[System: You have an unclaimed reward for reaching level 30 in a matter of 3 weeks. Do you want to claim your reward?]
"Open."
As soon as he hears the notification, Neon immediately shifts his focus to the message. Unlike previous achievements, this one grips his attention. But why?
This time, the achievement wasn't just personal—it shattered every known record. He anticipated a reward far greater than an ordinary F-grade skill.
[System: Calculating achievement against similar milestones...
Result: The guardian has acquired the title: [Overkill], a rare and prestigious title given only to those who accomplish feats of extreme difficulty.
Note: This is not your true title.
Additional Reward: The guardian has also acquired the title: [Speedrunner], which triples all experience gained.
Because the guardian holds the [Overkill] title, the skill reward has been enhanced. Instead of a powerful F-grade skill, the guardian will receive an S-grade skill.]
'Overkill? I've never even heard of that title—at least not since I overdosed on stim injectors. When did I receive it? Was it during my first encounter with a catastrophe? Or maybe when I earned the title "Wandering Pharmacist?" Either way... to be granted a limited, nearly unattainable title like this again—it must be fate. Considering I singlehandedly defeated an Abnormal, this reward is honestly too little.'
[Overkill Enhanced Reward: Due to the guardian's extraordinary feat, the system will allow you to choose your desired skill from a skill tree. First, choose a category below.]
Categories:
[Melee-based Skills] [Production-based Skills]
[Spell-based Skills] [Support-based Skills]
[Curse-based Skills] [Summoning-based Skills]
[Execution-based Skills] [Sealing-based Skills]
[Range-based Skills] [Utility-based Skills]
[Enhancement-based Skills]
[Growth-based Skills]
Word of advice: You can only choose one skill. Choose carefully.
'What should I choose? I don't lack anything right now. The only thing I ever wanted—unparalleled alchemical knowledge—is already mine. Thanks to the mysterious title "Defier of Fate," I don't have any particular needs at the moment. But... I should pick something to further accelerate my growth. That's the wisest choice.'
[System: You've selected the Growth-based skill category.
Displaying a variety of S-grade skills... Selection confirmed.
Please wait. Your status screen is updating.]
[Neon LVL 33]
Title: Defier of Fate, First Blood, Super Rookie, Demon Hunter, Overkill, Speedrunner
Class: None
Race: Homunculus
Special Abilities: Golden Abyssal Eye, Behemoth Scales, Devouring Leech, Thornerus Bone Structure, Fangs of the Hydra (More to be unlocked)
Stats:
Health: 117 | Attack: 106 | Intelligence: 92 | Luck: 75
Dexterity: 42 | Speed: 102 | Defense: 86 | Stamina: 45 | Mana: 162
Status Points: 40
Skills:
Unparalleled Alchemical Knowledge (SSS+)
Empower (E-)
Crafting (F-)
Herb Gathering (F-)
Brewery (D+)
Sword Proficiency (D-)
Ailment Boost (D+)
Physical Resistance (E-)
Mental Resistance (E+)
Green Thumb (F+)
Vine Manifestation (E+)
Magical Resistance (E+)
Skill Mastery Boost (S-)
[Skill Mastery Boost (S-)]
A growth-type skill that drastically accelerates learning. It quadruples the progression rate of current skills and makes learning new ones intuitive. Knowledge flows directly into the body.
'I should head back. I've already stripped the Abnormal of its materials. I'll check them once I return to my cave. For now, I need to revisit the place where I shattered the Orb of Catastrophe. Maybe I'll find a clue about this shard…'
[Item Acquired: ???]
Type: Accessory
Rarity: ???
Description: A mysterious shard that originated from the Orb of Catastrophe. It holds the power to mutate and empower various monsters and their vessels.
After completing his objective, Neon travels back to his cave. Thanks to his speed, it only takes a few hours. The Forest of Illusion has begun to stabilize now that the Abnormal was slain. Monsters returned to their habitats, and the balance restored.
Despite the calm, Neon's mind buzzes with questions:
How did the imp get the orb? Why weren't its remnants discovered sooner?
He, more than anyone, knows the artifact's danger.
Returning to the orb's final resting place, he finds the shattered remains of its shell. The cave is narrow, airless, and uncomfortable—ideal for cornering the monster he once faced. He remembers that fight vividly.
'That bastard was fast. Its movement was unpredictable… I used this tight cave to lock it down and land the killing blow. These shards... yes. They're marked with the same patterns as my blade and technique. So this is the shell of the orb…'
He picks up the shard. At first, nothing seems unusual—until memory kicks in. The flickering. He'd seen it before.
'It started to flicker like a teleportation skill on the verge of activating… Could that have been it? I was too damaged at the time to think clearly.'
As he touches the shard, it begins to resonate—shaking slightly in his hand. He feels its power flowing into him. The monstrous limbs from catastrophic creatures embedded in his body react.
They cry out.
Something deep inside urges him to consume the shard.
BOOM!
"What was that?!"
A thunderous explosion shakes the area near his cave. The trance from the shard breaks. Moments later, a scream echoes through the forest.
That's... a person.
A rare event in this forsaken land.
The forest—born from the mutated Amazon—is a cursed zone. Abandoned even by Guardians. Its monsters, plants, and plagues are designed for death.
Neon knows this all too well. He's the reason anyone could even survive here—his medicines and drugs made it possible.
"Could a Guardian have entered this land? Who would throw away their life so easily? I need to find out. Whether ally or threat, I'll decide what role they play in my story. I'll root out any obstacle that dares hinder my goal."
With that, Neon vanishes into the forest's depths, hunting the source of the explosion.