The path to the warehouses was somewhat difficult. People kept tripping over small pebbles due to the darkness that had enveloped the area. For some reason, Asan found it easier, probably thanks to the system that made him stronger. He had already noticed this, judging by how quickly ordinary people got tired compared to him. He didn't like the fact that no one except for the strike team wanted to fight. Yes, there were things they did, such as cooking, cleaning, taking care of the strike team, and so on. But didn't they want to fight for their own lives?
However, during battle, such thoughts were very distracting, so Asan received a light cut on his nose.
"Asan! What's wrong with you?! Laszlo, help him!" — Someone called out irritably from behind.
On the way, they started encountering Ronnie. Quite a few Ronnie. Perhaps these were the warehouse workers that Geographer had mentioned.
Dodging the creature's sharp teeth, Asan hit it with the hammer on the chest with all his strength, slightly pushing it back. Laszlo, on the other hand, crept up to it from the side and stabbed it in the head, piercing its brain.
Soon both guys came to help the others and the fight ended. Victory notifications immediately flooded each of the five. Suddenly, Paul approached Asan, clearly displeased.
"What were you thinking? What if you got injured?!" he exclaimed angrily, pointing at Asan's nose, where a scar was bleeding.
Asan didn't consider this a big problem, so he just shrugged and apologized. Paul waved him off, and they all returned to the camp together. On the way, while going through the system notifications, Asan saw something new and a smile appeared on his face.
[Your level increased from 1 to 2].
This was indeed good news. Looking at the back of Laszlo, he didn't see that the latter was so happy and already shouting about leveling up. Perhaps killing the monster alone played a role in his faster level increase. Stronger… he would become stronger than others right now. A warm feeling grew in his chest, slightly intoxicating the boy's mind, but he quickly got rid of it, remembering that this wasn't a game.
Returning to the camp, the strike team reported the elimination of the threat ahead, and now the camp could move towards the warehouses.
"What's up, Asan? You look really happy" Asan commented with a smile, Alice.
The boy grinned widely and showed the number two with his fingers. At first, the girl didn't understand what he meant, but then her eyes slowly widened with realization.
"How… When did you-…" The girl wanted to say, but Asan's smile made her grin too.
"Exactly like this, because I fought alone before that. Probably that's why I got to level two faster than you, but don't worry, you'll definitely reach level two too!" boasted the boy whose nose seemed to have grown longer from pride.
"So you reached level two, congratulations!" Suddenly, Crane approached, placing his hand on Asan's shoulder. He was still undetectable to the boy, so the boy was slightly frightened.
"Eh... Yes... Thanks. Could you not approach so suddenly?"
Removing Crane's hand, Asan said.
"Oh, and what? Level two and can't sense me? What a pity..." Crane mocked, smiling warmly.
Soon, Paul and Laszlo also found out about the news of reaching level two.
They were happy for Asan and recommended that he choose a new skill along with leveling up his stats. Geographer, hearing about this, even decided to take another break so that Asan could thoroughly think it over, because if a member of the strike team became stronger, it would help everyone.
First of all, Asan, naturally, went into skill leveling. Four choice tabs appeared before him again. He decided to check magic first, specifically dark magic.
A picture of a large tree appeared before his face, at the base of which was a square with the already leveled ability to manipulate dark magic. Hovering his finger over this square, a plus sign appeared above it, showing what exactly an improvement point would enhance.
[Darkness Manipulation].
[Rarity: Very rare].
[Rank 1/10].
[Level 1/10] (+1 point) → [Level 2/10].
If he scores a goal, his level of control over dark magic will increase. Asan wondered exactly what this would give him. Perhaps the dark fire would cause him less pain, or maybe he would simply become stronger and more dangerous. Although by control, it probably meant manipulation of darkness. This could mean that he would be able to create some figures out of dark fire.
Assuming he could create a blade made of this magic, although he doubted that it was possible right now.
"Damn, why don't they just describe what exactly it will give me?" Asan grumbled to himself.
"What are you talking about?" Laszlo asked him, standing nearby and eating canned pineapple.
"Well, I want to improve my control over dark magic, but it just shows me that my level of control will slightly improve... But I don't know if it's worth it or not!"
"Why don't they add a description of how this will help me in the future?" Asan said irritably, looking at the square with his ability.
Laszlo remained silent—he had nothing to say—and merely shrugged, saying, "Choose what you think is necessary." This didn't really help Asan much.
Well, if dealing with darkness is a crapshoot, I need to look further. The next option is gravity. Once again, a castle simply stood before him. Hovering over it required spending one ability point to unlock the gravity tree. No descriptions of what it would give, no details on mana usage, no indication of whether it was useful or useless—only that gravity always means power. The power of attraction. If he could manipulate his own or someone else's gravity, it would enhance his abilities.
He imagined fighting a fast and elusive opponent who added weight. This could help him in battle.
As for time, he didn't consider it a serious thing that would help him yet. Time itself was too vague. There was space, which no one really knew how it worked.
"Fuck it."
In the end, Asan made a list in his head of what to level up first. He chose gravity as number one because it could potentially bring him some benefit, while darkness came in second since it was very powerful, even if it was harmful. Time was third, as he thought it wouldn't give him much. Space got the last spot, as he had no idea what it could offer him.
"Magic is useless... Let's see what other skills have to offer."
Opening the martial arts branch, five tabs appeared before him. Last time, he couldn't do this due to a lack of upgrade points.
[Path of сlose combat]
[Path of ranged combat]
[Path of strengthening]
[Path of worm](Blocked)
[Path of mind]
Right away, Asan wondered what paths these were and where they would lead him?
"It's all nonsense again..." said the disappointed Asan, immediately closing the martial arts tab.
All right, from now on he is a supporter of magic; perhaps in the future he will develop some martial arts skills, but currently he saw absolutely no point in that. Why should he skillfully wield a hammer when he can blast his opponent with dark magic? That's ridiculous, isn't it?
There was Aura, which required spending three ability points, and also a craft that Asan didn't feel like focusing on right now. So he returned to magic. Finally, after much deliberation, he realized what might be useful to him now. Pointing his finger at one of the plaques, he confirmed its selection. Once again, the skill tree appeared before him, with a square opening up at its roots.
"Ah, fuck it."
[Space Manipulation].
[Rarity: Epic].
[Rank: 1/10]
[Level 1/10]
Well, what could he do? Asan thought about it for a couple of minutes and decided to put his eggs in this basket. Even if space doesn't tell him anything, why not choose it? Besides, he at least relatively understands what gravity will give him. Time was also a good option, but maybe another time.
Holding out his hand, energy inside him churned, reaching towards his palm. Literally within seconds, a bubble appeared on it… A small transparent bubble now lay on Asan's palm, slightly wobbling.
"Is this… What… What kind of shit is this?" — Frowning heavily, Asan muttered to himself in displeasure.
If his magic just creates bubbles…
This was the worst decision he had made in his life. Pumping something so useless for just one… Pathetic vial? What the hell, System?!
Out of anger, the guy reached into his backpack for a hammer, and upon pulling it out, immediately tried to hit the vial with the blunt side, but… The hammer simply disappeared upon contact with the vial. No. It became smaller and ended up inside the vial.
"What?" Asan said in surprise, looking at the vial. He felt that maintaining it when the hammer went inside consumed quite a bit of mana. His head started spinning, so Asan had to dispel the magic. To his surprise, the hammer also disappeared.
"Did I lose my weapon?"
Quickly checking his stats, the guy first noticed how they had increased compared to last time.
[characteristics]
[strength - 10]
[endurance - 24]
[agility - 13]
[perception - 8]
[intelligence - 9]
[wisdom - 6]
[Health points - 110/120]
[Mana - 20/90] (-10 from the maximum value)
[Aura - Blocked]
Points available for distribution – 5.
His strength, endurance, agility, and other stats increased, recalling the previous level-up, Asan realized that his strength increases by 3 per level, endurance by 4, agility by 3, perception also by three, intelligence by 4, and wisdom by 3 points as well.
In addition, he had five free points to distribute. So, was he now stronger?
Trying to punch the air a couple of times, he felt that he really get little stronger.
"Where is my little hammer?!"
For a couple of seconds, it wasn't clear where his hammer had gone, but Asan felt something inside himself, like a small reservoir. Reaching out to it with the energy within him, a bubble appeared in his hand again, returning the hammer to Asan's grasp. Now the boy understood what he had actually received.
A spatial inventory, just like in video games.