The Calm Before the Storm

Mark opened his eyes, lying on the cold floor of the rest area. The oppressive silence contrasted sharply with the deafening chaos of the battle he had just survived. His body was covered in dried blood, his clothes tattered, but he was breathing. He was alive.

[[Recovery in progress. All injuries are healing. Fatigue reduced by 100%.]]

A soothing warmth spread through his body, easing the pain and sealing the invisible wounds across his skin. Slowly, he sat up, his breath finally steadying.

— I survived... he murmured, still in disbelief.

Before him, floating notifications shimmered like fireflies.

[[First Floor Rewards:]]

+10 Constitution

+5 Strength

500 Credits

Lost Compass (Special Item)

Mark frowned. A compass? He reached out and grabbed the object, a small black compass with a golden needle that spun slowly before fixing in one direction.

"Xi, what is this compass?"

[The Lost Compass always points toward the nearest exit or a designated objective. It can also detect safe zones and resource caches.]

Mark examined the object closely, fascinated. A survival tool like this was invaluable in such a merciless world. He slipped it into his pocket, vowing never to lose it.

[Status Updated]

Species: Human Humanoid

Age: 17

Physical Condition: Optimal

[Physical Stats]

Strength: 13 → 18

Agility: 14

Constitution: 16 → 26

Charisma: 2

[Mental Stats]

Intelligence: 9

Perception: 3 → 5

Luck: 4

[[Skill Points Available: 10]]

Mark examined his status, impressed. He had survived hell and emerged stronger. Without hesitation, he distributed his points:

+5 Agility → 14 → 19

+3 Strength → 18 → 21

+2 Perception → 5 → 7

A shiver ran down his spine as his muscles tightened and his senses sharpened.

"Xi, how long until the next floor?"

[The next floor will be accessible in 12 hours. Use this time to rest and prepare.]

Mark nodded. For the first time since arriving, he could finally breathe.

8 Hours Later

Lying on the smooth floor, Mark stared at the empty ceiling, his thoughts adrift. The adrenaline had subsided, giving way to questions he had avoided.

— Why us? Why were humans integrated if we're just a secondary species?

"Xi, what exactly is the D.M.U.? Who chose the participants?"

[Your authority level is insufficient to access this information.]

Mark grunted. That damned answer again. But he had learned one thing: persistence.

— I have to get stronger. The higher I climb, the more answers I'll find.

He sat up, determined. He had survived the impossible. He would survive what came next.

Suddenly, the compass vibrated lightly in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw the needle shift direction.

"Xi? Why is it moving?"

[A new safe zone has been detected. Approach to learn more.]

Intrigued, Mark followed the needle to a small altar at the center of the room, previously invisible.

On the altar, a pale blue crystal glowed faintly.

[[Would you like to spend 100 credits to analyze the altar?]]

Without hesitation, Mark confirmed.

[[Analyzing...]]

[Preparation Altar: Grants a temporary bonus for the next floor. Choose one:]

Enhanced Endurance (+20% stamina)

Accelerated Regeneration (faster healing of minor injuries)

Improved Precision (+10% critical hit chance)

Mark thought for a moment. After the rat ordeal, endurance seemed crucial.

"Enhanced Endurance."

[[Choice confirmed. Bonus active for the next floor.]]

The crystal disintegrated, leaving a soft light that enveloped Mark.

— I'm ready.

[Time Remaining: 03:00:00]

Mark stood at the center of the room, but a thought crossed his mind.

"Xi, open the shop."

[[Opening shop...]]

The screen split into categories:

Equipment – Weapons, armor, accessories.

Skills – Active and passive techniques.

Consumables – Potions, food, single-use items.

Bloodlines – Genetic enhancements (locked).

He clicked on Bloodlines, curious.

[[Access denied. Level 10 required.]]

— Of course... he sighed.

He switched to the Equipment section, browsing available items. Daggers, reinforced boots, light armor.

One item caught his eye: Reinforced Gloves (+3 Strength) for 300 credits.

[Reinforced Gloves]

Price: 300 credits

Description: Sturdy gloves made from reinforced fiber. Lightweight and flexible, increasing physical strength by 3 points.

"Perfect. I'll take it."

[[Purchase confirmed. Reinforced Gloves equipped.]]

His hands tingled as the gloves materialized around his fingers. Light, solid, perfect.

Mark browsed further. Some items were affordable, but others had absurd price tags.

[Spectral Echo Armor] – Price: 25,000 credits

An intangible armor that absorbs 30% of physical and magical damage. Leaves a phantom image to mislead enemies.

[Vorpal Sword] – Price: 40,000 credits

A blade so sharp it can cut through steel like butter. Increases critical hit chance by 50%.

But what truly stunned him were the Legendary items with astronomical prices.

[Ring of Absolute Dominion] – Price: 1,000,000 credits

Allows control of any creature of lower level. Duration: permanent while the ring is worn.

[Cloak of Infinite Void] – Price: 2,500,000 credits

Renders the user intangible for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute.

[Blade of Extinction] – Price: 10,000,000 credits

Each strike bypasses all defenses and deals pure damage. One use can obliterate an equivalent-level target.

[Skill: Hand of Creation] – Price: 50,000,000 credits

Materializes any imagined object, provided sufficient energy is available.

[Skill: Temporal Reset] – Price: 1,000,000,000 credits

Rewinds time by 10 seconds, retaining full awareness. Cooldown: 24 hours.

Mark froze. These prices… these abilities… were beyond comprehension.

— Who could ever afford this? he thought, awestruck.

He closed the shop, a mix of admiration and frustration swelling within him.

— One day, I'll afford these... One day.

He glanced at the compass. The needle still pointed toward the now-inactive altar.

[Time Remaining: 00:05:00]

Mark took a deep breath. The rest was over. The storm was coming.

[[Teleportation in progress…]]