Chapter 28: New System Function

—–

As we moved through the corridors, I continued spreading Harmony across my surroundings, suppressing the Nightmare Erosion as much as possible.

While I did so, Astraea spoke to me once more.

[Elizabeth, did you notice? I have unlocked a new function: the Extraction System.]

“Extraction System?”

[Yes. By using it on a viable target, it is possible to Extract Items from them.]

“Wait, like Treasure Chests?”

[Treasure Chests and dropped items are part of most Dungeons. This Nightmare Nest does not seem to be fully assimilated with the System. However, if you go deeper, items may begin to appear.]

“Okay, so this is different?”

[Yes. At this level, the Extraction System allows you to extract Stats, Low Grade Items, and Skill Shards from targets. They must be recently deceased corpses, within 24 hours.]

[You cannot use it on anything else for now.]

“I see. Let me check then.”

I quickly laid out all forty or so corpses on the floor and pointed my hand forward.

“Extract.”

With that System command, Astraea’s power activated. In mere seconds, dozens of ethereal fragments emerged from the monster corpses, flying toward me before transforming into items.

Ding!

[You have Extracted]:

[Soul Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3

[Spirit Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3

[Mana Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3

[Bonus EXP Card (C Grade)] x3

[Nightmare Beast Skill Shards (??? Grade)] x7

[Low-Tier Nightmare Beast Ring (C Grade)]

[Low-Tier Abyss Necklace (C Grade)]

[Low-Tier Shadow Sword (C Grade)]

[Low-Tier Book of Nightmares (C Grade)]

“Oh, maybe I could feed these to my Grimoires or the shapeshifting weapon,” I said. A powerful wave surged through me, leaving me feeling far stronger than before.

First, I inspected every new item, driven by curiosity. The Nightmare Beast Ring boosted strength and agility slightly while infusing attacks with nightmare energy. The necklace offered similar benefits. The sword was forged entirely of darkness and could shapeshift to surprise foes. The Book of Nightmares served as a lesser grimoire containing only a few spells.

“What do I do with these Skill Shards?” I asked Astraea.

[If you gather ten, you can create a new Skill to use yourself or grant to someone else. You can also use them now to boost the growth of compatible Skills or even evolve them.]

“I see… and these cards? Wow, what are they?”

I was most surprised by the strange cards. They felt like they were made of some kind of metal.

[Hold one and think about using it. Why not give it a try?]

“Okay.”

I nodded and activated the card. Green energy shot into my body, enhancing my ability to earn Experience Points.

[You have used the [Bonus EXP Card (C Grade)]. Your EXP earned has been doubled for the next hour.]

“Doubled?!”

[Doubled is the smallest multiplier. You can later obtain cards that increase EXP earned by three times, four times, five times, ten times, and more.]

“I see.”

They seemed identical to those from the game. It appeared there were far more mechanics and hidden items in this world than I had imagined.

“Extraction is an incredible ability, Astraea. Does everyone have it?”

[Hm? Of course not. Only those with an independent System Spirit such as yourself—or a few others—could develop such a unique power. It is essentially your personal cheat, Master. Quests, however, are common. In Yggdrasil specifically, Quests are commonplace, especially Instance Party Quests.]

[Adventurers gather where portals open toward large temporary dungeons filled with challenges. Once the party completes the Instance Quest, they earn luxurious rewards to accelerate their growth.]

That was just like in the game!

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

So many elements from “Your Story Online” existed in this world, yet they were not obvious at first. They were scattered and integrated more naturally into the world itself.

“With us dragons overseeing everything, is it really necessary to incentivize the growth of mortals?” I asked, a touch of cockiness in my voice.

[Hmm. From what I have learned, dangers lurk in every corner of all Worlds. No matter how many guardians exist, if the people themselves remain defenseless, there will always be victims. That is why the System strives to help anyone willing to grow.]

“So that’s how it is. I understand.”

I took out the Elixirs from my inventory and drank them all after Astraea confirmed they would permanently increase each Stat by 5,000.

[You have consumed [Soul Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3]

[You gained +15,000 Soul Stats.]

[You have consumed [Spirit Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3]

[You gained +15,000 Spirit Stats.]

[You have consumed [Mana Enhancement Elixir (C Grade)] x3]

[You gained +15,000 Mana Stats.]

“Stats! I became stronger?”