Levelling Up

"The Ruinous Path of Domination?" Nolan asked with a raised eyebrow.

While he might be fired up realizing the power he now possessed, he was still in control of his head and didn't let the adrenaline control him.

[Yes. The Ruinous Path of Domination. It means walking a path to be the absolute strongest, usually by clearly dominating others!] the system said as Nolan's eyes flashed.

"Then why is it called ruinous though?" he asked.

Essentially, it was just being stronger than others, and should simply be called the Path of Domination.

So why was there the need to add 'Ruinous'?

[Because, out of the 100 people who say they want to achieve the path, none would reach it.

Out of the thousands, only one will reach it. The others will die on the journey. It is a ruinous path.

Do you understand now?] the system explained, and Nolan nodded.

[I don't know if I want to risk everything walking such a path. There's basically less than a 2% chance of even achieving it.

I just want to be free and not be held under constraint. I don't know about dominating everything in existence though,] Nolan reasoned clearly.

Truly, all he wanted to do right now was to regain freedom, deal with those who had harmed his body, and eventually retire, living his life peacefully, free from the burdens of the world.

It was as simple as that.

As for walking a path where very few people ever succeed, he wasn't sure about that.

[You will never be free if you're not the strongest! That's a fact you'll learn soon.]

[That said, you've just completed a system quest. Check out the rewards you've been given,] the system said to him as Nolan remembered the notification he had received upon completing the quest.

Quickly, he noticed the red light beam at the side of the panel and focused on it. It bloomed right in front of him.

[Congratulations on successfully completing the quest and learning of the God King system potential!]

[You currently have a free level-up card and 100 EXP!]

[System Interface]

[Name: Nolan Gottschald]

[Sacred Name: God's Slave]

[Title:??]

[Age: 16]

[Level: 1]

[Class: ??]

[EXP: 100/100]

"Does Host wish to level up?" the system asked, and Nolan furrowed his eyebrows.

If leveling up was what he thought it to be, then that's the only thing he wanted to do right now.

"Yes!"

[Congratulations on Host successfully leveling up to Level 2]

[You have been awarded +10 Attribute Points]

[Total Attribute Points: 10]

[Level Up Cards: 1]

"Does Host wish to use the Level Up card?"

'Why would I keep it?'

"Yes!" he said out loud, and instantly, the panel flickered.

[Congratulations. Host has successfully leveled up to Level 3]

[+10 Attribute Points Obtained]

[Total Attribute Points: 20]

[Attributes]

[Strength: 7]

[Agility: 5]

[Perception: 6]

[Charm: 4]

[Intelligence: 12]

[Attribute Points: 20]

[How does Host wish to distribute Attribute Points?] the AI voice resounded.

[Go ahead, make your choice.]

The system said to him as Nolan's eyebrows furrowed.

Right now, all of his stats were incredibly low, and he had 20 attribute points.

How should he even distribute them?

"Can you help me out?" Nolan suddenly asked the system, and his eyes widened in surprise.

[I can't do that. It's against my protocol. I can only watch you choose and later curse you if you choose wrong or right.

But in the moment, I can't help distribute stat points.] The system revealed its first weakness to Nolan.

And that was, though it might look bossy and seem to be the one in control, it couldn't make his choices for him.

And in a way, Nolan tragically loved that.

"Then I'll distribute them based on my current needs."

"According to what that guy said, Quinn would have learned that I am still alive and will come for me once more.

If that happens, then I'm not sure I will get lucky again.

He'd probably try to get rid of me as soon as he lays eyes on me after making me go through the most heinous pain in this world."

"And the basic Celestial Heirs would have at least 20 in strength."

"So I will opt to put my points into the strength tab to make sure I am at least just as strong as a normal Celestial Heir."

"At least that will give me enough power to at least fight back and not get easily injured." He mused, convincing himself he made the right choice before ultimately deciding.

"Add 13 points to strength, and add the remaining points to agility!" Nolan ordered and immediately collapsed onto his knees as he felt an extremely hot liquid passing through his veins, causing him to lay down paralyzed.

Cold sweat quickly covered his body, and his entire body turned red!

"GRRRRRHHHHH" A groan of pain escaped his lips as his teeth clenched together from the pain.

[Seriously, just since when have you last increased your strength. Your body is so attuned to your weakness and fighting against the fact that it is growing strong.]

[This is the biggest joke I have ever seen. Hmph, as expected of a peasant.]

Instead of words of encouragement, the system only mocked him, but Nolan didn't have time for its words as he simply tried to make sure the pain didn't drive him mad.

But after 5 minutes, he finally stopped clenching his teeth as he felt an incredibly cool aura that made him loudly moan in satisfaction.

[Congratulations, attribute points have been inputted]

[Attributes]

[Strength: 20]

[Agility: 12]

[Perception: 6]

[Charm: 4]

[Intelligence: 12]

[Attribute Points: 0]

"Congratulations, you have as much strength as the ordinary Celestial Heir. Now go and clean off the impurities extracted," the system said as Nolan's nose perked up and his face instantly scrunched up in discomfort.

Looking at his body, he could see gooey dark solid that made him immediately jump up from where he stood and ran towards the toilet.

But unknown to Nolan, the furniture ground creakily under his steps, something that had never happened before...