Risks and Opportunities

Trapped within the shimmering, transparent barrier, Ronnie watched the swarm of black creatures clawing at its surface, their ten glinting eyes like malevolent stars. They scuttled like ants, desperate to find a crack. The standoff stretched on, and boredom dulled his earlier fear, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his Iron Armor.

"Is this a defensive barrier?" he muttered, pressing a hand against its smooth, warm surface. It pulsed with the power of a master mage, far beyond his grasp. Safety enveloped him, a fleeting sense of comfort.

Yet, his Guardian King senses prickled, warning of an unseen threat. His gaze drifted to Elizabeth Hart, the sleeping beauty in her shattered coffin. Her serene face seemed to mock the chaos, as if the world's collapse were a distant dream. "How can someone sleep in their own dream?" Ronnie wondered, his voice tinged with awe. But his eyes lingered, tracing her provocative curves, the black silk of her dress clinging to her like a lover's touch. Heat surged through him, his thoughts spiraling into forbidden fantasies. He wished she'd stay asleep, his desires urging him to act.

A violent tremor shook the Dream World, throwing him to the ground. The earth and seas split apart, fissures tearing through the landscape. From the void above, a colossal black hand emerged, its jagged claws dripping with malice. Its aura, akin to the smaller creatures but infinitely darker, smothered the sky, chilling Ronnie to his core.

"What the hell is that?" he gasped, his heart pounding.

The hand descended, its crushing pressure forcing every creature to its knees. Ronnie collapsed, barely able to lift his head, regret gnawing at him for not fleeing earlier. He prayed this was just Elizabeth's nightmare, not his reality.

As the hand neared, the world began to disintegrate, black creatures plummeting into an endless abyss. Suddenly, a blinding red light erupted from Elizabeth's coffin, forming a beam that pierced the barrier and shot toward the hand. The collision unleashed a cataclysmic explosion, hurling creatures like scattered leaves. Ronnie clung to the coffin, its glass now shattered, shards glinting in the chaos.

Storms of dust and debris raged, massive boulders tumbling through the air. Most of the black creatures lay dead, crushed by the clash of red light and black hand. As the chaos settled, the dust cleared, revealing a pristine sky, the fissures sealed as if they'd never existed. The black hand was gone, vanquished by the red light's triumph.

Ronnie didn't know when he'd passed out. When he stirred, his hand brushed something impossibly soft. His eyes snapped open—he was sprawled atop Elizabeth, his hand gripping her ample breast, its silken warmth like a forbidden dream. She remained asleep, oblivious. Panic surged, and he yanked his hand back, scrambling from the coffin, his face burning.

He stared at his hand, the sensation lingering—a plush, tantalizing softness. His body reacted, straining against his Iron Armor. Glancing at Elizabeth, he took in her fiery red hair, her lips like rose petals curling into a subtle, enigmatic smile. Her breasts, draped in black silk, rose and fell like gentle waves, beckoning him closer. His hand twitched, reaching instinctively, but a chill of danger stopped him. "Not worth losing a hand," he muttered, stepping back.

"One day, you'll be mine," he vowed under his breath, unaware that Elizabeth's slumber hid a power that would slaughter him for such thoughts.

The Dream World began to mend itself, green hills and azure rivers blooming anew. Ronnie exhaled, relief flooding him. "I don't know what happened, but I'm glad it's over."

His Protection Bracelet flared blue, shattering his calm. "What now?" he whispered, scanning his surroundings. Dozens of black creatures, survivors of the explosion, limped toward him. Their numbers were reduced, but to Ronnie—still weak and untrained—they were a daunting threat.

"What do I do?" he muttered, torn between fleeing and fighting. "Should I leave?"

For the first time, he felt the weight of the awakened world, where survival meant kill or be killed.

A System window flashed, snapping him from his panic:

[This is a good opportunity to train.]

The words ignited a spark within him. Despite his weakness and lack of combat skills, his Guardian King class urged him to fight. "Guess it's not a bad idea," he said, gripping his Valier Sword tighter. "But how do I take these things down?"

He spotted a lone creature, staggering away from its pack, weakened by the explosion. It was a chance—and a risk.

[These creatures are weakened by the world's constraints.]

[Always aim for the head.]

Ronnie noticed their sluggish movements, their senses dulled. Swallowing hard, he tightened his grip on the sword and crept forward, his courage fueled by a surging bloodlust. His Guardian King aura flared, transforming him into a predator stalking its prey. He closed in on the creature, its ten eyes dim with pain, unaware of his approach.

With a swift lunge, Ronnie swung his Valier Sword, severing its head. Purple blood splattered, the head rolling away. He froze, stunned. "Did I do that?" The sword had felt alive, guiding his strike. His affinity for it had grown, as if it were an extension of himself.

"I did it?" he said slowly, watching the body slump. "I killed my first monster!" He leaped with joy, laughing wildly. "I'm officially an adventurer!"

A red System window appeared, freezing him in place:

[You have defeated a Black Void Monster.]

[Acquired Black Void Core.]

[Stats increased.]

[Sword Mastery increased by 0.1%.]

[Earned 100 Platinum Points.]

"Huh?" Ronnie's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with shock. "System, what's going on? Didn't you say I'd gain stats and points by revealing secrets?"

He sensed something off. The System hadn't mentioned this method before, stirring doubts about its transparency. A new window clarified:

[The first method is specific to your Revealer class.]

[The second method is specific to your Guardian King class.]

The explanation clicked. His Revealer class grew through uncovering secrets, while Guardian King thrived in combat. The System offered two paths to power, leaving the choice to him. "Fine, I won't sweat it for now," he shrugged. "As long as it doesn't weaken me."

With two classes and multiple skills, Ronnie felt his potential was limitless. The System remained a mystery, shrouded in fog, but he'd unravel it soon. Glancing at his updated balance—480 Platinum Points—he eyed the remaining creatures and grinned coldly. "Buying a sword technique might not take long after all."

"Time to clean house," he said, licking his lips. "Thanks for making me rich, you little freaks." His aura surged as he charged the nearest wounded creature, its senses dulled.

"I need to finish this fast and meet Fay" he thought, recalling the mercenary he'd tricked and blackmailed. A greedy smirk spread across his face, craving more of what he'd taken from her. "Oh, Fay, just wait for me."

He slashed through a second creature, then a third, his movements growing smoother. His stats were climbing, his speed and strength improving. Though his swings were wild, his power surged with each kill.