DarkSync: Shadow Protocol

Chapter 5: System Points and First Grind

> Was I… overconfident about my power?

I sat there in the hallway, staring at the dull shine of the registration room's ceiling lights. That E Rank kept ringing in my head like a slap I couldn't dodge. But no—at that time, when I fought those assassins, I was stronger. Sharper. Like something had taken over.

> C Rank… maybe even higher.

I was sure of it.

But the power I felt then... it's not here now. It's asleep again.

Before I could spiral further, one of the examiners walked up and handed me a thin, black card.

> [HUNTER IDENTIFICATION CARD]

Name: Luo Shen

Age: 17

Date of Birth: June 1, 2044

Rank: E

Simple. Too simple.

No mention of the danger I posed, or the mystery behind that dim glow.

I slipped the card into my pocket and left without another word.

---

The walk home felt longer than before. Maybe because I was tired

---

I reached my place just as the sun dipped low, casting the city in long, broken shadows. My door creaked open, and the quiet inside greeted me like an old friend.

I threw off my jacket and sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing my face.

> "System. Show Interface."

---

[DARKSYNC INTERFACE — STATUS PANEL]

Name: Luo Shen

Level: 3

Race: Human (Mutated)

Status: Seal 1 Unlocked

DarkSync Rate: 3.2%

Points: 0

---

> "...Points?"

I blinked. That wasn't there before.

> "System. What the hell are Points?"

> [SYSTEM RESPONSE]

Points are a form of currency used within the System Mall.

Earn Points by completing tasks, missions, and special events.

Points can be used to purchase items, upgrades, and enhancements.

> "...Wait. There's a Shop?"

I sat up straighter.

> "Open System Mall."

> [SYSTEM ALERT]

You do not have access to the System Mall.

Required: Points Required.

Current Points: 0

> "...Seriously? Just to unlock it?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Fine. Whatever. How do I get more Points?"

> [SYSTEM TASKS AVAILABLE]

Would you like to receive your Daily Task?

[Yes/No]

> "Yes."

> [DAILY TASK — ASSIGNED]

• 100 Pushups

• 1 Hour Running

• 50 Pull-ups

Time Limit: 24 Hours

Reward: 10 Points

I stared at the list, then at my bed.

> "Well, shit."

---

The air in the room grew thick as I got started.

Pushups first.

At 30, my arms burned.

At 60, my breath started hitching.

At 85, I collapsed face-first into the floor, gasping.

> "Five minutes. Just five minutes…"

I sat with my back against the wall, sweat soaking through my shirt. My heart pounded, but deep down—there was something satisfying about it. A real grind. A real effort.

Not an assassination. Not a system prompt. Just me.

After the break, I finished the pushups, then went outside and ran in circles around the block for nearly an hour. My legs felt like jelly by the end.

Pull-ups came last.

I found a rusted bar by the side of the building. Not ideal—but it held my weight.

The last ten were agony. But I did it.

> [SYSTEM DETECTED: TASK COMPLETE]

Reward: +10 Points

Current Points: 10

I smiled faintly, wiping sweat from my forehead.

> "Now we're talking."

> "System. Unlock System Mall."

> [SYSTEM MALL UNLOCKED]

10 Points have been deducted.

Current Points: 0

...

> "Are you kidding me?"

I nearly punched the wall.

> "I just got those! You made me break my damn spine to earn them, and you took all of them just to unlock ?"

The System, of course, gave no reply.

I sighed and leaned back against the wall, staring up at the cracked ceiling.

> "Fine. You want grind? You'll get it."

> "Let's see what this Mall really has to offer."

I opened the Mall tab with a flick of thought.

The interface shifted—smooth black panels lined with pulsing red accents unfolded like a digital shopfront in front of my eyes.

> [SYSTEM MALL — ACTIVE]

Categories:

▸ Potions

▸ Skills

▸ Combat Gear

▸ Artifacts

▸ Mystery Crates

▸ ??? (Locked)

One category caught my eye instantly: Potions.

I tapped it.

A list expanded.

---

> ▸ [Body Enhancement Potion] – 120 Points

Permanently increases Strength, Endurance, and Vitality by a small amount.

▸ [Energy Restoration Capsule] – 40 Points

Replenishes stamina instantly.

▸ [Minor Healing Serum] – 30 Points

Heals small wounds rapidly.

▸ [Night Sight Extract] – 70 Points

Temporarily enhances vision in darkness.

▸ [Muscle Stabilizer Injection] – 95 Points

Boosts physical recovery after intense strain.

---

> "These prices... are ridiculous."

Just as I was about to close the panel in frustration, another alert pinged.

> [SYSTEM GIFT UNLOCKED]

Congratulations on unlocking the System Mall.

You have received:

[1x Body Enhancement Potion]

> "...Wait. For real?"

I tapped the inventory panel. Sure enough, a glowing vial hovered inside—filled with dark-blue liquid swirling like mist in a bottle.

> [Body Enhancement Potion] — Use?

Permanently increases Strength +2, Endurance +2, Vitality +2.

> "Use it."

The vial vanished with a flash of light. My body tensed.

A pulse surged through my chest—heat spread through my limbs like molten lightning. Not painful, but raw. Alive.

My muscles tightened, bones felt heavier, denser. I gasped slightly as the aftershock faded.

> [STATS UPDATED]

Strength: 23

Endurance: 21

Vitality: 24

I stood there, breathing slow, the ache from earlier already dulling.

I stretched, rolling my shoulders after the potion settled in.

I didn't notice it at first, but something felt… off.

Not wrong—just different.

My limbs were longer, more balanced. My reflection in the window caught me off guard. The shadows couldn't hide it: my jawline looked sharper. Eyes clearer. Even my posture straighter.

I didn't say anything, but the changes were real.

> Guess "enhancement" wasn't just physical strength.

---

I sat down, opened up my old beat-up tablet, and logged into the official HunterNet—the digital board where Hunters posted jobs, raid calls, and dungeon news.

Most of it was locked behind higher-level access. Guild announcements, high-risk dungeon alerts, classified ruins exploration—all out of my rank.

But one listing caught my eye.

> [D-Class Dungeon – Support Position Needed]

Location: Sector 9 Ruins

Role: Supply Carrier / Backup

Time: Today, 7:00 PM

Reward: 120 credits

Notes: Must have a valid Hunter ID.

> "Perfect."

I tapped to register, scanning my Hunter Identification Card through the tablet.

> [REGISTRATION COMPLETE]

It was basic work—just carrying gear, maybe running support. But I didn't care.

I needed to see a dungeon with my own eyes. Study it. Learn. And maybe...

> Test myself again.

---

I rested until late afternoon, letting my body recharge after the grind and the potion's effects. At around six, I pulled on my jacket, grabbed a small backpack, and headed out.

The city was a blur of neon and concrete as I made my way across Sector 9. Cracked signs buzzed in the dusk light. The wind smelled like rust and fading mana.

One hour later, I reached the marked location.

A broken parking lot, barely lit by flickering lights, sat at the edge of the ruins. A few armored figures stood in a loose circle around a metal crate, checking gear and scanning weapons.

> "This is it."

Time for my first real step into the Hunter world.