Jhon's status screen flashed with updated information, a whirlwind of numbers and descriptions. His eyes scanned every detail, absorbing the changes.
Name: John
Survival Rank: D (New)
Level: 15
Health: 120/120 (Increased)
Resistance: 150/150 (Increased)
Strength: 30 (Increased)
Agility: 25 (Increased)
Intelligence: 20 (Increased)
Luck: 12 (Increased)
Skills:
Weapon Master (Passive): Proficiency with all firearms and melee weapons. Increases accuracy and damage by 15%. (Improved)
Reinforced Skin (Passive): Your skin has become more resilient, reducing physical damage taken by 10%. (New)
Enhanced Vision (Passive): Your night vision and movement perception have been enhanced. (New)
Vehicle Link (Passive): Improved connection with your vehicle. Increased control and passive regeneration of minor bus damage. (New)
Inventory: (Updated with all new items and quantities)
Vehicle: Improved Bus (Level 2)
Reward Effect (Unique):
Personal Evolution Core (Active): Allows the consumption of Level 1 Badges to directly enhance physical attributes (Strength, Agility, Endurance) or to unlock new Personal Skills. Each Level 1 Badge consumed grants one evolution point. (New)
Improved Synthesis (Passive): Increases the efficiency of the synthesis system by 20%.
Jhon blinked, rereading the Personal Evolution Core section. His eyes widened. "Loli, this... this is what I think it is? I can use Level 1 Badges to become stronger, personally?"
"Exactly, Jhon!" Loli did an excited pirouette. "The reward for being the first to evolve the bus to Level 2 is the ability to use these Badges that would otherwise be 'useless' for the main vehicle to evolve you! Think of them as direct experience points for your attributes or to unlock new skills. Each Level 1 Badge can be converted into an evolution point. It's a divine way to balance things out, don't you think?"
Jhon had a mountain of Level 1 Badges in his inventory, multiplied by fifty. That meant hundreds, maybe thousands of evolution points. His mind raced with possibilities. He could increase his strength to wield heavier weapons, his agility to dodge attacks, or his stamina to withstand more damage. And there was even the chance to unlock new abilities.
"So, Loli, how does it work? I choose an attribute or a skill, and consume the Badges?", Jhon asked, his voice filled with new enthusiasm, the tiredness being momentarily forgotten.
"Precisely! It's simple and straightforward. You tell me what you want to improve, or ask me what skills are available, and I'll guide you through the process. Remember, Jhon, you have many Badges. Over fifty of each type, as you said. That's a potential treasure trove for your own evolution. It's like having a bottomless well of personal power!" Loli hovered over him, almost touching his shoulder. "Come on, Jhon! How about starting with your Strength? You can wield even larger weapons, or throw punches that dent metal! Or maybe Agility to move like a shadow and dodge attacks. Or Endurance to become a wall against damage."
Jhon thought for a moment, the image of the monsters from the previous night still fresh in his mind. He needed everything, but there was one priority. Strength and agility combined with his katanas would be devastating. And endurance to withstand the blow.
"Loli, I want to use my Level 1 Badges to increase my Strength, Agility, and Endurance," Jhon decided. "I'll divide the Badges I have to maximize each of those attributes as much as possible. And for the remaining Badges, the ones I can't use directly for attributes, I want you to show me the options for new skills I can unlock. And if I have a lot of Badges left over, even after that, then I'll use them to increase their value by 50 times or upgrade them into whatever useful thing you suggest."
"A solid plan, Jhon! I like that!" Loli nodded, her data processing Jhon's instructions quickly. "Let's start with the Badges for your attributes. Confirm what you want to do with the Level 1 Badges for Wheel, Glass, Gearbox, Bus Body, Headlight, Interior, and Fuel Tank. Do you want to convert them into evolution points for your attributes, or do you want me to synthesize them in some other way?"
"Convert all remaining Level 1 Badges into evolution points for my Strength, Agility, and Endurance, distributing them equally if possible. And for those that can't be used for that, I want you to show me the 50x synthesis or enhancement options for any useful item," Jhon reaffirmed.
Page 41
An intense glow enveloped Jhon. Thousands of Level 1 Badges, each a remnant of the night's battle, began to dissolve into streams of golden energy, converging on Jhon's body. It was a strange, almost electric sensation, as if every fiber of his being was being rewritten, strengthened, adapted. He felt his muscles contract, his bones grow denser, his reflexes sharpen. The fatigue that had weighed on him since the previous night was swept away, replaced by a renewed, almost exuberant vitality.
[Updating Status...]
Name: John
Survival Rank: D
Level: 15
Health: 150/150 (Massively increased, +30)
Resistance: 200/200 (Massively increased, +50)
Strength: 50 (Massively increased, +20)
Agility: 45 (Massively increased, +20)
Intelligence: 20
Sort: 12
Skills:
Weapon Master (Passive): Proficiency with all firearms and melee weapons. Increases accuracy and damage by 15%.
Reinforced Skin (Passive): Your skin has become more resilient, reducing physical damage taken by 10%.
Enhanced Vision (Passive): Your night vision and movement perception have been enhanced.
Vehicle Link (Passive): Improved connection with your vehicle. Greater control and passive regeneration of minor damage to the bus.
Body Resilience (Passive): Your muscle and bone structure has been enhanced, increasing your ability to absorb impacts and recover from injuries. (New ability, unlocked with excess Endurance points)
Predatory Reflexes (Passive): Your reflexes are incredibly fast, allowing for split-second reactions and enhanced threat awareness. (New ability, unlocked with excess Agility points)
Loli watched in awe, almost exultant. "John! You're a monster of power now! Your Strength, Agility, and Endurance have skyrocketed! And you've unlocked Body Resilience and Predatory Reflexes! These skills will make you nearly invulnerable and lightning fast in combat! Amazing! You've consumed hundreds of Level 1 Badges for this, and you still have some left over that can be multiplied! Check your inventory, John! The ones that couldn't be used for attributes or skills have been processed."
Jhon checked his inventory. Indeed, some Badges that didn't fit the balanced distribution for attributes or skill unlocks had been transformed.
Level 1 Badge (Exchange) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon for future synthesis or sale needs.)
Level 1 Insignia (Wheels) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
Level 1 Insignia (Glass) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
Level 1 Badge (Body) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
Level 1 Badge (Fuel Tank) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
Level 1 Insignia (Interior) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
Level 1 Insignia (Lighthouse) x 50 (Rare): (Left over and kept by Jhon.)
"Wow, Loli. That's... a lot," Jhon said, feeling the power bubble through his veins. He flexed his fingers, feeling stronger than ever. Energy coursed through him.
"And now that you're practically a titan, and your bus is a walking fortress, what will we do?" Loli asked, her eyes shining with the prospect of new adventures.
"Let's start collecting materials, Loli," Jhon replied, his eyes sweeping the vast landscape. "I want rare metal. I want exotic and powerful animal skins. I want everything this world has to offer to make me even stronger and upgrade the shuttle to Level 3. And that monster eye I got, how do I integrate it? I want to see what it can do for me."