Aroha soon separated herself from me, a subtle smile gracing her lips. "Thank you. I needed that." she expressed with a sense of relief. I responded with a weak smile of my own, attempting to convey comfort, "No problem." The air in the car seemed to shift as Aroha's mood lifted, and I felt a quiet satisfaction that I could be of help. The car continued to glide smoothly through the streets, and we were fortunate to encounter minimal traffic, effortlessly bypassing the occasional red lights.
As the minutes passed, the thought of summoning the Book crossed my mind. Wondering about the process, I decided to experiment. With a sense of curiosity, I extended my left hand, fingers outstretched, and focused on the idea of the Book appearing. A soft, radiant light emanated from my hand, casting a gentle glow in the confined space of the car. The light dissipated swiftly, revealing the Book now present in my palm. Its cover, adorned with intricate patterns, held a mystical allure.
I opened the Book to the second page. The pages rustled delicately as I navigated to the section I'll call 'the item section'. I activated it without hesitation.
----------------------------------------
Use the skill roulette please.
-----
Lvl. 1 Partial Nullify
Lvl. 1 Exhaust
Lvl. 1 Hard Slam
Lvl. 1 Acceleration
-----
----------------------------------------
Anyone of those seem good. I did do the System wrong when I fought Deception, but I hope it understands. I spun the roulette, and the options shifted before my eyes, a mesmerizing dance.. Eagerly anticipating the outcome, I found myself waiting for a bit, twiddling my left hand's thumb in a mixture of excitement and curiosity. They could change how I fight, even if they're level 1 skills.
As the skill roulette continued its ethereal rotation, the options started to shift at a gradually slowing pace. Finally, after a few moments of heightened speed, the roulette came to a deliberate halt, revealing my chosen reward.
----------------------------------------
Congratulations! Here is your reward:
Lvl. 1 Hard Slam - Grab your opponent's collar and slam them into the ground with enhanced strength. 10 soul to use, twenty second cooldown.
----------------------------------------
Excitement bubbled within me as I discovered a new attack skill among the roulette rewards. The idea of unleashing a fresh offensive move intrigued me, prompting a renewed interest in exploring the full extent of my abilities. I made a mental note to incorporate them more strategically in future encounters. Curiosity fueled my actions as I eagerly flipped to the first page of the Book to upgrade myself.
As my gaze shifted from the skill details to the Book itself, a thought crossed my mind. I reflected on the choice of investing points in book upgrades, considering the wealth of skills already at my disposal. Wondering about the value of purchasing additional upgrades, I couldn't help but question if they were truly worth it, especially when the system generously provided me with numerous skills and free ones. My inclination leaned towards investing in the improvement of my base stats.
----------------------------------------
Book Level: 4
Name: Oren Hashigana
Health: 600
Strength: 200 (+14)
Speed: 200 (+16)
Defense: 5%
Soul: 60
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination
Lvl. 3 Lazarus
(+) Lvl. 1 Hard Slam
Lvl. 1 Strength Booster
Lvl. 1 Speed Booster
Lvl. 1 Triple Strike
Lvl. 1 Cross-Arm Guard
Lvl. 1 Critical Hit
Lvl. 2 Danger Sense
Lvl. 1 Sledgehammer
Lvl. 1 Rage
Lvl. 1 Stealing Skills
Lvl. 2 Guaranteed Dodge
Lvl. 2 Peeking
Lvl. 1 Passive Healing
Lvl. 3 Roulette
Lvl. ??? Infinite Growth Limit (Passive) - No growth limit.
Points: 491
Shop:
Stats: 90p
Lvl. 3 Protection - For each person you are actively protecting in a fight, gain much higher defense and strength. 0 soul to use, one week cooldown. 3000p
Lvl. 3 Solomonic Adaptability (Passive) - Your adaptation and combat will is increased immensely. 5000p
Lvl. 1 Nullify - Nullify one ailment or status. 20 soul to use, one week cooldown. 1000p
Lvl. 3 Weapon Mastery - Any weapon that you pick up is able to hurt Gifted. Consequently, you are able to use it at an expert's level. 50 soul every minute of use, one day cooldown. 6000p
Upgrade Book: 50000p
----------------------------------------
Hey, System, how many points would I have to spend to change the GUI? It answered, "A few, but you have enough." Considering the implications, I responded, "Make it so every time I use a skill or lose health, the screen doesn't show up next to my face. It's getting annoying and it blocks my line of sight. Only allow 'important' skills to show up." The System acknowledged my request, stating, "Yes, that will cost 200 points. Confirm purchase?" Without hesitation, I affirmed with a decisive "Yes." With the adjustment made, I was happy that it wouldn't be so annoying anymore. The visual clutter that had been impeding my focus was now gone, allowing for a smoother and more immersive experience. The quality of life changes were proving to be a worthwhile investment.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
As I took a moment to appreciate the improvement, my attention shifted to the surroundings. Glancing out to my right, I noticed an apartment building with a distinct red and blue color scheme. While it didn't appear run down, the quality seemed slightly diminished compared to the previous. Pondering the implications, I inquired with Ethan, "Are those apartments the location you're talking about?" Ethan, now facing us, provided additional information, "Your belongings will be moved to this location, and efforts will be made to repair the ones that were damaged." Appreciating the clarity, I placed my hand on the passenger seat, signifying my understanding. As Ethan navigated the car, taking a right turn, I observed the surroundings. Why are there no cars in the lot except ours?
He parked shortly thereafter. As the engine hummed to a halt, Ethan smoothly stepped out of the car and courteously opened the door on Aroha's side. With a polite gesture, he spoke, "This way, madam." indicating towards a second-story condo. Aroha, visibly composed after wiping away the remnants of her tears, began making her way towards the designated location.
Turning his attention back to me, Ethan explained, "I'll be up with you to talk about your next orders." I acknowledged his words with a nod, preparing for the impending discussion. Quickly exiting the car, I caught up with Aroha, extending a reassuring hand towards her. "Nothing like that will ever happen again," I assured her. She glanced to the left, a subtle frpwn playing on her lips as she accepted my hand. "You better," she responded, and together, we ascended the stairs to the second floor.
Upon reaching our destination, I opened the door to the apartment, revealing its modest interior. Two couches adorned the living room, complementing a dining area and a kitchen. The practicality of a single bathroom and two bedrooms hinted at the simplicity of our new abode. While it wasn't luxurious, it was certainly better than nothing, and a sense of acceptance washed over me. Perhaps I should have anticipated this from the beginning. Aroha, already halfway into the kitchen, expressed her desire, "Give me some alone time, I'm going to my room." Her tone carried a touch of weariness. I nodded in understanding, recognizing the importance of solitude. It also provided a convenient opportunity to discuss classified information with Ethan. Aroha entered her room, leaving me alone in the living room.
Ethan knocked on the door with a distinct rhythm. In response, I invited him in with a simple, "Come in." The air shifted as the door creaked open, and his entrance was marked by seriousness. "Alright." he responded, his tone carrying a weight that hinted at the gravity of our impending conversation. In his right hand, Ethan held a briefcase, a detail that didn't escape my notice. It seemed he retrieved it from the trunk.
Without wasting any time, he carefully placed the suitcase on the kitchen counter, gesturing for me to take a seat. Choosing a barstool, I settled in, preparing myself to absorb the information he was about to impart. As he began to speak, dropping a revelation that caught me off guard, "I can see your stats." The words hung in the air, and a moment of disbelief crossed my face. Was he serious?
Ethan continued, shedding light on a shared skill we both apparently possessed—'Peeking.' He continued, "You have been confirmed as someone who could take on everyone in the tournament all at once." I nodded in acknowledgment, though a skeptical expression lingered as I processed the information. Time seemed to be a crucial factor, and challenging everyone at once posed logistical challenges within the tournament schedule.
However, Ethan wasn't done. He took responsibility for the next steps and outlined a specific directive. "We want you to challenge Time and Red Samurai, the winners of round two." The proposition opened up possibilities, but I couldn't ignore the pending match against Limitless in round two. Seeking clarity, I questioned, "What about Limitless?"
Ethan revealed an unexpected twist. "He's a friend of the Heart, and he dropped out to take care and give company to him in the hospital. So, you've been given a bye." The revelation about Limitless' situation raised questions. While Time's aggression was evident, the extent of it leading someone as strong as the Heart to the hospital.. Anyone who is gifted has slightly heighted regeneration, but that depends on your mental state. Why did the families just accept this? This left behind an unsettling feeling that something more profound was at play, beyond the influence of the Alliance.
Ethan concluded with one last concise briefing. "There is technically a vacancy for who you need to fight. The idea was to have a loser's bracket tomorrow. However, we want you to jump on the stage and challenge Time and the Red Samurai simultaneously. Time constraints have forced us to deviate from the schedule, especially since Tony's unfortunate demise. Consider it a task to 'restructure' the tournament to fit our needs." His eyes held a mix of urgency want for me to accept.
Contemplating the proposition, I rested my fingers on my chin, deliberating the potential challenges posed by facing both Time and the Red Samurai at once. The thought crossed my mind that even with the both of them, they'd lose against Deception. This is flawed thinking. I'll give an example. Opponent A beats B, but B can't beat C, who can beat A. Also, relying on luck and exploiting the System wasn't a sustainable strategy. Power flickered in my eyes. "No." I reminded myself, "I cannot think like that. I have to beat them!"
Resolute, I agreed to Ethan's request, "Alright, I'll challenge those two and win. I'll call you when I get the location of the Headmaster. What's your number?" A sense of purpose fueled my commitment. Ethan's expression lit up with satisfaction at my willingness to align with the police's plan. Opening his suitcase, he revealed a collection of papers. "These are all the documents we have on the Representative of Recruitment and his fighting style. Read them over." He shared his contact details, and with a final nod, he opened the door to leave.
His parting assurance resonated with a touch of relief, "The police protection is now comprised of the strongest officers other than Tony, we didn't think the Alliance would know about you so early. But it should be fine now." As he closed the door behind him, a profound silence settled in, leaving me once again alone to absorb the weight of the upcoming challenges and the covert nature of the unfolding events. Deciding to reserve the documents for a fresh perspective in the morning, I acknowledged the importance of rest, especially after the intense fight. Cradling the documents, I made my way to my room, a quiet refuge where healing could begin. The weight of exhaustion settled upon me, a reminder of the physical and emotional toll the day's events
Considering the early hour, I recognized that Aroha might not be inclined to sleep just yet. As I reached her door, I gently knocked, conveying my intention, "I'm going to bed to rest for a few hours. I love you." My words hung in the air, and I shifted towards my room, not expecting an immediate response. Understanding the weight of the recent trauma, I held no expectations. Surprising me, Aroha's voice, tinged with a hint of melancholy, reached my ears, "I love you too." A subtle smile played on my lips at her unexpected acknowledgment. Closing the door softly, I retreated to my bed.