Notice: (Origin system for the real world
Universal system for the in-game world)
Chapter 12
Stepping out of the shop after selling the sprite dust,the group split their earnings. Each sprite dust sold for 20 silver coins.And selling the three gave them 60 silver coins,so they each took 20 silver coins. Then they headed back in the direction of the city square. Drake lingered behind the others thinking about his real world system.
When he heard a sound in his head-
Ding !!
The notification of his system greeted his sights.
[Origin system--Daily progress updated]
Drake's eyes flickered to the semitransparent panel only he could see-different from the game's clean blue interface. This one was darker,edged with faint golden lines, and the words pulsed faintly as if alive.
[Daily quest complete]
•Walk 10,000 steps ✓
•Read 1 chapter of a skill related book✓
•Complete one in-game quest✓
Rewards granted.
+5 STA
+2 PER
+30 exp
His mouth twitched in surprise. Even the real world system showed in the game and also counted in-game achievements.' That was ..... unfairly convenient. The game's victories were strengthening him in the real world.
Another notification popped in.
[ New milestone achieved : first group dungeon clear]
Reward : Random skill book(real-world)
A small shimmering black and gold book materialized in his hands. And it felt warm to the touch.Drake quickly tucked it into his jacket before anyone noticed. Caleb was too busy stretching his arms,while Justin was recounting about how he saved the day. So no one noticed.
"Drake, you coming?" Caleb called out.
"Yeah,"he forced a casual smile but his mind was racing.
Two systems, two sets of rewards, and now a skill book he could learn in the real world. If the two systems where beginning to overlap...
His fingers brushed against the hidden book.
....
The white light of the logout faded,Drake opened his eyes to the warm glow of his dorm's desk lamp. The hum of the VR capsule slower before cutting off entirely.
He sat up feeling the weight of the skill book in his hands. The corners of his mouth twitched,his system had pulled it out of the game.
He put the book in his system's inventory, just as the door swung open.
"Yo, Drake! You finally logged out" Caleb's voice was full of energy as he kicked his shoes off, Justin followed, carrying bags of takeout that smelled heavenly. They logged off earlier before Drake.
"We missed dinner so we got these",Justin said tossing a burger onto Drake's desk,"we thought you might be grinding in there."
"Something like that" Drake replied with a smirk, stretching his arms. His body still felt light from the adrenaline of their earlier fight with the woodland sprites.
The three roommates spent the next hour eating and talking mostly about game plans and random campus gossips. Drake mostly listened,noting the way real life felt strangely ...slow compared to the system's world.
Later, when the others were distracted, Drake opened his system interface
[Origin system interface]
Name: Drake
Level: 3
Exp:89/300
Stamina:145/145
STR:12(+5)
AGI:15
PER:13(+2)
Stamina:100
Health:150/150
Skills
Class
Inventory
Drake closed the interface and leaned back in his chair,eyes glinting. The real world had always felt powerless before but now things were about to change.
--
Hours later,Caleb stretched out with a yawn."I'm calling it a day man, I'm beat". He kicked his blanket and got onto his bed, leaving his fries forgotten on the desk. Justin wasn't far behind, muttering about an early lecture. Within minutes,both were snoring lightly
Drake sat there in the dim glow of his desk lamp,with his heart burning with curiosity. He finally opened his inventory.
Inventory:
-Random skill book
- Gold bars(5)
- Miscellaneous items
Tapping the first option mentally,the book appeared in his hands and the system stirred:
Skill: Shadow step
Class requirement: None
Effects: Grants the skill (shadow step lv.1): instantly blink to a short distance in the direction you're facing. Costs 15 stamina.
[Do you wish to learn this skill?]
His eyes widened. A teleportation ability?.
Even at the lowest level, it was ridiculously powerful. If it was in the game,it would make him nearly untouchable in a fight. But here -in the real world...
He didn't hesitate and accepted.
→ yes
The book dissolved into smoke, seeping into his chest. He gasped,clutching his chest as a rush of energy coursed through his veins. The sensation lasted only for a few seconds.
[ Skill learned: Shadow step lv.1]
A shiver ran down his spine. This wasn't game mechanics,his muscles twitched with newfound potential. Drake relaxed,focusing.He wanted to test shadow step. His room wasn't ideal for combat, but....
He inhaled,and took a step forward.
[Shadow step activated]
His vision warped. For a heartbeat,his body dissolved into shadow. Then with a whisper of displaced air,he reappeared across the room beside the door.
"....!"
Drake froze.No sound. No trail. His stamina bar dipped by 15,but other than that,he felt fine. This was real. He tried again,back to his desk. Another blink of shadow,and there he was standing beside his chair. His heart hammered,but his grin stretched wide. He almost laughed out loud. If anyone walked in now, they'd be shocked silly to see him teleporting around with a large smile on his face. After a while, Drake sat down at his desk exhausted,he had used up most of his stamina.
Then ding!!
[ Shadow step lv.1-- Proficiency +1%]
Drake's lips tugged into a grin.Then his eyes narrowed as another thought surfaced in his mind.
That day in the old building...
Remembering the loot he had forgotten,he quickly stood up then pushed aside his books and reached for the bottom of his luggage silently so as not to wake the other two. Beneath his folded clothes and some books,his hand met cold metal. Pulling it out slowly,his pulse quickened. It's long blade gleamed faintly in the room light,it was etched with thin lines that looked like veins. The hilt was wrapped in crimson leather,and carried faint carvings. The air around the blade felt heavy. The moment the sword left the bag,the origin system stirred.
[ Item detected:Bloodfang Relic sword]
Rank:????
[Bound state: Soulbound(Untransferable)]
Effect: Weapon will evolve along with the wielder.
Growth potential: unknown.