4 Episode 1: Leveling System (4)
—Episode 1 Chapter 8: Leveling System
Gwak Joon silently ripped the skin of the snow-furred monsters as he reflects on Lu Piao's experience.
No wonder this guy was so determined to die; witnessing your family and wife die one by one while you stand helplessly by the side would undoubtedly shatter your mind. And despair would just grow and grow until darkness consumes your mind.
The silence continued. With the passage of time — presumably 5-8 minutes — the first slot of the inventory grew to 40 pieces of furs.
Gwak Joon gazed at Lu Piao, aware that he had collected enough. "Let's stop for now."
"And Lu Piao," Gwak Joon's forehead furrows, and his eyes turn solemn as he said these words.
'Despite the fact that I'm a jerk, I'm not the type of guy who would abandon the powerless.' He thought to himself as he tried to think of a good idea to console Lu Piao. Suddenly, he came up with a good quote. And he began speaking in a hushed tone. "Don't be selfish, and don't ever think of dying. Otherwise, their sacrifices will be meaningless."
Lu Piao was surprised when he heard those words appear out of nowhere. He glanced at Gwak Joon in silence, perplexed as to why he was saying that.
Gwak Joon went on, "There is no comfort zone in the ways of living.
"This could result in the loss of your family, wife, relatives, and even your mind."
Lu Piao was silent before responding. "So you're saying that there is always an adversary in life?" "
Gwak Joon nodded and continued. "It is possible that you will lose your lineage and you might lose your loved ones because of adversary. It could also imply being powerless to prevent these events from happening."
When Lu Piao heard Gwak Joon, he clenched his fists until he couldn't control his emotions anymore and yelled, "Enough!"
He went on while grabbing Gwak Joon by the neck. He burst into tears. "You don't know...You don't know how hard it is to lose people whom you love!"
Hearing him, Gwak Joon clinched his fists.
When he was on Earth, he was constantly bullied while studying. He recalled being beaten up and having his pocket money stolen from him. And he couldn't forget the times he blamed his mother for all of the wrongdoing.
His mother was merely working as a waitress, and because of Gwak Joon's awful school activities, his mother was greatly concerned, and she was found dead one day due to overwork. He remembered that day when he was in grief and wanted to end his life once and for all. However, he persevered and began to live on his own.
Gwak Joon understood that relying on other people wouldn't work because he didn't know who his father was, to begin with. So, after persevering with his adversaries of life and graduating, Gwak Joon decided to become a teacher. Only through the difficulties did Gwak Joon learn to survive on his own.
Gwak Joon turned to face Lu Piao. "It may also result in dying with regrets."
He, too, had many regrets about his life, yet he persisted. He's not going to deny that one. For instance, Gwak Joon still blamed himself for his mother's death.
Gwak Joon spoke gently. "Dying with regrets is a curse. Once you die, there's no medicine for regrets. Think twice before ending your life.
"Consider this: What will become of the sacrifices made by your clan? Lu Piao, you must go through your adversaries with a determined heart.
"Do you really want to die without even exacting vengeance? Do you believe your family, wife, or even relatives would be glad to see you die after they worked so hard to leave a descendant to carry on the Lu Family?!"
Lu Piao was dazed, but Gwak Joon continued, "If you wish to die, be it.
"But if you're going to try, stick with me and we'll go all the way. You are not the only one who has experienced the loss of a loved one."
Lu Piao immediately remembered Nie Li had a family as well. As he dropped his head, his cheeks reddened with embarrassment. He was convinced. Gwak Joon has convinced him completely.
Gwak Joon spread his hands to Lu Piao and said, "Follow me as I battle Gods and Demons, transversing the purgatory flame with fire.
"Only until we eliminate the root cause of this sad tragedy will there be no more pain. Only after the evil has been killed will there be laughter. That way, an era where we won't hide behind these walls will flourish for eternity."
Hearing that, Lu Piao remained silent. Similarly, Gwak Joon did not say anything as he waited for Lu Piao's decision.
Lu Piao began to think. His head was still flooded with images of his kin being killed. His wife died on his bosom. Lu Piao was thinking up here when he suddenly peered at the holes in the trees as if he could see his wife's face.
He recalled her words. 'Run...Live...Promise me.'
Lu Piao's eyes welled up with tears as he remembered her last words. He knelt and gripped Gwak Joon's helping hands. "Keep on living... I'll surely listen to you, Xue'er."
Gwak Joon smiled when he heard this. He didn't have to say anything since he already knew what Lu Piao's decision was. The only thing that surprised him was that the system actually spoke at this moment:
[I assumed you were stupid...
[Perhaps I'm mistaken.]
Gwak Joon was at a loss for words hearing her as he simply responded. 'May I take that...as a compliment?'
[Think what you want]
—Episode 1 Chapter 9: Leveling System
Gwak Joon was not mistaken. The present Lu Piao was no longer depressed as he had been. Gwak Joon could see the resolve in his eyes. He was glad to see his changes.
'It appears that my words are not in vain.' Gwak Joon smiled and started questioning the system. 'How do I make a concealment rope?'
[There is an ellipsis on the right side of the inventory slots. Clicking here will take you to your stats. That is where the Equipment Crafting is also located.]
Gwak Joon nodded, noticing the ellipsis. When he clicked on it, his stats began to appear.
———————
STATS
Name: Gwak Joon (Nie Li)
Divine Title: None
Age: 19
Cultivation: 3-star Bronze Rank
Level: 1 (Exp needed for next level: 100)
Current Exp:0/100
Strength: 30.5
Agility: 29.8
Vitality: 25.8
Spiritual Force: 358/400 (Accessible once integrated with a demon spirit)
Mana: 10/10 (Usable for abilities) (Will rise as level increases)
Status: Good Condition
Skill Point: 0 (Use for allocation of strength, agility, and vitality)
———————
Equipment Crafting
———————
Gwak Joon was startled by his stats, but because he didn't have time to waste, he went straight to the Equipment Crafting.
He could see nine slots after clicking it; the first eight slots were centered on the middle(ninth) slot. And, like a skill tree, these eight slots were linked to the middle slot like an octagon.
Gwak Joon knew what a skill tree was, so he figured that since this was equipment crafting, all he had to do was place the rope in the middle slot and the 40 furs in one of the eight slots.
Then thereafter, Gwak Joon noticed the word 'Craft Equipment'. He clicked it, and the ropes and furs began to fuse a few moments later.
When Gwak Joon blinked his eyes, two shimmering ropes wrapped in snow fur were added to his inventory.
The system sounded just as Gwak Joon was ready to grab the now crafted concealment rope.
[Congratulations, Host, for unlocking an achievement]
[Achievement Unlock: Make your first piece of equipment]
[You have been awarded 100 experience points]
[Ding!
[You've leveled up!
[As a result, you have 3 Skill Points. Please assign them.]
Gwak Joon was flabbergasted. The system wasn't lying; it was quite similar to Minecraft. He could even unlock achievements!
——
A/N:
Next chapter will be the end of Episode 1
Also the start of the main storyline.
About the episodes; perhaps this fanfic will end at episode 30+. Stay tone.
