The First Step Forward
The first rays of dawn crept into my room, illuminating the message still hovering in my vision: [Current status: Foundation Tier, Level 1. Origin Points: 0/30 needed to level up.]
After the previous night, I knew one thing for sure—the Absolute Creator system was real, and it was offering me a way forward. I'd spent years stuck at Foundation Tier, Level 1, so close to leveling up and yet never able to break through. But now… with 30 Origin Points, it could finally happen.
I took a breath and let the thought settle. "Alright, system," I muttered, steadying myself. "What exactly do I need to get those points?"
The system's answer was instant, like it had been waiting for me.
[Ways to Earn Origin Points: Completing quests, performing physical cultivation exercises, achieving new insights during meditation, defeating beasts and other powerful beings. Origin Point rewards increase with the strength of the opponent.]
I read the words carefully, feeling my pulse quicken at the last part. Defeating beasts or "other powerful beings" would earn me Origin Points, and the stronger they were, the bigger the reward. It was tempting. If I wanted to earn points faster, fighting stronger creatures could be the answer.
But I couldn't ignore the risks. I'd barely survived against Eldran's guard, Carris, and I was only at the first level of Foundation Tier. A monster even slightly stronger than me could crush me in seconds. This wasn't a decision to take lightly.
"Alright, let's try something simpler first," I muttered, deciding to focus on the safer tasks for now. Meditation and training had earned me some points last time. I'd start there and only go after monsters if I had no other choice.
---
I made my way to the training hall, feeling a strange sense of determination. The place was empty, with the usual wooden dummies lined along the walls and a few basic practice weapons scattered across the floor. It was quiet, just the way I liked it. No audience, no one to judge my progress or lack thereof.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I focused on the system's energy pulsing faintly within me. The sensory enhancement from last night was still there, humming beneath the surface. For once, meditation didn't feel like an empty task—it felt like I was tapping into something real.
As I focused, the system chimed with a message.
[Quest received: Achieve a new level of insight through meditation. Reward: 5 Origin Points.]
Perfect. If it worked last time, maybe it would work again. I sat down cross-legged, my breathing steady as I closed my eyes and let myself fall into the silence.
At first, it was the usual, empty quiet. But gradually, a warmth began to build in my core, like a flickering ember growing brighter. I focused on that feeling, letting it expand, letting it become something more. The warmth spread through me, reaching my limbs, my senses. It was subtle, but I could feel it—a small spark of energy, of focus, that felt sharper than anything I'd known before.
And then, the message appeared.
[Quest complete: Achieve insight through meditation. Reward: 5 Origin Points.]
I opened my eyes, feeling a faint smile tugging at my lips. Five points, just like that. The system wasn't kidding about rewarding effort, and if I kept this up, I could hit the 30-point mark before I knew it.
"Alright," I whispered, feeling a spark of hope. "One step at a time."
---
Over the next hour, I threw myself into training, following a series of movements I'd been drilled on for years. My punches were sharper, my steps more balanced, and I felt my body moving in ways it hadn't before. It was as if the system was pushing me, feeding me strength with each completed task.
Each strike, each block, brought me closer to that breakthrough I'd been chasing for so long. And as I finished the last set, the system rewarded me again.
[Quest complete: Foundational movement drills. Reward: 5 Origin Points.]
With the points from meditation and training, I was already at 10 Origin Points. A third of the way there. It was a small step, but it was real progress.
Then, just as I was starting to feel confident, the system displayed a new message.
[Higher Origin Points are available through battle against beasts and other beings. Stronger foes provide greater rewards.]
I paused, considering the words carefully. It was tempting. A few powerful opponents, and I could hit 30 points in no time. But I wasn't delusional; facing beasts was a risk, and if I underestimated them, I'd pay the price. I'd been beaten down before—I knew my limits, and right now, Foundation Level 1 wouldn't take me far in a real fight.
But still… the thought wouldn't leave my mind. It was like a whisper, promising me the power I'd always wanted, if only I was willing to reach out and take it.
"Maybe just a small one," I muttered, glancing toward the forest. A lower-level beast would still give me some points, and if I was careful, it could be a good way to test myself.
---
I left the training hall, heading into the forest with my dagger at the ready. The trees closed in around me, their shadows stretching across the path as the wind rustled through the leaves. The forest was quiet, almost too quiet, and I kept my senses sharp, listening for any sign of movement.
Then, a rustling sound caught my attention, and I spotted a small creature—a boar-like beast, not particularly large, but enough to test my strength. Its eyes glinted as it stared me down, its tusks gleaming in the faint light.
'Alright, system,' I thought, gripping my dagger. 'Let's see if you're worth it.'
The beast charged, and I sidestepped, feeling the faint pulse of the system's energy guiding me. My senses felt sharper, my reflexes quicker, like the system was feeding me just enough strength to keep me on my toes.
I lunged, slashing toward the beast's side, but it twisted, dodging my strike with surprising speed. I barely managed to dodge its tusks, feeling the air rush past my arm. But I wasn't backing down. I circled it, waiting for an opening, and then struck again, this time catching it across the flank.
The beast let out a sharp squeal, stumbling as it tried to recover. I didn't give it the chance. With one final lunge, I drove my dagger into its side, feeling a surge of satisfaction as it fell to the ground, defeated.
A message appeared in my vision.
[Quest complete: Defeat a beast. Reward: 10 Origin Points.]
10 points. That one fight had given me as much as an hour of meditation and training combined. I stared down at the fallen creature, a mix of pride and disbelief settling over me. If I could take on more beasts, if I could keep this up…
No. I couldn't get ahead of myself. The points were good, but I'd earned them through a calculated risk. I'd need to be careful, to stay in control if I wanted to keep pushing forward without losing myself.
But as I made my way back to the estate, a familiar message appeared in my vision.
[Current status: Foundation Tier, Level 1. Origin Points: 30/30 needed to level up to Foundation Tier, Level 2.]
30 points. I'd done it. I'd actually done it.
[Level Up Available: Foundation Tier, Level 1 → Level 2.]
I barely registered the words as the energy surged through me, building until it felt like my very core was igniting. My muscles tensed, my senses sharpened, and a new strength settled into me, filling every inch of my body.
For a moment, I could only sit there, breathing hard as the realization sank in. I'd actually broken through. After all the years of failure, the endless struggle, I'd finally done it. A wave of emotion hit me, raw and unexpected, and I felt a strange lump in my throat.
"Thank you," I whispered, half to myself, half to the system. I couldn't trust it completely, but it had given me something I'd thought I'd never have—a real chance. And for that, I was grateful.
[Current status: Foundation Tier, Level 2. Origin Points: 0/50 needed to level up to Foundation Tier, Level 3.]
The words hung in my vision, but this time, the numbers didn't scare me. This was only the beginning, and I was ready for whatever came next.