I lay on my bed, staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling.
The bruises from Cedric's fists throbbed dully, nothing serious, just surface pain that would fade in a day or two.
The notifications hovered in my peripheral vision, waiting.
[Quest Complete: Expose the Poisoner]
[Rewards: 500 EXP | Skill: Social Engineering (Rare) | Item: Antidote Compendium | Vivienne removed from household | +10 MC]
[Level Up!]
[Level 2 → Level 3]
[+5 Stat Points]
Then I pulled up my full status window, letting the information wash over me.
[Status]
Name: Jin Raith
Age: 15
Class: Debugger
Level: 3
EXP: 300/400
Rank: F
MC (Mana Capacity): 11/50
HP: 164/180
MP: 38/45
STR: 3
VIT: 1
INT: 45
WIS: 38
AGI: 3
LUK: 15
Allocation Points: 8
Active Skill: Debug Vision
Passive Skill: Poison Resistance (Intermediate - 65%), Social Engineering
My eyes lingered on the MC stat.
11 out of 50 now. Up from 1.
The +10 MC reward had pushed me into functional territory. Not great, but I could probably use minor string editing without bleeding from my nose now.
That was progress.
The new skill blinked at me, waiting to be examined.
[Social Engineering]
[Description: Enhanced understanding of social dynamics, motivations, and manipulation tactics. User can more easily identify emotional vulnerabilities, predict behavioral patterns, and influence others through calculated interaction.]
[Effects:]
+15% success rate on persuasion attempts Ability to read basic emotional states through body language Enhanced lie detection (requires focus) Small bonus to charisma-based interactions
[Note: This skill reflects Host's existing knowledge of human psychology combined with system enhancement. Use responsibly... or don't. System doesn't judge.]
I almost laughed at that last note.
The system had essentially quantified my understanding of human behavior and turned it into a skill.
Made sense, actually, I'd spent six years managing difficult coworkers, navigating office politics, figuring out what people wanted to hear versus what they actually meant.
Now that experience was a tangible ability.
Useful. Very useful.
Especially in a family like this.
I scrolled to the item reward.
[Item Received: Antidote Compendium]
[Type: Knowledge Tome]
[Description: A comprehensive guide to poisons, toxins, and their antidotes. Contains recipes, preparation methods, and identification techniques for common and rare poisonous substances.]
[Effect: Unlocks Alchemy skill tree (Basic). Grants knowledge of 47 different antidote formulas.]
[Note: Knowledge is absorbed upon use. Book will disappear after reading.]
"A knowledge tome."
It would teach me alchemy basics and give me formulas for creating antidotes.
Incredibly useful for someone who'd just spent weeks being poisoned.
I mentally accepted the item.
A leather-bound book materialized on my chest. The cover was marked with alchemical symbols I didn't recognize, but somehow understood anyway.
I opened it to the first page, and immediately felt... something. Like information flowing directly into my brain.
Recipes. Formulas. Ingredient lists. Preparation techniques.
It went on and on, each page adding more knowledge, more understanding of how toxins worked and how to counter them.
After about ten minutes, the book began to glow softly. Then it dissolved into particles of light that sank into my skin, warm and tingling.
[Alchemy Skill Unlocked: Basic Tier]
[Knowledge Absorbed: 47 Antidote Formulas]
[New Recipes Available for Crafting]
I lay there, processing the flood of new information settling into my mind like downloaded software.
I could make antidotes now. Could identify poisons. Could potentially even create some basic alchemical items if I had the right materials.
Another tool in my survival kit.
I dismissed the notifications and stared at the ceiling again.
Eight allocation points sitting unused. I should distribute them, optimize my build, start planning for whatever came next.
But I couldn't bring myself to care right now.
The quest was complete. Vivienne was gone. I was alive and getting stronger.
And I was still completely, utterly alone in a family that would never accept me.
Knock! Knock!
I didn't move. "What?"
The door opened slightly, and a servant poked her head in. "Young master, dinner will be served in an hour. Lord Aldric requests your presence."
Of course he did.
Had to maintain appearances. Show the family united despite the scandal.
"I'll be there," I said flatly.
The servant nodded and withdrew, closing the door.
I continued staring at the ceiling.
One hour until I had to sit at a table with Father, Victor, and Cedric. Pretend everything was fine. Accept their indifference and Cedric's hatred with quiet dignity.
I closed my eyes.
Just a few more minutes of peace before I had to face them again.
The notifications blinked one more time before fading.
[Achievement Unlocked: Survivor]
[You have overcome systematic poisoning and exposed your would-be killer. Few manage this feat. Congratulations.]
[New Quest Available: ???]
[Requirements Not Yet Met]
I dismissed them without reading further.
Whatever come next could wait.
Right now, I just needed to rest.
And figure out how to survive the next chapter of this nightmare I'd been reborn into.