The backlash from using essence was worse than expected but after surveying the damage done to the Limestone Armors it all seemed worth it. The armor on the right was much less menacing with its now missing torso and the one on the left was partially wedged into the floor with a helmet completely fused inside its torso. Essence is much more powerful than I could have imagined but if I want to make proper use of it I have to be able to at least maintain consciousness during the backlash. I'd like to dedicate more time to test my limits but after losing consciousness so many times it's hard to calculate how much time has passed since I initially entered the dungeon. I have to finish off the remaining Limestone Armor and get back to the village as quickly as possible.
After absorbing the essence from what remained of the now disfigured armors most of the fatigue from the backlash has faded away. Examining my individuality I noticed that I'm currently at 95.0/100.0 and that weird arrows seemed to only appear on the display when I have unused essence points. Pondering for a moment, it should be theoretically possible to use my essence points to bolster my experience as well. Ember interjected as if to answer my current inquiry, "Surprisingly, you were able to come to that deduction with such a low intelligence stat but you are correct. I would, however, advise against using your essence points in such a manner. It is much easier to accumulate experience through various means than it is to acquire essence." Ignoring Ember's snarky remark, I thought deeply considering its advice, and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly happens when I supposedly level up?"
Ember's previously sarcastic tone was nowhere to be seen as it responded systematically,
"The level-up system granted to you by my master is the most significant part of the inheritance. It is a blessing that augments all aspects of your individuality once the experience threshold has been met whilst simultaneously granting you the ability to shape your individuality towards your preferences."
Hearing Ember's explanation made it too exciting to pass up the opportunity to experience leveling up for the first time. If it really will increase all aspects of my individuality then giving up 5 essence points seems like a worthy trade-off. I called forth the display before willing the necessary essence points to bolster my experience. When it struck 100.0/100.0 an overwhelming sensation of elation and relief washed over me. Stretching and moving my now refreshed body around it felt lighter and stronger than before but not by much.
Name: Niko Godspell Level: 1
Race: Fledgling(Can Evolve) Fatigue: 0.0
Title: N/A
Aspect: N/A
HP: 400.0/400.0^
EXP: 0.0/1000.0^
———————————————————————-
Demonic Energy: 100.0/100.0^
Essence: 20.0/20.0
Soul Sea 100.0/100.0
-
———————————————————————
Strength: 11.0^ Vitality: 16.0^
Agility: 11.0^ Intelligence: 7.0^
Sense: 9.0^
———————————————————————
Remaining Points: 5
Remaining Essence Points: 15
———————————————————————
[PASSIVE]
Aurora's Inheritance LV: 1 (Mastery 0.4/100.0)
—Essence of Limestone Armor 40.0/100.0
Ancestral Physique LV: 1
Demonic Sight LV: 1
[ACTIVE]
Demon's Rage LV: 1
———————————————————————
My eyes almost burst out of my skull when I saw the necessary experience needed to reach level 2. Even if I defeated all the remaining Limestone Armors I wouldn't be able to reach level 2 before escaping the dungeon. Shaking my head I examined the rest of my individuality. It truly was a blessing to level up as all my stats have increased by 1 and the leftover fatigue has washed away. Drifting my eyes toward the remaining points, I noticed I now have 5 additional points to allocate. Raising my strength to 15 and my sense to 10 the surroundings became sharper as I felt a small surge of energy run down my spine.
Feeling the adrenaline coursing through me I slowly approached the next Limestone Armor. This armor was much bulkier and taller than the previous ones towering above its peers as a juggernaut, wielding a large axe that was twice as tall stood by its side. After leveling up much more detail could be seen while maintaining a safe distance. The once intricate engravings now appeared to be minute crystalline chain links that coiled around the armor in a serpentine manner. The links converged towards the chest region into some sort of ancient circular design that even with my enhanced vision could barely be discerned. The handle of the axe was also engraved with similar coiling links while the blade shimmered a pale glow that exuded a sharpness threatening to carve the sky in two.
I felt much stronger after reaching level 1 but the feeling of supremacy quickly melted away after approaching the armored gargantuan. With such a hulking frame and the figure to match it shouldn't be able to move swiftly. I shook my head in disappointment realizing that it may have been wiser to allocate more points to agility if I was going to face this monstrosity. Ember's tone oozed sarcasm as it spoke, "Tsk tsk tsk... that low intelligence stat of yours is showing its effects the further we are acquainted. Not much time has passed since I informed you of the benefits of leveling up and having the freedom to shape your individuality to your specific needs yet you thoughtlessly allocated your additional stat points before considering what would be useful for your current predicament and why. I would highly recommend considering multiple factors before allocating any points from now."
I could feel the vein on my forehead began to bulge as I listened to Ember proceed to berate my poor intelligence stat. My eyes narrowed as I stared daggers at the innocent colossal armor that had nothing to do with the current conversation going on in my head at the moment. I may not be able to vent any of this frustration out on Ember but something is going to be paying the price for my boiling blood.