Chapter 2: Core Nexus
Adam’s POV
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While my family rode the crest of the underworld mob, grooming me to follow suit, I wasn't exactly on board with their game plan. That's a tale for another day, though. What I'm getting at is, even in the midst of all that chaos, I was a bit of a rebel. My refuge? Gaming, movies, and stories – the whole shebang.
Yep, I was quite the weeb.
So, instead of spiraling into confusion, I found myself getting pumped. Stats for myself, like this one, scream potential. I could evolve into an absolute powerhouse, pull off magic tricks, soak up knowledge like a sponge, and maybe, just maybe, have unlimited potential. Back in my original world, I'd daydream about having a stat sheet of my own. This is the kind of stuff that got me hyped.
Regardless, I didn’t let it go to my head and started analyzing the stats sheet my core nexus was showing me.
Overall Stats:
Strength (STR): 6
Vitality (VIT): 5
Endurance (END): 5
Intelligence (INT): 36 (+10)
Dexterity (DEX): 10
Agility (AGI): 10
Wisdom (WIS): 27 (+5)
Charisma (CHA): 8
Metalweaving Mastery (MW): 2
Alchemical Mastery (AM): 32
I'm no stranger to the basic stats – you know, STR, VIT, END – but what in the world are the MW and AM stats? Especially the AM stat, considering I'm sporting a solid 32 points in it. And if it weren't for that (+10) on the INT stat, AM would be topping the charts, even though I'm clueless about its deal. I'm curious if the alchemy it's talking about is the same one I know from games – crafting potions and whatnot.
Lost in thought about these mysterious stats, the sentient core chimed in with a sudden sense of urgency, 'Detecting an anomaly.' It sounded kinda panicked, to be honest, a weird mix of surprise and urgency.
"What's the matter?" I inquired as the stats screen vanished before me.
"I'm detecting another Core nexus in your Core nexus area besides me," the voice replied, a sense of urgency underscoring its words.
Another core? Like, another sentient core, akin to the one I'm having this chat with?
"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" I wondered.
"It's an impossible thing. Let me put it in perspective – it's like developing a second heart or another brain in your body."
"Oh, now I get why you're all worked up."
"Don't worry, Core Nexus. I've analyzed it. It's an Inert Core Nexus, the kind found in newborn babies."
"So, not dangerous?"
"No, not at all."
“Is this like a normal thing?”
"Based on your extensive reading, I can confidently say this is an impossible event. There are theories about such happenings, but they usually involve death, rebirth, or snatching someone else's soul."
"Huh, I see."
Hold on a sec. Did that thing pop up because of me? Since I took over this body?
"Um, hey, sentient core?"
"Yes?"
"Let's not dwell on this new core. It's not harming us, and maybe we can use it to survive and level up, right?"
It went silent for a moment, almost as if it was thinking on what to do.
"Affirmative. On your command, I will cease pondering the new Nexus core that developed in your Nexus core area."
Good thing she's basically a sentient A.I. computer – I can make her do whatever. But still, an Inert core? That's probably the Nexus core meant for me, not the poor kid whose body I've taken over.
"So, Sentient Core... Actually, scratch that. Let's give you a name. I don't want to keep calling you Sentient Core. How about the name Nove?" I suggested.
"Are you sure you want to give me a name? You promised yourself you wouldn't name me until you made me completely Sentient because it would be much more impactful to me," Nove reminded me.
Complete Sentience… Yea that’s not happening.
"Well, it's pretty inconvenient to call you Sentient Core, and Nove just sounds nice."
"Affirmative. I shall now be called Nove, your Sentient Core."
"Nice. Now, about this Inert Core you mentioned, is there a way to check it out like you showed me your stats?"
"While I doubt the stats of the Inert Core will be any different from mine, as the stats we show are those of your own body, not the core's. But since everything here is your core area, you just have to think about it, and it should come to you."
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
I have to just think about it? Okay then… uhh, Inert core show me your data?
A small window opened up infront of me.
Statistics:
* Basic Information:
Name: Adam Vagner
Health Points (HP): n/a
Nexus Energy Points (NEP): n/a
Age: n/a
Gender: n/a
* Overall Stats:
Strength (STR): n/a
Vitality (VIT): n/a
Endurance (END): n/a
Intelligence (INT): n/a
Dexterity (DEX): n/a
Agility (AGI): n/a
Wisdom (WIS): n/a
Charisma (CHA): n/a
Metalweaving Mastery (MW): n/a
Alchemical Mastery (AM): n/a
As expected, this is the Nexus Core of the original me; it even displays my name. However, all other information is listed as n/a, likely a result of losing my original body.
"Nove, there's a lot of things here that I don't understand. Can you give me a general idea about this Core Nexus area and all these things you're showing me?"
"Affirmative. If you want a general overview, let me start from your Core Nexus area…"
And thus, Nove, the bearer of wisdom, responded with an affirmative nod, initiating the ethereal lecture. The revelations flowed like stardust, unveiling the intricate wonders of the Core Nexus area… Why the fuck am I thinking like that? Probably because I'm starving right now.
Anyways, The Core Nexus area is essentially this mythical space I'm currently in, where all things related to Nexus Core happen. Apparently, it's the space inside something called the Nexus crystal, a ubiquitous element within almost all living creatures. I'm guessing the physical bodies of all people here are a bit different from what I'm used to, but whatever.
Next up is the Core Nexus itself—the central entity of the Core Nexus area, the heart of this place. It allows its user to grow in any way they desire, providing access to magical and mythical abilities, as well as techniques known as metal weaving and alchemy. Metal weaving is the art of shaping the environment to fulfill your needs, while alchemy is the art of shaping yourself to meet your needs.
In this world, people use metal weaving to shape literal earth, materials, or anything else into whatever they desire. Want a sword? You can use dirt, wood, stone, even literal water and nearby energy sources to craft one. Need a machine that can automatically refine materials for you? No problem. Fancy having your own robot maid? Boom, there you go. Moreover, there seems to be a myriad of fantasy materials here, capable of manipulating basic elements like fire, water, earth, and air. Yet, there are also special materials that can manipulate sound, light, cosmic energies, and even the very souls of people and animals. The possibilities are essentially endless.
Alchemy on the other hand… Well, wasn't really on my radar. I was too busy geeking out about the metal weaving stuff. But hey, it's got a lot to do with shaping the core nexus, fiddling with core nodes, stat points, and, you know, tweaking your own body.
Nove also told me a lot about some other cool things such as internal storage, which is just a fancy of saying that everyone’s hot their own inventory, Core nodes which are basically mini core nexus and give abilities as well as stat points to the users, think of it as armor or accessories of video game characters.
So metal weaving and alchemy are like two different beasts with their own bag of tricks. Hundreds of techniques to master. Want to craft a water sword? Gotta learn a different trick than if you're making a metal one. But, let's park that thought for now 'cause we got a couple of pressing matters on the table.
First, my weak main body is still chilling in that cave, and Nove's throwing warnings about possible monsters lurking in there. Not my idea of a welcoming committee. Second, and more urgently, I'm hungry. And when I say hungry, I mean practically waving the white flag of surrender to starvation.
“Nove, is there any food in that Internal storage you mentioned?”
“Apologies, but I had to manually use anything and everything in the storage to make sure you didn’t die.
Well ain’t that a bitch.
“Nove, can you make me exit the Core nexus area? I’m really hungry and I need to get out of that cave asap.”
“Affirmative.”
For a moment, it felt like I was freefalling, only to snap back into reality within that dark, frigid cave. Quickly getting on my feet, I scanned my surroundings. The light from the hole in the ceiling was gone, but my eyes, somewhat accustomed to the darkness, identified an opening in the cave leading downward.
"Nove, remember when you said metal weaving could tweak my surroundings? Can't we… you know, make a mega ladder or something and climb out?" I suggested.
“Impossible, because of two reasons, we don’t have any materials left so we’ll have to use the dirt and stone nearby, but your skill in metal weaving is so low that the best thing you can make is a dirt step stool that won’t break from your weight as well as All the limited Metal weaving techniques you know are extremely inefficient.”
"Damn it, had a feeling, but damn.
Nove said it before but max stat points are a hundred, and my Metalweaving mastery is a whopping 2/100. Alchemy's better with a solid 32/100, though I'm clueless about what to do with these numbers. Gonna need some me-time to crack that code. But hey, survival's top of the list right now, and this stomach of mine is practically running the show.
Staring up, stars doing their cosmic dance, stomach's growling like it's got front-row seats to a feast. The hunger's getting real, but you know what? An idea's just popped into this hungry head of mine.
"Nove, you mentioned the possibility of monsters lurking around in this cave. Are they, you know, edible?"
"Yes, not only are they edible, but their parts are like a treasure trove for both alchemy and metal weaving."
I can wrap my head around the alchemy part, you know, using monster bits to whip up potions and stuff, but metal weaving? I didn't see that coming. “Explain, how do monster parts play into metal weaving?"
"A skilled metal weaver can mold monster parts into their creations, infusing the monster's attributes into the final product. For example, crafting a blade that oozes poison from materials swiped off venomous critters, orputting a mantis scythe onto a weapon to conjure sharp wind pressure at the user's whim."
"Magic weapons!? That's so cool!"
"That sounds pretty sweet, but your tone's already telling me I'm not pulling off this stunt."
"Affirmative."
God damn it.
"Well, as long as it gets me some grub, I don't really give a damn."
"I'd advise against it, considering your weak and fatigued state, plus the lack of weaponry."
"Then teach me the ropes of this Metal weaving gig, so I can whip up some makeshift weapon."
"Affirmative."
Oh man. Hunger's killing the excitement in my voice, but I'm over the moon. The idea of manipulating everything – metals, monster bits with special powers – it's like Christmas came early. Future me could be creating guns that mess with the essence of space and time, and damn, that thought's a trip.
And hey, no more playing mobster lackey. I'm the master of my own destiny now. There's no way I'm not thrilled!