The Dreamer's POV

[11:21 AM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

"I'm probably overreacting. Lisa is a pretty common name," I thought aloud.

Yeah, that had to be the case.

The Lisa I knew was already gone. Moreover, this new person was from a different Zone. So what if she had the same name, and the proximity seemed a bit suspicious?

"It's not impossible for two people with the same name to live close to each other," I reassured myself.

The odds were slim, but they were definitely higher than the chances of Lisa coming back to life after her death.

"Phew! That had me worried for a moment," I admitted, relieved.

It did strike me as odd that the first and second survivors on the list lived near me, but I decided not to dwell on it too much.

"I can't afford to think about that right now," I reminded myself.

Currently, there are more pressing matters to consider.

~DING!~

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<Interval Period Will Now Be Initiated>

{Survivors will have a 24-hour interval before the Tower Of Trials commences}

<Safe Zones Will Now Be Activated>

{Each survivor's location will be marked as a Safe Zone. No Demon can invade or harm those inside. More information will be provided after the Interval}

<Rest if you wish>

"Looks like we have a break," I said with a grin, noticing something shimmering on the ground in front of me.

"Could it be...?" The item resembled a small scroll, tied with a golden ribbon, radiating an air of importance.

I reached out for it, carefully examining the object as my fingers traced its smooth surface, wondering what it could be.

[Item Information]

Name: Tower Pass (Floor 1)

Special Effect: Allows User entrance to the First Floor of the Tower Of Trials. (Remains With User until Death.)

Combat Ability: NIL

Durability: Infinite

[End Of Information]

"I see. This seems pretty significant," I remarked.

I was glad to know that the Pass wouldn't disappear from a User's possession unless that User died. However, on further thought, it appeared that the System intended to ensure that everyone who survived had to participate in the Tower Of Trials.

"Well, dwelling on these specifics won't help right now," I concluded.

My primary concern lay in how much I had grown and the many things I had received from the System.

The newfound powers and abilities were exhilarating, but they also carried a weight of responsibility.

"Status Window."

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 10

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 1/1 (+1)

- Combat Ability: 2/2 (+2)

- Stat Points: 27

- Currency: 1,500

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>, <Survivor>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>, <Visualize>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>

- Items Equipped: <Rock>, <Enchanted Rock>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.

<PENDING: 4 Unopened Treasure Chests>

"Alright. Let's check out the Treasure Chests first." I grinned, tapping on the 'Pending' System Icon on my screen.

[Treasure Chest Contents (Rare)]

~Enchanted Shirt: <Combat Ability +3>~

~Enchanted Pants: <Combat Ability +3>~

~Enchanted Sneakers: <Combat Ability +3>~

{Set Item Effect: <Combat Ability +3>}

"Amazing! To think my Combat Ability skyrocketed just because of these three Items!"

This meant I was gaining a total of 12 Combat Ability points from them alone. The Stat Points alone were equivalent to four Level Ups.

'I'm sure the Durability must be limited, but this is still an incredible find.'

'Awesome! What about the Common Treasure Chest?'

[Treasure Chest Content (Common)]

~Defense Ring~

[Item Information]

Name: Defense Ring

Special Effect: Defends against attacks less than or equal to twice the amount of Combat Ability of the User.

Combat Ability: (DEF)

Durability: One-time Use

[End Of Information]

"Oh? Not too shabby," I remarked.

Honestly, I was expecting less, given that it was just a Common Grade Treasure Chest, but this was quite satisfactory.

'At least, for someone like me. It might not be as valuable if weak and inexperienced Users get hold of it. With the kind of stacked Combat Ability I have, only someone over Level 8 who has invested every Stat Point in Combat Ability could even hope to challenge me.'

'Of course, if they have an Item that counters this, it's a different story.'

Still, if I considered my adversaries to be Demons, then this was a pretty good deal.

"It's a shame that it's only a one-time use, but it's still good."

I decided to equip the items immediately.

When I tapped on each one, it offered the <Equip Now?> option, and I accepted.

~FSHIIIIIII~

In an instant, my old clothes dropped to the ground, replaced by a new outfit. A sleek black hoodie, matching black pants, and stylish black and dark red sneakers. It was perfect!

"Considering the fact that I didn't have to customize anything, and it gave me exactly what I wanted... is the System reading my mind?" I wondered, half-jokingly.

But jokes aside, I could definitely sense a rush of power like never before.

"So this is what it's like to have an additional 12 Combat Ability," I mused.

That brought my total to about 15, which was already extraordinary, considering the fact that I hadn't used a single Stat Point since I began leveling up.

"Now, let's check out the Skills I've acquired."

"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)

[END OF INFORMATION]

"This is insane!" I exclaimed.

Sure, the cost of acquiring these Skills was substantial, but with them, hunting Demons and staying alive would become significantly easier.

"Especially <Visualize>, it gives me the power to glimpse into the future without dying first. That's amazing!"

Of course, I had to be careful with it, considering the cool-down and cost, but it was undoubtedly worth it.

<Sprint> and <Focus> were equally valuable. All these Skills would be indispensable to me.

"I don't regret my choices, not one bit!"

Just the thought of missing out on these opportunities for the sake of spending a comfortable week in the hotel seemed like a major loss.

Now, it was time to consider my current wealth.

"I have 1,500 Currency now. As much as I'd like to save, I can't be too thrifty. With these new Skills at my disposal, there's something I need more than anything else..."

Energy Level!

"I should invest in an Item that boosts my Energy Level or enhances my recovery. Maybe both. That way, I won't run out of Energy in the middle of a fight."

It was probably also time to start thinking of how to properly invest my Stat Points.

"I'm really lacking in Energy, after all. My Life Force doesn't look much better.'

For the moment, I decided to browse the Shop for an Item that would address my Energy Level needs.

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading!

I'm sorry for the Info Dumps, but this is the part where we get to see how far the Mc has come, and his growth. I hope you enjoy the chapter and appreciate Mikey's growth as a survivor and a person.