Prestige Grinding : I Can Reset My Level

Chapter 4 : Level UP !

Sora knelt on the cold stone floor, breathing heavily as adrenaline coursed through his veins. The remnants of the battle still echoed in his mind, but his focus shifted back to the figure emerging from the shadows—the short boy cloaked in dark fabric, standing silently before him. The air felt charged, and Sora remained instinctively wary.

"Well, you survived," the boy said, his voice low and smooth, almost melodic. "Not bad, considering where you started."

Sora clenched his fists, gripping the jagged claw tightly. He had not forgotten this boy, who had appeared mysteriously before the battle, and pretended to know everything about him. "Who are you?" Sora demanded. "You claim to know about me, yet I don’t know the first thing about you. What do you want from me?"

The boy regarded him with an intense, unsettling gaze. "I am your Innate Skill. I told you, I am part of you, as much as your memories or your soul" He paused, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Your performance was… refreshing."

A soft glow interrupted them as a status panel materialized before Sora, its words catching his attention.

[Quest Complete: "Survive the Shadows" - Difficulty: E][Experience Gained][LEVEL UP! 1 ? 2]

[LEVEL UP! 2 ? 3]

[Dodging Skill Level: 1 ? 2][Critical Strike Skill Level: 1 ? 2]

Sora narrowed his eyes at the boy, still wary. "You’re my Innate Skill? And you found this little trial refreshing?" He exhaled, trying to keep his composure. "What’s your real goal here? You’re putting me through these battles—why?"

"You were so cautious and cowardly before." The boy stepped closer, shadows shifting around him like a living cloak. "But today, you fought bravely. You didn’t rely on hesitation, and you took risks. That’s a start. Yet this is only the beginning. Bigger troubles await, and you must keep showing your fighting spirit." He paused, his gaze hardening. "What drives you now, Sora?"

Sora thought of his renewed resolve but kept his answer to himself, only tightening his grip on the claw. "And what are you supposed to be in this? Some kind of guide, my personal tormentor?" He scoffed, glaring at the boy. "What’s your name?"

"My name is irrelevant." The boy dismissed his question with a wave of his hand. "What matters is your journey. You’ve been granted a rare opportunity—a chance to grow stronger than most and realize your potential. But the path ahead will demand sacrifices."

Sora steadied his breath, his suspicion growing. "Sacrifices? What kind are we talking about?"

"Your understanding of strength is limited," the boy continued, ignoring the question. "To attain real power, you’ll need to risk everything, to confront your deepest fears, and to abandon any illusions you still cling to."

"Is this a game to you?" Sora’s tone sharpened as he eyed the boy. "You show up, force me to fight, then lecture me about sacrifice? Why should I even listen to you?"

The boy chuckled softly. "So, this is the new Sora? Someone who refuses to trust, determined to reject anyone who gets close? Or should I call you Ralph now?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Sora’s face. He had already lost so much—his friends, his life as he knew it. He couldn’t afford to let fear dictate his choices, but he needed to make the right ones. "If I’m going to continue this path, I need to know what I’m getting into. I won’t be betrayed again, and I won’t let anyone hold me back. In this life, I won’t expose my back to anyone"

The figure stepped back. "The world is changing, and with it, new threats will emerge. Don’t think you’re invincible just because of one innate skill. What you’ve been given is only a glimmer of hope in the face of what lies ahead."

Sora gripped the claw, feeling his resolve solidify. "I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll succeed, no matter what."

"Very well," the figure said, a slight shift in his tone acknowledging the fire within Sora. "A word of advice, then. You’re wrong. You will need allies. Seek those who can help you, who share your vision. Many before you have tried to rise with my power alone, only to die alone."

With that, the boy turned, retreating into the shadows, his form gradually fading. Sora felt a mix of relief and frustration. He had hoped for answers, but it seemed he’d have to find them on his own.

Turning his focus back to the room, Sora noticed the corpses of the fallen creatures around him. The quest was complete, but there were still rewards to collect.

[Looting Available: Touch the Bodies to Loot]

He approached the nearest body, a grotesque beast with jagged teeth and blackened scales. As he reached out, a notification appeared.

[Loot Acquired: Monster Scale (Common Item)][Loot Acquired: Fiendish Fang (Uncommon Item)]

The items flowed into his inventory. He knew their value; they were low-level items, with the scale being almost worthless.

He moved to the next corpse, a smaller yet equally menacing beast. When he touched it, another notification appeared.

[Loot Acquired: Venom Sac (Rare Item)][Loot Acquired: Shadow Shard (Uncommon Item)]

With each touch, Sora felt a growing sense of accomplishment. He was not just a survivor; he was back in his world—a world where humans had become players.

After equipping the Fiendish Fang, he tossed the remaining items into his inventory and headed to the cavern’s entrance.

"Status," he said.

He glanced at his status panel, marveling at the progress he’d made since waking in this strange world. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and surprise as he absorbed the changes displayed before him.

[Status Update]

Profile: Ralph Eden (Sora Hashino)Status: Alive (Prestige 1)Class: None (Level 3)Title: Innocent

Power Level: 18Energy Level: FBody Level: FTalent Level: 2Growth Factor : 2

Skills:• Sword Mastery (Level 1)• Shield Block (Level 1)• Critical Strike (Level 2)• Dodge (Level 2)• Mana Regeneration (Locked)Innate Skill:• Prestige

A swell of satisfaction filled him as he noted the level increases. His [Dodge] skill had improved, and he remembered the moments he’d evaded the beasts’ savage attacks. Relearning the basics of combat was almost effortless now, the muscle memory returning more naturally than before.

Reflecting on his [Critical Strike] skill, he remembered the risks he’d taken during the fight. Targeting weak points had been effective, and with each successful strike. It was as if he was beginning to understand combat all over again.

His [Power Level] had nearly doubled, going from 10 to 18, marking a significant leap in strength. This wasn’t just about gaining experience; it was about rediscovering his edge.

Emerging from the cavern, Sora’s thoughts turned darker. Rachel’s betrayal still burned in his chest, festering like an open wound that refused to heal.

How foolish he had been.

Sora clenched his fists, anger rising as he recalled her face—the cold, emotionless gaze as she plunged the blade into him.

And then, a darker thought emerged. ’What about my parents? Rachel knew how important they were to him. Could she have gone to them after his death? Twisted the truth to suit her agenda?’

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

His parents were Innocents, not players. They were defenseless. Rachel could have manipulated them, toyed with their emotions, made them believe he had abandoned them—or worse, that his death was his own doing.

No. He dismissed the thought. His parents were perceptive, but even if they saw through her deceit, what damage could she have done by simply being near them?

He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. "I swear," he muttered, "I’ll kill her for what she’s done."

But he couldn’t go to them yet. Not until he was stronger. Innocents were safe within city walls, but he couldn’t risk facing Rachel without the power to protect them.

"I’ll join them when I’m ready," Sora vowed. "When I’m strong enough."

With a determined stride, Sora pressed forward, his mind set on the path ahead. He wouldn’t be reckless, but he wouldn’t be a coward, either. He had to grow, and fast.