Three level ups in one go. That was a new record for Zane, and he had the achievement system to thank for it. Specifically, the more sinister achievement that he unlocked fairly early on without realizing.
But Zane did not contemplate further on the ramifications of these so called "Hidden Achievements" but rather instead quickly began to allocate his points to the desired attributes.
---
[User: Zane Graves]
[Race: Human]
[Subrace: Living Dead]
[Level: 8]
[XP: 2,500/7,500]
[HP: 120/120]
[Attributes:]
[Strength: 14 +/-]
[Dexterity: 13 +/-]
[Constitution: 12 +/-]
[Intelligence: 10 +/-]
[Wisdom: 10 +/-]
[Charisma: 10 +/-]
[Attribute Points: 6]
[Skills]
[Dead Man Walking – Tier II]
---
Knowing that these were his current stats, Zane decided to get his strength, dexterity, and constitution up to level 15. And he had just enough points to do so. Naturally, his character screen updated to reflect these changes afterward.
---
[User: Zane Graves]
[Title: Slayer of the Dead – Tier I]
[Description: You have slain many of humanity's enemies, and because you have grown more efficient at killing the Undead.]
[Effect: +15% Damage towards Walkers and other Tier I Undead.]
---
Zane was surprised by the effects of what was essentially the first achievement one should normally unlock. It was pretty damn good. There was, of course, only one problem with it. And that was he was now so well outfitted that killing Tier I undead was a breeze. Because of this, Zane immediately ignored this title and instead gazed upon the next one.
---
[Title: Corrupted – Tier I]
[Your body is undergoing many changes as a result of your repeated consumption of blood crystals. Because of this, your body processes them more efficiently than before.]
[Effects:
-25% Duration of Corruption Debuff
+10% XP gained from consuming Tier I Blood Crystals]
[Note: Your skill Dead Man Walking – Tier II already negates the effects of the Corruption Debuff, and thus you will gain no benefits from selecting this title.]
---
At first Zane thought this would be a good Title to select if not simply because of the +10 XP gained from consuming Tier I Blood Crystals, but unfortunately the note at the bottom of the selection screen informed him this Title was entirely useless for him just like the previous one.
Finally, Zane gazed over at the dreaded hidden achievement he had unlocked and inspected its effects, hoping silently that it would provide some use to him other than just a massive amount of experience.
---
[Title: Murderer]
[Description: You are a cold-blooded killer who shows no remorse in murdering your own kind. As a result, people will naturally be intimidated by your presence. You are also more efficient at taking the lives of the living, whether in self-defense or outright murder.]
[Effects:
[All Living beings who you are hostile to will suffer from the Intimidation Debuff while within your presence.]
[+15% Damage towards all living beings]
---
Though Zane had no idea what the so called "Intimidation Debuff" was, or what effects it would have, he supposed he would have to find out through actual use of the skill. Ultimately, this was the title he selected. And he was happy to do so, at least until he could find a better title by unlocking more achievements.
With this in mind, Zane continued to keep an eye on Olivia and Elena, both of which slept peacefully in the house. All the while, the storm continued to rage on, as did the battle for the Safe Zone's survival.