Chapter 10: Stats Breakdown and New Challenge
POV: Zai
It was a long night proving myself at Rock Creek, and I came home, still tingling with the cold air in my veins. Standing at the end of my bed, I summoned the system menu again to look at my stats. I needed to know where I was—and how to get better.
[SYSTEM MENU — STATS]
STRENGTH: 5
Average for a teenager, with slightly better system muscle memory.
AGILITY: 7 (+10% for Sync Boost)
Reflexes now slightly above average human.
STAMINA: 6
May maintain high output combat for brief intervals.
PERCEPTION: 6 (+10% for Sync Boost)
Enhanced reaction time, motion awareness.
TECHNIQUE CONTROL: 5
Manages timing for perfect parries, dodges, and charge releases.
COOLDOWN REDUCTION: 3 (NEW STAT because of Passive Sync)
All active skills now cool down ~10% more quickly.
I scrolled through the descriptions slowly, absorbing it all. Every stat wasn't just a number—it was a determination of my current ability. But I wasn't a captive here. I craved more.
So I asked the system:
"How do I raise my stats?"
[SYSTEM RESPONSE]
"Stat increase method: Specific skill use is equal to specific stats. When a skill increases, corresponding stats get proportional increase."
Example:
Using physical attack abilities (Basic Punch, KO Counter) boosts Strength and Stamina.
Movement and dodge abilities (Short Dodge Roll, Falcon Dash) boost Agility and Technique Control.
Perception-type abilities (System Scan, Aura Vision) boost Perception.
Passive slots and cooldown reduction improve with good skill management.
"Just keep practicing and fighting to level skills and stats."
That made sense. To get better, I had to keep nudging each skill in the correct direction.
And then, a new notification popped into my head.
[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED]
Title: "Trial by CPU"
Description: Defeat a Level 3 CPU opponent on Battlefield stage.
Reward: Level Up + Skill Points + Potential Random Skill Drop
Note: CPU difficulty scales with player level. Prepare accordingly.
My heart jumped. A Level 3 CPU? That was a serious jump from the basic training I'd been doing.
Battlefield stage… That was the classic Smash arena with three floating platforms in mid-air, hazards off.
I swallowed hard.
This was the real test.
The first challenge proper.
I closed the menu and looked around my blacked-out room, my mind racing.
I needed to prepare, train harder, master the timing and speed up my reflexes.
Because this test could bring me up to Level 5—and give me that Subordinate Creation ability the system kept taunting me with.
One step closer to my own crew.
One step closer to something bigger.
I crunched up my fists.
"Alright, system. Let's do this."