Chương 30: Growth

We finally stumbled back to the Monolith, and man, this thing was having a real glow-up moment. Against the backdrop of a night sky that looked like someone had spilled glitter on black velvet, the massive white stone pillar was radiating a soft, milky light. It was basically a giant, magical night-light for an endless grassland that would have otherwise been pitch black and probably full of things that want to eat me. The area was still crawling with Level 1 players, but the vibe had shifted.

Gone was the morning's frantic, "I'm going to die in a ditch" energy, replaced by a weary, heavy-lidded silence. People were slumped against rocks or whispering in small groups, looking like they had all collectively survived the world's longest gym session. Dimitri and I marched up to the glowing surface like we actually belonged there. Dimitri didn't hesitate, his massive fingers dancing across the interface with the confidence of a man who knew exactly where the "I won" button was located.

He was officially filing our report for the whole "stopping a tectonic catastrophe" situation. [Notification: The objective titled The Stony Tide of Oakhaven has reached a successful conclusion.] [Acquisition: 10 Gold coins.] [Experience points have been absorbed into your essence.] Suddenly, my entire body decided to imitate a glow-stick.

A surge of warmth washed over me, starting from my toes and fizzing up to my scalp, making me feel like I'd just inhaled a shot of pure espresso and a vitamin shake at the same time. [Status Update: Your existence has ascended from Level 1 to Level 2.] [You have been granted 5 unallocated status points for distribution.] I stood there, vibrating slightly from the level-up high, feeling like I had finally graduated from "vulnerable meat-sack" to "slightly sturdier meat-sack."

I glanced over at Dimitri and realized he was currently undergoing his own personal transformation into a giant, Russian-shaped fluorescent bulb. The same shimmering radiance that had just finished tickling my own ribs was now swirling around his massive frame, bathing his tracksuit in a glorious, celestial light. It was official: the mountain had fallen, and in its place, two slightly more dangerous idiots had risen to Level 2.

I stood there for a moment, just soaking in the sheer, unadulterated satisfaction of actually accomplishing something. It was a weirdly addictive sensation, like hitting a bullseye on a dartboard or finding a twenty-dollar bill in an old pair of jeans, but amplified by a thousand. I wasn't exactly used to the feeling of "meaningful achievement" in my daily life, and having it delivered via a magical shot of adrenaline to my nervous system felt unusual, but I certainly wasn't going to complain.

It felt genuinely, ridiculously good. Dimitri, ever the beacon of wholesome encouragement, turned his head toward me. His face was practically glowing, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't just the level-up effect. He caught my eye and slowly, deliberately, hoisted one of his massive thumbs into the air. It was a gesture that carried the weight of a thousand epic poems, delivered with a smile that could have melted a glacier. I couldn't help it.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and mirrored the gesture, jabbing my own thumb upward with a grin of my own. We were battered, we were bloody, and we were definitely going to be sore in the morning, but we were Level 2, and the world was starting to look a lot less like a death trap and a lot more like a playground. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ••••• NAME: Arthur Gray LEVEL: 2 MAIN CLASS: Gunner SUBCLASS: None.

HP: 20 MP: 30 Gold: 10 •••••• [STATS] VITALITY: 2 INTELLIGENCE: 3 STRENGTH: 1 DEXTERITY: 2 AGILITY: 2 AVAILABLE STAT POINTS: 5 ••••• The monotone voice of the invisible lady in my head decided to chime in again, laying down the law of the land with all the warmth of a frozen steel pipe. A translucent window flickered into existence, scrolling through the fine print of our existence like a terms and services agreement I couldn't skip.

[Notification: Advancement through the vertical structure of this world is governed by specific criteria. To transition from a non-boss floor to the succeeding level, a subject must achieve a numerical level exceeding the current floor designation by one. Additionally, the completion of at least one formal objective is mandatory. Evaluation indicates you have fulfilled both prerequisites for departure.] I blinked at the text, processing the fact that I was officially overqualified for standing in this specific patch of grass. But of course, the System wasn't done being a buzzkill. It continued to scroll, detailing exactly how the world starts to ignore you once you've outgrown your welcome. [Warning: Upon reaching a level that exceeds the floor designation by one, the subject is rendered ineligible for further experience gain from local entities or objectives. Objectives native to this floor will cease to provide growth benefits, with the singular exception of the initial task undertaken upon arrival.] [Notice: Loot acquisition is similarly impacted by progression. Once the level threshold is surpassed, common entities no longer provide guaranteed material drops. The probability of acquisition is reduced to 10 percent. Should the subject's level exceed the floor designation by ten, the probability is further diminished to 1 percent.] I let out a low whistle, leaning back as I mentally checked my new "Level 2" badge. The world was basically telling me that if I stayed here any longer, I'd be working for free. No more magical juice to make me stronger, and the local monsters would start being stingy with their pockets. It was a very polite, very magical way of being told to get lost and find a bigger challenge.

"Well, that's a pretty unsubtle nudge," I muttered, looking over at the glowing pillar that served as our elevator to the unknown.

"If I want to keep the gains coming and actually find loot that isn't worth a handful of pocket lint, it looks like I need to pack my bags. The second floor is calling, and apparently, I'm already late for the party." Dimitri lumbered over to me, his massive presence feeling like a warm, protective wall of pure Russian enthusiasm. He looked down at me with a gaze that suggested he was about to impart some ancient, life-changing wisdom, or at the very least, tell me where to find a really good bowl of borscht.

"Now that we have emerged victorious from the valley of struggle and carry the treasures of the mountain in our pockets, it is time to turn our toil into the golden fruit of progress!" Dimitri boomed, his accent so thick it felt like it had its own gravitational pull.

"Allow me to guide you to the Merchant Guild of Inizio, my brother Arthur! It is there that seekers of fortune like ourselves must present our first spoils to the world. While the Great Player Marketplace offers the promise of higher riches from our peers, the gates to that arena are barred until one has achieved the third step of power. For those of us still finding our footing, the Guild is the steadfast harbor! It shall provide us with the steel and salt we need to reach our true potential with speed!"

I took a moment to translate that from "Motivational Poster" to English. Basically, since the fancy Player Marketplace is strictly off-limits until you hit level three, the Merchant Guild was our best bet for a quick pawn shop visit. We needed actual gear before the next monster decided to use me as a chew toy, and the Guild was the only way to get kitted out fast enough to reach that next level.

[Selling privileges on the Player Marketplace remain restricted until Level 3 is achieved; however, purchasing functionality is currently active. Please be advised that player-listed prices typically reflect a significant premium over standard system valuations.] I looked at the glowing blue vortex of the portal gate, which was spinning with a rhythmic hum that made my teeth tingle.

"You had me at guaranteed sale," I replied, giving him a weary but determined nod.

"Let's stick with the sure thing for now. I'd rather have gold in my pocket and a better shirt on my back than play the waiting game with a marketplace I can't even enter yet. Lead the way, Big Sunshine." Dimitri's grin could have powered a small lighthouse. He clapped a hand onto my shoulder, nearly driving me into the dirt one last time for the road, and gestured toward the swirling azure light of the floor's exit.

"Then follow the path of the righteous, my friend!" he cried out, his voice filled with a joy that was honestly starting to become contagious.

"The future is a garden waiting for us to pick its finest blooms!" I hitched my breath and stepped into line behind him, following the mountain of a man toward the whirling blue portal. As the sapphire light began to stretch and pull at the edges of my vision, I figured that if I was going to be a fantasy hero, I might as well start by getting paid.