[The cost depends on complexity, importance, and current level of flaws.]
[For example:]
[To Enlighten one of the Host's basic senses requires approximately 1,000 EP.]
[Different body parts require different amounts of EP.]
[Simple improvements cost less.]
[Major or fundamental improvements cost significantly more.]
[Enlightening external objects, knowledge, technology, or other beings follows the same rule.]
Nicolas went quiet as he processed the information.
"Damm 1000 just for a basic senses I don't even wanna ask what the cost for my whole body" Nicolas shook his head.
[The System removes flaws, but the Host must pay the price in Enlightenment Points.]
[Careless use is not recommended.]
Nicolas's lips twitched.
"I can't even be careless even if I want to, with the pitiful amount I have," he said.
"What can I even do with just 100 Enlightenment Points?" Nicolas mumbled as he looked around the whole room, trying to find something he could use them on. But there was nothing—nothing worth it.
"Wow, I have a cheat, but not enough points to even use the cheat properly," he said as he fell back onto the bed and picked up his phone.
"It's the year 2008, huh…" he muttered as he started to think about what existed in 2008 that could give him superpowers.
"There aren't many things I can use right now to gain superpowers," he said quietly. There were many ways to get powers in this world, but most of them only appeared much later in the story.
"The most likely thing I can think of is the Darkhold," he mumbled, then immediately shook his head.
"But that thing can mess my mind up badly," he said.
"Can it really mess up my mind?" Nicolas asked the System.
[Yes. The Host needs two levels of Mind Enlightenment to gain enough mental defense to use the Darkhold without any negative influence.]
Nicolas leaned back on the bed, rubbing his temples.
"Two levels… huh. And I only have 100 EP," he muttered.
"System, just how much do I need for the two levels of Enlightenment?" Nicolas asked.
[A total of 11,000 EP.]
Nicolas stared at the number and then swiped the screen away.
"I'm too poor right now," he muttered.
He glanced around the room again, thinking. Small objects, old gadgets, even his phone—nothing could help him safely handle something like the Darkhold.
"System, aren't newbie gifts supposed to help the Host? Why are you useless?" Nicolas couldn't help but say.
[…]
[The system realizes the Newbie Gift is truly ineffective in providing immediate help. The System has therefore provided a courtesy one-time random gacha.]
[The Host can use the 100 EP to draw a random thing from any universe.]
[The power can be anything—from something small, like super strength, to something as enormous as Superman's Template.]
Nicolas nodded. "Okay then, use it."
[100 EP deducted. Initiating Random Power Gacha.]
As the System spoke, a massive white wheel appeared in front of him, divided into countless sections like pizza slices. The wheel spun so fast that Nicolas couldn't even see what was written on it. After a few seconds, it began to slow—
—and finally stopped.
An image of a tattoo artist appeared on the wheel.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the template of Leon Nunez.]
[An Omega-class mutant capable of granting powers to others through tattoos.]
"Hehehe… Omega-class, great," Nicolas said, rubbing his hands together.
"So what power did I get?"
[The Host has obtained the ability to grant powers to others through tattoos.]
Nicolas blinked, then asked, "Great, but what power did Leon himself have?"
[None.]
[Leon Nunez was classified as an Omega-class mutant, but he possessed no direct combat or enhancement abilities.]
[He could only grant powers to others, which is why he was considered one of the weakest Omega-class mutants.]
[Additionally, the Host should note that Leon never learned to fully utilize his true potential.]
The System continued.
[Leon's tattoos can give form and function to anything he draws.]
[As long as the tattoo is iconic and represents an existing power or concept, it can manifest on the target.]
[The tattoos can be applied not only to living beings, but also to inanimate objects.]
[For example: a baseball bat could be turned into a magical artifact.]
Nicolas stared at the System screen in silence, then sighed.
"So… he didn't have any powers himself?" he asked.
[Correct.]
[Additionally, there will be no secondary compensation.]
[After all, the result was determined by the Host's luck.]
Nicolas leaned back on the bed.
"…Wow," he muttered. "I really rolled the weakest Omega, didn't I?"
Nicolas thought for a moment, then asked, "What if I use Enlightenment to remove the flaw of not being able to give myself powers?"
[That will require ten levels of Enlightenment.]
[The estimated cost exceeds one billion EP.]
Nicolas sighed and let the thought go.
"At least I can create a superhero suit," he mumbled.
Then he asked, "Does it have to be tattoos?"
[No.]
[Tattoos were simply the method Leon used to grant permanent powers to humans.]
[The Host may use pens, paint, ink, or any other medium.]
[As long as a proper symbol is drawn, the effect will activate.]
Nicolas nodded. "Okay then, give it to me."
[Acknowledged, Host.]
As the System spoke, the faint interface disappeared. Nicolas waited, expecting some dramatic change—but nothing obvious happened.
Then he realized something.
His hands moved instinctively, tracing complex shapes in the air. Lines, curves, symbols—precise and clean. Ideas for detailed designs flowed naturally into his mind.
"…I can draw," Nicolas mumbled as the information of creating arts engraved in his mind.
Not just simple sketches. Sophisticated designs, intricate symbols, perfectly balanced patterns—things he never could have drawn before. Earlier, he had barely been better than a child with a crayon.
Now, it felt natural.
Like his hands finally knew what to do.
Nicolas smiled faintly.
"Well, I guess he really was a tattoo artist after all," he mumbled.
Curious, he decided to test it.
He picked up a paper cup from the small table and grabbed a pen. His hand moved without hesitation as he drew a clear poison symbol on the side of the cup. The lines were sharp, precise, and complete.
Once he finished, he poured some water into the cup.
For a brief second, nothing happened.
Then—
The water turned a sickly green.
A foul, chemical-like stench rose from the cup, sharp enough to make Nicolas wrinkle his nose. Small bubbles formed on the surface as the liquid began to lightly corrode the inside of the cup.