The Stardust Garden.
Roy's consciousness was hazy, drifting in a void of darkness. He knew he was alive, but his body wouldn't move—a sensation much like sleep paralysis. He smiled bitterly to himself; he was truly thrashed this time. This was the most severe injury he had ever sustained, having pushed both his body and spirit past their breaking point. He had skirted the edge of death at least a dozen times. He was so weak that even a three-year-old could take him out with a butter knife right now.
In the endless dark, he kept hearing faint voices:
"Droplets of healing, tears of light, sacred sanctuary of eternity, I call upon the melody here. Three hundred and sixty-five rhythms. The calendar of healing shall save all things. Now, come forth and break all evil. Bury the wounds, lay the sickness to rest, send the curse to the far shore, to the cardinal of light. In the name of the Divine—By me, be healed, Dia Fratel!"
"I'm sorry, I was too impulsive..." "Mr. Roy, if only my prophecy had been more useful, ugh..." "Mr. Roy, please wake up soon!"
After hearing these voices for what felt like the hundredth time, Roy finally regained consciousness and struggled to open his eyes. He saw a white ceiling—the familiar sight of the Stardust Garden. Beside him stood a beautiful girl: Amid Teasanare, the Captain of the Dian Cecht Familia and one of Orario's top healers. Tall, with silky silver-white hair and dreamlike long eyelashes, she looked like an exquisite doll, both beautiful and vibrant.
Her high-level healing magic, Dia Fratel, washed over him. It healed wounds, restored stamina, removed toxins, and dispelled curses all at once. Its effect was even more potent than Mermaid's Blood.
Roy's gaze flickered, and his parched lips parted slightly. "Seems my luck... is alright." His voice was barely a whisper, his breath hitched, making him sound like a frail old man on his deathbed.
Amid continued her treatment, glancing at Roy with surprise. To have been in a coma for five days and understand the situation immediately upon waking without a hint of panic—this level of composure surpassed 99.9% of adventurers. But then she thought about the storm Roy had caused in Orario during those five days; perhaps this level of mental fortitude shouldn't be surprising. The gods and adventurers outside were already going crazy. A Level 3 Roy one-shotting a Level 6 God-Killer? People were shouting that it was absolutely impossible. But when they saw the devastation from the 27th to the 30th floor, even the most stubborn had to admit it was true.
"Mr. Roy!"
Hearing that he was awake, Ryu, Astraea, Daphne, and Cassandra rushed in, sobbing. The emotionally fragile Daphne and Cassandra threw themselves onto him. Ryu stood back, her eyes filled with guilt and apology, watching him silently, not daring to come close. Goddess Astraea maintained her gentle smile, though the corners of her mouth were tucked higher, and her joy was plain to see.
Suddenly weighted down by two "heavy objects," Roy coughed violently. "Cough! Cough! Cough!"
"What are you doing?! He is severely injured! Everyone out!" Amid, who hated nothing more than interference with her treatment, roared. Ryu, Astraea, and the others were promptly kicked out.
The room was left to Roy and Amid. Through their conversation, Roy learned what happened during his coma. Ryu and the Loki Familia had pulled them out of the 30th floor just as he expected. Lady Astraea was unharmed, while he was a wreck: broken bones, frostbite, burns... it was as if he'd sampled the ten tortures of hell. He was wrapped in white bandages like a mummy, only his eyes visible. He couldn't move a finger.
Roy had only one question: "How long until I'm better?"
"You can't leave the bed for a week, and it will take at least a month for a full recovery," Amid answered.
Roy wasn't surprised by the result. He knew better than anyone how bad it was. From the moment he saved Astraea, he had survived on pure willpower; the final Blood for Blood strike against the Aberrant Amphisbaena was performed while he was practically unconscious. Even with his top-tier Level 3 constitution and Amid's treatment, a month of rest was necessary.
The day's treatment ended. Amid left, repeatedly lecturing Ryu and Astraea not to move him or even touch him. The group was scolded into silence, nodding frantically. Roy only stayed awake for a short time before the exhaustion and pain dragged him back into a deep sleep.
When he woke again, it was late at night. The moon was bright, the stars few, and a gentle breeze carried the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of Orario. Since the room was empty, Roy had a moment to check his system panel. Fortunately, operating the panel could be done mentally; otherwise, a mummy like him would die of boredom.
Name: Roy
Level: 3
Strength: 1455 (SSS)
Endurance: 1688 (SSS)
Dexterity: 1425 (SSS)
Agility: 1480 (SSS)
Magic: 1698 (SSS)
Developmental Abilities: Adventure (H -> G), Abnormal Resistance (I -> H)
He didn't even need the system's attribute points. The battles with the Spirit Soldier and the Aberrant Amphisbaena had pushed his stats to their absolute limits. His developmental abilities had leveled up as well. As for his "Great Feat," with a track record like his, it would be a scandal if he couldn't level up.
[Great Feat achieved. Level up?]
There was nothing to hesitate about. Roy clicked "Level Up." The old panel retired, and a new one emerged with all stats at the Level 4 initial (I) rank. He didn't feel a sudden surge of power—Level 4 strength was something his body would have to adapt to gradually. But his eyes sparkled with joy. Level 4 was a whole new tier. In all of Orario, there were fewer than two hundred people at this rank. He had officially entered the elite circle. He was now just one step away from being a "First-Tier Adventurer" (Level 5).
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