Adam didn’t know exactly when but he realized he was dreaming of the night when Alayna had broken up with him. The feeling of déjà vu and the final bit at the end helped him realize that it was a dream and the dream started to fade as soon as he realized but he still held on till the last moment hoping that she wouldn’t do what she did. Hoping that she wouldn’t say those words.

He was being a fool, clinging on to memories and wishing they were more but he realized that it was noting more than wishful thinking and he had enough. He had seen enough and he wanted to wake up. And so, he did. He opened his eyes and saw that it was dark but the dim light from the pool he was in illuminated the cave walls. He was in the cave. He was alive. He had beaten death once more.

I need to stop doing this. It hasn’t even been 24 hours and I’ve passed out thrice, I think. That cannot be good for my health. Speaking of health, I feel good. Adam was lying on his back inside the pool and he stayed like that for a couple of minutes, basking in the feeling of being alive.

There were multiple notifications that were vying for his attention but he ignored them. He wanted to just lay there and go through the fight with the lizard in his mind. He needed to know how he managed to reach the cave, wounded and disoriented due to the onset of fever.

That lizard was strong, stronger than I had ever thought and it nearly killed me in the end. And just as I was dying, it happened again. That uncontrollable rage. It made me act like a beast. I tore that thing’s throat out with my teeth and ate the flesh. He felt bile rush up from his stomach but he forced it down. The thought of eating that thing was disgusting but he was thankful that he couldn’t remember the taste or he was sure he’d be puking his guts out. What was that? Was it due to the system? Was it a mental status effect or some shit….was it me?

And after that struggle, I was badly wounded and bleeding. The mud helped prevent me from completely bleeding out but the fever. It set in too fast and those blanks in my memory, I still can’t remember what happened during those moments. I shouldn’t have been able to survive but here I am, the wounds have healed and the scars look like they’re months old. The cave’s regeneration boost and the passive from my legendary title, without those I’m sure I wouldn’t have made it. Adam was once more glad that his misfortunes had at least netted him a title that managed to save his life.

So many questions and I’ve gotten no answers except some guesses. One step at a time Adam. You just have to grit your teeth and keep moving forward.

Adam got out of the pool, instantly he felt stronger than before. He felt like he could run a marathon and even climb a mountain after he finished. He felt full of energy, felt like he was more. He couldn’t really put it into words but he was sure the system notifications had the answers to his questions. At least most of them. He hoped. With that he mentally clicked the first one he had.

User has killed Stone lizard (6). Gained essence and monster core (level 6).

Congratulations!

User has killed a monster 7 levels above himself. Essence gained has been increased.

For solo killing a monster higher level than user without using equipment, skills and abilities user has earned the title

For killing a Monster alone at level 0, using unorthodox means, User has earned the title .

User has gained system recognition for the feat of solo killing a Monster 5 levels above user, without equipment, skills or abilities, has awarded user the title < Giant killer (1)>

I knew my was going to be difficult due to the circumstances but not “earn-3-titles-by-killing-one-mob” difficult. Adam was surprised by what he had earned. I’m glad the recognizes that and the least it could do is compensate me for the hell I went through.

Though I would have appreciated a ticket back home much more than this shit. Adam mused to himself as he went through the details of the titles. Or at least something like a weapon or some goddamn clothes. For fuck’s sake I’ve only got my dirty boxers left! Sigh. Was worth a try. Adam clicked on the first title.

Giant Killer 1: A title which can only be earned through system recognition of a feat deemed improbable. To kill a monster while not having even earned your Aptitude is already an incredible accomplishment, to kill a monster 5 levels above while level 0, is truly in the realms of wonder. Careful! You walk a path few know of and even fewer have ever tread.

This title is a type title and it will get stronger with each successive rank. To earn the next rank user must kill a monster with 10 levels difference.

User damage scales with level difference. For each level the foe is above user damage increases by 5% and ignores 5% of defense and resistance.

User’s resistance to status effects increased when facing foes of higher levels.

User gains +20% efficiency to all attributes

User is able to use the skill Giant Killing.

Walking in the steps of legends long gone, take heed, take heart, for your steps may lead, to the grim fate few have ever escaped

Adam was stunned. This was more than he had ever expected. The boosts were great even individually but together they added up to a significant increase in his ability to deal damage, provided he could fully bring out the effects of the titles.

All three titles were amazing but the last one he had earned was on another level. It was a growth type title and it would get stronger as killed stronger creatures, the thought sobered him up quick but he was still excited by the last title. It was another title that increased the efficiency of his trinity stats and together with the legendary title he had, Adam was much stronger than his base attributes would show. It was ridiculous and would have a multiplicative effect with increasing levels. And to put the cherry on top, the title came with a skill.

Giant Killing(L):An active skill granted to the holder of the title .An empowerment skill which is able to increase the effect of a direct damage skill by 400% and the empowered skill will ignore all passive defenses of the target it hits and prevent target from regenerating health for the duration of the battle. Can be used once every 24 hours.

Wow...That giant killer title is something else and it’s only just rank 1 and still broken. Adam thought as he read through the description.

The system said it never gives undue advantages but this almost feels like favoritism, or maybe not. I did kill something which normally I shouldn’t have been able to or downright close to it.

Adam recalled his battle with the stone lizard. The only reason I managed to succeed was because I used its weakness against it and even then I would have died first if it wasn't for my legendary title. Adam steeled his resolve. I need to get stronger and be more cunning or my luck is going to run out, if it hasn’t already.

Adam was done being weak, he needed to get stronger so he decided to just accept his situation. Everything in the forest was higher level than him and that meant more essence earned with each kill but he needed to be cunning and exploit weakness where he could and grant himself whatever advantages he could find. That was the only way he could get stronger.

He may have managed to kill a monster stronger than himself and earned a bounty of titles which greatly increased his ability to kill, but he couldn’t allow himself to be happy with just that. He needed more. More titles, more skills, more attributes, more levels and more everything.

The growth title he earned gave him an empowerment skill which enhanced a damage dealing skill to 4 times its normal output and allowed it to ignore defense and prevent regeneration.

It was a deadly weapon and the only downside was the 24 hour cooldown. Checks and balances. The skill looks too powerful and it doesn’t consume any resource or have any drawbacks stated in the text. It would have been great if the cooldown was shorter but it’s gunna be overpowered if I maximize the boosts from the rest of my titles.

In his excitement Adam had forgotten the fact that he didn’t have a direct damage skill yet. I’m sure I’ll get one as I continue to level up. But first there’s still so many notifications I have to go through. I’m really curious about my interface, I know I feel stronger than before and I’m pretty sure I’ve earned a level at least, but I’m going to save the interface for last. I’ll finish these notifications before I go through the interface. Yeah. Save the best for last Adam. Ok next.