Knowing this was just a mere dream, he snapped out of it - for now. As a last afterthought, he remembered the last time he had told his father about his dream of being a Diver. A hidden strive of hope had been climbing out from the bottom of his heart.
I'd like to know what this synthesising thing will look like. Can I just combine two level 10 skills into one broader one? How will that make me stronger?
Johannes' right eyebrow slightly raised as he attempted to figure out the new function that the system had mentioned.
I'll have no way of knowing anyway - at least for as long as I don't have two level 10 skills. Though, [Breathing lvl 9] comes close. He chuckled as a rush of endorphins heightened his suspense.
After he cooled off for a bit, his stare was glued onto the mysterious blue screen. A swift motion carefully placed his agile index finger onto the button that led him to the shopping menu. He eagerly awaited the chance to buy [Walking lvl 1] or even [Meditation lvl 1].
There it was, the loud sound only he could hear.
[Breathing lvl 10 Has Unlocked New Skills]
When he considered it, the notification made a lot of sense. He had only been able to buy a very limited number of skills so far.
[New Skills Have Been Added To The Shop]
A quick glance at the screen was enough to understand what was new. It was not that the system didn't work, but rather that the number of purchasable skills had increased tremendously.
All of those felt as if they had been catered to his very needs, that were as basic as they could be.
[Breathing Technique lvl 1], [Basic Upper Body Strength lvl 1], [Basic Lower Body Strength lvl 1] have all been added to the shop.
Now that's something. This kills my plan to buy [Meditation lvl 1] early on. My best bet would be [Walking lvl 1] and [Basic Lower Body Strength lvl 1]. Though, what happens if I skip [Walking lvl 1]? Could it lock me out of further skills?
Knowing this could reel in more problems he could potentially manage, he had no intention of finding out today. It had to wait.
He confirmed the purchase of [Walking lvl 1] and [Basic Lower Body Strength lvl 1], which would prepare Johannes for further workouts.
This was the first time in many years - or even in his life- that he could walk properly. His fingers started to tremble as if they had been caught inside a significant tremor as a tear rolled down his face, with a lot more to follow. His touch went onto his face, wiping away the wet stream of teardrops.
Am I crying? Why?
Johannes felt as if he had not been in control of his body, looking at himself from a third person's view. Time was ticking slower than usual, and the lights were dimmed. Not even the radiant moonlight could emit its dominance.
This is one of many moments that my father will never witness. I just wish he would be there in my place, growing with the system.
A sense of disgust entered his body. Disgust that he even attempted to move on from his father's death - disgust that his pain had lessened. Yet, a small voice inside him tore through this mantle of dark clouds that tried to infiltrate his brain.
I want to be happy. I have to be happy. I need to be happy.
The frail man knew the truth. If Johannes did not move on, his father could never forgive himself for leaving so early. Johannes would not taint his father's wish for him to be a fighter.
Adrenaline rushed through his veins at an unsurpassable speed, one that could have knocked him out if it wished to.
Starting with a singular step, he moved the heavy weight of his withered right leg into the air. It was shaking both with anxiety and agony, as it had not felt this sensation in ages.
And just like that, he let his right foot fall onto the ground, leaving a quiet shockwave that could only seen and heard by Johannes - and nobody else.