Wandering Mercenary in an Open World - Chapter 78

Facing extinction, humanity seeks salvation in the Astral Verge, a dangerous dimension accessed via portals that threatened to wipe out the entire planet.Few years later, aspiring recruit Daniel Vance enters the Verge for his final assessment, hoping to Awaken a Talent and secure his future. While others gain common abilities, Daniel secretly Awakens the mythical SSS-Grade Talent: [Soul Assimilation]. This allows him to absorb essence, enhancing gear, gaining stats and EXP from slain creatures, and crucially, absorbing attributes and skills from fallen Awakened.Witnessing the swift death of the arrogant Jaxon Rex, Daniel makes a grim choice: he assimilates Jaxon, gaining his first skill, [Kinetic Pulse]. This sets his path: scavenging the aftermath of others’ battles. He enhances gear and, after achieving his first kill on an injured beast, waits patiently to assimilate two more fallen recruits, acquiring [Quick Step] and the invaluable passive [Aura Sense].Starting as average, Daniel rapidly gains power in secret, enhanced gear, multiple skills, and boosted stats , far exceeding his peers while remaining outwardly unremarkable. He navigates the lethal Verge alone, using its inherent dangers to fuel his growth, wrestling with the moral cost of his unique, overwhelming power.

Back in 1998, an ordinary person who has been through, tired, cried, and fought, hopes to run down-to-earth and keep up with the trend of the times.

- Description from novelbuddy

“Guildbane: Battle for Domination,” the virtual MMORPG that has taken the world by storm, players enter a realm where guilds vie for ultimate supremacy.Set four years before Xin awakens from a coma, the game has undergone significant changes and evolved into a battleground for strategic guild warfare. With immersive gameplay, intense player-versus-player combat, and a focus on guild clashes, players must navigate a dynamic world where alliances are forged, rivalries are kindled, and the ultimate goal is to dominate the game's virtual landscape.[CONGRATULATIONS! You’re the LAST player in your generation to enter this game at the exact time of our anniversary date!]You don’t have to rub it on me. Xin muttered. He was keenly aware that his peers left him behind.[You received a GIFT!]Xin was baffled. Maybe because it was his birthday, or it was an anniversary thing?Opening the gift, his avatar glowed, but he didn’t feel like anything had changed.He opened his stat box.‖ S T A TU S ‖HP: 40MP: 20STR: 2DEX: 2CONS: 2INT: 2WIS: 2CHA: ꝏ‖ E N D ‖Xin’s head bobbed to the side. “Huh?”