It was his second time challenging the dungeon, so surely, Luke had expected some kind of punishment after failing to achieve the goal.

Thinking back on what happened, it might have been the better option to run away from that thing when he still had the chance. Focusing on the mission would have earned him rewards and experience points.

But now...

[Ding! Because the host died in the dungeon, two hundred Gamma Points have been deducted as compensation.]

Luke sighed.

Something he had expected, yet it still stung like a hornet’s kiss.

However, what followed that notification erased the sting instantly.

[Ding!]

[Hidden Quests triggered!]

[Quest: Hunt your first Level Three beast.]

[Reward: 300GP, War Drums (Rank C)]

[Quest: Face your first death/failure in the dungeon.]

[Reward: 200GP, Medium-grade Healing Potion x2]

[Quest: Reach the maximum output of one of your current abilities.]

[Reward: 100GP]

[Ding! Upon hunting the Terral Bear, the host has extracted its Core Gem.]

[Core Gem: Rank C]

Luke took a few moments to properly read everything, slowly realising that he had gained far more than he had lost.

How many Gamma Points had he just earned?

’System... I didn’t collect the Core Gem, did I? Then how come...?’

[The system understood the pain and suffering the host went through. As compensation, the system collected the gem, a hard-earned reward from the battle.]

Luke nodded in appreciation.

Truth be told, he had expected nothing beyond the penalty. But this... this was a pleasant surprise. It made all that pain and suffering feel worthwhile.

’Alright, show me my stats.’

[Stats:

Level: 3

Str: 22 -> 26

Spd: 21.5 -> 23.5

Def: 22 -> 30

Int: 17.5 -> 18.5

Gamma: 1360 -> 2000/2000

Attribute Points: 0

GP: 975

[To level up: 2000GP]

[To level up Gamma Pod: 8000/10000]

[Abilities:

1. Echolocation: Level 1 -> 15/100 EXP

2. Concentrated Burst: Level 1 -> 2 -> 10/200 EXP

3. Enhanced Perception: Level 1 -> 2 -> 12/200 EXP

4. Shadow Walk: Level 1 -> 40/100 EXP]

Luke was impressed, and for good reason.

His strength stat had taken a massive leap, likely because of the brutal struggle against the monster while fighting for his life.

As always, his defense had increased too. But perhaps because he had actually died this time, it had risen by eight points no less.

Two of his skills had breached the base level. He was a little surprised about Concentrated Burst, though.

Gaining experience in something meant gaining control over it.

But remembering what happened today when he used it...

Luke couldn’t help but shudder.

He was terrified of his own skill.

Taking a deep breath, he asked the system, ’I feel like this stat is good enough to level up, right?’

[Indeed, host. Though the system will still persist with the requirement of clearing the second stage of the dungeon. However, it will allow the host to reach the maximum ceiling of your current potential.]

’And what’s that?’

[Thirty points. While your stats will not be locked there, leveling up beyond that point will become significantly more difficult unless you undergo evolution.]

[Host, you are also very close to evolving your Gamma Pod. So despite what happened, do not stop grinding.]

The system seemed unusually eager about the Gamma Pod. It had been insisting for quite some time that he evolve it.

Well, Luke couldn’t deny that he was curious about it too.

With his current Gamma Pod, he already had access to some impressive skills. A better version would surely grant him an even wider range of abilities.

Luke crossed his arms and fell into thought for a moment.

Then he walked out of the room and called out, "Monica, are we ready to go?"

He asked without knowing where the woman was.

"Just a little longer, Luke. I am helping Laila." Her voice drifted from their room.

"Okay, I’ll wait outside."

Luke slipped into his sandals and stepped out of the house.

He glanced around the village and found the entire area deserted. Well, much like his own family, the other villagers were probably just as eager to attend the gathering.

After a moment, he summoned the Core Gem into his hand.

This time, it was a crimson gemstone nearly the size of a jackfruit, forcing him to hold it with both hands.

The gem emitted a faint glow while radiating an unusually dense amount of Gamma.

’Damn... this definitely feels like something that came out of that monstrosity.’

He examined it for a few moments before asking the system, ’You said if it’s Grade C or below, I don’t need to refine it, right?’

[Indeed, host. However, this Core Gem comes from a powerful beast that lived for a very long time. Because of that, it is advisable for the host to consume a potion immediately after absorbing it and rest for a few hours to allow the core to assimilate properly.]

Luke nodded in understanding.

Even he felt the need to be cautious with this one. That was why he decided he would consume it tonight before going to bed.

After storing the gem back into his inventory, he asked, ’I got another item too, right? War Drums or something?’

[Indeed, host. You can find it in the Inventory.]

Luke reached for the unidentified item.

"Woah..."

The moment he held it, surprise flashed across his face.

They were heavy.

A pair of hammers rested in his hands.

Their long handles looked dark and imposing beneath enormous blunt heads shaped like instruments of ruin.

The handles were nearly the length of his arms, fitted with sturdy grips and protected by curved blades near the base.

The hammerheads were cylindrical, narrowed slightly at the center while both ends remained wide, blunt, and devastatingly solid.

Even at a glance, they looked intimidating enough to crush a normal human skull with a single powerful strike.

But when Luke read the description, he was even more stunned.

[Name: War Drums]

[Grade: C]

[Description: Forged by the experienced hands of ancient blacksmiths, these weapons carry the essence of a dead star and are crafted from materials strong enough to endure for ages.]

[Abilities:

1. War Cry: Upon repeatedly striking a surface, the armament releases an intimidation signal toward surrounding entities.

2. Thunder Strike: Upon landing a clean hit, the host may trigger the core energy of the armament.]

One word was enough to describe the weapon he was holding.

Damn.

No, seriously.

Luke hadn’t expected the system to reward him with something this absurd after hunting that bear and, on top of that, getting himself killed in the process.

He tightened his grip around the hammers, resting one over his shoulder while raising the other before his face.

They weighed at least thirty kilograms each. Not too heavy for his current self.

However, Luke could tell from the sheer density and sturdiness of the material that when these things struck someone... the impact would feel far heavier than their actual weight.

He was really... really satisfied with the rewards.

The Steel Claws and Magma Tooth had helped him tremendously so far. But against creatures like the monster that attacked the village or the Terral Bear he fought today, weapons like these were far more suitable.

With a grin, Luke muttered under his breath, "You really are the best, system."

••••••••

A/N:- Thanks for reading. A new weapon, let’s goooood!

Here is its image.