*MARK'S QUARTERS, CASTLE INTERIOR - SUNSET*
Mark crumples the parchment, disappointment washing over him:
He sits down on his bed, elbows on knees, staring blankly ahead:
But then, a spark of hope ignites within him:
"Two weeks is a long time... maybe I can still prove myself."
He pulls out "The Hero's Guide to Combat and Strategy"
Then he says out loud: "Status..."
He opens his **Adventurer's Ledger**:
**NAME:** Mark (Commoner) (Unique)
**CLASS:** Commoner
**LEVEL:** 1
**HP:** 3,050/3,050 (was 2,733/2,733)
**STRENGTH:** 12
**AGILITY:** 8
**INTELLIGENCE:** 6
Mark's eyes widen in surprise - his max HP increased by 317 points!
He leans in closer, stunned by the sudden change.
Mark wonders what triggered such a massive increase in his health points:
He scrutinizes his **Adventurer's Ledger** again:
Then he says out loud: "Skills..."
His ledger flips to a new page:
**SKILLS:**
* **Passive: Vitality Boost** - Increase your max HP. Regen HP while sleeping.
* **Convert** (One-time use only) - After defeating an enemy, choose to change your class/race based on the defeated enemy and gain most of their skills.
* **View (Unique)** - See target's Level, HP%, and MP%. Level unknown if target is +50 levels higher than yours. Restriction lifts when target is dead.
* **Instinct** - Sense danger when nearby enemies threaten you.
Mark's eyes widen as he re-reads his skills, especially noting:
The **Vitality Boost** passive skill might explain his massive HP increase!
He feels a mix of excitement and curiosity about his abilities.
*MARK'S QUARTERS, CASTLE INTERIOR - SUNSET*
Mark wonders if defeating a strong enemy with "Convert" could change his fate:
He imagines himself transforming into a powerful warrior class:
With new skills and abilities, maybe he could re-enter the Hero program...
His mind races with possibilities as he paces around his room:
Mark's curiosity about his skills fades back into focus on his goal:
He sits back down on his bed, opening "The Hero's Guide to Combat and Strategy" again:
Although some advanced content is blurred and unreadable to his Commoner class:
He navigates to the appendices and finds two useful sections:
**Monster Encyclopedia** - listing creatures from Goblins to Dragons
**Hero Classes Catalog** - detailing classes like Warrior, Mage, Paladin, and more
Mark pours over the lists thoroughly:
He studies the **Monster Encyclopedia**, learning about:
* Goblin weaknesses: fire and magic attacks
* Troll regenerative abilities and weakness to acid
* Dragon strengths: overwhelming physical power and fire breath
Then he shifts to the **Hero Classes Catalog**, reading about:
* Warrior skills: Increased Strength, Battle Focus, and Weapon Mastery
* Paladin abilities: Healing Aura, Divine Shield, and Holy Strike
* Mage spells: Fireball, Ice Shard, and Thunderbolt
Mark's eyes widen as he reads about these powerful skills and abilities:
He checks his own stats again, feeling a stark contrast:
**NAME:** Mark (Commoner) (Unique)
**CLASS:** Commoner
**LEVEL:** 1
**HP:** 3,050/3,050
**STRENGTH:** 12
**AGILITY:** 8
**INTELLIGENCE:** 6
Mark feels intrigued by the Mage spells, wishing he could cast magic like they do:
He imagines himself wielding powerful magic against fearsome monsters:
Then his thoughts shift to his "Convert" ability:
Mark wonders if defeating strong monsters could teach him similar skills through his "Convert" ability
He considers the possibilities - gaining Warrior strength or Mage magical prowess
Lost in thought, Mark doesn't notice the door handle turning...
Suddenly, his room door bursts open:
Kai and Ryan stand in the entrance, smirking at Mark:
"What's with the intense studying, Commoner?" Kai sneers
Ryan adds, "Trying to learn how to be a real Hero... too late for that."
Before Mark can even respond:
Kai's foot connects with Mark's face, sending him crashing to the ground:
Mark's head spins from the impact, vision blurring slightly:
Kai stands over him, sneering:
"Since we're not allowed to hunt monsters yet to rise in level...
I've found a better training target... you, Commoner."
Kai's voice drips with malice:
"Hunting you will give us experience. Be honored."
Kai delivers several more kicks, but pulls back just enough to avoid fatal blows:
Mark cries out in pain, curling up defensively:
Ryan watches with amusement:
"This is entertaining. You're holding back just right, Kai – he's suffering but still breathing."
Kai grins:
"Exactly. I want him to remember this humiliation, not die from it... yet."
Mark's eyes water from pain and humiliation as he realizes he's their plaything.
Mark's eyes lock onto Kai and Ryan, filled with hatred and defiance:
He stares silently, his chest heaving with pain and rage:
Ryan sneers:
"Quite staring, peasant."
Ryan's foot connects with Mark's stomach again, winding him:
Mark spits blood onto the floor, his gaze never leaving theirs:
Kai chuckles:
"Don't worry, Commoner... this is just our daily routine."
He turns to Ryan:
"Let's go. We've entertained ourselves enough for tonight."
Ryan grins, nods, and both of them walk out of Mark's quarters:
Leaving Mark alone, broken, and seething with anger and humiliation:
The door creaks shut behind them, plunging Mark's room into painful silence.
Mark forces himself to stand, stumbling to the mirror to assess his battered face:
Bruises and cuts mar his skin, eyes swollen from the beating:
He gazes at his reflection, voice low and laced with self-blame:
"This is my fault anyway... by dragging them into this kind of world with me."
He thinks back to his life before this strange realm:
A normal world, no magic, no monsters....
Mark's expression hardens, determination etched on his face:
"But I want to stay alive... I have to survive."
He takes a deep breath, clutching the sink for support:
"I need to clear this quest – assisting in Brindlemark Village – and find a way back home."
His eyes lock onto his reflection, filled with resolve:
"I'll heal, recover my strength... and escape this nightmare."
Mark's jaw clenches, a newfound sense of purpose driving him:
He slowly releases his grip on the sink and turns towards his bed, ready to rest and recover
Before lying down, he says out loud:
"Status..."
His **Adventurer's Ledger** appears in his hand:
**NAME:** Mark (Commoner) (Unique)
**CLASS:** Commoner
**LEVEL:** 1
**HP:** 1,420/3,050 (severely injured from the beating)
**STRENGTH:** 12
**AGILITY:** 8
**INTELLIGENCE:** 6
Mark's eyes widen slightly at the alarming HP loss:
He notes he's barely halfway to full health and winces at the pain:
He lies down on his bed, closing his eyes, exhausted.
Mark falls asleep quickly, exhausted from the beating and emotional turmoil.
*MARK'S QUARTERS, CASTLE INTERIOR - LATE MORNING*
Mark wakes up with a start, groggily opening his eyes:
He rubs his temples, feeling a lingering ache from yesterday's beating:
But physically, he feels restored:
He says:
"Status..."
His **Adventurer's Ledger** appears in his hand:
**NAME:** Mark (Commoner) (Unique)
**CLASS:** Commoner
**LEVEL:** 1
**HP:** 4,850/4,850 (fully recovered and max HP increased drastically!)
**STRENGTH:** 12
**AGILITY:** 8
**INTELLIGENCE:** 6
Mark's eyes widen in astonishment at the massive max HP boost:
He recalls his Passive skill "**Vitality Boost**" healed his HP while he slept:
But the drastic increase in max HP leaves him puzzled...
A mix of emotions swirls inside him - excitement and unease:
Excitement because this boost could greatly aid his survival...
Unease because he suspects the increase might be linked to:
The intense pain and humiliation he suffered at Kai's hands...
Mark's expression twists in turmoil as he ponders this disturbing connection.