《Avid Reader's Survival Tales》 Chapter 1 - A Different Saturday Chapter 1 - A Different Saturday 14th October 2023, University of Noe H. Sunis The dull hum of the fluorescent lights overhead did little to liven up the oppressive atmosphere of the cramped lecture hall. Rows of students slouched in their seats, their collective energy more fitting for a Monday morning than a Saturday afternoon. ¡°Man, it''s Saturday. Why are we even having class?¡± a young man grumbled, his voice low but tinged with enough exasperation to catch a few heads turning. He leaned back in his chair, his phone in hand, the universal sign of surrender to boredom. ¡°Who knows what Dr. Hamathir is thinking?¡± the girl sitting next to him replied, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the entire classroom¡¯s apathy. She twirled her pen absentmindedly, barely pretending to pay attention to the front of the room. The professor was at the board, furiously scribbling a sea of equations that might as well have been hieroglyphics. The lecture¡¯s subject, ¡®Partial Differential Equations¡¯, garnered little enthusiasm from the room, particularly not from the young man. ¡°I mean, what the hell are we even learning? What''s the point of this subject?¡± he mumbled, his thumb flicking across his phone screen with practiced efficiency. ¡°You''re learning PDE, Partial Differential Equations,¡± came a sarcastic voice from a few seats down the row. A second woman leaned over slightly, her expression deadpan but her tone laced with biting humor. "It''s very important." "Sure," the young man replied, exaggeratedly rolling his eyes. "Absolutely critical. Definitely going to revolutionize my future career as... whatever." The first girl let out a soft chuckle, her laughter breaking the monotony of the lecture hall. "You''re not even listening to his lecture. You''ve been reading away at your novel for the past hour." He glanced up from his phone, shooting her a half-hearted glare. "And you''re not listening either. You''ve been buried in another subject this whole time." He sighed, his tone softening as he noticed the determination in her eyes as she slipped through her notes. "Still, gotta admire your hard work." The girl smirked but didn''t reply, her attention already back on her textbook. The faint scratching of pens and the low murmur of half-whispered conversations filled the room as the professor''s voice drifted in the background. Equations and mathematical jargon-filled the air as the lecture monotonously, but the young man''s mind was far from the whiteboard. He leaned toward the girl beside him, his voice cutting through the ambient hum of the room. "Chloe, what are we having for lunch later?" he asked, his tone almost pleading. Chloe, her pen tapping rhythmically against her notebook, didn''t look up. "Hmm, I don''t know. What do you want?" she replied while leafing through her notebook. "That''s why I''m asking you," Lucas sighed. "I don''t know." He slouched back into his chair, his helplessness apparent in the way his shoulders sagged. From a few seats over, the other girl chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Lucas, why don''t you just breathe? Humans can survive without eating for three days, you know." Lucas shot her a look, rolling his eyes. "Sure. Let''s just gobble up oxygen. You wanna join in, Samantha?" His sarcasm hung in the air, but Samantha merely smirked, unfazed. Chloe leaned closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Why don''t you ask the boys?" Scoffing, Lucas shook his head as he swiped idly at his phone. "Them? Yeah, they''ll just ask me the same question back. A whole circle of indecision. Very productive." His tone was laced with nonchalance, though his fingers had already resumed swiping on his screen. Samantha, tapping away on her tablet without sparring them a glance, made the executive decision. "Let''s just go to the usual spot." Lucas shrugged, barely lifting his gaze from his phone. "Yeah, sure. Why not? It''s not like we''ve got any other options anyway." Chloe, now growing curious, leaned over slightly, peering at his phone screen. "What are you even reading?" Couldn''t be bothering to look up, Lucas responded, his voice as monotone as ever. "Generic xianxia murim novel with a generic system. What''s up?" Blinking puzzledly, Chloe attempted to process his words. "Right. Sounds fun," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Totally is," Lucas replied, entirely unbothered, his attention already back in his fictional world. All of a sudden, Lucas sighed, conceding to Chloe''s suggestion as he opened the group chat. His thumbs moved deftly across the keyboard. lukaath: Lunch, eat what? A reply popped up almost immediately. kang_: dunno, what you want? JIN: going to gym later. lukaath: gym with empty stomach, nice. dont die. Joe: 99? Yx: again? C_yang: @Joe OK. kang_: @Yx 99 is good JIN: @Joe @Yx want to gym too?Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Yx: got date later, you go gym with joe. Lucas chuckled at the rapid exchange of indecision-turned-consensus. He tilted his phone toward Chloe, letting her see the chat. "Look, the boys want Cafe 99 too." Glancing at the screen and then at Lucas, a mischievous grin formed on Chloe''s lips. "Why don''t you go work out with them? You''re too skinny," she teased, poking at his stomach. With an expression of a mix of mock offense and amusement, Lucas swatted her hand away. "I''m not that skinny," he protested. "Lucas, be more like Jin," Samantha quipped from her seat, her smirk as sharp as her sarcasm. "Work out more. Chloe likes abs." Lucas grinned, unfazed. He patted his stomach lightly. "I have abs. They''re just protected by my fat." His confidence earned a laugh from Chloe and a subtle eye-roll from Samantha. As the banter died down Lucas''s thoughts drifted. Saturday was supposed to be predictable, and simple. Lazy. Usually, he would be lounging in the student hostel, playing games, or scrolling endlessly on his phone. When hunger struck, he would grab something quick to eat from the cafeteria. Sometimes, when boredom outweighed laziness, he would venture into the city with friends for a slightly overpriced meal. However, this Saturday was destined to be different. Lucas sat slouched in his chair, scrolling through his novel with half-hearted interest. The plot was predictable. Power-ups, face-slapping moments, and overly convenient systems. He skimmed the paragraphs, his thumb flicking the screen in a rhythmic, mechanical motion. Then, suddenly, a blue screen popped into his vision. He blinked, startled, before instinctively brushing it off as a pop-up ad. The website he used for reading wasn''t exactly pristine when it came to avoiding intrusive ads. With a slight huff, Lucas tapped at the spot where the "X" to close the ad usually hovered. Nothing happened. He frowned, tapping again. And again. And then a few more times for good measure. Still, the blue screen lingered, unyielding. "What kind of janky ad is this?" he muttered under his breath. Assuming the close button was just cunningly hidden, Lucas leaned in closer, squinting at the screen. That was when he noticed, there was no close button. No faint outline of an "X", no indication this was an ad at all. His curiosity piqued. Lucas took a moment to read the glowing text displayed on the floating blue box. The words sent a shiver down his spine, but before he could process what they meant, he heard it, a low murmur spreading across the lecture hall like a ripple in still water. He looked up, the blue box moving with him, hovering obediently in his field of vision. His gaze swept the room, distorted faintly by the translucent glowing of the text. Through the shimmering screen, he saw Chloe sitting frozen, her eyes wide as she stared into the empty air in front of her. "Samantha?" Lucas called softly, his voice uncertain. Samantha, usually quick with a quip or sarcastic jab, was silent, her gaze fixed on her tablet as if hypnotized. As Lucas scanned the room, a sense of unease settled in his chest. Everyone was acting the same way. Either mumbling incoherently or staring blankly into space. Even Dr. Hamathir, who had been enthusiastically lecturing just moments before, had fallen silent, his marker poised mid-stroke against the board. And then, the next set of words appeared on the glowing screen. For a moment, the world around Lucas seemed to tilt. His thoughts scrambled as the meaning of the words hit him like a freight train. A system notification. Not just any notification. This was eerily familiar. It was exactly like the ones in the countless novels and comics he had devoured over the years. The kind of notification that marked the beginning of something extraordinary. In those stories, ordinary people, often just like him, were thrust into bizarre and dangerous worlds. They would wake up one day to find themselves chosen, blessed, or cursed with a mysterious system that governed their every action. These systems were often laden with stats, skills, and quests, pushing the protagonist into trials that tested their will, intelligence, and strength. Lucas''s heart raced as he recalled those fictional tales. The idea of systems always seemed thrilling from the safety of his screen. People fighting monsters, growing stronger, and uncovering secrets hidden from the complex, game-like rules. But now, with the flowing blue text hovering before him, the reality felt far less exhilarating. This wasn''t just a fantasy he could set down at will. This was happening, and he wasn''t sure if he should feel excited, terrified, or both. Before Lucas could fully process the weight of what was happening, another blue box materialized in his vision. The glow of the text was sharp and unrelenting, cutting through the confusion swirling in his mind. <> Quest: Basics of Survival Congratulations! Your planet, Earth, has been selected to integrate into the Nexus, an interdimensional network connecting countless realms. As inhabitants of this planet, you are now bound by the rules of the Nexus. Your survival, growth, and progress with depend on how well you adapt to its systems. To ensure a smooth transition, all inhabitants must complete the Basic Survival Quest to understand the fundamental mechanics of the Nexus. Task: Open the status window. Failure: None. Note: This task cannot be rejected. Compliance is mandatory. <> Lucas stared at the message, his chest tightening. Earth? The whole planet? This wasn''t just about him. It was everyone. His eyes flicked toward Chloe, Samantha, and the rest of the lecture hall. If they were all seeing the same thing, this wasn''t a random occurrence or some twisted prank. He could feel it, a subtle, almost imperceptible shift in the air around him. It was as if the fabric of reality itself was distorting, bending under the weight of something unseen. Whatever was happening wasn''t just in his mind. It was changing the world. He didn''t know what it was and couldn''t begin to explain it, but deep down, a voice whispered to him. It was a voice he recognized, but rather a culmination of the countless novels and stories he had devoured over the years. Those tales had ingrained in him a primal survival instinct, an understanding of what to do in the face of the inexplicable. Do the deed. Steeling his mind, Lucas exhaled slowly, steadying the tremor in his hands. His heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but his resolve was firm. "Status," he whispered. Despite the soft tone, the word carried an unnatural weight, as though it resonated with the very essence of the world. Appearing before him was exactly what he had expected, or perhaps what he had dared to hope for. <> Lucas Kun Level 1 Class: None VIT - 4 POW - 3 AGI - 5 INT - 7 WIL - 6 Talent: Avid Reader. Skill: None. <> Chapter 2 - Basic of Survival Chapter 2 The moment Lucas opened his status window, another blue box appeared before him. <> Quest - Basics of Survival 2 In the Nexus, battles are inescapable. Every living being must battle to survive and grow stronger. Only through combat can you prove your worth and claim the rewards that come with it. Task: Survive the monster waves. Failure: Death. <> Lucas stared at the text, his heart skipping a beat. His mind raced for a second, the implications of the words settling in, but something about it felt oddly familiar. He had expected this. It wasn''t fear that gripped him, but a strange acceptance. After all, he had read about this scenario a thousand times in the novels he devoured. Monsters, battles, survival. It was the inevitable next step. Everything he saw in the quest was something he had anticipated as if the world was now mirroring the stories he had always escaped onto. He had imagined these moments, these situations. If he were to die in the monster waves, he would just die. It was simple, and in some strange way, it felt natural. On the other hand, Chloe had heard Lucas''s soft mumble, the words barely escaping his lips. She turned to him, curiosity flickering in her eyes, only to find him staring intently at the space in front of him, his expression unreadable. Gently, she nudged his shoulder. It was enough to draw Lucas''s attention. Surprised by the sudden touch, Lucas turned to face Chloe, snapping out of his thoughts. He looked at her, only to find her gaze locked onto his face, confusion evident in her eyes. Instantly, he understood what was going through her mind. "Say the word ''Status'', and you''ll see it," Lucas said, his voice quiet. "Lucas! What is this?!" Chloe yelped in surprise, her voice rising in alarm as her blue screen appeared before her. "That''s your status. It has your level, stats, and skills," Lucas replied with an unnerving calmness. "And the second notification you''re seeing right now, it''s the second mission." Looking at Chloe, Lucas could see the confusion, even a tinge of fear, clouding her eyes. Samantha, having heard Lucas''s words, also seemed to have activated her status window, mirroring Chloe''s reaction. To be honest, Lucas had always imagined scenarios like this when he was showering or just daydreaming in general. He had thought about what he would do if he were suddenly transmigrated, what he would do if he were granted the system, what he would do differently if he were the protagonist of a novel, and what he would do if the world suddenly shifted into a game-like state. But even as the situation unfolded, Lucas felt a surprising sense of calm. His years of fantasy novels and stories had prepared him for this moment, or at least, for a version of it. He didn''t know how much time he had left so Lucas grabbed his phone and quickly accessed his browser. If there was any chance he could prepare himself, it was now, while the Internet was still accessible. Who knew how long it would last in a world that had suddenly turned into a game-like world? In the search bar, he typed "wilderness survival pdf" and hit enter. Thankfully, the results still appeared almost immediately. Without a second thought, he clicked on the first couple PDFs result he found. Next, he typed "improvise ammunition pdf" and scrolled through the results. He selected several PDFs that looked promising. Finally, he typed "martial arts techniques pdf" into the search bar and repeated the process. Within moments, Lucas''s phone was loaded with a handful of PDF files which he considered essential. Why had he done this? Well, the answers were simple. Firstly, he was just a university student with little practical experience. A guide on wilderness survival would be invaluable, offering insights from first aid to camping, navigation, botany, wild game hunting, and basic crafting recipes. All things that could keep him alive in an environment he knew nothing about. Secondly, being on a university campus could give him access to labs full of chemicals and materials. A guide on basic ammunition production would be useful if he needed to improvise weapons and supplies. Lastly, fighting was inevitable in a fantasy game world like this one. The sooner he could understand basic combat techniques, the better his chances would be in during the monster waves and anything else that came his way. But Lucas knew this wasn''t enough. Even with the PDFs he had downloaded, it felt like he was only scratching the surface. If possible, he needed as much knowledge as he could get. A sudden thought struck him. He could download the entire Wikipedia. Or better yet, he could focus on downloading specific topics that could help him survive. Just as he was about to access Wikipedia, the browser suddenly failed him. The page refused to load, the connection cut off entirely. At that exact moment, he began hearing commotion echoing across the lecture hall.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Why is there no Internet?!" "Are we going to die?!" "What''s happening?!" Lucas could see the panic reflected in the eyes and movements of the students. Some were shouting in distress, and others were frantically trying to check their own devices, but it was clear. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control. His mind raced. Time was running out. He had to take action. Instinctively, he began scanning the room for any way out, any plan that could keep them alive. Then, the situation escalated. With a deafening crash, the doors of the lecture hall were blown open. Lucas jerked his head toward the sound, his pulse quickening. Several creatures, each a sickly green in hue, waddled into the hall. They were physically disproportionate, their bodies draped in rough animal skins, crude and unevenly stitched. At most, they stood half the height of an average adult male, their movements jerky and unnatural. Each of them carried a club of something similarly primitive, their intent clear. Staring at the creatures, Lucas blurted out, "Goblins." The other students, stunned by the creatures'' appearance, were stunned for a split second before chaos erupted. "Run! Get out of here!" someone screamed, and panic spread like wildfire. But their attempts to flee were futile. The exit, the only escape from the lecture hall, was blocked by the goblins. Desperate, the students scrambled for cover, but there was nowhere to go. In a frantic rush, they bolted toward the lecture podium, where Dr. Hamathir, their professor, stood frozen, staring at the goblins in wide-eyed disbelief. "Sir, do something!" one of the students cried out, grabbing onto his coat. "Aren''t you a school staff? Call the security!" another voice shouted. When the goblins saw their prey were panicking, they let out a cacophony of cackles, grating, high-pitched, and unnervingly sharp. The sound echoed through the lecture hall, sending shivers down the sound of the students who were still trying to make sense of the situation. The students, now fully aware of the grim situation, hounded Dr. Hamathir, but the professor appeared too paralyzed with shock to respond. Chloe, as well, still in shock from the sudden appearance of the system, was now paralyzed by the presence of the grotesque creatures. Her hands trembled, her breath shallow, and her gaze fixed on the goblins. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Lucas''s shirt. Her grip was tight, her knuckles pale with fear. Sensing the tug, Lucas turned to her, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. He patted her hand and grasped them, offering a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, everything will be alright. Your reliable boyfriend is here." Feeling the warmth of her boyfriend''s hand on hers, Chloe''s body tensed for a moment before she visibly relaxed. Her breath came easier, but the fear still lingered in her eyes. She nodded, her gaze flickering back to the goblins, but this time, there was a glimmer of trust in her expression. She wasn''t alone. Samantha, too, seemed to calm a little, seeing the silent exchange between the couple. The confidence in Lucas''s eyes was undeniable, a look that spoke volumes more than any words could. However, unfortunately, Lucas, Chloe, and Samantha were seated in the last row of the lecture hall, right next to the exits. And as fate would have it, they were instantly the first targets of the goblins'' attention. The goblins'' piercing eyes locked onto them as they waddled closer, their growls echoing in the tense air. One of the goblins trudged towards Lucas, Chloe, and Samantha while grinning wide with its unhealthy-looking teeth. Its yellowed eyes gleamed with malice as its guttural voice gurgled something unintelligible as if speaking in a language foreign. Lucas could feel his heartbeat quicken, the sound of blood rushing through his ears almost drowning out the panic around him. His body was alive with adrenaline, but strangely enough, it wasn''t fear that gripped him. It was something else, something primal and exhilarating. It wasn''t just survival. It was more than that. He steadied himself, planting his feet on the ground. The stance he adopted was familiar, yet out of place in the context of this lecture hall. Curling up his fists, and lowering his body, he faced the goblin. It was a martial arts stance, one he had seen countless times in the reels and shorts he used to doom-scroll through while passing time online. Lucas had once gotten hooked on a channel that analyzed fight scenes from various movies. It was just a passing interest back then, something to watch in the background. But now, as the goblin''s eyes locked onto him, everything he had seen in those shorts, all the fight scenes, either they were from martial arts films, action blockbusters, or even anime, came flooding back. For him, right at the moment, those short clips weren''t just entertainment anymore. They were the key to his survival. The space between each row of seats was fortunately narrow enough for an adult to walk through, and just enough for a goblin to charge in. The goblin, with a shrill battle cry, charged forward, brandishing its crude wooden club high above its head. Time seemed to stretch as Lucas felt his senses sharpen. His vision slowed, and he saw the goblin''s figure in perfect clarity, each movement amplified. As the club came crashing down in a wide arc, Lucas''s eyes widened, instinctively reading the goblin''s intent. He took a quick step back, narrowly avoiding the club''s path as it swung downward, the air parting with a rush of wind. Goblins, Lucas knew, weren''t physically impressive, not strong enough to overpower an adult in sheer strength. But they were fast, vicious, and relentless. As the club descended past him, Lucas reacted hastily. His foot slammed down hard onto the goblin''s club, pinning it to the ground. The goblin struggled, trying to pull its weapon back up, but Lucas''s weight kept it locked in place. The goblin froze for a split second, stunned by the unexpected resistance from the human. Its eyes flicked with confusion. Without hesitation, Lucas closed the distance. He shifted his weight, leaning in, and threw a swift right jab straight for the goblin''s nose. The punch landed with a sickening crunch, sending the goblin stumbling back, but it didn''t fall. It stubbornly gripped its club, desperately trying to keep hold of its weapon. Locking his eyes onto the goblin''s heinous face, he grabbed its pointy nose and yanked its head forward. In one fluid motion, he followed up with a left cross, his fist slamming into the creature''s right eye. The goblin shrieked in agony, its body flailing, trying to break free from Lucas''s iron grip. It managed to tear its head back, pulling away from Lucas''s grasp, but the goblin''s momentum betrayed it. With the force of its strength pulling on the club, the goblin tripped backward, falling onto its back with a heavy thud. However, Lucas wasn''t going to give the monster in front of it a moment to recover. He moved in, his foot lifting high, and he stepped down hard onto the goblin''s crouch. The stomp slammed with a gruesome crack, sending a shockwave of pain through the goblin''s body. It squealed, its voice faltering as it crumpled beneath the weight of the blow. But Lucas wasn''t done. He knew the goblin was a threat that needed to be eliminated. He was going to kill. Without mercy, he raised his foot again, this time aiming for the creature''s throat. His foot came down with brutal finality, crashing into the goblin''s windpipe and spine in one swift motion. The abhorrent crunch of bone and cartilage echoed through the hall. The goblin lay still, motionless, its body twitching faintly as Lucas stood over it. Just as the fight came to a close, a blue notification popped up in Lucas''s vision. Chapter 3 - Feel the Heat Chapter 3 - Feel the Heat When the remaining goblins saw one of their kin crushed under Lucas''s relentless assault, their shrill cries of anger echoed through the hall. Fueled by rage, they charged recklessly at the humans. One goblin, wielding a crude club, locked into Lucas, its eyes were blazing with hatred. It barreled forward, snarling and swinging its weapon as it approached. Lucas, still riding the heat of the previous fight, didn''t hesitate. The goblin raised its weapon high, preparing to bring it down with force. Lucas recognized the same predictable movement, but instead of retreating, he stepped in, closing the gap. Just as the goblin''s arm came down, Lucas shifted to his left, narrowly avoiding the strike. In one smooth motion, his left hand lashed out, deflecting the goblin''s arm outward, forcing the weapon off its trajectory. Before the goblin could recover, Lucas grabbed its wrist, twisting it sharply. The goblin screeched momentarily losing its grip as Lucas yanked it forward. Wasting no time, Lucas''s right hand snapped across, slamming his palm against the goblin''s face. The impact forced the creature''s head to snap back, momentarily stunning. Taking advantage of its disorientation, Lucas pivoted and drove his right elbow into the goblin''s face. A crunch followed as the goblin let out a pained howl, dropping its club to the floor. As Lucas adjusted his stance, his eyes caught sight of a pair of scissors lying on a nearby desk. It was Samantha''s scissors, the ones she fiddled with when she was bored, were left abandoned during the chaos. Without hesitation, he reached for them. The goblin staggered, clutching its injured face. Lucas stepped forward, gripping the scissors, and drove the blade into the goblin''s throat. A gurgling sound escaped the goblin as dark blood spurted from its neck, staining the floor. Lucas released the scissors, leaving them embedded in the creature''s throat, and pivoted again. With a powerful front kick, Lucas struck the goblin square in the chest, sending it hurtling backward. The goblin crashed into its companions, collapsing in a lifeless heap as its blood choked the last vestiges of life from it. The instant the goblin collapsed under his strike, the familiar blue screens materialized in front of Lucas. Without hesitation, Lucas summoned his status window, his eyes scanning the screen as a sense of urgency pushed him forward. Just as he anticipated, a new row of stats appeared beneath his current attributes. VIT - 4 POW - 3 AGI - 5 INT - 7 WIL - 6 Free Points: 5 He didn''t waste a second. With quick precision, Lucas allocated his points. 1 into VIT, 2 into POW, and 2 into AGI. The moment the points were distributed, he felt an almost electric surge coursing through his body. It was as if every fiber of his being was being reinvigorated, his muscles feeling stronger, his reflexes faster, his mind clearer. "So this is what they feel when leveling up," Lucas murmured, a chuckle escaping him as exhilaration washed over him. His body felt lighter, faster than he was ever. He was more alive than ever before. He checked his new stats. Level 2. Thirty total points. His previous Level 1 stats had only amounted to twenty-five, which meant every stat had an average point of five. Now, with the boost, his AGI was seven, well above average, probably matching the physical agility of a trained athlete. But there was no time to dwell on that. More goblins were charging at him, their eyes filled with rage. Reaching down, Lucas grabbed the club from the goblin he had just slain. It wasn''t much, more of a jagged stick than an actual weapon, but it would have to do. He swung the makeshift club with an instinctive fluidity, recalling the basic martial arts moves he had watched in online shorts. His technique wasn''t perfect, but it was effective enough for the moment. As a goblin charged at him, Lucas swung the stick with precision, the end of the wood crashing into the monster''s skull. He pulled it back and, without hesitation, swung again, striking its knee. The goblin crumpled forward, its leg giving way under the impact. Without giving the goblin a chance to recover, Lucas smashed the club back onto its skill. The gruesome crack of bone met his ears as blood splattered across his face. But he didn''t flinch, he was already moving on to the next target, driven by the heat of his actions. Grabbing the fallen goblin''s club, Lucas was now a man with two sticks, one in each hand. Another goblin charged at him, its club swinging wide in an arc, aiming to crush him with raw power. Lucas wasn¡¯t thinking with his consciousness, it was his instincts guiding him. Lashing out his stick, he smacked against the goblin''s club-wielding arm, when his other stick snapped forward, slamming into the goblin''s torso. The dual strikes hit with precision, sending the goblin stumbling backward in a flurry of pain. Before it could regain its footing, Lucas swung both sticks down with vicious force, each landing a bone-shattering blow to the goblin''s skull. The sound of cracking bones rang out, and the goblin''s body fell to the floor like a broken doll. Lucas stood there, chest heaving, completely unaware of the fluidity of his movements. It was as if his body had taken over, reacting without any conscious thought. His mind screamed to keep going, to press forward, to do whatever it took to survive.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Turning his head quickly, Lucas caught sight of Chloe and Samantha, still cowering behind him, fear evident in their eyes. His gaze softened as he spoke to them with a calmness that surprised even himself. "Stay here, don''t worry. I''ve got this." Without waiting for a reply, Lucas dashed forward. The tight aisles between the Sears weren''t suited for his current fighting style, not with two sticks in his hands. His movements were cramped, and restricted. He quickened his steps to the stairway, a space far more open and conducive to his newfound fighting style. The goblins would have to follow him into the wide, open area where he could let loose. Driven by fury, the goblins gave chase without hesitation. They knew that in this area, the human with two sticks was the greatest threat. They snarled and bared their sharp teeth, the air thick with their malicious intent, before charging toward Lucas with wild animalistic. The man with two sticks could hear the frantic pounding of his own heartbeat in his ears, each thump sending a rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. His senses were heightened, his focus laser-sharp. As another goblin closed in, Lucas wasted no time. He lunged forward, stabbing his right stick directly at its neck. The impact stunned the creature, causing it to stagger backward, dazed. In the same motion, Lucas swung his left stick in a sweeping arc, smashing it into the goblin''s skull with a disgusting crack. The goblin flew backward, crashing into a nearby desk, its body squashed into a heap. The second goblin, seeing its comrade fall, charged in from Lucas''s left side, its weapon raised high. Lucas pivoted sharply on his feet, spinning his body to face the new threat. Swiftly, he swung his right stick at the goblin''s weapon arm, disarming it with a loud thwack. As the goblin''s arm recoiled in pain, Lucas swung his left stick in a wide arc, striking the creature squarely in the skull. The blow sent it spiraling to the ground, twitching before falling still. Drawn by the carnage, a third goblin charged in with its weapon raised high, intent on striking down the human that had decimated its kin. Lucas, riding the heat of his previous movements, raised his left stick to block the descending weapon. With a subtle shift of his body, to the right, he deftly deflected the strike away, his muscles reacting with surprising fluidity. In one seamless motion, he swung his right stick repeatedly at the goblin''s skill, sending a resounding crack through the air. Instantly, Lucas followed through with a powerful front kick, planting his foot squarely into the goblin''s chest. The force of the kick sent the creature hurtling back, crashing into its own kin, knocking them off balance and into disarray. Fueled by the rush of battle, Lucas kept moving. He bludgeoned each of the remaining goblins surrounding him with his sticks. One swing, then another. A jab to the gut, a strike to the temple, each blow landing was making his muscles screamed. It was as if time slowed, the chaos around him fading into the background as he systematically neutralized the threats in his immediate vicinity. After finally finishing off the last goblin, Lucas took a moment to catch his breath. He could feel searing sensations tearing throughout his body. Evident for someone whose most strenuous exercise was just taking flights of stairs. As his haggard breath steadied, he scanned his surroundings. Deeper into the lecture hall, more goblins were still rampaging, their manic cackles echoing through the chaos. His eyes darted over the room. He counted at least fifteen of the creatures still standing, and their frenzy showed no sign of slowing down. From his elevated position, Lucas could see several goblins clubbing down their victims with savage joy, each blow met with screams of terror. The sight was both gruesome and maddening, but Lucas forced himself to focus. Despite the madness, Lucas noticed a handful of students trying to fight back. In one corner, a few were using the closest objects as weapons. Chairs were swung wildly, a box cutter from a pencil case gleamed dangerously in another''s hand. But amidst the chaos, there were two students who stood out. Lucas was able to recognize them. They were his housemates and friends. One was Jin, a large, muscular guy. He was holding his ground, taking the goblin''s club head-on with sheer determination, each blow absorbed by his robust frame. With his fists flying, he sent the smaller monsters reeling with powerful punches. Then, there was Kang, a martial artist. His movements were sharp and calculated, weaving through the goblins with the precision of a trained fighter. He parried one goblin''s club with ease before delivering a quick jab to another¡¯s throat. As he fought, he kept a protective eye on the woman beside him, guarding her from any threat. Further across the hall, he spotted Joe. While not as physically imposing, he held his own well enough, having learned basic self-defense techniques. Nearby, Yexon and Cyane were fighting valiantly with whatever makeshift weapons they could find, their movements frantic but determined. Then, Lucas made his way toward the exit, and a sudden red box appeared before him. He glanced at the message and sighed, muttering to himself, "Figures." At that moment, he spotted Chloe and Samantha approaching him. Without hesitation, Chloe rushed toward him and leaped into his chest, burying her face against him as tears welled up. He wrapped his arms around her, patting her back as he whispered, "Hey, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m here now." Meanwhile, Samantha stood off to the side, watching Lucas with wide eyes, her voice shaky with disbelief. "Lucas, what¡¯s going on? How did you do all that?!" Lucas flashed a mischievous grin. "Don¡¯t you know? I¡¯m secretly a Super Soldier, created by the government to deal with situations like this," he chuckled, clearly joking. Chloe, still clinging to him, looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, seeming to take him seriously. "Really?" Lucas froze, his smile faltering awkwardly. "Uh, no, it was just a joke..." Before he could clarify further, the chaos in the lecture hall escalated. From the corner of his eye, he saw goblins tearing at Dr. Hamathir''s body, gnawing at him as he thrashed, his screams cutting through the air. To clear this quest, he either needed to eliminate all the goblins or survive long enough for the duration to end. But there was no sign of a timer or any indication of how long this would last. He steeled himself. ''Assume the worst,'' he thought. Gently, he pulled Chloe away from him and gave her a firm but reassuring pat on the back. His gaze hardened as he looked toward the goblins rampaging down the hall. "Listen carefully. To get out of here, those monsters need to be killed," he pointed toward the goblins wreaking havoc. "Once they''re all gone, we can leave. Until then, stay put. Wait for my instructions, and I''ll make sure both of you stay safe." His eyes softened as he glanced at both of them, trying to project the confidence he currently possessed. "Samantha, take care of Chloe," Lucas turned to Samantha, who was still trembling but nodded despite her fear. She immediately moved to pull Chloe away to a safer corner. Lucas was confident that Samantha, even though she was scared, would keep a clear head in this situation. He had to ensure they wouldn''t act impulsively. Chloe''s voice broke through the tension, "Lucas, what are you going to do?" He glanced back at his girlfriend, his face softening for just a moment before the fire returned to his eyes. "I''m going to explore my new talent." Picking up the two sticks he had used earlier, he felt their weight in his hands. He gripped them and set his sights on the front of the hall, where the goblins still ran rampant. Subconsciously, he grinned at the thought of leveling up again. Chapter 4 - Quest Complete Chapter 4 - Quest Complete Advancing toward the chaos, Lucas took a glance at the system notifications that were hovering at the edge of his vision. He immediately summoned his status window, putting his Free Points just as before, one to VIT, two to POW, and two to AGI. The rush hit him instantly, a jolt of energy surging through his body like an electric current. Every cell of his body was rejuvenated as if his body had been fine-tuned. His lips curled into a faint smirk. "Now that''s addictive," he muttered under his breath. His gaze locked onto a goblin hunched over its victim, reveling in its cruelty. Without a moment''s hesitation, Lucas sprang into action, his legs propelling him forward with newfound speed. The goblin barely had time to register the shadow bearing down on it before Lucas''s sticks came crashing down. Its skull cracked with a wet, gory scene. Its companion turned, eyes wide with surprise at the sudden assault. But that hesitation was all Lucas needed. He shifted his weight slamming one stick into the goblin''s shin. It tumbled to the ground with a screech only for Lucas to follow up with a downward strike to its head, silencing it in an instant. Breathing heavily, Lucas looked at the gory aftermath. The goblins lay sprawled in unnatural positions, their bodies lifeless. A glance to the side revealed the mangled form of their victim, a classmate he vaguely recognized from across the lecture hall. For a heartbeat, he lingered, staring at the broken body. Yet, no wave of sorrow or pith washed over him. ''I don''t have the luxury for that,'' he thought grimly. This wasn''t a tragedy. It was the new reality, and sentimentality would only get him killed. Flicking his wrist, he wiped the blood from his face and turned his focus back to the chaos. His attention shifted to a lone goblin tormenting a group of terrified female students. Closing in the distance, his sticks came down hard, crushing the goblin''s skull in a single blow. The monster collapsed lifelessly at its feet, body twitching before going still. The girls froze, their wide eyes darting from the slain creature to the blood-streaked figure of their savior. One of them, seemingly snapping out of her stupor, gasped and stammered, "Lucas? Is that you?" Lucas glanced at her, lifting a brow at the unexpected recognition. "Hey there," he replied tersely, his voice calm but distant. Wasting no time on further conversation, he turned his gaze toward his next target, a cluster of three goblins locked in a chaotic skirmish against five panicked students. The group swung their makeshift weapons with little coordination, doing whatever they could trying to keep the creatures at bay. Dashing toward the trio of goblins, Lucas swung his stick, a swift low sweep. He struck one goblin''s leg, sending it falling to the floor. Before it could even react, he brought his weapons down in a brutal strike, cracking its skull open. The remaining two goblins froze for a heartbeat, stunned by the gruesome sight. Then, snarling in rage, they let out furious howls and charged at him. Lucas stared at the goblins¡¯ movements without a single blink. They were closing the gap quickly, but it was just enough time for him to make his move. His right stick carved through the air in a wide arc, colliding with the first goblin''s head. The combined force of its reckless sprint and Lucas''s swing resulted in a shattered skull with a gory crack. Bits of bone and flesh sprayed outward as the creature collapsed mid-stride, lifeless. The final one hesitated, its aggression faltering in the face of Lucas''s brutality. However, the man himself wasn''t. He lunged forward, his left stick whipping across the goblin''s neck in a sharp, accurate strike. It gagged, stumbling backward as it clutched at its throat. Lucas didn''t let it recover. He stepped in, his right stick coming down like a hammer on its skull, the creature caving in instantly under the savage blow. Steadying his breath, Lucas wiped the sweat and blood from his brow, his gaze sweeping over the hall for his next target. However, a sudden system notification materialized before his eyes, interrupting his search. Moments later, another screen followed, listing names and numbers that made Lucas blink. <> Contribution Ranking 1) Lucas Kun - 16 Kills 2) Jin Marvin - 3 Kills 3) Kang Karlot - 3 Kills 4) Eryne Lockster - 2 Kills 5) Susanne Norman - 1 Kill <> <>If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. You have received: 1) Uncommon Skill Book Selection x1 2) Uncommon Equipment Selection x1 3) Stamina and Mana Potion x10 <> <> Forerunner Rank: Epic Your ability to adapt and boldness in forging new paths is truly admirable. Grants accelerated growth in experience and proficiency acquisition. <> Before Lucas could fully examine the rewards he had just received, another notification abruptly materialized before him, pulling his attention immediately. A small, glowing timer appeared in the corner of his vision, the numbers ticking down with an unrelenting rhythm. Around him, the remaining survivors were still reeling from the chaos, and began murmuring amongst themselves. The atmosphere was thick with confusion, fear, and exhaustion. "There''s more?" someone cried out, their voice trembling with fear and disbelief. "What is happening?!" another voice wailed, cracking with desperation. Around them, others were cracking under the pressure. Some dropped to their knees in tears, sobbing uncontrollably, while others overcome by the blood and carnage around them, began vomiting. The aftermath of the battle was far more than many could bear. But amidst the chaos and despair, Lucas''s mind remained focused. His breath evened out, and his gaze hardened. Six hours. Six precious hours. He knew it wasn''t a lot of time, but it was enough if he made every moment count. He scanned the room, taking in the survivors, their fear, and the aftermath of the bloody battle. ''I¡¯ll need to gather supplies, strategize, and figure out how to make it through the next round. There''s no time to waste.'' Lucas hurried toward the corner of the room where Chloe and Samantha had huddled together, their faces pale and their bodies trembling. As he approached, the acidic stench of vomit reached his nose, mixing with the metallic tang of blood that already hung in the air. The floor near them was stained, and their faces were streaked with tears. ''Not everyone can just accept it like I did,'' Lucas thought, glancing at them with a pang of guilt. ''This chaos, it''s overwhelming for most people.'' Chloe looked up, her red, swollen eyes meeting his. The moment recognition dawned, she broke into a sob. "Lucas!" she cried, her voice raw with relief and fear. He reached out to pat her shoulder, his touch firm but comforting. "Come on," he said gently but with urgency. "We''ve got six hours to get ready. Let''s move." Samantha, though visibly shaken, managed to steady herself enough to ask with a trembling voice, "Six hours? Ready for what?" Lucas didn''t hesitate, his tone was confident. "To grow stronger," he said, his eyes were burning with determination. "We don''t have time to sit here. Grab your bags and follow me." While they scrambled to collect their belongings, Lucas scanned the battlefield, spotting discarded goblin clubs nearby. Picking up several of them, he gave them a simple swing before handing one to each of the girls. "Here," he instructed. "It''s ugly and crude, but it''s a weapon. Hold onto it." Hesitation was visible in their eyes. Their hands trembled as they stared at the weapons Lucas offered. For a moment, the weight of reality seemed too much to bear. But then their eyes shifted to the gruesome carnage surrounding them. The broken bodies of classmates, the blood-splattered walls, and the goblin remains scattered across the hall. With shaky breaths, they reluctantly accepted the club''s, gripping them tightly despite the fear. Observing their resolve quietly, Lucas gave them a mental nod of affirmation. ''They are stronger than they think,'' he thought. Turning to lead the way, he gestured for them to follow. The trio made their way toward the exit of the lecture hall. Just before steeling out, Lucas paused and glanced back. The hall once a place of monotonous lessons and idle chatter, was now a battlefield. His eyes swept over the grotesque scene, the mangled corpses of classmates and their professor¡¯s body lying in unnatural poses, some barely recognizable. Groups of surviving students clustered together, their faces pale and eyes hollow. Some clung to each other for solace, their muffled sobs echoing the blood-soaked silence. Others whispered words of comfort, trying to hold on to a semblance of humanity amidst the horror. As Lucas reached for the door handle, a voice interrupted him. "H-hey! Where are you going?!" a male student called out, his shaky voice cutting through the uneasy silence. The outburst drew the attention of everyone left in the hall. Heads turned toward the source of the voice, their expressions were a mix of curiosity, fear, and desperation. Lucas and the girls followed the gaze to see the speaker. A male classmate of his, standing among the huddled survivors. He was dressed in the typical university student''s fashion, a black casual shirt, and beige skinny-cut pants. But the once-pristine outfit was now marred with dark, smeared stains. The stains weren''t hard to identify. Blood. Lucas quickly assessed that it could have come from the goblins, or worse, from their fallen classmates. The student''s face was pale, his eyes wide with a mixture of panic and a tinge of out-of-place determination. When Lucas didn''t immediately reply, the student stepped forward, speaking again. "Where are you going, Lucas? We should stay here and wait for help," he insisted, his tone carrying a desperate plea, as though clinging to the hope of rescue. Lucas studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Inwardly he thought to himself, ''Who even is this guy?'' Still, he maintained his composure, letting none of his thoughts surface. "Let''s go. Don''t mind him," Lucas said, addressing the girls without sparing the student another glance. Chloe and Samantha exchanged brief looks before nodding in agreement. They followed him silently, their trust evident in their compliance. "Hey! Stop, man! Where are you going?! Stay here, please!" the student shouted, his voice filled with desperation as he lunged forward to grab Lucas''s shoulder. But Lucas took a subtle sidestep, avoiding the grasp, and casually caught the man''s wrist. His grip was firm but controlled. "Staying here won''t help you deal with those monsters," he stated. Then, with a gentle push, he nudged the student backward. Despite Lucas''s restrained movements, the student''s wrist throbbed with discomfort, as though it had been caught in a vice. The seemingly gentle shove also left him stumbling a step back, his balance momentarily disrupted. Wide-eyed, the student clutched his wrist and stared at Lucas, speechless, as the trio continued toward the exit. Exiting the lecture hall, Chloe instinctively glanced back, her eyes clouded with worry. " Is this really okay?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with hesitation. Lucas didn''t break stride. "Yeah, it''ll be fine. Trust me, I''m here," he said firmly offering her a reassuring nod. Samantha, keeping pace with them, looked at Lucas with a raised brow. "Alright, so what''s next? I assume you''ve got some grand plan when you talk about ''getting stronger''." Hearing Samantha''s familiar sarcastic tone creep back, Lucas couldn''t help but smirk. It was a sign that her spirit hadn''t completely crumbled. "Well, yeah," he replied lightly. "But first, we need to grab some supplies." "Supplies?" Chloe asked curiously, glancing around. "Where are we going to find those?" "The cafeteria, of course," Lucas answered confidently, his haze shifting toward its direction. Chapter 5 - Stats and Talents Chapter 5 - Stats and Talents Their university campus wasn''t a sprawling labyrinth of corridors and classrooms. It was designed more like an expensive open space, with wide pathways, open-air seating areas, and lush greenery. So, navigating through the campus wasn''t exactly a huge issue. "We should grab whatever we can before the others realize what they should do. But first," Lucas said, pulling out his sticks from his bag. His gaze sharpened as he spotted movement ahead. "We''ve got some beatings to do." Chloe and Samantha also noticed several goblins were creeping closer. They intuitively tightened their grip on their crude weapons. Fear began etching on their faces as their breaths grew rapid. "Now, listen carefully," Lucas began calmly. "Both of you have played RPGs, right? You know how it starts, tutorial fights with weak enemies, either slimes or rabbits. This is the same deal. Now, we''re still in tutorial and those goblins are the weak enemies." He gestured toward the approaching green midgets. "They''re predictable. Watch them closely. First, they''ll charge at you with their clubs high. That''s when you move, alright? You step to the side, dodging their sticks, and swing at their head with everything you have. Simple, right?" The girls stared at him with a pale face. The grotesque aftermath of the earlier scene still haunted their minds, and their hands shook involuntarily as those images resurfaced. Sensing their fear and hesitation, Lucas softened his voice. "Hey, look at me. Don''t worry. I''ll be right here, keeping you safe. I promise." Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Okay, Lucas. I trust you." Her words were short yet determined. Her fingers gripped the stick with a newfound resolution. Samantha remained silent, but her actions spoke volumes as she squared her stance, holding her stick firmly as her knuckles whitened from the pressure. A group of four goblins cackled gleefully at the sight of their prey. Their sharp teeth glinted as they chattered and pointed. Mocking laughter rang out when they saw their prey was just a skinny male and two weak female. Excitedly, they charged forward, eager to overwhelm the seemingly defenseless trio. Two goblins were rushing at Lucas with their eyes gleaming with hunger. While the remaining two locked into Chloe and Samantha, thrilled at the prospect of an easy hunt. Lucas''s figure flashed forward, jabbing his sticks into the throats of the goblins charging at him. The goblins immediately clenched their throats, gasping for air. Then, with a powerful swing, Lucas shattered their legs, sending them sprawling on the ground. But he wasn''t planning on killing them. He left them writhing in pain as he was intending to let the girls deal the finishing blows and earn their own experience. Standing off to the side, Lucas''s eyes never once left the girls. They were doing surprisingly well for beginners, dodging safely albeit slightly awkward steps. Both Chloe and Samantha avoided the goblins'' wild overhead swing and managed to land a solid blow on them. However, their hits lacked the power as they only stunned the goblins momentarily. "Go all out, don''t hold back," Lucas called out. He wasn''t about to intervene, preferring to let them take control and stand on their feet. Chloe squeezed her eyes shut as she swung her stick with all her might, smashing it again and again into the goblin''s face. Each blow left the creature''s skull caving in under the force, mashing it to a mush of blood and bone. Samantha followed suit. Swinging her stick with everything she had, she cracked the goblin''s skull wide open, spewing a spray of gore into the air. The monster collapsed as its lifeless body crumpled to the floor. For a brief moment, both girls stood frozen as they stared down at the remains of the creatures they had just slain. Lucas wasn''t sure if they were stunned by the system notification announcing their kills or the fact that they had taken lives. Most probably a mixture of both. Either way, the silence was palpable as they stood in the aftermath. Moments passed quickly, and the girls were assailed by nausea. Chloe and Samantha bent over retching and vomiting at the sight of the bloodied remains of their enemies. Blood drained from their face as they were trembling in shock. "Feeling better?" Lucas asked with a soft tone as he watched the girls finish vomiting while their bodies still trembled from the gruesome scene. Chloe gave a weak nod as her face was still pale, while Samantha remained bent over, clearly still shaken. "Chloe, Samantha, this is how you grow stronger. By defeating these freaks," Lucas stated solemnly. "Right now, there should be a blue screen popping up telling you that you defeated a goblin, right?" The girls glanced at Lucas before nodding weakly, still trying to shake off the aftereffects of their first kill. Pointing at the two incapacitated goblins with unnaturally twisted limbs, Lucas continued, "Kill them too. Don''t worry, they won''t bite. I guarantee." The girls turned to see the two poor goblins lying on the ground, still breathing but in no condition to do anything much less fight back. The creatures squealed and struggled weakly.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Defeat those two and you''ll get a level up," Lucas added, his eyes fixed on the girls. "This isn''t just about taking life. It''s about surviving and getting stronger. You''ll feel it after you''re done." Hearing his words, the girls exchanged a nervous glance, their hands trembling as they clenched their makeshift weapons. Despite their hesitation, they nodded and stepped forward, steeling themselves for what needed to be done. They approached the squealing goblins with their sticks raised high. As they tried everything they could to ignore the monsters¡¯ pitiful cries, they swung down with all their strength, landing blows on the creatures'' faces. The cracking sound of the monsters'' skull echoed as the girls braced themselves, striking again and again, each swing more forceful than the last. Blood splatters across their faces and clothes, painting the scene with a grotesque sight. Samantha turned toward Lucas, her face was pale yet determined. She saw him standing calmly, watching them intently with a gaze of approval. Lucas smiled and praised, "Both of you did well. Enduring this takes strength. Not everyone can push through something like this." Chloe but her lips before nervously asking, "It said I leveled up¡­ but what do I do now?" Lucas nodded and gestured for their attention. "Open your status window. You remember how to do that, right?" The girls nodded, each summoning their respective status windows. Stepping closer, Lucas continued, "Let me break it down for you. In your status window, you''ll see your name, level, stats, talents, and skills. Since you just leveled up, you''re both at Level 2 now, and you should have 5 Free Points to distribute, as well as a Talent." He glanced at their slightly overwhelmed faces but pressed on. "There are five main stats. VIT, or Vitality, means your stamina, health, and recovery speed. POW means Power, your physical strength. AGI, or Agility, is your speed and reflexes." Pausing, Lucas raised a brow. "So far, does that make sense?" Chloe and Samantha bobbed their heads while their eyes still focused on their translucent screens. "Want me to repeat any of that?" Lucas offered. Chloe shook her head, and Samantha followed suit. "Okay, moving on. INT is short for Intellect. It generally represents your intelligence and brainpower. It''s especially important for spellcasting. "Spellcasting? Like¡­ magic?" Chloe blinked, clearly startled. Lucas nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Exactly. Magic. But we''re not diving into that anytime soon. Not until we''re a lot stronger." Samantha raised her hand slightly, her curiosity piqued. "And WIL, that''s Willpower, right?" Chucking lightly her gesture, Lucas answered, "Spot on. Willpower governs mental resilience, which might sound straightforward but is incredibly crucial. It ties into metaphysical stuff, like your soul, and also impacts your physical constitution and spellcasting. Don''t underestimate it." "But Lucas, how do you know all of this?" Samantha suddenly interjected, her time laced with suspicion and curiosity. Lucas paused mid-explanation, then chuckled, "I was just about to explain Talent and Skill, but fine, let¡¯s go with that question. How do I know all this? Simple. It''s all written in the books." Chloe and Samantha exchanged baffled looks. "Books? What books?" they asked in unison, their voices echoing their growing confusion. Shrugging, Lucas answered nonchalantly, "You know, all those ''pointless'' novels and stories I always read. The ones both of you always teased me about being an unhealthy obsession." Chloe''s brow furrowed, "Wait, you''re saying¡­ Are you joking right now?" Samantha blinked, her confusion deepening. "There''s no way you''re serious." Lucas laughed. It sounded surprisingly light amidst the grim reality. "I''m dead serious. Everything happening right now, the system, the monsters, it''s textbook. A total clich¨¦ straight out of every novel I''ve ever read." Samantha let out an exhale, muttering under her breath, "I can''t believe this." Chloe glanced at Lucas with disbelief but a spark of understanding. "You''re telling us¡­ you''re good at this because of those stories?" Lucas smirked, "Mostly. And now, thanks to my ''pointless'' reading habit, we have a head start." But Lucas thought to himself, ''I''d probably go crazy too if my Willpower weren''t high enough. Probably from the wild fantasies I always imagine when I shower.'' Watching the girls¡¯ baffled expressions, Lucas continued with a laugh, "Alright, listen up. Talents. Each of you should have at least one, but if you''re especially talented, pun fully intended, you might have more than one. That kind of luck puts you on a protagonist level." Samantha tilted her head thoughtfully. "I only have one," she admitted, glancing at Chloe. Chloe hesitated, her voice unsure. "Uh¡­ I think I have two." This time, Lucas was genuinely taken aback. His surprise quickly shifted into a small grin. "Well, look at that! We''ve got ourselves a protagonist!" Giving him a sheepish look, Chloe shared, "Mine are called Melodious Tone and Late Bloomer." Lucas raised an eyebrow, his tone was light but carried a tinge of seriousness. "Just so you know, you''re not usually supposed to tell others your Talents. It''s kind of a personal thing, like keeping your cards close to your chest." Chloe smiled innocently and asked, "But you''re not ''others'', right?" Shaking his head slightly, Lucas just smiled. But before he could add anything, Samantha interrupted with her usual sass. "Okay, enough of the lovebird nonsense. Mine is Programming Expert." Realizing how much trust they had in him despite telling them how personal a Talent was, he decided to return the trust. "Well, mine is Avid Reader." With that, he turns serious again. "Alright, here''s what you do. Focus on your Talent in your mind, and the system will give you the details. Give it a go." Following his own advice, Lucas concentrated on his Talent, and a translucent blue screen appeared before him. <> Avid Reader Rank C Increases reading speed, comprehension, and memory retention. Enhances the practical application of any knowledge read and understood. <>