The profound silence of the forest was a stark contrast to the roaring satisfaction in Tony's veins. The day's relentless combat had been a grindstone, honing his body and spirit. But now, under the oppressive, starless canopy, it was time to temper the blade with cunning. He found a secluded hollow formed by the massive roots of a petrified tree—a relatively safe spot to consolidate his gains.
His first order of business was the twenty-six Skill Points burning a hole in his interface. The +21 had appeared after his S-Rank quest completion and world-first achievements—a king's ransom for any player. The subsequent +5 had been earned the hard way: one for a perfect parry that saved his life, and four more for moments of instinctive brilliance the system deemed "exemplary."
