Reward

Quest Rewards

1. 

Shadowstep Boots: Lightweight footwear designed

for enhanced agility, increasing sprinting speed and silencing footsteps,

rendering movement undetectable.

2. 

Fangpiercer Dagger: A weapon crafted from the

enchanted teeth of a wolf, renowned for its unnerving sharpness and durability.

It enhances both agility and precision during combat.

Bonus Reward: +20 Stat Points

A pair of black boots adorned with a subtle green pattern

appeared neatly by her side, with two daggers carefully placed on top of them.

Aria glanced at her wounds—they were deep. It took nearly an

hour to close them fully using her symbiotic recovery ability. The process was

exhausting, but as the last wound sealed, a wave of relief washed over her. Who

would have thought she could take down a beast twice her size? The thought

filled her with pride and disbelief.

However, doubts crept into her mind. If a creature of this

caliber had been such a challenge, what about beasts stronger than her current

level? Was she truly growing, or was she merely surviving?

Her thoughts shifted as she considered her future. This path

she had chosen—a life she readily accepted for someone else's sake— or was it

for hers, it was uncertain. Once her mission was complete, what would come

next? Would this power bring her a better life than the one she had left

behind?

Pushing these concerns aside, Aria took a deep breath and

cleared her mind. Sitting cross-legged, she reached out to the mana surrounding

her, drawing it inward. She began circulating the energy through her core,

focusing intently. Her current mana threshold was at 152, but her goal was to

advance further.

She continued until her mana peaked at 200. The effort left

her drenched in sweat, her chest heavy with suffocating pressure. The strain

became unbearable, forcing her to stop.

System Notification

{Congratulations on leveling up!}

{Current Tier: Level 2 – Novice}

Breathing heavily, Aria muttered to herself, "I have +20

bonus points, right? I'll allocate ten to Agility and distribute the remaining

five evenly across my other stats. Show me my current information."

Current Status

Name: Aria Zarek

HP: 35/100

Mana: 200/200

Energy: 5/100

Cores: Nature (Green), Psychic (Viridian, Dark Green)

Tier: 2 (Low) Novice

Stats:

Strength: 28

Agility: 28

Willpower: 20

Stamina: 19

Skills

1. 

Vine Bind (Lv. 2): Manipulate plants to trap or

immobilize enemies.

Cost: 15 MP

2. 

Seedling Growth (Lv. 2): Accelerate the growth

of plants within your vicinity.

Cost: 15 MP

3. 

Telekinesis Push (Lv. 2): Channel psychic energy

to push or move objects, including adversaries.

Cost: 10 MP

4. 

Mind Focus (Lv. 2): Enhance mental clarity and

sharpen focus for increased awareness.

Cost: 10 MP

Aria's senses were heightened, a stark contrast to her

experience at Tier 1. The world around her felt alive, the chirping of birds

and the rustling of bushes sharper and more distinct. Listening closely, she

could even hear the soft flow of a nearby stream. Her body, still drenched in

blood and dirt from the battle, longed for a proper cleansing. The desire to

wash away the grime was overwhelming, and she decided to make her way toward

the stream.

As she moved, her gaze fell upon the items she had earned

from the mission. She carefully stored them in her backpack, but the dagger she

had stolen from her foe remained behind, discarded. Her focus shifted back to

the water. Once she reached the stream, she surveyed the surroundings for any

signs of life, making sure she was alone. Only when she felt certain of her

solitude did she peel off her bloodstained coat and step into the cool, flowing

water.

The stream wasn't particularly deep, nor was it spread too

far apart, but it was enough to offer her some relief. As she sank into the

water, it flowed gently over her, reaching just above her cleavage. She let out

a sigh of relief as the coolness washed away the blood and dirt, though she had

no soap to aid her. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. She took

the opportunity to rinse her hair as well, letting the water cleanse every part

of her body.

After a while, she stepped out of the stream, feeling

refreshed but still cold. The stolen coat was soaked, so she dunked it back

into the water and scrubbed it as best as she could. She even stepped on it to

help remove the bloodstains. Thankfully, it worked, though she couldn't help

but notice deep claw marks on the fabric—testament to the violence of the

battle.

With the coat cleaned as much as possible, Aria set up camp

near the stream. The night was growing colder, and with her body still wet, she

couldn't risk exposing herself to the cold without shelter. She huddled inside

the small tent, her skin bare and vulnerable to the cold air. It was too dark

to start a fire, knowing it could attract unwanted attention, and she wasn't

prepared to fight naked.

After taking all precautions and keeping a wary eye on her

surroundings, Aria eventually managed to drift into a semi-peaceful sleep. The

night passed uneventfully, and soon, Morning came, the first rays of sunlight

pierced through the thin fabric of her tent, casting golden light over her

sleeping form. She stirred, stretching her arms and rolling her stiff

shoulders. The warmth of the sun against her skin was comforting, but as she

opened her eyes, she was greeted by the realization of her nakedness. Her cheeks

flushed slightly as she hurriedly retrieved her coat from the rock outside.

The fabric felt rough against her fingers, but it was dry.

She dressed quickly, fastening each button with practiced precision. Only after

she secured the last one did she feel truly at ease.

With her body clothed and her mind clearer, Aria stepped

outside the tent and finally took in her surroundings. The stream glistened in

the early sunlight, its surface sparkling like a thousand tiny diamonds. Trees stretched

high around her, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, while wildflowers

dotted the forest floor in bursts of color. The serenity of the scene was

breathtaking, a stark contrast to the violence of the previous day.

Looking down at her bare feet, she remembered the Shadowstep

Boots she had earned. Retrieving them from her pack, she slipped them on. The

fit was perfect, snug but comfortable, and as she took a few experimental

steps, she marveled at how light and silent her movements became. They were an

incredible tool, and she felt the faintest flicker of gratitude for having

earned them.

She packed up her tent and belongings, tucking everything

neatly into her small backpack. After taking one last look at the tranquil

stream, she stepped across it, the cool water splashing lightly against her

boots. It was time to move on.

The next four days were a mix of survival and discovery.

Aria made her way through the dense forest, living off wild fruits and the

occasional rabbit she managed to catch. But as she explored, she began to

notice something peculiar about the vegetation. The plants and flowers weren't

like the ones on Earth, though some bore faint similarities.

Curiosity overtook her, and she began collecting various

specimens, carefully stashing them in her pack. Some plants radiated a faint

energy, while others had strange textures or smells that hinted at unique

properties. Aria spent her evenings experimenting with them.

She found a deep purple flower with sharp, spiky petals

that, when crushed, released a toxic liquid. Dabbed on her skin, it caused a

mild burning sensation, but when ingested in the smallest amount, it induced

temporary numbness. Another plant, with soft, mint-green leaves, had the

opposite effect—it soothed her wounds when applied directly, accelerating her

healing process.

There was also a red-veined herb that, when boiled, created

a bitter tea. Drinking it caused a surge of energy, but it left her feeling

lightheaded for hours afterward. Each plant she tested had a unique reaction on

her body, some beneficial, others mildly harmful. Aria made careful notes of

their effects, fascinated by how this world's flora mirrored but differed from

Earth's.

Evenings were spent not only experimenting with plants but

also drawing in mana. She discovered her limits quickly—once her core reached

its peak, she had to wait five hours before she could absorb more. Frustrated,

she tried to push beyond this barrier one night, forcing more mana into her

core. The result was disastrous. Blood poured from her nose, her head pounded,

and she fainted shortly after.

Days of gathering mana and Aria core felt stronger, she had

advanced to Tier 3, mid-level.

Finally, on the fourth evening, the dense forest gave way to

open land. In the distance, she spotted the faint glow of lanterns and the

outline of a small town nestled at the base of rolling hills. The sounds of

life reached her ears—laughter, conversation, and the creak of wagon wheels.

Relief flooded her chest as she stepped out of the woods.