After getting his computer assignment, Il Ji began to look for two things in the research department's various compendiums.
Today, he needed to research a way to end his need for sleep, a path to enhance his stamina, and to find beasts that could fit inside his third and fourth slots.
In short, he needed to quickly absorb skills.
Based on the difference between iron and copper skills, he should theoretically be able to copy [Copper] skills at a faster rate once reached [Iron].
To this point, Jackpot reaching the top of Copper would help him- alot- but he still needed to make sure he was safeguarding every inch of possibility.
After several hours of research, he sat back in his chair. Absorbing every piece of information, he had found his best option moving forward.
His day complete, he thought about certain possibilities for a few minutes. Sending a strand of qi into his jacket pocket, he used the hidden device to send out a ray of light to the side of his new cubicle. An inch away from the wall, a small, thumb-sized peach appeared in his outstretched hand.
He gladly stuffed the entire fruit into his mouth.
"What kind of fruit was that?" The guy sitting next to him asked.
"It's a sacred peach fruit from the sacred peach tree of heavenly wisdom." Il Ji said as he slowly savored the entirety of the fruit. It melted down the back of his throat and melded into him.
The coworker laughed and shrugged it off. "Yeah, right! Like you've been to the Sunlit Peaks of the Rice Confederation."
Il Ji looked to both sides and, facing forward, cocked his head to the side. 'China?'
The coworker held out his hand. "Jeff Eisten. And you are?"
"Il Ji. I run a small shop in the area. It's currently closed while I try to pass the Creation Master tests."
"Good, good for you! Wait. You said tests, right? As in plural?!"
Everyone was looking at them. The small outburst had nabbed the attention of the entire floor.
"Ahem. Yes. I'll be taking the Creation Master Exams, Ranks 1-5- all of the Bestiary Exams, Herbarium Exams, Evolution Token Exams, Skill Knowledge Exams, and all levels of the National and Foreign History Exams. I aim to complete the tests with full marks in less than a month's time."
Chatter rose up from the floor around him. With a small bow, Il Ji left the building and walked home.
Down below, a wretchedly spry, somewhat fattened old man was tapping into the footage from the second subfloor. "How the hell did he get his hands on that? How lucky can a guy be?"
Orio Santers shook his head, muttering. "If he manages to pass the test I've given him- not only will he rise to the level of those fogies- he might even surpass them…."
Elsewhere, Il Ji was twirling and singing this world's rendition of 'Kiss' by Prince on his way back home. Somehow, it had been found by an archaeologist and brought back to Urath's time.
The only difference was that it was even quirkier.
Once he made it home, Il Ji checked in with Laila and began by selecting seven specific ants from his backlog and moving them to the far right of his selection.
He still had time for three sessions.
He sat down. Two hours later, he awoke to a new skill and a note in front of his face.
Reading the note he quickly walked to the front of the store. The driver he had met before was waiting alongside Jackpot.
"I was told to bring Jackpot here, as he has already reached the peak of [Copper] and returned the treasure he borrowed from us. Master Shaw has also asked me to pick you up tomorrow to take you to his mansion. What time would you like me to pick you up?"
"How about 11AM?"
"I'll be sitting out front." With a short bow, the driver excused himself. Il Ji opened the door and let him out before locking it again.
"Alright! Jackpot, looks like you've reached the final step before Evolution. As soon as I pass over I'll let you do the same. As for the promised trip to the Beast Colosseum, would you rather go now now or wait for me to pass the tests?"
"Once I finish here, I can work on getting you even better skills related to your talents, and you'll dominate beasts ten times your size inside the arena…"
After a round of clacking, Jackpot finalized his intent.
His pet satiated, Il Ji sent him back to the Soul Space, did another two rounds of ant-watching, and sent himself to bed.
Tomorrow was just as important as Today.