LV.3

With sheer determination and a little luck, Su Ran had obtained a useful summon. Though rare, it was not entirely impossible.

In the eyes of the Guard Hall personnel especially, a low-level summon like this had limited use in the face of a real crisis, though it had indeed played a crucial role this time.

But more of the credit went to the driver and the others for fighting with their lives on the line, as well as a bit of tactical luck. It was not worth probing further.

The investigator focused on the details of the environment inside the rift, the types and numbers of monsters, and how the battle had unfolded, especially the actions of the driver and the others.

Su Ran gave an objective account, emphasizing the driver's command and sacrifice, as well as the other two teammates' hard fighting.

He also told them about details such as his use of healing scrolls, which was consistent with the ordinary abilities of his [Scholar] class.

The interview lasted nearly an hour.

During that time, Su Ran noticed that the Guard Hall personnel seemed to perform some kind of test on the bus itself. They also placed temporary warning and monitoring runes around it to prevent any lingering effects from the rift or a second outbreak.

After Su Ran signed his name and temporary contact code on the interview record, the investigator closed the clipboard.

"We have a basic understanding of the situation. You were victims, but also brave survivors.

"The driver will receive the best treatment. You'll be notified of any rewards and compensation after an assessment. Keep your communication channels open for the next few days; we may have further questions.

"For now, you're free to leave. Do you need us to arrange a vehicle to take you back to the city?"

"No, thank you. I can get back on my own."

Su Ran politely declined. He needed some time alone to process everything that had happened today, and... deal with that silver treasure chest.

He stepped out of the temporary office, and the wilderness wind brushed his face, bringing with it the tangible feeling of having survived a disaster.

The swordsman and the spear wielder had already been taken away for treatment.

In the distance, the bus still stood alone where it had stopped, like a silent tombstone.

The Guard Hall personnel paid him little attention.

A low-level Scholar with slightly better luck, who had survived a rift by chance and offered a little help, was hardly remarkable in the Outer Ring District and the dungeon wilderness, where all kinds of accidents happened every day.

Su Ran tugged at his collar, got his bearings, and headed toward the bus stop.

His steps were steady, but only he knew that his palms were still slightly damp with sweat from the earlier tension and overexertion.

The token's origins had been obscured by luck.

The rift's crisis had passed for the time being.

The joy of leveling up and anticipation of his rewards were diluted by deep exhaustion and a trace of heaviness.

But no matter what, he had survived.

And in his personal space, a silver treasure chest from the otherworldly rift, awarded through the contribution settlement, lay quietly waiting.

Perhaps this was the only compensation for the disaster, and the greatest.

He needed to find somewhere safe to open it. The first time, and the second.

Back in his cramped rented room, which now felt especially safe, Su Ran locked the door behind him, shutting out all the clamor of the outside world and the lingering sense of danger.

He did not immediately touch the silver treasure chest, nor did he even clean off the blood and dust on his body, the blood already dried and blackened.

An indescribable exhaustion, mingled with the mild excitement brought on by the mental power recovery potion, made him want only to sit down first and quietly sort out his current situation, just as the mage guard had said.

He sat at the table, habitually calmed his mind, and prepared to check his personal panel after leveling up.

A pale blue screen unfolded in his consciousness.

[Level: LV.2.]

[Experience: 330/200.]

[Class: Scholar.]

[Constitution: 8.]

[Strength: 6.]

[Agility: 7.]

[Spirit: 13.]

[Skills: Knowledge Insight Lv.3, Scroll Crafting Lv.2, Light Spell Lv.2, Lesser Healing Spell Lv.1.]

[Equipped: Cloth robe (common), rabbit-hide shoes (common), oak staff (common), Skeleton Summoning Token.]

[Personal space: Copper coins*76, silver coins*8, worn knowledge notes (common), basic energy-conducting ink (common), Skeleton Summoning Token*6...]

Su Ran was about to select level up when his gaze inadvertently swept over the skill section at the bottom of the panel.

Knowledge Insight Lv.3?

Su Ran's pupils contracted slightly.

This skill was one of the core passive abilities of his [Scholar] class. It allowed him to notice details more keenly, analyze information, and identify the potential value or danger of items, especially unknown ones.

It had always been Lv.2 before, rising slowly as he spent a long time studying various cheap sources and analyzing dungeon information.

When did it level up?

During the battle?

At the brink of life and death, had his mind been so focused that he had analyzed and judged his surroundings, the monsters' traits, his teammates' conditions, and even the use of the token far more quickly than usual?

Or was it when he was being questioned after the battle, as he subconsciously analyzed the investigator's questions and attitude, as well as the course of the entire incident?

He did not know the exact reason. But the skill's increase in level was real.

Lv.3 [Knowledge Insight] meant that his ability to observe things, analyze intelligence, and even appraise certain unknown items would be a little keener and more thorough than before.

In many situations, that might be more valuable than a direct increase in power.

Setting aside his questions about the skill's advancement for now, Su Ran turned his attention back to his level.

"Level up." He concentrated his thoughts.

A faint light rippled across the panel.

[Level increased! Lv.2 → Lv.3]

A familiar warm current surged through him again. This time it seemed gentler and longer-lasting, continuing for four or five seconds. It washed through his body and seemed to soothe his spirit somewhat as well, which had been a little restless from overexertion and the potion's effects.

The warm current subsided, and the experience field changed: [Experience: 130 / 300]. The requirement had increased sharply once again.

He immediately looked at the attribute section.

A prompt for the automatic allocation of free attribute points appeared, and he added the point to his core attribute without hesitation.

[Spirit: 13 → 14]

The sensation from gaining one point of spirit was more noticeable than when it had risen from 12 to 13.

If before it had been like a candle flame growing steadier, now both its brightness and the range within which he could control it had improved slightly but unmistakably.

His sense of control over his mental power was stronger, and the sluggish feeling of being unable to keep up, which he had experienced from summoning skeletons in succession, seemed to have weakened somewhat.

If he summoned a Lv.2 skeleton warrior now, perhaps it would cost a little less, and his control would be a shade more precise.

He closed the personal panel, and silence returned to the room.

The city noise outside the window continued as before, but now it carried a strange, tangible sense of being alive.

A silver treasure chest from the otherworldly rift was quietly waiting to be opened.

Su Ran got up, walked into the cramped bathroom, and splashed cold water vigorously over his face. The chill stung his skin, thoroughly dispelling the last of his slight daze.

He looked at the face in the mirror, still somewhat pale and tired, but with calm restored to its eyes.

Then he turned and went back to the table.

It was time to take stock of the greatest reward he had risked his life to obtain.