She pointed to another field.
"This represents the experience points required to advance to the next level."
Akira asked calmly,
"And how do I gain experience?"
Alice replied,
"There are two primary methods.
First: killing monsters or enemies… even humans, if you possess a Killing Directive.
Second: crafting or production… if you possess a Production Directive.
The Directive determines the nature of your experience. Your combat or your production becomes your main source of growth."
She continued,
"Once you reach the First Rank, you will obtain a Class of your own."
She paused, then looked at him intently.
"But Classes are not granted randomly. Their strength depends on your qualifications, your goals, and the actions you take during your growth.
If you prove nothing, you may receive a weak Class…
But if your achievements are significant and your ambitions clear, you may obtain a powerful one."
She added slowly,
"However, powerful Classes come with harsher requirements, and upgrading them is far more difficult."
Alice pointed to another section of the status screen.
"The fifth field shows your body type… which is rare among humans.
In your case, you possess an Elemental Body."
Akira looked at her in surprise, and she immediately explained:
"This means you can absorb elemental mana from the environment and acquire powers compatible with the type of mana you absorb.
For example, if you absorb fire mana, you may gain a fire-based skill."
Her fingers moved to the next field.
"The sixth field represents your stats. Normally, values range between five and ten.
As for you… your stats are low, except for Intelligence, which is above average."
She glanced at another field.
"Here is your affinity. You possess an affinity for Darkness… which is rare."
Then she moved downward.
"The skills and items fields are currently empty because you haven't learned or acquired anything yet. That's normal at the beginning."
She pointed to another field.
"Titles are usually granted based on achievements or unique experiences—such as your title, Survivor of Death."
Alice then pointed to the final field on the status screen.
"And finally, the Unique field. This is reserved for special cases—rare abilities, contracts, or exceptional conditions."
She looked at Akira and asked,
"That's everything you need to know for now… do you have any questions?"
Akira remained silent for a few moments, processing everything he had heard. Then he asked,
"Can I increase my stats?"
Alice answered immediately,
"Yes. There are several ways to increase them:
When your level rises,
By acquiring passive skills,
And through other methods… which you'll discover later."
Akira then asked, curiosity evident in his voice,
"What about affinities? Can I obtain more than one?"
Alice's expression grew serious.
"There are six basic affinities:
Water
Earth
Fire
Air
Metal
Nature
These are the most common."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"And there are four rare ones:
Light
Darkness
Lightning
Ice"
She paused briefly, then added,
"And finally, the rarest of all… such as Space and Time.
That is all that is currently known, despite the existence of beings with other elements that remain poorly understood."
She looked straight at him and warned,
"Even though you may be capable of acquiring multiple affinities, I do not recommend it right now.
Your body cannot withstand the fusion of different energies—especially opposing ones.
You could end up exploding into a bloody mist…"
Akira's expression tightened, and he couldn't hide the frown forming on his face. He hadn't expected to be in danger like this.
Alice noticed and offered a faint smile, trying to reassure him.
"Don't worry… you just need to strengthen your body gradually until it can endure such powers."
But her tone quickly turned serious again, her gaze sharpening.
"What truly concerns me… is that you possess a Darkness affinity."
Akira asked quietly, unsettled,
"What do you mean?"
Alice stared at him for a long moment, then spoke in a calm yet heavy voice.
"You don't know—and that's normal. No one speaks of this openly.
In the past… horrifying incidents occurred, leading everyone to agree on banning dark magic and anything related to it.
That ban is still in effect today.
If the city administration or the Eastern Government discovers what you possess… you will be arrested.
In the worst-case scenario… you will be executed.
Or worse—
you may face something far more terrifying than death itself."
Akira's face went pale, and the ground seemed to sway beneath his feet.
But Alice continued with a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. Dark magic is my specialty.
As long as I'm with you… no one will be able to detect you."
Akira cried out with genuine desperation