The Dreamer's POV

[8:30 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

"Now then..."

[Item Information]

Name: Item Merger (Low Quality)

Special Effect: Fuses up to three Items (Common and Rare Grades only)

Combat Ability: <NIL>

Durability: One-time Use

[End Of Information]

{Will You Purchase This Item for 100 Currency?}

"Yes." I smiled softly, staring at the glowing panel of the System in front of me.

The transaction succeeded, leaving only 1,150 Currency left at my disposal. I would have been more careful with my spending, considering how close it was to the time when I would be venturing into the Tower Of Trials.

However, there were a few things I needed, and that meant the use of Currency.

One could even argue that it was an investment to use Currency as much as possible in order to prepare for the dangers ahead, but I couldn't go as far as splurging my last lifeline in the Tower Of Trials.

"I can only use it for important things... like this."

Right in front of me were my Enchanted Wears (Shirt, Trousers, and Sneakers). They were in very bad shape, and while they still rendered their effects without a problem, it was only a matter of time before they fell apart.

Before that happened, it was smart to merge their qualities and generate a new item whose durability could make me keep their buffing effects.

"Merge all three." At my command, the Item Merger began its work, and right before my eyes, a new item was born.

A bright light shimmered, causing me to shut my vision for a few seconds. I could hear fabric being woven into each other, and a pulsating vibration that echoed into my eardrums.

Anticipation caused my heart to race, and I awaited the final result.

"Haa..."

The light dimmed, and the Item Merge was successful. I sharply opened my eyes, expecting to see my new and improved Item.

The result of a powerful evolution!

... It was a speedo.

"What the fuck?"

[Item Information]

Name: Enchanted Speedo (Upgradable)

Special Effect: When worn as an underwear, this brief grants you its basic functions, but if worn externally (either on the face, or on the crotch, as superheroes do, effects will be doubled for five minutes). It has an auto-clean function.

Combat Ability: +15

Durability: Sturdy

[End Of Information]

"N-no... no way. Please don't make me have to do this."

Had I not suffered enough? Had I not endured countless humiliations and degradations? Yet... yet what was this?

What was with the Special Effects of this thing??!

"In the first place, why a speedo? I never asked for underwear! Fuck, why did this have to happen?"

I had kept my composure for so long, but this had to be the last straw. Why would the System want me to wear my underwear on my face, or on top of my outfit?

'Well, to be fair, as long as it grants me more power, there's no problem, but... BUT...!!!'

Was this really how far I needed to go in order to achieve strength? Was this the price I had to pay?!

'Anything for survival, Mikey. Anything for survival!'

I couldn't forget my goal, now could I?

'To be strong enough not to die... and also strong enough to live my life.' That was the deal. If this would make it a reality, then who was I to say no?

"Let's look into the other rewards."

<Would You Like To Open Your Treasure Chest (Epic)>

"Yes."

The System instantly responded by revealing the content within.

[Treasure Chest Content (Epic)]

~Invisibility Cloak~

[Item Information]

Name: Invisibility Cloak

Special Effect: Allows the user to turn invisible as long as they use their Energy Levels (Cost: 1 Energy Level every 10 Seconds)

Combat Ability: +5

Durability: Sturdy

[End Of Information]

"Oh? it's actually pretty good."

The Energy Level consumption was pretty exorbitant, but considering how high-end the Item was, I didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing.

'The kind of people that use these kinds of items are those with high Stat Points and Levels, to begin with.'

I was the one who was being stingy with spending my Stat Points, after all.

"It also grants me extra Combat Ability. That's good."

A smile was still etched on my face as I considered the last thing I had to explore. My newest Non-Exclusive Skill!

"Elaborate on Skills."

[Skills]

(Exclusive)

<Dream>: Allows the user to experience future events in the form of a dream. These future events are basically the user's experience. Trauma could be experienced as a result of this Skill. {Note: User may not take his own life or intentionally try to use this Skill. It will not activate.}

<Nightmare>: Allows the user to interact with the present/immediate future. Actions taken synchronize with reality, solidifying their effects. {Note: Using this reduces Life Force, so frequent utilization of this Skill is not advised}

<Visualize>: Allows the user to see up to five seconds into the future. {Note: Consumes 1 Energy per second of use. 1 Second cool-down limit per each future second seen.

(Non-Exclusive)

<Sprint>: Doubles User's usual speed for one minute. {Note: 1 Energy per use. 10 Seconds cooldown)

<Focus>: Heightens User's senses for one minute. {Note: 1 Energy per use. 10 Seconds cooldown)

<Fallen Foe>: Revives a previously living being that the user has killed, making them their minion indefinitely. {Note: Energy consumption will depend on how powerful the minion is. Current limit: 1 minion}

[END OF INFORMATION]

"N-no way!" My eyes widened in shock as I took in the meaning behind my newly gotten Skill.

Out of all my Non-Exclusive Skills, this was by far the most powerful!

"Does this mean... I can actually raise the dead?" I could feel my heart racing as I imagined all the possible applications.

'According to the nature of the Skill, the person had to be living, so I guess undead like those apparitions do not count. I also have to kill the person myself. I see...'

The important thing was the Energy consumption. It seemed like something that would be important, so I had to consider improving my Energy Level eventually.

'The Boss has vanished already, so I can't use it on him. I guess I'll have to try it out on another opponent when I see them.'

It was a shame that I could only have one minion at a time, but I had a feeling it would improve as time went on. It just seemed like the kind of Skill that would allow me to have more minions in the future.

'Plus, it said my <Current Limit> was one minion.'

That was all the confirmation I needed.

***********

[9:35 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

I ascended to the roof of the hotel, my footsteps echoing through the desolate hallways.

As I pushed open the heavy door, a rush of wind greeted me, carrying with it the scent of smoke and decay. The night sky stretched out before me, an abyss of darkness that mirrored the state of the world below.

Stepping cautiously to the edge of the roof, I peered into the dystopian panorama that lay before me.

Buildings stood in ruins, their skeletal frames reaching out like gnarled fingers. Fires flickered in the distance, casting an eerie glow upon the desecrated landscape. The air was thick with an aura of chaos, a palpable sense of despair.

But amid the turmoil, a cool breeze brushed against my face, ruffling my hair and whispering promises of respite.

The sensation brought a momentary clarity to my mind, dispelling the fog of regret and sorrow that lingered within me. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still beauty and solace to be found.

My heart raced within my chest, a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. The unknown stretched out before me, an uncertain path fraught with danger and challenges.

Yet, deep within, there burned a fierce determination to survive, to carve a path through this nightmarish existence.

As I stood there, gazing out into the abyss, I made a solemn vow to myself. No matter what horrors awaited me, no matter how daunting the trials, I would persevere.

I would adapt, evolve, and find a way to overcome the odds stacked against me.

The world had been consumed by chaos, but in that moment, I found solace in my own resilience. And as I prepared to face the uncertain future, I embraced the conflicting emotions within me — the lingering regret and sorrow mingling with the undeniable thrill of the unknown.

With a steely determination, I took a step back from the edge, my gaze fixed upon the horizon. The night was unforgiving, but I refused to let it claim me.

As I turned away from the edge of the roof, I carried with me the weight of the world's despair, but also the flickering ember of hope that burned within my soul.

... I was going to see the end.

***********

[Meanwhile...]

From a hidden vantage point atop a crumbling building, a young woman peered through a pair of binoculars, her gaze fixated on Mikey standing on the roof of the hotel.

A wide smile spread across her face, filled with a mix of admiration and amusement. She watched as he surveyed the dystopian world below, his presence radiating both regret and determination.

Beside her stood a younger lad, his eyes lingering on the scene unfolding before them. After a moment of silence from both of them, the boy finally spoke.

"That fight he had earlier was quite dramatic, wasn't it?"

The girl nodded, her gaze never leaving Mikey. "Indeed, it was. He's stronger than he appears."

The young man turned to her, a curious expression on his face. "Do you think it's time to make contact with him?"

She shook her head gently, her smile unwavering. "Not yet. There's still much to resolve, and there's work to be done before we can meet again."

With that, she turned away from the binoculars and started to make her way down from the rooftop.

The young man remained, however, his gaze fixed on Mikey as he openly smiled at the world around him. He couldn't help but wonder why what lay ahead for the young fighter, what challenges and triumphs awaited him.

"It looks like things are about to get more interesting..."

And as soon as he made that statement, he too vanished from sight.

*

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[End Of Arc 1: The Tutorial Arc]

<New Arc In Progress...>

{Arc 2: Tower Of Trials Arc will resume shortly.}

~Thanks for reading this far. The journey is just beginning!~

Cheers!

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