Before entering the square, Alex decides to spend his 10 remaining stat points to raise all his stats by 2. The increased cost of 5 points per stat, which he has to endure after unlocking his NEN stat, feels like a relatively minor price to pay, especially considering he gains twice as many total stat points as he spends. Plus, NEN, as a special stat, is usually twice as expensive to raise compared to regular stats.


    Alex thinks, savoring the moment.


    “Human, I can feel our sssstrength growing! Isss thisss the reward you get for completing your missssions?” Mustrano hisses in his mind.


    Alex responds internally.


    “I sssseee,” Mustrano replies, his tone curious. “You need to get more of thisss. I feel if you crossss a certain point, there will be a ssssignificant change!”


    Alex muses, then adds aloud in his mind,


    [I am unable to talk about this issue. Once the host has fulfilled certain conditions, I will be able to offer explanations.]


    Alex sighs. He shakes his head.


    As Alex walks toward the central square, he notices a large number of players bustling about, which is completely normal. To his surprise, though, many of them glance in his direction, whispering and talking among themselves.


    Trying to avoid the attention, Alex presses on and finds a quiet corner on the outskirts of the busy center plaza, with all its shops and buildings. He decides to quickly open his chests before dealing with anything else.


    he concludes.


    Alex analyzes eagerly. S~ea??h the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alex celebrates internally, his excitement hard to contain.  Alex wonders as he shifts his focus to the unfamiliar item.


    Alex thinks as he examines his newly acquired [Upgrade Token]. After reading its description, he guesses that “1 Stage” likely means a substage upgrade, like going from Regular to Deep, rather than a full jump in quality.


    Alex wonders.


    After some thought, Alex narrows it down to three items: [Hunter License], [Noble Shirt], and [Jack’s Spare Silvery Mask].


    Alex reasons.


    [[Upgrade Token] activating]


    [[Noble Shirt] selected …


    Upgrading …


    …


    …


    …


    success


    [[Noble Shirt] has been upgraded to Light Blue quality]


    [Noble Shirt]


    25/25


    Alex celebrates, grinning to himself.


    “Hehehehe! Let’s keep going!” Alex says aloud, acting like an addicted gambler.


    “Open all 11 Bloody Chests now!”


    “FUCK!” Alex screams in frustration, his voice echoing in the quiet corner. His earlier prediction had come true.


    The last item catches his attention. Alex concludes, his frustration slightly eased by the promising item.


    A few players standing nearby hear Alex scream and shriek in fear. Recognizing him instantly, they walk away as quickly as possible, not wanting to attract his attention.


    [Kyubei’s Deception]


    Counting his gains, Alex concludes:


    Finally, Alex walks toward the center square, only to notice that almost everyone he passes continues to recognize him.


    Alex thinks, growing annoyed as he presses on.


    When he reaches the center square, Alex finally spots someone he recognizes, Stephen, an acquaintance he often chats with. After getting over Alex’s previous white lie, the two had grown closer.


    Relieved to see a familiar face, Alex walks up to him. “Hi Stephen, what’s happening here? I feel like everyone’s looking at me like I’m a ghost!”


    “A GHOST!” Stephen suddenly cries out loud, his face full of shock.