Chapter 23: Level Up

Chapter 23: Level Up

<Day 5 of the Tutorial>

[10:30 AM, Thursday 4th of May, 2023]

~CREAK~

I gently pushed the back entrance door of my base, moving outside with quiet steps.

With caution, I opened a vial holding the Invisibility potion, and its soft glow formed a ghostly aura around me. When I drank the elixir, a tingling feeling spread through my body, and instantly, I vanished from sight.

[You Have Just Consumed An Item]

<Invisibility Effect Activated>

{Time Left Until Deactivation: <02mins, 59secs>

'Every second counts from this point on!'

As silent as a ghost, I moved sneakily through the desolate streets, unseen, a hidden predator under the bright sunlight.

With stealth on my side, I explored the desolate street, my senses alert for any sign of demonic activity. The eerie quiet was only broken by the echoes of demonic growls and the shuffling of their grotesque forms.

'As I expected, they're quite numerous,' I mused, watching them lumber around, oblivious to my presence.

The certainty of my safety gave me purpose, and I moved with intent, my steps careful and calculated, poised for action at a moment's notice.

In no time, I found myself approaching an unsuspecting demon. Normally, I would have targeted the weaker, more exhausted ones, but time was of the essence.

"They can't see you, Mikey. You're fine," I reassured myself as I closed the gap between us, improving my chances of a successful strike.

"GRRRRR..."

I tightened my grip on the rocks I held, my gaze fixed on my first target.

These makeshift projectiles had become my trusted weapons in this unforgiving reality; there was no room for hesitation.

~WHOOM!~

~SWOOSH!~

With practiced precision, I flung my first stone and then the second, sending them hurtling through the air.

~BAM!~

~WHAM!~

They struck the demon's head with a resounding crack, and the creature crumpled to the ground, defeated.

"Huh?"

Just like that, the demon died on the spot without a struggle or sound.

"Is it really this easy?" I pondered, recalling how I had dispatched my first demon with relative ease before.

Back then, I'd attributed it to the demon's poor health, but maybe it was something more.

'No time to dwell on that now! I need to level up as fast as I can!' I thought, and just as the idea crossed my mind, I received the expected notification.

~DING!~

<You Have Leveled Up>

That wasn't all, though.

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

<Congratulations! User is the first to kill a Demon in this Zone>

{You will receive a Reward for this accomplishment.}

~Note: Rewards will be calculated and distributed after the Tutorial~

[END OF INFORMATION]

Things seemed to be unfolding just as they had before. Still, I couldn't afford to get too wrapped up in my achievements, not after what had happened last time.

~SHUUUUU...~

The dead demon gradually turned into mist, leaving nothing behind as it dissipated into the air.

'Not even a single trace? Maybe it's because it's just a weak foe,' I speculated.

Regardless, I needed to move on to my next target.

The death of the lone demon had stirred up some commotion among the nearby demons, complicating matters. Thankfully, I remained unseen, allowing me to continue my mission.

"I'm going to grind like crazy!" I resolved, determined to make the most of my invisibility.

*******

I systematically eliminated the demons I encountered, one by one.

My invisibility granted me a significant advantage, enabling me to strike quickly and silently.

With each rock I threw, a surge of satisfaction washed over me as the monsters crumbled. Their grotesque forms littered the ground, a testament to my growing expertise.

Unfortunately, none of this could last very long due to the timeout I constantly experienced.

When my time ran out, I had to retreat to my base and consume another potion to continue my demon-slaying spree.

<You Have Leveled Up>

<You Have Leveled Up>

I leveled up twice more before the invisibility potions finally ran dry, ending my day's work.

I learned a lot from this experience.

Firstly, as I ascended in levels, it became increasingly challenging to level up further.

In my Level 1 days, a single demon kill sufficed. However, my second level required five, and my third needed fifteen.

Eventually, I hit a wall at Level 4 when my stamina and potions were depleted.

Another thing I learned was the demons' state. These formidable creatures, while dangerous, proved to be surprisingly weak.

They fell to my attacks with ease, often succumbing after just two rock throws. Since I hadn't allocated my stats yet, I could only assume that things would get even easier as I grew stronger.

Initially, I couldn't comprehend why these terrifying beings were so vulnerable.

However, it finally dawned on me.

I realized that this post-apocalyptic world was essentially a tutorial.

Despite its grim state, it offered us novices a chance to survive. These demons were merely toned-down versions, designed to facilitate our learning and development.

'I can only imagine the struggle if they were too formidable. Most people wouldn't stand a chance.'

However, despite this being the case, the situation was far from simple.

Only when I dared to face one myself did I realize how easy it was. I was certain that most ordinary individuals wouldn't summon the courage to try.

'Besides, I only started hunting demons because of the information I acquired. What about those who opted to hide in their homes and forgo the fight?' The reality was that most would choose not to even engage the demons.

"But that's not my concern, though. I'll keep doing this!" I couldn't help but grin as I contemplated the strength I could attain if I kept up the pace.

A mix of relief and determination surged through my veins.

My encounters with the demons equipped me with an understanding of their patterns, habits, and weaknesses. What once seemed insurmountable was now within reach.

The thrill of the hunt pulsed within me, urging me onward. This new world had become my battlefield, and I was determined to conquer it, one demon at a time

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 4

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 1/1 (+1)

- Combat Ability: 2/2 (+2)

- Stat Points: 9

- Currency: 400

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Nil>

- Items Equipped: <Rock>, <Enchanted Rock>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

*******

[11:02 AM, Thursday 4th of May, 2023]

I entered the dimly lit interior of my base, kicking off my well-worn boots before collapsing onto a creaky chair.

The aroma of canned food filled the air as I opened a can of beans, its echoing pop breaking the silence. I devoured the simple meal, relishing each bite that restored my energy.

'Haaa...'

The food wasn't luxurious by any means, but it was a feast compared to what others might have.

I had enough food and water to sustain me many times over, and an array of medications surrounded me, ready for use in case I ended up ill or injured.

'Come to think of it, my hands are aching,' I mused. The strain from hurling rocks with all my might had taken its toll on my body. 'Some painkillers and balms should help.'

I couldn't have asked for a more ideal base. n--o.-V(-e/.l--B//I)(n

As I sat there, reflecting on the day's events, a weighty thought lingered. I had decided to live this way until the Tutorial concluded and until I had mastered its challenges and could navigate its perils effortlessly.

Given the possibilities of what lay beyond, this seemed to be my best shot at survival, and so far, it appeared to be working.

'Still, I can't help but wonder... how many times will I have to face death before I truly master this new world?' The notion both terrified and fascinated me.

No one desired death, but at the same time, I found it amazing that I was given the chance to correct my mistakes if I ever ended up like that.

'I just have to give it my all, huh?'

My mind then drifted to the other survivors scattered across different 'Zones,' as the System referred to them.

I wondered how they were faring in their battles against the chaos that had engulfed our world. Were they facing the same demons as me? Or were their challenges different and more dangerous?

'Will I meet other people before the Tutorial ends? Or is that a futile hope?'

Only two more days remained until this ordeal concluded. I had to concentrate on growing stronger. That was my foremost priority.

With a sigh, I brushed aside these thoughts, recognizing that dwelling on them wouldn't change my circumstances.

After finishing my meal, I smiled, closed my eyes, and relished the warmth in my stomach, feeling strength course through my body.

'I did it. I won and survived.' In this bleak world, I had found a way to thrive, to endure, and to evolve.

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[A/N]

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