"MAASSSTTTEEERRRSS'"
Beta's persistent attempts to get Percy's attention finally succeeded, though at the cost of his patience. "What is it, Beta?" he asked, his voice low, simmering with barely restrained irritation as he was dragged from his deep immersion in martial arts techniques and the Unification Ritual.
"I'm sorry, Master... I forgot to mention the last part of the information," Beta admitted hesitantly.
A sharp, cold silence filled the space.
"You forgot?" Percy echoed, his blue-gold eyes narrowing, his temper flaring just beneath the surface. The sheer absurdity of those words—forgot—felt like an insult after everything he'd just endured.
Yesterday
The events leading to this moment played back in his mind.
Beta had been bursting with enthusiasm as she presented the books Percy had requested. He had pored over the 'Unification Ritual' by Alexander Hamilton and the revered 'Arcturus Book of Shadows,' fascinated by the weight of knowledge held within their ancient pages.
Then came the third book.
'Mana Life Core Creation.'
The book was shrouded in anonymity, its worn leather binding devoid of an author's name. Percy, intrigued and cautious, had inquired about its origins. Beta had begun to analyze—but before she could complete her process, the screen had glitched violently, distorting the library's ambient light.
Something was wrong.
"Beta?" Percy had called out, eyes narrowing as he watched her usual sleek interface flicker chaotically.
Before she could respond, the monk materialized once more.
"Beta is fine," the elder had said, his calm voice cutting through the distortion. But there was something unsettling about the way he phrased it, as if Beta's lapse in function had been... intentional.
"But," the monk continued, fixing Percy with those unreadable, ageless eyes, "the information you seek from that book is not yours to know. Not yet."
Percy had felt a chill run down his spine. "You stopped Beta?" he realized, his mind racing. That shouldn't have been possible—the Infinite Omega System was absolute, an entity beyond external manipulation. And yet, this man had done it effortlessly.
His fingers clenched at his sides.
"Can the Great Master actually intervene with the System itself?" he wondered, unsettled by the realization.
As suddenly as he had arrived, the monk vanished, leaving only cryptic words and a lingering unease in his wake.
Then, Beta had spoken.
"Master..." Her voice had sounded... off. The usual cheerfulness was absent, replaced by something heavier, something raw.
Percy turned toward her, still on edge. "Beta, are you alright?" he asked warily.
Before she could respond, an unfamiliar system window materialized before him. Unlike the usual sleek interface of the Infinite Omega System, this one was darker, heavier—its presence pressing down on him like an unseen weight.
The words on the screen made his blood run cold.
{Due to your attempt to acquire knowledge beyond your system settings,
Percy Atlas Magus, as the new owner of the Infinite Omega System, you will now be penalized.}
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then—the world fell into chaos.
Darkness consumed the library. The very space around him warped and trembled. A colossal force—unfathomable, merciless, absolute—descended upon him, suffocating him under its pressure. The sheer weight of the System's judgment battered his body, forcing him to his knees as if the universe itself sought to crush him.
It was the same agonizing sensation he had felt before—the one that punished him for failing a daily exercise task. But this? This was worse.Far worse.
He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Every fiber of his being screamed in protest as something unseen tore through him, stripping him bare.
Then, as suddenly as it came, the pressure vanished.
Percy gasped, collapsing forward, barely catching himself against a bookshelf. His entire body trembled, sweat dripping down his brow as he forced himself upright.
"The hell just happened?" he panted, blinking away the haze of residual pain.
From the corner of his vision, a familiar figure stepped into view.
The monk. Again.
"You've been penalized," the old man said, his voice far too calm in contrast to what Percy had just endured.
Still reeling, Percy looked up at him, anger flaring in his exhausted body. "What kind of penalty?" he demanded.
The monk merely gestured toward the books in Percy's hands.
Confused, Percy followed his gaze—only to freeze.
The books... were glowing.
Before he could even voice his confusion, another system window appeared.
{New System Regulation:
As of now, all books from the Infinite Skills Library must be purchased before they can be taken beyond its walls.}
Percy's eye twitched.
Then—"WHAT?!"
Present
Percy glared at Beta, frustration radiating from every inch of his body. "You didn't think to warn me that my question would cost me access to the entire Infinite Skills Library?!"
Beta, clearly remorseful, responded softly, "I... I am truly sorry, Master. When you asked, I received a warning about exceeding my access level. I should have told you. But I was so excited by the new system features that I… I overlooked my own limitations."
Percy exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Fantastic," he muttered. "Just fantastic. Now, not only do I have to work for my power, but I have to pay for my own damn books. What kind of punishment is this?!"
He clenched his fists, a storm of emotions warring within him. Anger. Frustration. Resignation.
Finally, he let out a slow breath. "Fine." His voice was firm now, steadier. "I'll just have to earn my knowledge the hard way." His gaze fell on the Unification Ritual book—at least that hadn't been taken from him. "At least this trip wasn't a complete waste."
Just as he tried to console himself, Beta's screen flickered.
"There's a silver lining, Master," she offered, displaying a new system notification.
Percy raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "What kind of silver lining could possibly—"
Then he saw it.
Beside him, as if it had always been there, an Obsidian Scythe lay propped against the table.
Its blackened steel handle was long and eerily smooth, reflecting no light. The blade, sharp and curved like the crescent moon, bore a peculiar stain of green and red, as if it had tasted blood and poison alike.
Percy couldn't explain it, but just looking at the weapon sent an instinctual shiver through him.
Something about it was... wrong.
A system window flashed before him.
{New Weapon Acquired: Abyssal Requiem - The Forgotten Scythe → A relic lost to time, waiting for a master worthy of its burden.}
Percy stared.
Then, finally, he smirked.
"Well," he muttered, reaching out to grasp the weapon's cold handle. "Maybe this wasn't a complete waste after all."
{Abyssal Requiem —
Class: Normal {Growth Type},
Used by the god of death and imbued with the powers of darkness from the Helm of Darkness, this was Hades' Master Weapon. The scythe has the ability to kill those who the owner views as their enemies, and also allowing the owner to command dark magic itself. Lost by Thanatos during the last great war between Asgard and the Heaven Realm, it now sought a new master, its purpose unfulfilled.
[Passive Abilities]
Resistance to Holy (Light) Magic: 100%.
Dark Mana Amplification: Increases Dark Mana by 25%.
Mana Recovery: Enhances mana regeneration by 20%.
Attributes Enhancement: Increases all stats by 10+. When HP drops below 25% of total health.
Grim Reaper: Amplifies the skill set of the scythe, instilling fear of death in enemies, while potentially offering a buff to allies based on their level of trust in the wielder.
[Active Skills]
Grave of Damned Souls: Summons souls from the fields of asphodel to obey any command, fighting fearlessly for 5 minutes.
Grim Barrier: Uses trapped souls to form an indestructible shield resembling a skeletal ribcage, lasting 2 minutes.
Soul Stealer: Absorbs the souls of defeated foes, transferring a portion of their stats to the scythe's owner, dependent on the level of the souls collected.
Percy's gaze slid down the description of the Abyssal Requiem, the power of the weapon practically radiating off the screen. It was everything he could want in a tool for destruction: god-tier darkness magic, the ability to summon souls from the afterlife, and the ability to become an actual nightmare to anyone foolish enough to get in his way.
And yet, here he was—unable to touch it. The scythe practically mocked him. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the passive abilities: Resistance to Holy Magic, Dark Mana Amplification, Mana Recovery... Hell, the thing even increased your stats when you were about to die. Just perfect.
Because what better time to enhance your abilities than when you're staring down the barrel of your own demise?
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, that's just great, isn't it? A death god's weapon, and I can't even get close to it. Dark magic, Necromancer class—looks like I'm one requirement short of becoming the Grim Reaper himself. Thanks, universe. Really pulling through for me here." His words dripped with sarcasm, but underneath, a slight frustration swirled.
This scythe could change everything, but instead, it just felt like another cruel reminder of how far he had yet to go.
"If I had known that an Alpha Quest for swordsmanship was going to pop up, I would have chosen a different item," Percy muttered with a half-hearted chuckle, rubbing his eyes.
"I mean, come on, what else was I supposed to do? Pick the scythe, right? Sure, just get a god's weapon, no problem. Let's see how that works out for me."
The words sounded cynical, but there was a trace of bitterness underneath—something a little more raw than just playful sarcasm. It was the kind of frustration you get when you're so close to something you can't quite reach.
His eyes wandered to the bottom of the screen, where the truth was spelled out: Unable to wield scythe, due to not meeting the requirements. A mix of frustration and begrudging acceptance followed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. 'Darkness Element and Necromancer class.' Of course. Not like I've got a million other things to worry about right now."
Before Percy could really dive into his cynical spiral, Beta's voice broke through his thoughts, calm and hopeful. "No, Master," she chirped, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
"What I meant to highlight was the introduction of Delta Quests—a new sub-questline branching off from the Alpha Quests."
Percy raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued despite his better judgment. Delta Quests? Sounded like a new distraction. "Delta Quests? Great, just what I needed—more quests." His voice was laced with sarcasm, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, something that barely registered—curiosity.
"Aren't these just the 'fun-sized' versions of the Alpha Quests? A way to kill time before the real quests come along?"
Beta continued, unaware of the slight shift in Percy's mood. "Yes, Master. While they are milder, they offer a way to earn AP upon completion and won't disrupt the natural flow of your journey."
Percy allowed himself a small grin, one that barely touched his eyes but was more genuine than anything else he'd felt in a while. Milder quests. Small victories. The idea wasn't so bad after all.
"Okay, okay. I admit it, that doesn't sound terrible. I mean, a few more side quests to give me a breather. Might be just the thing I need to not completely implode."
Still, despite his reluctant optimism, the looming weight of the main quest was never far from his mind. He clicked over to the Alpha Quests page again, the list of high-stakes tasks glaring back at him like a reminder that he wasn't anywhere close to where he needed to be.
Medium Difficulty Delta Quests: Become Fourth Circle Mage in 6 Months {Reward: 20 AP & New Skill} - Essential for self-protection and a basic prerequisite for adventuring into the world. (179 days remaining) Gain a Sentient Mage's Staff {Reward: 40 AP & New Skill} - A sentient staff acts autonomously, enabling double-casting and assisting in spellcasting. (No time limit) Pass the Entrance Exam with Outstanding Scores {Reward: 30 AP & New Skill} - Critical for maintaining student status at Solarskis University and uncovering the truth about your sister. (59 days remaining) Learn Blacksmithing from the Grand Clan Elder of the Dwarves {Reward: Title: Hephaestus Successor} - A forgotten art, essential for advancing mage civilization and aiding modern inventors. (364 days remaining)
Hard Difficulty Alpha Quests: Unlock 2 Elements within 6 Months {Reward: 35 AP & New Element} - Mastery of multiple elements dramatically accelerates power growth. (179 days remaining) Travel to Frozen Wastelands and Discover the First Clue about Your Parents' Disappearance {Reward: Buddha's Heart Clarity} - Begin unraveling the mystery behind your parents' disappearance and their worldwide quest. (No time limit) Acquire Swordsmanship and Cultivate to Proficiency within 1 Year {Reward: Title: Sword God Successor} - Supplement elemental magic with close combat skills for well-rounded combat abilities. (364 days remaining)
"Delta Quests are great and all, Beta, but—" Percy hesitated, his voice trailing off as he gestured toward the main quests. "These are the real deal. And that scythe?" He sighed again, a little too dramatically, as if trying to shake off the frustration that clung to him.
Percy collapsed onto his desk, his face landing with a thud on the smooth wood. "Two more quests. Two more, and with deadlines that would make even a godsweat. I'm going to need a serious vacation after this," he groaned, his voice laced with irritation and exhaustion. He lifted his head just enough to glance at the screen, the ever-growing list of responsibilities feeling like it was actively mocking him. "How do they expect anyone to juggle all this crap?"
Beta's voice cut through the heavy air like a blade, sarcastic and light. "Oh my god! You are so dramatic."
Percy shot a deadpan look at the screen, his lips curling into a smirk. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta be. Can't have you all pretending everything's fine while I get buried under a pile of impossible deadlines."
He sighed and rubbed his eyes, frustration creeping in as he reviewed the quests again. "The rewards are tempting, sure, but it's just… a lot to handle," he muttered, slouching further. There was a real weight to his words now, the tiredness in his voice more than just a passing complaint.
Beta's ever-positive tone entered the fray, trying (and failing) to bring him back from the brink of his mini-meltdown. "You're exaggerating, Master," she said, her voice trying to soothe.
Percy turned his head slowly, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Exaggerating? How would you feel if you were in my shoes right now?" he snapped, though his words were more of a reflex than true anger.
"You can't even feel anything! You're just a screen. Try having the world drop a mountain of quests on your lap and then see how you handle it."
Beta paused, clearly trying to find the right words. "Master, this is actually a good thing." Her attempt at optimism was persistent, if nothing else.
Percy let out a sigh and stood up, walking over to the window. He opened the curtains, allowing the morning sunlight to flood the room. For a moment, he let the warmth settle on his face, the brief escape offering a small comfort. "I know it is. I know," he murmured, almost to himself. The sunlight wasn't a solution, but it was a momentary reprieve, a small flicker of hope that didn't feel so far out of reach. "But right now, I've got something more urgent. I've got to take care of Angelica's quest first. Then, I can focus on mine." He paused for a moment, jotting down the list of materials they needed. "At least the materials are within reach," he added, his voice a little more steady as he acknowledged that, at least for now, there was something he could control.
Michael arrived shortly after, and Percy handed him the list without hesitation. "Good morning, Michael. I need these items as soon as possible." His tone was commanding, even though the frustration still lingered just beneath the surface.
"Good morning, young master. Right away!" Michael responded with his usual enthusiasm, and Percy watched him quickly leave.
As Percy turned back around, he noticed Angelica stirring, barely awake as she yawned and rubbed her eyes. She looked delicate—fragile even—but there was always a quiet strength beneath her graceful exterior. "Good morning, Angelica," Percy greeted, his voice shifting, warmer than usual. "I've sent Michael to grab a few things"
She blinked, clearly trying to wake up, but there was still that soft weariness in her eyes. "Good morning," she mumbled. "What's happening?"
Percy smiled gently, his hand brushing through her hair, a tender gesture that showed more affection than words could convey. "Are you still working on the elemental spellbooks?" he asked, his tone sincere, though there was a hint of a protective edge.
She'd been at it for days, always pushing herself despite not having unlocked her element. He could see the doubt hanging in her eyes even when she hid it behind her determined expression.
Angelica gave a soft nod, but her voice was tinged with uncertainty. "I haven't unlocked my element yet, but I'm still trying to make sense of the books." She paused, glancing up at him. "I'll figure it out once I start following the steps to awaken one of my innate elements," she said with a quiet determination, but there was a vulnerability in her words that she couldn't fully hide.
Percy chuckled, his usual sarcasm lightening the mood as he gave her a reassuringlook. "Go back to sleep. I'll be heading to the library to find a book. I'll be back later."
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before watching her drift back to sleep. There was a tenderness in his gaze that he only allowed when he was with her—when the walls he'd built around himself could momentarily fall.
As Percy made his way to the university library, his mind wandered back to his interactions with Angelica. She was always so determined, but it wasn't lost on him that her lack of an innate element weighed heavily on her.
Arriving at the library, Percy took in the familiar sight of the old building. "Glad to see some things haven't changed," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Unlike the vast, overwhelming Infinite Skills Library, this place felt grounded. Homey, even.
"Excuse me, ma'am, where can I find the section on Mana theory?" he asked the librarian politely, trying to push the weight of the quests out of his mind, if only for a moment.
The librarian directed him to the third floor, and Percy made his way up. But when he reached the shelf, disappointment hit him square in the chest. Five books. Five. He groaned inwardly. "Beta, please tell me I made a mistake," he said under his breath, hoping for a miracle.
"No, Master. You're in the correct location," Beta responded. "It seems Solarskis University focuses more on elemental arts than Mana cultivation."
Percy sighed deeply. "Just my luck. I send Michael off for the ritual materials, and this? This is what I get?" He let out a frustrated chuckle. "Guess it's back to square one."
After a pause, Beta offered a solution, her tone less apologetic and more confident this time. "Master, if you permit me to scan these books, I can compile a method for Mana cultivation. It will be enough to create a basic magic circle, at least until you can access the 'Mana Life Core Creation' book from the Infinite Library."
Percy's eyes lit up with mild surprise. "I didn't know you could do that." He couldn't help but appreciate the fact that Beta always seemed to come through when he least expected it. "Guess you're not just good for trivia and sarcastic commentary after all, huh?"
"Of course, Master," Beta replied, her tone oddly proud. "When we return, I can also brief you on a few new features I have access to."
Percy allowed a small, rare smile to tug at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, let's see what you've got." He didn't always express it, but this—this feeling of progress, however small—was something he held onto.
Beta worked quickly, scanning the books and compiling the information. The seconds ticked by like an eternity. "Compilation active—10 seconds remaining," the system screen displayed.
"Here we go," Percy muttered, half to himself, watching the clock tick down.
"Okay, Master," Beta announced triumphantly. "Here's the newly compiled Mana cultivation method. I've named it 'Mana's Core Blessing!'"
Percy blinked, genuinely amused despite himself. "Well, that's a bit on the nose, but I'll take it." He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Mana's Core Blessing. If it works, I'll call it a win."
And for a moment, just a moment, the weight of everything seemed a little easier to bear.
To Percy's surprise, a new book materialized in his hand. He blinked, staring at the gleaming white cover. "Wow, that's pretty cool," he muttered, impressed despite himself. It was the kind of unexpected development that would have set him on edge in a different mood, but right now, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. The universe had just thrown him a bone, and he was going to take it. "Guess I should find a good spot for practice."
His eyes lit up as a perfect location popped into his mind. "Oh yeah, let's use that!" he said, already heading toward the exit.
As Percy exited the library, he focused on activating his passive ability, Mana Sensitivity. The world around him began to dull, his other senses fading as he honed in on the flow of mana. Tiny, radiant blue birds of mana materialized around him, landing on his shoulders, chirping softly in a way that almost felt affectionate. Percy looked at them with mild surprise, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hello, little beings. Can you show me where the mana is most dense?"
The birds chirped in response, their little bodies glowing with excitement as they began to hop around him. Percy chuckled softly, more to himself than to anyone else. "Okay, I see how it is. You guys want to play guide, huh?"
The birds began to flutter, speeding up as they led him forward, and Percy found himself trying to keep up with their surprisingly fast pace. Before long, he was panting, astonished by how far they had led him. He stopped for a moment, looking around at the vast university grounds. "Man, the university's grounds are absolutely massive. I feel like I'm running a marathon just to find the best mana," he mused aloud, still catching his breath.
Once he realized how far he'd gone, Percy slowed his pace and ensured he was alone. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. "Alright, time to use a bit of my power," he murmured to no one in particular, more to mentally prepare himself for what was to come. He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of mana the birds had shown him, then visualized the magic circle in his mind. He felt the gentle hum of his spatial element rise within him, mingling with the mana from the birds.
"Teleport," he said with the barest hint of excitement in his voice.
The air around him began to blur, and in the blink of an eye, the bustling university grounds were replaced by the serene stillness of a peaceful lake. Percy stood, for a moment, mesmerized by the tranquil surroundings. The shift was jarring, but not unpleasant—everything was still, the air filled with a calmness that his usual environment lacked.
"Woah, the mana here is incredibly dense," Percy muttered, his voice tinged with awe. The mana birds, who had accompanied him, fluttered around him excitedly, their ethereal forms glowing as they danced in the air. Percy couldn't help but laugh at their exuberance. "Okay, I'm definitely feeling the vibe here. You guys weren't kidding about the mana," he said, watching them twirl around him like a little parade of glowing creatures.
Beta's voice cut through his amazement, a little more factual this time. "It appears this lake is fed by a low-quality spirit vein, which explains the abundant mana activity. With your presence, the mana seems even more vibrant!"
Percy, still entranced by the birds, tried to focus on Beta's words, but it was hard to pull away from the enchanting scene. The mana birds chirped happily around him.
"Yay, the master is here!"
"Please let us follow you, Master!"
"We love you so much, Master!"
Percy chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Haha, okay, please put me down. I'm flattered by your affection, but I'm here to cultivate," he said, his tone still amused despite the growing sense of awe he was beginning to feel at the mana-rich environment. It was rare for him to let his guard down, but the mana birds' enthusiasm made it difficult to keep his usual sarcasm fully intact.
The mana birds, their excitement contagious, radiated a bright pink glow. "YAY, MASTER IS TRAINING HERE!" they all exclaimed in unison, their joy filling the air around him. Despite their overwhelming energy, they carefully placed him gently on the surface of the water.
"Beta, it seems they're welcoming my cultivation here," Percy said, a hint of humor returning to his voice. "Shall we start?"
"Absolutely, Master!" Beta responded eagerly.
As Percy opened the white book, he scanned through it quickly, realizing just how much mana he needed for his training. The task ahead was daunting, but the environment was perfect. However, the mana in the lake was still not enough to fully fuel his needs. "This lake, formed by a low-quality spirit vein…" he murmured to himself, a thought beginning to form. "I wonder if diving into the depths will give me the concentrated mana I need."
Turning to the mana birds, he leaned forward, his voice eager. "What do you guys think?" he asked, awaiting their response.
The birds chirped loudly, their voices ringing in his mind, full of unrestrained excitement. "YAY!"
They surrounded him in a protective bubble, ensuring he wouldn't be harmed as he descended into the lake's depths. "If anything goes wrong, pull me out immediately," Percy instructed, his tone serious despite his usual flippant nature. His goal wasn't to take risks for the sake of it—this was a calculated move.
Beta remained vigilant, watching over Percy's condition as the birds began to let water seep into the bubble. Percy stripped down to allow for better mana absorption, asking Beta to store his clothes in the inventory. He focused, guiding the mana-rich water into his body through open pores, directing it along his spiritual pathways.
"Guide the mana, create the core, and let it fill," Percy murmured, following the steps in the book with careful precision. The water began to flow through him, purifying his body as it worked to form his first mana core.
The process was intense, and as the mana flowed into him, Percy could feel his body shift, his energy transforming. Eventually, he formed the core, its energy pulsing inside him. The mana birds, sensing his success, gently lifted him out of the water and placed him on a bed of flowers. Percy sat there for a moment, focused on the inner changes, the thrill of achievement filling him.
"Beta, pull up my status screen," Percy said, eager to see the results of his hard work. He was filled with a rare sense of accomplishment—something had gone right, for once.
Beta, sharing in his anticipation, complied swiftly, ready to display the updated status.
{Infinite Omega System...
~System Level: 1
~Bloodline: Human
~Potential: Level 4 [Body Grade: A+, ??, ??]
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity, Mergence, Blessing of Mana, Mana Core Blessing (NEW)
~Features: Infinite Skills Library, Omega Artifact Store, Eternal Gacha Lottery, Domain Expeditions {Bestial Conqueror}, Alpha Quests.
~Spells (NEW): Teleport (Lvl 1) (NEW), Spatial Slash (Lvl 1) (NEW), Spatial Bullets (Lvl 1) (NEW)
~Element: Space
~Stamina: 40
~Strength: 40
~Intelligence: 27
~Mana: 20 —> 30 (+10)}
{Mana Core Blessing—
Class: Passive (Growth Type)
This book, a product of synthesizing various incomplete cultivation methods discovered in Solarskis University's archives. Your innate ability, 'Blessing of Mana,' ensures a cultivation process that is more seamless and effective than anyone else in the world could experience. This unique advantage positions you for continuous growth and improvement, particularly in enhancing this passive growth-type ability. By leveraging the synergy between the compiled knowledge and your natural talent, you are poised to advance your skills and power at an unprecedented pace.
A notification flashed before Percy's eyes, its bright display immediately capturing his attention. "Achievement Unlocked," it proudly announced, the words gleaming with that all-too-familiar sense of accomplishment.
Achievement Unlocked? He could practically hear the system's smug voice in his head. "Oh, great. A 'milestone.' I'm sure this is going to be life-changing."
The message beckoned him further, its bold letters inviting him to explore the fruits of his efforts. "First Quest Clearance. Please open the present box and receive your reward."
Percy let out a short laugh, both amused and intrigued. "A present? Really? The universe is sending me gifts now, huh? What's next, a party with confetti?" Despite his sarcasm, a flicker of genuine curiosity bubbled inside him. After all, he had been working hard. Maybe there was a little excitement in the unknown.
As the box materialized in front of him, gently descending from the air, Percy felt a rush of anticipation—mixed with a healthy dose of caution. What was this, a trap? But the excitement of the achievement buzzed through him, his fingers twitching with the need to open it.
Just as he was about to unwrap it, another screen popped up, further sweetening the deal: "Due to the completion of Delta Quests (1) and (3), additional rewards will be given to celebrate this first step to greatness."
Percy paused, his eyebrow arched again. "Delta Quests, huh? So, I did a good enough job to warrant extra rewards? Not bad." He chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. It wasn't like he expected anything less. But still—extra rewards. That was always nice.
With a mixture of anticipation and guarded wariness, Percy delicately lifted the top of the box.
The moment he opened it, two radiant streams of light shot forth, bursting out of the box in a dazzling display of swirling energy. They twirled around him like they had a mind of their own, harmonizing with the mana birds and the gentle serenity of the lake. The lights, vibrant and filled with pure energy, danced around him before eventually merging into his body.
Percy stood there, watching the spectacle, his expression calm and accepting. "Huh. Well, that's one way to make an entrance," he murmured.
He had seen stranger things by now. But still, there was something almost comforting about the lights merging with him. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to feel something akin to peace—a rarity for someone as emotionally guarded as he was.
When the last of the lights faded, Percy's eyes fluttered open, and another screen appeared, this time with more official-sounding news: "Due to the penalization, AP rewards have been reevaluated. Additionally, the second set of rewards has been adjusted to better suit your expected growth, along with a +5 increase to all attributes."
Percy stared at the screen for a moment, the information sinking in. His lips twitched in a half-smile. "Well, well, look at that. Guess the universe isn't completely out to get me." His voice was dry, but underneath the sarcasm, there was a flicker of genuine approval. The +5 increase to all attributes was nothing to scoff at, especially considering how difficult his journey had been so far.
"Guess I earned it," he muttered, rubbing his chin as he mulled over the new stats. "Not bad for a few side quests, huh?"
"Alright," he muttered to himself, shaking off the sentimental thoughts. "Time to get back to work. This isn't going to finish itself." With that, he straightened up, already thinking about what he needed to do next.
{Infinite Omega System...
~System Level: 1
~Bloodline: Human
~Level (NEW): 1 (Current EXP: 1.23%)
~Potential: Level 4 [Body Grade: A+, ??, ??]
~Abilities: Eternal Lucky Charm, Life/Death Benefits, Absolute Immunity, Mergence, Blessing of Mana, Mana Core Blessing.
~Skills (NEW): Sensory Field (NEW)
~Spells: Teleport (Lvl 1), Spatial Slash (Lvl 1), Spatial Bullets (Lvl 1)
~Features: Infinite Skills Library, Omega Artifact Store, Eternal Gacha Lottery, Domain Expeditions {Bestial Conqueror}, Alpha Quests.
~Element: Space
~Stamina: 40 —> 45 (+5)
~Strength: 40 —> 45 (+5)
~Intelligence: 27 —> 35 (+5)
~Mana: 30 —> 35 (+5)}
~AP: 30