[Location: Safe Zone - "The Rusty Anchor" Motel]
Asher sat on the stained mattress, staring at the holographic interface. The smell of cheap ramen filled the room.
[Current Balance: 3,600 Gold]
"You're not actually going to do it, are you?" Nova pleaded, covering her eyes. "We could buy a decent Chestplate! Or a Skill Book! Or... rent a better room!"
"Gear breaks," Asher said, scrolling through the System Shop. "Skills have cooldowns. But Stats? Stats are eternal."
He navigated to the [Consumables] tab.
[Item: Mystery Elixir Box]
[Cost: 500 Gold]
[Description: Contains a random Stat Elixir (Common to Legendary).]
"In the early game," Asher explained, tapping the screen, "The difference between a Pro and a Noob isn't skill. It's how much money they burn."
He selected x7 Quantity.
[Total Cost: 3,500 Gold]
"Purchase."
DING!
Seven ornate wooden boxes materialized on the bed. Nova looked like she was going to faint. "That's 3,500 Gold! Gone in a second!"
Asher didn't hesitate. He smashed the first box open.
CRACK!
A grey vial rolled out.
[Common: Minor Agility Elixir (+1 AGI)]
"Trash," Asher muttered, chugging it. It tasted like chalk.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
[Common: Minor Strength Elixir (+1 STR)]
[Common: Minor Mana Elixir (+10 MP)]
[Uncommon: Warrior's Blood (+3 STR)]
"You're wasting money!" Nova screamed. "The odds of a Rare drop are less than 5%!"
"I don't need luck," Asher said, reaching for the sixth box. "I have volume."
CRACK!
The sixth box didn't break. It dissolved into golden dust.
A vial glowing with a pulsating red light appeared. The liquid inside moved like living magma.
Nova froze. "Is that..."
[LEGENDARY DROP!]
[Item: Dragon Heart Extract]
[Effect: Permanently increases Constitution +20 and Fire Resistance +10%]
Asher smirked. "0.01% drop rate. Found it."
He downed the red vial.
WHOOSH!
Steam erupted from his skin. His veins glowed orange for a split second. He felt his muscles knit together, becoming denser, harder. The fatigue from the dungeon vanished instantly.
He opened the final box.
[Rare: Assassin's Brew (+5 AGI)]
He drank it.
"Status Open."
[Name: Asher]
[Class: Shadow Monarch (SSR)]
[Level: 3]
[Strength: 30 -> 34]
[Agility: 45 -> 51]
[Constitution: 10 -> 30] (Major Increase!)
[Mana: 100 -> 110]
"My HP just tripled," Asher noted, clenching his fist. The air popped from the pressure of his grip. "I can now tank a hit from the Sewer King without blocking."
He looked at his remaining 100 Gold.
He pulled out the [Sewer King's Fang] (Attack: 45).
"Nova, open the Blacksmith tab."
Nova flew over, looking wary. "You have 100 Gold left. That's exactly the cost of one Refining Stone. But Asher... the success rate for the first upgrade is only 50%. If it fails, the weapon durability drops."
"50%?" Asher laughed dryly. "In my world, that's a guarantee."
He placed the green dagger into the holographic anvil interface. He added the 100 Gold.
[Refining...]
TINK... TINK...
The hammer icon hit the blade. Sparks flew.
Nova held her breath.
TINK...
[SUCCESS!]
[Sewer King's Fang +1]
[Attack: 45 -> 55]
[New Passive Unlocked: Toxin Splash (15% chance to splash poison to nearby enemies)]
Asher grabbed the dagger. It hummed with power.
"Stats updated. Gear upgraded. Pockets empty."
He stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the neon lights of the Hunter City glowed. Somewhere out there, the Silverwing Guild was celebrating their "conquest" of the Sewer Dungeon, unaware that Asher had already killed the boss.
His phone buzzed.
It was a notification from the Hunter Association App.
[Emergency Quest: The "Tower of Trials" Tutorial Floor is opening in 1 Hour.]
[Requirement: Level 3+]
[Reward: Official Hunter License + F-Rank Citizenship.]
"Perfect timing," Asher said, checking his reflection in the glass. His purple eyes glowed faintly.
"Time to go to school."