The warmth of Elara's salve was a soothing balm on Alex's chafed skin. His wounds, though still painful, were beginning to heal more quickly than he expected, a testament to his minor regeneration and the innkeeper's expertise.
With the bandages in place and a cup of warm tea in his hands, Alex felt the adrenaline finally leaving him, leaving a deep tiredness in its wake.
"So, a Demon Wolf, huh?" Elara broke the silence, her voice softer now.
She sat across from him, watching him with a mixture of admiration and concern. "It's incredible you survived, much less defeated it. Few could say the same."
Alex nodded, taking a sip of the tea. "It was a close call. If I hadn't acquired that ability at the last second..." He paused, thinking about the avalanche of notifications he'd received just after the fight.
A pang of confusion and a sudden lucidity hit him. He'd been so focused on survival that the details had eluded him.
"Elara, I need a moment alone," he said, feeling a sudden urgency. "There's something I need to check on."
She gave him a questioning look, but nodded. "Sure. But don't push yourself too hard. I'll be here if you need something stronger for the pain."
When Elara retreated to the bar, Alex focused, summoning his system panel. The translucent screen appeared before his eyes, and the first thing he noticed was the gigantic number of System Points (SP) and silver coins.
[Available System Points: 2,009,798 SP]
[Available Silver Coins: 200,000]
"Holy crap!" he exclaimed softly. He had defeated the bandits for 1,000 SP and 10 coins, and the Demon Wolf for 20,000 SP and 2,000 coins. The numbers didn't add up at all. Suddenly, his gaze fell on a notification he had overlooked in the heat of battle.
[SSS Skill (x100) activated!
[You have received 2,000,000 SP (20,000 x 100) and 200,000 silver coins (2,000 x 100).]
Alex gasped. "One hundred times? What does this mean? Why until now?"
As he processed the magnitude of his newfound wealth, a new notification, brighter and more animated than the previous ones, flashed on the screen.
[System Update Initiated!]
[New features available: AI Assistant, Harem Panel.]
[Welcome, Host!]
A soft, synthetic voice echoed in his mind, inaudible to Elara, but perfectly clear to him.
"Greetings, Alex. I am Athena, your personal AI Assistant. My purpose is to help you navigate and optimize your experience with the system. I have been activated due to the recent manifestation of your 'SSS Multiplication Factor' ability at 100% of its potential."
Alex blinked. "My SSS ability... was at 100% now? What do you mean?"
"Correct," Athena replied. "Your 'SSS Multiplication Factor' ability manifests as a reward multiplier. Previously, and unbeknownst to you, it operated at a very low percentage, applying a lower or even zero multiplier. The intensity of the Demon Wolf's threat, combined with your resolve to confront it despite the odds, was the catalyst for the ability to activate at its full 100%. Therefore, all rewards you receive now will be multiplied by 100."
A chill ran down Alex's spine. Had he been leaving SP and coins on the table all this time? The implications were huge. If only he'd known this before…
"I see," Alex said, absorbing the information. "So, whenever I earn SP or coins, they'll be multiplied by a hundred?"
""Precisely," Athena confirmed. "It's a unique and extremely rare ability, granted to those with exceptional potential and an unbreakable will."
Alex smiled. This changed everything. He had an obscene amount of SP and coins.
"Good, Athena," he said, feeling more animated. "What else do you have for me? Did you say 'Harem Panel'?"
"Affirmative," Athena replied. "The 'Harem Panel' is a feature that activates when you establish meaningful connections with high-affection-potential individuals. It tracks and displays the level of affection certain people have toward you."
Alex opened the panel with a mental tap.
[Harem Panel:
* Sayaka: Affection Level: 100/100 (Absolute Loyalty, Unconditional Love)
* Elara: Affection Level: 60/100 (Strong Attraction, Genuine Concern)
* Genesis: Affection Level: 20/100 (Interest, Collaboration Potential)]
Alex blushed slightly at the sight of Sayaka's name at 100. She was his loyal companion, and he'd always felt a special connection with her, but seeing it like this, quantified, was different. Elara's mention at 60 didn't surprise him either, given the conversation they'd just had. And Genesis... well, that made sense, too.
"Interesting," he murmured. "Now for the most important part. I need to invest these Attribute Points and Skill Points."
[Available Attribute Points: 500]
[Available Skill Points: 500]
Alex knew what he needed. His encounter with the Demon Wolf had made it clear that, while brute strength was important, Stamina (END) and Intelligence (INT) for MP were crucial. His HP had dropped dangerously, and his MP had been depleted in a single attack.
"Athena, distribute 200 points to my Stamina and 200 to my Intelligence," he ordered. "The remaining 100 to Agility."
[Updated Attributes:
Stamina (END): 51 (5100) → 251 (25100)
Intelligence (INT): 101 (10100) → 301 (30100)
Agility (AGI): 76 (7600) → 176 (17600)
Available Skill Points: 0
Alex felt a surge of energy. His body felt more robust, his mind sharper. His HP and MP increased exponentially, completely healing the remaining wounds Elara had bandaged. He felt incredibly stronger.
"Now, my skills," Alex said, his eyes fixed on his available Skill Points. He had a clear idea.
"Athena, I want to maximize my Minor Regeneration. I want it to be as efficient as possible."
[Maximizing 'Minor Regeneration' (Cost: 200 Skill Points)...]
[Skill 'Minor Regeneration' has been upgraded to 'Major Regeneration'! Your remaining Skill Points: 300]
[Major Regeneration: Regenerates 5 HP and MP every second. Skill Point cost for next level: 500.]
Alex felt a surge of healing energy. His HP and MP were fully restored in a matter of seconds. The improvement was dramatic.
""Excellent," he murmured. "Now for the rest of my skills. I need to expand my offensive and defensive arsenal."
He opened the skill shop, this time intending to use his System Points (SP), which totaled over two million.
"Athena, show me combat skills that complement my strength and agility, but also support or utility skills that will aid me in exploration or in difficult situations. Prioritize those that can be purchased with SP."
Athena processed his request, and a new list of skills appeared. Alex reviewed them carefully.
"Good," Alex said, a smile appearing on his lips. "I'll buy 'Swift Slash' for my sword. I need more powerful physical attacks. Then, 'Mana Shield' for defense; it's essential." Also, 'Enhanced Sense' for scouting, and 'Night Vision' will be crucial in the darkness of the forest."
[Purchasing 'Swift Cut' (Cost: 50,000 SP)...]
[Purchasing 'Mana Shield' (Cost: 75,000 SP)...]
[Purchasing 'Enhanced Sense' (Cost: 30,000 SP)...]
[Purchasing 'Night Vision' (Cost: 20,000 SP)...]
[Available System Points: 1,834,798 SP]
I still had an overwhelming amount of SP.
"And finally, the one that will help me quickly close distances or evade: 'Shadow Step'."
[Purchasing 'Shadow Step' (Cost: 100,000 SP)...]
[System Points [Available: 1,734,798 SP]
Alex felt unstoppable. The combination of his 100% SSS Multiplication Factor, Athena's guidance, his improved regeneration, and his new abilities had transformed him from a mere adventurer into a force to be reckoned with. He had faced death and emerged victorious, and was now equipped to face anything this new world threw at him.
He closed the system panel, a new determination burning in his eyes. Elara approached again, a tray with a steaming plate of food in her hands.
"I brought you something to replenish your strength," she said, her smile soft and warm. "You seem... much better. Did you find what you were looking for?"
Alex smiled back, feeling the new vitality in every fiber of his being. "Yes, Elara. Let's just say today has been much more enlightening than I expected." And I think I have some really interesting stories to tell you about those 'secrets of the night.'"
While eating, Alex began to recount his encounter with the Demon Wolf, the acquisition of the ability, and how his system seemed to have completely "awakened." Elara listened with fascination, her amber eyes shining with a mixture of surprise, respect, and a concern that, though now lighter, hadn't entirely disappeared. The night at the Oakha had become a crossroads for Alex, a moment of revelation and a new direction, a new dawn in his adventure.
——————————————————
Alex's Updated Panel:
[Name: Alex
Race: Human
Level: 15
Class: No class (Can be assigned)
HP: 251/251 (25100) (+)
MP: 301/301 (30100) (+)
Attributes:
* Strength (STR): 76 (7600) (+)
* Agility (AGI): 176 (17600) (+)
* Intelligence (INT): 301 (30100) (+)
* Toughness (END): 251 (25100) (+)
* Luck (LUK): 76 (7600) (+)
Abilities:
* (Passive) Greater Regeneration
* Scanning Skill
* Harvesting Skill
* Unique Skill (Active): Intimate Bond
* Arcane Burst (Active)
* Swift Slash (Active)
* Mana Shield (Active)
* Enhanced Sense (Active)
* Night Vision (Active)
* Shadow Step (Active)
Available Points:
* Available Attribute Points: 0 AP
* Available Skill: 300 HP
* Available System Points: 1,734,798 SP
AI Assistant: Athena
[Harem Panel:
* Sayaka: Affection Level: 100/100 (Absolute Loyalty, Unconditional Love)
* Elara: Affection Level: 60/100 (Strong Attraction, Genuine Concern)
* Genesis: Affection Level: 20/100 (Interest, Collaboration Potential)]
Author's Note :
I know I haven't uploaded any chapters, and I apologize. I had a few niggles and a bit of a mental block. I hope you understand, and I'll make up for it tomorrow with another, longer chapter. I hope you'll support me and vote with your hearts content. Thanks.