The adrenaline from the fight still hummed faintly through Riven's veins, but a deeper sensation was taking hold—a quiet, steady pulse of growth. His vision flickered, then shimmered as the familiar translucent blue interface of his system materialized before him, overlaying the world.
LEVEL UP!Congratulations. You have reached Level 4.Attribute Points Unlocked: 9Skill Tree Points Unlocked: 3
Riven's breath caught for a moment. Nine points—nine precious points he could use to sculpt his body, his mind, his power.
He closed his eyes briefly and opened the attribute menu.
A list appeared, crisp and clear:
Strength
Durability
Speed
Endurance
Magic
Agility
Willpower
Precision
Weapon Mastery
Each stat blinked with a subtle glow, hinting at their importance. He remembered how raw strength had allowed him to break through defenses, but it was his agility that had let him flow past opponents, avoiding fatal blows by inches. Endurance was the foundation—the wall that kept him standing through punishment.
His fingers hovered, indecisive at first. Then, decisiveness took over.
3 points into Strength. His fists clenched, imagining the power behind every punch growing.4 points into Agility. Speed, reflexes, grace—these would keep him a step ahead of every enemy.2 points into Endurance. To outlast his foes, to endure their strongest hits.
The numbers shifted, climbing. A new vitality filled his limbs. His heart beat stronger, steadier. He felt the difference immediately—not just in numbers, but in essence.
Next, the skill tree unfolded before him—six glowing pathways, each representing a different domain of mastery:
Strength
Speed
Durability
Magic
Weapon Mastery
Martial Arts
He paused, staring long at Martial Arts. The path where he had invested years of sweat, pain, and soul. It was the core of who he was. Without hesitation, he committed all three skill points there.
Skill Acquired: Veteran's EdgeEffect: +10% stat boost when using martial arts you have trained for over 10 years.
A surge of energy coursed through him, knitting muscle and mind tighter, sharper. This was no simple buff. It was a recognition—a reward for his dedication and time.
The system buzzed again. Another skill unlocked.
Skill Unlocked: Equipment Mastery – GlovesYou may now equip gloves to enhance your abilities.
A small inventory window opened, revealing a single item: gloves. They shimmered with a rare azure glow.
Riven examined them carefully.
Rarity: Rare
The gloves were crafted from supple leather reinforced with steel mesh, designed to protect without sacrificing dexterity. A faint pulse of magic radiated from the weave, promising enhanced grip and impact absorption.
The system then displayed a detailed equipment rarity guide:
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Mythical
Celestial
Divine
Ultimate
Heavenly
Transcended
Each tier was rarer than the last, offering exponential increases in stats, special abilities, and unique passive effects. Transcended—the highest rarity—was almost mythical in itself, rumored to be crafted by ancient gods or forged in celestial realms.
A message blinked beneath the rarity list.
Note: At Level 10, Equipment Options will unlock, allowing you to customize gear with special enchantments, runes, and enhancements.
Riven's mind raced at the possibilities. For now, the gloves were a tangible step forward—a physical testament to his progress.
But the system wasn't finished.
With the last skill point, a new branch of skills appeared before him: Wrestling.
Three paths awaited selection:
Normal Wrestling
Sumo (Japanese Wrestling)
Ssireum (Korean Wrestling)
He studied the options carefully.
Normal Wrestling offered straightforward grappling and takedown techniques. Sumo promised brute force and balance, relying on weight and power. Ssireum intrigued him—the Korean style emphasized grip strength and dynamic leverage, a perfect complement to his newly gained gloves and his growing focus on control.
He selected Ssireum.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Basic Grip (Common)Effect: Increase grip strength by 10%.
Riven flexed his fingers, feeling the power tightening like a coil in his hands.
The ground beneath him felt charged. Every nerve, every muscle was alive with potential. This was only the beginning.
With a deep breath, Riven closed the interface and sheathed his new gloves at his side. The sun was rising higher now, casting golden light over the training grounds.
Ahead lay the arena—the place where he would push his limits further, refine every new skill, and test his evolving power.
He moved forward with steady steps, determination burning in his chest.
The path to true mastery stretched endlessly before him. And Riven was ready to walk it.