Chapter 16: The Harvest of Victory and the Next Steps
Kaelen didn't give himself time to rest after the "Leader's" fall. While his body was exhausted, his mind was working rapidly, aware that every second in this new world held value. He leaned towards the disintegrated remains of the "Leader," which had transformed into a pile of glowing crystals, larger and more radiant than any he had collected before.
[Essence Crystals (Rare) x50 acquired.][Experience Points acquired: 500.][Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 6!][Attribute Points acquired: 5.][New skill acquired: Mana Sense (Dormant).]
Kaelen felt a powerful surge of energy sweep through his body. The pain and exhaustion significantly receded with each Essence Crystal he absorbed. It wasn't just healing; it was a feeling of absolute rejuvenation, as if every cell in his body was regenerating and becoming stronger. These crystals were far more effective than the previous ones.
Kaelen opened his System screen, ignoring the physical effects of the battle. Numbers danced before him, reflecting his increasing power. This time, the information was more detailed, allowing him to better assess his progress:
[Name: Kaelen][Level: 6][Experience Points: 0/1000][Available Attribute Points: 5][Health: 600/600][Mana: 100/100]
[Attributes:]
Strength: 9 (+1) - (Determines physical power and damage in combat attacks.)
Agility: 9 (+1) - (Determines speed, reflexes, and evasion.)
Endurance: 8 - (Determines physical stamina and resistance to fatigue.)
Vitality: 6 - (Determines maximum health points, regeneration speed, and disease resistance.)
Intelligence: 7 - (Determines mental capacity, learning speed, and skill comprehension.)
Luck: 3 - (Affects the chance of obtaining rare loot, critical hits, and avoiding negative events.)
[Abilities:]
Analysis (Active)
Dimensional Vision (Active)
Mana Control (Active)
Mana Sense (Dormant) - New
"Mana Sense..." Kaelen muttered, wondering about the utility of this new skill. It was "Dormant," meaning he needed to activate or understand it first. But the most important thing now was the five Attribute Points he had gained.
Kaelen didn't hesitate. He immediately distributed the points: two points in Strength, two points in Agility, and one point in Mana. He didn't want to become just a strong fighter, but a smart and fast one, with a sufficient Mana reserve.
[Strength: 11 (+1)][Agility: 11 (+1)][Mana: 110/110]
He felt a new surge of strength and lightness in his body, as if every movement had become smoother. This victory was more than just an achievement; it was an investment in his future.
Kaelen stood in the center of the silent dungeon, his mind planning. He had proven to himself that he could survive in this new world, and even thrive in it. The shelter, with its limits and rules, was merely a temporary stop. His true goal was much further: to find his family, build his own sanctuary, and become strong enough to protect those he cared about.
"This dungeon was just the beginning," Kaelen thought. "It granted me power and resources, but the entire university is a larger dungeon."
He began to see the university from a different perspective. It was no longer just a place of crumbling buildings, but a vast area full of potential resources, dangers, and perhaps other survivors. He had to explore it, understand its dynamics, and formulate a plan to control it. This meant: systematic exploration to identify safe and dangerous areas, gathering resources like food, water, and anything useful, identifying threats and understanding the types and levels of creatures, and building a network of allies or individuals he could rely on.
He knew Harun wouldn't leave him alone. The deal was merely a truce. Harun saw him as a powerful tool, but Kaelen saw Harun as a means to obtain initial information and resources.
After comprehending everything, Kaelen began his journey back to the shelter. He knew his return would raise more questions, but he was ready. He had changed, and the rules of the game had changed.
When he reached the shelter's gate, the two guards were still in their place, but their faces were paler after the earthquake caused by his battle. They looked at him in silence, their eyes filled with awe.
"The dungeon has been cleared," Kaelen said in a calm voice, ignoring their expressions. "There's no immediate threat from that area now."
The two guards immediately opened the gate, not daring to ask any questions. Kaelen entered, feeling eyes watching him from every corner. He knew his words would spread quickly.
In the dining hall, the atmosphere was tense. Survivors ate their food in silence, punctuated by hushed whispers. Everyone had heard Harun's decision that Kaelen was the new shelter's protector, but some didn't believe it.
Kaelen went directly to the dining table, where an elderly woman was distributing rations.
"A double portion of food for me and Emily," Kaelen said to the woman calmly.
The woman hesitated, looking at a large, muscular man standing nearby. At that moment, the man stood up and yelled loudly, "What's going on? Who is this stranger to take a double portion of food?" This man was trying to provoke Kaelen, as he hadn't accepted the situation.
Kaelen didn't look at him but kept his gaze fixed on the woman. He sensed a strong negative energy surrounding the large man and felt that this man possessed a kind of dormant ability that hadn't fully manifested yet.
"Don't you hear me, stranger?" the large man yelled, advancing toward Kaelen. "This place has rules!"
Kaelen looked at the large man and smiled coldly. "The new rule is: you don't interfere in my affairs."
Kaelen didn't give the man a chance to reply. The man suddenly stopped in his tracks, feeling a deadly chill emanating from Kaelen. It wasn't a fighting aura, but Kaelen's presence that he imposed on the room, causing the man to stagger and retreat a few steps.
"Now, I'll repeat my request again," Kaelen said, looking at the old woman. "I want my food portion for me and Emily."
The woman immediately handed over the rations, her face pale. Kaelen took the portions and gestured for Emily to follow him.
"This is the new place where we'll stay," Kaelen said, entering a small room at the end of the corridor. The room contained two beds and was relatively clean.
"Why..." Emily began, but Kaelen cut her off.
"Don't think about it too much now. Eat your food."
Emily sat down silently and began to eat, but her eyes never left Kaelen, who watched her calmly while his mind planned his first moves in this dangerous game he had been forced into.
"The university will be my new sanctuary, and I will establish my own rules within it."