ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝟚𝟠: 𝕋𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢 ⓇⒺⓋⒶⓂⓅⒺⒹ

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"Master, I will include all useful pieces of information in the relevant notifications," MJ chirped.

Suddenly, the Race section in his║STATUS║tab lit up as MJ highlighted it. A new notification appeared, containing detailed information about the race he had evolved into.

Alongside the basic details, MJ had added a wealth of additional data, drawn from his Tier-4 System Access, revealing far more than the standard information usually provided.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

MJ Tier-4 Access Info:

Tier-2 Evolution: Lesser Human to Greater Human

* Evolved from Lesser Human Race

* LifeSpan expands from 100 to 250 years.

* Undistributed Stats per level increased from 5 to 10.

Tier-3 Evolution: Greater Human to High Human.

* Evolved from Greater Human Race

* LifeSpan expands from 250 to 500 years.

* Undistributed Stats per level increases from 10 to 15.

Tier-4 Evolution: High Human to Arch Human.

* Evolved from High Human Race

* LifeSpan expands from 500 to 1000 years.

* Undistributed Stats per level increases from 15 to 20.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

Following that, another notification regarding his Level appeared, containing additional information. It caught his attention, the subtle shift in detail signaling a deeper understanding of Levels and Tiers.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

Level: 11 ⧼Low-Phase⧽

MJ Tier-4 Access Info:

Tier-1: Lv.1 to Lv.10

Tier-2: Lv.11 to Lv.25

Tier-3: Lv.25 to Lv.50

Tier-4: Lv.50 to Lv.100

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

A flood of notifications poured in, each one highlighting new aspects of his║STATUS║, deepening his understanding of the System. Among them, a few stood out, especially the Uncommon Skills he had gained by reaching 20 Stats in certain Attributes:║Passive Health Regeneration-I║,║Passive Stamina Regeneration-I║, and║Passive Spirit Energy Regeneration-I║.

Each of those passive skills provided steady regeneration. The║Passive Stamina Regeneration-I║allowed him to recover 1 Stamina point per second, and the other two passive skills worked similarly, restoring 1 Health and 1 Spirit Energy per second. It wasn’t a staggering amount, but the continuous regeneration would give him a notable edge, especially in longer battles or drawn-out scenarios.

He also noticed that he hadn’t activated the Achievement Title║Beginner’s Luck║, which had been sitting dormant in his║STATUS║. Upon activating it, his Luck Attribute jumped from 7 to 12.

It dawned on him that his low Luck might have been the reason he hadn’t received many Spirit Items from the Tier-1 Wolves he had slain earlier. He pondered whether a 5-point increase in the Luck stat would be enough to make a significant difference.

Even MJ, with his Tier-4 System Access, couldn’t provide more insight into the mysterious Luck Attribute beyond the standard "extra rewards" explanation. It seemed Luck was something that would remain elusive, no matter how much he sought answers.

Shrugging off the uncertainty, his attention shifted to more immediate concerns. His stomach rumbled loudly, pulling him from his thoughts. Breakfast was long overdue, and he needed to refuel after everything that had transpired. He swung his legs off the bed, ready to head toward the kitchen. But the moment he stood up, he faltered.

Walking felt… off. His movements were clumsy, his balance unsteady. It was as though his body no longer obeyed him with the same precision. The realization struck him—the 10-stat increase across all his main Attributes from the Tier-2 Evolution was the culprit.

His body had grown significantly stronger, faster, and more resilient, but his mind hadn’t yet adjusted to that new power. The synchronization between his body and his brain lagged behind the sudden surge of raw stats.

His Strength, Agility, and Spirit were evenly matched at 32 Stats, giving him newfound physical prowess. But the imbalance between his other Attributes only compounded the problem. His Endurance had surged to 46 Stats, and his Vitality—the highest of all—stood at a staggering 56 Stats.

Without the skill║Harmony║active, the uneven distribution made controlling his movements tricky. Jay took a deep breath, trying to adjust.

"It’s like being trapped in a body stronger than I can handle," he muttered, frustrated but determined to get used to the changes. Moving slowly, he made his way toward the kitchen, each step a deliberate effort to regain control over his enhanced abilities.

Meanwhile, through MJ's guidance, he gained a profound understanding of how the five main Attributes in his║STATUS║worked and, more importantly, how they were interrelated.

The most crucial revelation was that none of the Attributes functioned in isolation—each one supported and depended on the others, especially when it came to maximizing physical performance.

One key discovery was that the Agility Attribute didn’t directly increase speed as he had initially assumed. It wasn't just about being faster; speed came from a combination of increased Strength and how efficiently the body could handle that strength.

Strength Attribute boosted muscle power, but raw strength alone couldn’t be utilized effectively without enough Agility.

Agility wasn’t simply about moving quickly—it was about fine-tuning the control over his muscles, enhancing fluidity, balance, and the precision of movement. It also played a vital role in reaction speed and muscle memory, allowing for a seamless response in combat situations.

However, Agility's full potential could only be unleashed if paired with the appropriate level of Strength. Without adequate strength, the body's muscle control would lack power, rendering speed and precision useless.

Conversely, having too much Strength without enough Agility would result in sluggish, uncoordinated movement, as the body wouldn't be able to handle the power effectively.

And Strength didn’t stand on its own either—it relied heavily on Endurance. While Strength empowered the muscles, Endurance was essential to maintaining the body’s integrity under the strain of that increased power.

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The Endurance Attribute improved the body's constitution, including the density of bones, tendons, ligaments, and even the toughness of the skin and internal organs. Without enough Endurance, the strengthened muscles from a high Strength stat could easily damage the body, leading to pain or even injury. It was like trying to harness explosive power without the physical fortitude to contain it.

Then there was the Spirit Attribute, which wasn’t just about Spirit Energy. Spirit Attribute played a key role in enhancing the brain's processing speed, and time perception.

For Agility to reach its full potential, Spirit needed to be strong enough to support the body's heightened control and reaction speeds. Without sufficient Spirit Attribute, even the most finely-tuned muscles would lack the fast reflexes and sharp awareness needed for high-speed combat.

Lastly, the Vitality Attribute tied everything together. It governed the body’s overall longevity and stamina, ensuring that the other Attributes—Strength, Agility, Endurance, and Spirit—could function over a prolonged period.

Without a strong enough Vitality stat, the body would tire quickly, no matter how powerful the other Attributes were. It allowed for sustained performance in battle, the endurance to heal from injuries, and the stamina to keep pushing even in long encounters.

He realized that, although his Vitality and Endurance were at the moment higher than the rest of his Attributes, that imbalance could become a problem. MJ explained the importance of something called the "Golden Stat Rule."

The rule dictated that if the highest stat in the five main Attributes exceeded the lowest by too wide a margin, the body and mind would falter. The imbalance wouldn't just result in inefficiency but could spiral into self-damage.

Moreover, in the long term, that disparity could chip away at his very Life Energy, potentially leading to a reduction in his lifespan.

Jay understood that balance was critical as he moved forward, especially with his Strength, Agility, and Spirit stats being so close to one another, while his Vitality and Endurance were significantly higher.

He shifted his focus to the Innate Talents he had looted from the Tier-2 Wolf and Bear. However, remembering MJ's warning, he decided against merging with them for the time being. The process was known to be long, and he had more immediate concerns.

Jay’s attention returned to the disparity in his Attributes. With the recent boosts, the gap between his highest stats and lowest ones felt like an imbalance he couldn’t afford to ignore. He resolved to distribute his remaining stats carefully, minimizing the difference. But before he could make those adjustments, there was a more pressing matter—adjusting to the raw power surging through him.

For the next hour, Jay devoted himself to controlling the newfound strength and agility his improved stats granted him. The task required his complete focus. At first, every step felt slightly off, the newfound weight of his body making each movement heavier than intended.

The first fifteen minutes were dedicated to relearning the basics. His legs moved stiffly at first, but soon, walking became natural again, and his steps no longer felt overbearing. The sensation of power brimming under his skin began to settle.

As he progressed, the next fifteen minutes allowed him to refine his movements further. The loud thuds of his steps faded as he mastered the new weight of his body. He tested his limits, advancing from simple walking to light jogging, his movements becoming more fluid with each passing minute. He could feel the control returning, the new stats integrating into his body with every stride.

The remaining half hour became a trial of precision. Quick movements were still a challenge, his increased strength causing him to overshoot his targets. He attempted sharper, faster actions—side-stepping, dashing, and making sudden stops. Each time, his body reacted with sudden movements, occasionally sent him crashing into walls.

The force of his impacts caused dents and cracks, leaving his surroundings in disarray. Despite the chaos, he felt his control improving with each misstep. By the end of the session, Jay had a solid handle on his increased stats, though the state of his home left messy.

To most, his rapid adaptation would have seemed impossible. Adjusting to such a significant increase in stats—ten points across all five main Attributes—usually took much longer. But MJ provided an explanation. He believed Jay’s time in║INVERSE║mode had given him an edge.

In that mode, where his Attributes had been balanced at 62✯ each under the║LOOTED STATUS║, his body had experienced a perfect balance between all five main stats all while being in the state of Harmony. That prior experience allowed him to adjust so quickly to the more modest stat increases.

Having regained control over his abilities, Jay turned to something simpler—preparing breakfast. The familiar routine gave him a moment to reflect, the act of cooking bringing a wave of nostalgia.

He recalled his time in Trial World, where he had survived on nothing but Lesser Stamina Fruits after he depleted his rations. They had been his only source of sustenance, providing him with the bare minimum to keep moving forward.

After finishing his breakfast, Jay carefully retrieved three Lesser Stamina Fruits and two High Vitality Fruits from his bag.

His main concern was whether those Spirit Fruits could help heal his sibling's physical conditions or even bring his grandfather out of his coma. He turned to MJ for guidance.

MJ immediately cautioned him against allowing his family to consume the High Vitality Fruit in its entirety. The sudden surge in Vitality, MJ explained, would be lethal for anyone who hadn't yet assimilated with the System. The fruit, a Grade-3 Spirit Fruit, was potent, and how it affected someone depended greatly on their Tier.

Jay thought back to his own experience. He remembered when he had first consumed a High Vitality Fruit as a Tier-1. Back then, it had given him a noticeable and substantial boost—10 points directly added to his Vitality Attribute.

It had been a remarkable increase, something he had valued greatly at the time. But now, as a Tier-2, the same fruit wouldn’t have nearly the same effect. At most, it might add 1 or 3 points to his Vitality. By the time he reached Tier-3, it would no longer increase his stats at all. Instead, it would only serve as a means to restore his health.

The situation became far more dangerous when considering those unassimilated with the System, like his siblings or grandfather. MJ explained that for someone without System integration, consuming the entire fruit would result in an extreme and uncontrollable boost—over 25 points added to their Vitality.

While it sounded beneficial on the surface, such a rapid increase would wreak havoc on their bodies. Even if they somehow survived the initial spike, their life force would quickly begin to drain. The Golden Stat Rule would come into play—if one Attribute exceeded the others by too wide a margin, it would lead to inefficiency and eventual self-destruction. In this case, it could be fatal.

Yet, there was hope. MJ explained that while consuming the full fruit was dangerous, there was a safer method to harness its magical powers. Instead of eating the entire fruit, Jay’s siblings could consume just a few drops of the sap, which held a much lower concentration of vitality compared to the pulp. The sap would still offer the healing benefits without the overwhelming surge in stats, making it a much safer approach for those unassimilated with the System.

Armed with that critical knowledge, Jay carefully set about extracting the sap from one of the High Vitality Fruits. He took his time, ensuring he collected as much as possible without damaging the fruit’s potent essence.

Soon, he had nearly 100 milliliters of golden liquid in front of him. The kitchen was filled with a rich, invigorating aroma, its revitalizing scent permeating the air. Just a single breath of the fragrance left Jay feeling more energized and alert, as if the fruit’s vitality was already working through him.

With the sap successfully collected, Jay carefully poured it into a small, airtight container, ensuring none of the precious liquid was wasted. The golden hue of the sap shimmered faintly under the kitchen lights as he sealed the container. He placed it in the fridge, tucking it away on a shelf where it would remain cool and protected.

As Jay closed the fridge door, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from his younger brother, Kay. Expecting a familiar voice, Jay’s face softened with a smile as he answered, but that expression quickly froze.

The voice on the other end wasn’t Kay’s. It was a crackling, sinister male voice that greeted him with a mocking tone: "So, you must be this punk's older brother, Jay, right?"

A chill ran through Jay as he heard those words. His instincts kicked in, and a bad premonition settled over him. Without wasting a moment, he subtly signaled MJ, who immediately turned into a streak of blue light, vanishing into the phone’s screen to begin tracking the situation. Jay maintained his composure and responded with a single word, "...Yes."

With 32 Stats in his Spirit Attribute, Jay’s senses were enhanced 3.2 times beyond that of a normal person. The extra clarity allowed him to catch even the faintest details in the call. There was static in the background, but amidst the noise, he heard the eerie, taunting laughter of the man on the other end: "Heh heh… well, this is for you...."

Through the phone, Jay could hear footsteps, the slow, deliberate steps of the unknown man carrying the phone toward something—or someone. In the background, muffled grunts and pained cries grew louder, gradually turning into agonized screams.

Jay’s eyes turned ice-cold, his body trembling with an almost imperceptible quiver when he recognized the familiar voice—his brother, Kay.

The man with the phone spoke again, his tone laced with cruel amusement as he addressed someone nearby: "Come on, where’s your professionalism? Finish the job—rip off the last fingernail, nice and slow."

Jay’s grip on the phone tightened as rage bubbled up within him, threatening to drown out his rationality. The pressure from his hand caused cracks to spread across the phone screen, but somehow, Jay forced himself to hold back, teetering on the edge of control.

Kay’s bloodcurdling scream tore through the phone, driving a spike of fury into Jay’s chest. His vision blurred with red-hot anger, his heart pounding with a single primal instinct—to destroy whoever dared harm his brother.

Just as he was about to lose himself to the overwhelming rage, MJ reappeared in his A.I. form, emerging from the phone screen, his voice sharp and unflinching: "Master, I’ve traced the signal. They're 22.4 kilometers ⧼14 miles⧽ due west from our location!"

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