43 Settling In [Pt 1]
[00 Months: 00 Days: 00 Hours]
A surge of bright light coursed through me as I finally found solid footing beneath me.
In an instant, I felt settled, though the blinding light around me forced my eyes to remain closed.
Then, the light faded, gradually giving way to the soft caress of a cool breeze. It compelled me to open my eyes to the new world around me.
"W-whoah..."
I stood on a tall hill, with a massive tree casting a comforting shadow nearby. Its sturdy presence provided solace amidst the unknown.
But that wasn't what left me awestruck. As I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, I couldn't believe my eyes. The landscape before me was unlike anything I'd ever seen.
It felt as though I'd been transported to another world entirely.
The air held a hint of unfamiliarity and adventure.
A gentle breeze tousled my hair, carrying the scent of wildflowers and anticipation.
I gazed at the breathtaking beauty of this exotic land. Rolling hills stretched in every direction, their vibrant green blending seamlessly with the deep blue sky.
The sun, a radiant orb of golden light, illuminated the landscape, casting long, ethereal shadows that danced upon the grassy plains below. It was a scene of natural wonder,
It resembled a scene from a fantastical painting, an unspoiled paradise.
"It's... beautiful," I said, genuinely touched by the vastness and wonder of this new world.
However, my joy was short-lived.
"It's beautiful, but... I don't have time for this." My mind remained focused on my predicament.
'First, I'm stranded. Second, this new world is full of dangers, so survival is going to be a struggle.'
The Seraph had mentioned that the Ground Floor was relatively safer, compared to the Upper Floors, but she also mentioned how it would be helpful to our growth.
'That means there are still challenges to be found here!'
Of course, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I needed those challenges to Level Up and grow stronger.
'The problem is... I have no information about this place. I sighed, contemplating my situation further.
"And the other problem is the strange girl I met earlier. She might know about my abilities, so I have to be careful." While she didn't seem hostile, caution was necessary in uncertain circumstances.
I had no idea what her intentions were, so it was smarter to expect the worst.
~DING~
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
<Welcome To The Ground Floor Of The Tower Of Trials!>
{Congratulations! You're among the select few who have made it this far. In addition to your regular 500 Currency monthly allowance, you will receive an extra 300 Currency for securing Rank 6 in the final Leaderboard Rankings.}
~Make sure to use <Shop> at your convenience, so as to obtain items and abilities that will aid you on your journey~
[GOOD LUCK!]
So I shot up from Rank 9 to Rank 6 in the final moments. If I had to guess, I would say the three who were ahead of me either didn't participate in the Special Event, or they died there.
'Either way, it's clear that those at the top get special privileges, but it's just as easy to slip back down.
The <Ranker> Title I obtained must have had something to do with that.
"More Currency, huh? That's a relief. I should be able to get a couple of things I'll need going forward."
'Now that I think about it, all those drugs I left behind in the original world were a waste, weren't they?'
Despite my efforts, they didn't make much of a difference in the end. I had stockpiled them, believing they might come in handy in desperate situations.
However, in this fantasy-like world, it had become clear that they probably wouldn't help much with the dangers I would face.
The challenges of this new realm were beyond anything I could have imagined, and it was becoming increasingly evident that my previous life's preparations might not hold the same significance here.
I should have realized that sooner. It looks like that plan was a bust.
More importantly, I now had 2,950 Currency.
My first priorities were securing food, shelter, and information.
The tree here, though majestic, didn't provide food, but I knew I could hunt something nearby. The rustling of leaves and distant sounds of wildlife hinted at the presence of potential prey.
There was also a clear stream that didn't seem too far away, its glistening waters promising a fresh supply of hydration.
The tree itself already provided a nice shade, shielding me from the sun's relentless rays.
I planned to make the most of my resources, opting to use my newly acquired camouflage blanket for protection. It was a calculated choice, a way to save costs and ensure that my Currency would stretch as far as possible.
As for information, I'll have to buy it from the <Shop>.
It seems I'll have to spend my Currency after all.
There's no other choice.
Let's do what it takes to survive, Mikey.
That's the goal, after all.
**********
[00 Months: 00 Days: 03 Hours]
"Status Window."
- Name: Mikey Rael
- Race: Human
- Level: 20
- Life Force: 5/5
- Energy Level: 8/8 (+2)
- Combat Ability: 8/8 (+3), (+15), (+5)
- Stat Points: 35
- Currency: 2,500
- Role: <The Dreamer>
- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>
- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>, <Survivor>, <Ranker>
- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>, <Visualize>
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>, <Fallen Foe>, <Language>
- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Speedo>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Invisibility Cloak>, <Tower Pass (F1)>
- Alignment: Neutral
[Additional Information]
You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.
"Ha... things aren't looking so bad now." A smile crept onto my face as I gazed at my Status Window.
I finally explored the functions of my <Ranker> and <Survivor> Titles, and they were just as I expected.
<Ranker> granted me additional privileges within the System and rewarded me accordingly.
<Survivor>, on the other hand, was merely a badge of honor, much like the <Chosen One> Title. It signified that I had successfully navigated the Tutorial and was now eligible for the Tower. I suspected everyone had it.
<Language Comprehension> allowed me to comprehend the words of any intelligent being and communicate fluently with them.
This would undoubtedly come in handy if I encountered a native, so it wasn't just for show. Nonetheless, I assumed everyone possessed this ability as well.
'Out of the Currency I had, I've spent 450 on necessities.'
First, I acquired a camouflage blanket that blended seamlessly with the shrubbery beneath me.
Its earthy tones and natural patterns would help me blend into the surroundings, ensuring that even while sleeping, no one would easily spot my presence unless they ventured dangerously close.
Although I couldn't detect anyone nearby, I couldn't afford to take chances in this unfamiliar world.
The blanket was reasonably priced, a small but necessary investment in my survival.
The other piece of information I acquired pertained to locations referred to as 'Dungeons' in this 22:35
world.
Yet, what consumed most of my Currency was the information I had purchased.
'It cost a whole 400 Currency just for two pieces of information.' I shook my head and sighed.
The first piece of information I acquired concerned my current location. I learned that I was presently in the Lyma Region in the East, a vast expanse known as the Wild Lands.
For a mere 100 Currency, I gained valuable knowledge about the region's topography, including details about local edible plants, the location of the water supply, ideal hunting grounds for food, and the overall lay of the land.
I would say 100 Currency was a reasonable price to pay for such valuable information.
As I settled into my makeshift shelter, I couldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism.
'The information also mentioned that this area harbors a few monsters, so I need to be cautious…'
The other piece of information I acquired pertained to locations referred to as 'Dungeons' in this world.
It came at a steep cost of 300 Currency, leading me to believe that the potential gains would be substantial.
According to the details, Dungeons were hidden sites where a high concentration of energy gathered, giving rise to Demons, which were essentially this world's version of monsters.
'There are numerous Dungeons in this area, but without information pinpointing their locations and providing in-depth descriptions of their contents, I'd probably have spent a long time trying to locate them.'
The information about the Lyma Region mentioned the existence of Dungeons, but it lacked specifics.
Although the price for the Dungeon Information seemed quite high, it was undoubtedly valuable to me.
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[A/N]
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