On the other side of the city, Lucas had no idea that Emily Frost had immediately called Jade Walker to report his shocking progress. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have minded.
Why should he? He had never intended to keep his level-up a secret. The reason he applied for his Level 40 gear so openly was partly practical—but also, partly pride.
Yes, pride.
After grinding himself half to death for more than a month, why shouldn't he show off a little? Why shouldn't the whole guild see that their vice president wasn't just a figurehead, but someone whose strength justified his title?
He smirked to himself. If anyone doubts me, they're welcome to try and beat me. If they win, I'll hand them the vice president's seat with both hands. But until then? My pockets stay full, my daggers stay sharp, and my head stays high.
With those thoughts fueling his stride, Lucas made his way up to the training ground on the sixth floor of the guild headquarters.
The chamber was wide and reinforced with thick steel walls, enchanted arrays glowing faintly across the floor. Here, members could test their equipment using a simulated battle system that recreated real combat scenarios.
Lucas equipped his newly issued weapon first:
---
Name: Fang of the Bloodthirsty Wolf
Type: Dagger
Grade: Rare (Purple)
Stars: ★★ (Two Stars)
Level Requirement: 40
Occupation Requirement: Assassin
Equip Requirement: 600 Agility
Attributes:
+1350 Attack Power
+300 Agility
+200 Constitution
+200 Stamina
+10% Critical Chance
Special Effect – Blood Transformation: 20% of damage dealt is converted into self-healing.
---
Lucas turned the blade in his hand. It gleamed faintly red, as if it had been permanently stained with the blood of countless prey.
"Not bad," he muttered. "The lifesteal is solid—better than my ogre pendant, in fact."
But as he compared the weapon's stats to his Pale Blade, his smile dimmed. The Fang was good, yes. But the Pale Blade, freshly evolved to a two-star purple weapon and climbing toward its five-star potential, dwarfed it.
"Good weapon," Lucas admitted, "but not for me. You'll sit in the backpack and collect dust."
He sheathed the Fang and turned to the rest of his set.
---
The Moon Shadow Suit.
This was his new Level 40 armor set—sleek, dark plates interwoven with enchanted fabric that shimmered faintly like moonlight. Compared to his old Level 30 gear, its stats were vastly superior. His physical and magical defenses had skyrocketed, his attribute points climbed by the hundreds.
Every ring, every waist piece, every trinket had been replaced, save for his trusty Ogre Pendant. The pendant's secondary stats were outdated now, but its bloodsucking effect was still priceless. Lucas wasn't ready to part with it.
All told, the transformation was staggering. Lucas's personal attributes had soared to a new level. He didn't need to see every number; he could feel the power thrumming in his veins.
Testing against the simulation confirmed it. Monsters of the same level barely scratched him. Attacks from Level 60 creatures hit harder, but even then, his damage reduction and lifesteal kept him safe. He wasn't a glass cannon like most assassins. He was a predator, impossible to bring down.
"Perfect. I'm ready. It's time for the second turn."
Lucas ended the simulation, satisfied. With no hesitation, he mounted his motorcycle and sped through the city streets, his destination clear: the Temple of Job Changers.
---
The temple loomed over Kyoto's central plaza, an awe-inspiring edifice of marble and gold. The steps were crowded with hopeful job-changers, some fresh-faced, others battle-hardened. Every advancement, every rank-up began here.
Lucas parked his bike, strode inside, and approached the front desk.
The receptionist smiled, already prepared. "Please proceed to the fourth floor, room 414." She handed him a keycard.
Lucas stared at the number. "…414?"
He chuckled dryly. Last time it had been 404. Now 414. "What's next, 424? Is this some kind of running joke? Do you clerics swap notes between cities?"
Still shaking his head, he pocketed the card, found the room, and stepped inside.
The chamber was exactly as he remembered: a massive glowing spherical holy stone, pulsing with radiant energy. The air buzzed with raw power, making his skin tingle.
He knew the process. He shut the door, stepped forward, and placed his palms against the stone's smooth surface.
Light erupted instantly, enveloping him.
A prompt flashed across his vision:
---
You have reached Level 40. You are eligible to challenge the single-player job advancement dungeon. Confirm?
[Yes] / [No]
---
Lucas's eyes sharpened. "Yes."
The world dissolved into blinding light.
---
When his vision cleared, Lucas found himself standing on a colossal white-stone arena. Its scale reminded him of a world martial arts tournament arena—flat, open, vast.
But there were no cheering crowds. Beyond the ring's edge stretched a twisting void, endless and hungry. The sight made his stomach clench. He instinctively knew: fall into that, and it was instant death.
A new system prompt appeared.
---
Mission Goal: Survive for ten minutes.
Challenge begins in sixty seconds.
Countdown: 59…58…57…
---
Lucas frowned. "Survive? Not kill?"
This wasn't what he expected. The second-turn dungeons he'd researched all had him facing bosses, clearing waves, or completing assassination trials. But this—this was new.
So the challenge is endurance, he thought. Not offense.
That meant only one thing: whatever monster appeared next would be too strong to defeat head-on. Perhaps even invincible.
He scanned the empty arena. No cover. No walls. No pillars to circle. Stealth wouldn't save him either—his invisibility lasted three minutes at best, far short of the ten required. And once combat began, the system would prevent him from resetting the skill anyway.
"This won't be simple."
Lucas considered his options. Kiting? Maybe. But if the monster's speed exceeded his, that plan was dead before it began.
He chuckled softly. "What a surprise. Am I unlucky… or very lucky?"
His lips curved into a grin. Unlike the Dark Castle challenge of his first turn, this trial had no guides, no walkthroughs. As far as he could tell, no one had ever reported this type of dungeon.
Which meant whatever came next would be his alone to face.
The countdown ticked toward zero.
Lucas tightened his grip on the Pale Blade. His eyes gleamed.
"Alright then. Let's see what kind of nightmare they've prepared for me."
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