Makoto's analytical mind immediately seized upon this new information.
Going overseas was pointless if the poison inside him would kill him first. Survival meant power. The System was a brilliant, brutally efficient guide.
"Instant Dungeons,"
Makoto murmured, a predatory gleam in his eye.
"Perfect. Absolute control over the variable environment."
He was deep inside the forgotten concrete labyrinth of the unfinished subway tunnel. The damp, stale air and spiritual silence made it an ideal base.
First things first: the tools of the trade. Makoto mentally activated the [Inventory] tab.
===Inventory===
1. Shinigami Uniform (Shikakusho) Standard issue. Level 1 defense.
2. Soul Pager Disabled (System Lock). Cannot be traced.
3. Konpaku 1 (User's own soul form.)
4. Basic Training Set (New!) A collection of items necessary for initial growth. Contains: Soul Candy (Low Grade) x5, Healing Potion (Minor) x3, Beginner's Reiatsu Scroll x1.
5. Zanpakuto (Currently unnamed and untransformed.)
The Soul Pager being locked was crucial; it confirmed the System was actively preventing his capture. The Basic Training Set was exactly what he needed for immediate energy and recovery.
He instantly consumed one Soul Candy (Low Grade) to test it. It was bland but instantly restored 10 HP.
Before he could even examine the Beginner's Reiatsu Scroll, the Quest notification flashed, upgraded.
[QUEST UPDATED: THE GREAT ESCAPE (PHASE 1)]
* Objective: Achieve Level 5.
* Goal: Grind EXP by clearing Instant Dungeons until the User's base Reiatsu can stabilize the Hollowfication process.
* Location: [Beginner Dungeon: Empty Soul Maze - Tutorial] has been made available.
* Reward: Survival. Permanent increase to Endurance (End). Unlock of Zanpakutō Shikai.
* Penalty for Failure: Extinction.
A new icon, a swirling indigo vortex labeled [Beginner Dungeon], appeared twenty feet down the tunnel.
It shimmered with contained, non-threatening spiritual energy.
Makoto approached it, feeling a genuine wave of excitement override his fear. This was his chance.
He wouldn't die a dog's death, not when he had the ultimate research tool!
He ran his newfound Observe skill on the portal.
Observe: Beginner Dungeon: Empty Soul Maze
A low-level, self-contained pocket dimension. Enemies are simulated, non-Sentient Empty Souls (Reiatsu equivalent to common Plus Souls).
Drops: Small EXP, low-grade Soul Fragments, Minor HP/Reiatsu items.
Danger Level: Minimal.
He grinned, gripping the handle of his Zanpakuto. It was time to stop being Kurotsuchi Makoto, the academically-minded rookie, and start being Makoto, the Hidden Prodigy.
"Enter Dungeon."
The vortex swallowed him whole, the concrete tunnel vanishing instantly.
Makoto found himself in a sterile, white stone corridor. It was a simple, short maze, and he could hear the faint, echoing moan of the "enemies."
[BATTLE START!]
He encountered his first enemy: a Plus Soul simulation, glowing faintly. He activated Observe on it, just to be sure.
Observe: Empty Soul (Simulated)
HP: 20
Reiatsu: 5
Threat: Negligible. Use it as practice.
He moved with the textbook efficiency drilled into him at the Academy.
Though his stats were low, his technique was solid. He used a controlled Flash Step to close the distance, drawing his Zanjikyō in a smooth, practiced arc.
Slice.
The Empty Soul dissipated like smoke.
[+5 EXP!]
[1 Copper Coin acquired!]
Makoto cleared the first corridor with brutal efficiency. His initial low-level enemies didn't stand a chance against a trained Shinigami, no matter how weak his baseline was.
He fought, learned, and adapted.
He spent the next two hours in a focused, grinding frenzy.
The moment his Reiatsu dipped too low, he used a Healing Potion or activated the Beginner's Reiatsu Scroll, which instantly provided a massive boost to his maximum capacity for one hour. The scroll was a priceless training aid.
[DING! Level Up! Level 2!]
[DING! Level Up! Level 3!]
[Level 4!]
[All Stats +1!]
[Skill: Spiritual Perception has increased to Level 6!]
He took a breather, leaning against a glowing wall, sweat plastering his shihakusho to his back.
===Status===
Level 4
HP (Health) 100 / 100
Reiatsu 380 / 380
EXP 35 / 300 (Toward Level 5)
Pow 13
End 15
Dex 21
AGI 18
MAG 8
INT 23
============
His core stats had risen noticeably, especially his INT and Dexterity. He felt the difference; his movements were faster, his blade felt lighter, and his Reiatsu felt thicker, more durable.
The clock in the Human World was still ticking, but Makoto was finally fighting back against the curse placed on him.