I continued driving around the mountains, stopping at scenic view points to idle in the car.
There I spent some time thinking, about the deer I saw, about the military action in the area, and about my own ability.
If my ability is real, then surely other mystical things are real, right?
But, all I really saw was a deer doing something deer do, and an old guy who probably believes in bigfoot.
Plus my ability feels less mystical, and more system or tech from the future, sent back in time.
It doesn't seem like it would be connected to something more mystical like cryptids.
Yeah, I guess my ability is more unique than I originally thought. Though I didn't put in that much thought.
Are there others with my ability, or other powers? I guess not, or they would have to be like a secret society. Because otherwise it would be plastered all over the news or ClickClock.
But, if a secret society like that existed, I bet the world would look a whole lot different.
The world is very mundane.
I concluded that the world is boring, and I alone have the power to shape the future.
Sigh.
What a lonely existence.
…
It was time to head back.
I made my way down and out of the mountains, back down the old country roads, and into the warehouse parking lot.
Layla had made more progress on the car but there was still work to be done before she had to worry about replacing parts.
As we drove home I told her all about the improvements to the Cancry.
The increased fuel efficiency, it now gets 75 miles per gallon. The heads up display is better, the AI is better at reading road signs and has better optimized auto braking. The audio system is better allowing for a wider range of sounds.
The whole car got a nice upgrade and Layla was going to have her work cut out for her.
She was already excited to get a look under the hood, but she was tired after a long day, so she took a shower and went to sleep.
Since mom wasn't here Layla slept in her bed.
I did the same.
Honestly sleeping in the same bed is nice, but sleeping alone is so much more comfortable. I don't have to worry about moving around too much or waking someone else up. It is so freeing and liberating.
…
The next morning. I got up and proceeded to do what I always do, get ready, eat, take Layla to the warehouse, and see the guys working hard to put in the foundation.
I sat there watching Layla go about working on the car thinking, what could I be doing to make better use of my time?
I couldn't think of a single thing I could do to upgrade anything in the short term.
As I upgrade things it takes longer to acquire the necessary experience.
Upgrade 1 = 100 minutes = 1 hour 40 minutes
Upgrade 2 = 1,000 minutes = 14 hours
Upgrade 3 = 10,000 minutes = 6.9 days
Upgrade 4 = 100,000 minutes = 69 days = 9.8 weeks
Upgrade 5 = 1,000,000 minutes = 694 days = 99 weeks = 22 months = 1.9 years
This is the current upgrade time chart and this doesn't account for time spent sleeping or not using whatever I'm trying to upgrade.
Not only that, that is assuming that I can only upgrade up to 5 times. What if it's 10 times? Or 100 times? Maybe even infinitely?
I have only had this ability for 41 days. I haven't even reached the 4th upgrade amount even if I was grinding experience 24/7 I would still have 28 days. 28 straight days of grinding to upgrade ONE thing.
My ability clearly has limitations.
I need people like Layla to make new things out of what I upgrade to keep pushing technology and my ability forward.
If we look at the ability assuming that I could upgrade something 10 times then the time table looks like this.
Upgrade 6 = 10,000,000 minutes = 19.025 years
Upgrade 7 = 100,000,000 minutes = 190.25 years
Upgrade 8 = 1,000,000,000 minutes = 1,902.58 years
Upgrade 9 = 10,000,000,000 minutes = 19,025.87 years
Upgrade 10 = 100,000,000,000 minutes = 190,258.75 years
I wouldn't even live long enough to see a 7th upgrade. At the sixth upgrade I would be into my late 40s or early 50s grinding experience all day everyday for over 20 years. Solely for upgrade 6 not even 5 or 4.
My ability is a lot more restricted than I thought.
What am I even supposed to do?
DDo I really have to rely on other people to keep upgrading things?
Is my ability really that-.
My thoughts were cut off by a message on my phone.
Oh, my McLoud is ready to be picked up.
Nice!
Lets go grab it right now!
I was pulled out of my depressing thoughts by the thought of going Vrrr ts ts tss.
I ordered a car to come pick me up and take me to the dealership.
…
When I got there the car was parked right in front all nice and shiny from a fresh wash.
The process was quick, I just had to sign a few documents and I was ready to go. As the car was preowned I had to get a new plate issued, which apparently didn't take as much time as the Cancry. Because I am still waiting for the plate to come in the mail.
The Mcloud is an automatic transmission but you can switch it to manual which uses the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
I know how to drive a manual from driving tractors when I was a kid, but tractors and sports cars are a little different. So, I'll stick to automatic for the time being.
I turned the engine on and gave it a few revs.
Listening to the rumble of the engine sent shivers down my spine.
I thanked the guys working at the shop, closed the door, and carefully pulled out of the dealership.