11. Expertise and Subsequent Events

Dean sat on the couch in the lobby, letting the dim yellow light paint his sorrowful face.

After a long while, he finally buried the sadness deep within his heart.

"The past is gone. Face reality, Dean. Let’s start a new life."

"Claim reward."

A dazzling flash of gold streaked through the system, and a lengthy passage appeared before his eyes.

"Death of Young Dean" completed.

You have gained 30 experience points. Personal level: lv0 (30/100)

You have acquired all memories of Dean Lou.

Dean closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa. A torrent of chaotic images, words, and conversations flooded his mind, quickly settling into order.

From them, Dean glimpsed his own past—the fragments of life at Nevada High School.

A string of A+ grades.

Teachers’ praise.

Classmates’ indifference.

Hung up beside the baseball field.

He felt more deeply the tragic life of his predecessor, this pitiful soul.

…

All of this unfolded in the blink of an eye.

A new message appeared in the system.

You have completed your first investigation.

You receive a bonus for your first event—a specialization.

Dean’s gaze swept over the options, and the melancholy in his heart was instantly replaced by shock!

Please select one of the following randomly generated primary specializations to be permanently integrated into your body—

A. Ironman (Physique): Your physique attribute’s benefits—including vitality, stamina, physical strength, injury recovery speed, resistance to blows, immunity to abnormal physical states, digestion, and nutrient absorption—are all increased by thirty percent.

B. Eagle Eye (Perception): Both your static and dynamic vision are slightly enhanced. When aiming with firearms or bows, this ability will assist you with environmental corrections to increase shooting accuracy. No matter your skill with ranged weapons, this boost is always present.

C. Heart of Steel (Willpower): You can remain calm at all times, barely affected by negative emotions (sadness, anger, fear, ecstasy…). You gain minor resistance to special mental assaults. However, once you choose this specialization, all human emotions will be suppressed.

D. Survival Instinct/Lightning Reflex (Perception, Agility): When under extreme pressure or deadly threat, your senses will forcibly elevate to a sixth sense, allowing you to anticipate danger. Your body will instinctively react to evade lethal harm. This ability consumes significant energy and mental strength, but may save your life.

E. Muscle Armor (Strength, Physique): From now on, physical training will more rapidly develop your muscles, bones, and fascia strength, as well as skin toughness, dramatically boosting your strength and resilience, and breaking bodily limits. However, your physique and appearance will be drastically altered.

F. Detective (Perception): Activating this ability consumes mental and physical energy, but all five senses will be heightened to your body’s limits, allowing you to perceive everything around you in detail. You’ll more easily spot overlooked clues at crime scenes and track traces left behind. Beware: this is a double-edged sword; you’ll be more vulnerable to sensory overload and damage from minor noise, strong light, or pungent odors.

Note: Choose carefully. Your first specialization will affect your future development.

…

Dean rubbed his cheeks, taking quite some time to digest the flood of information.

"I knew this system wasn’t simple. These aren’t mere specializations—they’re outright superpowers!"

Or rather, the foundation of superpowers.

…

Ticket clerk Chris noticed the guy was acting strange. Just moments ago, he’d been sitting sorrowfully, and now his expression shifted, excitement and agitation flashing in his eyes, a smile at his lips as he muttered to the air.

"This guy hasn’t lost his mind, has he? Maybe the shock was too much and now he’s schizophrenic?"

…

Dean had already cast off his sadness, focusing intently on analyzing the specializations.

From his perspective, each specialization led to a different path.

The first, Ironman, was undoubtedly the survival route. Choosing it meant robust vitality, drastically lowered risk of injury in combat, and exceptional recovery—ideal for prolonged battles.

Furthermore, combat skills had a proficiency metric, with training consuming stamina to increase proficiency. Ironman allowed for longer, more frequent training, translating into faster improvement of combat abilities.

Dean suspected that the advanced options of this specialization might include miraculous abilities like rapid regeneration or limb restoration.

Based on this, he marked it as an important choice.

…

The second, Eagle Eye, was the classic ranged combat path. In America, firearms dominate battlefields; with this, his combat prowess would get a direct boost. He’d have a chance to test it out during summer break when practicing shooting with Jacob.

Unfortunately, its scope was too narrow, and the system stressed that the first selection would influence subsequent specializations.

Dean had no desire to become someone who only shoots.

This option: PASS.

…

The third, Heart of Steel, belonged to the rational and calm path. Sadly, its drawbacks were too severe.

Suppressing human emotions was tantamount to diminishing humanity!

Dean had zero interest in becoming a cold-blooded detective devoid of joy, sorrow, or anger. He appreciated all the pleasures and emotions of being human.

This one: PASS.

But its description sparked some inspiration.

Special mental assaults—did that refer to telepathy or psychic powers?

He made a mental note of this.

…

The fourth, Survival Instinct, was the ultimate self-preservation path.

Dean rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment.

Its greatest use was likely to guard against sneak attacks.

With it, he’d have a slightly higher chance of surviving deadly threats, though its effectiveness could only be determined through experience.

Preserving his life was foundational for all activity.

Yet, this specialization had no effect during normal conditions, and didn’t improve his personal skills.

Choosing it would significantly slow his early development.

"I’ve spent enough time as a turtle in its shell!"

Page (1/3)

Dean reluctantly passed on this option.

…

The fifth, Muscle Armor, was a balanced path of offense and defense.

Developing the body, increasing strength and toughness, even raising the limits of physique. If not for the warning about drastic changes to physical appearance, Dean would have chosen it without hesitation.

But picturing the future—after persistent training, his physique would swell rapidly, height surpassing two meters, like a mountain of muscle, even more daunting than the world’s strongest men or professional bodybuilders.

Dean was never one to abandon everything for strength, neither in his past life nor now.

Becoming a hulking muscle beast was something he could not accept.

This one: PASS.

…

The sixth specialization was the so-called investigator path.

Supercharged senses would greatly boost investigative efficiency, allowing faster completion of events and leveling up.

But its drawbacks were equally clear—he’d become hypersensitive.

"Why can’t I pick two rewards—one for combat, one for investigation? Wouldn’t that be more suitable?"

Dean greedily eyed the system.

It responded with icy silence.

"Fine, then why is there no mental specialization among the random options? Is there some special meaning?"

Still silence.

Dean gritted his teeth and finally sighed,

"I choose A: Ironman."

Reward distribution in progress!

Hiss—

Dean shuddered as if a current surged through his body from the depths of the void, starting at his tailbone, racing up his spine, neck, and shooting straight to the crown of his head.

Buzz, buzz—

The electric stimulation flooded through every limb and bone, tingling every inch of skin!

He collapsed stiffly onto the sofa, fingers and toes stretched straight, body convulsing, face twitching in agony.

Sweat beads the size of beans squeezed from beneath his skin.

God!

Help him!

Several guests entering the lobby noticed his abnormal state, covering their mouths and crying out in alarm.

"Oh God, what the hell is wrong with you now!?"

Chris dashed from the counter and hurried to support him.

Suddenly, he yelped and pulled back his hand, as if he’d touched a burning furnace!

His face changed dramatically, about to call an ambulance!

Dean suddenly let out a long breath, relaxing as he sat back against the sofa, sweat dripping from damp hair and cheeks onto the floor.

He was like a diver surfacing, greedily inhaling fresh air.

Breathe… inhale…

His chest heaved, heart pounding so hard it made his eardrums hum.

He was visibly shaken!

Damn system, couldn’t you have warned me that solidifying a specialization would be painful, so I could prepare myself, instead of making me look ridiculous?

Chris crossed his arms and quietly stepped back, distancing himself from Dean, his gaze wary.

The guy’s behavior was bizarre, like someone possessed in a horror film.

"What’s wrong with you? Seizure?"

"No! I was just thinking about the $2,000 I got swindled out of, it cut like a knife, but suddenly I got over it!"

Dean mumbled an explanation and stood up.

Crack, crack.

His wrists, ankles, and neck twisted as he felt the changes in his body, while checking the information on his template.

Dean Lou

Character Level: 0 (30/100)

Age: 18

Physique: 11

Strength: 10

Agility: 11

Perception: 9

Spirit: 12

Willpower: 9

…

Abilities (1/5):

Combat lv0 (28/100)

Specialization:

Primary Ironman (Solidified)

Events (0/1):

Completed: Death of Young Dean.

…

As he moved, the Ironman specialization immediately manifested.

His stamina recovered at an astonishing rate, and his tear-stained eyes grew bright and spirited.

Page (2/3)

Vitality surged through his body, making him feel so light he wanted to run wildly and shout, venting his exuberant energy!

"Buddy, I’ve said all I needed. It’s time for you to go, isn’t it?"

Chris watched Dean’s energized state with caution, afraid he might pull something crazy again.

"Give me five minutes."

Dean’s face wore a satisfied smile.

After a long, arduous investigation, the results had finally blossomed.

Ironman had laid a solid foundation for his future development.

He couldn’t wait to seek out Jacob and Uncle Paco to learn fighting and shooting, to improve himself.

As for Bob Law! Let him roll for now. Once I grow stronger, I’ll deal with you!

"Dean, your grand adventure is about to begin! Time to say farewell to the past!"

But at that moment—

His mind seemed to glitch again!

A final image flashed before him.

Dean, desperate and sorrowful, lying in cold river water, like a soulless shell.

The whole world, in his eyes, had become dull and lifeless gray.

"Mona has left… Let go, buddy."

The system suddenly trembled.

Dean’s breath caught. In the void before his eyes, a block of text shrouded in red light appeared.

You have completed the investigation—Death of Young Dean.

Now, you have unlocked a follow-up investigation—

The culprit behind Dean’s self-destruction may be his ex-girlfriend Mona, who deceived and abandoned him. Her whereabouts are unknown. You must find Mona or discover her fate, as a final farewell to the past.

You must rely primarily on your own strength to find the answer.

Event difficulty: Unknown (limited information, variables present)

Time limit: seven days

Investigation progress: 0/100

Reward: Basic reward 60 experience + "Dean’s Gratitude"

Penalty: If the task is closed, you will permanently lose the unique special reward.

…

A follow-up? Can’t I get a day’s rest?

Dean groaned, rubbing his hair and taking a deep breath.

Gaining power always comes at a price.

He studied the investigation description carefully.

What did his predecessor’s gratitude mean?

Wasn’t the previous Dean dead? How could he feel grateful?

No, that wasn’t right.

Dean’s face took on a thoughtful expression as he recalled his own strange behaviors.

Whenever Mona was mentioned—

His body and emotions would start to lose control.

It must be residual feelings lingering in the body.

"If I complete this investigation and fulfill Dean’s last wish, perhaps I’ll be free from the influence of the past and fully master this body!" Dean analyzed uncertainly. "Maybe that’s what ‘Dean’s Gratitude’ means?"

"Buddy, we made a deal—I’ll help you fulfill your wish, but during that time, don’t mess with my emotions like before. If I fail the investigation, don’t blame me."

Dean muttered to himself, suddenly feeling a lightness in his body.

…

Dean was decisive. Once resolved, he immediately left the cinema.

He rode his bike back to school, contemplating his next steps.

Based on the information so far, Mona had very likely taken the money and run. Her most probable destination, besides Los Angeles, was the mentioned Hollywood Boulevard. Nothing else came to mind for now.

Report it to the police?

The idea flashed through Dean’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

The event expressly forbade reporting to the police.

Besides, if Dean had wanted to report, he would have done so long ago.

This lovesick fool would rather swallow the pain himself than see Mona sent to prison.

Dean could understand his predecessor’s thinking.

A lonely kid, suddenly meeting a girl who fit so well, spending the happiest three months of his life with her.

Even losing $2,000, he had no regrets.

All he wanted was an answer—to ask Mona face-to-face.

So in reality, he was fulfilling his predecessor’s last wish!

"But I can’t just hop on a plane to Los Angeles to look for her, can I?"

"No, she lives in the sewers of Las Vegas. I should try searching there first!"

But according to Rast’s description, that place had some criminal activity and posed a risk.

"I’ll do thorough preparation first—after all, I have a week."

Page (3/3)