Chapter 13: New Stats, New Bonds

Ethan blinked against the harsh glare of sunlight as reality snapped back into focus. His body ached like he'd gone twelve rounds with a prizefighter, and the faint buzzing of the Forge still lingered at the edges of his mind. For a moment, he lay sprawled across his couch, staring at the cracked ceiling of his apartment and processing the fact that he was, once again, alive.

"Well," he muttered to himself, "that wasn't traumatic at all."

The system's familiar hum chimed in, and a glowing notification appeared in front of him, dragging his attention away from the world's most unimpressive ceiling.

---

System Update: Stats and Skills

Level 7 Achieved.

New Stats:

Strength: 15 (+5)

Agility: 8 (+3)

Perception: 12 (+2)

Intelligence: 5 (+2)

Vitality: 10 (+3)

New Skills Unlocked:

Forge's Will (Active): Temporarily enhance allies' stats by 20% for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.

Steadfast (Passive): Increased resistance to stun and knockback effects.

---

Ethan stared at the glowing text, the details sinking in. "Okay, stats are looking less pathetic," he said aloud, stretching his sore limbs. "Still not going to win any awards for brilliance, but hey, at least I can take a punch and hit back harder."

Strength had jumped considerably, solidifying his role as the group's bruiser. His boosted Agility would make dodging slightly less like an awkward game of hopscotch, and his steadily rising Perception ensured he'd keep spotting weak points before anyone else. Even Intelligence, his weakest stat, had ticked upward—probably because he was finally starting to think before running into danger. Sometimes.

And then there were the skills. Forge's Will immediately caught his attention. He'd felt its power during the raid when he'd used it instinctively to save Karis, but now that he understood its mechanics, the potential was enormous.

"Boosting the team in the middle of a fight? Oh, yeah," Ethan said, grinning. "I'm going to be everyone's favorite guy."

A knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. Ethan groaned, rolling off the couch and limping toward the door. He didn't need to guess who it was.

Opening it, he found Karis leaning against the doorframe, her usual icy expression in place. Behind her stood Lucas, looking sheepish but smiling, and a third figure—a young woman Ethan didn't recognize.

"Karis," Ethan said, stepping aside to let them in. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Did you come to insult my intelligence or criticize my apartment's décor?"

Karis raised an eyebrow. "Can't it be both?"

Lucas chuckled, clapping Ethan on the shoulder as he walked in. "Good to see you're still alive, man."

"Barely," Ethan said, wincing at the soreness in his muscles. He turned his attention to the new arrival. The woman was tall and lean, with short, spiky hair dyed a deep purple. She wore a lightweight jacket reinforced with patches of armor, and a bow was slung over her back. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked around the room like she was assessing every detail.

"Ethan, this is Naomi," Karis said. "She's joining us."

"Joining us?" Ethan repeated, glancing at Naomi. "As in… another dreamer?"

Naomi gave him a faint smirk. "What gave it away? The bow or the armor?"

"Fair point," Ethan said, holding up his hands. "Welcome to my humble abode. Feel free to insult it. Everyone else does."

"It's got charm," Naomi said, though her tone suggested she was being generous.

Lucas flopped onto the couch, clearly comfortable despite the limited seating. "We thought we'd check in on you. You know, see if you're still in one piece."

"Well, I appreciate the concern," Ethan said, leaning against the wall. "But if this is about the raid, I'm fine. Just… tired."

"It's not just about the raid," Karis said, her tone softening slightly. "The system's changing. The Bleed is getting worse, and it's happening faster than we expected."

Ethan frowned. "You mean more of the Forge leaking into reality?"

Naomi nodded. "There've been reports of dreamers getting attacked while awake. Monsters showing up in broad daylight, tearing through buildings like it's no big deal. It's not just our problem anymore—it's everyone's."

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So we're not just fighting in our dreams now. Great."

"That's why we need to stick together," Lucas said, his voice earnest. "We work better as a team, and we're going to need all the help we can get."

Ethan glanced at Naomi. "And you're on board with this? Joining a bunch of strangers to fight monsters in your sleep?"

She shrugged. "I've been solo for a while, but after what I've seen… yeah. I'll give it a shot."

"Well," Ethan said, smirking, "welcome to the club. We've got witty banter, questionable leadership, and a strict no-dying policy."

"Good to know," Naomi said, her lips twitching into a small smile.

---

The group spent the next hour in Ethan's apartment, poring over system notifications, discussing strategies, and, in Lucas's case, raiding Ethan's fridge. Despite the grim topic of conversation, the atmosphere felt surprisingly light. Ethan's humor and Lucas's optimism seemed to put everyone at ease, even Karis, who relaxed enough to offer a few wry remarks of her own.

Ethan found himself watching Naomi as she spoke about her experiences in the Forge. Her calm, precise demeanor reminded him of Karis, but there was an openness to her that Karis lacked—a willingness to connect. He could see why Karis had chosen to bring her in. Naomi's skills would be invaluable, but her steady presence might also help keep the group grounded.

As the conversation wound down, Karis stood, stretching. "We should get moving. The system's been quiet for now, but it won't stay that way."

Naomi nodded, slinging her bow over her shoulder. "Thanks for the hospitality, Ethan."

"Anytime," Ethan said, walking them to the door. "Next time, I'll make snacks."

Lucas laughed, clapping him on the back. "I'll hold you to that."

As they left, Ethan leaned against the doorframe, watching them disappear down the hall. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of hope. The Forge was brutal, unforgiving, and relentless, but with allies like these, maybe—just maybe—they stood a chance.

Shutting the door, he turned back to the glowing notification still hovering in his vision. His new stats and skills felt like a promise, a reminder that he wasn't the same person he'd been when this all started.

"Alright, Forge," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you've got next."