Nael's fingers trembled slightly as he turned the page. The numbers that greeted him stole the air from his lungs.
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Primary Stats:
Vigor: 320/505 (+180)
Aether: 550/615 (+295)
Focus: 900/984 (+388)
Attributes:
Strength: 33 (+12)
Vitality: 32 (+12)
Agility: 30 (+12)
Intelligence: 42 (+19)
Wisdom: 84 (+35)
Charisma: 23 (+5)
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His mind went blank for a moment, unable to process the sheer scale of the increase. This… this wasn't just an improvement. This was a metamorphosis.
'This is… too much.'
His Vigor had nearly doubled. His Focus pool was approaching a thousand. His Wisdom, already his highest stat, had skyrocketed to a level he would have considered impossible days ago. The raw power humming within him now, compared to what he'd had before the fight, was the difference between a campfire and a forge.
Then, the memory surfaced—the choice.
The second option. The one-time attribute bonus. This had to be it. This was the stat allocation from that legendary return.
His mind, sharpened by his new 84 Wisdom, began calculating at lightning speed. He subtracted the modest gains he would have normally received from four level-ups.
'The increase from level 8 to 10 should have been… about +2 to three main attributes of strength, vitality, and agility. And +4 to intelligence and +20 to wisdom.'
He stared at the final numbers. That meant the bonus from the investment alone was staggering.
'Roughly… +10 to Strength, Vitality, and Agility. +5 to Charisma. And +15 to both Intelligence and Wisdom.'
'(⊙ _ ⊙ )'
The sheer magnitude of it left him speechless. It even dwarfed the bonuses from his [Architect of a Legend] achievement.
Then a slow, dawning understanding settled over him. The Great Weave was always fair. It had offered him the raw, immediate power of the Mythic [Sun Emperor] class. He had refused it, choosing instead the long-term potential of the Investor.
The Weave, in its infinite logic, had validated it. This astronomical stat bonus was the Weave's way of balancing the scales, of ensuring that the path he chose was not weaker, but different - a path where his personal power was built not through direct ascension, but through the monumental returns on his investments.
A profound sense of gratitude toward the fundamental fairness of the universe itself washed over him.
'Thank you,' he thought, a silent, sincere acknowledgment to the system that governed his world.
The path of the Investor was no longer one of struggle; it was a path of limitless potential.
With a sense of eager anticipation, Nael turned the page. The Skills page settled, revealing three distinct headers.
[Class Skills] | [Integrated Skills] | [Acquired Skills]
His heart beat a little faster. Under Class Skills, below the familiar entries for [Invest], [Investment Appraisal], and [Aetheric Infusion], a new line of text glowed softly.
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[Equity Stake]
Rank: B
Type: Passive
Description: Your attacks claim a metaphysical share in your enemies' fate. Each strike grants an equity stake in the target. Upon the target's death, you receive a dividend of bonus Essence and a chance at permanent attribute points proportional to your stake.
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Nael's eyes widened as he absorbed the description. His analytical mind immediately began running scenarios.
'This is... incredible.'
This skill fundamentally changed the value of every fight. He imagined facing a pack of monsters; each creature he wounded would become a future source of power, its death paying out a bonus.
It rewarded a relentless, aggressive style. For an Awakened who often fought alone, this was a massive force multiplier, turning each kill into a more profitable venture.
'Even in a group,' he realized, 'I wouldn't need the final blow. I just need to ensure my mark is on the target. My contribution would always be recognized and rewarded.'
It was a perfectly fair and efficient system. It incentivized him to be actively involved in every encounter.
Satisfied, his gaze shifted to the Integrated Skills tab. This section was probably reserved for the skills he got from the investments. A single entry was awaiting him.
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[Nova Execution]
Rank: S
Type: Active
Cost: 400 Aether, 200 Focus
Description: Forge a spear of absolute solar annihilation. Unerring. Unblockable. Unavoidable. Purges all lesser darkness. Deals catastrophic Light/Fire damage. Damage scales with Wisdom & Intelligence.
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'...Urgh...'
A phantom ache pulsed through his core at the memory.
The sensation of his body being used as a conduit for that much power had been excruciating, like trying to channel a river through a straw. He recalled the feeling of his veins burning and the terrifying backlash that had shattered his body.
'A weapon of last resort,' he murmured to himself, the lesson etched into his soul. 'My body isn't strong enough to wield it freely yet. Not without breaking.'
So, he made a silent vow.
He would not use [Nova Execution] again until his Vitality and Strength had grown to match the demands of the skill.
It would be his ultimate trump card, but one that comes with a nearly fatal cost. For now, his new skills and the refined essence within him were his true tools.
With that in mind, he glanced at the [Acquired Skills]. But there was only [Weaver's Precision] skill in it.
'This tab must be for skills learned through the use of Skill Essences.' He mused as he turned the page. 'I wonder if that monster dropped one...'
'!'
'Hehe.'
Nael's grin widened as he turned the page to his Achievements. The section now glowed with new, more intense light, confirming his suspicions. The risks he'd taken had been recognized.
The first entry that caught his eye was the one he'd just earned in the outer tunnels. But it was different now.
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[Achievement Upgraded: Solo Hunter -> Solo Vanquisher ]
[ Grade: Rare -> Unique ]
[ Condition: Single-handedly defeat a Unique monster more than 10 Levels above your own. ]
[ Your Fulfillments:
1. Defeated a Lv. 5 Echo Gloom-Bat(Rare) while at Lv. 4.
2. Defeated a Lv. 21 Gloom Predator(Unique) while at Lv. 10.
*Fulfillment exceeded threshold, triggering upgrade. ]
[ Upgraded Rewards:
· Title: Lone Wolf -> Predator's Bane: Gain a 10% increase to all attributes when fighting alone. Deal higher damage to Boss-grade monsters when fighting alone.
· Attribute Enhancement(New): +4 Strength, +4 Agility, +8 Focus ]
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'Excellent,' he thought, already feeling the phantom surge of power as he saw the enhanced rewards. The title was sharper, more aggressive. It was no longer just about solitude; it was about being a specialist in taking down the biggest prey.
But that was just the beginning.
His eyes dropped to the next, far more monumental entries.
[Unique Slayer]