Ch 29: A Silver Lining- Part 2

Selene took a deep breath, feeling a strange rush of energy coursing through her veins. 

The system's reboot had done more than just restore itself—it had enhanced her. 

She could feel it. 

Her movements were sharper, her senses more refined. It wasn't a massive power boost, but it was enough to make her feel different.

It was as if her whole body had been re-worked and she felt like a different person than she was before.

She didn't waste time contemplating it. 

Instead, she reached into her inventory and pulled out a simple dagger she had stored earlier.

It wasn't much—just a regular blade with no enhancements or special properties—but it was better than fighting barehanded. A normal human would never be able to pierce these monsters.

Her eyes locked onto the Scout, the monstrous hound-like creature still snarling and frothing at the mouth.

'I doubt this dagger will pierce its hide. But it is better to try than to die like this. I can at least buy some time if I keep it engaged.'

Selene thought grimly. 

Monsters were notorious for their unnatural durability, and her blade wasn't reinforced with mana. Usually, only mana infused weapons could hurt these monsters. That was why they went for such a high-price and were difficult to get.

It was also why it had been such a massive shock when Ethan had given her a mana-infused gun in her previous life. He had spent money on something for her even when he pretended to not know her.

However, due to that, Selene had been able to survive and find a lot of useful information. The most important was her information on these monster's weak spots.

The throat. The eyes. The underbelly.

She had read enough about monsters in her past life to know where to strike.

Selene tightened her grip and lunged forward, aiming for the creature's throat.

She moved faster than expected—so fast that she nearly lost control of her own momentum.

Her attack barely missed its mark, but the Scout also wasn't prepared for her sudden speed. It flinched at the last second, and instead of a clean strike, her dagger grazed its thick hide.

A sharp pain shot through her wrist from the impact, but a notification appeared before she could react.

[Achievement Unlocked: First Blood]

[Massive EXP Gained!]

Her vision flickered as another system message followed.

[Level Up! You are now Level 2.]

Selene's heart pounded. I leveled up just from grazing it?

It made sense. The system was still new, and this was her first real fight. But the next notification surprised her even more.

[New Ability Modifier Unlocked – Amplify (Chance)]

[Your ability, Amplify, now grants a target a small probability of unlocking a new skill when used.]

Selene barely had time to process it before the Scout let out a furious snarl.

The wound on its side was shallow, but it was enough to enrage it. Its eyes gleamed with bloodlust, and its movements became more erratic, more unpredictable.

Selene didn't have time to check her new skill. She needed to focus.

Luckily, something else had changed.

She felt it deep inside her—a pulse of something new.

Another notification appeared.

[Passive Skill Unlocked: Mana Infusion]

Selene's breath caught in her throat.

Mana Infusion.

Every Hunter gained this ability upon reaching Level 2. It was the first step toward actually fighting monsters properly.

Because without mana, normal weapons were nearly useless.

With renewed determination, Selene channeled mana into her dagger. A faint glow coated the blade, making it feel lighter—sharper.

The Scout lunged toward her. It had not realized that Selene had changed and it likely thought of her as easy prey.

But Selene was no longer going to be as docile as she had been until now. She had a way to defend herself now. And she was going to take it.

This time, Selene didn't hesitate and she gripped her knife tightly in her hand.

She dodged its attack by a hair's breadth and twisted her body, thrusting the dagger upward with all her strength.

Her blade met flesh and it cut through the monster's throat just deep enough to make it bleed. The monster staggered and Selene knew that it was her time to strike.

A sickening squelch filled the air as her dagger plunged deep into the Scout's exposed underbelly. The monster let out a shriek, writhing in pain as it thrashed, but Selene held firm. She twisted the blade, forcing more damage, until finally—the Scout collapsed.

Its body convulsed once, then stilled.

Selene staggered back, panting.

She had won.

Another notification popped up.

[You have defeated a Scout. Experience Gained.]

But her attention was immediately drawn to the item that dropped near the monster's corpse.

A core.

The glowing, pulsating core of the Scout.

Selene stepped forward, reaching out instinctively. But the moment her fingers brushed against the core, a familiar sensation washed over her.

A hunger.

It was the same feeling she had when she first absorbed a core.

Her mind screamed at her to stop—to examine the consequences first—but her body moved on its own.

Before she could think, she had already lifted the core to her mouth and swallowed it whole.

The system reacted instantly.

[Warning: You have consumed a second core.]

[Your Title has upgraded to: ???]

[To upgrade this title, consume more cores.]

[Consuming cores will unlock new abilities and modifiers for Amplify.]

Selene's breath hitched.

Her body didn't feel any different—no pain, no immediate surge of strength—but something inside her had changed.

This… This is a cheat.

The system wanted her to consume more cores. It was actively pushing her toward something—something unknown.

Was it dangerous? Probably.

Was it worth the risk?

Selene clenched her fists.

She had already crossed the line. There was no going back now.

Just as she steeled her resolve, a familiar voice rang out from the other side of the room.

"Selene!"

She turned just in time to see Zara running toward her, worry etched all over her face.