Free Web NovelChapter 18: [Wish to upgrade? YES or NO]
The Horsemen never gave time to Leo, no proper time to rest after they arrived back in Argon City where their whole journey had begun. No time to say a proper goodbye to the new friends he had gathered along the way. They treated him like he was a fugitive in their grasp, completely forgetting that they had acted hospitable toward him only hours ago. But what would you expect from an outsider in a world that valued the strong over the weak?
The morning light spilled on Leo as he moved across the busy Argon streets that were lined with different kinds of shops on both sides of the road. His feet stepped forward, passing through the other pedestrians moving through the streets as well. But in the midst of it all, Leo’s thoughts were somewhere else completely.
The Horsemen had taken everything from him, starting with the uniform that had fit his body well and instead gave him a large red jacket and trousers with some clogs. A combination that looked like it was randomly picked from a lost and found.They could’ve even taken the bandages that coiled around his chest too if they hadn’t already stuck to his fresh like glue.
And now he was left with nothing to his name, not even a single cent to call his own.
’Have to find the three basic needs of a human: food, clothes, and shelter. But that’s easier said than done. How am I even going to get that kind of money?’
He wondered, not seeing any hope in the situation. Just like every university student does after graduation.
As he progressed further, the fact kept getting clearer that Leo looked completely out of place. Some of the pedestrians even pointed fingers at him because of how different he looked with his choice of clothes. A white-haired handsome boy with fairy-soft skin that reflected the morning sunlight, wearing clothes like he was poor, wasn’t exactly something that went together well.
They wanted to ask Leo questions, but none of them had gathered enough courage to ask a stranger such a personal question.
Out of nowhere, a familiar voice from a famous journalist back on Earth came from a speaker inside an electronic shop in front of him, breaking his trance.
"Citizens of Valoria, today we are going to witness the graduation of our new Breakers. They have gone through the scan and crushed through the awakening test. Let me say it’s one of the most anticipated events in a while. And today you’re going to be with me, Derek Armstrong. I’m pleased that you will be joining us on Fort News."
The journalist cheerfully muttered with the cunning voice he always had, the kind that could make a ceremony feel more special than it already was.
Leo’s eyes widened a little. He increased his pace for a few steps, eager to see what was transpiring.
Luckily, the shop had a number of TVs splattered across its transparent walls that were showing the event. Labels were plastered on the TV boards displaying how much each television cost, ranging from seventy dollars to a thousand dollars. A hefty price to pay for getting entertainment in the new world.
It was just as Leo remembered him. Derek still had his signature look even though he was in another world: a matching blue suit with a red bow tie on his neck, mixed with neatly combed shining hair that he himself had once said, in one of the Best Journalist of the Year magazines, took thirty minutes to prepare.
He stood at the back of the hall where the ceremony was going to take place, cameras splattered around every corner like it was a concert for a famous celebrity.
The Breakers really did their job in the presentation of the graduation event. Starting from the stage where the officials were supposedly going to hand out certifications of entry into the Breakers, to the hundreds of chairs aligned in a way that allowed the audience to fully experience what would take place on stage.
From the banners that had horse and eagle symbols vertically splattered on them to the words Thank You Ken For Your Sacrifice written either in bold or stylish fonts, everything was designed in a way to give hope to people while still instilling fear into the citizens’ hearts.
Leo felt his heart sink deep into the depths of discouragement, not sure if he could ever set it free from those shackles.
’It would’ve been me up there’
He pondered.
Derek continued speaking loudly, holding the microphone with the red Fort News label plastered around it near his mouth.
"Before we start anything, we just want to take a minute of silence for Ken, one of the kids who died during the awakening test after being attacked by the Knight of Flames. But before we continue, I just want to assure everyone that there is nothing to worry about. No beasts from the floors can surface up here. Don’t follow fake news, follow Fort News."
Leo kept looking at Derek through the transparent glass. Derek had his face lowered in sorrow as if he knew Ken or even cared.
But that’s what journalists are really for, right? Professionals used by the government to control how we feel about situations.
’Damage control, huh. We both know there is no guarantee that the Knight won’t come back, or that those beasts won’t reach the surface. But one thing I know for sure is that I need to be strong enough to counter whatever happens.’
The screen lit up before his eyes, its timing accurate.
[Reminder: Your skill points have exceeded the required points to upgrade to Level 2 of your abilities.]
[Name: Leo Hamany]
[Role: Attacker]
[Affinity: Darkness]
[Rank: SSS+ Rank User]
[Level 1 Skill: Materialization]
[Points: 2250/2000]
[Wish to upgrade? YES or NO] freewёbnoνel.com
’I totally forgot about that. My Level 1 skill, Materialization, is a very powerful skill, but one that mainly relies on the user’s knowledge of martial weapons. If I hadn’t played games and read web novels back on Earth, I would’ve surely been useless. But now I think I really have a good chance of getting something different. Alright then, let’s see what my Darkness Affinity has to offer.’
He moved his finger forward to accept the upgrade when another notification popped up on the screen, along with the Abell logo that had a tiny red-colored 1 on top. freewebnovёl.ƈom
[SURPRISE DEAL]
The words sat at the center of the notification.
Curious, Leo pressed it.
Immediately, new words appeared on the screen. Words that seemed out of this world, words that made his heart skip a beat.
[DO YOU WISH TO UPGRADE OR USE YOUR 2000 POINTS TO ENTER A GROWTH NEXUS?]
And just below it were words that confirmed every single ounce of doubt he carried in his mind at that moment.
**This chamber multiplies the user’s effort by 100, helping them get stronger faster.***
