Chapter 34: New Occupation
As Adam opened the golden chest, he was less surprised than before when the entire chest vanished in a puff of magical smoke. However, his curiosity was piqued as he discovered not one but two items before him. One of them was an ancient-looking tome, its title strangely unreadable. Intrigued, Adam picked up the book and used Identify to unveil its secrets, resulting in a new system message.
[Comprehensive Beginner Book of Runes - This book grants its user the Occupation of Beginner Formation Apprentice. Upon accepting this job, you will also learn the rune language, allowing you to read this book.]
[Would you like to obtain the "Beginner Formation Apprentice" Occupation?]
[New System Message: Congratulations! You have successfully acquired the occupation of Formation Apprentice.]
Adam's mind was in a whirlwind as he accepted the unfamiliar occupation. He understood that formations held great power but had little knowledge of their intricacies. Nevertheless, he realized that in this new world, he needed every advantage he could find to survive.
As he embraced the occupation, an intense pain shot through his brain, causing him to wince in agony. Yet, amidst the pain, a flood of information surged into his consciousness. It was as if the system was directly uploading knowledge into his mind, teaching him the fundamentals of formations, the usage of basic runes, and various other insights about the art of being a formation expert.
The process continued for several minutes, leaving Adam mentally drained and fatigued. He glanced groggily at the book before him, and this time, he could read its title clear as day: "Comprehensive Beginner Book of Runes."
But the journey of learning was not over yet. Another system message materialized, indicating new possibilities and challenges lying ahead.
[Formation Apprentice Level 1 (Rare): As a Formation Apprentice, you have embarked on a path filled with ancient wisdom and profound knowledge. This occupation grants you a foundational understanding of formations and their intricate workings. You will learn the art of crafting and activating basic formations, empowering you to create simple defensive barriers, enhance your allies' abilities, or even temporarily amplify your own strength. Through diligent practice and study, you can gradually unlock more advanced formations and expand your repertoire of techniques. As a Formation Apprentice, you possess the potential to become a formidable Formation Master in the future, capable of manipulating intricate formations to shape the battlefield and dominate your opponents. Embrace this opportunity to unlock the secrets of formations and pave your way toward mastery. Stat bonuses per level: +8 Intelligence, + 8 Wisdom, + 7 Perception ]
Adam was left speechless as he read the description. "What in the world? Is this some kind of Xinxia novel?" he exclaimed, his mind buzzing with excitement. The stat gain was beyond anything he had expected—23 stat points per level! His warrior class, which seemed basic now, granted a mere 7 stats per level. The thought of starting with a rare class from the beginning sent his imagination soaring. If only he had known, he could have been an unstoppable powerhouse by now.
His attention then turned to the second item before him—an enormous egg, dwarfing even an ostrich egg in size. Its vibrant orange-red hue and oval shape intrigued him. Scanning it with the Identify skill didn't provide much useful information.
[Beast Egg - Rare]
"It's a Beast Egg... Rare, system not being useful as always. This is kind of becoming a routine." Adam muttered, scratching his head in puzzlement. "What the heck am I supposed to do with an egg of this size?" He decided to store it for later contemplation and put it away in his storage. For now, he had made up his mind to leave the dungeon and return to his parents.
Placing his hands on the dungeon orb, or as he had come to call it, he was met with a system message asking if he wanted to leave. Without hesitation, he accepted the offer. In an instant, a blinding light engulfed him, and as it subsided, he found himself back in front of the familiar stone entrance of the dungeon.
Taking one last glance at the structure, Adam resolved not to waste any more time. It was already 1 pm, and he had a long journey to reach the city. Determined, he started walking toward Boston, eager to explore his newfound powers and uncover the mysteries that awaited him.
Upon exiting the dungeon, Adam immediately noticed the relentless earthquakes that shook the land. They seemed stronger than the previous day, yet strangely, the trees stood resilient, not falling as easily as they had before. However, something seemed off—the distance between the trees surrounding the dungeon appeared greater than before. Adam couldn't shake the feeling that the earthquakes were stretching the land, playing tricks on his mind and adding to his confusion.
Pulling out his phone once again, Adam attempted to contact his mother, Emily, but to no avail. Frustrated, he returned the phone to his pocket and embarked on his journey through the forest toward Boston.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, the few creatures he encountered quickly fled from his presence. Even a small pack of roughly level 10 wolves changed direction and ran away as they sensed the vast difference in power. At level 18, Adam exuded an aura that demanded respect.
After seven hours of walking, he decided it was time to make camp. However, the open surroundings made him feel exposed, and the frequent earthquakes made it difficult to imagine getting any sleep.
Searching for a solution, Adam surveyed his surroundings and spotted the thickest tree in the vicinity. Curiosity struck him, and he wondered if the Identify skill could shed light on the tree as well.
[Pine Tree - Level 6]
"How on earth does a pine tree level up?" Adam pondered, perplexed by the concept. Nevertheless, unlike the others, he observed that the branches of this particular tree remained steady with each earthquake.
Determined to find a safe spot for the night, Adam began climbing the tree, seeking out one of its thickest branches to create his makeshift camp.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone