Chapter 10: Rewards of Victory
A shimmering portal materialized a few feet away, signaling the dungeon's exit. I let out a breath, my body aching from the brutal battle.
"Finally... time to rest."
Collapsing onto the cold dungeon floor, I took a much-needed 30-minute break.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Maximus Omniclone
Title: None → Boss Slayer
Talent: Copy Everything, Strengthen Body, Metal Reinforcement, Runner, Soul Absorption, Berserk Rage
Bloodline: ???
HP: 50/180
MP: 560/610
Level (Rank): Level 2 (Human)
EXP Points: 7310/10000
Strength: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Intelligence: 40 (Average Human: 10)
Agility: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Vitality: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Perception: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Unallocated Points: 0
I clenched my fist, recalling the final moments of the battle. Berserk Rage... That skill doubled my strength when my HP dropped. Without it, I might not have won.
Suddenly, a notification appeared.
> [CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE THE FIRST TO SOLO-KILL A BOSS.]
REWARDS:
Title: Boss Slayer
Mana Potion ×5
Health Potion ×5
Random Skill ×1
A smirk formed on my lips. So I'm the only one who's soloed a boss? That meant others had likely fought one, but they either had teams... or failed.
Another notification followed.
> [INVENTORY UNLOCKED!]
You can now store items in your inventory. Simply say "Inventory" to access it.
"Huh... why now? Did the system evolve because I got a unique reward? This thing feels too... new, unlike game systems I know."
Shaking my head, I focused on the golden chest the Goblin King left behind.
I approached it, placing my hand on the lid.
"Copy Everything."
A rush of otherworldly energy surged through me, and a second identical chest appeared beside the first.
> [MP: 260/610]
I exhaled sharply. 300 MP per chest? That's expensive... but worth it.
Before opening them, I checked my Inventory.
[INVENTORY]
Mana Potion ×5
Health Potion ×5
Random Skill ×1
My eyes locked onto the last item. Without hesitation, I tapped it.
> [RANDOM SKILL]
Do you want to draw now?
[Y/N]
"Yes."
The screen flashed as different skills cycled rapidly. After a few seconds, it stopped.
> [CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE OBTAINED: AURA BLADE.]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED!]
Aura Blade – Infuse your mana into a weapon, creating a blade of energy. Can also enhance metal weapons to increase their sharpness and durability.
"Aura Blade, huh? Not bad."
My eyes drifted to the Health Potions.
[Low Health Potion]
Restores 20 HP upon use.
I grabbed one. A small glass vial filled with thick, blood-red liquid appeared in my hand. Uncorking it, I downed the potion.
> [HP: 70/180]
The relief was immediate. The warmth spread through my body, dulling the lingering pain.
"Hell yeah."
I drank another.
> [HP: 90/180]
Curious, I placed my hand on the vial and activated Copy Everything.
> [MP: 210/610]
"Hmm… 50 MP per potion. Not bad."
I duplicated four more, drinking them one after another.
> [HP: 180/180]
"Much better."
Next, I grabbed a Mana Potion and checked its effects.
[Mana Potion]
Restores 20 MP upon use.
I drank one.
> [MP: 30/610]
One after another, I consumed all but one.
> [MP: 110/610]
Then, I duplicated it once.
> [MP: 60/610]
Time to rest.
I sat down, closing my eyes. 30 minutes passed.
> [Time Remaining: 1:20:50]
"Alright. Let's open the chest."
I approached the golden chest and placed my hand on it.
> [DETECTED: GOLDEN CHEST!]
Open? [Y/N]
"Yes."
The lid creaked open, revealing my rewards.
> [CONGRATULATIONS!]
Crimson Coat ×1
Ring of Mana ×1
Mana Potion ×5
"Not bad."
[Crimson Coat]
A blood-red coat that increases magic resistance by 30%.
Active Skill: Blood Defense – Creates a defensive barrier increasing defense by 50% for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
[Ring of Mana]
Doubles mana regeneration speed.
Maximus grinned.
"This… this is broken."
If I could copy the ring, I could stack its effects, accelerating my mana recovery exponentially.
Taking a deep breath, I put on the Crimson Coat and Ring of Mana. Instantly, a refreshing sensation washed over me.
This must be the Ring of Mana's effect.
I checked my updated Status.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Maximus Omniclone
Title: Boss Slayer
Talent: Copy Everything, Strengthen Body, Metal Reinforcement, Runner, Soul Absorption, Berserk Rage
Bloodline: ???
Skills: Aura Blade
HP: 180/180
MP: 460/610 (Regenerates 20 MP per minute)
Level (Rank): Level 2 (Human)
EXP Points: 7310/10000
Strength: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Intelligence: 40 (Average Human: 10)
Agility: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Vitality: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Perception: 12 (60) (Average Human: 10)
Items: Crimson Coat, Ring of Mana
Inventory: Mana Potion ×1, Health Potion ×1
Unallocated Points: 0
"Close to leveling up... Wonder what rank I'll be after?"
Excited, I copied the golden chest again and opened the duplicate.
> [CONGRATULATIONS!]
Steel Sword ×1
Steel Knife ×1
Health Potion ×5
"Not as lucky this time, but still useful."
I stored everything and checked the remaining time.
> [Time Remaining: 1:16:40]
I exhaled. "Time to leave."
Approaching the energy gate, I placed my hand on it.
> [RETURN?] [Y/N]
"Yes."
The familiar sensation of being sucked into a vortex engulfed me.
A moment later, I opened my eyes—back in the real world. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and violet.
I stretched, feeling the exhaustion settle in.
For now… I should rest