My Skills Can Evolve Infinitely in a Game-Like World

Chapter 19: Fated Hero

The next morning, Aurelius opened his eyes and the familiar yet somewhat foreign ceiling confirmed that everything that had happened over the past few days had been true and not a dream.

After spending a few minutes getting cleaned up and dressed, he glanced out the window, noticing that there was still some time before the sun rose.

He didn’t rush to leave his room.

Leaning back, he softly called out inside his mind and summoned the Player Panel.

...

[Name: Aurelius Sol]

[Template: NPC (Common), Player]

[Title: Fated Hero, Rabbit Killer]

[Class: Arcanist]

[Rank: 1 / Level: 4/20 (0/500)]

[Sub-Class: Alchemist—Level 5/5 (Capped)]

[Base Stats:] Strength: 23, Agility: 38, Intelligence: 48, Vitality: 32, Luck: 15, Spirit: 580/580

[Skills: Awakener’s Physique Lv. 3, Transmutation Lv. 2, Fireball Lv. 2, Spirit Bullet, Synthesis, Light Refraction, Lethal Strike, Guardian Armor]

[Talents: Arcanist’s Heart, Alchemist’s Touch]

[Reputation: 2]

[Skill Points: 0]

[EXP: 362]

[Relics: Red Hare Armor (Common), Blood Crown Fragment (Common)]

...

The Panel was unrecognizable.

Both his Base Stats and every other aspect of the Panel had changed.

It was only now that Aurelius suddenly realized that he had unknowingly turned from a newly advanced Awakener to an actually quite powerful individual.

Although he had no way to judge the full extent of his power, he had a hunch that his current strength was far beyond his imagination.

He could at least be considered quite powerful among Rank 1 Awakeners.

The discovery left him pleasantly surprised.

Yet just as he was about to dismiss the panel, his eyes suddenly widened.

His gaze moved upwards until it finally settled on the Title column.

There, he saw a new entry: Fated Hero.

It left him puzzled.

Unsure of whether it was a mistake, he chose to go through the notification log.

Soon, he found out the reason.

"You’ve gained the Title: Fated Hero."

...

[Fated Hero (Common - Upgradeable): You have attained a certain level of reputation among Players. While this title is equipped, your natural affinity with Players and ordinary Awakeners will increase.]

[Effects:]

[Base Stats: STR +5, INT +5, AGI +5, VIT +5, LUCK +5, Spirit +50]

[Reputation +2]

[Affinity with Players +20, Affinity with Awakeners +20]

...

The effects of this title were outrageous, several times greater than those brought by Rabbit Killer.

It not only provided a huge increase in Base Stats and Affinity, but also had the chance to be upgraded further.

For a brief moment, Aurelius focused on the description’s first sentence.

’Just as I expected, the Players’ arrival is both a disaster and an opportunity for people of this world.’

’For me, someone with a Player Panel, it is even more so.’

’Just my appearance on the trailer has granted me a Title. Once the Players really enter the game, will they also trigger Missions?’

’Maybe there’s even a chance that...’

Aurelius didn’t let his mind wander any longer.

He knew he should maintain his composure.

Rather than think of future events, he should instead focus on the matter at hand.

Following that line of thinking, Aurelius only looked at the displayed information for a few more moments and confirmed he had missed nothing else.

Then, after briefly going through the forum and finding nothing particularly useful, he exited his room quietly and slipped underground.

--

The dimly lit room was the same as before.

Perhaps because she knew that struggle was meaningless, or perhaps because she had other plans, Selene showed no signs of resistance.

By the time Aurelius stepped in, the woman was already awake and looking at the door, as though she had been waiting for him.

"Good morning," Aurelius nodded politely and took a seat beside her.

Selene chose to remain silent. She merely smiled mockingly before turning her head.

Her expression looked particularly disdainful, as though she were begging people to slap her.

Aurelius did not get angry at her antics.

He lightly tapped on the silver mask on his face thoughtfully before speaking up.

He didn’t try to beat around the bush, but went straight to the topic.

"You must have already seen that I’m not a member of the Sunless Sect. Yesterday, I conducted my own investigation and confirmed most of your claims."

"Your goal is to stop the Sunless Sect’s conspiracy."

"As for me... I’ve already offended this organization and am bound to go against them in the future. That gives us a foundation for cooperation."

Selene did not respond.

Yet from the subtle shift of her expression, it was clear that Aurelius’ words spoke to her heart.

...Of course, the fact that she was currently bound tightly might also have played a certain role in convincing her.

Seeing this, Aurelius struck while the iron was still hot.

"Unfortunately, there is still a lack of trust between us. You don’t trust me, and similarly, I don’t trust you."

"Only by finding a way to bridge this gap can I feel safe enough to let you leave. Otherwise, you might as well stay in here forever."

Having said that, Aurelius spoke no further. He had already said everything that needed to be said.

Leaning back into the chair, he crossed his arms and waited for her response.

Several complex emotions flashed in Selene’s eyes.

She really didn’t want to die.

Similarly, she did not want to let down the Blood Temple and let the Sunless Sect’s conspiracy succeed.

’Perhaps... we can indeed work together. This man is extremely mysterious.’

’In just a few hours, he was able to confirm my information. There is a high chance that a secret organization is standing behind him.’

Silence shrouded the dark room as a man and a woman stared at each other intently.

It was only several minutes later that Selene finally broke the silence.

She weakly nodded her head.

"I agree. We can work together to take on the Sunless Sect. As for the lack of trust..." she hesitated for several seconds before gritting her teeth.

"It’s not like we don’t have a way. We can make a vow to one of the Gods. Whoever breaks their vow shall bear the Gods’ wrath..."