ch5

The rhythmic clang of Mu Jin's new pickaxe against the unforgiving stone echoed through the quarry, a monotonous soundtrack to his increasingly restless thoughts. Level 1. The system display, a persistent overlay on his reality, mocked him with its stark simplicity:

**Mu Jin**

**Level:** 1 **Exp:** 0/1000 (required for Level 2)

The meager progress felt insulting. He'd faced death, he'd protected his sister, and this was his reward? A slow, agonizing climb up the ladder of power, one thousand experience points at a time? The frustration gnawed at him, a persistent undercurrent to the physical exertion of his labor. But a deeper, more unsettling question plagued him. The system interface clearly indicated dungeons extending far beyond his current capabilities, levels 500 and beyond marked with a cryptic "???".

"There's only ever been one person who reached level 100 in recorded history," he muttered, the words lost in the echoing silence of the quarry. He'd overheard the miners discussing it, hushed whispers of a legendary Ranker, a figure of myth and legend. "So why does the system show levels 500 and beyond? What's out there? What secrets are hidden beyond the known limits?"

The answer, it seemed, wouldn't be found in the mundane task of breaking rocks. He needed a more direct path to power. He returned to the familiar embrace of the forest, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves a welcome change from the dust and grit of the quarry. The system notification appeared, stark and demanding against the verdant backdrop:

**System Task Available:**

* **Swing Wooden Sword 80000 Times (0/80000):** Reward: Vertical Strike Skill (E-level, upgradeable), 500 EXP, and Sword Art Skill (E-level, upgradeable).

The task was deceptively simple, yet brutally demanding. Three months bled into one another, a relentless cycle of sweat, strain, and unwavering dedication. The forest became his sanctuary, his training ground, a testament to his unwavering resolve. He swung the wooden sword, again and again, until his arms ached, his hands blistered, and his body screamed in protest. The monotony was broken only by the occasional skirmishes with E-class beasts, their attacks a welcome distraction from the mind-numbing repetition. He fought them not with skill, but with sheer, brutal strength, his body a weapon honed by relentless training. Every 1000 swings, the wooden sword felt heavier, the resistance increasing exponentially, a physical manifestation of his growing strength. He wasn't just swinging a sword; he was forging himself into a weapon. He was learning, not just the mechanics of the sword, but the art of the sword, the dance of death, the poetry of motion.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the final swing landed. The system notification blazed across his vision, a triumphant declaration of his perseverance:

**Host Task Complete!**

**Level Up!**

**Level:** 3 **Class:** E → D

**Skills Acquired:** Vertical Strike (E-level, upgradeable), Sword Art (E-level, upgradeable), Wooden Sword: Mountain Cleaver (E-level, upgradeable)

His stats had undergone a dramatic transformation, a testament to his grueling training:

**Mu Jin**

**Level:** 5 (Class D, Upgradeable)

* **Strength:** 400 *(A significant leap from his initial 30. He felt the raw power thrumming beneath his skin.)*

* **Agility:** 100 *(His movements were now fluid, precise, and deadly.)*

* **Defense:** 150 *(A substantial improvement, making him far more resilient to attacks.)*

* **MP:** 50 *(A small amount of mana, hinting at the potential for magical abilities.)*

* **HP:** 1200 *(His health pool had increased dramatically, giving him greater endurance.)*

He felt a surge of power, a newfound confidence coursing through his veins. He had overcome a seemingly impossible challenge, and in doing so, he had unlocked a new level of strength and ability. The path ahead remained uncertain, fraught with peril and unknown challenges, but he was ready. He had a system, skills, and an unyielding determination. He would protect his sister, and he would unravel the mysteries of this world, one level at a time. The forest, once a place of grueling training, now felt like a testament to his resilience, a symbol of his burgeoning power.

To be continued…

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