Chapter 32 An Item Box.
Kai bought it, choosing not to hesitate any longer as the sun was already going down.
[Item Box Level 1 : This item box is a space within the host's mind, allowing a very small cubical area to become a storage space where the host can place his tools.]
Kai smiled as he stored both the sword and katana into the item box.
He then returned to his room and saw nearly everyone talking, except one person who looked at everyone with a hint of utter disdain.
It was Elena.
Kai got onto his bed and lamented the fact that from level 11, he had dropped to level 8.
The item box was a heavy cost skill, but clearly worth it. He would even be able to hide beast cores in it, so it was fully worth it.
It did not even use mana to summon or send things from his mind space.
Kai closed his eyes as he activated a sub skill of God Eyes.
[Sharp Sight.]
Though his eyes were closed, he could see even better around him, even into the next rooms. Above him, he saw an unknown kid tinkering with some kind of tech as he placed a monster core into it.
Kai was amused by this person's actions, but soon deactivated Sharp Sight as he heard Luca speaking.
"Sleepy head, get up. It is dinner time."
All of them got up and went to the cafeteria again. Nearly all of them had to check their IDs to see the map once more, while only Kai and Elena did not, as they had sharp memory.
Kai looked at his status.
[Host Status]
[Name: Kai or Yuan]
[Strength: 12]
[Intelligence: 10]
[Speed: 11]
[Charm: Locked]
[Soul Strength: 596]
[Perception: 10]
[Agility: 10]
[Defense: 12]
[Mental Fortitude: 12]
[Endurance: 10]
[Mana: 5000 out of 5000]
[Body Status: 100 percent]
[Attribute Points: 3]
[Level 8]
[Exp 750 out of 800]
Kai was very happy, as he had raised all of his stats to at least 10. Though he still did not put much into power, his soul strength was something that, every time he looked at his status panel, felt terrifying.
Kai and the rest of the small group arrived at the cafeteria and sat down together, but Elena stayed completely disconnected, eating alone.
Since everyone had their own credits, each one bought food for themselves.
Kai looked at his credits.
He quickly realized that he was rich, as the simple meal he had bought, a burger, drink, and fries, was a measly 20 credits.
Kai smiled as he ate, realizing he was actually quite wealthy, but his guard stayed high. The two sub skills of God Eyes were activated even as his eyes remained closed.
He noticed many people eyeing him and Elena for their credits, but he was not the only target. His entire group was one.
Kai's mind raced as he thought of a way to get himself out of the situation, but before he could act, one of them stood up and began walking toward him.
They believed he was the weakest due to his smaller build.
The unknown person spoke, "Oi, what is your name, kid?"
Kai decided not to answer, as one of the academy rules was that no fighting should be allowed unless a match had happened.
However, Kai was clearly arrogant, and he barely understood the academy.
This would make him finally learn his limit and face reality.
The person simply whispered, "I am Yuan. Remember that name."
____
After the food, Kai was called through his ID.
The location was somewhere away from all of the main classes and living areas. It was yet another dome, and today everyone would learn what it was for.
Every new first year got the same message and gathered there.
They saw a large platform lower in the ground with a clearly muscular person standing shirtless.
Kai entered and looked forward. He clearly remembered who he was looking at.
It was Yuan.
Kai said, "You could not even wait till the next day? Pathetic."
His words dripped with arrogance and pride.
Kai stepped onto the stage and stared at Yuan.
Yuan said, "You are too arrogant. I will change that today."
Kai simply chuckled.
Yuan decided not to hold back and show this foolish kid what power was.
Kai activated God Eyes. His eye color changed as he looked at Yuan.
But above Yuan, there was nothing.
The only time Kai had seen something like this was the first time he used God Eyes. He still did not know what it meant.
Before Kai could react,
Yuan disappeared.
He reappeared behind Kai.
Kai tried to dodge, but it was too late.
A punch slammed into his side, sending him flying into the wall.
[Body Status: 100 to 80]
Kai got up, struggling to breathe. The air around him felt like it was heating up rapidly.
He tried to inspect Yuan.
[Target too strong. Information unavailable.]
[Please be in physical contact with the target.]
Kai looked at Yuan, a flicker of panic in his eyes.
But then he thought something reckless.
This would not be the first time I fight something stronger than me.
Kai launched himself forward at nearly 100 kilometers per hour.
Yuan bent down, grabbed his leg, and slammed him into the ground.
Pain exploded through Kai's body. His breath vanished. His vision blurred.
And that was only the beginning.
Yuan's fists rained down like death, each hit pushing Kai closer to unconsciousness.
But Kai refused to go down without a fight.
[Mana Control Level Max] (100 per minute)
[Mana Steel Body Level 2] (500 mana)
His body began to endure the blows.
[Stats increased plus 7 across all attributes]
[Quest Defeat Yuan]
[Reward 3 times instant level up]
Kai realized something important.
The system only gave impossible fights for instant level ups.
That meant he had to go all out.
With enhanced speed, Kai finally escaped the barrage and created distance.
He exhaled in relief.
Then
He summoned his weapon.
A katana shaped like a bloody crescent moon appeared in his hand.
[Supreme Regeneration Max] (200 mana per 30 minutes)
[Mana Katana Arts Level 2] (500 mana)
Mana drained rapidly, but Kai did not hesitate.
He lunged forward.
A clean slash of invisible mana shot toward Yuan.
Yuan blocked, but still bled.
Surprise flashed across his face.
Kai pressed forward, streaks of mana flying through the air, forcing Yuan to dodge repeatedly.
Then Yuan charged straight at him.
Kai made a decision.
He pushed a sliver of mana into the katana.
Its edge deepened in color, like dripping blood.
But Kai did not stop as he flooded the katana with his mana, making the edge glow as if it was truly dripping with blood.
He slashed.
A vertical crescent of red energy tore forward.
Yuan raised his gauntlets to block.
But the attack passed through.
It struck his soul directly.
Yuan collapsed, screaming in pure agony.
People around the stage flinched. Though no blood was visible, the screams of agony Yuan let out were enough to make anyone feel fear.
But Yuan was not the only one hurt, as Kai spat blood, glancing at his status again in shock.
[Mana: 1200 out of 5000]
That single attack had consumed nearly half his mana.
Still
Kai did not stop.
He activated it again.
[Plundering Slash]
This time weaker
But Yuan was still down, screaming in pain, barely awake through the intense agony.
His vocal cords were now strained and damaged, making his voice sound almost demonic.
The crowd held its breath, watching as two more crescent moon attacks flew toward Yuan at high speed.
Would he survive?
Or
Would he fall to just three attacks?