The transition felt like being squeezed through a straw. One moment I was falling through the cosmos, and the next, I was standing in the middle of a dense, vibrant forest. The air was heavy with the scent of pine needles, damp earth, and an underlying hum of magical energy that made the hair on my arms stand up.
A translucent blue screen shimmered in front of my eyes.
[User: Julian]
[Class: Dungeon Master (Unique)]
[Level: 1]
[Attribute Points Available: 100]
I took a deep breath, testing the air. It was crisp and clean, far removed from the smog-choked city I had left behind. If I was going to survive in this world—a world populated by heroes who would likely want my head on a pike—I couldn't afford to be average.
"If I'm going to be a villain, I need to be a physical god," I whispered to the empty woods.
I looked at the baseline stats. Everything was at a measly 10. I needed to be smart about this. I wasn't just a brawler; I was a master of the dark.
[Health/Mana: 30]
I dumped 20 points here. I needed the stamina to handle the 'conquests' and the mana to fuel the dungeon's traps. I felt a surge of warmth spread through my chest, my breathing becoming deeper and more rhythmic.
[Strength: 20]
[Stamina: 20]
[Agility: 20]
I put 10 points into each. My muscles tightened, the fat from my old life melting away to reveal a lean, wiry strength. I felt light, capable of moving through the underbrush without a sound.
[Intelligence: 20]
[Luck: 20]
Another 10 each. Intelligence was vital for managing the complex mechanics of a dungeon, and Luck... well, a man in my position could always use a bit of favor from the universe.
That left me with 30 points. I turned my attention to the Skills section.
[Available Skills: Stealth, Detection, Charisma, Torture, Alchemy...]
I chose [Stealth Lv.1] and [Detection Lv.1] for 20 points. Stealth was non-negotiable for a lurker like me. I needed to be able to watch my prey before I struck. Detection would ensure I was never the one being hunted.
As the points were allocated, a map expanded in the corner of my vision, showing the heat signatures of small animals nearby. I felt a strange, cold calm wash over me. I was no longer just Julian the neighbor; I was a system-integrated predator.
I kept 10 points in reserve. A safety net for when things inevitably went sideways.
"Stealth and Detection," the voice of the God echoed faintly in my mind, sounding satisfied. "Practical. A shadow in the woods is far more dangerous than a giant in the field."
I looked down at my hands. They were steady. The Wife-Stealing Rod was strapped to my back, a constant, low-frequency hum vibrating against my spine. I could feel it reaching out, seeking a connection, a bond to subvert.
The sun was high, filtering through the massive canopy of ancient trees. Somewhere to the east, I could hear the distant tolling of a bell. The Royal Capital.
"Wait for me," I smirked, my eyes flashing with a violet light. "I'm coming for your wives, your saints, and your souls."