Sebastian sat on the roof of the Techno-hive, looking at the central districts of Heloplex. Where the skyscrapers of the Aegis Corporation pierced the smog, neon holograms of heroes glowed. Rank A. People who were symbols, whose level had passed eighty. The news said there were only a few dozen of them in the entire world. About Rank S, there were only legends — no one knew their names, only rumors of beings capable of closing Portals alone.
He looked at his hands. Level 4. There were eleven levels ahead before his first real test. He knew that at level sixteen, during the transition to Rank E, the planet itself grants the Awakened a new ability — a reward for survival. Some were luckier: they received unique powers immediately, at the moment of Awakening. Sebastian didn't know if his Luck was such a gift or just a glitch, but he intended to use it to the fullest.
He pulled out the found "Stone Skin" crystal of Rank E. Skill books had no level restrictions—anyone could learn anything if they had enough will. The problem was different. Rank F simply couldn't unlock the potential of high-level magic. A Rank E skill in his hands would only work at half capacity, and Rank A... he simply wouldn't feel the difference between a powerful spell and an ordinary flashlight.
—
The next day, Sebastian was at Bruno's shop again. This time he brought not only shards but also a piece of the Swamp Crawler's shell.
"Level four?" Bruno squinted, examining the loot. "You're growing fast, kid. But don't get cocky. The real difficulties start after fifteen. The transition to Rank E is the moment your body begins to rebuild itself. That's when you'll get your first 'natural' skill."
"I want to learn this now," Sebastian placed the "Stone Skin" book on the counter.
Bruno froze for a moment, then huffed. "You can learn it; the System doesn't forbid it. But you understand, right? Your 'bandwidth' right now is like a kitchen fuse. You'll learn a Rank E technique, but your Rank F will cut its power. Instead of stone armor, you'll get maybe a thin bark."
"Thin bark is better than bare skin," Sebastian replied.
He squeezed the crystal in his palm. The light began to be absorbed into his skin, causing a familiar itch in his bones.
[Skill Learned: Stone Skin (Passive)]
[Skill Rank: E]
[Warning! Your current rank (F) limits skill effectiveness by 80%]
Sebastian felt his epidermis become denser, taking on a barely noticeable grayish tint. It didn't make him invulnerable, but now an ordinary street thug's knife would hardly be able to leave a deep wound on him.
"Well, do you feel like a tank?" Bruno laughed.
"I feel like I need eight hundred more experience points," Sebastian replied gloomily, checking the new weight of his knife.
He turned and headed for the exit. Level five was waiting for him in the darkness of Collector C-4, and now, with enhanced protection, he was going to go even deeper — where the monsters were stronger and the experience numbers were higher.