Chapter 97: Stat IncreaseAfter convincing Marielle and Niva, Adyr left the house and made his way toward the player headquarters. Since he had decided to spend the morning at home, he had sent the car back that had come to pick him up. Now, he was supposed to wait for a bus, but he didn’t want to waste time on that.

    Instead, he started running.

    As he ran, he observed the streets and roads he hadn’t seen in a long time.

    Due to the polluted air and the lack of places worth seeing, the streets were mostly empty. The few people outside wore masks and goggles, heading straight to whatever tasks demanded their presence. The privileged—with status—occasionally passed by in sealed, silent cars, though even that was a rare sight.

    The buildings looked tired, their surfaces dulled by chemical dust. Electric signs flickered weakly, some half-dead from years of neglect. Distant hums of underground vents echoed faintly through the alleys.

    Adyr ran through it all, steady and alert, his eyes never idle.

    But as he observed the filthy world and the people trapped in it, they looked back at him with shock and disbelief.

    Wherever he passed, the thick air seemed to split around him, the dust on the ground rising as if trying to catch him from behind.

    His speed, combined with the unwavering posture he maintained, made heads turn.

    The poor on the sidewalks pulled off their fogged-up goggles, struggling to believe what they were seeing. Inside their sealed cars, the wealthy compared their own mutant-enhanced genes to the man sprinting past and silently admitted they couldn’t move like that, most assuming he was STF personnel.

    After half an hour of nonstop running, Adyr reached the player headquarters—a towering, jet-black structure that stabbed into the sky like a sealed coffin. Not even his breathing had shifted.

    Normally, when he entered, he would stop by the reception, trade a few words, and catch up on the day’s gossip. But not this time. He walked straight to the elevator and rode it to the floor where his room was located.

    Once inside, he powered on the terminal and entered the shop section.

    The first thing he did was spend 10 merits to purchase a one-week access pass to the physical training floor. Then, from the 49 crystals in his inventory, he converted 30 into raw energy.

    Opening the system logs, he scrolled through previously ignored messages and located three talent registrations: [Cooking], [Linguistic], and [Tactician]. He spent 30 energy, 10 per talent, to upgrade each of them to level 2.

    In doing so, he earned 30 free stat points, which he allocated carefully based on current needs.

    Only after placing the final point and letting the addictive surge of strength settle into his body did he open his character panel to review the results.

    [Name]: Adyr

    [Race]: Dawn Human

    [Path]: Primora

    [Evolution Step]: 1

    [Physique]: 20 → 30

    [Will]: 15 → 25

    [Resilience]: 14 → 24

    [Sense]: 10

    [Energy]: 30 / 159 → 0 / 189

    [Registered Talents]: 9/10

    [Observer] Lv2, [Tracking] Lv2, [Throwing] Lv2, [Cooking] Lv2, [Linguistic] Lv2, [Tactician] Lv2, [Stealth], [Trapper], [Butchering]

    [Sparks]: 0/5

    [Sanctuary]: Dawn Land

    [Free Stat Points]: 0

    When he was satisfied, Adyr returned to the terminal and opened the forums. He started a new thread, sharing fresh intel about [Sanctuary], hoping to earn a few more merit points.

    Once everything was in place, he left the room and took the elevator to the playroom floor.

    As always, Dr. Eliot Vance and Nurse Mira were waiting to greet him. After a brief exchange, he spoke flatly.

    "I need someone from the research team. I have two live specimens from the other world I want to hand over."

    Eliot’s ears twitched with excitement. He turned quickly to Mira. "Call someone from the Biological Containment department. Fast."

    Not long after, two middle-aged researchers arrived. A second group waited just outside, their appearance notably different. Instead of lab coats, they wore tactical gear similar to Adyr’s own—utility belts, body armor, sidearms holstered tight. They looked more like containment agents than scientists.

    "Mr. Adyr. We’ve heard of your name and contributions for quite some time," said one of the older men, stepping forward and offering a handshake. "I heard you have something for us this time."

    He looked visibly excited. It was the first delivery since players began invading the other world, and the department had been idle ever since. Now that someone with a growing reputation like Adyr was reaching out with a specimen, they had rushed over without hesitation. Sёarch* The Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Adyr nodded. "Yeah. Two live creatures."

    He held out his palm. A moment later, two thick, iridescent worms materialized in his hand, summoned from the Dawn Land. They shimmered faintly, coiled and twitching with alien energy.

    "Ohh, look at this... is this Oligochaetology? No, they look larger and far more energetic," the researcher said, examining the strange yet oddly familiar creatures.

    He wasn’t the only one fascinated. The others behind him stepped forward, unable to hide their curiosity. One even pressed closer to the glass.

    Under the researcher’s swift command, a transparent containment unit was brought in, and the worms were secured inside.

    "I have one more thing, but it’s a little bit bigger," Adyr added after handing over the worms.

    "No worries, Mr. Adyr. We’re fully equipped. Just show us," the man said, nearly stammering with excitement.

    Adyr lowered his hand to the floor. A moment later, a rooster nearly the size of a child appeared beneath it. Its vibrant yellow feathers gleamed like molten gold under the lab lights.

    The room froze.

    The creature blinked, clearly startled, then gave a long, echoing crow that filled the sterile space.

    "What a beautiful creature," the researcher muttered, almost reverent. "And that voice..."

    The worms had been impressive—but this... this was clearly not of their world.

    Four personnel entered with a larger transparent container and carefully secured the rooster inside.

    Before leaving, the researcher turned back. "Mr. Adyr, thanks for your cooperation and help. I’ll make sure you get the merits you deserve." Then he rushed after the containers like an excited schoolboy.

    Adyr gave a short laugh under his breath. No matter how many times he delivered something, the researchers always acted the same—giddy, like kids unwrapping gifts.

    When the room finally cleared and only the doctor, nurse, and Adyr remained, he completed a quick physical checkup, then entered the game once more.

    He opened his eyes inside a bright, spacious chamber. After a moment to reorient himself, he rose from the bed and unlocked the door.

    Outside, two maids and a dozen knights stood at attention. The moment they saw him, they straightened in perfect sync.

    "Greetings to the Lord Adyr."

    Their armor wasn’t the silver of House Draven. This was full royal gold—ornate, reinforced, bearing the royal crest on each chestplate. Vesha had delivered on his request and more. She hadn’t just called in help. She had gone directly to the crown.

    Good. The more protection, the better.

    "Good morning. Can you call me Vesha?" Adyr said before stepping out.

    One of the maids quickly nodded and hurried down the corridor.

    Not long after, Vesha arrived with a smile on her face. "How was your sleep? Was the room comfortable?"

    "Yes, thanks. I slept well," Adyr said with a smile, inviting her inside and locking the door behind them. "I have a problem. I’m going to sleep again. This time, it’ll be longer."

    Vesha’s eyes widened at that, concern immediately showing.

    "Is something wrong? Are you in danger? How long will you be asleep?" She was clearly thinking of the curse—and what it might be doing to him.

    "No, I’m fine. I just need to recover more energy this time." He smiled, effortlessly slipping into the role, calm and reassuring.

    Vesha paused, then nodded with calm determination. "I understand. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you sleep safely."

    Adyr smiled at her resolve. Knowing his body would be safe under her watch, he was finally ready to begin the real work.