"No."
[Fusion postponed]
"I'm not going to level up a skill that will gain attention from the dark forces. That's the peak of idiocy."
> SO YOU WILL FIRST INCREASE THE SKILL OF THE MANA-BASED SKILL [PSYCHOKINESIS] AND THEN MAYBE FUSE THEM, TO GET A HIGHER LEVEL FROM THE START?
"Precisely. A low level guarantees that I will be 'wasteful' with energy and lack good control. So I have the negatives of everyone's attention without it being a useful skill. If I first maximise the skill and then fuse it, I'll get much better bonuses... or at least I hope so."
Medium Mana Capacity (Passive) Lv. 1
| EXP: 0.00%
| An ability given to the few Mana users who are born with an exceptional ability to handle Mana.
Effects:
| + 15% increase in Mana-based attacks
| - 10% less MP for skills
-
Mana Regeneration (Passive) Lv. 1
| EXP: 0.00%
| An ability given only to those of special heritage that allows faster recovery of MP.
Effect:
| + 100% increased MP regeneration
-
"This is great!! Status Window."
------------------
|Name: Gerhard
|Class: The Gamer
|Level: LV34
|Title: The Grinder
------------------
|HP: 1158/1158
|MP: 1208/1208
------------------
STR: 39 (+10)
VIT: 41 (+10)
DEX: 29 (+10)
INT: 100 (+10)
WIS: 68
LUK: 20
------------------
|Points: 106
|Money: 0
------------------
"What about the regeneration?"
> WELL, THERE ARE SEVERAL SKILLS AND A TITLE THAT AFFECT THAT NOW. LET'S SEE.
> ...
> AFTER THE STAT INT REACHED 50, YOU WERE REWARDED WITH THE SKILL: [MANA AFFINITY], WHICH IS A PASSIVE SKILL AND INCREASES YOUR MANA REGENERATION BY +10% AND YOUR TOTAL MP AMOUNT BY +5%. IT ALSO INCREASES THE MAGIC ATTACK AND DEFENCE BY +5%. AND IT INCREASES THE MANA-RELATED SKILL EFFECTS BY A TOTAL OF +30%.
> THE SKILL [MANA CONTROL] REDUCES THE MANA CONSUMPTION OF ALL YOUR MP-DEPENDENT SKILLS BY -20%.
> THE TITLE: [THE GRINDER] GAVE YOU +100% MP AND HP REGENERATION. AND A PERMANENT +30 IN INT AND WIS, AS LONG AS THE TITLE IS USED.
> NOW, AT INT OF 100, WE HAVE [MEDIUM MANA CAPACITY], WHICH INCREASES THE MANA-BASED ATTACK DAMAGE BY +15% AND DECREASES THE MP REQUIREMENTS OF MANA-BASED SKILLS BY -10%.
> [MANA REGENERATION] INCREASES YOUR MP REGENERATION BY A TOTAL OF +100%.
> [IRON WILL] INCREASES YOUR MP AND HP REGENERATION BY ANOTHER +50% AFTER IT DROPS BELOW 50% TOTAL.
> FINALLY, THERE IS YOUR BREATHING SKILL: [Deep Breathing Energy Control] IF IT'S ACTIVE, YOU GAIN ANOTHER +15% MP AND HP REGENERATION, AND AN INCREASE OF 10 POINTS IN YOUR STATS: STR, VIT, DEX AND INT.
> ...
> IF WE TAKE ALL OF THAT TOGETHER...
> |Passive MP Regen: 434.31 / min
> |Active MP Regen: 475.67 / min
> |Passive MP Regen with Iron Will trigger: 651.47 / min
> |Active MP Regen with Iron Will trigger: 713.50 / min
> |MP Cost for skills: 72% of normal
> A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE, MASTER.
"Indeed. And to think that I spent roughly the same amount of skill points in LUK as INT, this is quite impressive."
> THE MK. 1 SUIT CAN NOW BE USED AT ALL TIMES, AND THERE IS STILL SOME MANA REGENERATION OVER FOR OTHER SKILLS, LIKE THE [PSIONIC MANA SHIELD], ALTHOUGH NOT AT ALL TIMES.
"True. Well, let's continue where we left off."
> AGREED.
Gerhard raised his hands and used the skill [Psychokinesis] for the first time. It was hard, but his INT of 100 allowed him to adapt right away. He pulled a small piece of pure steel towards him, very slowly.
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
"Sweet. This will be such a broken skill if I get it high enough."
He continued. After the second level, it got easier again. He went from two pieces of Spirit Stones to four, and then eight, and so on. He didn't use his hands once the entire time, but he felt that the heavier an object was, the more Mana he needed to lift it.
Now, thanks to his ridiculously high MP regeneration, he could use [Psychokinesis] at all times, without a problem. And since he was literally the grinder, he didn't stop until he had everything inside his inventory.
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
Lv. 2 -> Lv. 12
After the skill had passed level 10, the skill went through a small change.
Psychokinesis (Active) lv. 12
| EXP: 8.20%
| A mana-based ability that allows the user to manipulate objects through mental force. Unlike Warp-based telekinesis, this ability is stable, precise, and fully controlled through Mana.
Bonus:
| +20% control precision
| -10% Mana consumption
| Reduced shaking/instability
| Fine movements become possible (e.g. turning knobs, pulling triggers)
-
There weren't any fixed effects for the skill, since it all depended on what Gerhard did with it. But there were extra bonuses after he had passed level 10.
After he was finished, Gerhard continued on his way. He didn't use power to use the MK. 1 armour, choosing to continue with his training. He returned to the bifurcation and chose the middle path.
There, he encountered 45 level 8 Kobolds.
> ASSAULT CANNON REMAINING AMMUNITION: 1588.
"I want to try something else."
The Kobolds rushed Gerhard, but didn't move. He had enough Mana to use his [Psionic Mana Shield], and that's what he did. The Kobolds were utterly powerless against it and snarled at the edge of it, giving Gerhard time to do what he wanted.
He reached out with his Psychokinesis and focused, trying to recreate 'Force Choke' from Star Wars.
Surprisingly, it didn't work as well as he had hoped and was met with resistance. Naturally, since it was a Mana skill, other creatures who had Mana could resist it to a degree. But the Kobolds had so little that it was somewhat possible.
Gerhard focused really hard and flexed that invisible muscle, pushing himself further, without using the skill actively, instead relying entirely on himself. Very slowly, he managed to block the blood flow to his head.
The creature snarled harder and tried to free itself from the invisible hand that gripped its throat. But it didn't work. It was a very slow and agonising way of being choked to death, but Gerhard did it.
[Kobold defeated]
[+11,290 EXP]
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
> CONGRATULATIONS, MASTER. YOU SLOWLY CHOKED THAT CREATURE TO DEATH. TRULY YOU HONOUR THE IMPERIUM WITH YOUR SERVICE.
"That shit was hard! But it was also worth it."
> YOU MIGHT MAKE A GOOD INQUISITOR, MASTER. AT LEAST A GOOD BAD ONE.
"Hmm, you know, you're right. Heh, can you imagine? Hahaha."
Gerhard focused on the 44 Kobolds that were left and repeated the process. This time, he could stop the blood flow right away and even lift the Kobold off the ground slightly. It took two minutes to kill the monster.
[Kobold defeated]
[+11,290 EXP]
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
The third one was even quicker, taking only one minute.
[Kobold defeated]
[+11,290 EXP]
The fourth one was special, since Gerhard managed to break the Kobold's neck.
[Kobold defeated]
[+11,290 EXP]
[Psychokinesis has levelled up]
"I'm getting the hang of this."
Gerhard continued this way. Like a child playing with his new favourite toy, he used only Psychokinesis to kill the Kobolds one at a time, two at a time, three at a time, four at a time. At some point, Gerhard imagined creating kinetic force and sent it forward, like Force Push.
He enjoyed himself, completely forgetting that he was killing monsters here. And in a way, that was fitting considering in which galaxy he was in and the skill [Gamer's Mind] having a profound effect.
[Level up]
Psychokinesis (Active) lv. 23
| EXP: 19.37%
| A mana-based ability that allows the user to manipulate objects through mental force. Unlike Warp-based telekinesis, this ability is stable, precise, and fully controlled through Mana.
Bonus:
| +25% control precision
| -15% Mana usage
| Reduced shaking/instability
| Fine movements become possible (e.g. turning knobs, pulling triggers)
| Unlock rotational control
-
Gerhard walked to the third and last chamber, and there he was met with a strange sight.
Right in front of him stood 30 Kobolds in formation, holding wooden shields and bows and arrows. And then there was a set of stairs leading to a higher platform that held a golden chair, and on that chair sat the Kobold Boss.
"Huh? They're in formation."
The Kobolds attacked right away, moving forward as one unit, looking quite impressive, if they weren't so small. They hit the shield of Gerhard, like the previous ones, unable to do anything about it.
"Well, back to grinding, I guess."
> MIGHT I REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE HERE TO TEST OUT THE ARMOUR AND WEAPONS?
"Right. I forgot about that. Alright, I suppose we can do that."
BRRRRTTTTT--!
Gerhard moved the assault cannon from the left to the right horizontally, mowing down the monsters like weeds. He stopped firing for a moment and looked at all the black dust that was rising, where the monsters had stood seconds before.
That left only the boss monster.
Gerhard focused on using Psychokinesis to collect all of the loot again, putting it into his inventory. He was rather happy with the resources he got, since they were far purer than anything he could find in the Underhive.
"Right, let's look at this one."
[Observe]
[Kobold King - Lv. 20]
| Name: Krasht
| EXP: 72.11%
| Type: Evil
| HP: 2388/2388
| STR: 45
| VIT: 56
| DEX: 56
| INT: 33
| WIS: 41
| LUK: 44
Special:
| Aura Body (Active), Tough Skin (Active), Poison (Active), Berserk (Active), Herculean Strength (Active)
-
"Look at that LUK stat. What the fuck is this?! How is this logical?"
> CAN'T BE RIGHT IF HE MET YOU NOW.
"Exactly. The overall stat is almost 300 points. And he's supposed to be level 20. And look at those skills, Aura Body, Tough Body."
> THAT WON'T SAVE HIM THOUGH.
"No, but it's still impressive that he has them. And then that LUK stat. Eh, whatever."
The Kobold King stood up and grabbed a large golden hammer. He was wearing some parts of armour and was roughly three times the size of the smaller Kobolds.
*RROAAAARR*
It roared and charged forward. It jumped and swung its hammer towards Gerhard. Surprisingly, or stupidly, Gerhard didn't cast [Psionic Mana Shield], choosing instead to use his skill and the Mk. 1 durability.
He reached out and used Psychokinesis to try to stop its kinetic energy. But that didn't work very well. The Kobold King was too strong, but there was definitely some resistance. So it wasn't as powerful a hit when it impacted Gerhard's arm as it could have been.
BOOOOM
The hammer hit him, leaving a small dent. Gerhard was pushed back, and after stumbling, he managed to catch himself from falling. The training had proven to be fruitful.
He turned towards the Kobold King again and activated the Lightning Claw and also the power for his suit. This was a real test, not just training.
The monster rushed forward once again and swung its hammer vertically, just like the first time. Gerhard followed his [Danger Sense] and pushed himself to the side.
The hammer crashed into the ground next to him. He brought his Lightning Claw upwards, gutting the monster asily.
"RRROOOAAAAAAAAHHHH", it roared in pain.
But all it was met with was the 6 barrels of an assault cannon.
"44 LUK, my ass."
BRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTT--!
[Kobold King defeated]
[+52,225 EXP]
...
Gerhard was awarded with a few resources, four health potions and the golden hammer, which the Kobold King had used.
"Not bad, I'll say. It works."
> AGREED.
"Well, how are we doing in terms of your level, Hans?"
> RATHER WELL. I MANAGED TO REACH LEVEL 18.
"Hm, let's see."
Hans - Lv. 18
| EXP: 91.70%
|An artificial spirit and former Man of Iron, AKA Iron Automaton, who had degraded over millennia, broken down and recreated by Gerhard, the Gamer. He has been granted artificial life, which is protected from most dangers the natural souls face.
| HP: -
| MP: 3550
-------------------
| STR: -
| VIT: -
| DEX: -
| INT: 185
| WIS: 101
| LUK: 10
-------------------
Status Points: 85
-------------------
Special:
| Machine Authority (Active/Passive)
-------------------
"Hey, Hans, you've got a skill. Machine Authority, what's that?"
Machine Authority (Active/Passive) Lv. 1
| EXP: 0.00%
| Can interface with nearby technology, overpower its Machine Spirit and take control of it. Only those of similar or lower intelligence and complexity.
| +25% efficiency
-
"Dude, that's the shit, right there. And it's level one."
> I AM INDEED IMPRESSIVE. PLUS MY MANA REGENERATION IS AT 39 RIGHT NOW.
"Yeah, that's cute. But this skill has insane potential. We're definitely going to have some fun with that. But now, we'll go back, and I'll do the improvements and adjustments."
___________________________________
Short break until Sunday. I have something great planned. Cheers.