The dungeon had been a test.
But the system was not done with him yet.
Suddenly, a burst of azure light flooded his vision, and the mechanical voice resounded within his mind — deeper, clearer, carrying authority beyond comprehension.
[Global Apocalypse System Update]
[Tutorial phase complete. Performance: Exceptional. System recalibration initiated. Stronger entities will now emerge across the world. Prepare to evolve beyond your previous limits.]
Klaus's brow furrowed.
So the rank system he'd embraced was now merging back with levels?
He opened his interface, and his status window shimmered — half mechanical, half divine, reflecting a new hybrid structure.
Name: Klaus
Race: Celestial Dragon Hatchling (Rank S)
Level: 14
Rank: S
XP: 110 / 220
Attributes:
Strength: 73
Agility: 73
Vitality: 73
Intelligence: 73
Dexterity: 73
Luck: 60
Divine Power: 74
Stored Vital Essence: 10,080 units
Evolution Points (EP): 10
Titles: Legendary Pioneer, Primordial Hunter, Celestial Heir, Initiate Devourer
Skills:
Essence Devourer (Rank A)
Player Appraisal (Rank D)
Weapon Mastery: Sword (Rank C)
Deathweaver (Rank B)
Threads of Death (Rank C)
Voracious Web (Rank C)
Woven Strike (Rank C)
Celestial Aura (Rank E)
Draconic Vision (Rank E)
Divine Resistance (Rank E)
Golden Flame (Rank D)
Emerging Wings (Rank E)
Celestial Wings (Rank C)
Dual Casting (Rank B)
Draconic Tongue (Rank S)
Skill Synthesis (Rank C)
The new hybrid system brought with it a divine twist — each level now granted +4 to all attributes, plus +5 additional points per level above 10, reflecting his celestial evolution.
Armed with 10 EP and a vast reserve of Essence, Klaus set out to challenge higher-ranked monsters — to hunt, evolve, and push his limits further.
He moved through the ruins of São Paulo like a silver specter.
Ogres (Lv. 15), colossal spiders (Lv. 12), and spectral wraiths (Lv. 14) prowled the streets.
With Player Appraisal, he pinpointed their weaknesses. His Threads of Death lashed forward, coiling around an ogre and draining 50 Vital Essence per second. The creature's body withered, and with a single Woven Strike, Klaus cleaved it apart.
[300 XP Gained | 250 Vital Essence Absorbed]
Power surged through his core — 10,330 Essence stored.
For two relentless hours, he hunted.
10 Ogres: +3,000 XP, +2,500 Essence
8 Spiders: +2,400 XP, +2,000 Essence
6 Wraiths: +2,400 XP, +1,800 Essence
Total: 24 monsters, 7,800 XP.
The system pulsed with light:
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 15!]
[Attributes Increased: +4 to All, +5 Bonus]
Updated Stats:
Strength: 73 → 82
Agility: 73 → 82
Vitality: 73 → 82
Intelligence: 73 → 82
Dexterity: 73 → 82
Luck: 60 → 69
Divine Power: 74 → 83
[Free Point: +1 → Allocated to Divine Power = 84]
He spent his newly earned EP:
5 EP → Essence Devourer → Rank S (+40% efficiency, triple storage)
3 EP → Deathweaver → Rank A (+30% damage, +15m range)
2 EP → Golden Flame → Rank C (damage 200–300, range 12m)
His Vital Essence rose to 12,630 units, from which he converted 2,000 into 20 EP for further upgrades.
After slaying the final wraith, three treasure chests materialized before him, shimmering in the dusk.
Chest 1:
Divine Power Potion (Rank A) → +25% temporary boost
Dragon Armor (Rank A) → +20% Defense
Strength Scroll
Chest 2:
Agility Potion (Rank A) → +25% temporary boost
Divine Ration
Skill Book: Dual Casting (Rank B) → Reinforced
Chest 3:
Vitality Potion (Rank A) → +25% temporary boost
Celestial Ring (Rank S) → +15% Divine Power
Skill Books: Skill Synthesis (Rank C) & Draconic Tongue (Rank S) → Reinforced versions
Inspired, Klaus activated Skill Synthesis once again, fusing Celestial Wings with Voracious Web.
Ten minutes later, the System flashed:
[New Skill Acquired: Woven Wings (Rank B)]
Description:Golden wings weave a radiant net of celestial energy that immobilizes and drains 150 Essence per turn across an area. Duration: 10 seconds of flight. Cost: 40 Divine Power. Cooldown: 45 seconds.
He spread the luminous wings — golden filaments radiating from his back — and soared above the shattered cityscape. With a sharp motion, he unleashed the woven net upon five giant spiders below. The web blazed with divine fire, draining 750 Essence before burning them to ash.
The power was overwhelming — elegant and absolute.