Onwards
The afternoon breeze drifted gently through the streets of Mistvale.
Aster walked alone, blending naturally among the crowds of adventurers. The Veil of the Nameless concealed his identity, preventing curious players from recognizing him as the mysterious conqueror of the Hidden Dungeon.
He paused beside the village fountain.
"Status."
A translucent blue window unfolded before him.
---
Character Status
Name: Aster
Race: Human
Hidden Class: Codex Bearer
Adventurer Rank: C
Level: 11
Title: Hidden Trailblazer
---
Health
620 / 620
Mana
310 / 310
---
Attributes
Strength: 42
Agility: 44 (including equipment bonuses)
Vitality: 46
Intelligence: 26
Spirit: 24
---
Permanent Skills
Uncommon
* Iron Body Foundation
* Twin Flash Step
Rare
* Endless Growth
* Venom Edge
---
Primal Codex
Chapter I — First Truth
Recorded Skills: 4 / 20
---
Currency
Gold: 4
Silver: 20
---
Aster carefully examined every line.
"My strength is finally catching up to the higher-level monsters."
Yet something else occupied his thoughts.
Level Fifteen.
According to the Codex, every major advancement would not grant him a conventional class ability.
Instead...
As an Anomaly, each milestone would awaken an entirely unknown power.
He smiled.
"I wonder what I'll receive next."
The uncertainty excited him more than anything.
Closing the panel, he headed north once again.
Not toward Stonefang Ravine.
He had outgrown it.
Instead, he followed a newly unlocked mountain trail beyond the ravine until another region appeared before him.
---
Ashenwood Highlands
Recommended Level: 11–15
---
Unlike the rocky landscape of Stonefang Ravine, Ashenwood Highlands was covered by towering gray trees whose leaves had a faint silver tint.
The atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Only distant monster cries echoed between the cliffs.
Aster drew his sword.
"I'll continue hunting monsters one level above me."
His target...
Level 12 monsters.
The Challenge Bonus combined with Endless Growth remained his greatest advantage.
Soon...
A creature emerged from the undergrowth.
---
Ashfang Wolf
Level 12
---
Twin Flash Step.
Aster vanished.
His footwork had become even more refined since defeating the Arachnid Queen.
The wolf never had time to counterattack.
Two clean slashes.
Several follow-up strikes.
The monster dissolved into light.
---
Challenge Bonus Activated
+50% Experience
Endless Growth Activated
Experience Doubled
---
The experience bar jumped noticeably.
Aster grinned.
"So fast..."
Battle after battle followed.
Ashfang Wolves.
Horned Elk.
Rockhide Boars.
Forest Mantises.
He deliberately avoided fighting groups.
One opponent.
One victory.
Again and again.
Monster materials steadily accumulated inside his inventory.
Wolf pelts.
Monster cores.
Sharp horns.
Highland herbs.
Rock fragments.
Hours slipped away.
During one battle, another emerald beam of light rose from the ground.
Aster approached.
---
Equipment Obtained
Highland Scout Armor
Rank: Uncommon
Type: Light Armor
Effects:
+12 Defense
+8 Vitality
Lightweight construction that sacrifices heavy protection for superior mobility.
---
Aster immediately replaced his beginner leather armor.
The new light armor fit comfortably over his clothes without restricting movement.
Combined with the Windrunner Boots...
His mobility improved while becoming noticeably sturdier.
"Much better."
He continued grinding.
The hours passed almost unnoticed.
Golden light surrounded him.
---
Level Up!
Level 12
---
Not long afterward...
Another burst of light.
---
Level Up!
Level 13
---
Aster opened his status briefly.
His attributes had climbed once again.
"Only two more levels..."
"Then I'll discover what the Codex has prepared."
His excitement steadily grew.
Just as he stored another batch of monster materials into his inventory—
Voices echoed through the forest.
"...Found someone."
Aster immediately turned.
Three players stepped out from between the trees.
One wore flowing blue robes while carrying a long staff.
A Mage
Beside him stood a heavily armored warrior carrying a broad shield almost as tall as himself.
A Tank.
The final player rested a sword upon his shoulder.
His expression carried unmistakable confidence.
A Swordsman.
All three were around Aster's level.
Yet none of them smiled.
Instead...
Their eyes quietly scanned his equipment.
His uncommon armor.
His rare cloak.
The weapons hidden beneath it.
The swordsman's lips slowly curled upward.
"...Looks like we found someone interesting."
The mage casually twirled his staff.
"He's alone."
The tank silently stepped behind Aster, blocking the path back toward Mistvale.
The three of them formed a triangle around him.
Aster's hand slowly moved toward the hilt of his sword.
His expression remained calm.
But inwardly...
He had already reached the same conclusion.
These three...
Had no intention of making friends.