After Elina closed the door, a heavy silence reclaimed the alley, but Leon knew this stillness was merely a "warrior's respite." His heart was still racing; seeing a true mage manifest frost-blue magic before his eyes made him realize that the System was no mere gaming tool—it was the key to rewriting the laws of power in this cursed city.
[System Alert: Mission Complete. Feature Unlocked: 'Spiritual Brews.' Would you like to trial 'Ashen Tea' to soothe the nerves of exhausted customers?]
Leon smiled. "Absolutely... looks like I'll be needing a menu soon."
The shop plunged into a cold silence. Leon looked at the two capsules; the scent of "Ash" emanating from the machines reminded him of days long gone in his old world, when gaming was the only sanctuary from a mundane reality.
"System," Leon called out softly. "Explain to me... how do these hours of simulation translate into raw power in Astoria?"
[System Response: Host, the power system of this world relies on 'Mana Purity.' The inhabitants of Astoria possess vast mana, but it is 'turbulent' due to the heat and Eternal Light. The game acts as a 'filter.' The frost of Lordran constricts the mana particles in your body, and repeated deaths cleanse your spiritual pathways of impurities. Your technical knowledge allows you to refine your energy with less effort, yet your consciousness remains at the 'Novice Apprentice' rank.]
Leon gave a wry smile. "So, I have the professional 'catalog,' but I don't have the engine to run it yet. Fine, time to test it myself."
Entering Lordran: The Pro's Edge
Leon reclined into the capsule. As darkness enveloped his consciousness, he felt none of the disorientation that had plagued Rakan or Elina. He didn't fall into a pit of despair; instead, it felt like a "homecoming."
He opened his eyes in that familiar stone cell. The freezing air that had made Rakan shudder caused Leon to inhale deeply with a nostalgic grin. "The scent of death and ash... I've missed you, Lordran."
Leon did not move aimlessly. He knew the enemy placements and the timing of their strikes. However, the shock came when he tried to maneuver; his in-game body felt terrifyingly sluggish and heavy. His mental knowledge was leagues ahead of his virtual muscle response.
Stepping out of the cell, he faced the first Hollow. He attempted a classic "Parry" to deflect the opponent's blade. In his mind, the timing was perfect, but his weak in-game arm lagged by a fraction of a second.
[CLANG!]
The sword bit into Leon's shoulder. "Dammit!" he hissed. The pain was so sharp it made his vision vibrate. "Knowledge is one thing; execution with this frail body is another entirely."
The Struggle for Survival and Growth
Leon spent the next forty minutes in a bitter struggle against just three enemies. He wasn't just fighting to win; he was monitoring how his spiritual energy constricted and solidified within. With every blow he received, he felt the energy circuits in his physical body back in Astoria "tightening" and becoming denser, exactly as the System had described.
He reached the courtyard of the Asylum Demon. When the gargantuan beast landed, Leon didn't attempt any heroics. He knew that at his current level, a single strike from that hammer would terminate his "consciousness" for the day.
He began to run. It wasn't the sprint of a hero, but the calculated kiting of an expert player who knew the limits of his Stamina Bar. He circled the hall's pillars, watching the beast shatter stone. He waited for the recovery frames after the demon's heavy slam, then rushed in, delivered a single quick stab to the ankle, and immediately retreated.
This is the difference, Leon thought, drenched in virtual sweat. Rakan tries to break the monster; I am trying to bleed it dry.
After several rounds of cat-and-mouse, the hour expired. Leon hadn't killed the beast—he had only chipped away a quarter of its health—but he emerged from the capsule feeling as though his body had been kneaded by an iron mallet.
Awakening and Raw Power
Leon stepped out of the capsule, staggering slightly as he gripped the counter. His shirt was soaked, and his heart hammered against his ribs. Yet, he felt a shift; the suffocating heat of Astoria seemed less oppressive now.
"System... status?"
[Status: Rank 1 Apprentice (Novice)]
[Progress: 15% toward Rank 2]
[Feat: You have gained 'Novice's Fortitude' – Pain tolerance increased by 5%]
"Only 15% in an hour?" Leon sighed, then chuckled weakly. "For a normal cultivator, reaching Rank 1 takes months of meditation under the scorching light. I achieved 15% while 'playing.' This is true cheating."
"System, open the Spiritual Brews menu," Leon muttered, sitting behind his desk.
Suddenly, the floor vibrated slightly, and an antique wooden machine appeared beside the reception desk. It resembled a classic espresso maker but was inlaid with faint blue crystals.
[Activated: Ashen Tea Dispenser]
[Price: 3 Magic Stones per cup]
[Effect: Reduces internal body heat and stabilizes spiritual energy gains from the game by 10%]
Leon looked at the machine with admiration. In a world like Astoria, where the heat never ends, a single cup of this tea could be worth a lifetime. "Three extra magic stones? The customers will think I'm exploiting them... but after experiencing death in Lordran, they'll drink anything that grants them peace