Even before I could open the wide double door, I heard pitiful cries for help.

"Meow, meow, meow, meow!" Dozens of cats were making noise, and I even started to consider if I really wanted to release them. What if they all rushed at me as soon as I opened the exit?

"What are you waiting for?" Ciesta asked. "Are you afraid of little kittens?"

It wasn't as if I had nothing to worry about. "H-how high could their Levels be?"

It had been some time since the kobolds had locked them in. It meant that there was a chance that the feline animals could have already gotten used to Essence and become even stronger than their captors.

"Don't worry about it," she said without answering my question, "with your Cat Concept Affinity, they should recognize you as an ally."

With a resigned sigh, I turned the doorknob. As soon as I did, the door was shoved wide open and five of the most active kitties ever almost collided with me as they escaped. Only three cats were left in the room—two of them were almost as big as a medium-sized dog and as fat as if their owners fed them pizza, and the last was a little puss with a bandage on a hind leg.

"A-aren't they all are s-supposed to have been cats in need of medical attention?" I wondered out loud. "T-they all seem to be full of vigor."

"Smaller creatures require less Essence to help them regenerate injuries or to recover from status effects," Ciesta explained. "How much time do you think has passed already since the Fusion?"

I didn't need to guess the answer as I still had Lisa's phone with me. I took it from my pocket and turned the display on. A photo of Lisa and a handsome man in his forties greeted me. Too bad I didn't know the four-digit password. Otherwise, I would at least try to verify if the internet connection was working—which I really doubted in spite of the fact that the signal bar was full.

"I-Its just hit 8 AM," I blurted out. "D-din’t I awake at ten PM yesterday? I'm not sure if I should be surprised about how much time has p-passed or that it was less than a day."

On the one hand, I didn't feel that I had spent that much time in the Dungeon. On the other, my school days felt like something from a past life. Both were equally true, considering that it had been three years since I saw Mom.

"Ten hours is more than enough for those little guys to recover from any affliction that has been bothering them," Ciesta concluded. "This bandaged kitty has troubles moving around only because someone wrapped him up too tightly."

Hearing her words, I approached the young puss and unwrapped the bandage. As soon as I did, the critter joined the rest of his kind in searching for a place to hide or to play on the second floor. My mission was complete! The System even gave me a little reward.

Poor kitties were caught by evil monsters, but then you came to the rescue! Your kindness didn't go unrewarded. Your Affinity with Cat Concept is slightly improved. Your Fate is increased by 1.

"Isn't it s-strange that I got the point in Fate from s-saving the cats?" I asked as I approached one of the fat cats to pet it. "It would make more sense to get Nerve for something like this."

"Fate is special as far as Attributes go," she explained. "Your physical and mental stats can be improved only with direct training, but Fate can be raised just from your interactions with the world and with yourself. Your Charisma can grow if you help someone, your Luck can grow if you realize something new about yourself, and so on. So some increases in Affinity also add to your Fate. Of course, in your case, this is going to happen way more often."

I recalled that my Affinity with cats was at twenty-seven percent. I wondered how much it changed.

Biotic: Cat (29%)

"O-only two percent more?" I mumbled in disappointment.

"It's not bad at all," Ciesta asserted to me. "Getting such an increase for such an easy job is good enough already. It's you who is abnormal with your unnaturally high Affinities."

With nothing else to do for now, just out of curiosity, I tried to enter random numbers as a password for Lisa's mobile. Well, maybe not so random as I also tried the date of her birthday because why not? All of my attempts failed, and the phone got blocked temporarily.

I shook my head with a wry smile. "I t-though my Luck would help me with this."

"It's not exactly how it works," Ciesta commented but not explained more.

Now for the first time since awaking, I was really free to relax a little. A lot of time had passed since I last had a meal, so the first thing I did was make breakfast for myself—there was another cafeteria on the tenth floor. Some cats followed me, and I fed them as well, though Ciesta politely refused my offer.

After filling my stomach, I took some more food to give to the rest of the kitties. I was a bit worried that they would make the whole of the second floor—where most of them remained—into one big litter. Ciesta assured me that she could teach all of them to use a toilet like humans, but I didn't quite believe her. . . Until I saw one of the cats not only using the bathroom but even washing its paws afterward. My spirit animal sure was very capable! She didn't like being called that, though.

When it was 9 PM, I arrived at the first floor of the Dungeon. Of course, Ciesta accompanied me.

The lobby at the entrance was similar to other reception halls but was about five times larger. Pure white light was all that could be seen through the glass walls and windows as if the building floated in an infinite void.

Right before the multiple entrance doors was an arc of multicolored light a dozen feet in height. According to Ciesta, it was the portal that would allow me to leave the Dungeon. I wasn't in a hurry, though.

"A-are you sure that it would be better to scout outside before proceeding with the bottom floors?" I asked the cat as I sat on one of the many silver-grey couches in the lobby. The place felt lonely with only two of us.

Ciesta jumped on the table in front of the couch and replied, "You are very strong for your Level, I give you that. But if my predictions are right—and they are—the Keeper already reconstructed the underground floors into a proper Dungeon. That means traps, and that means that you won’t have the chance to leave a floor until you clear it of all enemies."

As usual, I had no reason to doubt Encycloesta. When it came to the workings of the System, Dungeons, and other things new to my reality, she was the main source of information I had.

After thinking for a moment, the cat added, "More importantly, you need some training for your Attributes anyway. Skills make things easier, but if you want to get your Attributes to their limit—and believe me, you want that—you need to spend at least some time on good old-fashioned exercise. Don't worry, with my guidance and the Potion you've gotten from the Hall of Fame, your training will be extremely effective. . . though you should be ready for some uncomfortable experiences."

"Ugh," I groaned, "I h-hope it won't be as bad as with the Attribute Potion."

"Thanks for reminding me!" Ciesta made a delighted cat face. "You need to buy some Physical Potions and use them before going out. You have a lot of unused Free Points and even two postponed Nerve points, don’t you?"

"C-can I just do some weightlifting in the p-physical rehabilitation facility?" I started to sweat just from thinking about my past experience with the Potion. "W-we don't need to rush things, right?"

Instead of answering, Ciesta just continued to look at me with her creepy Cheshire smile. It sent shivers down my spine, so I turned away instinctively. I could do nothing but accept that there was no escape from being almost literally boiled. . .

Still trying to think of a way to convince the merciless cat to spare me, I opened the Menu.

Welcome to the System shop!

Player Tier: F (next at 250 CP)

Funds: 331 LEC

I had earned a small fortune, mostly from getting into the Hall of Fame. I had spent forty LEC on the spear but also made even more from the fight with kobolds, plus there were my rewards from the two Quest.

Consumables (F):

Inferior Physical Attribute Potion—25 LEC

Inferior Mental Attribute Potion—50 LEC

Inferior Fate Attribute Potion—100 LEC

Inferior Health Potion—100 LEC

"H-how many of which should I buy?" I asked reluctantly.

"Hmm, let me think. . ." Ciesta paused for about thirty seconds with a pondering look. "Four for physical Attributes and one for Mental should be enough for now. . . Though, no, let's save the Mental Potions for later. I'd tell you to buy one Health Potion for emergencies, but you've already used one today. Fate Potions are too expensive and usually are bought by those at Level 25."

"F-four?!" I exclaimed. "I think it w-would be more productive to buy the EF Generator and increase my survivability, don't you think so?"

"No," Ciesta crushed my last hope with just a word. "You can't even use the Generator as it requires five Equipment Slots. Forget about it until you get to the F+ Tier. And by then you'll have even better options."

I made a frustrated sigh—which, of course, was ignored by Sadiesta—and used almost a third of my wealth on Consumables.

Four Inferior Physical Attribute Potions are delivered to your Storage.

Funds: 231 LEC

Seeing the number decrease so much pained me, but I knew that it was for my own good. Who knew, maybe tolerating the pain would increase my Spirit for free again?

"Before we start, let me teach you a little trick," Ciesta said, with a slight tone of mischievousness mixed into her words. "Drink your Training Potion."

"A-are you sure?" I planned to keep this for later.

The cat gave me a firm nod instead of answering. She knew what she was talking about, so I ignored my doubts and retrieved the item from my Storage.

Common Training Potion—An alchemic compound that, upon consumption, enhances your learning and training capabilities. For the next seven standard days after consumption, you'll improve your Skills and Attributes 50% faster. This effect is halved for each Player Rank past Bronze and doesn't stack with the effects of other Training Potions.

The Potion was contained in an azure cylindrical flask the size of my index finger. I removed the cap and sniffed the flask's content—as expected, there was no scent. The viscous bluish liquid didn't seem very appetizing.

"I-it won’t hurt, right?" I asked the cat as I prepared myself mentally.

She smirked in response. "Who knows?"

Thanks for reassuring me, Ciesta, I thought with irony, you are so caring, just as expected from my spirit animal!

Unexpectedly, the cat kept her calm. "I would be annoyed with your thoughts if not for the fact that you'll be showing me something very interesting soon. I can't wait."

"To heck with it!" I shouted as I poured the suspicious blue substance into my mouth.

My tongue slightly tingled as the cold liquid touched it. Surprisingly, the Potion had a pleasant taste that reminded me of blueberries. It also got absorbed into my body way before it could reach my stomach.

With all the foreshadowing from Ciesta and my past experience, I had expected something terrible to happen. Instead, a refreshing coolness passed through my body. Honestly, it felt great. I waited and waited, prepared for sudden pain or worse, but nothing in my body changed even after more than a minute passed. Instead, a notification appeared.

Your Essence Code has been stimulated by a Potion. Your learning and training capabilities are enhanced by 50% for the next seven standard days.

Seeing the bewildered look on my face, Ciesta giggled, "Tee-hee, did I scare you so much? Relax. There're no uncomfortable side effects from normal Training Potions. . . On the contrary. Try using Physical Potion right now."

Her words relieved me, but it meant that now I needed to steel myself for what was about to come next. I took a Physical Attribute Potion from Storage and downed its contents in one go.

Just when my tongue was about to heat up, the cooling feeling from the Training Potion resurfaced and calmed it down. My whole body still felt warm but not scorching hot like it had the last time.

Your Life Code has been stimulated by a Potion. Your Body is increased by 1.

"Huh. . ." I blurted out from surprise.

I noticed that my muscles and bones became a bit stronger than before, but I hadn't experienced any pain whatsoever.

"It's too bad that you miss the opportunity to train your Willpower in this way," Ciesta commended, "but that’s only half of the Training Potion's benefit. Continue."

She didn't need to tell me twice. I had hesitated to use the Attribute Potions because of the instinctive fear I had developed, but now there was no reason to hesitate. I consumed another Potion.

Your Life Code has been stimulated by a Potion. Your Body is increased by 2.

"T-two points increase?" I exclaimed. Now, this was an even more pleasant surprise.

"Yes," the cat confirmed, "this is the main reason why Players use this trick in the first place. At some point, there are always people from any planet who discover that Training Potions work not only for Skills and exercise but for Attribute Potions as well. It's not even a secret for anyone past Steel Rank, but at Bronze, ordinary Players don't even have the chance to get a Training Potion in the first place—it only starts to be sold at E-Tier."

"T-then shouldn't I have saved it until I have more Coins to buy more consumables?" I asked. "There's no guarantee that I'd get another Training Potion in the n-near future."

The cat reassured me, "Don't worry, you'll definitely have the chance to buy one before Steel Rank."

Without saying another word, I proceeded to use the remaining two Potions.

Your Life Code has been stimulated by a Potion. Your Body is increased by 1.

Your Life Code has been stimulated by a Potion. Your Body is increased by 2.

After almost doubling my Body for half the price, I felt stronger than ever before. My pale hands seemed bulkier, my fists sturdier, and my breathing deeper. Years of hard training manifested in only four short minutes. This still wasn't as shocking as just directly adding points earned from Level ups, but the change felt more substantial. I didn't know if it was because Potions worked differently or because I had only spent my points on Nerve so far.

I hadn't noticed it the first time because of the excruciating pain, but each time I consumed an Attribute Potion, it was as if invisible energy got attracted to me and my body absorbed it like a sponge. Of course, I couldn't see anything with my eyes—it was just a sensation.

Before I could fully enjoy the changes, a loud sound reverberated through the lobby. It was the sound of my stomach growling—and this is in spite of me eating not long ago. I also had a sudden urge to visit a bathroom. . .

"A-again?" I blurted out in frustration.

"Again." The cat nodded impassively. "Among all Attributes, Body promotes the biggest physical change. It's less obvious if you improve it directly through the System, but you just consumed four Potions. We'd need to postpone scouting for some time."

I was lucky enough to find a restroom on the first floor, and after doing the deed, I visited the cafeteria on the tenth floor yet again.

While I stuffed my cheeks with warm rice and broccoli, Ciesta told me to use the Novice's ability to change Concepts. She advised me to replace Wheel of Fortune with Cat, and Solitude with Loneliness, as this combination would be better suited for scouting.

"I-I agree to remove Wheel of Fortune," I said as I swallowed the food, "but not so sure about Solitude. It's p-perfect for escaping from unwinnable battles."

"And with Loneliness, you will avoid any unnecessary fights in the first place." Ciesta jumped onto the dining table even though I hadn’t completed my meal yet. "With Cat to enhance your senses and Balance, and the Stealth Cloak, even Steel Rankers won’t detect you."

Uncomfortable with her presence near my plate, I completed my meal in a hurry. Then I concentrated for a couple of minutes, and my Secondary Concepts were replaced—using this Class Trait placed me in a trance, so I doubted that it could be used in a battle.

Ciesta advised me to wait for another hour so that the Novice Trait's cooldown refreshed before I moved on. In the meantime, she explained to me how to use Concept abilities more effectively, and I also chose to buy Language and Storage Modules for the Gear. I would need the former if I met any friendly strangers and the latter if I found some useful items like firearms. Together they cost me one hundred ten Coins, making me feel poorer and poorer.

Funds: 121 LEC

The hour wasn't completely wasted as I gained another level in Communication, and it even came with an interesting bonus. Also, apparently, at lvl 10, Skills gave a double bonus to Attributes.

Communication reaches lvl 10. Your FATE is increased by 4. Your Communication Skill reached a milestone! Lip reading is now possible for you. Your ability to read body language is slightly improved.

When I came back to the entrance lobby on the first floor, it was almost 10:30 AM already. Now, I was ready to leave the Dungeon, even if temporarily. As long as I didn't advance to Level 11, I would be able to come back here whenever I wanted.

Before leaving, I wanted to see my current Attributes.

Body: 14

Nerve: 34

Mind: 13

Spirit: 27

Fate: 40

Free Attribute Points: 10

I decided to save the FAP to restore my fatigue later, just in case I would get in a pinch. I then deeply exhaled and slowly walked toward the Dungeon Gate.

Outside, New Earth waited for me.