Project Nexus: Beyond Reality
Episode 5– Understanding Strength
A Peaceful Walk Turns Chaotic
The forest was peaceful. Sunlight streamed through the treetops, casting long shadows on the path ahead. Leaves crunched underfoot as Renji and his party made their way deeper into the wilderness.
As they walked, Leon and Kai started bickering.
"Why the hell did you put all your points into Strength, Kai?" Leon asked, crossing his arms.
Kai smirked, flexing his muscles as he held his greatsword. "Because damage is everything. The faster we kill, the faster we win."
Leon scoffed. "Yeah, but what happens when you get hit? You have no Endurance! You'll drop dead in two seconds."
"Tch, and why do you even need Endurance?" Kai shot back. "Planning to just stand there and take hits like a training dummy?"
They continued arguing like children, exchanging heated remarks.
Meanwhile, Airi and Eve were completely ignoring them.
Airi giggled. "They're at it again."
Eve smirked. "Boys and their stats. It's hilarious."
They started telling jokes and teasing each other, enjoying the game for what it was—a fun adventure.
Renji walked beside them, watching his new team with a small smile.
He had only met them today, but somehow… it already felt right.
A real team. A real party.
But that peaceful moment wouldn't last.
Ambush – The Hyena Horde
Rustling.
The party stopped.
A low growl echoed through the trees.
Yellow eyes gleamed from the darkness.
Then—a pack of hyenas burst from the bushes, their snarling maws open wide, sharp teeth glistening.
Renji barely had time to react before one lunged at him, its jaws snapping shut around his waist.
"Gah—!"
He staggered back, but luckily, his leather waistguard absorbed most of the impact.
Leon swiftly stepped in, his rapier flashing in the sunlight.
Slash!
The hyena's body stiffened before collapsing to the ground, defeated.
Kai cracked his knuckles. "Finally, something to hit."
The battle began.
A Tough Fight
Renji swung his sword at a charging hyena, but the beast was fast, dodging to the side before snapping at him.
Leon weaved through the battlefield, striking with deadly precision.
Airi took a deep breath, then released a flurry of arrows, each shot perfectly aimed.
Eve moved like a shadow, darting between enemies, her daggers tearing through their weak spots.
Kai, however, was struggling.
His brute force was enough to crush enemies, but the hyenas were too fast.
Before he could swing his greatsword, they would dodge and counterattack, biting at his arms and legs.
"Damn it—!" Kai shouted as a hyena's fangs sank into his shoulder. His health bar dropped dangerously low.
"Hold on!" Airi shouted.
She quickly rained arrows down on the hyenas surrounding Kai, forcing them back.
Eve leapt in, her daggers flashing, and finished them off before rushing to Kai's side.
She pulled out a health potion and forced it into his hands.
"Drink this, idiot!" she snapped.
Kai gulped it down, his health restoring slightly, just as Renji and Leon finished off the last hyena.
The battle was over.
Everyone stood there, panting.
Then—
Golden light surrounded them.
[LEVEL UP!]
Understanding the System
Renji opened his stats screen, watching as the numbers changed.
He noticed something important.
Each of his base stats had increased naturally as he leveled up.
For example:
His Strength had gone from 1 at Level 1 to 4 at Level 4, even though he hadn't assigned all his points there.
That meant every level automatically improved his base stats.
However—he also had extra points that he could manually assign for a more customized build.
Renji's Stats (Level 4)
Unused Points: 3
Strength: 7
Agility: 9
Endurance: 4
Intelligence: 4
Precision: 4
He also checked his equipment stats:
Steel Longsword (+10 Attack Power)
And lastly, he noticed something new—
Mastery Level: 0
"What's this…?" Renji muttered.
He had no idea what Mastery Levels were, but it looked important.
For now, he decided to explain what he learned to his teammates.
He turned to them. "Guys, listen up. I figured out how leveling works."
They all gathered around as Renji broke it down for them.
He explained how:
Base stats increase naturally as you level up.
You get extra points to invest manually.
Equipment gives bonus stats.
There's a hidden 'Mastery Level' system.
Kai scratched his head. "So I just need to keep leveling up, and I'll be unstoppable?"
Leon smirked. "Unless you keep getting bitten."
Kai glared. "Shut up."
Airi laughed. "This game is deeper than we thought."
Eve grinned. "I like it."
Renji clenched his fists.
They were getting stronger.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Something bigger was waiting for them.
And soon, they'd have to face it.
To Be Continued…