Die Already!

The list was extensive, and Caelum felt a surge of relief and power course through him. But there was no time to savor it, as the system hastily added, [New Skills; Select one; Mystic Infusion, Agile Reload, Piercing Shot!]

With no time to waste, Caelum chose Agile Reload. He sensed the urgency; the Bandit Leader was closing in again, and the other bandits were almost upon him.

Instincts from his past life kicked in, and he tapped into the Bullet Time skill. The world around him slowed, giving him precious seconds to act. He ducked low, evading the Bandit Leader's sword, feeling the wind rush past his face as the blade narrowly missed him.

The other bandits, now seeming sluggish in their movements, were easier to predict. Caelum twisted and turned, his agility shining as he narrowly avoided their attacks. He was a blur of movement, gracefully dodging and weaving through the onslaught.

The Bullet Time skill was draining, and Caelum felt his energy depleting rapidly. He needed to act fast. Summoning his newfound strength and skills, he focused on the Bandit Leader, knowing he needed to take him down to stand any chance against the others.

With his new skill, Agile Reload, Caelum saw a glimmer of opportunity amidst the dire straits. The Bandit Leader, though injured and bleeding, was relentless in his pursuit to kill Caelum. However, Caelum's mind worked rapidly, devising a plan to turn the tides in his favor.

First things first, he needed the hairpin, currently lodged in the Bandit Leader's chest. The makeshift weapon he had crafted was his only shot at survival. As the Bandit Leader lunged at him once again, Caelum dodged swiftly, his movements almost a dance as he gracefully avoided the blade.

Caelum's agile body moved closer to the Bandit Leader, and in a swift motion, he yanked the hairpin out. The Bandit Leader roared in pain, but Caelum was already steps ahead, focusing on his next move.

Blood from his own wound and the Bandit Leader's stained his hands, but Caelum remained undeterred. He reached for his makeshift weapon, his movements rapid yet precise as he loaded the hairpin back in. The gunpowder was scarce, less than he would have liked, but it had to be enough.

His mind, working in overdrive, reminded him of the Mystic Bullet skill. He had never used it before, and he mused that it must have been related to Mana. After leveling up, he could feel a new type of energy coursing through his body. It was a subtle yet powerful presence, and he realized, this must be Mana.

Caelum focused, channeling this newfound energy into the hairpin lodged in his bamboo tube firearm. The air around him seemed to vibrate as he activated Mystic Bullet, enchanting the hairpin with Myst. He could feel the additional magic damage it promised, and he knew this was his best shot.

The Bandit Leader, enraged and in pain, came at him again, his movements more erratic but no less dangerous. Caelum, however, was ready. His instincts, honed from a past life of combat and marksmanship, kicked in.

He raised his makeshift weapon, aiming with precision despite the chaos around him. His breathing steadied, and he pulled the trigger. The bamboo tube recoiled as the hairpin propelled forward, faster and more powerful than before, thanks to the skill Mystic Bullet.

The hairpin found its mark, piercing through the Bandit Leader's chest, cutting through flesh and bone. The magic damage from the Mystic Bullet was evident as a surge of energy followed the impact, causing a small explosion upon contact.

The Bandit Leader's body fell back, lifeless before he even hit the ground. The surrounding bandits, stunned by the sudden turn of events, faltered in their attacks. Caelum didn't waste a moment.

His body, though drained from the use of Bullet Time and the Mystic Bullet, moved with the agility and precision that had saved him moments before. He dodged and weaved through the remaining bandits, his movements a blur as he took advantage of their momentary shock.

Caelum's mind was clear, his focus sharp. He knew he couldn't afford to be hit, not in his current state. He needed to end this, and fast. He used his agility to his advantage, picking off the bandits one by one.

He moved like a shadow, his movements swift and lethal. The bandits, now realizing the tide had turned, began to retreat. But Caelum didn't let up, his relentless pursuit cutting them down until there was no one left.

As the last bandit fell, Caelum allowed himself a moment to catch his breath. His body ached, the cut on his arm throbbing with pain. He had survived, against all odds, but he knew he needed to tend to his wounds soon.

Caelum looked around, the aftermath of the battle evident in the bodies that lay around him. The Bandit Leader, the one who had almost ended his life, lay motionless, the hairpin still lodged in his chest.

Sitting on the corpses of bandits, Caelum looked at the system messages. Blood and grime coated his hands, a stark testament to the battle he had just survived. The dull glow of the system's interface provided a surreal calm amidst the chaos.

[Status:

Name: Caelum/Eclipse

Age: 17/35

Title: Novice Gunslinger (Level 6)

Current System Points:

Attributes:

Level: 6

Experience Points (XP): [595/2700]

Health Points (HP): 100/100

Mana Points (MP): 100/100

Vitality (VIT): 16 (10 base + 6 from leveling)

Strength (STR): 10

Agility (AGI): 24 (12 base + 12 from leveling)

Intelligence (INT): 20 (14 base + 6 from leveling)

Wisdom (WIS): 10

Charisma (CHA): 8

Luck (LUK): 16 (10 base + 6 from leveling)

Free Stats: 30

Skills:

Marksmanship: Lv.1

Quick Draw: Lv.1

Bullet Crafting: Lv.1

Basic Enchanting: Lv.1

Bullet Time: Lv.1

Marksmanship (enhanced): Lv.2

Ricocheting Shots: Lv.1

Gun Kata: Lv.1

Ammo Efficiency: Lv.1

Weapon Mastery: Lv.1

Disarmament: Lv.1

Gun Maintenance: Lv.1

Trick Shots: Lv.1

Agile Reload: Lv.1

Abilities:

Gunslinger's Eye: Active, MP: 20, Enhances visual acuity and focus for a short duration.

Mystic Bullet: Active, MP: 10, Enchants a bullet with Myst, causing additional magic damage.

New Skills:

Level 1:

Skill: Basic Marksmanship - Basic proficiency in firearms, improves accuracy.(Error, Basic Marksmanship already exists. Basic Marksmanship will evolve)

Ability: Quick Draw - Draw and fire a weapon rapidly.

Level 5:

Skill: Mystic Bullet Crafting - Craft bullets with elemental magic for varied effects.

Ability: Bullet Time - Temporarily slow down perception, enhancing reaction time. (Error, Bullet Time already exists. Bullet Time will evolve)]

[Error in skill evolution detected," the system's voice chimed, "Bullet Time skill evolving to Advanced Bullet Time.]

[Error in skill evolution detected," the system's voice chimed, "Basic Marksmanship skill evolving to Advanced Marksmanship.]

As the system recalibrated, Caelum's thoughts drifted to the path ahead. His past life as Eclipse, with its cold precision and unwavering focus, merged with Caelum's raw determination and anguish, forging a singular purpose within him. He needed to harness this newfound power, not just for vengeance, but to forge a path in this cruel world that had robbed him of everything dear.

Caelum stood up, his body weary but his spirit resolute. The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the heat of battle that still lingered in his veins. He knew he couldn't stay here; the scent of blood would attract unwanted attention, be it from predatory creatures or more bandits.

"System, show me the map," Caelum commanded, his voice a mix of fatigue and resolve.

A map materialized, revealing a path and nearby forest. Hoping for a temporary safe zone, a place to rest and recuperate, he decided to go there. Caelum nodded, the decision made. He needed time to process the changes, both within him and in the world around him.

Walking down to the dungeon, Caelum's gaze fell upon his sister's body, lying lifeless and abandoned. His heart clenched at the sight, a mixture of sorrow and rage boiling within him. He spat on the ground, a gesture of contempt for the cruelty of this world, and gently lifted her in his arms. Beside her, the body of the Umbrawolf, a silent witness to the night's events, was quickly stored in the system's inventory. They deserved a proper send-off, but it would have to wait. With his sister cradled in his arms, Caelum began his somber journey back through the maze of the dungeon.