Standing by the elevator, Caspian breathed in and out deeply, as he soon let go of the rage building up within.
When Caspian had received a call from Rebecca, right as he was about to enter the elevator ----
He was so shocked that his emotions almost spilled forth. His hands had trembled and his face turned pale----
As the memory of the final moments of his passing, poured in like a broken dam.
It took all he had to compose himself long enough to put on a believable act on the phone.
He knew they were up to something, and he needed to find out what.
He has plans of his own---
Plans for both Rebecca and the entire Albus family.
Them initiating first contact doesn't change much. He would just make a little adjustment to his plans.
This wasn't their game any longer---
It was his.
Choosing to focus back on the task at hand----
He quickly shoved the distasteful memory of Rebecca's voice, out of his mind.
He planned to clear the skyscraper today of all its 'corrupted'.
Caspian isn't delusional enough to think that would be enough to cover the outrageous amount needed for the contract.
There is a better option for that.
One that only required minimal effort on his part ----- similar to what he is about to do.
That would be the Leaderboard Rankings.
He will be topping this ranking without needing to do much.
The new over the top enhancement of his very first sub-talent ensures that.
"First, I need two essential 'System Tools'!"
"I also need to improve my stats a bit." Caspian muttered as he called up the system interface.
Though he understood the general trajectory of the apocalypse for the coming year----
He didn't have sufficient enough information on this building itself.
Thus, he needed to be well prepared.
—-----------
~~~~~[V1. Origin System Menu]~~~~~
[Status Window]—[Regional chat]—[National Chat]—-[Global Chat]----[Leaderboard Rankings]— [Origin store].
—----------
Caspian stared blankly at the available options----
Then selected the Origin store section, and a new list was presented.
—-----------
~~~~~[Origin Store]~~~~~
[Consumables]—[Clothing]---[Armament]---[SystemTools]
—---------
[7,410gc]
—----------
—-----------
Certain of what he intends to purchase----
Caspian didn't linger, and instantly selected the 'System Tools' section.
And as he already expected, three tools, were presented.
—-------------
~~~~~[SystemTools]~~~~~
[Analyse (Tier 1)]--- 2000gc
[Conceal (Tier 1)]--- 2000gc
[Inventory (Tier 1)]--- 2000gc
—---------
[7,410gc]
—----------
—----------
Caspian purchased all three.
These tools will consistently remain relevant, as higher-tier versions would be made available, in relation to one's total available gold coin balance.
The Tier-One 'Analyse tool', can be used to discern the information of any Tier-One life-form or item.
The Tier-One 'Conceal tool' does the exact opposite.... It shields an individual from Tier-One 'analyse tool' or a talent of similar function.
And finally, the Tier-one 'Inventory tool' can be used to store up to twenty Tier-one and below items.
Now Caspian can retrieve his T1 Pistol and ammunitions reward into his inventory.
Caspian keenly observed the beautiful matt-black T1 pistol, with a strange texture, that has now appeared in his grip---
Before unceremoniously tossing it and the box of ammunition inside his inventory.
They are indeed powerful now ----
As this T1 Pistol should be the current strongest weapon on the planet.
Everything on the planet currently, is at or below Tier one---- even nuclear bombs.
And this simple T1Pistol can destroy anything, at or below Tier-one.
So, it's a treasure ---- at least for now.
It was time to improve his stats. So Caspian pulled up his status.
—---
~~~~~[Status Window]~~~~~
[Name: Caspian Shade]
[Age: 21]
[Life Level: Tier One]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliations: None]
[BloodLine: Human]
[Physique: 0.5] (Humans have 0.3 on Avr.)
[Mind: 0.6] (Humans have 0.4 on Avr.)
[Soul: ????] (Humans have 0.2 on Avr.)
[Innate Talent: Gold Mine (grade: ????) ( Lv. 2)
___Lv 2
~10000X Gold Multiplier: {You Receive 10000X The Value For Every Gold Coin You Earn}
~Miner's Contract: {
Spend Gold Coins to draft and print a binding contract between yourself and chosen subordinate/subordinates.
All terms are determined solely by the Miner.
Only the Miner may view or modify the contract.
Once printed and signed, the contract becomes irreversible and takes effect immediately.
Caution I: An individual may enter a Miner's Contract only once.
Caution II: The more complex or demanding the terms, the higher the printing cost.}
~[Increase Talent Level ~ 10,000,000,000gc]~
]
{System Tools} [
[Inventory (Tier 1) 2/20]
[Analyse (Tier 1)]
]
[1,410gc]
—---
-----
Increasing strength as an integrated, can be done in one of three ways-----
One, focus on increasing Physique stat ----
This option is favorable to ordinary integrated with no talent.
Two, focus on Mind stat---- this increases soul-stat, which is immutable.
And Soul-stat powers awakener talents.
So, this option is for awakeners.
Three, increase both.
Which is far more expensive----
As the increase in cost after the first time, becomes exponential.
For example ----
Physique is increased by 1 = 2 gold coins (first time)|||| physique become 1
Mind is increased by 1 = 2 gold coins (first time)|||| Mind become 1
—------
Physique is increased by 1 = 4 gold coins (second time)|||| physique become 2
Mind is increased by 1 = 8 gold coins (second time)|||| Mind become 2
—-------
Physique is increased by 1 = 16 gold coins (third time) |||| physique become 3
Mind is increased by 1 = 32 gold coins (third time)|||| Mind become 3
—----------
Physique is increased by 1 = 64 gold coins (fourth time)|||| physique become 4
Mind is increased by 1 = 128 gold coins (fourth time)|||| Mind become 4
—----------
And so on…
No matter how one goes about it, the cost growth remains exponential.
Following this logic, an awakener who aims to simultaneously increase both stats to 4----
Would have to expend exactly 256 gold coins.
That's 256 early stage 'corrupted' they would have to dispatch.
This is achieveable for those with high-grade combat talent.
Not quite so for anyone else.
There is something called the Attack-Stat Adjustment Ratio-----or simply A.S.A.R. for short.
This determines the potency of a talent when it's used to affect the world around the wielder.
The higher one's talent grade is, the higher their A.S.A.R.
Two people can have a flame-aspected combat talent, at B and A-grade respectively;
However, the potency of the A-grade flame, would vastly surpass that of the B-grade.
This chasm, dividing talent-grade, only gets more outrageous as awakeners ascend Tiers.
A 'Tier-Ascension' grants a massive boost to an awakener's stats----
However, this 'Boost' varies largely, depending on one's talent-grade.
This is the exact reason why Caspian won't be ascending to a higher-tier just yet.
Not until he finalizes his first contract.
Caspian ascended to Tier-two in his previous life----
However, since the Origin System could not ascertain his talent grade.....
He was treated the same as a non-awakened; a 'gradeless'.
And while his fellow awakened were battling increasingly formidable foes----.
Caspian was being pulled by the Albus's----
Slaving away as their personal 'gold-glitch' on two legs.
They weakened the creatures, and Caspian lands the final blow, so his talent can take effect.
Again and again. Over and Over----
Barely escaping the clutches of death on multiple occasions---
where he's pulled along with teams of Tier 3 individuals, to hunt Tier 3 and above creatures.
As Caspian recalls his bitter past life experience----
It boggles his rational mind, how his love for Rebecca, would render him so incapable of thinking straight-----
And just doing exactly what she says.
At one point, he even believed they were the ones doing him a favor.
"Damn!"
"What the hell happened to me !?" Caspian blurted in frustration
"Does't matter. All in the past." He immediately calmed himself, as he turned his attention back to his status window.
"I guess I can only increase both stats to 5 at the moment-- but not for long" Caspian muttered.
Then he expended a total of 1,024gc to increase both his physique and Mind stat.
He wasn't bothered that increasing his mind stat serves no immediate purpose, as they soon will be put to use when he concludes his first contract.
Caspian soon felt a surge of energy run through him----
as his muscles hardened, bones toughened, and his reflexes sharpened.
He felt a sudden surge in vitality. An experience he's had before, but one he still finds refreshing.
He then proceeded to check his status window again for the change…
—---
~~~~~[Status Window]~~~~~
[Name: Caspian Shade]
[Age: 21]
[Life Level: Tier One]
[Race: Human]
[Affiliations: None]
[BloodLine: Human]
[Physique: 5.5] (Humans have 0.3 on Avr.)
[Mind: 5.6] (Humans have 0.4 on Avr.)
[Soul: ????] (Humans have 0.2 on Avr.)
[Innate Talent: Gold Mine (grade: ????) ( Lv. 2)
___Lv 2
~10000X Gold Multiplier: {You Receive 10000X The Value For Every Gold Coin You Earn}
~Miner's Contract: {
Spend Gold Coins to draft and print a binding contract between yourself and chosen subordinate/subordinates.
All terms are determined solely by the Miner.
Only the Miner may view or modify the contract.
Once printed and signed, the contract becomes irreversible and takes effect immediately.
Caution I: An individual may enter a Miner's Contract only once.
Caution II: The more complex or demanding the terms, the higher the printing cost.}
~[Increase Talent Level ~ 10,000,000,000gc]~
]
{System Tools} [
[Inventory (Tier 1) 2/20]
[Analyse (Tier 1)]
]
[386gc]
—---
-----
"Good enough."
"Time to go slaughter some zombies."