Only I Can See The End

Chapter 22: Second Round

<Day 5 of the Tutorial>

[7:30 AM, Thursday 4th of May, 2023]

"U-urgh..."

Opening my eyes slowly, I felt the rush of information from my dream flood into my mind.

Unlike before, this sensation didn't bring any pain or a headache.

"Is it due to my mental resistance Title? This is the first time I've used <Dream> to return to a point in the Tutorial."

Previously, my 'save point' had been at the start of the day, before the Tutorial even began.

"Ahh..." I rose to my feet and stretched, ignoring the mess caused by my [Nightmare] earlier.

"It's a good thing I started the day. For a moment there, I thought I would return to the hotel..."

I was relieved not to have to relive that hell again.

More importantly, I marveled at how composed I felt. I had died not long ago, yet it didn't feel like anything more than a dream. The pain and horror I had experienced seemed to have vanished.

I was perfectly healthy.

"Hold on a sec. Status Window."

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 1

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 1/1

- Combat Ability: 2/2

- Stat Points: 0

- Currency: 100

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Nil>

- Items Equipped: <Nil>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

"Haha... I guess I should have expected this," I chuckled to myself, trying to maintain a sense of optimism.

All my stats had been reset, along with everything else - my Level Up, my Rock, and pretty much everything I had gained.

It felt like starting from scratch all over again.

'I shouldn't have expected all my future experience to carry over to the past, I guess.'

But maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

'The Currency I'm about to receive. If I plan it out and spend wisely, I should be able to save more,' I reasoned, seeing a silver lining in the situation.

Acquiring 'Rock' wasn't a bad idea, given its usefulness.

Unfortunately, the Item Section of the <shop> didn't offer 'Rock' with unlimited durability.

The items with high durability were too costly, so it would be better for me to try the Lucky Draw and hope to get that item again.

'If I do it at exactly the same time I did in the past, I should achieve the same results,' I said with determination.

As someone whose ability involved time travel, I diligently kept records of when I performed specific actions.

'I'll get Rock, and I'll save the Currency I spent on that Basic Survival Information,' I concluded confidently, charting out what seemed to be the most sensible course of action.

'With careful planning and a bit of luck, I should be fine.'

********

[Hours Later]

"Unbelievable..." A wide smile formed on my face as I stared at the System Panel in front of me.

<Total Currency in User's possession: 550 C >

Of my 600 Currency, I only spent 50, yet I already managed to get the Rock from ~Lucky Draw~

The best part? That wasn't all I managed to get!

I got one other Item!

... It was a second rock.

[Item Information]

Name: Enchanted Rock

Special Effect: Always Returns to User.

Combat Ability: +1;

Energy Level: +1

Durability: Infinite

[End Of Information]

Unlike the first Rock, which only gave me Combat Ability, this one added to my Energy Level.

So far, Energy was my only Stat which still had the base figure of 1.

But now, with these two items equipped, my Stats looked like this;

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 1

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 1/1 (+1)

- Combat Ability: 2/2 (+2)

- Stat Points: 0

- Currency: 550

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Nil>

- Items Equipped: <Rock>, <Enchanted Rock>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

"How did I acquire the second item, though? And why didn't I need to spend as much as last time?" I wondered aloud, my curiosity growing with each passing moment.

If I had to guess, it might be due to the slight difference in the time I left unaccounted for.

Even though I remembered precisely when I initiated the Lucky Draw in my previous attempt, I didn't record how many seconds each round took or how long it took me to respond to them.

The ballots constantly shifted in Lucky Draw, so even a one-second difference could make or break it.

'I can't believe I got Rock for the second time! I'm really lucky!' I couldn't help but marvel at my good fortune, realizing the significance of this item in my survival.

I never imagined I'd be so thrilled to get an item like Rock. However, when compared to the alternative of spending a lot and getting nothing, this was much better.

"Alright, then. Since I've made some progress... it's time to move on to the next phase of the plan.

There was no need to continue observing the Demons and their actions. I had been doing so for a while, and it was time to shift my focus.

Right now, I needed to concentrate on leveling up as quickly as possible.

To do that efficiently, I had to make a purchase from the System Shop.

It was something I had wanted to buy during my last attempt, but due to my previous extravagant spending, I had decided to go without it.

Now, with just the right amount of spare change, it was time to make that purchase.

[Invisibility Potion (Lowest Grade)]

<Price Per Unit: 50 C >

<Unit Selected: 3>

{Total Price is 150 C}

~Will You Proceed With The Payment?~

[Yes] [No]

Of course, my answer was "Yes"

And with that, I made a purchase that guaranteed better results in this round and reduced the chances of dying.

[Item Information]

Name: Invisibility Potion (Lowest Grade)

Special Effect: Grants Invisibility For 3 Minutes

Durability: 1 Time Use

[End Of Information]

Since I couldn't afford to spend my money on more expensive items, this Item would have to suffice.

'The Low-Grade one offers Invisibility for 10 minutes, and it costs 150 C…'

If I calculated the cost, it actually gave me an additional minute as a bonus. On the surface, it seemed like the smart choice.

'But I'm uncertain about how things will go once I'm out there. Can I really hunt Demons for a full 10 minutes without interruption? What if I have to retreat before the 10 minutes are up? What if I don't encounter any Demons during that time? The effects would be wasted!'

More importantly, I had to consider my physical limitations.

Throwing two Rocks with all my strength would certainly drain me, especially while concentrating so intensely on the target.

With that in mind, it would be better to take things one step at a time.

"With Invisibility, I can get closer to the Demons and take cheap shots at them. It should help me Level up faster."

I decided not to activate the Invisibility until I was sure I needed it. I wouldn't venture too far from my base, and I would retreat when there were only ten seconds left before the Invisibility wore off, avoiding any close calls.

The advantage of having invisibility was that I didn't have to wait until evening to begin my hunt.

I had already figured out the Demons' movement patterns in this area. As long as they didn't see me leaving and returning to my base, I could hunt them down without restriction.

"Alright, Mikey. It's time for round two!" I whispered to myself with determination, ready to put my plan into action.

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[A/N]

What do you think of Mikey's journey so far? Is there anything you'd like to see?

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