Despite the incredible events of the day, dying inside a dungeon, reawakening, and experiencing a sudden surge in power, once the rank reassessment is complete, we part ways.
Miria and her team say goodbye after we exchange contact details. We agree that we might run another gate together in the future, but there's no binding commitment. We went through a life-threatening situation together, sure, but for gate-runners, that's practically routine. Just because we survived a boss room together doesn't make us lifelong allies or close friends.
Truthfully, I'm too drained to take the train or bus home. The day has been long and far too intense. My body may have recovered fully, but my mind is fried. I've earned a decent amount from this run, so I splurge on a ride-share and decide to take the next day off. I need the time to decompress.
As I settle into the back seat of the car, I pull out my phone and type a message to a friend.
"Let's meet tomorrow if you're free. Some wild stuff went down, and I need to pick your brain. Lunch on me?"
The reply comes fast.
"What happened? You okay?"
"Yeah, all good. Just need some advice on what to do next."
"I'll swing by around lunchtime."
Satisfied, I tuck my phone away as the ride-share pulls up in front of my apartment complex.
I live in a comfortable two-bedroom flat near the city center. It's a solid place for someone in my line of work. I don't earn a ton, but I live alone, have no dependents, and my hobbies, reading, gaming, and trying new foods, aren't exactly expensive.
Once inside, I collapse onto the sofa and switch on the TV for background noise. Then, I open my status screen.
[Name: Xavier Black]
[Job: Seven Pillars]
[Level: 6 — XP: 45/371]
{Stats}
{Strength: 16}
{Vitality: 17}
{Agility: 16}
{Mana: 15}
{Magic: 15}
[Free Points: 25]
My stats have increased significantly. At F-rank level 5, my Strength was only 11. The growth curve has completely changed.
As an F-rank, you typically gain one stat point every five levels and a single free point to allocate. Now, I'm gaining one stat point per level plus five free points each time. The system must have retroactively recalculated my growth based on my new classification.
This is why most Awakened below C-rank remain capped in potential, their leveling rewards are meager. What I'm receiving now is on par with what S-ranks report they receive for levelling up.
Before allocating my free points, I check the rest of my newly unlocked abilities. I may have 25 free points to distribute, but I refuse to waste a single one using it in vain.
In the Arcane section, my [Earth Golem Creation] skill now shows 6 slots, up from 5. Looks like I leveled up during the final battle. The number of golems I can summon seems to be tied directly to my level.
Next, I explore the freshly unlocked Genoforge interface. It's surprisingly intuitive, with multiple tabs and functions.
[Genome Extraction] – Extract genome data from corpses stored in the Item Box.
[Genome Vault] – Stores extracted genomes for future use.
I check the goblin genomes I extracted earlier. They come with individual stats:
[E-Rank – Goblin – Purity: 10% – Effect: Night Vision – Quantity: 8]
Interesting. It seems genome purity determines how usable or effective the data is. Rarity probably ties into both effect and power.
[Genome Distillation] – Combine 5 genomes into one purified strain.
I activate it. Five goblin genomes vanish, replaced by a new entry:
[E-Rank – Goblin – Purity: 25% – Effect: Night Vision – Quantity: 1]
Fascinating. I'll need to experiment further with stronger monster corpses.
[Genome Forge] – Combine genomes to create new biomonsters. Requires 10 extracts.
[Kennel Facility] – Stores created bioweapons for summoning. Current Capacity: 0/1
That's… wild. I've heard of monster-tamers and summoners, and even the rare [Kennel] skill that allows tamers to store their monsters, but this? This system turns me into a one-man bioweapon lab. I can Frankenstein together my own monsters, store them in a kennel, and then summon them to fight for me. That's a serious tactical advantage.
By simply extracting the genetic information from stronger and stronger monsters, I can combine them into some kind of biological weapon. I don't even have to be the person who kills them; I just need their genome, and I can use it to produce stronger warriors. Right now, I can only produce 1, but I would imagine that number will change over time.
Next, I glance at my martial skill.
[Twin Short Spear – Prowess]
That seems about the same as it was before, but a new line has also appeared which wasn't there before.
[Elemental Attribute: Not Yet Unlocked]
Looks like I'll eventually be able to add elements like fire or ice to my attacks. That'll be useful.
Other sections, Harem, Smithing, Domain, and Warden, are still locked. I can guess the purpose of the first two, but Domain and Warden remain mysteries. I'll bring it up during tomorrow's conversation. My friend's far more experienced with advanced systems and higher-level awakenings.
Now, though, I need to take a serious look at my future.
Until now, I'd accepted a modest life. An F-rank porter with predictable income, minimal risk, and low expectations. I wasn't aiming to be a hero. Just a guy doing honest work in a dangerous world.
But things have changed.
I'm not an F-rank anymore. I'm a D-rank, with a unique job, rapidly increasing stats, and the kind of growth curve reserved for S-ranks. My path isn't set in stone anymore. For the first time, I have options.
Should I lean into combat, chase greater power, and explore the full extent of my abilities? Or continue as I was, only now with much less risk and better earnings?
I don't have the answer yet.
What I do have is a headache and an empty stomach. I order a pizza through an app, eat in silence while reviewing today's events in my head, then take a long, hot shower.
Tomorrow, I'll start figuring out how I want to play this.
But tonight, I sleep.