Unexpected Achievement

The goblin's head lolled limply to one side as its body crumpled to the ground.

"Five points, huh...?"

In a party hunt, I'd have gotten maybe one or two at most. But handling it solo meant the reward was straightforward and fair.

A displeasing wail echoed from the depths of the forest as the other goblins sensed their comrade's death, but it only calmed me down further.

"Kieeeek!"

"Kikik, kieeek!"

Three goblins burst through the underbrush at once. Just yesterday, they would've been objects of terror, but now they were nothing more than walking EXP bundles.

Two Mana Bullets sliced through the air, punching straight through their chests. The last one, panicked, charged at me swinging its dagger wildly, but the blue barrier enveloping my body didn't even twitch.

Clang—!

A dull metallic ring echoed as the goblin's arm snapped back. I pressed my finger to its forehead.

"Goodbye."

My EXP shot past 20 in an instant. But maintaining the Mana Shield while firing off Mana Bullets nonstop was pushing me to my limit.

"Hoo... not infinite, after all."

With my mana down to about a quarter, a wave of fatigue washed over me. I sliced off the goblins' ears as proof ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of kill and extracted their mana stones. Solo meant doing everything myself. But with my stamina at 1, even small movements left my lungs burning like fire.

"Maybe I should bump up stamina a bit..."

To catch my breath, I leaned against a large rock nearby and pulled out a lukewarm bottle of water from my bag, taking slow sips.

As I steadied my breathing and opened my Status Window, the 'Luck 9' at the bottom caught my eye.

What's the deal with this Luck stat?

Among hunters, Luck was called a "natural talent." Other stats rose naturally with levels, but without some special opportunity, Luck never budged from its awakening value—that was common knowledge.

But I could allocate stats freely. What if I could raise Luck at will? Even at 9, it gave overwhelming critical rates. What if it hit 15, 20? Every attack could crit, turning hunts into a slaughter.

It was a chilling hypothesis just to think about.

I'll invest in Luck next level up.

Once my body stabilized, I dove back into the hunt. Deeper in the forest, goblins appeared more frequently, but none pierced my Mana Shield.

As I took down the 28th goblin, the message I'd been waiting for appeared.

But two more goblins were right in front of me. I wanted to check my Status Window immediately, but they were in the way.

After clearing the last two, I ducked into cover and opened my Status Window.

Focused on hunting, my mana had dipped dangerously low before I knew it. The creeping fatigue was a warning sign. As I caught my breath again, that hypothesis from earlier swirled in my mind. With trembling fingers, I reached out to raise Luck.

But—

"Ah..."

A bitter taste filled my mouth. The world wasn't that easy, after all. Was Luck truly a gift only for the chosen? The adage that it never rose no matter how much you leveled held true for me too—an untouchable sanctuary.

As despair washed over me and I moved to close the window, one word from the message stuck in my brain.

Wait... regular points??

The system had specified "regular points." That implied other kinds existed—like 'Rare Points' or 'Special Points'?

A rumor among awakeners came to mind: top hunters worldwide, achieving impossible feats, sometimes permanently boosted their Luck against insane odds. It was so rare, dismissed as special luck. But maybe they unlocked the key to rare stats.

Regular points won't cut it now... but it's not impossible.

Swallowing my regret, I dumped the remaining 3 points into Intelligence.

The fatigue eased somewhat in an instant. But with only about 40 MP left, I decided on a longer break.

Over the next two hours, a few goblin packs spotted me, but a single Mana Bullet sent them scurrying, letting me rest. Soon, my MP was full, and I ventured deeper into the sticky, mana-charged forest.

A bizarre mana fluctuation rippled as a small-statured goblin approached.

"Kerrruk..."

Unlike the others, it was ornate, leaning on a grotesque staff made of bone.

My first boss monster—solo. Steadying my shaking hands, I naturally pointed my finger at the Goblin Shaman.

It sensed the battle's start and charged like a bullet.

"Keruk keruk!!"

With a grotesque laugh, the ground exploded beneath it. I'd expected a magic duel from a shaman, but that was my mistake. Dark mana coiled around its skull staff as it closed the distance with beastly speed.

Boom—!

No time to react. The staff smashed my side, the massive impact hurling me into the air.

"Kuhuk...!"

The tree behind me snapped from the force. But there was no pain—the blue film around me had taken the hit.

I glanced urgently at my status.

Crazy—one hit and nearly 40 MP gone? This was leagues beyond a regular goblin's dagger.

It didn't stop, raising its staff again. Shamanic runes glowed red on it, its muscles ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swelling unnaturally. Not external magic, but [Body Enhancement Spell] turning its flesh into a weapon. With no minions left—thanks to me—it cast it on itself.

"Kerrruk!"

The staff swung again—this time at my head. Instinctively, I rolled aside.

Thud—!

A head-sized crater formed where I'd stood. At Intelligence 13, I hadn't even shown my power yet, and my skull was nearly crushed. Aiming Mana Bullet this close was impossible—too fast. I leaped back, creating distance.

Don't fall for it. It's a shaman. Even enhanced, its durability is weaker than a warrior boss.

While retreating, I twisted my head and pointed. Even with Mana Shield, a few more hits like that and I'd shatter. Had to end it in one go.

My probing Mana Bullet shattered against its staff. But Intelligence 13's mana density was different. Its right arm recoiled massively, opening a gap.

"Keruk?!"

Confusion flickered in its eyes. It hadn't expected firepower to overpower its enhancement head-on.

Now.

I halted my retreat, planting my feet firmly. As it straightened to regain balance, I gathered all remaining mana and pointed.

"Taste Intelligence 13 for yourself."

This wasn't a simple bullet. A massive, swirling blue orb formed at my fingertip.

A cannon-like boom erupted as the Mana Bullet slammed into the Goblin Shaman's chest dead center. It reeled back without even screaming, collapsing.

I didn't let up.

Intelligence 13's mana was merciless. The ragged shaman could no longer control its limbs.

Steadying my ragged breaths, I approached. Terror-stricken, the Goblin Shaman shed tears, pleading with gestures.

"Keruk... keruk...!"

Begging for life? But it was just a gate monster. I had no mercy for this cunning beast.

"Good fight."

I pressed my finger to its forehead. Sensing death, it lunged in a final frenzy to bite my finger, but the bluish Mana Shield gave it only the sensation of chomping air. Into that helpless maw, my final Mana Bullet detonated.

"...!"

My heart pounded wildly. That mysterious term from the Status Window earlier: 'Rare Stat Point.'

Normal hunters didn't solo-clear gates below ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠level 5. Without gear or skills, facing a boss one-on-one was suicide. But my 'Free Allocation' cheat let me max Intelligence and Mana Shield, achieving a low-level solo clear the system never saw coming.

With trembling anticipation, I opened my Status Window.

The glowing golden [Free Stat Point (Rare): 1]. Without hesitation, I moved my finger to the spot that rejected me before.

[Luck: 9]

No rejection message this time. Instead, a golden wave bathed my body in light.

In that moment, the eerie silence filling the forest shattered. From the dead Goblin Shaman's bosom, a tiny light emanated—something that never would've appeared under normal circumstances.