The body of the Rift Predator lay still, its lifeless eyes staring into nothing.
Jin Seok-woo stood over it, chest heaving, the taste of iron sharp in his mouth. Blood stained his hands—some his, some the creature's. The adrenaline was fading, replaced by an aching exhaustion that seeped into his bones.
But alongside the fatigue, something else bloomed.
Something new.
The System window pulsed softly in the corner of his vision.
[Level Up: Lv. 2]
[Stat Points +3]
[Skill Points +1]
The glowing blue interface expanded before his eyes, more detailed than before.
---
Status Window:
Name: Jin Seok-woo
Title: Apostle of None
Level: 2
HP: 120/120
MP: 60/60
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Vitality: 5
Intelligence: 5
Unassigned Stat Points: 3
Skill Points: 1
Unique Ability:[Self-Evolution] — All growth is self-determined. Potential: Unknown.
---
He stared at the words for a long moment. It didn't feel real.
No gods. No blessings.
And yet—he had leveled up.
He exhaled shakily. "Alright. Think. What do I need first?"
The System chimed again, offering guidance.
[You have 3 Stat Points. Choose wisely.]
> Strength increases physical damage and carrying capacity.
> Agility enhances speed, reflexes, and evasion.
> Vitality raises health and endurance.
> Intelligence boosts magic potential and system adaptability.
Seok-woo clenched his fists. His hands still ached from the fight, his body sore from the creature's swipe.
"I need to survive first," he muttered. "And I need to be fast enough to avoid those attacks."
After a brief hesitation, he distributed the points:
+2 Agility
+1 Vitality
---
Updated Stats:
**Strength:** 5
**Agility:** 7
**Vitality:** 6
**Intelligence:** 5
---
He already felt the difference—his body felt lighter, sharper, as though an invisible weight had lifted.
Then came the second window.
[1 Skill Point Available]
Available Skills:
1. Quickstep (Active) — Instantly dash in any direction. Short cooldown.
2.Iron Skin (Passive) — Minor damage reduction at all times.
3.Hunter's Instinct (Passive) — Increases critical hit chance against monsters.
Seok-woo's eyes moved over the choices. Each was tempting in its own way. Defense? Speed? Offense?
But then he remembered the Rift Predator's claws. The way he barely survived by moving faster than it expected.
He made his choice.
[Skill Acquired: Quickstep]
A tingling warmth spread through his legs as the System integrated the new ability.
---
He closed the window, his breath finally steadying.
"I don't need gods," he murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible in the Rift's eerie silence. "I have this."
He glanced back at the Rift portal in the far distance—still shimmering, still out of reach.
Somewhere beyond this twisted land, other Apostles were clearing Rifts, claiming glory and favor from their divine patrons. But Seok-woo had no one guiding him. No god. No master. Only himself.
And yet… for the first time in years, he felt something stir.
Hope.
[System Alert: The next wave will arrive in 10 minutes.]
[Prepare accordingly.]
His lips curved into a bitter smile.
"Of course," he whispered. "This is just the beginning."