CHAPTER 253: LEVEL UP

Zane’s breaths came sharp, uneven. His knees shook under him, but then—

The system screen bloomed to life again, crisp and merciless.

[Congratulations, Host.]

You have leveled up!

Name: Zane Caelum

Level: 2 (10/100 Exp)

Strength: 15

Intelligence: 11

Speed/Agility: 13

Defense: 8

Mental Fortitude: 5

Rank: Null

Abilities: [Shadow Punch]

Info: Empowers user’s punch with the ability to affect victims’ shadows (25% chance).

Quests: Completed – [Feed Your Shadow]

Reward: +3 to all attributes, +B+ Skill.

Shadow Essence: 6

(2 per individual. Can be consumed to upgrade attributes or abilities.)

Zane blinked at it, the horror momentarily shoved aside. "...Okay, calm down. I did the right thing. They would’ve killed me—or worse. And probably hurt others too."

He nodded to himself, straightening a little. "No need to feel guilty about it."

Then his lips curled into a grin as his eyes darted back to the glowing screen. "But... what a haul! I actually leveled up to two. Although..." He squinted. "Looks like the conditions jumped. Ten out of a hundred exp now, huh?"

Zane’s grin widened. "Still, I also earned a skill—’Shadow Punch.’ So... what? If I throw four punches, one of them actually lands on a guy’s shadow instead of his body? That’s wicked."

He chuckled under his breath. His body felt different, lighter, like a weight had been shaved off. Even the ache in his chest from fear was fading.

"Guess this system wasn’t joking around," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. His mood had lifted completely.

Then he glanced back toward the street, shadows of lantern light flickering.

"Right. Where was I? Ah, yes—the academy."

Zane stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out of the alley the same way he’d come, his shadow trailing behind him as if nothing had ever happened.