AUTOR NOTE: I got sick and haven't been able to write, but here's a chapter, shorter than usual, as I'm still recovering.
-----
Before going to sleep that night, Liam sat on the edge of the bed with his back slightly hunched and reviewed the new abilities he had gained after killing the Smilers that night. The room was silent, dimly lit by a faint lamp.
The familiar interface appeared in front of him.
[ENTITY DEVOURING SYSTEM] [UPDATE]
Host: Liam
Age: 15 years old
[SKILLS]
[OBSERVATION] [LVL 1]
[PROTECTION OF MEMORIES] [LVL MAX]
[PSYCHIC SENSITIVITY] [LVL 1]
[TELEPATHY] [LVL 5]
[DREAM DOMINION] [LVL 7]
[ABNORMAL RESISTANCE] [LVL 6]
[LESSER IMMORTALITY] [LVL 8]
[FAITH] [LVL 1]
[SUPERNATURAL PHYSICAL STRENGTH] [LVL 5]
[SUPERNATURAL RESILIENT BODY] [LVL 2]
[NIGHT VISION] [LVL 1]
[SUPERNATURAL REGENERATION] [LVL 2]
[MENTAL INVASION] [LVL 1]
[EXTREME DAMAGE RESISTANCE] [LVL 2]
[LESSER VITAL IMMORTALITY] [LVL 1]
[MENTAL SUGGESTION] [LVL 1]
[SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION 50%]
[MISSIONS]
[GUIDE]
[SKILL FRAGMENTS] [70]
[EXCESS SKILLS]
[SUPERNATURAL RESILIENT BODY] [LVL 1] x1
[SUPERNATURAL PHYSICAL STRENGTH] [LVL 1] x3
Liam narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the list. He wasn't sure what to think when looking at the system. He had obtained three out of the four Smilers' abilities, but none of them was the one he wanted most.
Monstrous Penetration.
That ability could have completely changed the damage he was capable of dealing. If he combined it with his strength, it would probably be enough to damage the Smilers' bodies without needing his dagger.
He clenched his teeth slightly.
Still, a small smile appeared on his face as he thought of the positive side: the Smilers' second-best ability had dropped twice and directly at level 2. That meant the Smilers probably wouldn't be able to hurt him as much as before. That would make killing them in the coming days even easier.
His expression turned thoughtful again when he focused on Lesser Vital Immortality.
It wasn't very useful to him. He leaned back slightly as he reflected. He wouldn't destroy it to obtain fragments; he would simply leave it at level 1. In the end, in a world as dangerous as the one he lived in—where he didn't know whether he would survive the next five years if he was unlucky enough to encounter something he couldn't handle… what was the point of 500 years of life if he could be killed tomorrow?
He sighed softly.
Then his gaze stopped on Mental Suggestion.
That one was useful. Very useful. It would help him obtain what he wanted. The longer he spoke with someone, the more likely they would be to do what he wanted without realizing they were being influenced little by little.
But his eyes hardened slightly.
It was also dangerous.
He could become dependent on using it all the time, causing his relationships to become nothing more than an artificial consequence of that ability. He didn't want that. Not with people close to him.
So he imposed a mental rule on himself: use it only in absolutely necessary situations or with people who were not close to him and with whom he didn't plan to have a close relationship in the future.
Finally, his gaze shifted to the update button.
And now, the most important part.
After thinking through the implications of each ability, without further hesitation, he pressed the update button. He felt a faint tingling in his chest.
After so many years, the system would finally receive another update. His eyes glimmered slightly. He couldn't wait to see the new functions that would help him grow stronger.
[UPDATING]
The screen remained static. Liam rested his elbows on his knees as he waited.
Just like last time, it seemed this update would take a while. So he stood up, drank some water, looked out the window at the silent night, and waited with restrained patience.
…
About thirty minutes later, the system finished updating. The notification appeared with a small flash, and Liam, impatient, immediately opened the system.
[ENTITY DEVOURING SYSTEM] [UPDATE]
Host: Liam
Age: 15 years old
[SKILLS]
[OBSERVATION] [LVL 1]
[PROTECTION OF MEMORIES] [LVL MAX]
[PSYCHIC SENSITIVITY] [LVL 1]
[TELEPATHY] [LVL 5]
[DREAM DOMINION] [LVL 7]
[ABNORMAL RESISTANCE] [LVL 6]
[LESSER IMMORTALITY] [LVL 8]
[FAITH] [LVL 1]
[SUPERNATURAL PHYSICAL STRENGTH] [LVL 5]
[SUPERNATURAL RESILIENT BODY] [LVL 2]
[NIGHT VISION] [LVL 1]
[SUPERNATURAL REGENERATION] [LVL 2]
[MENTAL INVASION] [LVL 1]
[EXTREME DAMAGE RESISTANCE] [LVL 2]
[LESSER VITAL IMMORTALITY] [LVL 1]
[MENTAL SUGGESTION] [LVL 1]
[SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION 50%]
[MISSIONS]
[GUIDE]
[SKILL FRAGMENTS] [70]
[EXCESS SKILLS]
[SUPERNATURAL RESILIENT BODY] [LVL 1] x1
[SUPERNATURAL PHYSICAL STRENGTH] [LVL 1] x3
[BLOODLINE]
Liam frowned when he saw the new option at the bottom of the system. Curiosity replaced his earlier disappointment, and he pressed it to get more information.
[BLOODLINE]: Absorb the bloodline of a supernatural being by liquefying its flesh and blood so you can absorb its genetic essence, inheriting its natural attributes, innate abilities, and a complete transformation into its species. (Warning: Can only be used once and cannot be reversed.)
His expression turned serious.
This new function could push his limits to levels never before imagined if he chose correctly… but he would also have to be extremely careful. There would be no turning back once it was used.
He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.
It would be best to use it on something that didn't require much training. Something that, naturally and without too much effort, could reach very high levels of power… or at least had an extremely high ceiling. He wouldn't use it on something difficult to improve.
One example would be Carrie.
Liam knew that if what he wanted to do with her molecular telekinesis was possible, her powers would skyrocket in the future without the need to externally increase the raw power of her telekinesis.
Carrie had told him that after using Maturin's brew, something had remained within her—something that made her feel things she couldn't before with her telekinetic sense. That detail had given him several ideas after they entered the Upside Down in Hawkins.
Liam searched the system for a few more minutes, carefully reviewing each tab, hoping to find any additional changes… but there didn't seem to be any.
In the end, somewhat disappointed at not finding a quick way to improve, he closed the system with a mental gesture, lay back on the bed, and let the exhaustion of the night slowly overcome him until he fell asleep.