Chapter 58: Rock Bottom

[00 Months: 01 Days: 14 Hours]

There is a certain popular that was often quoted by people who had reached their lowest state.

'There's nowhere else to go but up.'

However, many fail to take account of one very simple variable.

What if they were too beaten down to rise? People naturally adapted to their surroundings, and it was very possible for someone to acclimate to their current position.

In essence, while at rock bottom, it was possible to never leave such a low estate.

They would rather learn to dance with the flames because it's easier to stay in their wretched state when the pain was all they knew anymore.

... That was perhaps how I would describe myself.

At least the 'me' of the past. Before all of this madness, and before I began to fight for my life.

But now... I had changed drastically from.the boy I used to know. I clawed my way out of that ditch that was dug up for me, and I became determined to survive.

But what was it all for?

"I'm such an idiot." I whispered to myself as a sad smile crept up on my face.

I thought I was being smart by minimizing my resources, failing to realize that it wasn't the real objective.

Allowances were always given to everyone. The System clearly realized we had needs. The Currency I recieved wasn't simply for survival, but for evolution.

My Stats weren't meant for decoration, but for improvements.

Everything at my disposal was meant to be used to its utmost limits, yet I was being a fool every time by limiting my potential.

Lucy Fer was right! In my bid to be careful, I had become such a disappointment.

"No more..."

~DING!~

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<You Have Recieved 1,100 Currency>

{Sufficient time has elapsed since the death of five Survivors. Since User was the last to come in contact with them, you have been allotted their Currency}

<Total Currency in User's possession: 3,850 C >

"Most of the Currency would have been from the Rewards. It seems they truly spent most of their Currency on equipment." I muttered.

In this world, where no one knew when and where they would die, making preparations was the smartest thing anyone could do.

I understood that clearly.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<Other Loot Detected>

~Will You Receive The Rest?~

[YES] [NO]

Gazing stoically at the System Window in front of me, my hands slowly lifted and I tapped on [Yes].

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<All Items Of The Dead Survivors Have Been Transferred To You>

{You may choose what happens to them now. You can liquidate them into funds, or equip them. The choice is yours}

[END OF INFORMATION]

"I would like to sell them." My voice echoed in the silent room.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<Total Currency Price: 1,650>

~Do You Wish To Proceed?~

[YES] [NO]

"Yes."

At that moment, a bright light radiated in the conquered Boss Room, and my Currency Balance became 5,500.

That was a very decent sum if I really thought of it.

'Enough to even make that ~Custom Request~ from <Shop>...'

If I spent this sum handsomely, there were a good number of things I could accomplish.

However, it wasn't time to her distracted yet.

There were other things on my mind at this moment.

'Should I start with allocating Stats fir—?'

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<Dungeon Rewards Have Been Updated>

{The other Survivors have now forfeited their Rewards as a result of their death. Since User is still present in the Dungeon, rewards will be transferred to you}

<New Rewards>

~Four Treasure Chests (Rare)~

~One Treasure Chest (Epic)~

~Additional Level Up (5 Levels)~

[End Of Information]

My eyes twitched a little.

I wasn't expecting additional System Rewards for clearing the Dungeon.

'This changes things immensely.'

I already had one Rare Treasure Chest, but to think I would get additional four, and then one Epic Treasure Chest.

'This is a lot!'

The most relevant of the improvements was that I had Leveled Up five times.

'I'm in Level 30 now. Just like that?!'

It was indeed very shocking, but I couldn't lose my cool just yet.

First off...

"Status Window."

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 30

- Life Force: 5/5

- Energy Level: 9/9 (+2)

- Combat Ability: 8/8 (+3), (+15), (+5)

- Stat Points: 64

- Currency: 5,500

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare> seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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

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

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>, <Fallen Foe>, <Language Comprehension>

- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Speedo>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Invisibility Cloak>, <Tower Pass (F1)>, <Demon Tree Sap>, <Navigating Compass>, <Special Watch>, <Stone Golem (Lvl 5) Essence>.

- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Read captivating tales at m v l e mpyr

[Additional Information]

You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.

"Hmm... as I'd expect." Fortunately, Energy Rock didn't seem to be destroyed. It was probably just rendered unusable for a while.

Everything was according to my calculations... except one thing.

"What in the world is <Prey>?"

I had never seen it before, and a mere glance at it was giving me a very negative feeling.

"Elaborate on <Prey> Title."

[Title Info]

Name: <Prey>

Special Effect: You have been marked by a <Predator>, and as such, you will be under the surveillance of said individual indefinitely.

{Note: The only way to rid yourself of this Title is to be of a higher Level than the <Predator>}

[End Of Information]

"D-does this mean what I think it does?!" There was only one person I knew who fit the description of <Predator>, and I was thinking about her at the moment.

'Lucy Fer. She did this?'

My body shivered as I thought about her. Even now, she was still keeping an eye on me.

"I guess I can't mess up now, can I?" A tired smile crept over my face.

For now, I couldn't do anything about it. The only thing I could really do was to outgrow the mark.

'I don't know how possible that is, but I have to try.'

For now, though, there were more important things to be concerned about.

The first was about my Treasure Chests. The second was about my Stats. The third was about using my Currency.

'... And I'm not leaving this place until I am done with all three.'

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading!

If you bought my privilege tiers, double appreciation to you. I hope you're enjoying the chapters.