Overgeared: Babylon

The first light of sunrise hit Gilgamesh as he made his way back to Patrian, the city's towering walls casting long shadows across the landscape. His body ached from the day's battles, but there was a sense of satisfaction in his step. He had done it. He had taken down the bandit camp, and he had done it on his own. The weight of the bandit leader's axe in his bag was a tangible reminder of his success.

As he approached the Golden Feather Inn, the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter greeted him. The inn was bustling with activity, its patrons enjoying their evening meals and drinks. Garrett was behind the bar as usual, his burly frame a comforting constant in the ever-changing world of Satisfy.

Gilgamesh stepped inside, the warmth of the inn washing over him. He made his way to the bar, his boots clicking against the wooden floor. Garrett looked up from wiping down a mug, his eyes widening in surprise as he recognized Gilgamesh.

"Oh, you're back," Garrett said, his tone a mix of relief and disbelief. "How it went?"

Gilgamesh grinned, setting the bandit leader's axe on the counter with a satisfying thud. "Told you I'd handle it."

Garrett stared at the axe, his expression shifting from surprise to respect. "And you actually did. You took down the whole bandit camp. I know Martha was right when she said she got eyes on people."

[Affinity with Garrett risen to 50]

Garrett reached under the counter and pulled out a small pouch, tossing it to Gilgamesh. "Here's your reward. 5 golds, as promised. And..." He hesitated, then added, "a little extra, for going above and beyond."

Gilgamesh opened the pouch, his eyes widening at the sight of the additional coins. "Thanks, Garrett. I appreciate it."

Garrett shrugged, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Don't mention it. You've earned it. And if you're looking for more work, I might have something else for you."

Gilgamesh grinned, leaning casually against the bar. "Oh, more work? It's always welcome. But I'm starting to think you're just using me to do all your dirty jobs, Garrett."

Garrett let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the inn. "Hahaha, I like that attitude of yours. But don't worry, I'm not that cruel. Most of the dirty jobs are already taken by the city guard. I'm just giving you the... let's call them 'opportunities for glory.'"

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. "Opportunities for glory, huh? Sounds like a fancy way of saying 'dangerous and probably deadly.'"

Garrett smirked, polishing a mug with a rag. "Dangerous, deadly, and potentially profitable. Isn't that what adventurers live for?"

Gilgamesh chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair point. Alright, hit me with it. What's the next 'opportunity for glory'?"

Garrett glanced around, making sure no one was listening, then leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "There's been talk of strange activity in the old ruins outside the city. Some folks say they've seen lights at night, and heard strange noises. The city guard is too busy to investigate, but someone like you might be able to handle it."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Strange activity, huh? Any idea what it could be? Ghosts? Monsters? An enthusiastic hermit throwing a rave?"

Garrett snorted, nearly spilling the drink he was pouring. "A rave? In the ruins? Now that's a mental image. But no, it's probably not a hermit. Though if it is, let me know. I'd pay good money to see that."

Gilgamesh laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Deal. But seriously, what do you think it is?"

Garrett shrugged, his expression turning thoughtful. "No one knows for sure. Could be bandits using the ruins as a hideout. Could be something... stranger. But if you're up for it, it could be worth your while. There's a rumor that the ruins hold ancient treasures."

Gilgamesh's eyes lit up at the mention of treasures. "Ancient treasures, you say? Now you're speaking my language. Any chance there's a legendary sword or a pile of gold waiting for me?"

Garrett smirked, setting the mug down on the counter. "Could be. Or it could be a pile of old rocks and a very angry raccoon. Either way, it's an adventure, right?"

Gilgamesh grinned, standing up and stretching. "True. And if it is a raccoon, I'll make sure to bring you back a souvenir. Maybe a shiny acorn or something."

Garrett laughed, shaking his head. "I'll hold you to that. Just don't get yourself killed, alright? I'd hate to lose my best rat exterminator."

Gilgamesh mock-saluted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Kakaka, don't worry, boss. I'll try to keep the dying to a minimum."

***

After departing from Garrett and the bustling streets of Patrian, Gilgamesh set his sights on the north. The ruins Garrett had mentioned were located deep in the wilderness, far from the safety of the city. He had spent the last few hours preparing—stocking up on supplies, sharpening his weapons, and studying the maps Garrett had provided.

The first leg of the journey was relatively easy. The road north was well-traveled, with merchants and adventurers a fellow player making their way to and from Patrian. Gilgamesh passed through small villages and farmland, the landscape gradually shifting from rolling hills to dense forests. The air grew cooler as he ventured further north, the scent of pine and earth filling his lungs.

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape. Gilgamesh stood at the edge of a rocky outcrop, his eyes fixed on the ruins in the distance. The structure was ancient, its stone walls crumbling and overgrown with vines. Strange symbols were carved into the weathered stone, their meanings lost to time. The air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind.

Garrett hadn't been exaggerating. The ruins were in the middle of nowhere, far from the bustling streets of Patrian and the well-traveled roads. It was the kind of place that felt forgotten as if the world itself had decided to leave it behind. But there was something about it—something that made Gilgamesh's skin prickle with unease. Maybe it was the way the shadows seemed to shift when he wasn't looking or the faint, almost imperceptible hum in the air. Whatever it was, it was clear that this place wasn't just old. It was alive.

Gilgamesh sighed, stretching his arms above his head. The journey to the ruins had taken most of the day, and his body was feeling the strain. His muscles ached, his feet were sore, and his stomach was growling loud enough to scare off any nearby wildlife. He glanced at the ruins again, his curiosity warring with his exhaustion.

Despite his eagerness to explore, Gilgamesh knew better than to rush in. The journey had taken its toll on his body, and he needed to rest and prepare

"Alright, ruins," he muttered, his voice breaking the silence. "You've been here for who knows how long. You can wait one more night."

Gilgamesh then gives the ruin one last look before deciding to log out and call it a day.

___

The soft hum of the VR capsule faded as Youngwoo opened his eyes, the real world slowly coming back into focus. His body felt heavy, his muscles stiff from hours of immersion in Satisfy. He stretched, wincing as his shoulders popped, and ran a hand through his now fully blonde hair. The day had been long and grueling—clearing out bandits, navigating treacherous terrain, and narrowly escaping death more times than he cared to count. But it had also been exhilarating, a reminder of why he had chosen this path.

As he stepped out of the capsule, the cool air of his room brushing against his skin, something unexpected happened. A translucent window materialized in front of him, its edges glowing with a soft, golden light. The words [Achievement System] hovered in the center, bold and impossible to ignore.

Youngwoo blinked, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "What the...?" he muttered, reaching out instinctively to touch the window. His hand passed through it, the surface rippling like water. The text shifted, replaced by a list of achievements:

===========================

[Achievement]

[Available Reward]

[Inventory]

===========================

Gilgamesh stared at the screen, his mind racing. An Achievement System? 'So this is the gift that being give to me?'

'"Hmm... can I try to open it with my mind?" he muttered, half to himself. He focused on the window, mentally commanding it to open the [Achievement] and [Reward] sections. To his surprise, the system responded instantly, the text shifting to display the requested information.

===========================

[Achievement]

- First Blood: Defeat your first enemy.

- Bandit Bane: Eliminate a bandit camp.

- Resourceful Survivor: Use improvised weapons to win a battle.

[Reward]

- Skill {Instinct} (CLAIMS)

Instinct is like your brain's "Spidey-Sense" from Spider-Man. You know, that *tingling feeling* when something's about to go wrong? It's your body's way of saying, "Hey, dummy, MOVE!" without you even thinking about it.

- Skill {Lock-in} (CLAIMS)

Lock-in is about becoming so good at something that it's like your brain and body are in perfect sync. It's about being focused, committed, and having that sheer f***ing will to keep going, no matter what. And if you ever doubt yourself, just ask: "What would John Wick do?"*l Then lock in and go.

-100.000 won (CLAIMS)

Is there anyone who doesn't like money?

===========================

Youngwoo blinked, his lips twitching as he read the descriptions. He shook his head, but he couldn't help the grin spreading across his face. The descriptions were ridiculous, but the rewards themselves sounded incredibly useful. {Instinct} and {Lock-in} were skills that could give him a serious edge in Satisfy, and the 100,000 won was a nice bonus. He wasn't about to complain.

Youngwoo focused on the (CLAIMS) option for each reward, mentally confirming his choices. The system responded immediately:

- Skill {Instinct} (CLAIMED)

A warm, tingling sensation spread through his body, like a sixth sense awakening. He could almost feel the world around him sharpening, his awareness heightening in a way he couldn't quite explain. It was subtle, but it was there.

- Skill {Lock-in} (CLAIMED)

A surge of focus and determination washed over him like a switch had been flipped in his brain. He felt a newfound clarity, a sense of purpose that made him feel unstoppable. It was as if the system had injected him with a dose of sheer willpower.

- 100,000 won (CLAIMED)

A notification popped up on his phone, confirming the deposit into his bank account. Youngwoo couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that's one way to make rent," he muttered.

Youngwoo leaned back in his chair, staring at the now-empty Achievement System window. The absurdity of the descriptions still lingered in his mind, but he couldn't deny the excitement bubbling up inside him. This system was a game-changer—literally. It gave him tools and resources he hadn't even dreamed of, and the potential for growth was staggering.

"Spider-Man and John Wick, huh?" he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Guess I'm officially a superhero now. Or maybe an action movie star. Either way, this is going to be fun."

He glanced at the clock, realizing how late it was. His body was still tired from the day's adventures, but his mind was buzzing with possibilities. He couldn't wait to log back into Satisfy and test out his new skills.