The Dreamer's POV

[6:45 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

"I can't beat it. Not like this."

I stood before the formidable boss, fully aware of my current limitations. Determination surged within me, and I knew I had to make a quick decision.

'Looks like there's no other way...'

I had to invest my Stat Points to improve my combat ability. I wanted to save them up for something else, but all of my plans would be useless if I lost here.

This was my only option, at this point.

"Status Window."

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 12

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 8/8 (+2)

- Combat Ability: 2/2 (+3), (+12)

- Stat Points: 26

- Currency: 1,250

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

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

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

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>

- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Shirt, Trouser, and Sneakers>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Defense Ring>, <Tower Pass (F1)>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.

'Let's use 6, for good measure!'

I could manage with my Energy Levels for now, and as long as I didn't get hit by the Boss, I wouldn't die. In the end, what truly mattered now was Combat Ability!

"Spend Six Stat Points on Combat Ability."

With a surge of power, I allocated the points to my Combat Ability, feeling the newfound energy course through my veins. It invigorated me, igniting a fire within.

"Haa... that feels much better!" A wide grin formed on my face as I stared at the Boss with bloodlusted ferocity. "Let's do this!"

With renewed resolve, I lunged at the boss, my movements swift and precise. My body felt lighter than ever, and everything seemed much slower than before. <Focus> and <Sprint> must have been further boosted thanks to my upgrade.

"Heh!"

The boss recoiled, momentarily taken aback by the sudden surge in my abilities. And I advanced, closing the distance in a flash. However...

'H-huh? What's going on?!'

My moment of triumph was short-lived.

'N-no! <Sprint> has timed out!'

My bulging eyes met the Boss' immensely pleased demeanor, and I could feel an extremely satisfied expression oozing from it.

'This is bad! This is—!'

~WHOOOOSSSSHHHH!~

The boss retaliated with a devastating blow, too fast for my current senses to fully comprehend, thanks to <Focus> wearing off at that exact moment. Its force threatened to snuff out my life in an instant.

'S-shit!'

But just as despair and death began to grip me, a stroke of luck intervened.

~SHING!~

The 'Defense Ring' I equipped at the last minute before approaching the Boss activated in a brilliant burst of energy.

A protective barrier instantly materialized around me, shielding me from the full impact of the attack.

~WHAM!~

The attack exerted pressure that was enough to send me flying back, despite not taking any damage. However, distance was what I wanted, to begin with, so I was grateful.

With the gap between me and the Boss widened even further, the Defense Ring finally shattered into fragments as the barrier dissipated, its purpose fulfilled.

'To think I'd use the Item here. Damn...' Stunned yet grateful, I smiled a little.

I almost died now. Just one mistake, and that would have been the end of everything I had worked for all day.

It was scary.

Death was one thing, but losing everything I had worked so hard for... I couldn't allow that.

'Let's not get too shaken. This is good.' I shrugged off my fears and gave a fearless smile instead.

Why?

'This just made me realize something interesting.'

Since my Defense Ring worked, that meant the Boss had a Combat Ability that wasn't more than twice mine. Considering how I felt faster than it with <Sprint>, which doubled my speed, I didn't think its Combat Ability was exactly twice mine.

'As long as I use <Sprint>, in addition to <Visualize>, it won't be able to stop me!'

A smile of realization tugged at my lips. The boss, though formidable, had its limits.

"Hahaha!"

It was not invincible.

"Why don't we start round two?!"

"ROAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!" The terrifying howl of the Boss filled the room, causing everything to vibrate, but I was no longer intimidated.

As I stood face-to-face with the formidable boss, my heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

With a deep breath, I activated my <Sprint>, feeling a surge of energy coursing through my veins.

In an instant, my speed doubled, propelling me into a blur of motion. The world around me transformed into a chaotic swirl of colors as I darted with unparalleled agility.

I evaded the boss's colossal fists and razor-sharp claws with an uncanny grace, relying on my augmented speed to dance between its relentless attacks.

But the fleeting power of <Sprint> demanded caution, and as the seconds ticked away, I knew it was time to activate my second skill, <Focus>.

Instantly, my perception sharpened, and my senses heightened to an extraordinary degree. The details of the room became crystal clear, every sound, every movement magnified.

With my heightened awareness, I utilized my Energy Rock as a strategic weapon. I hurled it with precision, the rock sailing through the air with uncanny accuracy.

It served as a tantalizing distraction, diverting the boss's attention and creating crucial openings for my own strikes.

As the cooldown of <Sprint> and <Focus> initiated, I relied on my Exclusive Skill, <Visualize>.

The world seemed to slow down as I peered into the near future, a fleeting glimpse of the boss's impending moves. I analyzed its every twitch, every shift in weight, and planned my own counterattacks accordingly.

With calculated precision, I unleashed a relentless onslaught. Each strike carried the full force of my determination, aimed at exploiting the boss's vulnerabilities. I darted in and out of its reach, evading its monstrous claws by a hair's breadth, and retaliated with devastating blows that echoed through the room.

Meanwhile, the Energy Rock soared through the air, a mesmerizing dance of projectile prowess. It weaved through the chaos, striking the boss's weak points with unerring accuracy.

The creature's attention wavered, its guard momentarily lowered, granting me the perfect opportunity to unleash a storm of ferocious assaults.

~WHOOOOMMM!!!~

~VWUUUUSSHHH!!!~

~BOOOOMMMM!!!~

The battle intensified, the clash of titans resonating through the penthouse. My energy waned with each passing second, yet I refused to yield.

The cooldown of my skills forced me to rely on my own natural abilities, but I pressed on, fueled by an unyielding determination to emerge victorious.

The boss, unrelenting in its assault, showed no signs of stopping. Its sheer strength and resilience were staggering, testing the limits of my endurance.

But I refused to let doubt creep into my mind. I focused my mind, honing my senses, and delivered each blow with unwavering precision.

'It's not invincible! Sooner or later, it'll fall. Sooner or later...!'

And then, in a moment of divine opportunity, the boss faltered. A flicker of vulnerability revealed itself amidst its relentless assault.

With a surge of adrenaline, I unleashed a final, decisive strike, pouring every ounce of my remaining strength into the blow.

Gripping Energy Rock with all my strength, while intensifying my bulging muscles, I pushed myself with <Sprint> and launched myself towards the Boss.

"Haaaaaaa!!!"

And then...

~BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!~

... An explosion of sheer energy occurred.

The impact reverberated through the room, a shockwave of energy shaking the very foundations of the penthouse.

"G-GUuuuuurrrghhhh..." The boss's monstrous form staggered, then crumpled to the ground, defeated.

For a second or so, I only stared at its motionless form. However, it only lasted for that brief moment.

"Haa... yeah. Fuck you. Haha... haaaaa...."

A symphony of silence, save for my heavy breaths, filled the aftermath as I stood there, breathless and victorious. Sweat dripped down my brow, mingling with the dust of battle.

The room, once a battleground, now exuded an eerie calmness.

With a mix of exhaustion and elation, I surveyed the scene. Destruction and chaos had been wrought all around me, but—

<You Have Leveled Up>

<You Have Leveled Up>

<You Have Leveled Up>

"I won! Haaaaaaa! I fucking won!"

... And with that, I crumpled on the ground, completely exhausted.

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading!