With the dream of becoming a Grand Wizard soundly broken, he dug into what schools of thought the [Attributes] governed. Each one gave bonuses rooted in an aspect of combat. In general, the descriptions gave a cut-and-dried account of their properties. However, only two of the stats benefited his particular circumstances.
When he targeted the attributes to display more information, the system prompted him to spend the available [Attribute Points]. His grasp on the game-like elements was tenuous at best, thus he chose to decline action for now.
[Physique]:
—Attribute
—Grade: Basic
Governs the physical labors.
Includes: strength, hardiness, and tenacity. [Cunning]:
—Attribute
—Grade: Basic
Governs the motor functions.
Includes: perception, agility, and evasion. [Luck]:
—Hidden Attribute
—Grade: Rare
An [Attribute] with no predictable or replicable effect.
[Spirit] focused on mental and magic-based pursuits, so it struck him as a pointless endeavor. That went doubly so since the other attributes gave more tangible results.
The mysterious nature of [Luck] intrigued him. Though, without a clear upside he held suspicions about its practical value. The others seemed more useful in a survival situation. Still, because of its rarity, he would dump some points into the stat from time to time.
In light of this narrow list of options, the likelihood of mistakes went down. With his [AP] plans settled for now, one more item needed further clarification from the [Status] menu.
[Pneumatic Grappler] Lv. 2
—Base Class
—Type: Destruction
—Grade: Unique
With the power of pneumatics,
the potential to grapple the heavens.
+300 [HP] base.
+2 [AP] per level.
+15 [HP] per level.
He could only hold a detached perspective with a reference point of one. At first blush, nothing came across as special about the class. Though that reaction required knowledge not currently in his pool; knowledge of how other classes stacked up, and what advantages they provided. If he broke it down logically, the unique grade might function off of his foreign background, moreso than power level.
Quintin took a moment to evaluate the Intruder Wolf corpse. Prior to his abduction, using the spoils of nature for survival occupied a form of entertainment seen on television. Of course, real-world counterparts did exist, but moreso of the urban hellscape variety.
Besides the opportunity in front, he thought about the other predators behind. The first encounter took everything to surmount, thus to hang around and experience a follow-up felt like the height of folly. If he wanted any hope of living at all, he needed to get down into the valley. Preoccupied with the logistics of traversal, he sought help from the last unchosen [Command].
"Skills."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
[Passive Skills]:
[Compression Grip] Lv. 1
—Type: Passive
—Damage: Crushing
—Grade: Legendary
Squeeze the everlasting into particulate matter.
Crush: Common->[Low Tier Uncommon] materials.
Requirement: an object of unreasonable crushing potential.
[Mitochondrial Efficiency] Lv. 1
—Type: Passive
—Survivalist
—Grade: Rare
To eat, or not to eat, that becomes inessential.
Amount of sustenance and other essential needs is reduced.
The time between these activities is enhanced per level.
[General Skills]:
[Identification] Lv. 1:
See the unseen, or maybe just the obvious.
Reveals a range of information on a target.
Identify: (5 + 1/per skill level) above class.
[Concentration] Lv. 1:
Think fast!
Increases focus on maintaining composure after damage.
[Pain Tolerance] Lv. 1:
Fight fire with rage.
Shrug off and lessen the effects of pain.
An elemental attack may have dodged his desirous fingers, but at least he knew why his grip sent limbs and heads flying. [Compression Grip], alongside his metallic hands, made every attack into a shear of biological destruction. The other skill took care of his basic necessities, to a degree. Though to what degree remained the question. In the meantime, he maintained a wait-and-see policy.
Quintin drew a long breath. His attention refocused on the carnage in the foreground. The sunlight caused the wolf's gravedigger claws to glitter like buried treasure. As he looked from one place to another, a flash of insight made him pause on the mountain wall.
He moved with deliberate strides toward the first appearance of the intruder. Deceptive pockmarks on the rockface indicated its passage overhead. The system used the words mountain climber as a descriptor for their behavior. He shot a skeptical glance over his shoulder, then made his way over to the messy pile of gore.
He knelt near the severed paw and gathered up a claw that came loose during the altercation. Turning it over and over again, a somewhat laughable idea took shape. The nail was a suitable size for the nodules on his knuckles. So, he slid it flush inside the hollow space with an expectation of failure.
Despite his apprehension, the seven-inch claw fit into the empty socket. Almost too well, because the makeshift pick became stuck and refused to budge. However, this was a better outcome than the alternative, so he passed it off as a problem for later.
With the rousing success of his crazy plan, he threw the fist up in a cheerful manner. The pumping motion was short-lived, as a popping sound sent the wolf claw- now projectile- whizzing off through the air.
Quintin froze, the excitement on his face drained as he blankly watched the missile fly away.
He swore under his breath, but spoke further with optimism, "Uh- well, at least there's plenty more where that came from."
Soon after, the system brought glad tidings to his statuesque daydream.
[Skill] Learned.
.
.
New Resource Granted,
Pressure Points[PP]: 75/250
.
.
[Breath of Sudden Calamity]
—Type: Activated
—Hidden Weapon
—Projectile
—Grade: Unique
Blow a hole through the fluffy ones!
There will be no green peace!
Intake nodes can hold and shoot projectile weaponry.
Critical chance & critical damage are enhanced.
Effectiveness depends on item type.
[PP Cost]: 10/per shot.