NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Safe Zone
Bob stirred awake as someone shook him forcefully. He opened his eyes to find Addak standing in front of him, looking very angry.
"You're getting lazy," Addak snapped, glaring at Bob.
Bob stood up, surveying his surroundings. He was on the same bridge as before, surrounded by a pile of dead zombies.
"Since you've been separated from the others, I created a new scenario just for you," Addak said, pausing for a moment. "I'll tell you what I told the others. On special occasions like now, you can ask me for anything, and I'll open a shop where you can buy things."
Bob thought for a moment, considering his options. He had no fighting skill, so he decided to purchase something that could help. "Alright" he said "show me the shop"
A system window materialised before him.
He checked his coins and noticed he had 2060.
[Coins: 2060]
[Shop window]
The available items were:
Common skill box: 2000 Coins
Uncommon skill box: 20000 Coins
Rare skill box: 200000 Coins
Epic skill box: 2000000 Coins
Mythic skill box: 20000000 Coins
Legendary skill box: 200000000 Coins
Bob sighed at the prices. "So overpriced," he muttered under his breath. After some deliberation, he bought the common skill box for 2000 coins.
[You bought a common skill box] [-2000 coins]
[Inventory slots enabled: 2/5]
He pulled the beige box from his inventory and opened it. A skill icon appeared above the box.
[Inventory slots enabled: 1/5]
[You opened the box with the common skill]
[You have been given the skill: Whispering Forest]
Bob looked at his newly acquired skill:
[Whispering Forest]
Rarity: Common
Consumption: 1 MP every second
The user can connect with a natural spirit to summon a faint whisper from the forest, confusing and weakening nearby enemies. This whisper causes enemy units to become disoriented, making their attacks 5% less accurate. It cannot be used on organisms with a higher level than the user.
Bob wasn't sure how useful it was yet, but he saw potential in the skill. For now, it seemed a bit weak.
Addak, clearly impatient, asked, "Can I teleport you now?"
Bob hesitated. "Wait, I'll use my XP first."
Addak sighed deeply.
[Name: Bob]
Level: 2
Class: None
Age: 21
Race: Human
Supporter: None
Titles: [Psycho] [First Blood]
HP: 130
MP: 9
Strength: 19 | Agility: 21 | Intelligence: 9 | Vitality: 13
Bonus points: 0
Skills: [Inventory lvl: 1], [Eyes of God lvl: 1], [Whispering Forest lvl: 1]
XP: 390
Coins: 60
Inventory slots enabled: 1/5
Bob used his XP to level up.
[level 2 -> level 3]
[level 3 -> level 4]
[Strength increased by 1 Agility increased by 1 Vitality increased by 1]
[You have gained 2 bonus points]
[Name: Bob]
Level: 4
Class: None
Age: 21
Race: Human
Supporter: None
Titles: [Psycho] [First Blood]
HP: 150
MP: 9
Strength: 21 | Agility: 23 | Intelligence: 9 | Vitality: 15
Bonus points: 2
Skills: [Inventory lvl: 1], [Eyes of God lvl: 1], [Whispering Forest lvl: 1]
XP: 40
Coins: 60
Inventory slots enabled: 1/5
Bob didn't immediately allocate his bonus points, choosing to save them for later. Without another word, Addak teleported Bob to a new area.
Bob found himself in a collapsed city filled with massive, powerful monsters that he wasn't strong enough to face yet. The area also had high radiation levels.
[The area you're in is highly radioactive]
[Every second -1HP]
Bob quickly scanned his surroundings and spotted a nearby shop. He ran toward it, stowing his sword in his inventory.
[Inventory slots enabled: 2/5]
He grabbed four shopping bags and hastily filled them with random food and drinks before sprinting out of the store.
While running, Bob noticed a system window for a Safe Zone near one of the underground entrances. He rushed toward it, but two men were blocking the entrance.
Bob approached and demanded, "Open it!"
"We're full," one of the men replied quickly.
Bob scoffed, "He doesn't care." Without hesitation, he kicked the door, which ripped off its hinges and fell onto the two men.
Bob entered the Safe Zone.
[You have entered the safe zone]
[Radiation doesn't work here, so you've stopped losing HP]
[29 HP]
Inside, a flashlight suddenly shone on Bob, revealing about 10 armed men. The man holding the flashlight, presumably their leader, spoke with mockery in his voice. "Who are you?"
"Bob," Bob replied immediately.
The men burst out laughing. "What a funny name. I wouldn't even name a dog that."
[Blood Shadow is angry at them for mocking you]
[Night Whisperer despises their existence]
[Ruby Ruler tells you to kill them]
[Mysterious Wanderer says beat them, but don't kill them because they don't deserve to die]
The leader sneered. "I see you have supplies. You won't live, but you'll give me those supplies."
Bob placed the bags on the ground and pulled his sword from his inventory.
The leader eyed the sword. "That's a beautiful sword. You'll give that to me too."
Bob's expression hardened. "No, I'll put the sword in your head."
The leader backed up, ordering his men to attack. "I gave you a chance to live, but now, die."
Without hesitation, Bob swung his sword, decapitating four men in one strike.
[+30 XP]
[+100 coins]
[+25 XP]
[+85 coins]
[+30 XP]
[+100 coins]
[+35 XP]
[+120 coins]
As the leader watched in horror, Bob's weapon became stronger with the blood of his enemies.
[Blood has gotten on your weapon, your weapon will be 10% stronger]
The remaining five men charged at Bob, but he easily blocked their attacks with his strength and large two-handed sword. With a swift swing, he knocked them all to the ground, then finished them off.
[+155 XP]
[+525 coins]
Bob walked over to the leader, who was now shaking in fear.
"W-Who the hell are you?" the leader stammered.
"Bob," Bob answered coldly, driving his sword into the leader's head.
[+25 XP]
[+90 coins]
[Ruby Ruler is glad you killed them all]
[Mysterious Wanderer is sad you didn't spare them]
Bob opened his status to assess his rewards.
[Name: Bob]
Level: 4
Class: None
Age: 21
Race: Human
Supporter: None
Titles: [Psycho] [First Blood]
HP: 150
MP: 9
Strength: 21
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 9
Vitality: 15
Bonus points: 2
Skills: [Inventory lvl: 1], [Eyes of God lvl: 1], [Whispering Forest lvl: 1]
XP: 315
Coins: 1080
Inventory slots enabled: 1/5
Bob glanced at his status, satisfied with his progress. He stored his sword and instead carried the four bags filled with food and drink.
[Inventory slots enabled: 2/5]
Bob headed underground, where he found a crowd of people. Among them, he spotted his own group.