Author's Note:
Hey readers!
Quick update before we dive into the chapter.
I've made some adjustments to the currency system to keep things consistent and make better sense with the world's economy. Here's the updated breakdown:
10 Copper = 1 Bronze
100 Bronze = 1 Silver
100 Silver = 1 Gold
1000 Gold = 1 Platinum
Much simpler now, right? Especially for those tracking the MC's earnings.
Also, just to clarify: rats are way too low-level to have any mana crystals in them, so don't expect those little guys to be a source of magical profit. (-_-;)
As of now, Ethan's reward for goblin subjugation and pest extermination stands at 1 Silver Coin and 150 Copper Coins.
Thanks for sticking around, and enjoy the chapter!
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Chapter 15: Commoner Drip and Stat Picks
The moment Ethan caught a proper look at himself, he frowned. Dirt-stained, blood-smeared, and cloaked in rags that barely passed for clothing — he looked more like a vagrant than a survivor.
He sighed. "Can't keep looking like I crawled out of a trash heap."
After roaming the streets for a bit, he noticed a pattern: the locals dressed plainly. Simple medieval-style tunics and trousers paired with worn leather shoes. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional.
Eventually, he found a modest clothing shop. He picked out a fresh set — a coarse cotton tunic, dark trousers, a pair of secondhand leather shoes, and some undergarments to finally feel like a person again.
Total cost: 75 bronze coins.
His remaining funds?
25 bronze coins and 150 copper.
"…I'm dirt poor," he muttered under his breath. No point denying reality.
With a sigh, he made his way to the inn — the same one known for being the cheapest in town. The price had been adjusted to 10 bronze coins a night, and honestly, it showed.
The room was barely 4 by 4 meters, and the bed inside was a rough two-meter wooden frame, just wide enough to fit a grown man. A thin blanket and a flat pillow completed the 'luxury' experience.
Ethan stared at it, then chuckled dryly.
"Ahh… how I miss my cozy bed."
He wiped the grime and dried blood off his body using the small water basin in the corner. The water was cold, but it did the job.
Then he crashed.
Hours later, he woke up to the innkeeper's knock and the smell of something vaguely edible. Dinner was plain but warm — a bowl of vegetable stew and a small loaf of bread.
He leaned back, belly partially satisfied, and finally opened his system.
[Status Interface – Open]
It was time to distribute the 6 unallocated stat points.
He leaned against the creaky wooden bedframe, exhaling a tired breath as he summoned the interface once more.
[Hollow Crown System – Status Interface]
---
Name: Ethan Cross
Strength: 3.4
Vitality: 3.0
Constitution: 2.8
Agility: 3.6
Stamina: 4.3
Intelligence: 2.5
Mana: 2.5
Unused Stat Points: 6
---
He studied the numbers in silence.
"Strength, vitality, constitution, agility…" he muttered. "That covers offense, mobility, and not dying. One into each."
He tapped the air, and the values shifted.
"For stamina—definitely."
You never know when you'll need to sprint through a forest for hours with something breathing fire behind you.
"One more into constitution," he decided. "Nothing beats having the durability of a damn tank."
A brief warmth flooded his limbs, followed by a pulsing wave of energy. Muscles tightened, breath deepened — it was subtle, but real.
Status Update:
---
SYSTEM INTERFACE
> Name: Ethan Cross (27)
Race: Human (Awakened)
Legacy: [Forgotten Empire] (partial unlock)
Title: [None]
Talent: [Will of the Crown]
Elemental Affinities: [All Elements] (Max Affinities – Tier 10)
---
Level: 2 (45 / 230)
Unassigned Stat Points: 0
Base Stats (Average Human Male = 1)
Strength: 4.4
Vitality: 4.0
Constitution: 4.8
Agility: 4.6
Stamina: 5.3
Intelligence: 2.5
Mana: 2.5
Skills:
[Basic Marksmanship] – 34% Mastery (Basic)
[Improvised Knife Combat] – 19% Mastery (Basic)
[Stealth Movement] – 7% Mastery (Basic)
[Magic Arrow] – 1% Mastery (Basic)
→ A low-level spell that condenses raw mana into a focused projectile. Limited piercing power, ideal for early combat but ineffective against tough or armored enemies.
---
Note from the Author:
Only active combat-relevant skills will be shown going forward. Support, passive, or unused ones are tracked in the system but will only be revealed if and when Ethan uses them.
---
Ethan stared at his stats a moment longer, then chuckled.
"Level two awakened… but these stats are pushing level four territory already," he whispered.
That must be why Brad had no hesitation slapping an E-rank adventurer badge on him without so much as a test. He was already physically superior to veterans like Valen and Doren, even without a formal class.
"But to really grow… I need to hit level 10 fast."
That was the threshold. The point where class awakening triggered — unlocking a specialized path and class-based skills. Power, efficiency, control. Everything started from there.
He frowned, staring at the tiny (45 / 230) XP meter.
"How much more blood do I need to spill just to level up again…"
Ethan stared at the flickering XP bar in the corner of his vision.
45 out of 230 XP.
His mind, still wired from survival mode, refused to rest just yet.
"Alright... Level 1 took 100 XP.
Then Level 2 was 100 × 2.3... that's 230 XP.
Level 3... 230 × 2.3... 529.
Then… 1,216… 2,796… 6,430…"
The mental math kept piling up.
---
XP Required per Level:
Level 1 → 2: 100 XP
Level 2 → 3: 230 XP
Level 3 → 4: 529 XP
Level 4 → 5: 1,216 XP
Level 5 → 6: 2,796 XP
Level 6 → 7: 6,430 XP
Level 7 → 8: 14,789 XP
Level 8 → 9: 34,015 XP
Level 9 → 10: 78,235 XP
Total XP to Reach Level 10 from Level 1: 162,340 XP
---
"Rats gave me 3 XP a pop. Goblins, 5."
He sighed, then laughed under his breath — dry and humorless.
"At this rate, I'd have to kill… around 32,000 goblins. Or over 54,000 rats."
A silence followed.
"…Ridiculous."
But no fear in his voice. Just cold logic.
If grinding wasn't efficient, he'd have to find another route. Bonus XP. Quest chains. Dungeon bosses. Multipliers.
The system wouldn't be that flat.
There had to be shortcuts — loopholes — opportunities for someone who could think.
His eyes fluttered half-closed, but his mind was still calculating.
"I won't survive by fighting harder.
I'll survive by fighting smarter."
And then — finally — he slept.
His thoughts wandered with the weight of fatigue.
By the time he completed run the mental math on how many goblins and rats it would take, sleep crept up on him like a thief.
The wooden bed creaked slightly as Ethan drifted into unconsciousness, the faint hum of the system interface flickering out in the corner of his vision.