Makoto's sharp mind immediately recognized the flaw in grinding: a safe but low-yield approach was a luxury he didn't have.
Time was his most critical resource. He had to capitalize on the massive power boost from the Beginner's Reiatsu Scroll before it expired.
"Risk it,"
He decided, the adrenaline already giving him a pleasant edge.
"The System is guiding me. If it makes a new Dungeon available, it's a test I'm meant to pass."
He shunpoed out of the shimmering indigo portal and back into the cold, damp concrete tunnel.
Makoto took a moment to recover his breath, his high INT immediately focusing on the task.
The System promised new opportunities, and he intended to use his highest stat to find them.
He activated Observe on the space surrounding the existing Beginner Dungeon portal, focusing his Reiatsu output on detecting any other faint spiritual anomalies.
Observe: Tunnel Wall Section C-19
Description: 3 meters of reinforced concrete. Structurally sound.
Spiritual Signature: Inert.
Observe: Beginner Dungeon: Empty Soul Maze
Description: Tutorial-level pocket dimension.
Observe: Spiritual Flux Anomaly (New!)
Description: A newly opened spiritual rift, weakly stabilized by the Gamer System. It draws ambient spiritual particles from the surrounding area.
Makoto grinned, a mix of relief and predatory excitement. The System truly was a map. He took a final swig of a Healing Potion (Minor) just to top off his spiritual reserves, despite not needing it yet (4 Soul Candy, 2 Healing Potions remain).
He pushed his still-unnamed Zanpakuto back into its sheath and activated Shunpo, covering the distance in three smooth, rapid bursts.
There, nestled against a shattered maintenance access panel, was a new vortex. This one was a deeper, turbulent green-black, pulsating with the faint, unpleasant scent of stagnation and fear.
Makoto activated observe on the new, ominous portal.
Observe: Minor Hollow Outpost
A low-tier, self-contained pocket dimension simulating a minor infestation.
Danger Level: Moderate (Warning: Potential for injury)
Enemies: Weakened Low-Grade Hollows (Reiatsu equivalent to low-level Shinigami).
Drops: Significantly increased EXP. Tier 1 Soul Fragments (for crafting), Minor HP/Reiatsu items, Copper/Silver Coins.
System Note: Recommended Level: 5.
Makoto's heart hammered against his ribs, but the Gamer's Mind immediately quelled the fear, leaving behind only icy determination.
"Recommended Level 5? I'm Level 4 with a temporary Reiatsu boost,"
He muttered.
"That's close enough."
He pushed his hand forward, accepting the challenge.
"Enter Dungeon!"
Makoto found himself in a decaying, dark residential street—a simulated, spiritually toxic environment.
The buildings were slumped and grey, and the air was thick with negative Reishi. The moment he materialized, the battle began.
[BATTLE START!]
The first wave consisted of three enemies: two small, canine-like Hollows and one slightly larger, humanoid-shaped one.
They were not Plus Souls; these were real, though simulated, Hollows.
He quickly used Observe on the strongest target:
Observe: Low-Grade Hollow (Simulated)
HP: 50
Reiatsu: 30
Threat: Moderate. Capable of minor acid breath.
Weakness: Head/Mask.
Makoto's analytical mind took over. His Dex and AGI were his best stats. He couldn't tank the damage, but he could dodge it.
He used shunpo to leap over the acid breath of the humanoid Hollow, sacrificing 10 Reiatsu for the critical evasion.
Mid-air, he snapped a quick, precise cut at the mask of one of the canine Hollows.
Slice!
The mask cracked, and the Hollow dissipated with a miserable shriek.
[+25 EXP!]
The remaining two were now on him. The humanoid Hollow swung a powerful claw.
Makoto ducked under the blow, his left shoulder catching a glancing scrape.
[Damage Taken: 10 HP! Current HP: 90/100]
He spun, bringing his sword around in a wide, desperate arc.
He didn't aim for the mask, but simply drove his blade straight through the center mass of the humanoid Hollow, forcing it to stagger back and dissolve.
[+35 EXP!]
The final canine Hollow tried to flee, but Makoto's training kicked in. He chased it down with another swift shunpo, delivering a clean, final strike.
[+25 EXP!]
He bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for spiritual breath.
It was harder, faster, and far more dangerous than the tutorial. But the rewards were massive.
Total EXP Gain (First Fight): 85 EXP.
Current EXP: 35 + 85 = 120 / 300 (Toward Level 5).
Makoto wiped the sweat and faint green Hollow residue from his brow. He was battered but alive.
He needed 180 more EXP.
He pushed deeper into the simulated street.
Two more grueling, high-risk encounters followed, each more challenging than the last, forcing him to use his last two remaining Healing Potions to maintain his focus and HP.
Encounter 2 +90 EXP Used 1 Healing Potion
Encounter 3 +95 EXP Used 1 Healing Potion
Total EXP: 120 + 90 + 95 = 305 / 300.
A brilliant, blinding column of light enveloped Makoto as his spiritual core resonated with the accumulated experience.
[DING! Level Up! Level 5!]
[QUEST COMPLETE: THE GREAT ESCAPE (PHASE 1)]
Reward: Survival. Permanent increase to Endurance (End).
Unlock of Zanpakutō Shikai.
All Stats +1
Makoto felt an immediate, stabilizing warmth spread through his spiritual body.
The forced Hollowfication, while still present, felt distant—like a fire that had been dampened.
===Status===
Level 5
HP 100 / 100 (Fully Restored)
Reiatsu 420 / 420 (Reiatsu Pool Raised and Fully Restored)
EXP 5 / 400 (Toward Level 6)
Pow 14 (+1)
End 17 (+2 Permanent Quest Reward +1 Level Up)
Dex 22 (+1)
AGI 19 (+1)
MAG 9 (+1)
INT 24 (+1)
System Note: The permanent Endurance increase has stabilized your spiritual core.
The Hollowfication process will now take approximately 1 year to reach a critical stage.
You have bought time, but the underlying threat remains.
Makoto took a deep, shuddering breath.
One year.
That was an eternity compared to 72 hours.
He had won the first battle.
Now, a critical notification was flashing aggressively.
[ZANPAKUTŌ SHIKAI UNLOCK!
The Gamer System requires the User to bond with their spiritual weapon to unlock the first tier of power.]
[ACTION REQUIRED: Hold your Zanpakutō and mentally request the System to initiate the Bonding Process.]