Kalyan sat atop a crumbling building, the city sprawled beneath him like a war-torn map. His first permanent skill slot glowed faintly, a reminder that he now wielded real, lasting power. The B-Tier monster he had defeated earlier was more than just points—it was proof that his system could give him an edge no human should have.
The System Shop pulsed in his vision once again, responding to his heartbeat:
"System Points: 3,200. New Skill Slot Available: #2. Access restricted by points threshold."
He scrolled through the floating holographic interface. Every weapon, fist, or claw he could imagine appeared, waiting to be permanently integrated. Some required rare items—Dragon Hearts, God Vessels—but others were accessible for points alone.
Kalyan selected a skill he had read about in ancient martial texts: "Wind Slash Technique." The system confirmed permanent integration. Aura surged through his body as he practiced the motion, cutting the air with invisible arcs that hummed with energy.
"Skill Mastery Progress: 5%."
It was slow at first, but the system had promised growth through practice and usage. Every fight, every strike, every challenge would increase proficiency, decrease destruction rate, and allow him to wield more complex skills.
A sudden alert interrupted him:
"Nearby Raft Detected. Tier: A-."
Kalyan froze. A- Tier was a serious threat—one step below monsters that could wipe out entire city blocks. He flexed his aura-imbued fingers, feeling the hum of his radiant sword at his side.
From the shadows, two figures observed him, cloaked in the black uniforms of the Hunter Association. They whispered to each other:
"Is that… the rogue from the last Raft incident?"
"Unregistered, and his aura is… unusual. Very unusual. Keep him under watch. He may become a major variable."
Kalyan's pulse quickened. The Association was not here to help—they were watching, measuring, deciding if he was threat or asset. But the system didn't care. Its soft hum reassured him: he had the tools. He just needed experience, strategy, and courage.
He practiced a series of Wind Slash strikes, each cutting through the broken concrete and debris around him with deadly precision. The system registered his movements, calculated mastery, and whispered silently in his mind:
"Permanent Skill Integration progressing. Efficiency increasing."
A faint shimmer appeared in the sky—a Dragon Heart fragment drifting down from the next Raft. Kalyan's eyes narrowed. That was far beyond his reach… for now. But with points, practice, and cunning, nothing would be out of his grasp.
The city groaned under the weight of Rafts and monsters. But Kalyan smiled faintly. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was building power. And every step brought him closer to becoming untouchable.