'My head... It's going to explode.'
Vio quickly closed the research paper titled Robotics Engineering Science. It was filled with complicated terms and technical diagrams, making him feel like his brain was about to burst.
'System, what am I supposed to do with this?'
[It is recommended that the hero uses his brain. Increasing Intelligence will make the process easier.]
[Note: The system can simplify and clarify information. Please obtain 'The Unseen Eye That Sees All.']
'That damn eye again, huh?'
Annoyed, he stored the paper in his inventory. After checking the shop, he found nothing that required Robotics Engineering Science to craft, meaning he had obtained something far beyond his current level.
Seven stacked chests stood before him. He decided to start with the Demon's Chest.
[obtained: 'Demon's Soul,' 'Demon's Bones,' 'Choking Bomb.']
He carefully took the bomb, which looked handmade, and tucked it inside his clothes before turning his focus to the other chests.
Vio had developed a sense for the items that belonged to this world—the ones the system wouldn't explain—versus those given by the system, which had a technological feel to them.
Opened three more chests, receiving three buffs:
[obtained buffs: 'Protection,' 'Flame Barrier,' 'Absolute Nullification.']
[Buffs]
Protection – Temporary:
Prevents any new debuffs from affecting the hero for 4 hours.
Flame Barrier – Temporary:
Reduces heat-related effects by 30% for 6 hours.
Absolute Nullification – Temporary:
Deactivate debuffs affecting the hero for 2 hours.
Vio quickly realized that the system's wording was extremely precise. At first glance, Protection and Absolute Nullification seemed similar, but there was a key difference—Protection prevented new debuffs from taking effect, while Absolute Nullification removed the ones already applied. The latter was more useful.
Just to be sure, he confirmed it.
'Absolute Nullification is better than Protection, right?'
[Correct.]
'Is there any situation where Protection would be better?'
[If the hero is affected by a permanent debuff, Protection is preferable because it prevents it from occurring in the first place. If the hero uses Absolute Nullification, the effect will wear off after the duration ends, and the permanent debuff will remain active.]
Vio silently praised himself for not being overconfident and asking the system first—he wouldn't have thought of that deadly scenario on his own.
But there was another problem: how could he tell whether an incoming debuff was temporary or permanent? That was a dilemma for another time.
'Open.'
[obtained blueprint: 'Additional Arm Frame.']
[Additional Arm Frame]
An extra limb that connects to nano-tech joints.
The moment Vio grabbed the blueprint, an unusual buzzing sound echoed, followed by a warning message:
[Critical Alert: Item unavailable for use. Please reach level 10.]
This was the first time Vio had seen such a warning—even the display flashed red like an emergency signal.
'Well, at least it didn't ignore the issue.'
He would have had a heart attack if he had crafted it only to later realize he couldn't use it. Without hesitation, he converted it.
[20,000,000 obtained.]
Vio's eyebrows shot up. This was the most valuable item he had received so far.
'Should I have kept it?'
He quickly pushed away the feeling of regret. His inventory space was limited, and he had to make fast decisions under pressure.
'Open.'
[obtained: 'Training Session.']
With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes. He didn't feel like going through a training session, but he had no choice.
When he opened them again, he found himself in the usual white space, with the faceless figure standing beside him.
'Alright, let's at least get something useful.'
A massive boulder stood before them. The faceless figure stepped forward and punched it, prompting Vio to do the same.
The attack barely left a crack.
'Am I going to get a new punching skill? But I already have one.'
He repeated the motion nine more times, but nothing changed. The process felt unusually dull—there was no difference between each repetition.
Something felt off. Even if this was a skill focused on punching, it shouldn't be this repetitive. But then, on the tenth strike, something unexpected happened.
The faceless figure punched the boulder, and when Vio followed, the rock exploded!
The deafening sound was unlike anything even in this normally silent space.
'What the hell just happened?!'
The white room vanished, leaving Vio stunned at the strange new skill he had obtained.
[Skills]
Sudden Strike – Level 1
After landing 9 consecutive successful attacks, the 10th hit deals +10% damage.
'What does this mean?'
[If the hero does not understand, it is recommended to test the skill.]
Vio stepped outside, standing before a group of trees. Without applying any extra strength, he threw a light punch at the trunk of a tree.
"Tap."
The sound was barely audible, but continued, repeating the punch nine times. On the tenth strike, he used the same force as before.
"BOOM!"
The tree shattered and was sent flying, while Vio froze, staring at his fist. Then, a grin spread across his face.
'Now I see why it's called Sudden Strike.'
In battle, the most important thing was understanding the enemy's strength, knowing what to avoid, and what could be blocked. With this skill, he could create the illusion that his power was limited, only to surprise his opponents with a sudden, devastating blow. It was the perfect tool for an ambush.
As he was thinking, the chest he had left inside appeared before him.
'Open.'
[obtained: 'Choice Card.']
[Choice Cards]
It can be used for anything the hero desires.
Vio examined the blank white card, trying to understand its purpose.
'What do you mean by anything? Don't mess with me—give me a clear answer.'
[The hero must figure it out on his own.]
'You trickster. You said anything—can I use it to complete a mission?'
[Correct.]
'Got you, you— Wait, what?'
Vio looked at the card again in awe. It was powerful—so powerful that he felt he could do a lot with it.
'What about leveling up instantly? Can I do that?'
[That is what 'anything' means.]
'Really? What if I want to reach the maximum level right away?'
[You cannot.]
'Aha! Got you! Didn't you just say 'anything'?'
[The key is in the word 'thing'—it applies to something that already exists. If the 'thing' does not exist in the first place, the card will not work.]
'Wait… So you're saying there's a card that can increase my current level, but there isn't one that can take me to max level instantly?'
[Correct.]
'What about 'teleport to Eye'? Can I use it for that?'
[Correct.]
Vio realized that if he used it now, he would only be able to apply it to things he already knew. As for its other possible uses, they would remain unknown until he discovered them later. So, he decided to save it for emergencies.
The six chests had given him nearly 210,000XP, pushing him close to leveling up.
Level: 7 | XP: [729,038/800,000]
Opened his inventory to review its contents.
[Inventory]
Colorless Stones x14,853
Demon's Soul x3
Demon's Bones x3
Purple Flame Scroll x6 (each takes up one slot)
Unknown Summoning Card
Choice Cards
Dagger
Tent x14
Treasure Detector
Robotics Engineering Science
Glowing Rocks x16
Black Key
Gauntlets of Fury x2
'I guess I'm done here.'
With nothing left to check, he headed toward the nearest village, a clear frown on his face as he studied the map.
Shama had given him an escape route—long, but safe. Vio assumed it was now crawling with soldiers. After converting the books, several new paths had appeared, and he discovered a shorter way out of the mountain.
'This doesn't make sense. Wouldn't she have given me the shorter path first? Could it be that she didn't know about it?'
As he tried to figure it out, something strange caught his attention.
'Isn't this the same path they were trying to push me toward yesterday?'
He checked the map multiple times to be sure.
'Yeah, it's the same direction. But why?'
The only explanation that came to mind was that it was a trap, but it didn't make sense. If they wanted to ambush him, they could set a trap anywhere.
No matter how much he thought about it, there were only two ways off the mountain, and both were filled with soldiers. He had only four days left to complete his escape mission—after that, things could get worse. The system wouldn't have set a time limit without a reason.
'System, calculate how many days it would take me to travel the long route.'
[Seven days, assuming the hero does not stop moving.]
Which was impossible.
'That leaves me with the short route.'
But that was the route they wanted him to take.
After some calculations, an idea formed in his mind. It wasn't perfect or particularly clever, but it was the only way to make things a little easier.
While leaping between the trees, engrossed in devising a plan, he sensed something approaching from a distance. It didn't seem to have noticed Vio, so he waited, letting it draw closer... Then, Vio stretched out his arm to seize it.
Tightened his grip slightly, forcing the creature to exhale its final breath.
He gazed at the white owl now cradled in his palms.
"I've found something that will make my mission much easier," Vio murmured, a subtle smile curling his lips.