[Strength: 36]232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vk6pMQeUH
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"It's definitely doable," Eon muttered to himself, wiping a slick layer of virtual sweat and slime residue from his brow. The two-on-one battles were still a brutal, chaotic scramble, but he was winning more than he was losing. Each victory was a hard-fought testament to his growing power and slowly improving technique. The goal of fifty Strength no longer felt like a distant dream; it felt like a grueling, but achievable, marathon.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKLbUMuiLf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vZaXX7aVD
But his ambitious new strategy had an unforeseen side effect. A deep, gurgling rumble echoed from his stomach, a sharp and painful reminder of the game's relentless realism. Right. No more food.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zEXMZ42K2
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhPGQBO8mO
He’d understood the basic mechanic: health would replenish slowly from resting, but the process was drastically accelerated if you had recently eaten. During his one-on-one grind, the slow trickle of natural regeneration had been enough. He’d rest, his health would fill, and he’d move on. But now, the two-on-one fights were costing him. Each encounter chipped away significantly more of his health bar, forcing him to sit and rest for much, much longer between engagements. The food he’d bought for the day, calculated for a less strenuous workout, had been burned through hours ahead of schedule.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hwN9PMBn6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6paMN8f7Dy
He looked toward Haven's Reach. The sun was high overhead; it was properly afternoon now. The serene morning hours were long gone, replaced by the peak time for players. The village would be a roaring cacophony of shouts, trade spam, and, undoubtedly, mockery for the classless player covered in slime guts.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaNO2Js3T7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q1N9A1qt8
He hesitated, the old instinct to avoid crowds and judgment making him want to just sit right there in the field and wait for his health to crawl back up. It would take forever.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjDpix1NUz
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FIiNgaRh8
Then he looked at his fists. Strength 36. He’d earned that. He’d fought for it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Aru816Aji
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2yuTGeO9v
"Eh, screw it," he said aloud, his voice firmer than he felt. "Let's go!"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5BjMHpkID
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNpVtj5NYN
The walk to the village gate was shorter than he remembered, his strides longer and more confident. But as he passed through the archway, the wall of sound hit him like a physical force. The marketplace was a teeming hive of activity. Players clustered around quest givers, argued over prices at stalls, and showed off new gear. The air was thick with overlapping conversations and the clang of the blacksmith's hammer.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBcda9ANkj
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d2Mo71BzH
He kept his head down, aiming a direct line for Martha's stall. The comments started almost immediately.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum51NBnU9n
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"Well, well, if it isn't the slime king! Out of your kingdom for supplies?" a warrior leaning against a wall called out.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKNNs1iTl7
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"Damn, dude, what died on you?" a mage pinched her nose dramatically as he passed.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdL2K6Xnqv
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXng1tMlzC0
"Hey, no-class! You gonna try and buy gear again? Let's watch!" another player jeered, eliciting laughter from his group.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO2mP4ADWI
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnLupZ18Zx
Eon’s jaw tightened, but he didn't stop. He didn't engage. He focused on the goal: food. He pushed through the crowd, finally reaching Martha's fruit stand.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo4wQuBxUf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XBiJe6egX
Martha’s cheerful expression faltered for a split second as he approached, likely due to the smell. But it quickly softened into a look of maternal concern. "Oh, dearie! You look like you've been through the wringer! And you smell like you lost!"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mki4uWVWQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h66qC9OGJ
"Just… hungry," Eon managed, his face flushing. He willed his inventory to appear, offering up the massive haul of slime cores and mucus.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInoCgD5m5P
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE90GBSkyn
Martha’s eyes went wide. "Good heavens! The alchemist will be thrilled. He's been running low." She quickly tallied the goods. "This is quite the haul… let's see… that comes to one silver and fifteen copper!"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlDuOXIlzj
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURZycg4odq
The notification appeared in a glorious, shimmering font.
[Currency Updated: 1 Silver, 15 Copper]232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAiobEcE5n
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXcvnFDDOz
Eon’s heart leapt. His first silver! The milestone was even more satisfying than he’d imagined.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6NezDekp3
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Q9vDkCbn
"Now," Martha said, leaning forward. "You need something substantial. Not just an apple. You need some of Veli's meat pies. Stick to your ribs, they will. And maybe a bath!" she added with a wink.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApODOLN16N
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF2YABc7gv
Eon couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Martha."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxxVnv8u6Y
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDO27CdrZh
He took his new wealth and fought his way through the crowd to the baker's stall. He bought two thick, gravy-filled meat pies and a large waterskin. The cost was a mere ten copper. He devoured one pie right there, the rich, savory flavor instantly vanquishing the gnawing hunger and causing his health bar to not only refill but glow slightly, indicating a temporary regeneration bonus.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkyOE94kpX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BfpCqAmnw
Feeling better, both physically and mentally, he turned to leave. The jeers of the players seemed quieter now, more distant. He had silver in his pocket and a full stomach. Their words couldn't touch that.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiWOKg6fgm
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9adN1xauT0
he bought some buckets of water, dosing himself with it. refreshing.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrz9a7JkWg
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpWgSCTVtL
He was almost to the gate when he saw it again: the rundown building with the book sign. This time, the door was slightly ajar. A flicker of curiosity, stronger than his desire to avoid the crowd, made him pause. He had a little time. And for the first time, he had a little coin.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN1WRYIuav
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAre9HgGdv7
Taking a deep breath, he veered off his path and approached the mysterious shop.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42tOTIhD5M
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxxjSk5y0G
He approached the weathered building, his steps slowing. The door, which had been just ajar before, was now definitely open, revealing a dim interior. The hanging sign with its faded book icon now also had a smaller, hand-carved wooden sign dangling beneath it that simply read: "OPEN."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1ifLddize
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYylJuS03r
Taking a final, steadying breath, Eon pushed the door open and stepped inside.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56t2Fwaw69
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6589xTV1n
The interior was exactly what the outside promised: a cluttered, dusty, and wonderfully chaotic mess. Towers of books were piled haphazardly on every available surface, threatening to topple at the slightest vibration. The air smelled of old paper, leather, and a faint, sweet hint of some unknown herb. Light filtered through a single, grimy window, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the air.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqXwXlPbKf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ8xzFGOSw
He’d taken only two steps into the room when a figure detached itself from the shadows behind a particularly precarious stack of scrolls.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ01xbDm0A
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSMZhU0iRx
Eon’s reaction was instantaneous and primal. His heart shot into his throat. He stumbled back a step, his hands flying up into the defensive boxing stance he’d been drilling for days, his weight dropping onto the balls of his feet.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPS31OXXZC
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S1P0muOGo
It was a girl. She was pale, her skin almost as white as the pages of the books surrounding her, with a cascade of jet-black hair that fell straight down to her waist. She was holding a large, leather-bound tome clutched to her chest like a shield, her eyes wide not with fear, but with a sharp, bird-like curiosity. She looked no older than he was.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSPbVca9GY
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6MAdtoP5p
For a long second, they just stared at each other, Eon frozen in his fighting pose, the girl unblinking.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPPLLh6aHl
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc9Vf63hfQ
Then, her voice cut through the silence, dry and matter-of-fact, completely at odds with her ethereal appearance. "Entrance fee. Twenty copper."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7MWifoKVb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJXH8mUPpc
Eon slowly, sheepishly, lowered his hands. His face burned with embarrassment. "S-sorry. You… surprised me." He fumbled in his inventory, pulling out the coins and placing them in her outstretched hand. Her fingers were cool and slender.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQbA1FSEl1
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHr7WPQsoO
As the coins disappeared, he dared to look around at the shelves. He reached out tentatively and pulled a random, thin volume from a stack. The cover was faded, the title illegible. He opened it. The pages were filled with dense, spidery script and diagrams of… herbs?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAQqkmpK5m
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u7nyVqVJk
"How much for this one?" he asked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg0t3YK6VX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSretNXqsKx
The girl didn't even look. "One silver."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHYXg561Xi
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ILv6OQcxh
Eon’s eyes widened. "One silver? For this?" He gestured with the book. "It's just a… a pamphlet!"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXVmElyTgL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeTQacArzP
The girl finally turned her unnervingly direct gaze on him. "You're the only one I see complaining about the price." Her tone was flat, almost challenging.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ2U2H37an
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjxZRWuv3M
"Because I might be the only one in here!" Eon countered, a spark of frustration cutting through his awkwardness.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceqBAtaKOJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsxGaCQtPY
"It should be higher!" she retorted, her voice gaining a hint of passion. She gestured dismissively at the book in his hand. "Look at the state of this junk! The binding is coming apart. The ink is faded. It’s practically historical. That’s a piece of this world’s history you’re holding. A silver is a steal." She sniffed, turning her attention back to the book she was holding. "Most range from one to fifteen silver. Take it or leave it. The exit is behind you."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LTs06NQN
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTv5HhdkfV
Eon stood there, stunned. He’d expected a quiet, perhaps kindly, old librarian. Not this sharp-tongued, pale guardian of overpriced paper. He looked down at the herb book in his hand. It was junk. But… it was also information. Something he desperately lacked.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9oIt7y0oD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUYlTGrV2f
He slowly put the book back on the pile. He didn't have fifteen silver to spare on a whim.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbECYmjlku
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lYZDX4RjZ
He stood for a moment, slightly dazed by the girl's abruptness, before the sheer scope of the place truly sank in. The shop wasn't just a store; it was an archive. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he began to read the spines of the books, the scrawled labels on the ends of sagging shelves.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkixiSKRkLB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjz8ROsizt
The categories were endless. There were entire sections dedicated to Alchemy: journals filled with intricate diagrams of bubbling flasks and carefully pressed flora. Another aisle was labeled Botany, with sketches of plants he'd never seen, some glowing, some carnivorous-looking. There were practical guides to Animal Herding, Blacksmithing, Leatherworks, Woodworks, and even Masoning. It was a repository of every conceivable mundane profession in the game.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFigiazqpCW
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGGuoEGJMD
His pulse quickened as he turned a corner and found a shelf marked Combat Manuals. His hands almost trembled as he pulled one out. "A Beginner's Guide to the Longsword: Form and Footwork." Another: "The Art of the Archer: From Stringing to Loosing." He saw manuals for axes, spears, glaives, staves, shields, and daggers. Each promised to teach the fundamentals, the basic stances and swings that a starting class would get for free.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ62Xm56led
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwxpX86Twy
He scanned the titles again, his hope rising and then falling. There were manuals for everything... except what he needed. Nothing on martial arts. Nothing on fighting with your fists. Nothing on gauntlets or unarmed combat. The one thing he could actually use was the one thing absent from the collection. It felt like a deliberate, final joke on his classless existence.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HTcxLNzDB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbDVVEFfXg
A little defeated, he was about to leave when the pale girl spoke up from her shadowy corner, not even looking up from her book. "It's free to read. As long as you pay the entrance fee and put it back exactly where you found it. Don't dog-ear the pages. Don't get slime on them." Her tone implied she had already seen and judged the state of him.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbhzHjsH84
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTQdq7IXrI
Eon paused. Free to read. The entrance fee was twenty copper, a significant but not impossible sum for a session of unlimited knowledge. He looked around again, and the value of the place suddenly multiplied a hundredfold. He might not be able to wield a sword, but he could understand how it was made in the blacksmithing guides. He might not be able to use alchemy, but he could learn which plants were valuable. He was making his twenty copper back just by breathing the air in here.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nv2INSTxX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz8Zzu7CHJ
He carefully slid the longsword manual back into its place and moved to the blacksmithing section. He pulled a heavy tome titled "Metallurgy for Beginners" and found a relatively clean patch of floor to sit on. He opened the book, the crisp scent of old paper filling his nose. Diagrams of ore veins, explanations of tempering temperatures, and lists of material properties filled the pages. It was dense, dry, and utterly fascinating.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPifx0yXR5G
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYxfXj6UGH
For the next hour, the noisy world outside ceased to exist. There was only the rustle of pages and the accumulation of knowledge. The pale girl, whose name he still didn't know, occasionally drifted past to re-shelve a book or light a strange-smelling candle, but otherwise left him alone. He was just another quiet fixture in her domain of paper and dust.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJcA2X57LT
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUQB26MlzU
When he finally stood up to leave, his mind was buzzing with information he had no immediate use for, but that felt valuable nonetheless. He carefully replaced the book, making sure it was perfectly aligned with its neighbors.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbRlFGfkbZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s9ZRGGCmJ
He nodded to the girl as he left. She gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod in return, her eyes still glued to her own book.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrUoUrRqXs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YyZjwj7X8
Stepping back out into the bright, noisy afternoon of Haven's Reach
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and then Add to home screen.