| Chapter 008 | Prologue - I Summon Thy Drone

Leveling up brought a lot of changes into my status.

Everest observed the recently materialized bluish and translucent digital screen of his status with a tinge of intrigue. The changes were marginal, but they were alterations nonetheless. It was no wonder he felt somewhat stronger than before. 

The first status modification was his energy bar which increased from 100 to 130. He previously conjectured the association between the energy maximum quantity and the attributes of his status. It appears he was correct.

The associated attribute of my energy is fairly obvious.

Inside the attribute section, endurance represented 13 correlating to the energy bar's 130. To be honest, he expected the energy bar to be connected to intelligence. His reasoning originated from RPG systems, which paralleled intelligence and mana.

Assuming that mana and energy were the same was a faulty assurance to begin with. He wasn't playing a fantasy game, and the energy bar was evidently related to the stamina reserves of his body.

It was merely his bias which painted a false equivalence. 

At any rate, the 10 Natural Attributes adjusted his attributes based upon the given template of his class, Operator. The prioritized attribute amongst the six of them was Endurance. Following it was Intelligence and Wisdom. Last were Strength, Agility, and Dexterity. 

Even though the final three attributes were forsaken by the natural attributes, he wasn't against the template given to him. The reason was the importance of Endurance, Intelligence, and Wisdom.

Strength, Agility, and Dexterity were supporting attributes that aided survivors and lessened the danger of survival. However, Endurance, Intelligence, and Wisdom were multipliers that directly affect the survival capability of a survivor.

Endurance was the representative of stamina, vitality, and willpower. Intelligence constituted information gathering, knowledge storage, and skill application. Wisdom illustrated experience, understanding, judgment, and mastery.

From their personification alone, one would understand why they were considered to be vital to survival. These three attributes directly affected his chances of long-term survival.

But one cannot abandoned the importance of the three physical attributes. Perhaps, it was for this reason that he received the 5 Attribute Points which he could appoint to the following six attributes. 

10 Attributes should be the average for humanity. If I could go beyond 20 Attributes, I would be double of what a human could be. The moment I reach level 2, I could rival skilled and trained people with relative ease.

Everest was confident in his chances against the upcoming apocalypse that would consume the world by storm. However, he wasn't blind to the faults his current attributes present. 

These attributes were specially adept to long term survival, but it was also its shortcoming. 

The aberrants weren't to be underestimated. These monsters of the apocalypse were much faster and stronger than an ordinary human. They were the predators of humanity, and contending against them as a human was a foolish endeavor.

His physical attributes were lacking in comparison to the aberrants. He might be able to survive an encounter of one, although against a group? It would be no less than killing himself. 

Considering these reasons, Everest took a short yet deep breath. He could have min-max his attributes, but he wasn't playing an RPG game of some sort. This was real life, and he didn't have the interest experimenting with it. 

Place my attributes to agility...

He commanded to the system directive, understanding the complete consequences of his choice. The bluish and translucent digital screen of the status display vanished, replaced by the emergence of a notification screen.

Instead of completing his specialization and investing his attribute points to endurance, wisdom, and intelligence, he alternatively chose agility as the priority of attribute allocation.

[ Allocating 5 Attribute Points to Agility! ]

[ (11) Agility -> (16) Agility ]

Following the conclusion of the attribute allocation, he noticed his body increasing in temperature and ironically felt a cold chill in his spine. It somewhat reminded him of the horrendous leveling experience.

Thankfully, no torment came along the warmth, only a slight discomfort. 

Moreover, the heat embedded inside his body settled in no less than ten seconds. What accompanied him after was a strange sense of comfort along with an advancement in flexibility, speed, and acceleration.

It was enough to keep up with the pace of those dreadful monsters.

As Everest stretched his body in various directions, he perceived the discrete ease and unfamiliar comfort from each movement he made. It was as though a wet concrete had become an elastic rubber.

Maybe... For the first time in his entire life, he could, at last, execute a split maneuver, resembling a gymnastic practitioner of some kind. However, he'd rather not test it for now. 

Diverting his thoughts away from the maneuvers he could perform with the newly-gained agility and flexibility, he turned his attention to his status and wondered about the changes inside after the attribute allocation. 

Open status display.

[ Everest ]

-[ Energy : (130/130) ]-

-[ Class : Operator(★★★★) ]-

-[ Level 1 : ( 10/200 AXP ) ]-

-[ Attribute(s) ]-

--[ STR : 11 ]-[ END : 13 ]--

--[ AGI : 11->16 ]-[ DEX : 11]--

--[ INT : 12 ]-[ WIS : 12 ]--

--[ Attribute Point(s) : 0 ]--

-[ Skill Index ]-

-<[ Marksmanship(★★) ]>-

-<[ Close-Quarters Combat(★) ]>-

-[ Inventory ]-

-<[ Supply Crate ]>-

-<[ 2x Carts of Groceries ]>-

-<[ 4x Boxes of Bottled Water ]>-

-<[ 3x Bags of Hygiene Products and First-Aid ]>-

-<[ Bag of Canned Goods ]>-

-<[ 2x Glock-17 9mm ]>-

-<[ 4x Glock-17 Magazines ]>-

-<[ 2x Sheathed Knives ]>-

-<[ 3x Butterfly Knives ]>-

-<[ Suppressed Ruger Mark IV ]>-

-<[ 9x 22LR Magazines ]>-

-<[ Class Skill Card(★★★) ]>-

Other than the adjustment in attribute units, nothing much change, which he should have expected as he hadn't done anything other than attribute allocation. However, there was another reward that was bestowed upon him after leveling up.

It was the Class Skill Card(★★★) to which resided at the bottom of the inventory section.

Does leveling up give me Class Skill Cards? If it does, would I be able to receive skills with better rarity? Or could I also upgrade the class skill I have received from the card?

Everest wondered about the intricacies of the Class Skill Card, and its possible features embedded in the system. Although, he could modestly questioned the system directive about it.

A not-so-bad idea.

System, please inform me about the relationship between Class Skill Cards and leveling.

[ Affirmative, information regarding the specified query shall be expounded! ]

[ In accordance to the system directive, leveling up would provide the limited Class Skill Cards in a randomized sequence. The ability to upgrade the capability and rarity of bestowed class skills would be unlocked after completing the skillset of specified class. ]

I see... Although practically a confirmation of my conjectures, there is a difference. I can only upgrade my skills once I receive everything related to the operator class.

Everest nodded in understanding, grasping the complexities of the leveling system. From the rarities, classes, skills, and leveling. Each felt like an intricate web woven throughout the leveling system in perfection.

Before attempting to activate the newly-gained class skill card, it was time for him to understand the skill he had been granted as a reward from opening the starter gift pack. 

He desired to understand how it affected his mind and body while also discerning how it worked when increasing his accuracy as he utilized a firearm. 

I'll have to see an explanation of Marksmanship first.

System, please give me a detailed description of Marksmanship.

[ Affirmative, Sir Everest! Requesting the description of Marksmanship(★★)... ]

[ Marksmanship(★★) ]

-[ Amongst the passive skills related to the Operator(★★★★) class, Marksmanship increases the accuracy and proficiency of the user when handling firearms of different types and categories. The skill effect is as followed... Discrepancy of intended target and actual product increases 1 centimeter per 10 meters of distance regardless of target velocity. ]-

His gaze narrowed as he scrutinizingly read the detailed description of the bluish and translucent digital display before him. It seemed that the effects of the skill was considerably deeper than he previously expected. 

It affected not only his accuracy but also his proficiency in utilizing firearms, and it didn't even end there as the detailed description granted him actual numbers regarding his precision and accuracy when shooting at a target.

For every ten meters of distance between him and the target, a centimeter would be added in the discrepancy of his precision. It might not be impressive in essence, however when combined with the disregard of target velocity. It was overpowered.

It doesn't even matter if the target is running, sprinting, or even riding a vehicle. As long as they were within 100 meters with their heads wholly agape for him to see, they would be shot with ease.

Everest felt a surge of confidence flooding his heart and mind. As long as he remained cautious and avoid lowering his guard down regardless of how secure the situation or location may be, dying against an enemy wouldn't even be a chance.

However, the apocalypse wasn't to be underestimated.

He needed more, he wanted something better. Others might think of it as greedy, but there was nothing greedy about ensuring one's survival through and through.

"I'll have to stop hesitating and make use of this one in a lifetime opportunity."

System, please activate the Class Skill Card! I'd like to receive my next skill!

[ Activating Class Skill Card! ]

[ Commencing Shuffling Sequence... ]

After instructing the system directive, two notification displays followed alongside a peculiar, singular-column translucent slot machine. The leveling system wasn't even hiding it anymore. He was virtually gambling.

I still can't escape the clutches of gambling.

Everest shook his head since he was reminded of his past as a renowned gacha-addict. Perhaps, it might have been the reason why he became a college dropout. At any rate, it doesn't matter anymore.

What was important was preparing for the impending apocalypse. 

Under the fervent gaze of a young man, the translucent and digital slot machine spun, revealing secrets of his class. Although each letters were replaced by a question mark, he noticed ten different words repeating over and over again.

It appears that the limit of an operator was ten skills. He wondered if he could obtain another class, but that was for the future him to handle.

While Everest was staring at something and nothing, the digital slot machine slowed down until it winded up to one class skill. The letters of the skill gleamed in golden hue, signifying the rarity of the skill embedded into the slot machine.

A ★★★ class skill, huh? This isn't bad for my second skill.

He was utterly satisfied from the class skill he had acquired from the slot machine. At the very least, it wasn't a one-star skill, or the same rarity as Marksmanship. But he did wonder about its capabilities.

[ Congratulations, you have received Avian Drone(★★★)! ]

[ Would you wish to read its description? ]

"Oh, why not?" 

With raised eyebrows, Everest remarked unable to conceal his dumbfounded expression. It was astounding for the system directive to even suggest something so helpful without the need for an instruction. 

It was difficult to believe, yet it was the reality of his circumstance. 

[ Avian Drone(★★★) ]

[ An active skill of the Operator(★★★★) skillset, Avian Drone grants the user the ability to summon a functional, recon drone derived from the avian species. It is capable of sending live broadcast to the user's vision, resembling a digital screen. Utilization of his skill requires 20 Energy and depletes 10 Energy per 5 minutes. Suggestion: Follow the phrase, I Summon Thy Drone. ]

Wha- What? Why does it have an unusual invocation?

Everest was confused, yet there was nothing he could do about it. He needed to follow the suggestion of the system directive to summon the awesome drone. Otherwise, it would all be for nothing.

You think I won't swallow my pride?

You underestimate me...

Gritting his teeth, he abandoned his pride, uttering the phrase in defeat and resistance. Just when he thought that he had escaped from that part of his life. Fate brought it back to him once again. Did someone from the above hate him? Why?

"I Summon Thy Drone."

His words resounded throughout the studio apartment filled to the brim with deafening silence. It was as if the world was reminding him of the humiliation that had occurred. When he thought it couldn't get worse, a single notification made its way before him.

[ Pffftt!!! ]

"What the fu-"