yuji."

"I prefer to just be called Yuji, but besides that, who are you and how do you know my name?" Sweat dripped down his face.

[Gamer's Mind takes effect]

Yuji took a deep breath, regaining his composure.

"Well, we've had an eye on you since your victory against Ike Takeshi."

Yuji scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. He couldn't see this guy's level. He was obviously bad news.

"So much for trying to keep it a secret....What do you want from me?"

The businessman pushed up his glasses.

"We don't understand what your ability is, but by your performance, we're sure it can help us."

"So what, you want to make a deal?"

"That is correct. We'll give you 10% of our resources, but you will have to do our requests, feasible requests of course."

Yuji puts his finger on his chin, thinking about it.

'Normally, 10% wouldn't be a lot, but the Abyss can't be compared normally. With 10% of resources, I'll be able to level up quickly. I just don't like that I'll have to do whatever they ask.'

"Could I have some time to think about it?" Yuji asked.

"Of course."

The businessman retrieved a jet-black cardholder and presented Yuji with a business card, exquisitely designed with gold embossing and a minimalist logo. Yuji accepted the card, feeling tense as he would have to make a choice in the future.

"When you're ready, dial us. See you soon."

Yuji looked back up and the businessman was gone.

"Well, that was not splendid."

(A/N: I know I promised three chapters but some things came up irl and I also had to re-read The Gamer so I could stick to the source. From now, no more due dates so I don't have to rush)