I open up my design power and give it the description I want for a storage crate, trying to make it an external inventory. The system comes back with some requirements that I can't even dream to afford right now.
Transportable Inventory: Requirements, Mad Scientist lvl 10, Multi-Tool infusion attachment, 1 living class F super, Design V, Create V.
Those were just the requirements before even listing the parts. The parts required aren't as bad and would just take a heist or 2 to accomplish. I'm not even a high enough level. I'll just try something different for now. I start by changing the way I use my power. Instead of just inputting the end product, I input a few parts and see what my options are. The best one for me right now is an upgrade for my refrigerator that uses up all 6 refrigerators.
Ever-Stocked Refrigerator: A refrigerator with food for one person. Refills once a day and can be upgraded and expanded.
Parts:
1. Main Housing: 6 refrigerators.
2. Cooling Unit: 6 refrigerators.
3. Consumables: Equivalent of 2 fully stocked refrigerators.
4. Power Source (optional): ---
I save the design and move to the Create tab. I select the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator design and move all 6 refrigerators into my inventory. I mentally activate the design and confirm that I want to create the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator.
I feel something pull from deep within my core, draining me of energy as the refrigerator comes to completion. Once the process is complete I feel more exhausted than I ever have before.
"Oof, that one was a doozy."
Ever-Stocked Refrigerator: With food for one
+ 25xp for new creation, 10% Design, 10% Create.
105/500 xp to next level.
I need to check my status. Haven't even thought about it since this morning.
"Status."
Name: Dr. Eric Von Ilman
Villain Name:______ (assigned through notoriety)
Mad Scientist lvl 2. XP (105/500)
Skills: Design 25%, Create 25%, Inventory 17%, Efficient Creations 0%
Additional Abilities: Untapped Potential 0%, Quest System 25%
Inventory: Multi-Tool of Madness, Auto-Pick, .308 Winboxer rifle, 20 rounds .308, dead F class hero, Ever-Stocked Refrigerator
Quest Log: (please choose a new quest)
Why haven't I gained any progress towards some of my skills?
Efficient Creations: Extra durability and power to inventions.
Maybe I have to actually focus on enhancing the invention for it to apply?
Untapped Potential: The ability to upgrade.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
That makes sense. I've only created 2 inventions, I havent upgraded anything yet. I'll see if the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator can be upgraded.
I pull the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator out of my inventory and think about upgrading it. Nothing happens. I reach out and touch it, trying to activate an upgrade. Again, nothing happens. I pull it back into my inventory and focus on it while thinking about upgrading it. For a third time, nothing happens.
"What the fuck am I doing wrong?"
Wait, I might be retarded. The name of the power is Untapped Potential. Maybe i should try selecting the ability like I do with the design tab.
I pull up my inventory and try selecting Untapped Potential. A new tab shows up on my interface. I select the new tab and a menu for upgrades appears. I decide to experiment with the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator. First I remove it from my inventory, I try upgrading it and nothing happens. I pull the Refrigerator back into my inventory and try upgrading it once more. A new menu appears with options for Potential upgrades.
Untapped Potential: Ever-Stocked Refrigerator.
1. Meal Prep: The Refrigerator will produce 3 full meals a day.
2. Ready Eat Station: Reheats and cooks simple meals.
3. Everlasting Produce: any perishable placed inside the Refrigerator will be placed in stasis.
.....
I look through the Potential upgrades for the Ever-Stocked Refrigerator. I can only make one upgrade with what I currently own, the Ready Eat Station.
Ready Eat Station: Reheats and cooks simple meals.
Parts:
1. Housing/Heating: 3 microwaves
2. Meal Creation: 1 cookbook, 1 TV, 1 blender
3. Meal Presentation: 2 sets of cutlery, 2 plates, 2 bowls, 1 set of kitchen knives.
I should also try enhancing the durability of the Station.
Following my thoughts, I attempt to apply Efficient Creations to the upgrade. To my surprise, it works first try.
Efficient Creations: Ready Eat Station.
Additional parts required: 3 microwaves, 1 TV, 2 sets of cutlery, 2 bowls, 2 plates.
"Upgrade time baby!"
I go through my apartment, grabbing all the required materials for the upgrade and enhancement. I place everything into my inventory and affirm the upgrade process. I once again feel a deep pull from my core. I almost pass out from exhaustion before the upgrade completes. I force myself to stay awake and complete the process.
Ready Eat Station (Enhanced): TV dinner anyone?
+ 25xp for first upgrade, 25xp for first enhancement, 10% Untapped Potential for first upgrade, 10% Efficient Creations for first enhancement.
+ 5xp for new upgrade, 5% Untapped Potential for new upgrade, 5% Efficient Creations for new enhancement.
160/500 xp to next level
I pull the fridge out of my inventory and plug it in. I slide it back where my refrigerator was previously. I take a moment to admire how simple it looks. Just a black refrigerator with a microwave sitting on top. The only noticeable difference is the small touch screen added to the front of the fridge. I touch the screen and 3 options appear, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I select dinner and I am met with 5 very basic choices, starting with ramen noodles and a boiled egg. I select that option, the microwave on top of the fridge begins to shake lightly. Sounds of dishes clinking against each other eminate from the microwave. This lasts for about 3 minutes, next the microwave turns on and a bowl of ramen can be seen spinning inside. 4 minutes later a soft ding can be heard. The door to the microwave opens and a fork drops into the bowl.
As I go to take my meal a soft pinging comes from the touch screen. I glance down and on the screen I a warning telling me to clean my dishes before placing them back into the Ready Eat Station. I click confirm on the warning and grap my food. The ramen actually tastes great.
This is the most convenient thing I could've done. I am a genius.
After I finish my meal I wash off my dishes and place them back into the Station. The exhaustion starts catching up to me. I need a shower. Then I'll sleep. I walk into my bathroom and flick the light on. I begin to disrobe and pause after my shirt comes off. I caught my reflection in the mirror. I look completely different from how I looked before.
My body stayed similar, tall with an athletic build. Though my skin is now more pale. My hair is a deep black and a couple inches longer than it should be. I have also grown a beard and a small mustache. My beard grew several inches down into a sharp point with my cheeks and jawline clear of hair. My jawline is sharp and angular. My eyes have turned a deep crimson.
I spend several minutes just staring into my reflection. Well, at least I'm more attractive now. Though, ill have to do something about my eyes. Colored contacts would do the trick. I'll wear sunglasses until I can make the contacts. I should probably also make a disguise for when I start doing my villainy. But first, shower and sleep.
I take a quick shower and call it a night. Crawling into my bed, I make a mental checklist for what I want to do tomorrow. I need to accept a new quest, Create a disguise, check upgrades for current gear and probably get a new ID made.
As i finish my mental checklist I drift off into a deep sleep. Having the best sleep I have ever experienced.