Heavenly Unbound [A LitRPG System Survival]

[TUTORIAL QUEST]

Quest Name: [The Survival]

Time Remaining: 0 Days 08:12:045

Objective: Navigate the forest and reach the Tutorial Towns located in one of the four cardinal directions.

Rewards: Rewards will be granted based on the progression of your Soul Record, reflecting the growth, achievements, and milestones you have attained throughout the trial.

Sam stood before the glowing blue portal, the final gateway that marked the end of their time in the survival trial. Behind him stood Michael, Eve, Ann, and the fifty others who had worked alongside him for the past month. Each of them had transformed—not just physically, but mentally. Everyone here had reached Tier 2, their strength, endurance, and agility far beyond anything they could have imagined before.

Michael, the highest level among them, stood tall at Level 62. His presence radiated a confidence that mirrored the group's journey from inexperienced survivors to hardened warriors. Sam turned to face them one last time before stepping through the portal, nodding silently to signal that it was time.

The sensation of stepping into the portal was no longer foreign to Sam. The familiar pull of space warping around him enveloped his body, carrying him to the other side. As he emerged, the sight before him left him momentarily speechless.

The Tutorial Town was vast, a sprawling medieval town But clean and looked prosperous.

Sam now stood at its heart—the Central Plaza, a massive circular square paved with polished stone that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. In the center of the plaza rose a towering obelisk, its crystalline structure radiating an ethereal blue light. The light pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat, casting a faint glow on the faces of the survivors bustling around it. Surrounding the obelisk were nine portals, including the one Sam had just stepped out of.

People were emerging from the portals, their expressions reflecting a mix of relief and exhaustion. Sam assumed they were survivors from the other trial zones, each bringing their own stories of hardship and survival.

Around the plaza, a sprawling marketplace had sprung to life. Stalls and tents, hastily erected but functional, created a chaotic yet vibrant scene. Survivors bartered and traded resources—some haggling over weapons or food, others securing supplies for the challenges ahead. The air buzzed with activity, filled with the hum of conversations, the clatter of metal, and the occasional laughter that felt out of place in such a serious setting.

Sam's gaze drifted to the far edges of the town, where towering stone walls loomed. Their weathered surfaces bore intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, suggesting they were more than mere stone— a protective barrier against whatever threats lay they were a part beyond.

Ding!

[TUTORIAL QUEST: The Survival Complete]

[CLAIM YOUR REWARD]

Behind him, one by one, his team began to step out of the portal. Michael was first, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling plaza with the instinct of someone always on guard. Eve followed, her fiery determination evident in her stride. Ann and the others soon joined, their expressions a mix of awe and caution as they took in the sights of the unfamiliar city.

Among the crowd, Sam spotted a familiar face. It was Mark, one of his father's assistants from the camp hospital. The older man's face lit up the moment he saw Sam. He waved his hand, weaving through the throngs of people to reach him.

"Mister Samuel!" Mark called, his voice carrying over the din of the plaza. "You finally made it! Your father's been worried sick about you. Please, come with me!"

Sam nodded and exchanged a quick glance with Michael, who gave a slight nod in return. Without hesitation, Sam began to follow Mark. The rest of the group moved as one, their presence commanding attention as they navigated through the plaza.

Sam glanced at Mark as they moved through the bustling streets. "Mr. Mark, where are we heading?"

Mark turned slightly, keeping pace with Sam. "We're going to the Residential Quarters on the northeast side of the city, sir. Most of the participants from our trial zone are staying there. Thanks to your reputation, people trust us and have chosen to follow our group."

Sam nodded thoughtfully. It was a relief to hear that the atmosphere within their group was positive after everything they had endured. "That's good to hear," he said, his tone steady. After a brief pause, he added, "Can you tell us more about the town?"

"Of course, sir," Mark replied promptly. "Let's start with the Central Plaza where you first arrived. It's the main gathering place for everyone. The natives say that Stage 2 will be announced there soon."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Natives?"

"Yes, sir," Mark confirmed. "They're the people who live in this tutorial world. They own the town and all the property here. They've been providing us with information and assigning jobs or tasks to help us integrate. Completing those tasks earns us Soul Points, which are the primary currency here. Most of us use the points to rent living spaces in the Residential Quarters or buy food."

Sam frowned slightly, processing this new information. "Soul Points?" he repeated. "I've earned some, but they don't show up in my status window."

Mark nodded knowingly. "That's because you haven't accessed the System Store yet, sir. Once you do, Soul Points will appear in your status window automatically."

Sam tilted his head, curious. "How do I access the store?"

"There are System Pylons in the Residential Quarters," Mark explained. "When we get there, you can use one to access the System Store and unlock its features. It's pretty straightforward."

Mark continued, "To the north is the Town Hall. That's where the town's mayor resides, and it also serves as the management office. Participants aren't usually allowed to go there, though."

He gestured toward the east. "The east side of the city is the business district. You'll find various shops selling everything you could possibly need—from basic consumer goods to weapons. The range of items is incredible, and the rarity is just as varied. You wouldn't believe it, but I even saw a Legendary-grade item for sale there. Of course, it was outrageously expensive."

Sam raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Legendary-grade, huh? That sounds like something worth looking into."

Mark chuckled. "You'll want to learn about tiers and rarity at some point, but unfortunately, I can't share that information with you directly. You'll need to purchase it in the System Store. System rules, you know."

Sam exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "There's a lot to catch up on."

Mark smiled knowingly. "Hahaha, take your time, Mr. Samuel. There's no rush. The fairies announced that Stage 2 will begin a day after Stage 1 ends, so you have a one-day break to get settled and figure things out."

He paused, then gestured to the west. "Over there is the Guild Hall. That's where participants can learn Skills and a variety of common skills. If you join one of the guilds, you can even gain certifications for official professions that are recognized by the system itself."

Sam tilted his head, curious. "Common skills? Why bother with those when class skills are clearly superior?"

Mark nodded, as if expecting the question. "I thought the same at first. But the reality is very different. Take a swordsman, for example. A fighter who relies solely on class skills will never reach the level of someone with proper training and a complete set of common skills. The latter is many times stronger because common skills act as the foundation.

"The same applies to production classes like blacksmiths. Those who learn advanced common skills can craft items far superior to those who rely solely on their class abilities. Common skills may seem basic, but mastering them makes a world of difference."

Sam absorbed this information in silence, realizing there was much more depth to the system than he'd initially thought.

Mark continued, "Next is the barracks. It's somewhat similar to the Guild Hall, but it's focused on military-style training for fighters. Anyone can join, and they teach both skills and common skills, often at a lower price than what the Guild Hall charges for the same lessons. However, there's a catch—you'll need to take on tasks to hunt down monsters outside the walls to earn the right to purchase certain items."

He gestured around as they walked. "Surrounding the town are wild areas. The closer zones have weaker monsters that participants can safely hunt, but traveling further than 100 kilometers becomes increasingly dangerous. Beyond that range, Tier 2 monsters start appearing, and it's a whole different level of risk."

Mark pointed to the various areas of the city as he spoke. "Apart from the four cardinal directions of the city—the Town Hall to the north, the business district to the east, the Guild Hall to the west, and the barracks to the south—most of the remaining space is dedicated to residential quarters. These are spread out and provide living spaces for participants."

He glanced toward the Central Plaza, nodding toward the nine portals. "You might have noticed the nine portals in the plaza. It turns out that all nine trial zones share this town. From what I've heard, the other zones haven't fared as well as ours. Their survival rates are 60% or lower."

Mark's expression softened as he looked at Sam. "But our trial zone is different. We have an 80% survival rate, and that's largely thanks to you, sir. Your actions gave people hope and a way to make it through."

Sam glanced back at his group, who were quietly listening to Mark's explanation. The weight of those words settled heavily on his shoulders, but he simply nodded, letting Mark continue as they moved closer to their destination.

As they walked through the bustling streets, Mark suddenly clapped his hands, as though remembering something. "Ah, how could I forget! This town has a name, you know. It's called Tutorial Town Number 777,777,777. Seems like we got a lucky number, don't you think? Hahaha."

The group chuckled lightly at Mark's attempt to lighten the mood, but Sam's mind remained focused on observing their surroundings. For the next thirty minutes, Mark continued explaining the details of the main facilities and how everything functioned.

By the time they finally arrived at the residential area, the sky was beginning to darken, painted in hues of orange and purple. As they approached one of the larger clusters of buildings, Sam's eyes fell on two familiar figures waiting for them—Nate and Kate Barlow, his father and mother. A crowd of other familiar faces stood nearby, their expressions lighting up as they spotted Sam and the group.

Sam couldn't help but smile, his heart warming at the sight. "Welcome back, everyone!" Nate called out, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and joy.

The reunion was filled with laughter and cheer, a stark contrast to the tension and danger they had endured for the past month. As the group embraced and exchanged greetings, Kate announced, "We're holding a celebration tonight to mark the end of Stage 1! You've all earned it."

The idea of a party lifted everyone's spirits even further. The festive atmosphere felt like a return to civilization after being stranded on a lonely island for years. For a few hours, they celebrated with food, music, and stories of their survival.

When the party wound down, people began retreating to their assigned rooms. Nate approached Sam and patted him on the shoulder. "Your room's ready, son. Get some rest—you've earned it."

Sam nodded, feeling a deep, satisfying exhaustion settle over him. The kind of tiredness that came from hard work and the knowledge that he'd made it through. He stepped into his room, a small but cozy space his father had prepared for him. Sitting on the bed, Sam let himself relax for the first time in weeks, replaying the events of the day in his mind.

Finally, he opened his status window, focusing his intent on claiming his reward for the survival quest.

[CLAIM YOUR REWARD]

Ding!

[Your Performance is Outstanding by All the Standards of the Tutorial System]

[You Have Earned the Top Rank Historical Record of the Tutorial]

Ding!

[10,000,000 Soul Points]

[1 Legendary Equipment Choice Card]

[1 Legendary Skill Choice Card]

[Title: Greatest of All Time]

[System Challenger Title Activated]

You have received additional quest rewards: 1 Legendary Random Box

Sam was shocked! by The System's generosity.