《Heavenly Unbound》


 Chapter 1 - Barlow!

    The sound of a cheap alarm clock shattered the silence.


    Beep. Beep. Beep.


    My eyes snapped open. The ceiling above me wasn''t unfamiliar¡ªa white-painted room that I used to live in for the first 20 years of my life. Well, I mean, for this second life, it was already 28 years since I was reborn. Still, I am not so sure if this is the same world as my previous life because even this world looks exactly like my last life''s world. Still, there is a little bit of difference in history like the name of an important person, the name of the place, or the history timeline other than that everything progressing in the same direction but there is one wrong thing.


    Sam: "Who Am I¡­."


    it is the question I have asked myself my whole life because even though I know the world I don''t know who I was once.


    Sam: "never mind, it doesn''t matter anymore and today is the day"


    I get up from my bed and get myself ready for breakfast today is the end of the year my entire family comes to my parent''s house we used to live together with we were kids in the Upper East Side Manhattan New York City I am the oldest and younger sibling is Michael and Eve Barlow and we stay here ever since Christmas Eve until today and tomorrow they plan to get back to there place but I don''t think thing will go as they plan¡­.


    Michael: "Good morning, Sam. You cooking again today?"


    Sam: Grinning as he flips through a recipe book "Yeah, you know it. I didn''t spend all that money learning from the best just to take a day off. What, not impressed yet?"


    Michael: Laughs, leaning against the counter "Impressed? Damn right, I''m impressed. Yesterday''s steak? Easily the best I''ve had in my life."


    Michael is a 24-year-old young man who recently graduated from Harvard Medical School, a significant accomplishment that reflects his hard work, dedication, and passion for medicine. He is set to begin his career as a resident doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital next week.


    Eve: Entering the kitchen, stretching and yawning "Morning, you two. Smells good already."


    Sam: "It''s called preparation. You should try it sometime."


    Eve: (Rolls her eyes playfully) "Whatever, Gordon Camsay. By the way, I''m heading out to pick up Ann. We''ve got plans¡ªgirl stuff, you know. But don''t worry, I''ll be back before dinner. Wouldn''t want to miss your five-star masterpiece."


    Michael: (Chiming in, smirking) "Yeah, better hurry back. Sam might finally serve something subpar, and we''ll need a witness."


    Eve: (Grinning as she heads for the door) "I''ll hold you to that!"


    Eve is the lovely 20-year-old younger sister of Sam and Michael. With her brave spirit, lively personality, and great sense of humor, she brings warmth and energy to everyone around her. Though she''s a student at Harvard Law School, her focus is less on boasting about her achievements and more on being there for her family and friends. She decided to pursue law after being inspired by her best friend, Anne, and is driven by a sense of purpose and loyalty rather than ambition for academic prestige.


    Sam: "Right but don''t even be late today because I prepared the best dinner I ever did I know you don''t wanna miss it right?"


    Eve: "Oh yeah I loved that steak yesterday do the dishes even better today? How am I gonna miss that I see you around then I go now bye"


    then she slammed the door leaving me and Mike stand there dizzy morning


    Sam: "Mike, are you gonna help me prepare the ingredients?"


    Michael: "All alright today is the last day of my peaceful life I gonna help you with everything you need"


    We started the day like any typical family in a quiet UES neighborhood. Mike and I went to the supermarket to pick up what we needed, and afterward, we headed home to prepare breakfast for ourselves, Mike, and our parents.


    "Mom, Dad, how are you today?" I asked as I walked into the kitchen.


    Nate, always the jokester, chuckled and replied, "I''m good, but can you not go home and just live with us? Hahaha."


    Kate, always warm and supportive, smiled as she set the table. "You should give me the recipe sometime. I love your food. I didn''t know it was this good."


    Mr. Nate and Mrs. Kate Barlow are my new parents. Both 65 years old, they are a successful couple who would be right at home in any rich neighborhood. Both of them are well-respected doctors with illustrious careers, though they retired eight years ago. Despite their high status, they''ve always been kind and down-to-earth, making me feel at home in a place I never imagined would feel so familiar.


    Sam: "I did anything for you Mom thanking you for supporting me when I was young"


    Kate: " OH, sweetheart I love you!"


    when I was young I was quite one of the weird kids who acted like being processed by a demon because my knowledge should not exist in the baby or kid and often said to others about seeing the weird thing if not for their continued support me teaching me a lot of things I might not have lived a happy life I do today.


    But as I grew up the worry grew as well because I saw the things that others did not as ghosts or anything paranormal but looked more natural like I saw the flow of something that the human mind can''t process some time I saw the river and I percept time differently or anything weird like I saw who gonna get lucky hmm¡­ I mean real lucky like surviving a terrible accident or winning the lotto but I couldn''t control what I saw it must be a superpower that I reincarnation with but it was so useless and unreliable that it was hard to live with it other people who knew me though that I was got some weird Mental illness.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Otherwise, the thing is not all bad because the knowledge that I have can easily make me rich I invested a few thousand bucks from a part-time job and my savings into the thing that gonna be a trend at the right time and always make maximum profit and never lose even a cent I even get on the Time magazine 2 years ago as The most successful investor that ever exists and I already turn into billionaire when I was 18 and then when I am 26 being top 10 richest individuals in the world as a full-time investor my "predicted" is just go that far.


    With everything I did, I worked a few hours a day I learned many things like my cooking skills and other stuff that might be necessary for survival because one thing that I always saw Up in the sky on the cloud was a huge clock that ran countdown it was showing up to me 4 years ago and that counted down for something it is gonna end when midnight today I not sure what gonna happen but I remember from the knowledge that I have the thing in the sky similar to some Korean novel that my last life have read before I hope it does not happen like that novel.


    Everything proceeded as usual when my sister came back, accompanied by her childhood friend from next door, Ann Lee. Ann, always brilliant and composed, was the reason my scatterbrained sister had managed to secure a spot at Harvard Law School. With her father often away on business trips, Ann had become like part of our family. Mr. Lee, ever gracious and dependable, had been an invaluable ally¡ªespecially during that stressful ordeal with my international banking issues. Taking care of his daughter felt like the least we could do, and Ann, as always, blended seamlessly into our lives.


    Eve: (Taking a bite of the Beef Wellington, her eyes lighting up) "Wow, Sam! This is way better than the one I had at that fancy restaurant downtown."


    Sam: (Grinning proudly) "Of course it is. The chef at that restaurant gave me his secret recipe. I might have paid a little extra for it, but it was worth every¡ª"


    Eve: (Waving her hands frantically) "Wait, no! Don''t even start. I don''t want to hear how much you spent. Let me just enjoy the food in peace!"


    Michael: (Chuckling as he cuts into his portion) "Come on, Eve. You''re eating like royalty because of him. A little number-crunching wouldn''t kill you."


    Eve: (Rolls her eyes but smiles) "Still, I''d rather not know. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to Sam''s spending habits."


    Ann: (Laughing softly, watching the siblings banter) "Honestly, Eve''s right. Sam, you really go above and beyond for everything."


    Sam: (Shrugs, pretending to look offended) "What can I say? Only the best for my family... and our guest, of course."


    Eve: (With a teasing grin) "Oh, now you''re just showing off!"


    Michael: (Laughs along, raising his glass) "Here''s to Sam¡ªmaster chef and the only reason we''re eating like this tonight!"


    Eve, Ann, and Michael: (Raising their glasses in unison) "To Sam!"


    Sam: (Smiling genuinely, his voice softer) "Thanks, guys. That means a lot. Let''s dig in."


    Dinner was supposed to be a time for laughter and catching up, and on the surface, that''s exactly what was happening. My family shared stories about their lives, their plans, and the little moments that made them smile. Ann laughed along, her voice light despite the occasional nervous glance she cast my way.


    But I couldn''t focus. My hands were clammy, my heart raced, and the ticking clock on the wall felt louder with each passing second.


    11:00 PM.


    Less than an hour remained.


    I clenched my fists under the table, the weight of my knowledge suffocating me. Could I trust my instincts this time? Was it worth throwing their world into chaos before the real storm hit?


    Finally, I couldn''t hold it in anymore.


    Sam: "Everyone, listen to me!", my voice sharper than I intended as I stood abruptly.


    The room fell silent, all eyes on me. My dad set his fork down with a slight frown, and Ann''s smile faltered. Even Eve and Michael, mid-banter, froze to stare at me.


    Sam: "I need you all to hear me out,", forcing my tone to steady. "Something''s coming. Something... catastrophic. I think the world is about to end."


    A heavy silence followed.


    Nate: (Sighing, his tone calm but laced with concern) "Sam, son, take a breath. No one is going to hurt you. You''re safe here, okay? Let''s not get carried away."


    Kate: (Her eyes wide and glassy, her voice trembling) "What are you talking about, sweetie? What''s wrong? Please, just talk to us."


    Their reactions hit me like a gut punch. Eve and Michael exchanged wary glances, avoiding looking directly at me. Ann paled, gripping her napkin so tightly her knuckles turned white.


    ''This is a disaster,'' I thought, frustration and fear boiling under my skin. ''Why is it so hard for humans to believe the truth when it stares them in the face?''


    I slammed my phone onto the table. The sound made everyone flinch.


    Sam: "I''m serious," I said firmly. "We have less than half an hour to get ready. Monsters are coming¡ªreal, bloodthirsty monsters¡ªand we need to be prepared to fight. I''ve already done most of the work. The house is fortified. Weapons are ready. But you all need to get your heads in the game, now."


    Kate: (Her voice breaking as she clutched Dad''s arm) "What... what did you do, Sam? What''s going on?"


    Ann: (Her breathing quickens, her words barely above a whisper) "This... this can''t be happening. Monsters? That''s... no, that''s not possible."


    Eve: (Snapping out of her daze, her tone defensive) "Sam, what are you talking about? This isn''t funny!"


    Michael: (Leaning forward, frowning) "Is this some kind of joke? Because if it is, it''s a really bad one."


    I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "It''s not a joke. It''s not a delusion. It''s the truth. I''ve been preparing for years, and I need you all to trust me now."


    They stared at me, their faces a mix of disbelief, fear, and growing panic.


    Nate: (Softly, like he was trying to soothe me) "Sam, we love you. Whatever you''re going through, we''ll help you, okay? But you have to calm down."


    I clenched my fists, meeting his gaze. "I don''t need calm. I need action. Just... trust me, please. When midnight hits, you''ll understand everything. Until then, stay close and get ready."


    The tension in the room was suffocating, but I refused to back down. Whether they believed me or not didn''t matter. What mattered was that they were ready when the chaos began.


    I pulled out my phone and activated the protective systems I had set up throughout the house. I spent over 10 billion USD on this, a project I had carefully orchestrated when I convinced my entire family to take a month-long trip to Thailand last year.


    As soon as I activated the systems, the walls began to shift and transform into Tungsten-Alloyed Steel. The windows became reinforced with the same material, and the doors followed suit. Everything connected to the outside was now impervious to intrusion. The monitor descended into the dining room, displaying a 360-degree view of the area outside the house.


    Even the 20-foot-long wall that held the family photos flipped open, revealing an arsenal of weapons¡ªeverything from large guns to massive swords, knives, and spears. My house had now transformed into the safest place on Earth, capable of withstanding even an atomic bomb.


    I turned to my family, offering a relieved smile to reassure them. "Don''t worry, guys. Everyone is safe now."


    And then, as the clock ticked closer to midnight¡ª11:55 PM, December 31, 2024¡ª


    everyone screamed.

 Chapter 2 - Soul Record!

    The room erupted into chaos. Screams filled the air as people shouted, begged, and panicked, their fear palpable. To them, I probably looked like I¡¯d completely lost my mind¡ªsomeone who had snapped under the weight of stress and decided to take everyone down with him. But I understood. Everything was happening too fast, and confusion was only natural.


    I had to take control.


    Raising my voice above the din, steady and commanding) ¡°Everyone, calm down! I¡¯m not going to hurt anyone. Just listen to me¡ªgrab a weapon, anything you can use, and get ready to fight. Trust me, just this once!¡±


    My words hung in the air for a moment, the chaos simmering but not entirely subsiding. I could see the doubt in their eyes, the fear of the unknown.


    But I didn¡¯t have time to convince them all.


    My worst fear clawed at the edges of my mind: the possibility of a system-driven tutorial that would split us apart, leaving everyone to fend for themselves. If that happened, Michael and Eve might survive¡ªthey were young, strong, and resourceful. But Mom and Dad? They wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. They were too old, too fragile for what was coming.


    Suddenly, Michael broke the tension. He sprinted past me, heading straight for the weapon shelf I¡¯d prepared. Without hesitation, he grabbed a handgun and turned to face me, his expression wary but resolute.


    He was watching me. Not with fear, but with caution, like he was trying to gauge whether I was still in control¡ªor about to lose it.


    One by one, the others followed his lead, scrambling for weapons: knives, bats, anything they could get their hands on.


    ¡®Good,¡¯ I thought. At least they won¡¯t be empty-handed.


    I glanced at the clock. Thirty seconds.


    The tension in the room was unbearable. My family stood together now, their eyes darting between me and the door, their hands gripping their weapons tightly. I could see the fear in Mom¡¯s trembling hands, the grim determination in Dad¡¯s posture, and the uneasy resolve in Michael and Eve.


    They were ready, or as ready as they could be.


    I took a deep breath and walked across the room to a hidden compartment I¡¯d kept for myself. Reaching in, I pulled out my weapon of choice¡ªa steel sword paired with a sturdy shield.


    Ten seconds.


    The weight of the sword in my hand felt familiar, reassuring. I gripped it tightly, the edge glinting faintly under the dim lights.


    Five seconds.


    I turned to face them, meeting their anxious gazes. This was it.


    Zero.


    The clock hit midnight, and the world was silent.


    <hr>


    Ding!


    [INVASION DETECTED]


    [WORLD SOURCE EXCEEDS PLANETARY CORE CAPACITY]


    [WORLD SOURCE ACTIVATE PREPARATION INITIALIZATION]


    [UNIVESAL ANTI-INVASION SYSTEM ACTIVATED]


    [SYSTEM INITIALIZATION]¡­¡­.


    <hr>


    A voice echoed through the air, though I couldn¡¯t tell where it was coming from. Judging by the looks on everyone¡¯s faces, it seemed like they heard it too¡ªconfusion was written all over them.


    Nate¡¯s voice broke the silence. "What¡¯s happening? Are you doing this, son?"


    I shook my head. "No, but it¡¯s exactly what I tried to warn you about. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s coming, but we need to be ready."


    Sam stepped forward, his voice strained. "We¡¯ve been ignoring it for too long. It¡¯s too late to turn back now."


    Before I could say anything more, something appeared in front of me¡ªa translucent window, floating in midair.


    <hr>


    [SYSTEM INITIALIZATION COMPLETE]


    [SOUL RECORD IS NOW AVAILABLE]


    <hr>


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Level 10 for available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9


    Level: 1 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 8


    Agility: 8


    Vitality:9


    Endurance: 9


    Intelligence: 9


    Wisdom: 10


    Luck: 100


    [SKILLS]: -


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound


    <hr>


    I stared at my status screen, confusion swirling in my mind. What is that? I thought. I¡¯m 100% human¡­ right?Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    A nagging thought pushed its way forward, Maybe it had something to do with my past life... That¡¯s what had been haunting me lately¡ªan elusive fragment of memory, one that felt both important and utterly meaningless. But now, with all this happening, my curiosity couldn¡¯t be ignored. I had to understand.


    Eve¡¯s voice snapped me back to the present. "What¡¯s going on? You guys see this too, right? This thing floating in front of me?"


    Kate chimed in, her voice shaking. "I see it too, Sam! You know something, don¡¯t you?! Are you saying this... this thing is real? That we¡¯re stuck in some kind of nightmare?"


    "I don¡¯t fully understand it either," I said, trying to sound calm, though my heart was racing. "But I need you to trust me on this. I think the world¡¯s about to change. The only way we¡¯ll survive is by adapting, and quickly. Look at this translucent window¡ªit¡¯s showing us there¡¯s an invasion. And the government? I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll be able to protect us. We¡¯re on our own now."


    The family began to argue over what was happening, trying to wrap their heads around the situation. But my mind was already focused elsewhere¡ªon the status in front of me. I couldn¡¯t afford to miss a single detail. I knew this was just the beginning of something much bigger, and I had to be ready. My goal was set, clear in my mind: Be the strongest. At least on Earth. It¡¯s the only way to protect what I care about.


    ¡°Might is right,¡± I whispered to myself, the words already taking root deep in my thoughts.


    I focused on the text, trying to make sense of it. The first thing was my name: [Name: Samuel Barlow]. Well, it¡¯s just a name, nothing more. Then came the next part: [Race: Human??]. It described humans as the inhabitants of Earth and went on to explain their general characteristics. Nothing about it seemed extraordinary until I read the final line: "The Human race is a common species across all multiverses."


    Wait, multiverses? Does that mean the multiverse is real? That thought alone was enough to make my head spin. Then again, I am a reincarnator. Maybe I¡¯m from one of these other universes. The idea lingered, unsettling yet fascinating.


    The description also mentioned a unique trait of the human race: [Comprehension]. Humans have an innate ability to grasp, analyze, and adapt to new information, making them highly versatile and resourceful. Interestingly, this trait grows stronger as humans ascend through tiers, enhancing their potential even further.


    I moved on to the next section. [Class]: It explained that humans are assigned a class upon reaching Level 10. The rarity of a class depends on one¡¯s overall record and achievements before starting the Tier 1 class selection. Rarities? Tiers? I wasn¡¯t sure how they worked or how many there were, but it seemed like something I would understand once I grew stronger. For now, it was just another mystery waiting to unfold.


    The next one is¡­[Title]: the proof of achievement and reward for it. So short I hope it provides me with more detail because it is one of status that is not empty¡­[Lucky Man 9]: More than 90% of the sapiens species on my home planet consider me the luckiest individual alive: Luck +90.


    Nice¡­


    I¡¯ve worked my ass off memorizing financial historical events, taking risks most people wouldn¡¯t dare to. And now, all anyone sees is the "lucky" label. Whatever.


    [Level]: The level represents the capacity of existence energy and the hierarchy of one''s being. Simply put, the higher the level, the more powerful the individual becomes. Initially, I thought we''d be using mana as a source of power, similar to the systems seen in many Korean novels. But as I think about it more, this world doesn¡¯t seem to follow that typical formula. Something about this feels off, and I can¡¯t shake the feeling that there¡¯s something deeper at play here.


    <hr>


    [Status]: Represents the current capabilities of your existence, defined by the 7 basic stats.10 Stat is considered the peak potential for an average human.


    [Strength]: The ability to endure and withstand physical stress, strain, or external forces applied to the body.


    [Agility]: The ability to react quickly, move swiftly, and adapt to changing situations both physically and mentally.


    [Vitality]: The capacity to hold life force energy and recover from injuries or depletion of energy, affecting overall health and resilience.


    [Endurance]: The ability to withstand prolonged physical exertion, improving stamina, body durability, and overall toughness.


    [Intelligence]: The capacity to absorb, comprehend, and process information, as well as improve mental power quality, aiding in problem-solving and cognitive function.


    [Wisdom]: The ability to retain and apply knowledge gained over time, enhancing mental capacity and aiding in better decision-making and understanding.


    [Luck]: The mysterious ability to influence fortune and events in your favor. Luck can only be increased through tier progression or titles.


    <hr>


    After I finished reading through all the details in the status section, it became clear to me: everything was important. Pursuing balance¡ªthat had to be the answer in the long run.


    [SKILLS]: A list of abilities that utilize the power of existence energy. These skills are categorized by proficiency levels, and when a skill reaches its maximum proficiency, it can evolve into a higher rarity.


    Once again, I come across this "existence energy" term, but it remains a mystery. Despite its frequent mention on the status screen, I still can¡¯t figure out what it truly is or how it works.


    [COMMON SKILLS]: A list of abilities that don¡¯t require the use of existence energy. These skills are simpler, more fundamental, and aren¡¯t bound by energy usage. They encompass everything I¡¯ve learned throughout my life¡ªthings as basic as breathing, sleeping, and even everyday tasks. Unlike other skills, these don¡¯t have proficiency levels, making them feel more like instinctive knowledge rather than learned abilities.


    The most suspicious part of my entire status screen.


    [TRAITS]: Unique attributes an individual is either born with or acquires through other means. Traits don¡¯t have a rarity but grow stronger alongside the existence tier. It almost seems like a type of "growth" skill, doesn''t it?


    [The Eye of ???]: Grants the ability to see ??? (Incomplete). this must be the one that haunted me for the last 28 years of my life. why it is incomplete? there must be a way to complete it.


    [Unbound]: You become loose and untied from anything bound to your existence and completely unbound from things weaker than you. Wow, this one sounds grand, full of potential¡ªbut right now, I¡¯m just a regular top-tier wealthy person. Aside from being unbound from civilian law, I¡¯m not sure how else I¡¯m going to make use of it.


    Nate said "Alright, son. What¡¯s the plan?"


    Sam answers "First, we need to figure out these ¡®Soul Records.¡¯ Everyone¡¯s Soul Record panel says the same thing, but we have to understand what it means. We need to know every advantage we have."


    While everyone focused on their Soul Records, I found myself staring at the monitor displaying the scene outside. People were stepping out of their houses, confusion clear on their faces. They were trying to talk to each other, but it didn¡¯t seem like anyone had answers. At least there wasn¡¯t a monster swarm spilling out of a portal or a rift in the sky¡ªit was oddly normal. Why is it so quiet? It¡¯s like the calm before the storm.


    After about five minutes, everyone finished analyzing their panels. We shared what we¡¯d learned, though we kept the traits to ourselves. I told them it might be dangerous, so it was better to stay quiet about it for now.


    From what I could tell, everyone had something familiar: different titles, varying parameters in the status section, but one thing stood out¡ªno one had any skills or additional sections. Except for my parents, that is. Their titles were different from the rest.


    And then...


    <hr>


    [WORLD SOURCE ACTIVATE PREPARATION COMPLETE]


    [THE WORLD TRANSFORMATION BEGIN]


    <hr>


    The ground trembled like an earthquake with a magnitude of 12. The air itself seemed to ripple, shaking visibly to the naked eye. Everyone in the room was thrown to the floor, and the strongest house I¡¯d been so proud of began to crack open. Panic surged within me, and I shouted.


    "Everyone, grab each other''s hands!"


    We crawled across the floor, instinctively reaching for one another, our hands gripping tight, terrified of losing anyone in the chaos.


    [INHABITANTS LIFE PROTECTION PROTOCOL ACTIVATED]


    [TUTORIAL SYSTEM BEGIN]


    God damn, the tutorial is really coming now...


    And just like that, my consciousness started to fade.

 Chapter 3 - Tutorial!

    My eyes snap open, just like yesterday, but this time I immediately spring to my feet, adopting a defensive stance with the steel sword clutched tightly in my hand, ready to fight off anything that dares to attack. It takes a moment for my mind to catch up, but soon I realize there¡¯s no immediate threat. My body relaxes slightly as I lower my guard and start scanning my surroundings.


    I¡¯m in the center of a vast, open space, the soft grass stretching endlessly in all directions. Tall trees encircle us, their trunks forming a ring, as if I¡¯m trapped in the middle of a forest. The radius of the circle is easily two or three kilometers.


    My gaze shifts to the ground, and I spot my family¡ªMom, Dad, and Ann¡ªstill lying there, peacefully asleep beside me. As I look around, I realize that others are sleeping as well, scattered in every direction. My vision widens, and I count the people with a quick glance. There are over a thousand of them, and as I observe their faces, I realize they all seem oddly familiar, like they belong to people from our neighborhood. It looks like I¡¯m the only one awake.


    ???: "OH THERE ARE ONE WAKE UP EARLY!! WHY ARE YOU WAKING UP EARLY THIS IS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR A TIER 0 BEING!"


    The yelling sound came from my back and made me jump back surprised by an unknown sound then I looked at the sound origin I saw a fairy like the one in the children''s look just like a jiggle bell she was small around 20 centimeters from head to toe she had a pair of big yellow butterflies wings bigger than herself look at me with curiosity overall she is a totally typical fairy that people thinking of when they talk about a fairy.


    Hovering closer, her wings buzzing softly


    ???: ¡°How curious! A Tier 0 creature waking up before the system¡¯s synchronization is complete? That shouldn¡¯t be possible! Tell me, how did you manage such a feat, hmm?¡±


    He straightens up, keeping his sword ready but lowering his guard slightly "Well, I guess I¡¯m just... lucky?¡± Sam answer


    Giggles, her voice chiming like bells ¡°Lucky? Oh, please! Luck alone wouldn¡¯t override a system-imposed restriction. Come now, human, don¡¯t be shy. Share your secret!¡±


    Scratches his head, feigning thought ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just a light sleeper. I¡¯ve always had a knack for waking up early. Internal clock and all that.¡±


    Frowns, her wings fluttering faster ¡°Hmm... Internal clock? That¡¯s a new one. But I¡¯ve been a system guide for centuries! No one wakes up during this phase unless¡ª¡± She gasps and points dramatically. ¡°Unless you¡¯re cheating!¡±


    Chuckles nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender ¡°Cheating? Do I look like someone capable of outsmarting your almighty system?¡±


    Narrows her eyes, studying him intently ¡°You do seem ordinary... almost disappointingly so. But then again, appearances can be deceiving. Are you sure there¡¯s nothing special about you?¡±


    Shrugs casually, trying to keep his tone light ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know how your system works, but if waking up early makes me special, I¡¯m not complaining. Maybe you should be asking why everyone else is so late.¡±


    Pauses mid-air, tapping her tiny chin thoughtfully ¡°That... is an excellent point! Lazy humans, all of them! Perhaps the system is coddling you Tier 0 too much.¡±


    Smirks slightly, sensing her curiosity fading ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m just the exception that proves the rule. Now, instead of worrying about me, shouldn¡¯t you be focusing on getting everyone else up and running?¡±


    Huffs, crossing her arms ¡°Fine, fine. But don¡¯t think I¡¯ve forgotten about you, human! I¡¯ll be keeping my eyes on you, so no funny business!¡±


    Nods earnestly, suppressing a grin ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±


    I felt a secret relief wash over me. It seemed that the fairy couldn¡¯t look into my record, and I hadn''t shared my traits. Something deep inside me¡ªan instinct¡ªkept telling me that this was the most important information I had, and it couldn¡¯t be shared with anyone. Not even my own family.


    As for why I¡¯d woken up early this morning... it had to be Unbound. That was the only explanation.


    I tried to pry information about the system from the fairy, but nothing came out of her lips. She just shot back with, "No telling!" "No cheating!" "Shut up, tier 0 trash, or I¡¯ll blast your head off!"


    I kept my mouth shut for the next 30 minutes. I didn¡¯t think she was kidding. If I remembered correctly, these fairies liked to make examples out of people by blasting their heads off. I didn¡¯t want to be the one to lose my head before the real challenges even began.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    While I waited for the others to recover, I sat next to my family and resumed my experiment with my Soul Record. As I focused, I realized something¡ªthere was a new sensation beyond my usual five senses. It was faint, almost weak, but it was there. I could feel things inside my body and just under my skin. It should be mental power, I thought. I continued testing this newfound sense, trying to become familiar with it.


    One hour passed.


    Ding!!!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new skill:


    Mental power manipulation<common>]!


    Ding!!!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: Early Access]


    Ding!!!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: The First of Skill Wielder]


    <hr>


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Level 10 for available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wielder


    Level: 1 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 8


    Agility: 8


    Vitality:9


    Endurance: 9


    Intelligence: 9


    Wisdom: 10


    Luck: 100


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound


    <hr>


    I was genuinely surprised as I looked at my new skill.


    [Mental Power Manipulation <Common>]: Grants the ability to wield mental power effectively.


    I immediately tested it out. To my delight, it made controlling my mental power far easier, requiring much less focus.


    Then, my attention shifted to the upper section title.


    [Early Access]: You can utilize existence energy before the tutorial begins, proving a great feat¡ªincreases EXP gain from all sources by 25%. I didn¡¯t even fully understand how the system worked yet, but I could already tell this had to be one of the best bonuses.


    [The First of Skill Wielder]: You are the first to wield the skill in the world¡ª increases the effectiveness of all skills by 5%. Nice one!


    I was silently celebrating in my mind, feeling a rush of excitement when, suddenly, the fairy moved.


    The fairy flapped her delicate wings and flew to the center of the crowd. She took a deep breath¡ªone that seemed to pull in more than just air¡ªand then shouted with a force that defied her small size.


    "WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


    Her voice wasn¡¯t particularly loud, but it resonated through me, vibrating through my body, mind, and soul. It was as if every part of my being was compelled to awaken, even though I was already awake. My cells screamed in unison, an overwhelming cacophony that made me want to curl up and shut everything out.


    Minutes passed like hours, the intense sensation finally beginning to fade. Around me, people stirred, groaning and blinking in confusion. They looked around with dazed expressions, questions plastered on their faces. Why? Where? How did we get here?


    "Sam?" My family¡¯s voices pulled me back to the present. They were already on their feet, looking at me, waiting for some kind of reassurance.


    Eve clutched Sam¡¯s arm tightly, her voice trembling ¡°Sam? What¡¯s going on? Where are we? What was that voice?¡±


    Michael Looking around, his face pale ¡°This... this doesn¡¯t make sense. We were at home, and now we¡¯re¡ªwhere even is this?¡±


    Kate Tearfully ¡°Sam, what¡¯s happening? Are we in a dream? Tell me this isn¡¯t real.¡±


    Sam Steps forward, holding his hands up to calm them ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t know all the answers yet, but I need you to trust me. Whatever this is, it¡¯s real, and we need to stay calm.¡±


    Eve Clinging to him tighter ¡°Calm? CALM? We¡¯re in the middle of nowhere with... with thousands of people around, and you want us to stay calm?!¡±


    Sam Puts a hand on her shoulder, speaking firmly ¡°Yes, Eve. Panicking isn¡¯t going to help us. Look, I¡¯ve seen some... strange things before, and I have a feeling this is connected to that. But we¡¯ll get through this¡ªtogether. I promise.¡±


    Michael Gestures toward the fairy now hovering above the crowd ¡°And what about that? Are you going to explain how a freaking fairy is real?¡±


    Sam Points toward the fairy ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to figure out. But for now, listen to her. She¡¯s probably the only one who knows what¡¯s happening.¡±


    <hr>


    The fairy hovered above the group, her wings shimmering as her voice rang out like a bell.


    "WELCOME, HUMANS, TO YOUR TUTORIAL! I AM LILIA, YOUR TUTORIAL SYSTEM GUIDE. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AS I EXPLAIN THE RULES OF YOUR TUTORIAL!"


    Before she could continue, a random man shot to his feet, waving his arms wildly. "Rules? What rules?! This is insane! I demand to go back to Earth RIGHT NOW!"


    Lilia turned toward him, her glowing eyes narrowing. Her smile twisted into something sharper. "Oh? A brave one, are we? Or perhaps... just an idiot."


    The man took a bold step forward, shouting louder. "You can¡¯t just abduct us like this! Take us back, or I¡¯ll¡ª"


    Lilia raised her tiny hand with a casual wave and sighed. "Manners, please."


    In an instant, a beam of golden light shot from her hand, striking the man square in the head. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, his head gone entirely.


    Gasps and screams erupted from the crowd as people stumbled back in terror. "Oh my God!" "What the hell?!" "She killed him!"


    Lilia clapped her hands together, her cheerful tone cutting through the chaos like a knife. "Now that I have your attention, let¡¯s continue. Interruptions will not be tolerated. You are no longer on Earth. You are now participants in the tutorial system. Survive, adapt, and ascend¡ªor perish. Simple, isn¡¯t it?"


    I couldn¡¯t help but think to myself, That¡¯s so cringe.

 Chapter 4 - Survival!

    Eve Grabbing Sam¡¯s arm tighter, her voice trembling ¡°Sam... she just... she just killed him. What are we supposed to do?¡±


    Michael Holding their mother close, his face pale ¡°She¡¯s not joking, is she? This isn¡¯t a drill.¡±


    Sam Takes a deep breath, steadying himself ¡°No, Mike. It¡¯s not. That was a warning¡ªone we need to take seriously.¡±


    Mrs. Barlow Whispers, her voice shaking ¡°This can¡¯t be happening... Sam, what do we do?¡±


    Sam Looking each of them in the eye, his tone firm but calm ¡°We survive. That¡¯s what we do. Look, I don¡¯t know how bad this is going to get, but I¡¯ve been preparing for years, and I swear I¡¯ll protect all of you. But you have to trust me. Listen to what she says. Follow the rules. That¡¯s how we make it through this.¡±


    Eve Wipes her eyes, trying to steady her voice ¡°You really think we can survive this?¡±


    Sam Grins faintly, gripping her shoulder reassuringly ¡°We¡¯ve got something the others don¡¯t¡ªme. And I don¡¯t plan on dying here. Neither will you.¡±


    Michael Nods reluctantly, standing taller ¡°Alright, Sam. We¡¯ll follow your lead. Just don¡¯t get us killed.¡±


    Sam Turning back toward Lilia, watching her with sharp focus ¡°Not a chance.¡±


    <hr>


    After the fairy''s display of power, the random man who had dared challenge her was swiftly and brutally taken out as an example. She meant to instill fear and seriousness in the participants, but the result was far from what she expected.


    Instead of quieting the crowd, the killing only sparked greater chaos. The air was filled with frantic screams as people began running in every direction, desperate to escape the fairy''s wrath. But no matter how fast or far they ran, they soon found their way blocked. A translucent barrier wall, invisible but tangible, stood in their path, stopping them from going any farther.


    Panic spread like wildfire. Some tried to punch or kick the barrier, hoping to break through, but the invisible wall didn¡¯t budge. The realization that they were trapped hit like a ton of bricks, sending many into further madness.


    A few people, completely losing their sense of control, fell to the ground, curled up and screaming as though the world was collapsing around them. Others, frantic and desperate, tried to silence the screams of those around them, terrified that any noise would draw the fairy''s attention. They knew what had happened to the man, and they feared their loved ones would be next if they made too much noise.


    The air was thick with fear and confusion, as the illusion of safety vanished, and the harsh reality of their situation began to settle in.


    In the center of the chaos, all that remained were Sam and his group, along with a few hundred others who seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation. They were quiet, observing the fairy closely, carefully considering their next move.


    The fairy, on the other hand, was stunned by the unexpected reaction from the humans. She stood frozen for a moment, her usual composure faltering. "I¡¯ve been doing this job as a tutorial guide for humans for almost a thousand years. Never has anything like this happened before. Usually, humans surrender, beg, or even call me ''goddess''... Why are they acting like this?" She thought, her confidence shaken.


    After a long pause, the fairy''s expression shifted. Her thoughts gathered, and she made a decision. Rising above the frantic scene, she raised her hand high and made a gripping motion in the air. In an instant, the people who had attempted to flee were lifted off the ground, as though invisible hands were pulling them back toward the center. Their bodies floated unnaturally, held in place by an unseen force.


    The fairy''s body glowed with an eerie blue light as she spoke, her voice now calm yet commanding, slicing through the panic-stricken air.


    "Calm," she said, her voice resonating like a bell, carrying an otherworldly authority.


    As the word left her lips, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The tension in the air thickened, but somehow, the panic in the crowd lessened, as if the fairy''s very presence forced an unnatural stillness upon them.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The fairy cleared her throat, an almost playful sound before she declared, "Ahem, let¡¯s start again, then." Her voice was calm, unfazed by the chaos that had just erupted, as if the previous scene had been nothing more than a minor hiccup.


    With a casual flick of her finger, she pointed toward the headless corpse of the man who had dared challenge her. Time itself seemed to stretch and twist in response to her command. Slowly, the body reassembled¡ªblood reversed, the skull and brain returning to their rightful place, and in a matter of seconds, the man¡¯s head was restored.


    His eyes snapped open, terror flooding his expression as he gasped for air. The man was wide-eyed, his mind struggling to process the horrific return to life. He instinctively began sucking on his fingers, sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face as if he were a child frightened by a nightmare.


    The crowd fell into a stunned silence, watching the impossible unfold. But as they saw the man breathe again, a flicker of something changed in the air¡ªa shift from pure terror to a strange kind of hope. The survival instinct in each of them stirred. They understood now that they had been given another chance, that the rules had changed, and the stakes had been made painfully clear.


    The fairy observed the reactions with a satisfied smirk. Her method had worked. She had broken them, pushed them to the edge, and now they would respond. The spark of desire to survive, to adapt, to learn¡ªit was igniting in their hearts. She had tested them, and now they would be more pliable, ready to follow her lead through the tutorial she had set in motion.


    Her smile widened, pleased with the results. The game had begun in earnest.


    The fairy looked over the crowd, her voice carrying an almost regal tone as she spoke again. "I will start the explanation about the tutorial and why you are here. Any questions will come after I am finished, understood?"


    The crowd, still recovering from the earlier chaos, remained silent, their attention now fixed on the fairy.


    She nodded and continued. "You are now in the Tutorial World, a specially designed realm where newly integrated planets send all living beings capable of accessing the Soul Record. Its purpose is to accelerate adaptation and prepare its inhabitants to combat the looming invasion of chaos. This process doesn¡¯t just involve humans¡ªanimals with a certain level of self-awareness also participate under the directive of the [Inhabitants Life Protection Protocol]."


    As she spoke, the fairy gestured with her hand, and a translucent screen appeared in the air before her, visible only to her. Her expression shifted as she began to examine the data presented on the screen.


    "Wait a moment, let me see the data," she muttered to herself, her eyes scanning the information in awe.


    After a brief pause, her voice broke the silence again, this time with a hint of surprise. "Wow, your planet is really something. Your human population alone has been assigned to over 1,500,000 Trial Zones! And the total number of trial zones for your planet exceeds 10,000,000 zones! What kind of planet is this? With so many Soul Record accesses... it¡¯s unlike anything I¡¯ve seen before."


    The fairy¡¯s tone was filled with both admiration and intrigue, clearly impressed by the scale of the records from this planet. She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered the implications of such vast numbers. The crowd watched, still processing her words, as they began to realize the true scale of the situation they had found themselves in.


    The fairy''s voice rang out once more, this time with a commanding tone as she continued her explanation.


    "I will explain the tutorial to you. You have now been assigned to the trial zones for those who are capable of becoming fighters. The goal of this trial zone is to transform you into powerful soldiers, prepared to combat the invasion of chaos. As for what chaos is, I will not explain it to you now. Let us focus on the tutorial rules first."


    She raised her hand slightly, and a holographic screen appeared beside her, displaying information as she spoke.


    The fairy¡¯s gaze swept across the crowd, her voice unwavering as she delivered the grim message.


    "The tutorial will last for three months in terms of time on your home planet. The minimum goal to pass the trial is for participants to complete one of the designed trials and reach at least Tier 1, level 30. If you fail to achieve this, the only result will be death. Simple, isn''t it?"


    A chill ran through the crowd at her blunt words, and the reality of the situation began to settle in. The fairy continued, her voice cold but firm.


    The fairy¡¯s voice cut through the tense atmosphere, her tone cool and calculated.


    "Your trial zone has been assigned with 5,000 participants¡ªhealthy, fully grown humans."


    She raised her hand, gesturing as if to outline the scope of their challenge.


    "The trial will consist of three stages, each lasting one month. The first stage is called ''The Survival.'' The rules are straightforward: your goal is to reach the Tutorial Towns, located in one of the four cardinal directions from this starting point. The exact distance? That¡¯s for you to discover.


    "Your journey will lead you through the forest terrain, teeming with monsters. These creatures are not only your obstacles but also your greatest resources for progression. Their defeat will aid your growth, so do not shy away from confronting them. I strongly recommend that you reach at least Tier 1 before attempting to enter the town¡ªunless, of course, you wish to meet an early demise.


    "If you fail to reach the town within one month, you will fail the trial. Be warned: as time progresses, the forest will grow more dangerous than you can possibly imagine. The choice to survive or perish lies in your hands."


    She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.


    "The details of the next stage will be revealed once you complete this one. Any questions?"


    The crowd was silent, some looking around nervously while others steeled themselves for what lay ahead.

 Chapter 5 - Quest!

    Sam looked around, observing the reactions of the others. It seemed like everything was better than he had initially thought. At first, he had expected the fairy to launch into another killing spree, but instead, she had revived the man, showcasing her god-like power. With this, Sam began to realize that the tutorial wasn¡¯t designed to kill people for the amusement of some omnipotent being. As the fairy had explained, it was meant to prepare them to fight against an invasion.


    The enemy must be so vicious that even someone as powerful as the fairy wouldn¡¯t waste human lives without reason, especially after her first attempt to instill fear had failed. It became clear to Sam that the stakes were much higher than he had imagined. This wasn¡¯t about cruelty¡ªit was about survival.


    A moment of silence passed, until a random woman, her face marked by worry, stepped forward. With a trembling hand, she raised it and asked the fairy, "Do you know where my baby is?"


    The fairy, unphased, opened a translucent system window before her, her fingers brushing across the interface as if accessing information. After a brief pause, she spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.


    "Do not worry, female human. There is a designated trial zone for human infants and children. They will be cared for by system-assigned caretakers. The death rate in their trial zone is zero. The children will simply need to learn and grow during the trial period until it ends."


    The woman looked relieved, a small breath escaping her lips, while the crowd, now slightly reassured, murmured amongst themselves.


    A man, one of the few who hadn¡¯t fled during the chaos, stood up and asked the fairy with a mixture of fear and resolve, "What¡¯s happening to Earth?"


    The fairy¡¯s smile deepened, clearly pleased by the question.


    "Ah, a great question!" she replied. "Your home world is currently undergoing a transformation. The System is assisting in harnessing the planet''s natural resources, enabling your world to utilize its energy more efficiently. A dimensional barrier is being installed around Earth to shield it from direct invasion for now. However, the invaders already know about your planet. Your task, once you return, will be to confront them and eliminate the threats they bring. Earth¡¯s survival depends on your strength and ability to protect it."


    She paused for a moment, ensuring the weight of her words was fully understood by the group.


    "When you come back, the responsibility of defending it will fall on your shoulders."


    The moment the fairy finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. The weight of her words hung in the air like an unspoken truth, and for a moment, it seemed like no one could process what had just been revealed.


    Some faces turned pale, their eyes wide with disbelief. Others simply stared blankly, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The concept of Earth transforming, of the planet being under siege by invaders, was too much for many to fully grasp. The idea of returning to their home only to fight to protect it from destruction was overwhelming.


    The new random man shouted, "But why kidnap us? We''re just civilians!, why not just let the government do the job? That¡¯s right¡ªwe have guns and nuclear weapons! The aliens will be annihilated!" a ripple of awkward silence followed. The people around him exchanged incredulous looks, some even shaking their heads in disbelief. They had just witnessed the fairy¡¯s godlike abilities¡ªthe revival of the dead, her manipulation of space, and the power she radiated¡ªand yet this man thought conventional weapons would make a difference? It was almost comical.


    The fairy¡¯s expression darkened, her once-amused demeanor replaced with a cold fury. Her wings flickered ominously, and for a moment, it felt like the air itself grew heavier. "Why do humans never learn reason?" she muttered under her breath. With a flick of her hand, a translucent screen appeared before her, its glowing symbols incomprehensible to the crowd. She began scrolling through the information, her lips pressing into a thin line.


    After a moment, she turned back to the man, her voice sharp and laced with irritation. "Humans of this world truly never fail to surprise me. a Weapons crafted within the boundaries of the Physical Law capable of generating destruction on the level of a Tier 5 nuclear explosion? Impressive. And¡ªwhat¡¯s this?¡ªyou¡¯ve even begun to tap into the particles of the Law? and called it quantum? How is that possible for mere Tier 0 mortals?" Her tone dripped with both genuine curiosity and exasperation. "No wonder your world is so overpopulated. For a species barely out of the cradle of their Soul Records, you¡¯ve achieved much¡­ and yet, you understand so little."This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The crowd murmured at her words, a mixture of pride and confusion spreading among them. Pride at their technological advancements, but confusion at her disdainful tone.


    The fairy folded her arms, her wings glowing faintly. "But let me make this clear," she continued, her voice sharp as a blade. "Even with those weapons you so proudly boast about, they are woefully insufficient against the Chaos Army. You think your nuclear bombs and bullets would stand a chance? Against creatures that exist beyond the comprehension of your physical laws? Against forces that can bend reality itself? Pathetic."


    She stepped closer to the crowd, her luminous eyes narrowing as they bore into the man. "So stop this nonsense about your weapons and your governments. Your world¡¯s survival depends on you¡ªthose who are here¡ªlearning to harness your Soul Records and grow stronger. This is your last warning: do not waste my time with foolishness."


    Her voice echoed with finality, and the crowd collectively held their breath. The man who had spoken up shrank back, his face pale, as the gravity of her words sank in.


    Sam, who had been silently observing for what felt like an eternity, finally decided it was the right moment to voice the question that had been gnawing at him the most.


    "What is the Soul Record?" he asked, his tone steady but filled with curiosity.


    The fairy''s eyes lit up as if she had been anticipating this very question. With a delighted expression, she responded, "Ah, finally! Someone asks the right question." She clasped her hands together and continued, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.


    "The Soul Record is the essence of your existence¡ªa unique and indelible imprint dedicated to your achievements and essence as an individual. It chronicles every thought, action, and accomplishment you make. By accessing your Soul Record, you can harness Existence Power, allowing you to grow, evolve, and ascend to higher states of being. It is both your greatest treasure and the foundation of your potential."


    Pausing for effect, she added with a knowing smile, "As for what Existence Power truly is... you''ll understand when you reach level 10 and evolve into a Tier 1 being. Until then, consider it the key to unlocking your destiny."


    Things began to fall into place, and Sam and his group stayed silent, opting to observe and absorb as much information as possible from the questions being asked. One particular thought lingered in Sam''s mind: If Tier 5 power is equivalent to a nuclear bomb, how many tiers exist? From the fairy''s reaction, Tier 5 doesn¡¯t seem like an extraordinary feat but is clearly not insignificant either.


    For thirty minutes, the questions from the crowd gradually dwindled. Each response from the fairy added pieces to a puzzle that was slowly taking shape in everyone''s minds. Finally, no one had any further questions. The crowd grew silent, a mixture of resignation, curiosity, and unease settling over them.


    The fairy floated above them, her shimmering wings casting soft glows over the group. She scanned the silent crowd and, with a satisfied nod, spoke decisively.


    "With no more questions, we shall now begin the trial."


    Raising her hand once again, she was bathed in a radiant blue glow. The air around her pulsed with energy, and she declared with a voice that carried authority, "Armory."


    The blue light intensified, and before their eyes, the ground below the fairy began to transform. The shimmering energy solidified, materializing into a massive armory. Rows upon rows of weapons and tools appeared, their metallic gleam catching the light. The armory was vast, almost overwhelming, and eerily reminiscent of the hidden stash Sam had back at his parents'' house¡ªbut this collection was far more extensive.


    However, one glaring difference caught Sam¡¯s attention immediately: there were no guns.


    The fairy addressed the crowd with a tone of authority, her voice carrying effortlessly over the gathered participants.


    "According to the rules, each of you may choose one weapon and one survival kit from the armory. Once everyone has made their selection, you will have one hour before the starting point barrier opens, marking the official beginning of the trial."


    With that, she gracefully ascended into the sky, her wings shimmering in the fading light. As she hovered above them, she gave a parting smile, her tone light yet laced with finality.


    "My role here is done. We shall meet again in Stage Two. Good luck, Participants."


    With a final burst of radiant energy, she vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of her presence behind. It was as if she had never been there at all.


    then¡­


    Ding!


    <hr>


    [TUTORIAL QUEST]


    Quest Name: [The Survival]


    Time Remaining: 30 Days 00:00:00


    Objective: Navigate the forest and reach the Tutorial Towns located in one of the four cardinal directions.


    Rewards: Rewards will be granted based on the progression of your Soul Record.


    <hr>

 Chapter 6 - Crash!

    Sam looked at the spot where the fairy had vanished, the events unfolding too quickly for him to fully grasp. He shook his head, returning to his senses and turning to face his group. They seemed just as confused as he was.


    "Alright, everyone," Sam said, his voice steady. "We should hurry, pick a weapon, and get familiar with it while we still have time."


    Everyone nodded in agreement. Even though their group already had weapons, extra ones wouldn¡¯t hurt. Sam moved toward the armory, leading the group as they followed closely behind.


    The shelves in front of him were lined with normal-looking swords. But as he observed them more carefully, a translucent window appeared before his eyes.


    [Tutorial Sword]


    [Rarity]: Common


    [Durability]: [100/100]


    [Description]: The welcome gift of the system to the tutorial participants.


    Sam, amused by the new feature, turned to Michael and asked him to try looking at the item the same way he had. Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Ummm, huh?" The reaction was enough to confirm that it was a normal system function, not something triggered by Sam''s trait.


    With that thought in mind, they continued walking, keeping an eye out for anything that might be a hidden treasure or something of value¡ªafter all, Sam considered himself lucky. "Luck 100, show me something good," Sam thought to himself, hopeful for a fortunate find.


    As they ventured deeper into the armory, a sudden realization hit Sam. He quickly leaned in and whispered to Michael, urging him to hide the gun. "We might need it later, especially if things get... out of hand," Sam said, his voice low and serious.


    Michael nodded in understanding, his expression unreadable. It seemed he had already been thinking along the same lines. In fact, Sam had noticed earlier that Michael had hidden the weapon almost instinctively when they first woke up.


    As they reached the inner zone of the armory, they were met with something unexpected¡ªa noticeable shift. The shelves that had once appeared orderly and typical now seemed to hold items of a much higher caliber. Something was different here, and Sam couldn''t shake the feeling that this was where the real treasures lay.


    [Tutorial High-Quality-Spear]


    [Rarity]: Uncommon


    [Durability]: [100/100]


    [Description]: The welcome gift of the system to the tutorial participants.


    Nate was the first to notice the change, his sharp eyes scanning the newly appeared weapons in the inner zone of the armory. After a moment of consideration, he turned to the group with a suggestion. "We should pick spears. We don''t know what kind of monsters we''ll face, but keeping our distance is always the better approach."


    Everyone nods in agreement. My dad, a combat medic, only learned to use spearheads once. He¡¯s not an expert with weapons, but he used to train with them, So at least he can teach us the basic techniques.


    As everyone selected their weapons, I already had one¡ªa sword I had picked up from home before being sent here.


    [High Carbon Steel Sword]


    [Rarity]: Uncommon


    [Durability]: [100/100]


    [Description]: Crafted by High, developed using physical law technology, with a good balance of properties.


    So, what I needed was a shield. I had lost mine before being sent here and needed a new one. The shields in the armory mostly looked like common grade. I wasn¡¯t sure how good common grade was, but I figured uncommon would be better, right?


    At the innermost part of the armory, we found my shield, placed on the same shelf alongside the 10 weapons. Just by looking at it, I could tell it was better than the ones we had passed. But I wasn¡¯t going to change my mind¡ªI had already decided on the shield. So, I walked forward, picked it up, and examined it.


    [Tutorial Top-Quality Shield]


    [Rarity]: Rare


    [Durability]: [100/100]


    [Description]: The welcome gift of the system to the tutorial participants.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Sam smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction as they finished picking their weapons. He glanced around, noticing other groups of people beginning to enter the armory and select their own gear. The sound of footsteps and soft murmurs filled the air as the once silent room now buzzed with activity.


    Nate, always practical, spoke up. "Let¡¯s hurry and grab a survival kit." His voice cut through the noise, and the group quickly moved toward the backpacks neatly arranged near the exit. Everyone picked out a kit, with Sam¡¯s hands lingering for a moment as he checked the contents of his. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing for what lay ahead.


    Afterward, We made his way to an open spot at the edge of the armory. We found a quiet corner and sat down for a brief moment, leaning against the wall. The weight of everything still hadn¡¯t fully sunk in, but Sam knew it would soon enough. For now, he just needed a moment to collect himself before the trial officially began.


    Twenty minutes later, Nate stood up and declared, "It¡¯s time." The group quickly got to their feet and followed his lead toward the northern barrier, away from the starting point. During our rest, we had already planned to explore the north first. If we didn¡¯t find anything worthwhile, we could adjust our course and head east, following a clockwise direction.


    When we arrived near the barrier, the group of spearmen began practicing under my father¡¯s guidance. Although he wasn¡¯t an expert with weapons, his combat medic training had included spearhead basics, and he used that experience to teach them how to handle their spears.


    I had already informed the group that I didn¡¯t need spear training. I¡¯d been practicing with a sword and shield for over a year, almost daily, at my penthouse in downtown Manhattan.


    While the others trained, I stepped aside to train alone. Taking up my sword and shield, I assumed a fighting stance, wielding them carefully as I began warming up. I adjusted my muscles to the familiar movements, ensuring I was comfortable wielding the sword. Gradually, I increased the speed of my swings, little by little, until I felt the flow of my movements align with my intentions.


    As we continued training, more than half the participants had already finished selecting their weapons. Some noticed our group practicing and decided to follow suit, beginning their own training sessions. Others simply observed from a distance. I could feel their gazes, and from their expressions, it seemed like a few recognized me. However, none of them approached, likely intimidated by the sight of me wielding my sword with intensity.


    Among them, a group of younger men, who appeared to be in their early twenties, stood huddled together, whispering and stealing glances in my direction. One of them, braver than the rest, eventually stepped forward. His excitement was evident as he approached me, his eyes wide with both awe and nervous energy.


    ¡°Excuse me, sir,¡± he said, his voice tinged with eagerness, ¡°are you Samuel Barlow?¡±


    I paused mid-swing, lowering my sword slightly as I turned to face him. His expression was one of pure admiration, and behind him, his friends were nudging each other, clearly impressed that he had the courage to speak up.


    This situation felt oddly familiar to me. Back in the world I knew, I was quite well-known within the investor circles. Many aspiring individuals would go out of their way to make a connection with me, hoping to tap into my success. These young guys must be fresh entrants into the high-stakes world of Wall Street. Their eyes still carried that unmistakable spark¡ªburning with ambition, brimming with youthful hope, and untouched by the corrosive greed and cynicism that often came with the territory of capitalism.


    The one who had spoken earlier stood there, still waiting for my response, his excitement evident. His friends, hanging back, exchanged nervous but excited glances, as if this moment was as monumental to them as a rookie trader meeting a legendary mentor for the first time. I straightened up, letting the shield rest against my side, and gave him a faint smile, curious to see what this interaction might lead to.


    I smiled warmly and said, "Yes, I am." But my tone quickly shifted to seriousness as I continued, "I know what you''re hoping for, but now isn¡¯t the time. Our lives are still at risk. You¡¯d better focus on what you¡¯ve learned, take the necessary risks, and survive. If you can manage that, let¡¯s meet again outside the tutorial. Good luck."


    The young man was momentarily stunned by my firm tone, his earlier excitement giving way to a more thoughtful expression. When he snapped back to reality, he quickly said, "Thank you for your advice, sir, but¡­ could I get your number? If I survive, I¡¯ll call you."


    I paused, caught off guard by his stubbornness. It wasn¡¯t the entitled persistence I sometimes saw in others; it was something different¡ªan unyielding determination not to let an opportunity slip away. Despite the dire circumstances, I couldn¡¯t help but respect that.


    With a nod, I pulled out a notepad from the survival kit, scribbled down my number, and handed it to him. "Here," I said, "but make sure you earn the right to use it. Survive first. That¡¯s your real priority."


    He nodded earnestly, clutching the piece of paper like it was a lifeline, before thanking me profusely and heading back to his group. As I watched them go, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a flicker of hope that their youthful determination might just see them through this ordeal.


    After handing over my number to the young man, I refocused and continued my training. As I wielded my sword, a thought crossed my mind¡ªcould I enhance my movements using mental focus? I decided to test it out, channeling my mental energy to synchronize with the flow of my sword and shield. It was as if my mind extended along the blade and shield, helping me observe and refine each motion.


    With this heightened awareness, I began correcting myself, adjusting my posture and movements for maximum efficiency. Each swing felt sharper, each block sturdier. The adjustments made my attacks and defenses more effective, but despite my improvements, I didn¡¯t feel the distinct sense of a skill forming. Perhaps I needed real contact¡ªsomething tangible to strike¡ªto truly push myself and gain results.


    I glanced around, considering my options, before setting my eyes on the barrier. It seemed sturdy enough to handle some punishment without breaking. Deciding to test my weapon¡¯s power, I approached it and took my fighting stance.


    I swung my sword slowly at first, warming up and feeling the rhythm of my movements. Then, I prepared for a powerful strike. My body coiled like a spring as I swung left and right, gathering momentum with each motion. Finally, with my sword raised high above my head, I unleashed my full strength. My right hand guided the blade downward in a powerful arc, aimed straight at the barrier.


    ¡°Huhhhh!¡± I exhaled forcefully, pouring every ounce of strength into the strike.


    Then.


    Crack¡­.Crack¡­k¡­k¡­crash!!.


    The barrier at the northern is broken.


    Ding!


    Ding!


    Ding!

 Chapter 7 - Danger!

    Sam stared, dumbfounded, at the broken section of the barrier. He was certain his attack wasn¡¯t powerful enough to surpass human limits or achieve any superhuman feat. Yet, the evidence was undeniable, Sam thought for a second then he murmured "Unbound¡­.".


    Within moments, the barrier repaired itself, as though nothing had happened, the translucent surface returning to its pristine state in mere seconds.


    Meanwhile, the people gathered in the northern section of the starting point heard the loud, distinct sound of glass shattering. Their curiosity piqued, they searched for the source, but the translucent nature of the barrier made it nearly impossible to detect any changes unless they were up close. The air grew tense, their unease amplifying as the countdown to the trial''s start loomed closer.


    Sam glanced around, relieved that no one seemed to have noticed what he¡¯d done. His heart steadied as he realized how fortunate it was that the barrier¡¯s transparency hid the brief disturbance. Shifting his focus, he turned inward, contemplating what consequences¡ªor perhaps rewards¡ªmight await him for his reckless experiment.


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: Barrier Breaker]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: Pathforger]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: System Challenger]


    Sam looked at the name of the title with a spark of excitement in his eyes. Curiosity driving him, he began examining each detail of the title carefully, savoring the achievement and wondering about its implications.


    [Barrier breaker]: You shattered the defensive construct of a being far beyond your tier- Increase all stats by 25%


    [Pathforger]: You are the one who creates a way where none existed- Increase all stats by 25%


    [System Challenger]: Your action earned the system¡¯s expectations- You will receive additional quest rewards.


    <hr>


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Level 10 for available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wleider, Barrier Breaker,¡­]


    Level: 1 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 8 [+50%]


    Agility: 8 [+50%]


    Vitality:9 [+50%]


    Endurance: 9 [+50%]


    Intelligence: 9 [+50%]


    Wisdom: 10 [+50%]


    Luck: 100 [+50%]


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound


    <hr>


    The surge of power coursing through my body felt overwhelming, almost intoxicating. I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the transformation¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a minor boost; I felt at least twice as strong as before, if not more.


    After testing my newfound strength for a bit, I glanced at my watch. There¡¯s still time, I thought, a plan forming in my mind. I walked over to my group, who had just finished their training. Determined to share what I had discovered, I addressed them with purpose.


    ¡°I want to teach you guys something that might be useful,¡± I said, recalling how I¡¯d learned to channel mental focus to synchronize with my movements. "It¡¯s a way to make every action more efficient and precise¡ªsomething that could mean the difference between surviving and failing out there."


    While our group was engaged in mass meditation, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the shifting dynamics around us. Other survivors were starting to form larger groups, clustering together as if sheer numbers could guarantee safety. The trial rules didn¡¯t specify any limit on group size, so naturally, more than a thousand people had banded together in a massive congregation.


    There wasn¡¯t anything inherently wrong with that approach, but it wasn¡¯t for us. Our group had already discussed the risks, and we agreed¡ªtaking care of that many people would be impossible. We decided to focus on ourselves, trusting in smaller numbers and coordination to survive.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    As I mulled over this, a movement in the distance caught my attention. A familiar family was heading in our direction¡ªthe Johnsons. They were our neighbors, living just a block away back home, and it seemed their entire family had been pulled into the same trial as us.


    There was Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson, neither particularly old, along with their twin sons, both 18 and on the verge of graduating high school. Seeing them here brought a strange sense of relief¡ªa reminder that we weren¡¯t entirely alone in this chaos.


    I leaned over to my father, nudging him lightly. ¡°Dad, look who¡¯s coming our way¡ªit¡¯s the Johnsons.¡±


    His eyes followed my gaze, lighting up with recognition. Mr. Johnson was his drinking buddy, and if anyone could ease the tension for him right now, it would be his old friend. ¡°Go talk to him,¡± I added. ¡°You¡¯ll both feel better.¡±


    Following the Johnson family, more and more familiar faces began to approach our group. However, there were no kids or babies among them¡ªjust as the fairy had mentioned earlier, those two groups were placed in separate trials. As the crowd grew, I couldn¡¯t help but think to myself: People just want to be near something familiar, to cling to a sense of security in this madness.


    It was my father who stepped forward to speak with the gathering crowd. Calm and composed as always, he explained our group¡¯s plan, laying out the basics of how we intended to survive. To my surprise, the others quickly decided they wanted him to lead them.


    I saw him pause, considering the responsibility. He wasn¡¯t a fighter, but he was a doctor¡ªsomeone who couldn¡¯t just turn his back on others in need. After a moment of thought, he nodded and accepted their request.


    And just like that, our group swelled to over a hundred people. I didn¡¯t even have time to count the exact number before the timer hit zero.


    My father jogged back to my side, the crowd trailing behind him. He stopped just short of me, his face serious as he addressed the group.


    ¡°From now on, follow the plan and listen to the orders we¡¯ve agreed upon. It¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll make it through this.¡±


    His voice carried authority, and the crowd¡¯s murmurs settled into silence. The weight of what was coming hung heavy in the air, but at least now, we had direction.


    Here¡¯s a refined version of the scene with added flow and atmosphere:


    <hr>


    As the shimmering barrier around the clearing slowly faded, a tense silence fell over the crowd. The faint but chilling sounds of creatures stirring in the forest reached our ears¡ªlow growls, distant roars, and unearthly calls that sent shivers through even the bravest among us. People trembled, gripping their weapons tighter, fear etched on their faces.


    When the barrier finally vanished, leaving nothing but open forest around us, I took a deep breath and stepped forward. I turned to my father, nodding to him, and he nodded back, silently signaling his trust. Without a word, the group fell into formation behind me.


    I moved slowly, deliberately, into the northern forest. As the strongest among us, it was my responsibility to lead the way. My shield was raised, my sword steady in my hand, ready to face whatever dangers lurked ahead.


    The forest was dense, the canopy above letting in only fragmented beams of light. Every sound seemed amplified¡ªthe crunch of leaves beneath our feet, the rustle of unseen creatures in the underbrush.


    It didn¡¯t take long before I spotted something, just twenty meters ahead. A group of five small, green creatures was gathered around a trembling rabbit. They were goblins, each wielding rusty knives that looked barely functional.


    They laughed viciously, their toothy grins twisted with glee as they poked and prodded at the helpless animal, not even bothering to kill it. The poor rabbit struggled, its panicked movements only adding to their amusement. It wasn¡¯t just a hunt¡ªit was pure cruelty.


    I tightened my grip on my sword, my jaw clenching as I prepared to act.


    Before I could act, a shout came from behind me.


    ¡°What is that? A monster!¡±


    The voice was loud, panicked, and immediately followed by a woman¡¯s scream.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh!¡±


    The goblins froze at the noise, their heads snapping toward us. Their vicious smiles widened, cruel delight gleaming in their eyes as if they had just found a new toy to torment. Abandoning the rabbit, they began sprinting toward us with unrestrained malice, their guttural roars echoing through the forest.


    ¡°Gaaaaaaa!!¡±


    I was already prepared. My grip on my sword tightened as I quickly assessed their movements. Focusing on the three goblins in the middle of the group, I charged forward with all my strength. My shoulder slammed into the center goblin like a battering ram, sending it flying into the air. The impact caused a chain reaction, knocking over the two goblins directly behind it.


    Without pausing, I rolled to the side and came up swinging. My blade cleaved through the neck of the goblin on my right in a single, decisive stroke. Its body crumpled to the ground as blood sprayed into the air.


    From the corner of my mind, I sensed danger¡ªa flicker in my mental awareness. The goblin on my left lunged, its rusty knife aiming for my back. Instinctively, I raised my shield, blocking the attack with a resounding clang. Before it could recover, I thrust my sword forward, the blade piercing its chest.


    As I pulled my sword free, I turned my attention to the goblin I had tackled. It was struggling to stand, groaning in pain, but I didn¡¯t give it the chance. With a powerful leap, I drove my sword straight into its neck, pinning it to the ground.


    The entire exchange lasted no more than five seconds, from the moment I tackled the first goblin to the moment the last one fell.


    Turning back, I saw the remaining two goblins had already been dealt with. My family and Ann had formed a spear formation, skewering both creatures before they could even get close enough to pose a threat.


    I exhaled deeply, lowering my shield as the tension in the air began to fade. We had handled the first threat, but this was only the beginning.


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 2]


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    As I lowered my guard, ready to celebrate our victory, something strange happened. My vision blurred, and for a moment, everything turned white.


    Time seemed to slow, the world shifting into an otherworldly state. The forest dissolved into a swirling river of threads, each one glowing with vibrant colors. I had seen this before¡ªmany times throughout my life and among the countless threads, one stood out.


    A black thread.


    It pulsed ominously, a harbinger of death.


    Before I could process the vision, my senses snapped back to reality. Adrenaline surged as I gripped my sword tighter, my eyes scanning the surroundings for the source of the danger. Everything seemed normal¡ªuntil I turned toward my sister, Eve.


    She stood a few meters away, crouched near the rabbit the goblins had been tormenting. Her face was full of kindness as she gently reached out to it.


    ¡°You¡¯re so cute!!¡± she cooed softly. ¡°No one¡¯s going to hurt you now.¡±


    My blood ran cold.


    The black thread flashed in my mind again, and a wave of dread washed over me. My face paled as I realized what was about to happen.


    ¡°NO!¡± I shouted, sprinting toward her with all my strength. ¡°EVE, GET AWAY FROM IT NOW!¡±


    But I was too late.


    The rabbit¡¯s body twisted unnaturally, its small form swelling as a sharp 20-centimeter horn erupted from its head. Its eyes glowed a crimson red, and in one violent motion, it leaped toward Eve.


    She barely had time to react as the creature¡¯s horned head struck her square in the stomach with brutal force.

 Chapter 8 - Goblins!

    The rabbit¡¯s horn snapped off, lodged deep in Eve¡¯s stomach. She gasped, her face pale as her trembling hands instinctively pressed against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Shock paralyzed her, her wide eyes struggling to comprehend what had just happened.


    The rabbit, its vicious smile twisting with satisfaction at its ambush, turned to flee. It leapt into the air, aiming to vanish into the woods.


    But it never touched the ground.


    I was already there, leaping after it with a burst of speed. I caught the creature mid-air, its small body thrashing violently in my grip as it tried to break free. Its desperate shakes only made my grip tighter. I stared at it with unrelenting fury, but I didn¡¯t kill it. Not yet.


    Holding the rabbit firmly, I sprinted back to where Eve lay. My father was beside her, frantically trying to stop the bleeding. His hands were covered in blood as he pressed firmly against her wound.


    ¡°Keep pressing!¡± he shouted. ¡°We have to stop the blood flow!¡±


    Eve wasn¡¯t dead¡ªnot yet. Her breathing was shallow, and her face was ghostly pale. She was conscious, but barely, her lips trembling as she tried to hold on. Blood continued to pour from the wound, far too much for anyone to survive.


    I dropped to my knees beside her, holding the rabbit firmly in one hand. Without hesitation, I looked into her fading eyes and said, ¡°Eve, listen to me. Take the sword and stab this thing in the neck. If you level up, put every single point into vitality immediately. Do you understand me?¡±


    She blinked slowly, then gave a weak nod. Her trembling hand reached out as I placed the hilt of my sword into her grip. Using what little strength she had left, she thrust the blade forward. The rabbit let out one final screech before it fell limp.


    For a moment, everything was silent.


    Eve¡¯s eyes fluttered shut, and for a terrifying second, I thought I had been too late. But then, the flow of blood began to slow. The wound in her stomach, though still severe, started to close¡ªa small but miraculous sign of recovery.


    I looked at my father, who was examining her closely. His expression shifted from panic to cautious relief.


    ¡°Incredible,¡± he murmured as he removed the horn. ¡°She¡¯s recovering so quickly. At this rate, the bleeding will stop completely within a day, and the wound should close in two or three. A full recovery might only take a few weeks.¡±


    He turned to me, his eyes reflecting both awe and exhaustion. ¡°She¡¯s safe now, Sam. She just needs rest.¡±


    Relief washed over me, almost knocking the strength out of my legs. My father looked no less overwhelmed, and I could see the weight of his experience as a doctor etched into his face.


    ¡°This is a miracle,¡± he said quietly, almost to himself. ¡°A wound like this... I would¡¯ve given her less than a ten percent chance of survival.¡±


    For now, she was alive. That was all that mattered


    The atmosphere was suffocating. The group, still reeling from the events of the last few minutes, stood frozen in stunned silence. What had started as cautious optimism quickly turned into a harsh wake-up call.


    Just five minutes into the forest, and death had already brushed against us. It was a chilling reality none of us could ignore. The sheer brutality of the world we had entered was written on everyone¡¯s pale faces and trembling hands.


    After ensuring that Eve was stable and leaving her in Mom¡¯s care, my father stood up, his expression grim but resolute. He called everyone together for a meeting, his voice cutting through the oppressive quiet.


    ¡°As you¡¯ve all seen,¡± he began, his tone heavy with authority, ¡°the situation is far worse than we anticipated. We need to come to an understanding¡ªabout what we should do, what we shouldn¡¯t do, and how we¡¯re going to survive.¡±


    His words hung in the air like a judge¡¯s verdict.


    He turned his gaze to the man who had shouted and the woman who had screamed earlier, their panic having nearly cost us lives. They avoided his eyes, their faces flushed with shame. The weight of their actions¡ªor lack thereof¡ªwas clear to everyone.


    ¡°What¡¯s done is done,¡± my father said firmly, his voice softening but still commanding respect. ¡°There¡¯s no point dwelling on it. What matters now is that we move forward with a plan. We need to be organized if we¡¯re going to make it out of this alive.¡±


    He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. ¡°The first step is to set up teams. Everyone will have a role to play, and we¡¯ll work together to ensure no one is left behind.¡±


    The group murmured in agreement, though the tension in the air remained palpable. It was clear that people wanted leadership, and for better or worse, my father had stepped into that role.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The discussion began, everyone, pitching in ideas for how best to organize. The goal was clear survive and make progress without unnecessary risks. After some deliberation, we agreed on a structure after we counted we had 121 people each having their role.


    Scout Team: Their job was to move ahead of the group, mapping the safest paths and identifying potential dangers, Fast and observant individuals volunteered for this


    Combat Team: This team would handle threats directly, slaying any monsters that posed a danger to the group. Unsurprisingly, I was placed here as the primary fighter, with Michael and Anne stepping in as backup.


    Support Team: Responsible for maintaining morale, treating injuries, and carrying supplies. My mother, along with a few other practical-minded individuals, took charge of this.


    Rear Guard: They would keep watch at the back, ensuring no one lagged behind or was ambushed.


    Nate Looks around at the group ¡°This is our plan, and everyone needs to stick to their roles. We¡¯ve already seen what happens when panic takes over. From now on, we rely on discipline and teamwork.¡±


    He turned his attention to me. ¡°Sam will lead the combat team. He¡¯s proven he can handle the threats we¡¯re going to face. Eddie, you¡¯ll coordinate with the scouts to find the safest routes. Everyone else, stay together and follow the plan.¡±


    I nodded, gripping my sword tightly. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take point and deal with anything that comes our way.¡±


    The group exchanged nervous glances but ultimately nodded in agreement. There was no room for hesitation anymore. Survival demanded action, and this was the best we could do.


    With the plan in place, we prepared to move forward. My father¡¯s leadership had brought some order to the chaos, but I could see the fear still lingering in everyone¡¯s eyes.


    As we resumed our march, a man approached me with a friendly smile.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Samuel,¡± he said, extending a hand. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. Please take care of me.¡±


    The man was Eddie, the leader of the scout team. I didn¡¯t know him personally, but I recognized the name. Eddie was a popular influencer on YouCube, known for his videos exploring strange and remote places around the world.


    His experience in jungle trekking and scouting made him an invaluable asset in a trial like this, especially given the backgrounds of most participants. Coming from predominantly middle- to upper-class families, few people here had any practical survival skills. Eddie, however, was the exception, and it showed in his confident demeanor.


    I shook his hand firmly and nodded. ¡°Nice to meet you too, Eddie. I¡¯ve heard good things about your work. Let¡¯s make sure we all make it through this together.¡±


    As we continued our scouting, we encountered more goblins. This time, there were ten of them. Without hesitation, I rushed forward, with Michael and Anne right behind me. Ten members of the combat team followed closely, ready to engage. We charged in, determination fueling our every move, prepared to finish them off quickly and efficiently.


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 3]


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 1]


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [Goblin: level 3]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 4]


    As a result of the battle, I leveled up twice. I didn¡¯t even have a chance to distribute my free stats because of what happened to Eve.


    We kept moving farther into the forest, fighting goblins along the way. If I¡¯m not mistaken, we were already about 2 kilometers from the starting point. But we still hadn¡¯t found any sign of the tutorial town¡ªjust goblins. The goblins were weak, level 1 creatures with rusty knives, no different from human children, but the deeper we went, the more we encountered, and the groups were getting larger. The highest-level goblin we had found was a level 5.


    By now, we had been in the forest for over eight hours, more than ten kilometers from where we started. The sky began to darken, so we decided to make camp for the night. We set up traps and alert systems as precautions. The survival kits only had food for three days, so tomorrow we¡¯d need to start looking for food, because we weren¡¯t planning on eating goblins.


    With everything calming down, I took a moment to open my status.


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Level 10 for available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wleider, Barrier breaker,¡­]


    Level: 7 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 8 [+50%]


    Agility: 8 [+50%]


    Vitality:9 [+50%]


    Endurance: 9 [+50%]


    Intelligence: 9 [+50%]


    Wisdom: 10 [+50%]


    Luck: 100 [+50%]


    Undistributed Stats: 30


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound


    After going through so many battles today, I had already reached level 7. With 30 stat points to distribute, I calculated that it was 5 points per level. I began to add the points, focusing my mind on where they should go. As I allocated the points, a surge of power coursed through me. At this rate, by level 10, I figured I should be able to lift a car with my bare hands.


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Level 10 for available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wleider, Barrier Breaker,¡­]


    Level: 7 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 15 [+50%]


    Agility: 15 [+50%]


    Vitality:14 [+50%]


    Endurance: 13 [+50%]


    Intelligence: 13 [+50%]


    Wisdom: 13 [+50%]


    Luck: 100 [+50%]


    Undistributed Stats: 0


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound

 Chapter 9 - Fight Night!

    Eddie POV


    Eddie¡¯s heart raced as he opened his eyes to a scene that felt ripped straight out of a nightmare. Bodies sprawled across a grassy plain, thousands of people stirring and groaning in confusion. His first instinct was to reach for his phone, but of course, it wasn¡¯t there. Instead, a translucent screen hovered before his face.


    [Welcome to the Tutorial.]


    A tutorial for what? He didn¡¯t have to wait long to find out. The fairy appeared, her cheerful demeanor at odds with the gravity of her words. Rules, survival, monsters¡ªit all came so fast. Eddie felt the knot in his stomach tighten as she casually disintegrated a man''s head who dared to challenge her authority.


    His first thought: Stay calm. Observe. Adapt.


    Years of traveling to the most remote and dangerous places in the world had taught him that panic was a death sentence. Eddie watched as the crowd devolved into chaos. People screamed, cried, and clung to one another, but his eyes were already scanning the horizon. The dense forest surrounding them seems dangerous.


    When the barrier fell we soon encountered the monsters. At first, it didn''t seem as dramatic as he thought but then an incident happened, The rabbit attack was a harsh reminder of how unpredictable this world was. Eddie had seen women crouching next to the animal but hadn¡¯t thought much of it. When it suddenly transformed, stabbing her with its horn, his stomach dropped.


    Eddie watched as someone leapt into action, dispatching the rabbit with brutal efficiency. His admiration for him deepened. But admiration didn¡¯t stop the knot in his stomach from tightening as he looked at Eve, pale and bleeding out.


    This wasn¡¯t just a game. This was survival in its rawest, cruelest form.


    After that Eddie didn¡¯t hesitate to step forward, volunteering for the scout team. It wasn¡¯t heroism¡ªfar from it. If he was going to survive, he needed to be in control of his surroundings. Scouting was his domain, his comfort zone.


    Eddie noticed Sam almost immediately. There was something different about the guy¡ªnot just his preparedness but the way he carried himself. While everyone else was drowning in fear, Sam moved with purpose.


    When Sam charged into the forest, Eddie followed from a distance, keeping his footsteps light and his breathing steady. The goblin ambush happened fast¡ªtoo fast. Watching Sam dispatch the creatures with precision was like watching a trained soldier in action.


    This guy¡¯s no amateur, Eddie thought, gripping his makeshift spear tighter.


    As the fight ended and the group regrouped, Eddie introduced himself. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Samuel. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. Please take care of me.¡±


    Sam shook his hand, his grip firm but not overbearing. ¡°Nice to meet you too, Eddie. Let¡¯s make sure we all get through this.¡±


    It was a small moment, but it solidified Eddie¡¯s decision. He would stick with Sam¡¯s group. because Barlow''s family had three doctors even if he made some mistakes he still had a chance to survive because, from my experience, small cuts can kill people if not taken care of properly.


    Eddie took his role as scout seriously. As the group moved deeper into the forest, he stayed ahead, his senses honed to detect anything out of place. The forest was dense, its canopy filtering the light into fragmented patches on the ground. Every sound was amplified¡ªthe crunch of leaves, the distant cries of unknown creatures, and the occasional rustling that set his nerves on edge.


    Eyes open. Ears sharp.


    He marked trails with small cuts in tree bark and used the occasional pebble to create landmarks. The others followed behind, their trust in him growing with each step.


    As the group moved deeper into the forest, Eddie¡¯s focus sharpened. The terrain was growing more treacherous, with thicker undergrowth and a rising number of tracks from unfamiliar creatures.


    It was during one of his solo sweeps that he spotted something that made his blood run cold. A cluster of trees ahead bore deep, jagged marks, as though something massive had raked its claws through the bark.


    Eddie crouched low, inspecting the marks. The cuts were fresh, the sap still oozing.


    Turning back toward the group, he called quietly, ¡°Sam, we¡¯ve got something big nearby. Fresh tracks and claw marks up ahead.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Sam¡¯s expression darkened as he moved forward to see for himself. Eddie felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn¡¯t just any monster¡ªit was something far beyond the goblins they had faced.


    ¡°Everyone, stay close,¡± Sam ordered, his voice calm but firm. ¡°No one wanders off, and we move together.¡±


    Eddie nodded, gripping his bushcraft knife tightly. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it as a team.


    As the long day drew to a close, we still hadn¡¯t found the creature responsible for the claw marks. With the sky darkening, the group decided it was best to set up camp on a flat, grassy plain nestled within the forest. The spot seemed promising¡ªopen enough to spot any approaching threats but still surrounded by the cover of trees.


    We worked quickly, securing the area with makeshift traps and alarm systems crafted from the survival kits. No one said it out loud, but the tension was palpable. None of us knew what might lurk in the night on this unfamiliar world. As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, the forest seemed to come alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, each noise setting us on edge.


    The night ahead felt unpredictable, and everyone prepared for the worst.


    Sam POV


    Sam closed his eyes to rest, exhaustion from the day''s events weighing heavily on him. His father and mother, accustomed to long nights, continued organizing the camp, directing people and ensuring everything was in order.


    He couldn''t help but admire their tireless dedication, their ability to keep going when everyone else needed to pause. But his role was different¡ªhis duty was to fight. Everyone knew tonight might not be a peaceful one, and for now, he needed to restore his energy and prepare for the threats that lay ahead.


    As the last traces of sunlight disappeared, the camp was bathed in darkness. The tension among the night watch was palpable; no one dared to slack off. A single moment of carelessness could mean death. The harrowing image of the woman being stabbed by that goddamn rabbit was still fresh in everyone''s mind, a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.


    As time passed, the camp remained eerily quiet. Nothing seemed to approach, though the occasional rustling in the distance kept everyone on edge. A few stray goblins stumbled into the traps set around the perimeter. Each time, members of the combat team rushed to dispatch them swiftly, their movements tense and precise. They feared the noise might attract larger or more dangerous creatures, and the last thing anyone wanted was to face a horde in the dead of night.


    But the relative calm didn¡¯t last long.


    A sharp, metallic clang shattered the silence¡ªthe unmistakable sound of an alert trap being triggered. The entire camp jolted awake, weapons drawn, eyes wide with fear and adrenaline. The ringing of metal echoed ominously through the dark forest, sending a chill down everyone¡¯s spine. Something¡ªor someone¡ªhad breached their defenses.


    From the darkness emerged a towering figure¡ªa four-meter-tall beast cloaked in thick black fur. Its massive claws gleamed in the faint light, and its head bore a crimson horn pulsating with an ominous red glow. It resembled a bear, yet its presence radiated something far more sinister. This was no ordinary creature; it was a nightmare given form.


    The creature advanced toward the camp, crushing the carefully laid traps underfoot as if they were nothing. The oppressive aura it emitted paralyzed the night watch. Most of them, overwhelmed by fear, dropped their weapons, their trembling hands betraying the hope they''d clung to. They could do nothing but stare, despair already settling into their eyes, as though awaiting death to free them from the cruel grasp of this alien world.


    Sam, drawn by the commotion, rushed to the edge of the camp. He froze momentarily, stunned by the sheer presence of the beast. Its terrifying aura pressed down on him, suffocating and primal, triggering every instinct to flee. His mental sense amplified the creature¡¯s aura, a suffocating wave of dread crashing over him.


    But Sam was no stranger to danger. He was a reincarnator, armed with memories and knowledge of what this world could throw at him. He clenched his fists, forcing his fear into submission. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his racing heart.


    In a voice that cut through the paralysis gripping the camp, he shouted, ¡°Anyone still standing, anyone who can fight¡ªget ready! We face it together!¡±


    As Sam''s shout echoed through the camp, it jolted most people back to their senses. They scrambled to their feet, fear still evident in their eyes but now tempered by determination. One by one, they fell in behind Sam, instinctively recognizing him as their anchor in the chaos.


    Turning to Michael, Sam said firmly, ¡°Command the rest. Keep your distance and form a line. I¡¯ll take the center.¡±


    Michael nodded sharply, his own fear masked by the sense of duty. He immediately began issuing orders, directing the others into a defensive formation.


    Sam stepped forward, gripping his shield tightly and raising his sword. His heart pounded in his chest as the massive creature destroyed the final trap with a swipe of its claws. Only twenty meters now separated them and the monstrous bear-like creature.


    When the beast¡¯s crimson eyes locked onto them, its lips curled upward in a grotesque snarl, its sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. It roared, the sound vibrating through the air like a physical force, then lowered its head and began to charge, each step shaking the ground beneath them.


    Sam¡¯s eyes narrowed as he saw the beast building momentum. He knew they couldn¡¯t let it reach their formation unchallenged. Tightening his grip on his shield, he took a deep breath and roared back, charging forward to meet the monster head-on.


    Shield raised, he braced himself, aiming to tackle the beast and halt its terrifying momentum. The impact was brutal. The force of the collision sent Sam hurtling backward through the air, his shield nearly ripped from his grasp. He hit the ground hard, pain flaring through his body, but he forced himself to hold on.


    The beast, however, staggered, its charge disrupted and its balance momentarily lost.


    Michael seized the opportunity, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip. ¡°Spears¡ªSTAB!¡±


    The combat team didn¡¯t hesitate. With a unified cry, they surged forward, their spears striking toward the creature in a coordinated assault.

 Chapter 10 - The Battle!

    The result of the attack left the combat group pale with fear. Their spears, though aimed with precision, only caused shallow wounds, barely scratching the monster''s thick hide. The group¡¯s strength simply wasn¡¯t enough¡ªmost of them were only at an average level of 4, far too weak to inflict any real damage.


    The bear roared in fury, the sound shaking the trees and making the ground tremble. With a single, furious swipe of its massive claws, it tore the spears free from its flesh. Those who hadn¡¯t released their weapons in time were sent flying through the air, crashing against the ground or into trees with sickening thuds. Many lay unconscious from the impact.


    Michael¡¯s face turned ashen as he stood weaponless, the scene unfolding in front of him like a nightmare. Panic set in, and his hand instinctively reached for the gun he had hidden earlier. But before he could act, Sam, who had already recovered, appeared at his side and stopped him, gripping his arm firmly.


    ¡°Get everyone away,¡± Sam said, his voice calm but filled with unwavering determination. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    Michael¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°No! It¡¯s too strong! We have to shoot it, or we¡¯ll all die!¡±


    Sam met Michael¡¯s gaze, his own eyes burning with resolve. He shook his head and said with quiet confidence, ¡°Believe in me, Michael. I won¡¯t die.¡±


    Michael hesitated for a heartbeat, torn between his fear and trust in his brother. But Sam¡¯s words, steady and resolute, gave him the push he needed. With a sharp nod, Michael turned and began shouting orders to evacuate the injured and regroup at a safer distance.


    Sam turned back to the monster, gripping his shield and sword tightly. He exhaled slowly, steadying his breath, and prepared to face the beast alone.


    Sam¡¯s confidence stemmed from the earlier clash. It revealed something crucial: the monster, for all its terrifying appearance, was not as strong as it seemed. No, the beast wasn¡¯t weak¡ªbut Sam realized he was far stronger than he had initially believed. The title he had earned increased all his stats by 50%, giving him an edge that pushed his capabilities far beyond those of a normal level 10 human. Coupled with his mental sense, which heightened his reaction speed, he knew he had the upper hand.


    Gritting his teeth, Sam charged at the bear, his sword poised for a thrust.


    The bear, enraged by its earlier stumble, roared in fury. Its crimson horn gleamed in the moonlight as it swung a massive claw downward, aiming to crush its defiant opponent. But Sam was ready. With his mental sense guiding him, he sidestepped the attack with precision and drove his sword deep into the beast¡¯s side.


    The bear howled in pain, its roars reverberating through the forest. Undeterred, it lashed out again, its claws slicing through the air. Sam dodged with fluid movements, narrowly avoiding each swipe. His sword flashed as he delivered another precise strike, cutting into the creature¡¯s thick hide.


    Ding! A sound from the system echoed in Sam¡¯s mind, signaling something new, but he ignored it completely. His focus remained on the fight. Each time the bear attacked, Sam anticipated its movements, using his mental sense to evade with ease.


    With every thrust and slash, more wounds appeared on the bear¡¯s body. Blood matted its black fur, and its roars grew weaker, tinged with desperation. The massive creature could not lay a single claw on him¡ªSam was simply too fast, too precise. The balance of power had shifted entirely in his favor.


    The bear seemed to have had enough. Its horn and claws began to glow with an intense red light, arcs of crimson lightning crackling around its massive form. Suddenly, its speed surged. In a blur, it swiped a claw toward Sam¡ªtoo fast for him to dodge. Instinctively, he raised his shield, redirecting the blow into the ground.


    The impact sent a cloud of dust billowing into the air, obscuring Sam''s vision. He leaped backward, trying to create distance and regain his bearings. Through the swirling dust, a glowing red light emerged, burning ominously. Sam¡¯s instincts screamed, ¡°Block it!¡±


    Before he could react further, a beam of crimson lightning burst forth from the dust cloud, obliterating it in an instant. Sam knew he couldn¡¯t dodge¡ªit was too fast. Planting his feet firmly, he raised his shield, praying the rare-grade equipment could withstand the onslaught.


    The lightning struck with a deafening roar, searing the air around him. Time seemed to stretch as Sam held firm, his shield absorbing the brunt of the attack. Finally, the beam subsided. As the smoke cleared, Sam glanced down at his shield¡ªit was still perfectly intact. Relief flooded him. "This rare-grade shield is better than I thought," he mused.


    He turned his attention back to the bear. The beast, visibly drained, stared at him in disbelief. Its crimson glow dimmed, and it staggered, clearly weakened. Then, with a desperate roar, it turned to flee.


    Sam recognized the moment of victory but refused to let the beast escape. Dropping his shield, he sprinted after the bear with all his might. Spotting a discarded spear on the ground, he scooped it up and hurled it with precision. The spear flew through the air and struck the bear¡¯s leg, bringing it crashing to the ground with a pained roar.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Before the creature could rise, Sam was already upon it. He leaped into the air, gripping his sword with both hands. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he brought the blade down in a powerful arc, aiming straight for the bear''s neck.


    Ding!


    You have slain an enemy [lightning Bear: level 18]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 8]


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 9]


    [Congratulations! You have reached level 10]


    [Class Selection Available]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: Tier Breaker]


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new title: Ascendant Slayer]


    Sam fell to the ground, exhausted. The people in the camp stood stunned, overwhelmed by the intensity of the battle. They had never witnessed anything like this before.


    His father rushed over to him, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay? Any wounds?"


    Sam smiled, scanning himself. Other than his left arm, which had suffered a small burn from the leaked lightning, everything seemed fine. "I¡¯m still good. Just need to rest."


    His father sighed in relief. "That''s a relief. I was worried we¡¯d have to flee when the combat team fell. I couldn''t hold them all off. Some already ran into the forest, but we can''t send anyone to retrieve them. It''s too dangerous."


    Sam nodded, understanding. "They''re just scared. I hope they survive the night. But look, Dad, we got meat for the night."


    After a brief conversation with his family and others in the camp, Sam settled down, trying to rest. The night still held dangers, but it seemed no one could sleep. He began organizing his Soul Record, recalling the fight with the bear. As he focused, he felt the familiar notification and eagerly searched for it.


    Ding!


    [Congratulations! You have earned a new skill: Battle Focus]


    It sound like a good skill, Then he read what he gained today one by one.


    [Battle Focus <Common>]: Concentrate and sharpen their awareness during combat, improving reaction time and the ability to anticipate enemy movements.


    [Tier Breaker]: Signifying the achievement of killing a monster beyond one''s current tier- Increase all stats by 10%.


    [Ascendant Slayer]: defeating an enemy 10 levels above your level- Increase all stats by 10.


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human??


    Class: Unassigned [Available]


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wleider, Barrier Breaker,¡­]


    Level: 10 [Tier 0]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 15 +10[+60%]


    Agility: 15 +10[+60%]


    Vitality:14 +10[+60%]


    Endurance: 13 +10[+60%]


    Intelligence: 13 +10[+60%]


    Wisdom: 13 +10[+60%]


    Luck: 100 +10[+60%]


    Undistributed Stats: 15


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>, [Battle Focus <Common>.


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: the Eye of ???, Unbound.


    Sam stared at the record, satisfied. Just one battle, and he was much stronger than before. If he had to fight the bear again, he wouldn''t struggle as much and could defeat it directly. Now, with the class option available, he was eager to see what he would be assigned. But before that, he decided to allocate his stats first.


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 17 +10[+60%]


    Agility: 17 +10[+60%]


    Vitality:16 +10[+60%]


    Endurance: 16 +10[+60%]


    Intelligence: 16 +10[+60%]


    Wisdom: 16 +10[+60%]


    Luck: 100 +10[+60%]


    Sam felt the surge of power once more, then focused on the class option, eager to see what awaited him.


    [Class System Overview]


    The class allows users to harness and wield [Existence Energy]. By selecting a class, users can focus their abilities and gain specialized powers, enhancing their strength in specific areas.


    The class can be selected upon reaching Tier 0, Level 10. The initial class selection guarantees three basic [Common] options, ensuring that all participants have access to foundational roles:


    Fighter ¨C Specializes in physical combat and weapon mastery, Unlock [Stamina] stats.


    Spell User ¨C Focuses on magic and elemental manipulation, Unlock [Mana] stats.


    Backpacker ¨C A utility class emphasizing survival, resource gathering, and mobility, Unlock [Force] stats.


    Additional class options may appear based on an individual¡¯s Soul Record, achievements, and unique traits. These options can range from uncommon to rare or even higher tiers, depending on the participant¡¯s overall performance and accomplishments.


    Class Rarity The rarity of a class determines the highest skill rarity available through its progression. Higher-rarity classes grant access to more powerful and unique abilities.


    Class Skill Selection Class skills can be chosen at specific milestones within each tier, with increasing frequency as participants ascend through the tiers:


    Tier 1 (T1):


    Skill 1: Level 10


    Skill 2: Level 15


    Skill 3: Level 25


    Skill 4: Level 35


    Skill 5: Level 45


    These milestones emphasize consistent progression and reward dedication to leveling up.


    Sam was stunned by the detailed explanation that appeared upon reaching level 10¡ªit was much clearer than the first time he had read it. As he scanned through the information, his eyes caught on the term [Existence Energy] and the three class options it mentioned. These options unlocked new stats: [Stamina], [Mana], and [Force].


    "These must be forms of existence energy," he thought. "So, it¡¯s just a fancy term for the energy used as fuel, isn¡¯t it?".


    Sam couldn¡¯t wait any longer¡ªhe initiated the class selection without hesitation.

 Chapter 11 - Class!

    Ding!


    Sam opened the class selection, and a vast array of options appeared before him¡ªmore than ten in total. Deciding to start with the common-grade choices for now, he thought, I don¡¯t want to spoil the surprise. I believe the later options should be the best.


    [Common]


    [Fighter]: Strength +10%, Agility +10%.


    Stat Unlock: Stamina


    Description: Specializes in physical combat and weapon mastery.


    Skill Examples:


    Heavy Strike: Delivers a devastating melee attack.


    Fortify: Temporarily reduces incoming damage.


    Power Shot: Increases the power of bow shots.


    This class is a basic, physical-oriented class accessible to everyone, offering fundamental combat skills for close-range and ranged attacks. It focuses on enhancing physical abilities without specializing in any particular weapon or technique.


    [Spellcaster]: Intelligence +10%, Wisdom +10%.


    Stat Unlock: Mana


    Description: Focuses on magic and elemental manipulation.


    Skill Examples:


    Fire Bolt: Launch a searing bolt of flame.


    Mana Barrier: Absorb damage using mana reserves.


    Mana Manipulation: Wield mana energy effectively.


    Sam couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of excitement as he read through the magic class option. The thought of wielding such mysterious and powerful forces intrigued him, and for a moment, he imagined himself casting spells and manipulating the world around him with ease. But even as the excitement bubbled inside him, he reminded himself that there were still other classes to explore.


    Magic was tempting, but Sam knew that he couldn¡¯t make a decision so quickly. The future was waiting, and he wanted to keep his options open. He quickly closed the magic class description, holding back the urge to dive in, and focused on the remaining choices. With a deep breath, he moved forward, knowing that the right class was just waiting for him to discover.


    [Backpacker]: Vitality +10%, Endurance +10%


    Stat Unlock: Force


    Description: A utility class emphasizing survival, resource gathering, and mobility.


    Skill Examples:


    Identify: Allows the user to inspect and analyze beings, objects Soul Record.


    Pack Mule: Temporarily increases carrying capacity.


    Sense Threat: Detect nearby dangers.


    It looked so good, especially the "Identify" skill¡ªit was exactly what they needed. From the beginning, they had been fighting without knowing the level of the monsters or even walking past valuable resources like rare plants. This class would be incredibly useful for the group, allowing them to gather information and make more informed decisions in future encounters. It felt like a perfect fit for the team.


    But despite how appealing it was, Sam knew he wasn¡¯t going to pick this one. He had to keep moving forward, as there were still more classes to consider. While the Identify skill was tempting, he trusted that there might be something even better waiting for him. With a deep breath, he pushed the thought aside and continued reading, eager to see what other options lay ahead.


    [Uncommon]


    [Scout]: Agility+ 30%


    Stat Unlock: Kinetic


    Description: Focuses on speed, stealth, and reconnaissance to navigate dangerous terrain.


    Skill Examples:


    Silent Step: Temporarily move without making noise.


    Quick Dash: Increase movement speed briefly.


    Sudden attack: Increase damage dealing to an unaware enemy.


    It''s basically an assassin class it is not interesting to me it is just not my style.


    [Shieldbearer]: Vitality +15%, Endurance +15%Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Stat Unlock: Stamina


    Description: A defensive warrior who excels in protecting allies.


    Skill Examples:


    Shield Bash: Stagger an enemy with a shield strike.


    Defensive Stance: Reduce damage taken for a short duration.


    Endurance: Increase endurance temporarily by 50%


    this was all about being a defender I use a shield a lot today so I am not surprised about this option.


    [Mental Adept]: Intelligence +15%, Wisdom +15%.


    Stat Unlock: Psychic


    Description: Wields mental energy to manipulate objects or influence battles.


    Skill Examples:


    Telekinetic Grip: Immobilize a target briefly.


    Focus Boost: Reduce cooldowns for mental abilities.


    Mental Strike: Strike mental power to the enemy''s mind causes them confusion.


    It looks dangerous but I am not interested in becoming a Psychic.


    [Rare]


    [Trailblazer]: Vitality +20%, Intelligence +10%, Wisdom +10%


    Stat Unlock: Aura


    Description: Leads the way through unknown challenges with precision and courage.


    Skill Examples:


    Pathfinder¡¯s Instinct: Detect hidden routes and dangers.


    Trail Aura: Increase stamina recovery for nearby allies.


    Aura strengthening: Temporarily boost all stats by 50% of aura stat.


    this class is weird but it has great potential if planned well it can be one of the most powerful options I have.


    [Luckweaver]: Luck+ 40%


    Stat Unlock: Fate


    Description: Relies on luck to manipulate outcomes in combat and exploration.


    Skill Examples:


    Critical Chance: Temporarily boost critical hit rate.


    Fate Shift: Reroll a failed action¡¯s outcome.


    Misfortune: Curse target with misfortune.


    What the ¡­. this is beyond what he expects to see in the option this is really allowed? it clearly cheats without a doubt, he silently promised himself not to make enemies with a luck base class people if not his life might be over before he even knew it.


    Now the last three options left are two epic and one¡­


    [Epic]


    [Ascendant Warrior]: Str +20%, Agi + 20%, Stamina +20%


    Stat Unlock: Stamina


    Description: A combatant who thrives in battles against superior opponents.


    Skill Examples:


    Overpower: Gain a temporary boost when fighting higher-tier enemies.


    Battle Instinct: Anticipate enemy attacks for improved evasion.


    Battle trophy: Each time defeated superior opponents gain random permanent stats.


    This class is a straightforward warrior, but its overwhelming strength makes it a force to be reckoned with. Even those with cheat-like abilities, such as a Luckweaver, might struggle to withstand its raw, unrelenting power.


    [Defiant Challenger] Str +20%, Int +20%, Mana +20%


    Stat Unlock: Mana


    Description: A defiant warrior who thrives on breaking through barriers and defeating powerful foes.


    Skill Examples:


    Breakthrough Strike: Ignore 50% of enemy defenses for 10 seconds.


    Energy Pulse: Release a burst of energy to push back nearby enemies.


    Mana Sword: Conjuring a Mana Sword to pierce through target.


    this one magic sword man if I am not mistaken but how did this option appear to me from the description it had a hint of a barrier breaker and maybe a System challenger.


    And finally, the last option appears before me, leaving no doubt in my mind¡ªthis is the one I¡¯m going to choose. It feels as if it resonates with my very essence, perfectly aligning with who I am. Everything about it screams power, potential, and destiny. I can only hope it lives up to my expectations and reveals itself as a unique rank. Please, don¡¯t let me down.


    [Unique]


    [Unbound Initiate]: All stat +20%


    Stat Unlock: Grandmist


    Description: Uniquely powerful and representative of Samuel Barlow traits.


    Skill Examples:


    Source of all matter: Create matter by consuming grandmist.


    His mind raced. Grandmist? What even was that? The description wasn¡¯t just flattering; it felt personal, intimate, as though the system had peered into the core of his being and shaped this option specifically for him.


    But why?


    Sam¡¯s hands trembled slightly, a mix of exhilaration and trepidation coursing through him. The sheer potential of the class was undeniable. A unique class, one that boosted all his stats by 20%¡ªan astronomical leap by any standard. And then there was the skill: Source of All Matter. The ability to create? To wield an energy so primal and fundamental that it bore the name ¡°Grandmist¡±?


    He felt a spark of hope, a glimpse of a future where he could transcend the limitations of this harsh, brutal reality. With power like this, he wouldn¡¯t just survive¡ªhe¡¯d dominate. He¡¯d protect his family and shape the course of this new world.


    And yet...


    A shadow of doubt crept into his mind. Why had this class been offered to him? What made him so special that he would be given something so extraordinary? Was it simply because he was a reincarnator? Or was there more to his origin, something he didn¡¯t yet understand?


    The words "representative of Samuel Barlow¡¯s traits" echoed in his mind, unsettling him. It was too deliberate, too specific. Did the system know something about him that he didn¡¯t? Was this a gift, or a burden tied to a destiny he had no control over?


    Sam clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. Regardless of the doubts gnawing at him, he couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. This class wasn¡¯t just a step forward¡ªit was a leap into uncharted territory.


    Taking a deep breath, he muttered, ¡°Alright, then. Let¡¯s see just how far this will take me.¡±


    With a steady hand, he reached out and selected [Unbound Initiate], the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders as the system responded.


    Ding


    [Unbound initiate is assigned]


    [Tier 1 Evolution Begin]


    The moment the notification appeared, an unbearable pain erupted within me, tearing through every fiber of my being. A guttural growl escaped my lips as I crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony. The pain intensified, growing so overwhelming that even sound abandoned me; I could no longer scream or cry out. My body convulsed, utterly at the mercy of this excruciating force.


    Voices rose around me. People stared, terror etched into their faces as they witnessed my torment. Some shouted in panic, calling for my father to examine me. They likely thought I had hidden some grievous injury from the fight¡ªthat I was on the brink of death.


    Then it began.


    A strange, gray mist seeped out from my skin, swirling around me like a living shroud. It thickened, forming a cocoon-like chrysalis that encased me entirely. To anyone watching, it must have seemed as though I was undergoing some kind of grotesque rebirth.


    But I couldn¡¯t focus on that. The pain was beyond anything I had ever imagined, each wave worse than the last. My vision blurred, and my mind teetered on the edge of collapse.


    Finally, my body could endure no more. The world faded into darkness as I lost consciousness, enveloped in the strange, swirling mist of my evolution.

 Chapter 12 - Origin!

    Sam POV


    Sam floated in the void, adrift in a realm where neither time nor space had meaning. Here, his consciousness stretched and compressed, unmoored from the body it once inhabited. It was neither a dream nor a nightmare, but a state of pure perception. Slowly, visions began to emerge, unfurling like the pages of an ancient tome.


    The first was of creation¡ªa vast expanse of stars, swirling galaxies, and glowing nebulae, each forming in a ballet of light and energy. Universes blinked into existence, their lives measured not in years, but in the steady rhythms of cosmic cycles. Birth. Growth. Decline. Collapse. Over and over, the great symphony played.


    Yet, even within this eternal orchestra, there was a final note. For when a universe¡¯s entropy reached zero, it collapsed upon itself, condensing all it had been into a singularity¡ªa seed of rebirth. From this seed, new universes sprouted, birthing fresh realities across the multiverse. The cycle seemed unbreakable, each iteration weaving an intricate, infinite web of existence.


    But harmony was fragile, and Sam¡¯s vision shifted to the shadows that lurked beyond the cycles. He saw universes that refused to collapse, defying their natural end. These rogue worlds, desperate to extend their lifespans, turned to violence. They invaded neighboring universes, draining them of their energy and existence to fuel their own survival.


    The result was catastrophic. These universes, corrupted by their unnatural greed, transformed into something monstrous¡ªChaotic Universes, realms of anti-existence where the laws of creation unraveled. Within them, order dissolved, replaced by chaos and destruction. Every being within these realms, from mortals to Tier 10 Supreme Gods, succumbed to the will of the chaos. They became twisted, mindless agents of annihilation, bound to serve the Chaos Will, the ultimate ruler of these corrupted worlds.


    Sam¡¯s heart clenched as he witnessed the devastation. The Chaos Will wasn¡¯t a being but a force¡ªan embodiment of unmaking that consumed all it touched. Even gods, who once commanded the stars, fell before its influence, reduced to tools in its relentless crusade to unravel existence.


    This was no mere tale of destruction; it was a warning. The rogue universes were more than anomalies¡ªthey were threats to the multiverse itself, spreading chaos like a plague. The cycle of creation and rebirth, which had endured for eons, teetered on the brink of collapse under their weight.


    The vision shifted again, pulling Sam deeper into its narrative. Somewhere, amidst the endless cycles and rogue universes, an ancient presence stirred. Something had defied the descent into chaos¡ªnot through conquest, but through endurance. A universe that had survived countless cycles, retaining its essence and will.


    This was no ordinary universe; it bore no scars of greed or chaos. Instead, it harbored a quiet defiance, a refusal to be bound by the repetition of cycles. Its patience stretched beyond comprehension, and in its solitude, it conceived a plan¡ªa chance to break free from the eternal rhythm of creation and collapse.


    The visions slowed, leaving Sam in awe of the scope of what he had seen. The multiverse¡¯s grand design, its unrelenting cycles, and the lurking threat of chaos painted a picture both vast and terrifying. But even in the face of such enormity, something stirred within him¡ªa faint recognition, as though the story he had witnessed was somehow tied to him.


    The next vision began to form, promising to reveal answers and perhaps more questions. For now, Sam could only watch, a witness to the secrets of the cosmos.


    As the next vision unfolded, Sam found himself standing in a boundless expanse, a place where light and shadow danced in perfect harmony. Here, he felt the presence of something vast and incomprehensible¡ªa will so ancient and immense that it dwarfed even the gods he had glimpsed before.


    This was the ancient universe, the one that had endured countless cycles without succumbing to chaos. It did not seek to prolong its existence through destruction or greed. Instead, it dreamed of something more profound¡ªa way to escape the endless repetition of life and death.


    To achieve this, it made a daring choice. Using fragments of souls from alternate realities and the essence of its own being, it forged something new: a mortal soul unlike any other. This soul was imbued with a rare and extraordinary trait¡ª[Unbound].Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    The vision deepened, and Sam saw the meaning of this trait. [Unbound] was freedom incarnate, a power that defied all laws and limitations. It could transcend barriers, shatter constraints, and escape the cycles that bound all other beings. It was a gift and a burden, a potential so vast it could either liberate or destroy.


    He saw the forging of this soul¡ªhis soul. Memories not his own flashed before him, fragments of lives that had existed in other worlds, other times. Each fragment carried its own story, its own pain and triumph. They were pieces of him, yet not him, woven together by the will of the ancient universe.


    As the vision continued, Sam understood the truth: he was not just a mortal reborn in this strange world. He was the culmination of countless cycles, the embodiment of a universe¡¯s defiance against its fate. He had been given this life, this chance, not merely to exist, but to fulfill a purpose¡ªto carry forward the dream of liberation.


    But even as he felt the weight of this revelation, doubts crept in. What did it mean to bear such a burden? He was not a reincarnator, as he had once believed himself to be. This new truth.


    And yet, amidst the uncertainty, a spark of resolve ignited within him. He thought of the people he had fought for, the lives he wanted to protect. The dreams of his past, the hope of his present, and the promise of his future all converged into a single, unshakable truth.


    This was his life now, and though his origins were grand, they did not define him. He would not be a pawn to the whims of fate or the will of the ancient universe. He would carve his own path, forge his own destiny, and, in doing so, carry forward the dream entrusted to him.


    The vision began to fade, and Sam felt his consciousness pulling back to the waking world. Yet the resolve remained, a fire burning in his chest. He would face whatever lay ahead¡ªnot just as a warrior or a mortal, but as someone truly Unbound.


    As Sam regained consciousness, the muffled voices of his parents pierced through the haze. He blinked slowly, his body still trembling from the intense pain and transformation.


    "Sam!" his mother¡¯s voice was frantic, filled with both worry and relief. She knelt beside him, gently brushing his hair back from his face.


    "Are you alright, son?" his father asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern. His hands hovered over Sam as if afraid to touch him and cause more pain.


    Sam took a deep breath, wincing as his body adjusted to its new state. "I¡¯m okay," he said hoarsely, forcing a small smile to reassure them. "It was¡­ the Tier 1 evolution. I¡¯m fine now."


    His mother looked at him skeptically, her gaze sweeping over his altered appearance. "Tier evolution or not, something''s different about you, Sam. You¡¯ve changed."


    His father nodded in agreement, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Your hair¡­ it¡¯s silver now. Glowing, even. And your eyes¡­ they¡¯re like polished silver, almost luminous."


    Sam frowned and raised his hand to his face, noticing the faint, otherworldly glow of his skin. The realization dawned on him, but he kept the vision to himself. They didn¡¯t need to know about the cosmic truths he¡¯d just witnessed, not yet.


    "You¡¯ve grown taller too," his father continued, motioning for Sam to stand. "You must be close to two meters now. And your physique¡ª"


    "¡ªit¡¯s like a statue carved by the gods," his mother finished, her tone equal parts admiration and worry. "Sam, what exactly happened during that evolution?"


    Sam steadied himself as he stood, towering over his parents now. "It¡¯s just part of the process," he said simply, his tone calm but firm. "The evolution unlocked something within me. A transformation. But nothing to worry about¡ªI¡¯m still me."


    His father¡¯s eyes lingered on him, searching for any hint of deception. Finally, he sighed and placed a hand on Sam¡¯s shoulder. "Alright, son. We¡¯ll trust you on this. But if something doesn¡¯t feel right, you come to us immediately. Understood?"


    "Understood," Sam replied, his voice steady.


    His mother stepped closer, her worry still evident. "You¡¯re not alone in this, Sam. Whatever you''re going through, we¡¯re here for you."


    "I know," Sam said softly, offering them both a genuine smile.


    But as he looked into their eyes, he silently resolved to carry the weight of his vision alone¡ªfor now. It wasn¡¯t just about protecting them; it was about understanding the path he was meant to walk. And whatever lay ahead, he would face it with the strength and love they had instilled in him.


    Then he opened his Soul Record to examine the changes.


    Ding!


    [Tier 1 Evolution Complete]


    [Stat Potency Increased by 100%]


    [SOUL RECORD]


    Name: Samuel Barlow


    Race: Human / Heaven


    Class: Unbound Initiate


    Title: Lucky Man 9, Early Access, The First of Skill Wleider, Barrier Breaker,¡­]


    Level: 10 [Tier 1]


    [STATUS]


    Strength: 17 +10[+80%]


    Agility: 17 +10[+80%]


    Vitality:16 +10[+80%]


    Endurance: 16 +10[+80%]


    Intelligence: 16 +10[+80%]


    Wisdom: 16 +10[+80%]


    Luck: 100 +10[+80%]


    Grandmist: 10 +10[80%]


    Undistributed Stats: 0


    [SKILLS]: Mental power manipulation<common>, [Battle Focus <Common>, Source of All Matter<Unique>.


    [COMMON SKILLS]: language, mathematics, cooking, exercises,¡­.Etc.


    [TRAITS]: The Eye of Heaven, Unbound.