Alan left the training ground, watching the four individuals buzzing with excitement about their newfound purpose. They still had 18 hours until the start of the new round, and Alan hoped they could make significant improvements by then.

Meanwhile, the two A-rank rewards had granted Alan enough XP to increase his level by 2, providing him with the extra attribute he needed for his next plan. Filled with fresh hope, he walked towards another corner of the port town.

He arrived at a building situated on a similarly vast street, much like the item shop. However, it appeared devoid of players. Only a couple of individuals were spotted moving along the street, none venturing into the building that Alan was about to enter.

This building was gated, featuring a curved wooden door and a sign hanging above it that read “[Temple].”

Several religious sites were set up within the port town to cater to the spiritual needs of players during these challenging times. However, Alan’s visit to this place wasn’t for religious purposes; he was here for its other function.

Stepping inside, Alan crossed a tranquil Zen garden before approaching the adjacent building. The sign above its entrance, displaying “[Spell Shop],” indicated its purpose.

Here lay a haven for individuals whose spirit attributes were particularly potent, allowing them to engage with the magic that coursed through the fabric of this world. But such individuals were rare indeed.

In the realm of game statistics, the rarefied air of spirit attributes above the F rank was inhabited by a mere one out of every thousand players. These were individuals who, in the real world, might have possessed an innate attunement to the spiritual realms—figures like monks, priests, gypsies, and genuine magicians.

Yet, Alan’s extensive knowledge of the game informed him that even if such people managed to survive the initial round, many would subsequently invest in attributes that offered greater survivability, often shifting away from spirit attributes. Thus, the emptiness of the spell shop was not unexpected.

As Alan approached a panel akin to the one in the item shop, an NPC monk intervened.

“I apologize, sir, but you currently do not meet the requirements to purchase a spell scroll.”

“Just a moment,” Alan replied nonchalantly. He effortlessly accessed his [gamelink], distributing all three of his available attribute points into his spirit attribute.

[Strength: E-]

[Agility: D-]

[Endurance: E]

[Perception: E]

[Intelligence: C-]

[Spirit: F] +3 [F > F+ > E > E]

Now endowed with an E rank spirit attribute, Alan addressed the NPC once more. The monk’s expression underwent a complete transformation in response.

“Player, your talent in magic is significant. Would you like to awaken your magical power?”

“Yes, please,” Alan responded promptly.

In an instant, his game link displayed pertinent information.

[Magic Awakening: D reward + 1500 survival points]

This expense, comparable to that of acquiring a job class, was another reason why people don’t invest in magic so early in the game.

Fortunately, Alan was among those who had accrued just enough resources to take this step.

“Confirm”

[Survival points: 3460>1960]

[ F Rank reward x1]

[Processing Magic Awakening] 𝗈𝐕𝓵𝐞xt.𝔠𝚘𝓂

####

The human body remained an expanse of uncharted territories, a realm veiled in an ocean of mysteries. Even the most advanced minds of modern times hadn’t managed to unravel the enigma of its secrets. Legends like the notion that humans utilize only 10 percent of their brain’s potential persisted, suggesting that a mere fraction of the brain’s capacity—1/10th—was tapped during an entire lifetime.

In a similar vein, the ancestry of human DNA remained a perplexing riddle, eluding comprehension even in the face of considerable modern advancements. Despite the vast leaps in knowledge, only a paltry 2 percent of the secrets harbored within the human body had been unveiled, leaving the bulk of its mysteries obscured by the impenetrable veil of the unknown.

This naturally leads to the question: What other marvels lay dormant within the remaining 98 percent?

In the context of the game, this unrevealed aspect was akin to magic, or as the game terminology termed it, Spirit Energy.

Amid this moment, Alan became aware of a warm and ethereal energy emanating from his solar plexus, a radiant force that gradually pervaded every nook and cranny of his being. This magical energy flowed with a tranquil grace, soothing his fatigued mind and weary body. A sensation of renewal coursed through his very essence, reinvigorating him from within.

And then, in the wake of this transcendent encounter, the proclamation manifested on his game link.

[You have successfully Awakened]

[You have unlocked the Spirit point stat]

[Alan D Angello]

[Health points: 190]

[Spirit points: 50]

[Stamina: 100%]

The world around Alan seemed to shimmer with newfound clarity. As he stood in the temple, an undeniable sense of transformation settled upon him—a metamorphosis of body and spirit that would forever alter the course of his journey.

With the Spirit points now unlocked, Alan felt a new surge of power coursing through his being, a wellspring of potential that would enable him to tap into spirit-related skills within the context of the Apocalypse Game. This was a breakthrough that expanded the horizons of his abilities, offering him access to an array of possibilities.

Before him, a panel displayed a list of common-level spells that he could now potentially acquire and employ in the game world:

[Chill – Lowers the temperature in the surrounding area, causing discomfort]

[Torch – Creates a small fire for daily uses]

[Minor Ward -? Creates a protective barrier that absorbs limited damage]

[Minor Heal – A simple, quick healing spell for minor wounds]

[Enhance Sense – Temporarily improves the caster’s senses, like sight or hearing]

[Restore Stamina – Restores stamina to the caster or ally]

[F-rank reward/500 survival points]

Regrettably, Alan currently only has one F-rank reward left, he decided to acquire the [Enhance Sense] spell that could be useful for the next round.

Exiting the spell shop, Alan walked towards the tranquil zen garden, his thoughts heavy with a sense of purpose. He had not come to the temple solely to awaken his magical potential; there was another elusive pursuit that he hoped to accomplish, a quest that held uncertain outcomes but immense significance.

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he navigated the complex, his gaze shifting from building to building in search of his desired destination. His steps led him through this sacred haven, revealing to him a dusty and dimly lit library, a place brimming with old books and ancient wisdom. Within the library’s confines, an NPC stood unmoved, engrossed in a book, while an older man was absorbed in another volume.

As Alan ventured forth into this haven of knowledge, the NPC paid him no heed, engendering a sense of freedom as he began to explore the myriad shelves adorned with worn tomes, each bearing the history and musings of generations long past.

Anxiously, Alan navigated the labyrinth of words, skimming through pages, absorbing lines of poetry and the profound meditations of philosophers. These tomes held the echoes of a time before the game, and he sifted through them with reverence, driven by a singular purpose.

Amid the musty air of the library, Alan’s dedication persevered as he delved into the pages of ten books. The passing hour threatened to test his resolve, the weight of uncertainty pressing upon him. Just as the temptation to despair began to creep in, a sudden interruption snapped him from his thoughts.

An NPC, the very same engrossed in his reading earlier, approached him. With a voice laden with curiosity, he inquired, “Are you interested in reading these books?”

Alan’s heart leapt within his chest. It was as though the very question he had been hoping for had been posed to him. “Yes, yes, I am,” he responded with palpable eagerness, his voice tinged with anticipation.

The NPC’s response held a hint of wistfulness, “I see,” the NPC mused, “people nowadays only like fantasy books; no one cares about philosophy anymore.”

A mix of anxiety and agreement colored Alan’s response, “Yes, yes, that’s unfortunate.”

The conversation between Alan and the NPC flowed with the ease of shared passion. As the minutes stretched into half an hour, their discourse wove a tapestry of literary appreciation.

Within the embrace of their exchange, Alan’s heart raced. And then, just as the conversation reached its zenith, the elderly man smiled and said, “I have enjoyed our conversation. As a reward, allow me to give you a good book to read.”

In that very moment, a notification chimed within Alan’s Gamelink.

[You have received a Hidden Quest – The Sage Path of Enlightenment]