Chapter 8: Stats, Skills, and System Sync
POV: Zai
I lay back, on my back, staring at the ceiling of my own bedroom. My body was drenched in sweat like armor that could never be shaken. That trial… I had fought against gravity itself, I was positive.
But I managed.
I emerged alive.
And I leveled up.
[LEVEL 4 REACHED]
Passive Slot Unlocked. Skill Cooldowns Reduced. Stat Sync Improved.
"Yeah," I growled. "Time to see what all that really is."
???? SYSTEM MENU: OPEN
→ [STATS]
→ [SKILLS]
→ [PASSIVE SLOT: EMPTY]
???? ZAI — LEVEL 4 STATUS PANEL
EXP: 180/200
Current Rank: Human (Enhanced)
Stat Sync Level: +10% Agility, +10% Perception
???? CORE STATS
STRENGTH: 5
– Teenage average, slightly improved by system muscle memory
AGILITY: 7 (+10% from Sync Boost)
– Reflexes now slightly above human average
STAMINA: 6
– Able to fight at high output for short periods
PERCEPTION: 6 (+10% from Sync Boost)
– Quicker reaction time, movement perception
TECHNIQUE CONTROL: 5
– Manages timing for impeccable parries, dodges, and charge release
COOLDOWN REDUCTION: 3 (NEW STAT from Passive Sync)
– All active skills cooldown ~10% faster
I whistled. These weren't godlike stats—but they weren't average either.
A few more levels, and I'd be fighting like a tournament pro.
???? ACTIVE SKILLS (12 SLOTS UNLOCKED)
Basic Punch (Smash Variant)
– Forward, straight punch with slightly over-exaggerated knockback.
– Cooldown: 1s → 0.9s
Short Dodge Roll
– Lateral roll. Invincibility frames if timed well.
– Cooldown: 4s → 3.6s
Parry (Frame-Perfect)
– Must be executed within a 0.3s window to cancel attack.
– Cooldown: 5s → 4.5s
System Scan (Lv. 1)
– Read threat level, scan basic target data.
– Cooldown: 8s → 7.2s
Falcon Dash (Lv. 1)
– Quick burst of high-speed movement. Light shock impact.
– Cooldown: 10s → 9s
Fireball Throw (Mario Variant – Lv. 1)
– Curved small fireball that slightly burns.
– Cooldown: 8s → 7.2s
Needle Shot (Sheik Variant – Lv. 1)
– Stabbing fast projectile. Low damage, great for spacing.
– Cooldown: 6s → 5.4s
Charge Shot (Samus – Condensed Variant)
– Compact small energy shot.
– Charge Time: 2s
– Cooldown: 12s → 10.8s
KO Counter (Little Mac – Light Read)
– Automated retaliation if timed properly.
– Cooldown: 15s → 13.5s
Egg Shield (Yoshi – Single Use per level)
– One-time hard defense.
– Recharge: Only refilled on level up or system recharge.
Quick Zap (Pikachu Variant – Lv. 1)
– Short burst electric stun.
– Cooldown: 7s → 6.3s
Paint Dash (Inkling Variant – Lv. 1)
– Slip-slide dash with an ink trail reducing opponent traction.
– Cooldown: 9s → 8.1s
Aura Vision (Lucario Passive – Lv. 1)
– See hostile intent as red outlines.
– Duration: 10s
– Cooldown: 20s → 18s
I finished with the list.
Wait.
The system relocated one of my current skills to the new slot.
???? PASSIVE SLOT UNLOCKED
Aura Vision (Lucario Passive – Lv. 1) has been automatically inserted in Passive Slot.
– Activates always-on awareness without occupying an active slot.
– Hostile presences glow faint red when Aura Vision is on.
– Switched on using mental switch: ON/OFF
– Amplified by perception stat.
I switched it on.
My room immediately changed. I could feel the thrum of movement vibrating against the window. The slight hum of someone passing by outside on the street–even two apartments down–flared red at the back of my head. Not because they were enemies, exactly, but because they could become so.
It was subtle. But I knew.
I could never be caught off guard again.
[NEW FEATURE NOTE – Passive Slot (1/1)]
→ Passives grow to slot 2 at Level 10
→ Aura-type and "Always-On" skills tuned here
→ Using passives improves synchronization in the long term
I stood up, a grin spreading.
Cooldowns shorter. Skills growing. New way of seeing things.
And just one level away from something even bigger:
Subordinate Creation.
What the fuck was that going to be like?
Was I going to summon allies? Like. actual CPU brawlers?
Could I build a team?
A crew?
I leaned back and rolled down my window, the D.C. wind smacking me in the face like a reboot button.
Whatever this system was, it wasn't just changing the way I fought—it was changing me.
One level at a time.