Looking on at my surroundings, I let out a gasp of bewilderment as I perceive my new environments.
Before, there were cobblestone walls that encapsulated the entirety of the labyrinth with little to no signs of upper boundaries, but the terrain in front of me is now vastly different.
In an almost impossibly grand scheme of extravagance, the constitution of the labyrinth was now that of glass and reflective stone as fractals made themselves known throughout the environment.
Distinctive patterns of triangles, squares, and circles numbered in what could've only been the thousands as they wore themselves thin, the ground a mixture of glass and sand while the walls were of pure glass with shapes so magnificent that one could've mistook it for intricate human design.
Beyond that though was a completely new construction--a sky. Or rather, the mimicry of one, with fractals again making themselves known in the space above, translucent crystal-like formations poking out that then spread to the walls.
"What's going on, where did this all come from?"
Disregarding my sheer puzzlement, I look again at my status window.
"Only 2 mana points remaining, huh?"
Recalling back to my conflict with the army of spiders, I think on what would happen to me now if I were to find myself in a greater conflict in this unknown terrain.
Because my increased strength relies on physical enhancement through magic, cutting off my single source of strength leaves me incredibly vulnerable to outside forces.
With this in mind, I close my eyes, focusing on my mana.
"Grhhhh."
Letting out an uncontrolled grunt, my face begins to tense as I envision the blue, viscous aura moving freely along the outside of my skin, waving away and about as small, pea-sized tendrils dissipate off into the atmosphere.
Thinking back on the lessons I took as a child, I imagine the squeezing of my hand, but instead apply this analogy to my mana core.
Consequently, the before freely moving aura was burrowing back into my body through my pores, a clear indication of the technique's efficacy.
As I restrict my outreaching mana, I again refer back to the necessity of this act, attempting to conceal myself in a fashion that would leave me invisible to creatures reliant on their sixth sense.
Images of textbooks of creatures that I've met in these dungeons--such as the man-horse I fought previously--flash by in my mind, remembrances of a forced curriculum that children of my status must uphold.
In them were clear mention of mana beasts and their reliance on mana for game, their version of hunting. The major distinction between man and beast is that beasts have a mana-detection organ, something akin to a sixth sense that enables them to perceive their surroundings purely based off of its mana signature.
Man, would I kill to be able to sense creatures from long distances.
"User has not yet chosen their mission rewards."
Spontaneously, a familiar voice flashes in my head, the same monotone femininity making clear the purpose of it's speech.
Searching again for the corner of my sight where the status window is held, I prompt it to open in anticipation for my reward.
"After risking my life to kill that horde of spiders, this better be the best loot the system can offer."
[Mission Rewards]
As a reward for completing "Purge The Den" within the allotted time, the user will now be granted the opportunity to choose three mission rewards of four.
"Tch, seriously? After sticking my neck out for these rewards, you might as well give me all of them."
Tapping on the 'okay' situated below the mission prompt, my face goes from one of monotone to one of incredulity.
[Passive Skill: Mana Sense I]
Grants the user limited 'mana-sight', allowing them to perceive all mana within a 100 meter radius.
[Alpha Spider's Fang: Uncommon]
A dagger crafted from the Alpha Arachnid's fang. Each strike deals venom damage, but consumes 1 mana upon impact. Killing enemies with this blade restores 2 mana points.
[Active Skill: Mana Skin]
Activating this skill grants a temporary barrier of mana to offer greater protection for the user. While active, movements are slowed by 30%, but defense is increased proportionally to mana usage.
[Active Skill: Checkpoint I]
Activating this skill tethers the soul to a point in space. Invoking this skill again returns the user to any previously created checkpoint(s).
"Wait, these are all great! How the heck am I supposed to choose only three?"
Eyeing the weapons and skills from top to bottom, I contemplate their individual worth.
Of the four, the most obvious choice to me is mana sense--not for its pragmatic value, but instead because it has always been my dream since childhood to be able to see mana the way monsters do.
Exhilaration filling my chest, I feel a dormant flare begin to encompass my entire brain that I hadn't been aware I held for all this time.
Immediately, I reach for the checkmark positioned to the right of the 'mana sense' window, a smile creeping on my face as I fail to constrain my excitement.
Now, of course, that leaves me with the other two choices.
"Hmmm... what to pick..."
Looking back and forth, I again consider their strengths and weaknesses.
This new dagger would by far serve its purpose. The thing I've been lacking is a lasting weapon that I can use without having to waste mana, plus this dagger grants restorative passives that would aid in prolonging my effective longevity in combat.
Clicking the check, my eyes track off to the other two before a sudden thought races through my head.
But wait! If I'm going to continue getting stronger, then I'm certain I'll run into more opportunities to obtain weapons--after all, in this world, there is no shortage of weaponry. On the other hand, there's no guarantee that I'll have the chance to obtain these same skills.
Immediately, I uncheck the dagger, contemplation prevalent as I scrutinize the faults of the other two.
Eventually, I found myself perpetually clicking on one of the choices, reconsidering its value, and then promptly removing it.
My left hand on my chin, I look again at the available rewards, unsure of the next move.
"Well, it's a little obvious that these are all good choices. I need to come down to some consensus."
Resolved in picking my last two rewards, I try something that I've never conceived was possible before--but no, perhaps because this is a new system...
"Hey, system, can you hear me?"
...
No response. Who am I kidding, perhaps all this time down in this labyrinth has finally gotten to me.
"Yes, Player. I am humbly at your service."