— Leveling up in the Apocalypse (2)

[Quest 'Level Up' complete rewards given: Random loot box]

'Random loot box?'

Jack stood there, poking at the screen while chaos continuously surrounded him.

"Open loot box?"

A holographic box appeared in front of him, spinning a few times, before shining a golden light and opening. He grabbed whatever was inside. A simple short sword.

"…will this even be enough? Probably not. Might as well level up a bit more. I think I can get a hang of this."

After his first level, Jack felt just a bit stronger and a bit lighter on his feet. It was a minor difference, but a difference all the same. And then he hunted. With the short sword, he was able to quickly penetrate the skin of the wolves and make quick work of them. With every level the kills became more efficient, but the experience less efficient.

His senses got sharper too. After his hunting session he was about level 20. He could no longer level up anymore from hunting wolves. It would take about 20 to level up now. Something about his body was changing. His physical form was shaping itself to become stronger, it was quite uncomfortable, like he wasn't in his own skin anymore.

[Title Unlocked: 'Lone Hunter' Description: You are alone in this world, and with that you hunt alone! Benefits: Boost to experience points by 15%]

"Hm, I guess that's efficient."

His hands were practically destroyed by the usage of the short sword. He looked into an abandoned pharmacy. As he searched for bandages something became hard to ignore. The rotting smell of corpses. It was putrid. He hated it. He couldn't ignore the sight of the ravaged bodies either. He hated that too.

He found some bandages and ripped apart the box. Wrapping them around his swords so he wouldn't injure them any further. His hands still stung. But not to an overly painful extent.

[Urgent Quest: A boss monster has entered this world through the incursion! Hunt down the greater hellhound and slay it! Rewards: 10 levels, unique skill. Time limit: 1 hour.]

"Well then, at least I can keep myself occupied."

Jack dashed outside of the pharmacy and looked down the street. A giant wolf. Like the one he saw earlier. But a big bigger. With pitch black fur and glowing purple flames that went down its body and coming out of its eyes.

He wanted to dash towards it recklessly. But he didn't want to.

'The system mentioned something about skills…those will probably make me stronger. But I don't have any. I'll have to make do with what I have…I'll just be careful.'

He dashed down the street. He jumped over the hellhound and slashed down its body. Only making a small cut. The hellhound turned around and dashed. It was definitely faster. But Jack was able to catch it by the may and hold its mouth open.

He threw the hound to the side and it quickly recovered. Shooting a blast of fire at Jack. Jack rolled to the side and sprinted towards the hound with explosive speed. Cutting it across the eye. Blinding it slightly. It bit his arm and Jack quickly punched it with his other hand, sending the hound back.

He slashed forward, putting his entire force of his arm and legs into it. The hound caught it with its mouth. Shattering the blade in half. In which Jack responded by keeping his grip on the hilt. In which the half with the hilt was now incredibly sharp due to the way in which the blade snapped. He kept his grip and stabbed it in the mouth multiple times, enough to kill it. And then caving its skull in with a punch for extra good measure.

[You have defeated a boss monster! 10 levels awarded. Current level: 30.] 

[Urgent Quest: Hunt Greater Hellhound completed. Rewards: 10 levels, unique skill.]

[10 levels awarded. Current level: 40.] 

[Unique Skill: King's Armory granted. Skill rank: S. Description: The old king that made a pact with light could store his weapons in space by making them spectral objects that could vanish and appear upon his will and be manifested into physical form upon the will of the user. This skill mimics this power.]