[It seemed like the Level Quotient was determined by taking the median numbers from everything that you have to offer_
[As for the low number of numerals. The value of 1 within the stats is equal to the capability of one average human being_
[So if you have 1.1 Strength, that means your physical ability is 110% that of an average human capability.]
Jack cheered up after seeing those words. "So I'm ten times smarter than an average human here, heh. How come this Fortitude of mine is that high?"
[I'll assume that it was related to your mental strength to hold your ground. It could also mean the strength of your soul. Or more precisely in this world, it's the strength and stamina limit to use your ability_
[In your case, it was the use of the Tentacles System. With more proficiency and how powerful your tentacles become, the bigger your Fortitude's stats will be_
[Truthfully, the variables were too complex to decide precisely what made the numbers high. This also applies to all stat values.]
Brandishing his dual blades again, he deployed the Petra Tentacle to his tailbone and held the bladed staff that had become a cheap imitation of an eastern halberd.
"Oh well, it's time to grind those stats with a work out, then." A grin appeared on his face. "Let's see if we can find something farther east. We have around four hours left until dusk sets. So! Might as well enjoy the spirit of the hunt!"
[It seems like we have a goal in mind as of the current moment.]
And so, Jack continued his exploration after finishing a whole chunk of truffle. He definitely wanted something to accompany the earthy flavor but he didn't want to get into a precarious situation with a weak body.
"Sephiroth, I wonder," Jack said as he traveled the forest through the branches with the help of his Petra Tentacle. "My stomach could literally consume and process everything, right?"
[Correct, even grass that you ate yesterday is nutritious to you when consumed in bulk. Considering that your stomach could break down the high cellulose content. Unlike normal humans that are barely able to process the material.]
"I didn't feel anything though." Jack reluctantly smiled. "I'm thinking of utilizing my stupid digestive system into a nuclear reactor of strength.
"I remembered that one of the Kangaroo Soldiers in my former world only ate grass all the time and their bodies were bulking in muscles.
"Turns out it didn't give me as much energy to be mobile."
[You need to chew and eat grass non-stop throughout the day if you want to acquire the benefits of the nutrients at the same pace as the animal that you mentioned. Not entirely efficient and eating meat raw or not is ten times better than having your diet focused on grass_
[You could actually eat the bark of the trees or even consume the rock for their minerals but it seemed like your teeth can't handle it. Or you could start to grind animal bones and devour the powder or snort it like drugs. Just to heighten your bones' durability.]
"It all goes a long way." Jack then noticed that the trees within the area he was in were different than the one near his base. "Ah, it seems like we've gone too far. Oh well, there is nothing to lose! Except for some pork meat..."
The trees became smaller and smaller as he went into the east. It had gone to the point where he couldn't traverse the terrain using the tree branches anymore.
[Petra Tentacle> Length: 120cm(+7)]
Jack was forced to walk on the forest floor. For the first time, he noticed a wave of fluctuating energy that was captured by his magic perception. It wasn't exactly the same mana like the one within his former world, but the similarity was so close that it could be felt from afar.
"Well, well, well, ain't that just peculiar for this old cat." A pair of imaginary feline ears appeared within his thoughts.
[Jack. I have important news to announce.]
"Hmm? Sure, my ears are free." His imaginary cat ears twitched.
[Apparently, we have a limited amount of Appraisal charge because of the lacking Reality Fragments stored within my pocket storage_
[You only have two more chances to Appraise something new. The essence used for the Appraising was strangely resourceful and only when we stumbled upon another Appraisal Gem is when you will receive a recharge to Appraise.]
"So I need to keep in mind what I want to appraise, right? No real biggy, this old man is great at financial management!"
Three minutes later, Jack was greeted by the view of an enormous ancient ruin in the middle of a dense forest. There were numerous runic patterns that contained the very same kind of energy that Jack had perceived, and all of them were focused into a one single floating crystal in the center of it all.
Some of the stone tiles were already covered by grass. Even the roots of the trees nearby had already infiltrated the mysterious structure into its soil.
"This place must've been abandoned for more than three hundred years." Jack caressed one of the stone formations as he stared at the engraving. "This whole place screams 'relic' and my sense of treasure is tingling!"
[Try finding what else the energy flow went into.]
"Oh! There is a hidden entrance here!"
Standing at the height of four meters, the mammoth-sized ancient door was kept shut in its hibernation.
As Jack approached the giant door, a contraption suddenly activated and it forced all of the energy to gush every squeeze of itself into the floating crystal.
"Hmm?"
A mini supernova occurred. In reflex, Jack had already had his tentacle clinging on the ground. A searing pain could be felt when his skin touched the shockwave of energy. The crystal then ascended a few meters to the air and pulled the surrounding stones formation in the vicinity.
Jack immediately had his tentacle hold the jagged halberd once again, and prepared himself for a battle.
"This is going to be rough."
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