Chapter 54: Rapid Advancement to First Rank
Inside the room, Shen He deliberately washed his hands with soap, then sat down on the sofa and opened his player panel.
He had a total of six free attribute points.
Not only was it enough for him to raise his “Spirit” to the first-tier standard, but he still had four points to spare.
Today was the day that set him apart from the rest.
Today was the day he would successfully reach the first tier.
It called for a little ceremony.
It was a shame he hadn’t bought any incense; otherwise, he could have taken a ritual bath, lit the incense, and made the moment truly special.
In most game systems, reaching the first tier meant you were no longer a novice.
Perhaps it would even unlock something new.
He was growing more and more eager with anticipation.
Shen He took a deep breath and immediately added two free attribute points.
His “Spirit” stat instantly rose to 10.2.
In that moment, all four attributes crossed the threshold of 10, fully meeting the first-tier standard.
The instant his stats reached the requirement, Shen He felt a tingling sensation all over his body, like getting a massage.
After a moment, the tingling faded.
As expected, the stronger his body became, the less noticeable the effect of minor stat increases.
He gazed at his player panel, skimming past the uniform stats.
His eyes finally settled on the evaluation section.
[Player: Shen He]
[Strength: 10.2]
[Stamina: 10]
[Agility: 10.1]
[Spirit: 10.2]
[Free Attribute Points: 4]
[Skill Points: 0]
(Evaluation: Congratulations, player, for reaching first-tier standard. You are now barely able to scrape by in this chaotic world, but always remember to follow the Survival Guide—it will help you survive a while longer in these troubled times.)
…
[Survival Guide: Although you’ve reached first tier, I suggest you heed the system evaluation’s advice.]
[I am the Chosen One, the only one!]
[…]
Shen He stared at the few lines of small text before him and took a deep breath.
He clenched and unclenched his fists on his knees, finally letting go.
After all, this thing had no physical form; there was nothing to vent his frustration on.
He couldn’t exactly slap himself, could he?
That would be simply absurd.
Immediately, another set of lines appeared before his eyes;
[Ding! Congratulations, player, on completing Main Quest One: Practice Makes Perfect]
[Quest Reward: Earth Dragon Set/Left Arm Missing Version (To be claimed)]
[…]
Main Quest One was completed ahead of schedule.
In less than ten days, he’d gone from a subhealthy “996” wage slave to a first-tier powerhouse.
Such speed was truly unprecedented.
Who would dare call him slow?
His gaze moved down.
[Ding! Congratulations, player, on reaching first tier]
[Achievement Unlocked: First Step to Godhood]
[This achievement is commemorative only and does not grant any bonuses.]
[…]
What use was an achievement with no bonus?
Was it just to commemorate reaching first tier? A ten-pull draw would have been far more worthwhile.
But as he looked further down, he was suddenly stunned.
Was a ten-pull really about to happen?
[Ding! Points Shop Unlocked]
[Points Shop: Players receive points for each mission completed; points can be used in the lottery. Rewards are random; final interpretation rights belong to the system.]
[Current Points: 0]
[…]
(This function is an online beta version. You can open a blind box with 100 points, and a ten-pull with 1,000 points has a higher chance of good rewards!)
(Luck cannot save the unlucky, and spending won’t change your fate.)
(That doesn’t exist here! Use your points to whip them into shape!)
After reading carefully, Shen He’s eyes lit up.
He knew it! A mature golden finger, a proper game system, could never be without a lottery system.
And now, it was finally unlocked.
With his luck, getting something good would be a piece of cake.
But when he saw the zero behind his current points, his mood instantly soured.
He had killed so many mutant beasts and completed so many daily and temporary missions.
If not merit, at least he deserved some compensation for his hard work. At the very least, shouldn’t a new feature launch with a complimentary ten-pull?
If nothing else, starting with 100 points for a trial would have been nice.
Could this wretched system have secretly docked his points?
A hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes.
Given the system’s quirks, it wasn’t out of the question.
But he had no proof.
He could only wait until he completed more missions or hunted mutant beasts for points and see what kind of rewards he could get.
Shen He sighed and continued reading.
[Ding! Main Quest Two Activated]
[Main Quest Two: Can’t Afford to Live!]
[Quest Requirement: Within two months, reach second-tier strength—bring all attributes to 30 points]
[Time Limit: 60 days]
[Quest Reward: “The Power of My Consideration”]
[Your current stats may surpass a little mouse, but you’re still not even on par with the lowest white cat of the Cat Cult. Hurry up and improve your stats.]
[…]
As expected, the main quest now required him to reach second tier.
But the second-tier stat requirement—30 points each—was astonishing.
Right now, having fully achieved first-tier stats, he was already the Chinese equivalent of Captain America.
If he reached second tier, wouldn’t that make him about as strong as the Hulk?
But there was one difference: the Hulk wasted too many clothes—every transformation shredded his outfit.
There was one thing, though, he couldn’t figure out: what exactly was this “Power of My Consideration”?
No hints, no explanation.
Was he supposed to just guess?
Even kids don’t like guessing games.
Shen He exhaled to ease his slight frustration.
Only then did he notice a few more lines at the bottom.
[Ding! Your Martial Artist profession has reached 100% progress. You may now take your advancement quest.]
[View Advancement Quest?]
[Yes/No]
[…]
Shen He’s eyes instantly brightened.
So, after reaching 100% proficiency with Martial Artist, he still needed to complete an advancement quest to be promoted to first tier.
No wonder he hadn’t received the quest reward notification.
He thought the system had eaten it again.
He was just about to check the advancement quest when his phone rang.
Shen He picked it up, and Chen Zhao’s voice came through: “I’ve arrived at your village. I’ll be at your door soon.”
With that, the call ended abruptly.
Shen He glanced at his phone.
Hmph, playing it cool.
He wasn’t surprised that Chen Zhao had found his home.
After all, the guy was the city police department’s Criminal Investigation Team captain; a quick call to the county bureau would provide all the info needed.
Still, the guy was pretty fast.
Normally, it would take at least an hour and a half, nearly two hours, to get from Xiangxiang City to here.
He’d arrived in just over an hour.
Were all young people these days in such a hurry?
Shen He had just reached the courtyard gate when two assault vehicles screeched to a halt in front of his house. Two squads of fully armed SWAT officers quickly disembarked and secured the perimeter.
Not far away, a group of senior officials from the village intelligence department, drawn by the police cars, watched the scene unfold, stunned and rooted to the spot.