Apocalypse Baby

Alex finished the last slice, savoring the mix of gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and crispy crust.

Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and downed the entire bottle of orange juice in one go.

The sweet, citrusy tang hit his tongue—perfectly cold, perfectly refreshing.

He let out a slow exhale, feeling satisfied. Then, with the back of his hand, he wiped his mouth.

And yet… something felt odd.

Back on Earth, when he was still just human, he could barely finish three slices of pizza.

Not because he wasn't hungry, but because he was always exhausted—either drained from work or still buried in it, even at home.

Now?

He felt like he could devour two, maybe even three whole boxes.

And even that wouldn't be enough.

Alex let out a short laugh and shook his head.

He really had become a beast.

Now, it was time to choose a new skill.

Alex swiped through his notifications, his eyes scanning the glowing text as it scrolled past. Then—one line stood out.

[Congratulations! You have reached Level 40. You have earned the chance to select a new skill out of three options.]

His lips curled slightly. Finally.

He tapped the notification, and a new screen unfolded before him.

With a smooth motion, he swiped his hand down, bringing up the selection menu.

As expected, there were three options displayed in glowing letters.

[Ability Options]

- [Lightning Arc (C)]

- [Flight (C)]

- [Inferno Bolt (C)]

Then came the descriptions.

[Lightning Arc (C)]: Releases a powerful arc of lightning that surges forward, electrocuting everything in its path. The electricity can jump between multiple targets within close range if they are conductive or grouped together, delivering continuous shocks. The initial strike is powerful, capable of stunning weaker enemies.

Cost: 8 Mana per use

Cooldown: 10 seconds

[Flight (C)]

Grants the ability to lift off and maneuver through the air with moderate speed and control. The user can hover, ascend, and glide, making them harder to hit in combat. Aerial mobility depends on the user's skill and stamina.

Cost: 5 Mana per minute

[Inferno Bolt (C)]

Fires a concentrated bolt of searing flames that locks onto a target, tracking them for a brief period. Upon impact, the bolt explodes, dealing heavy fire damage in a small radius. The attack is highly effective against slow-moving or stationary enemies.

Cost: 12 Mana per bolt

Extended Tracking: If the target evades, the bolt can continue pursuing for up to 3 seconds at an additional cost of 3 Mana per second.

Alex grinned, already knowing which skill he wanted.

But still… no harm in double-checking.

He scrolled through the options again, making sure he wouldn't regret his choice.

His gaze lingered on the first one—[Lightning Arc].

A raw surge of destruction, fast, brutal, and deadly. It could jump between enemies, frying them in an instant.

Useful? Absolutely. But his arsenal was already stacked with offensive abilities. He wasn't lacking in firepower.

His eyes shifted to the third option—[Inferno Bolt]—and for a moment, he hesitated.

A flaming projectile that locked onto its target and chased them down like a relentless beast?

That was different.

His mind flashed with possibilities—A spear of fire, twisting mid-air, hunting its prey no matter where they ran.

He could already picture it.

An enemy dodging at the last second—only for the bolt to whip around and explode right in their face.

Now that would be sick.

Still…

Alex exhaled through his nose, pushing down the temptation.

He didn't need another offensive skill.

He already had [Exploding Touch], [Echo of Annihilation], and [Black Flame]—all deadly, all devastating.

What he needed wasn't more destruction—It was freedom.

Not just ground mobility.

Aerial mobility.

His gaze locked onto the second option—[Flight].

Flight meant control.

It meant positioning, mobility, a tactical advantage that couldn't be ignored.

Dodging deadly attacks. Escaping impossible situations. Striking from angles his enemies wouldn't expect.

The battlefield wasn't just the ground anymore.

Not when the sky became part of the equation.

Alex could hover above, out of reach, and rain explosions down like a one-man airstrike.

And if he pushed the skill to S-rank, the mana drain would shrink—or disappear entirely.

A slow smirk crept onto his lips.

A memory flashed in his mind—Jonah soaring through the air, untouchable.

Back then, Alex had felt a sting of jealousy, watching him fly with ease.

But now?

Now, he didn't need fancy gear.Didn't need external help.

He would own the skies.

That sealed the deal.

Alex clicked.

[Flight] selected.

"Sorry, Glider's Cloak." Alex muttered.

With [Flight], the equipment was useless now.

A familiar ding echoed in his mind.

[Skill Acquired: Flight (C)]

Alex's smirk widened.

This was it.

Then, take a massive step toward absolute power.

He lifted his hand, summoning his stat window with a flick of his fingers.

It was time to upgrade all of his skills plus the new one to Rank S.

The glowing interface hovered before him, numbers and stats reflecting in his sharp eyes.

Name: Alex Knight

Rank: D

Title: Apocalypse Baby

Class: None

Level: 48

HP: 1360

MP: 1040

[Stats]

Strength: 85

Agility: 100

Intelligence: 65

Vitality: 60

[Stat Points Available]: 11,140

[Powerstones]: 20

[Skills]

[Exploding Touch {S}] [Echo of Annahiliation {S}] [Arcane Dominion{S}] [Void Slip {S}] [Void Shroud {S}] [Spectral Barrage {S}] [Titan God's Wrath {S}] [Limitless Drive {S}] [Godspeed Rampage {S}] [Void Gaze {S}] [Supreme Regeneration {S}] [Eternal Flame {S}] [Foresight {B}] [Stone Face {S}] [Earth Swim {B}] [Petrify {B}] [Minor Telekinesis {C}] [Earth Stomp {C}] [One Shot One Kill {S}] [Black Flame {S}] [Farsight {C}] [Blur {B}] [Multiplicity {A}] [Danger Sense {C}] [Domain {A}] [Illusion Resistance {S}] [Summon ArchFiend {A}] [Predator's Presence {C}] [Flight (C)]

His skill list kept growing—30 abilities now.

Alex summoned his [Attribute Converter], the glowing cube materializing before him.

He had already spent 1,800 stat points pushing eleven of his skills to S-rank—an investment that turned him into a walking disaster.

And he still had 11,140 stat points left, which was insane.

The amount was more than what most would ever see in their lifetime.

And the numbers would increase in the future.

But now...

It was time for the real upgrades.

His eyes locked onto the next skill in line—[Foresight (B)].

[Foresight (B)]: Grants the ability to perceive 3 seconds into the future, allowing the user to anticipate enemy attacks, dodge incoming threats, and react with near-perfect timing. This skill enhances situational awareness, making it invaluable in combat, strategy, and decision-making. However, the visions are limited to the user's immediate surroundings and do not account for unpredictable or chaotic variables. Cost: 1 MP per minute.

A smirk tugged at Alex's lips.

Three seconds was a lot.

And at high speeds, that was life or death.

Enough time to dodge a fatal strike, counter, or reposition.

But now…

He was about to make it completely broken.