NOVEL WEB Chapter 13: Item Crafting Unlocked
*Ding!*
[For reaching Lvl 6, you have unlocked the second system feature of the Idle Evolution System, following the Inventory Space feature.]
[Unlocked 'Item Crafting']
—[Like the caveman in your blood dictates, try smacking things together to craft something superior! Return to Monkee!]
"..."
Cassius stared at the system notification, his expression unreadable. He had grown somewhat accustomed to the system's bizarre tone, yet it still managed to catch him off guard.
"Caveman… Really?" he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Still, despite the system's obnoxious phrasing, the feature itself intrigued him. Item crafting wasn't something he expected to unlock this early, and the possibilities it presented could prove invaluable.
Without wasting time, he decided to test it out. Following the system's instructions, he placed a Deadly Panther Nail against the staff he had been safeguarding.
BAM!
The two items collided, and a bright, pearlescent light erupted from the point of impact, enveloping both objects. For a moment, Cassius had to shield his eyes from the blinding glow.
When it finally faded, he found himself holding a completely new weapon.
It was a sleek, black spear, its jagged tip gleaming with an otherworldly sharpness. A faint red aura pulsed along its edges, hinting at its lethality.
[Deadly Spear (Melee)] - [E-Rank]
| — [Attack: ~11] — |
{[Effect 1: 'Bleed' - (Depletes 1% Health every second for up to ten seconds. Can be stacked.)]}
Cassius raised an eyebrow, impressed. "This is better than I expected."
The spear's Bleed effect was particularly noteworthy. Against monsters with high HP, it could become a game-changer. Testing its weight in his hands, Cassius felt a newfound confidence surge through him.
"Let's see how well you perform," he murmured before venturing deeper into the Savage Forest.
The Savage Forest – Ten Minutes Later
Cassius moved with purpose, the Deadly Spear leaving trails of crimson in its wake. F-Rank monsters fell like wheat before a scythe, their blood staining the forest floor. Even the E-Rank monsters—Deadly Panthers and Berserker Apes—offered little resistance against his newfound weapon and sharpened reflexes.
Each kill brought a fresh surge of power, and his system interface reflected his progress:
________________________________
[Name: Idle Evolution System]
[Host: Cassius] - [Lvl 7]
[Title: Gym Bro (E)]
______________________________
[HP: 428/450] [MP: 400]
[FATIGUE: 25]. [AP: 14]
______________________________
[STRENGTH: 29] (Can lift 500lbs with minimal effort)
[AGILITY: 42] (A little quicker than your average car)
[ENDURANCE: 27] (A single woman can be completely satisfied with this)
[INTELLIGENCE: 26] (Not bad. You could enter the Top 20 of most High Schools in the Country)
[PERCEPTION: 29] (Can you see dead people?)
[CHARISMA: 22] (Exceptionally handsome)
_______________________________
Cassius paused briefly, leaning on the spear as he caught his breath. The system interface hovered before him, and he couldn't help but marvel at the progress he had made.
"I'm stronger than I've ever been," he muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips. But the smile quickly faded as the faint sound of screeches echoed in the distance.
His grip on the spear tightened. "No time to rest. Only to Grind."
—-------------
The Outside World – The First Wave
Back at the hospital, chaos erupted as the Gate began to stir. Its crackling edges flared brighter, and faint silhouettes appeared within its depths. The onlookers' faces turned pale as the first monsters emerged—willowy shadows that quickly solidified into screeching, bloodthirsty forms.
"Monsters!! The first wave is here!! Call the Hunters!!"
A panicked cry cut through the air, followed by the hurried arrival of a group of armored men and women. Their weapons glinted under the unnatural glow of the Gate, but their expressions betrayed their inexperience.
Among them was Corra, a valiant young woman with long auburn-colored hair and a commanding presence. As a rising star in the C-Rank Black Sparrow Guild and a D-Rank Hunter herself, she had been tasked with leading this team of rookies.
"Everyone still evacuating needs to move faster!" Corra shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "Get the critical patients out of here now!"
Despite her authoritative tone, a flicker of unease crossed her face as she glanced at the Gate. This was her first encounter with a Sudden Gate, and the stories she had heard did little to prepare her for the real thing.
'Stay calm,' she told herself, tightening her grip on her silver longsword.
But her composure wavered as the Gate buzzed violently, and a swarm of Savage Monkeys burst forth, their shrieks laced with a palpable Fear Effect.
"Esceetch!!!"
The piercing sound sent shockwaves through the area. Civilians collapsed in terror, while even some of the Hunters stumbled, their faces pale. Corra gritted her teeth, shaking off the effect as best she could.
"Stand your ground!" she commanded, raising her sword high. "We can't let a single one through!"
The Hunters rallied, their nervous cries mingling with the screeches of the monsters. Then, with a unified shout, they charged forward, clashing with the wave of beasts in a chaotic frenzy.
— Hoshito General Hospital – Top Floor —
Aya sat curled in the corner of Room 406, her knees pulled to her chest. Her body trembled as the sounds of battle reached her ears—screeches, shouts, the clash of steel against claw.
"What do I do…?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She had come here to find Cassius, to help him, but now she was paralyzed with fear.
"I-I'm not ready for this," Aya stammered, burying her face in her hands. "I thought I could do it, but… I'm scared… Cassius…"
Tears streamed down her face as the reality of the situation sank in. She wasn't a Hunter yet. She wasn't prepared for the horrors of a Gate.
But then, amidst the chaos, a memory surfaced—a fleeting image of Cassius standing tall, his quiet determination unwavering.
"We're family," he had said. "And family helps each other."
Aya's trembling slowed as the words replayed in her mind. She took a shaky breath, wiping her tears.
"No," she whispered. Her voice grew steadier. "No, I can't give up."
Her fear didn't vanish, but she forced herself to her feet, her fists clenched tightly. "Cassius is out there somewhere… and I'm not leaving without him."