UNLOCK: I CAN SEE MY STATS

chapter 3 : Blood, Lies, and Engagements

> [Name: Marcus Abomarian

Age: 14

Physical Fitness: 5

Spirit: 9

Eternal Energy: 93 / 100

Blood Factor: Seal Body – Unawakened (100)

Unlock Points: 0

Skills:

– Energy Eater: Level 1 (100)

– Eternal Energy Triangle: Level 1 (100)

– Instantaneous Movement: Level 2 (500)

– Mirage Clone: Level 3 (1000)

– Lightning Style: Serpents of Lightning – Level 4 (5000)

– Earth Style: Earth Wall – Level 3 (1000)

– All for One: Level 9 (1,000,000)

– Healing Technique: Level 4 (5000)

– Disguise Technique: Level 0 (50) ]

Marcus took a deep breath, then activated a hidden function of the panel—something he’d discovered the first time it awakened. A thin, violet flame-like layer shimmered across his body before it converged and condensed into his open palm.

In a flicker of arcane light, a small purple orb—no larger than a baby’s fist—formed in his hand.

He tossed it gently in the air, watching it rise and fall, lost in thought.

That orb… it held a condensed form of Eternal Energy. He used to treat it as nothing more than a portable reserve, something to consume in emergencies. But now he realized—it was far more.

He could convert this orb into Unlock Points.

That alone changed everything.

Yes, it could still serve as a backup energy source, but the moment he decided to convert it into points, that choice became exclusive. Once consumed, the energy could either be reclaimed—partially—or transformed permanently into Unlock Points.

And that transformation?

That was the source of his quiet celebration.

Previously, he’d been puzzled by the numbers next to each skill. Now, he understood.

Those numbers were the cost to level up. And the key? Unlock Points.

However, the conversion rate was painfully unfair.

50 units of Eternal Energy equaled just 1 Unlock Point.

It was a brutal exchange. His total energy cap was only 100 units. That didn’t mean he could instantly generate two points—doing so could kill him. Eternal Energy was tied to life itself. If it vanished completely, death was guaranteed unless something filled the gap.

Thankfully, the body had a natural failsafe it wouldn't allow the energy to hit zero. But…

The panel’s core feature, this so-called Energy Core the purple orb bypassed that failsafe.

Which meant: if he wasn't careful, he could die.

It was one of the system’s hidden drawbacks. And it wasn’t the only one.

Unlike others, no matter how many times Marcus used a skill—thousands of times, even—it wouldn’t improve on its own.

Only Unlock Points allowed advancement.

Still, compared to the benefits?

Those downsides felt insignificant.

First, he could generate a private energy reserve—something no one else could do.

Second, he could learn skills and techniques that others struggled to even grasp. The panel revealed every technique he had met the basic requirements for.

Third, he could instantly level up any skill—if he had enough points.

And the most important part:

No matter how limited his current qualifications were, they no longer held him back.

Thanks to the panel, even the mighty Abomarian bloodline could one day awaken.

How could he not be happy?

"Now then... which skill should I level up?"

Marcus murmured as he browsed through his skill list. His eyes shifted between names, numbers, and possibilities.

He didn’t deliberate long.

“I already know the one…”

Mirror Realm Illusion.

It was among the most powerful illusion techniques ever created, inspired by the Beigal bloodline. This technique overwhelmed the target's senses, surrounding them with endless mirror reflections of themselves within a surreal world.

The terrifying part?

The more a victim tried to use energy to dispel it—the deeper they sank.

Without external help, escape became impossible.

But the requirements were severe.

It demanded deep mastery of the Yang element and basic understanding of Space—requirements that 99.99% of users couldn’t meet.

Both elements were notoriously difficult, especially Space. The technique had long been labeled forbidden.

Still, it was the one Marcus chose.

He’d acquired the technique in exchange for military merits but had given up on it in the past—unable to grasp the Space element.

But now, this body belonged to the Abomarian clan. A clan known for its affinity with Space, Yin, and Yang. And now, Marcus had the panel.

With all that in mind, he called upon his Eternal Energy once more.

He formed the seals—faster this time, more confident—and performed the Mirror Realm Illusion technique.

As expected, he failed.

No surprise.

This was an A-rank technique. It was leagues beyond something simple like the D-rank Disguise technique.

Undeterred, he tried again.

Eighteen hand seals. Precision. Control. Focus.

Still failed.

But Marcus’s expression didn’t change.

He wasn’t discouraged. He had noticed a subtle flicker from the panel—the faintest ripple.

“If I perform the technique 7 to 10 times… it might register.”

On the third attempt, though, his face paled. His breathing became ragged.

He immediately halted the energy flow inside his body and collapsed onto the bed, drained.

His excitement had made him reckless.

First, he forgot that Mirror Realm Illusion consumed Eternal Energy to function—and he had only just under 50 units left after transferring the rest into the orb.

Though he hadn’t cast it on a real target (which would require more power depending on their strength), even two attempts had nearly exhausted him.

Second—he was still injured.

In his excitement, he’d ignored that fact. Now, with his energy low again, the pain and fatigue returned with vengeance.

He let out a long, frustrated breath… then tossed the purple orb into his mouth.

It melted instantly—energy flooding his system in a warm rush.

“I guess I’ll have to delay this until I recover... and try generating more energy.”

He closed his eyes as his reserves began to refill.

Moments later, he was asleep—his soft snoring the only sound left in the tent.

---

Outside the medical tent… a figure stood silently.

Golden, reptilian eyes shimmered in the darkness—bright, narrow pupils slicing through the shadows.

He was one of the Eternal Assassins, from the Raivon clan—known for their superior vision and cold-blooded lethality.

From his vantage point, the tent walls faded. His clan’s bloodline granted him X-ray vision… and thermal sight.

Through the fabric, he saw Marcus lying on the medical bed—his body glowing faintly red with warmth.

" Still alive...The mission failed", he thought grimly.

He stared a moment longer. Then, without a sound, he vanished into the night.