Jin crossed into the high-density zone without slowing down, but this time his steps were measured, his breathing controlled, his eyes constantly scanning the environment instead of focusing on a single direction. The difference from earlier was immediate. The scattered goblins near the entrance had been reckless, charging without thought, driven by instinct alone. Here, the silence carried weight. Movement was less frequent, but more deliberate. Creatures weren't just present—they were aware.
He adjusted his grip on the sword slightly, feeling the balance settle more naturally in his hand. It wasn't that he had suddenly become skilled overnight. The foundation had always been there. The hours spent training alone—running, striking, repeating the same motions until his body stopped resisting—those weren't wasted. Before awakening, it had been meaningless effort. Now, it was the only reason he wasn't dead.
A faint shift in the rubble ahead caught his attention.
Jin stopped.
Not abruptly. Slowly, reducing his movement until he was completely still. His eyes moved first, then his head followed.
Two goblins.
One slightly behind the other.
Watching.
Not attacking immediately.
Jin narrowed his gaze slightly.
They were waiting.
That meant they weren't acting purely on instinct.
He stepped forward.
The reaction was instant.
The first goblin lunged low, aiming for his legs. The second followed half a step behind, targeting his upper body. A simple pincer, crude but effective against someone unprepared.
Jin didn't retreat.
Instead, he shifted diagonally, changing the angle of engagement. The first goblin's claws passed just in front of him, missing by inches. At the same time, Jin's blade moved—not toward the closer threat, but toward the second one.
Priority.
The one with the delayed attack had the better angle.
His sword cut cleanly across its throat.
The goblin collapsed mid-motion.
[Kill Confirmed][Calculating Target Stats…]
Target Stats:Strength: 8Agility: 6Vitality: 7Mana: 2
Total: 23
[Inferior Extraction Activated]1% of 23 = 0.23 → Rounded = 1 Stat Point
[+1 Free Stat Point Acquired]
Jin didn't stop to look.
The first goblin was already turning.
He stepped forward this time, closing the distance before it could recover. His blade thrust straight into its chest, angled upward to ensure the kill.
The body dropped instantly.
[Kill Confirmed][Calculating Target Stats…]
Target Stats:Strength: 7Agility: 6Vitality: 6Mana: 2
Total: 21
[Inferior Extraction Activated]1% of 21 = 0.21 → Rounded = 1 Stat Point
[+1 Free Stat Point Acquired]
Jin exhaled quietly and opened the system.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Jin ValeLevel: 1
Strength: 3Agility: 4Vitality: 3Mana: 1
Free Stat Points: 14
Skills:
Inferior Extraction (Inferior)
He started with twelve.
Now fourteen.
Slow.
But consistent.
Jin closed the window and continued forward.
The deeper he moved, the more signs of activity appeared—disturbed ground, broken stone, faint traces of movement. The density warning wasn't exaggeration. This area wasn't just filled with more monsters. It was structured differently. Groups formed naturally. Territory seemed to exist, even if it wasn't defined.
A low growl echoed from the right.
Jin turned.
Three figures emerged.
Two goblins.
One hobgoblin.
The difference was clear immediately. The hobgoblin didn't rush. It stayed slightly behind, letting the smaller ones move first.
Command structure.
Jin adjusted his stance.
The goblins attacked.
Fast.
Coordinated.
Jin stepped back this time, creating distance instead of engaging directly. The first goblin overextended slightly, its attack coming just a fraction too far forward. Jin's blade moved instantly, cutting across its neck.
[+1 Free Stat Point]
The second goblin reacted faster, adjusting mid-motion and striking from the side. Jin raised his sword, deflecting the attack instead of avoiding it. The impact traveled through his arm, heavier than expected, but manageable.
He twisted his wrist and pushed forward, driving the blade into its throat.
[+1 Free Stat Point]
The hobgoblin moved the moment both fell.
Faster than before.
Jin's eyes sharpened.
This one wasn't like the last.
Its first strike came low, targeting his legs. Jin stepped back just in time, but the follow-up came immediately—an upward swing aimed at his torso.
Jin barely avoided it.
Too fast.
He created distance again.
Reassessing.
This wasn't something he could end quickly.
Not with his current stats.
The hobgoblin advanced steadily, not rushing, not overcommitting.
Smarter.
Jin's grip tightened slightly.
Then he opened the system mid-fight.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Jin ValeLevel: 1
Strength: 3Agility: 4Vitality: 3Mana: 1
Free Stat Points: 16
Skills:
Inferior Extraction (Inferior)
Sixteen points.
Enough to change the fight.
He didn't hesitate.
Spending now increased survival.
Saving didn't.
He assigned points immediately.
Strength +4Agility +6Vitality +6
The system updated.
[UPDATED STATUS]
Strength: 7Agility: 10Vitality: 9Mana: 1
Free Stat Points: 0
The change was immediate.
His body felt lighter.
Faster.
More responsive.
The hobgoblin attacked again.
Jin moved.
This time, the motion felt slower.
Predictable.
He stepped inside the attack, his body rotating slightly to avoid the swing. His blade moved at the same time, cutting into the creature's side.
Deeper than before.
But not enough.
Jin didn't pull back.
He adjusted.
Lower.
The next strike targeted the knee.
The blade cut into the joint, forcing the hobgoblin off balance.
That was enough.
Jin stepped forward.
His sword thrust upward—
Straight into the throat.
The resistance broke.
The blade went through.
The hobgoblin staggered, then collapsed.
[Kill Confirmed][Calculating Target Stats…]
Target Stats:Strength: 20Agility: 11Vitality: 18Mana: 4
Total: 53
[Inferior Extraction Activated]1% of 53 = 0.53 → Rounded = 1 Stat Point
[+1 Free Stat Point Acquired]
Jin stood still for a moment, letting his breathing stabilize.
Then he opened the system again.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Jin ValeLevel: 1
Strength: 7Agility: 10Vitality: 9Mana: 1
Free Stat Points: 1
Skills:
Inferior Extraction (Inferior)
Better.
But still limited.
The deeper area was already pushing him.
And that meant—
Further ahead would be worse.
A distant roar echoed through the zone.
Different.
Heavier.
Jin didn't move toward it.
Not yet.
He looked at the system again briefly.
Thirty points.
Still far.
He closed the window.
Then turned back.
This wasn't retreat.
It was control.
He had gained enough for now.
Pushing further would reduce efficiency.
And efficiency mattered more than anything.
Jin walked back toward the gate, ignoring the smaller movements around him. The sounds of combat grew quieter as he moved away from the dense zone.
The gate came into view.
Students were returning.
Some injured.
Some excited.
Some frustrated.
Jin walked past all of them without interaction.
He stepped through.
The world shifted instantly.
The weight disappeared.
The air lightened.
[Exited Secondary World]
Jin returned to the dormitory and sat down on his bed without wasting time. His body wasn't exhausted, but the fights had taken more effort than before.
He opened the system one last time.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Jin ValeLevel: 1
Strength: 7Agility: 10Vitality: 9Mana: 1
Free Stat Points: 1
Skills:
Inferior Extraction (Inferior)
Still not enough.
But steady.
Jin closed the system and leaned back slightly.
Tomorrow—
He would go again.
Not blindly.
More precisely.
More efficiently.
And next time—
He would go deeper.