Chapter 9: Ascending With A Level Up!

Zoey rested against the walls of the dungeon, catching her breath as she let her stamina recover. Her arm was equipped with a sturdy shield, made of rough wood and having strange carvings on it.

[Goblin Shield(F+)]

[Description: A study shield made of rough wood that was forged from a strong tree, it's sturdy grip and tough exterior make it a very compatible piece of armor for close-combat fighters.]

[Effect-1: Mighty Protection: When the shield is equiped, the user's defense is raised slightly with 3 points.]

'This is a very good item, It's a bit daunting that I have so many, but they should come in handy in-case one breaks.' Zoey thought with a small smile, nodding to herself.

[Exp: 37,500/ 100,000] Zoey glanced at her experience bar, seeing that she had gained 20,000 Experience. The thought of leveling up deeply excited her, as she knew that once she did, she was going to become very powerful.

She then glanced at her [Inventory], letting out a shaky breath at the absurd amount of stuff she had managed to gain from the second floor goblins.

[Inventory]

[Materials]

Goblin Ears(F) x69

Goblin Cores(F) x100

Goblin Fangs(F) x100

Goblin Nails(F) x100

[Weapons]

Stone Dagger(F+) x100

Crude Club(F) x100

[Armor]

Goblin Shield(F+) x100

'This is alot of items, it's a bit overwhelming I have to admit.' Zoey contemplated, letting out a small sigh.

'If I want to level up quickly, I'll have to absorb most of the [Goblin Cores]!' Zoey then raised her arms a bit above her, opening her palms as she began to concentrate.

Her teeth was grit as she focused her mana on taking out most of the items she could, with her very small amount of Mana she struggled as she started to materialize the items before her.

After a short while, Zoey was left panting and sweating slightly, a tired smile etched on her face.

'I..I did it.'

[Mana: 15%]

Infront of her was the massive stockpile of [Goblin Cores], the ground littered with their sparkly crystalized cores, shining in the dim light the dungeon provided.

Zoey then began to absorb the [Goblin Cores], a small glow forming and quickly dissipating with each one she began to absorb them.

[You Have Absorbed A Goblin Core! +15% Exp!]

[Activating Talent: A Hundredfold Ascension]

[+1,500% Exp!]

Zoey's experience bar was quickly filling up with every [Goblin Core] she absorbed, feeling her with a powerful sense of motivation and determination to push herself even further.

[You Have Absorbed A Goblin Core! +15% Exp!]

[Activating Talent: A Hundredfold Ascension]

[+1,500% Exp!]

You Have Absorbed A Goblin Core! +15% Exp!]

[Activating Talent: A Hundredfold Ascension]

[+1,500% Exp!]

[Exp: 97,500/ 100,000] 

By the 40th [Goblin Core] Zoey had absorbed, her experience bar was close to being full, revealing her immanent level up. Zoey immediately stopped absorbing, her breath hitching in her throat, her hands trembling with excitement.

'My first level up...' Zoey thought, a sweat rolling down the side of her face, a crazed grin forming on her face.

She hesitantly grabbed the last two [Goblin Cores] in her hands, taking in a deep breath and closing her eyes. She quickly absorbed them, the warm feeling of experience entering her being feeling more special in this moment.

[You Have Leveled Up!]

[+3 Experience Points.]

[Activating Talent: A Hundredfold Ascension]

[+300 Stat Points.]

Zoey stared at the crimson translucent screen infront of her, her breath hitching in her throat. She had anticipated this, but experiencing it was even more brilliant than she ever imagined.

'300...Oh my god..' Zoey put her hands over her mouth, her breath shaky, her heart racing, beating loud like a drum. She wanted to get up and scream, express her joy in that moment, but stopped herself, she didn't want to draw attention of more goblins.

'Let's distribute these.' Zoey thought, opening her status window, unable to contain her excitement as she let out a small excited chuckle.

[Status Window]

[Name: Zoey Monroe]

[Level: 2]

[Stats]

[Health: 55/100%]

[Mana: 20/100%]

[Stamina: 70/100%]

[Strength: 1] [Vitality: 5]

[Intelligence: 5] [Defense: 2]

[Talent(s): A Hundredfold Ascension(-), Heightened Senses (A+)]

[Skills: None]

[Stat Points: 300]

[Inventory]

[Exp: Locked]

Zoey started to think for a few minutes, as of now she had 300 Stat Points, a truly absurd amount. She wanted to put 100 Into Strength, Defense, and Agility, or 100 Into Strength, Vitality, and Agility. She didn't have any Mage-related abilities that required her to invest any points into Intelligence.

'But Intelligence is also an important stat...argh!' Zoey growled under her breath, Intelligence was a very important stat for a Hunter.

Not only did the stat increase one's Mana capacity, but it also improves the damage done with skills, improves human senses, and abilities to grasp concepts related to magic easier.

'Screw it! I'm just gonna distribute everything equally!' Zoey yelled inwardly, coming to a decision. While she didn't want to initially, she knew that having a balanced status would be very crucial in the long-run.

Zoey heartily distributed 75 Points into all four of her stats, in that moment, a sharp and agonizing pain shot through her body.

'Argh!!!' Zoey fell to the floor, writhing in agonizing pain. Her body felt like it was on fire, she could feel the Mana in her body increase, flooding every inch of her body, a bright flaming aura forming around her body, brimming with magical energy.

Her muscles and tendons felt like they were becoming stronger, nerves forming on her arms and all over her body as they pulsed and throbbed like drums, making the whole process agonizing for her.

'Damn! I didn't think it would hurt that much, putting so many points into my stats with such a weak body, but god help me I was wrong!'

When a Hunter allocates stats into their body, they feel a warm and gentle feeling all over their body.

The feeling depends on the amount of points put into the stats, usually a Hunter obtains 3 stat points, and feels a small and refreshing warmth cascade their body, with more points put into it, increasing the heat and also becoming a bit more unbearable.

But in this case, 75 Points was way too much for her body to handle. Every inch of her skin, every muscle, nerve, and bone in her body felt like it was being dipped in molten lava, making the process more agonizing than relaxing for Zoey.

'Argh! Argh....ha...ha...'

After what felt like an eternity of pain, Zoey felt the pain stop and felt normal again, but the pain in her mind was still fresh, a haunting nightmare looming over her.

'I hope I never have to experience that ever again!' Zoey complained inwardly, exhaling a sigh of frustration.

As she pushed herself off the ground, she immediately realized the change in her body. Her arms felt stronger, her weight felt lighter, and her sense of perception was heavily enhanced, making her feel like she was using her [Heightened Senses] Talent, without actually using it.

'This is amazing!' Zoey thought with a smile, testing out her new body by jumping in the air. She could jump very high, almost reaching the ceiling without putting much strength into her legs.

Zoey rolled up her sleeves of her hoodie, rolling them up to her shoulders. She stared at her arms, they didn't look different, but they had small veins roaming over them. Despite their fragile appearance, Zoey could tell that they were brimming with power just waiting to be unleashed.

'I feel it, I feel so much stronger already!' Zoey exclaimed inwardly, giggling excitedly under her breath. Zoey's eyes roamed over her improved stats one more time, feeling proud of herself in that moment.

[Status Window]

[Name: Zoey Monroe]

[Level: 2]

[Stats]

[Health: 60/100%]

[Mana: 35/100%]

[Stamina: 100/100%]

[Strength: 76] [Vitality: 80]

[Intelligence: 80] [Defense: 77]

[Talent(s): A Hundredfold Ascension(-), Heightened Senses (A+)]

[Skills: None]

[Stat Points: None]

[Inventory]

[Exp: Locked]

Zoey noticed that her wound from her previous battles, as well as her Stamina and Mana were quickly recovering. As Hunters grow stronger, their rate of recovery also increases, recovering faster than normal humans.

'Huh...'

Just then, Zoey's gaze fell on her Exp bar. Her eyes widening in suprise and confusion as she saw that it had a "Locked" status on it.

'What!?'