Chapter 3: Rank up

As I focused my attention, I could feel a surge of energy building up within my body. A sense of vitality and power coursed through my veins, causing my blood to heat up with my essence. I directed my concentration towards the essence within me, rallying it towards my heart. With a deliberate circulation of this essence, my core gradually approached its threshold.

A profound sensation washed over me as my core reached its limit, filling me with a newfound strength and an extraordinary lightness of being. It was a moment of pure empowerment.

"Yes! Yes!... Yes!" I exclaimed in disbelief and triumph. My Soul Core had expanded, growing larger and more potent. Not only that, but my skill had also evolved, becoming stranger and more mysterious. Being an outcast, I had always stood apart, so this transformation was just another facet of my uniqueness. Perhaps this newfound power could be my ticket to escaping the perilous farmland and achieving the revenge I sought. Though, reaching the minimum Saint Rank required for such ambitions would likely take a century or two.

To ascend to A-Rank aspect, I needed to gather at least 16,000 souls. Reflecting on the stages of progression, I recalled the six tiers: Beginner or Awakened, Intermediate, Expert (D), Master (C), Grandmaster (B), and finally, Saint (A). Currently, I stood at the Intermediate Stage, where Aspect Rank was not a prerequisite. However, for Expert, a D-Rank Aspect was the minimum requirement, while Master demanded a C-Rank, and Grandmaster necessitated a B-Rank. To achieve the prestigious Saint Rank, an A-Rank Aspect was indispensable, and vice versa.

Yet, upon closer examination, doubts began to creep in. Was I overestimating myself? Two centuries seemed more realistic for those exceptionally talented individuals, perhaps those who didn't have the luxury of intermediate stage bugs. Regardless, my focus shifted as I embarked on a three-day endeavor to rid the land of every cactus, finding immense satisfaction in this task.

My Soul Core soared to 715 out of 1000, and it almost felt like I was exploiting a cheat code. Last night, I had to confront and eliminate 50 bugs to preserve my well-being. They nearly caught me, but with swift action, I managed to swoop down and claim some of them. Fortunately, it was their time to depart, or else I would have become a delectable meal.

With these events in mind, I decided it was time to depart from this Treasure Trove. Perhaps I could stumble upon some new cacti elsewhere. In a way, it felt like farming, cultivating my skills and resources.

After five days, my luck took a turn for the worse. Nevertheless, I persevered and succeeded in replenishing my Soul Core, allowing my Aspect to ascend to the rank of D.

Current Status:

Name: Vincent

Age: 22

Aspect: Dream (D)

Skills: Dream Manipulation (Ability to manipulate dreams)

Rank: Intermediate

Soul Core: (0/ 2000)

Flaw: Hard-Luck (Attraction to Trouble; more trouble equals more reward)

Soul Artifact: Baneful Sword

I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as I realized I hadn't acquired any additional skills. I had hoped for at least one combat skill or something genuinely useful. Nevertheless, I couldn't deny the immense usefulness of my Dream Manipulation skill, even though it proved ineffective against the bugs. My frustration turned to my

Flaw, which oddly served as a source of courage. Despite possessing an aspect and skills that seemed lacking, my Flaw alone offered solace, like a divine intervention. Yet, even that seemed to have abandoned me, leaving me destined for further trouble. It made me reflect on the saying, "The easy way is the wrong way." Determined to acquire a special skill, I considered seeking it myself, knowing well how rare such skills were, even rarer than Soul Artifacts. I could only hope that luck would bestow something valuable upon me.

As evening descended, my boredom with consuming cacti reached its limit. The prospect of exploring the nearby Mountain Range enticed me, despite the inherent dangers of foreign lands. With caution, I ventured forward, my senses heightened. It didn't take long for a cave to reveal itself before me, its entrance measuring 7 feet in height and 5 feet in width.

However, as I stepped closer, a putrid stench reached my nostrils, jolting me out of my initial hesitation. This wasn't the abode of mice; it belonged to a predator. My heart raced, fear surging within me. Realizing my terrible mistake, I cautiously withdrew, my instincts urging me to flee.

Suddenly, a radiant beam of light descended from the sky, growing in luminosity until it became an overwhelming, blinding spectacle. Drenched in sweat, my entire body felt as if it were sticking to me. Driven by fear, I instinctively dashed back into the cave. After running about 200 meters inside, I encountered a pit of decaying corpses, emitting a putrid odor. At that moment, I pondered on the various ways this predicament could lead to my demise. Suddenly, amidst the darkness, an eye, as big as myself, materialized near me.