They didn't even make it to the kitchen before Bell stopped in her tracks, eyes glazed as System windows popped up in her vision.

LEVEL UP! You are now Level 5. +6 Stat Points

Isabelle Rider – Level 5 Due to your Title: 2nd to last… it's better than last, trust me, you will receive +1 to all stats per level until Level 5.

At Level 5, the System has granted you access to a choice of one skill from five options instead of the usual two.

Note: Because of the Title: 2nd to last… it's better than last, trust me, the System will randomly select a second skill.

Another message layered over the first before she could even respond.

System Initialisation Update: Item Drop Rate will increase

Bell blinked. "Uh… guys?"

Zane stopped halfway through opening the fridge. "What now?"

"I just hit Level 5," Bell said, still staring at the glowing interface. "And apparently, I get five skills to choose from. Plus a random one."

Tarni raised an eyebrow. "Five? Hah, I got seven." He puffed out his chest like that was a flex.

Lily did a quick mental count, her brows knitting. "Wait… if Mum gets five to pick from, I'll probably only get four if—when—I level up."

Tarni gave her a wink. "Still better than two."

Zane laughed. "Only if you get there, Lil."

She shot him a look and muttered, "You'll be the first one I accidentally shot, old man."

That got a good-natured chuckle from everyone.

Bell scrolled to the list and read aloud:

Your Skill Choices:

Defensive Stance

– Enter a guarded stance, reducing incoming damage by 25% for 10 seconds.

Targeted Healing

– Heal only targeted body parts for quicker and more effective healing.

Basic Fireball

– Create a basic fireball that can be cast from the hand.

Piercing Shot

– Your projectiles will travel further and or pierce enemies

bettera

.

Deep Think

– Passive. Increases mana regeneration by 5%.

Tarni immediately perked up, pointing a finger at the air. "Bettera! Oi, that's my word!"

Zane barked out a laugh. "The System's copying you now? That's either a good sign or the start of the apocalypse."

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Bell, on the other hand, looked less amused. "If the System is evolving based on us… that's not funny. That's terrifying."

Kai nodded seriously. "Yeah, imagine if it starts using your slang, Tarn. Next thing it'll be awarding people the 'Fair Dinkum' title."

"Oi," Tarni protested. "That'd be bloody legendary."

Zane waved a hand to pull them back on topic. "Alright, alright. Before we dive into the skill talk, I think I should tell you about the message from that key we got off the goblin boss."

He brought up his System screen, reciting aloud.

Gold Key This key can be used to unlock the Initialisation Dungeon (Not all requirements met)

You got this without meeting the requirements? WOW. Just wow.

Everyone stared at him.

Tarni blinked. "It literally said 'Wow. Just wow.'?"

"Yup," Zane said, crossing his arms. "Apparently we're breaking rules."

Kai grinned. "Weird flex, but okay."

Bell raised an eyebrow. "What do you think the requirements are?"

Zane shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe level requirements. Or maybe certain party members. Could be a test. But it knows we skipped something."

Lily leaned against the kitchen counter, quiet. Her smile had faded during the talk. She was chewing the inside of her cheek.

No one noticed right away.

"So," Zane continued, "Bell, what're you picking?"

Bell tapped her screen with confidence. "I'm taking Piercing Shot. If the System thought it was good enough to borrow Tarni's vocab, then maybe it really is bettera."

Another message popped up in her vision.

Skill selected: Piercing Shot – Your projectiles will travel further and or pierce enemies bettera.

Ding!

Skill Acquired: Deep Think – Passive. Increases mana regeneration by 5%

She gave a satisfied nod. "And the System picked Deep Think. I'm happy with both."

"Bloody great combo," Kai said, sipping his tea. "That'll pair well with the spear gun and any magic you get."

Zane nodded. "Alright. Good choices. Now all we need is for Lily to—"

Everyone turned to Lily at once.

She blinked at them. "What?"

They were all staring, waiting. Expectant.

She looked around. "No messages. Nothing popped up."

Kai tilted his head. "You got the same ding we all did."

"Yeah," Lily said, voice soft, eyes flicking between them. " I did get a Level Up. But what if I didn't level up to level five?"

She glanced down at her hands. "Maybe I'm not—"

Zane cut her off gently. "Hey. You'll get there. We've all just had more chances."

Tarni raised his cup. "I'll toast to your future level up."

Bell nodded. "We're not going anywhere without you."

Still, as Lily moved back to the kettle to quietly make another round of cuppas, the others could see the doubt lingering in her expression.

Bell's smile faded just a touch when she noticed the way Lily's shoulders tightened under everyone's gaze. The anticipation, the silent hope on Lily's face—waiting for a message that didn't come—felt heavier than anything the System had thrown at them so far.

She looked down at her cup, then back toward Lily, who had turned toward the kitchen bench, fiddling with the kettle, her movements just a bit too careful. Bell gave her a quiet smile Lily wouldn't see, then walked over to help with the cups.

Tarni, ever the distraction, clinked his mug. "Oi, someone better make my tea bettera than last time."

It worked. Lily huffed a soft laugh and rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I don't poison it."

Everyone chuckled, and the weight began to lift—just a little.

Not wanting to make it worse, Bell quietly brought up her stat screen and made her choices without a word.

Stat Points Allocated: Strength: 10 (+1) Dexterity: 16 (+2) Constitution: 13 (+2) Intelligence: 13 (+1)

No fanfare. No dramatic clicks. Just small improvements, tucked away in the background where they belonged for now.

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