Professor José reached into his coat pocket and removed a sealed vial containing a blue liquid.
Alexandre used his Pip-Boy to analyze it.
╔═══════Aurora Nexus: Inspection mode ═══════╕
╟─╼[Potion] [Hunter] [Rare]
╟─╼[Name] Liquid Experience Bottle (Tier 1)
╠══════════════╡
╟─[SUMMARY]
║"Gives 100 experience."
╟─[Tip.1] Don't drink!
╚════════════════════════════════════╛
Alexandre's eyes went wide in surprise. "Wow! Seriously!?"
Professor José said, "Yes. It's not much, but it's still worth ten grand a pop in any Hunter Shop! How about you take this and we consider ourselves even?"
Alexandre thought about it. Despite the doctor's glib words about debt, it was clear that he really did mean it as a present. Why was he being so generous? Perhaps due to his role in the Genesis Project, even though he claimed that it had been justified.
Alexandre said at last, "Alright, thank you!"
Professor José produced a large syringe and loaded the vial inside. "Give me your arm."
Alexandre did as he was told and received the injection. A moment later, a message appeared on his Pip-Boy's screen.
╔════════Aurora Tactical System V0.23.1══════════╕
╟─╼ [Logs]: You have consumed "Liquid Experience Bottle (Tier 1)."
║ ╰╼[exp]: +100
╚═════════════════════════════════╛
Then, another.
╔════════Aurora Tactical System V0.23.1══════════╕
╟─╼ [Info]: You've just reached Level 2!
║ ╰╼[EXP]: -49
║ ╰╼[Level]: +1
║ ╰╼[Statistic Points]: +3
║ ╰╼[Skill Points]: +1
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╛
A surge of energy filled Alexandre, as though he'd just snorted a line of cocaine. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, just strange and unexpected. Alexandre said, "I've just gained a level!"
Professor José replied, "Open your 'Character' tab and look at the level of your statistics. You should see a way to increase them.
Alexandre did as he was told.
╔═══════Aurora Nexus: Character═══════╕
╟─╼INFORMATION
║ ╰╼[Name]: Alexandre HautVille
║ ╰╼[True Name]: Alexandre Goldberg*
║ ╰╼[Biology] Hunter
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼LEVEL
║ ╰╼[Level]: 2
║ ╰╼[Exp]: 51/100
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼STATS [Tier]: E+ (3 [+] Statistic Points available)
║ [+]╰╼[Strength]: 1.62
║ [+]╰╼[Intelligence]: 1.15
║ [+]╰╼[Agility]: 1.15
║ [+]╰╼[Endurance]: 1.3
║ [+]╰╼[Resistance]: 1
║ [+]╰╼[Dexterity]: 1.35
║ [+]╰╼[Perception]: 1
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼SKILLS (1 [+] Skill Point available)
║ ╰╼[...]
╟─╼PASSIVE SKILLS
║ ╰╼[Immortal]
║ ╰╼[Hunter Regeneration (Lv.1)]
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼EQUIPMENT
║ ╰╼[...]
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼GUILD
╟─╼[Guild]
║ ╰╼[Guild Funds]
╠══════════════╡
╟─╼SUMMARY
║"For a maggot, you're pretty good."
╚═══════════════╛
Alexandre said, "The screen says that I have three Statistic Points available. What does that mean?"
Professor José replied, "It's very simple. Every time you gain enough experience, you level up and gain the ability to improve the qualities of both your musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Basically, by evolving various aspects of your biology, you can become both physically stronger and more mentally acute. Right now, you have three points to divide between those stats."
Alexandre cocked his head, feeling unsure of what he was hearing. "You'll have to explain to me what these stats are. For example, I've got a strength of 1.62. Is that good or bad?"
The doctor's eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Incredible, 1.62 strength at 25 years old, and without having spent any points yet! You really have the potential to become an excellent Hunter. Let me explain—the reference value is 1, which corresponds to the average attribute of an average 25-year-old man. For example, for strength, an average 25-year-old man can lift about a maximum of 97 kg. So 1.62 means that your strength is 62% greater than that of an average man. Your maximum lift capacity should be so you can carry 157 kg! It's the same for the other statistics, as best as those can be measured."
Alexandre nodded, still feeling skeptical.
The doctor added, "All the values in your character tab make up your stat sheet, like in a video game! When you have the chance to direct your own evolution by choosing Stat Points, carefully plan your battle strategy in the future. You can't undo these choices."
Alexandre nodded slowly. "I'm beginning to understand."
Professor José replied, "Normally, all this is explained to you during the first course at the academy. But students usually haven't already leveled up like you have! Given the circumstances, I might as well explain the process now. Make sure to remember this: Every time you go up a level, the experience you need doubles. At Level 10, you'll need 51,200 experience points to go up to Level 11, so be careful and don't think it will always be this easy!"
Alexandre felt shocked. "Wait, when I killed the Infected before, I gained 1 experience point. Does that mean that to get to Level 3, I have to kill 51 more!?"
The doctor shook his head. "Not necessarily. When you kill an infected person, you absorb a tiny fraction of the energy stored in the Zombie's cells. The more evolved and powerful your target, the more of that cellular energy you'll absorb… that is, the more experience you'll gain!"
Alexandre replied, "I understand. That explains a lot of things!"
Professor José continued, "The higher your level, the more powerful Zombies you'll have to hunt down to continue evolving. That's what makes the Hunter's job so extremely dangerous!" He paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, if you don't want to risk your life all the time, you could simply slaughter massive numbers of Tier E and D Zombies. Not much experience to be gained… but you'll stay alive!"
Alexandre thought about this. "I think I can intuit what it means, but please explain exactly what Tiers correspond to."
The doctor replied, "The Tier represents a sort of overall power level. It takes into account your stamina and active and passive skills. In general, both Hunters and Zombies of the same Tier are evenly matched in one-on-one combat."
"I see. Thank you, professor."
Professor José smiled. "You're welcome. You know, you can call me José if you'd like!"
Alexandre nodded. "Alright, then. Thank you, José, and sorry about the arm!"
"Don't worry about that, young man! I'm going to get some sick leave, thanks to you! Not to mention that you saved my ass in front of Director Hart!"
***
After the two separated, Alexandre felt a peculiar sense of warmth in his heart. He felt more relaxed now than he could remember having felt for years. For once, he'd been in a situation where could just frankly discuss his intentions and true nature and didn't have to hide. In the middle of the grim and deadly setting of Hunter Island, with its savage Hunter Exam and even more savage Hunter Academy, José had shown genuine altruism and compassion.
Alexandre hadn't expected it, but it was welcome and comforting nonetheless.