Before I tried anything else with Boost, I needed a way to actually heal, which constitution was the attribute for, however, I wasn't sure of great of a jump seven points was, and so I needed to find more out. I could have hurt myself, but that would backfire if the regeneration wasn't that big of a jump.
So the next day I was back at the library researching constitution. It wasn't pleasant, especially not with how in-depth some of the books went into went talking about 'trainin' which was honestly just more like torture, and I grew more and more worried I would have to spend some serious coin of a proper healing potion until that is I came across a section in one of the books that spoke about the jumps in attributes, and how things didn't get really strong until later on. The first twenty points did far less than the next twenty and on and on, but it also got progressively harder to level.
From what I could tell I didn't suddenly have wolverine-level regeneration but it was possible, especially with an ability or a racial trait that was essentially an innate ability tied to a race. For example, orcs had an ability that allowed them a powerful but short boost to all their physical attributes while snow elves had a natural resistance to the cold. It was odd and it seemed that the system labeled everything, leaving nothing out.
In any case, I learned what I needed to and was left with only two options. I could risk it and hope my regeneration was high enough to heal me. I wasn't worried about dying from monsters since I would just boost in my inn room, and then move about before dropping. However, as slim as the chances were what if someone came in, saw me immobile, and took all my stuff? The locks on the inn doors were not particularly amazing, and I was certain a decent lockpick could get the job done.
When I slept I actually kept my sword near, just in arms reach, and set up a little alarm near the door so if anyone came in, It would surprise them and hopefully either they'd run from panic or I'd wake, and then they'd run. I wasn't too worried about fighting someone my level, not with boost, but if I had to fight many and couldn't finish it before the drop, I was dead.
The next option was to spend more coin on potions, but I'd have to drink it before the drop because I sure as hell didn't think I'd be able to move unless my now-enhanced constitution allowed me to.
Speaking of enhancements, my body had changed, and though not muscular or anything, there was a toughness to my skin, but the elasticity hadn't changed, if anything it had improved. The cold didn't affect me as much and other small changes made me happy I'd chosen constitution even If i had almost died. Besides, boost wouldn't have helped any other stat in this way. It was only due to the pain of the drop caused by Boost which had created the jump and of course growth.
It worried me for a second since I wondered if there were any adverse effects from leveling one physical attribute and not the others, but then I remembered the info from yesterday's book which said that you would eventually hit a limit and would be forced to invest in other attributes. So you couldn't just get constitution to fifty. You needed to raise your physical attributes equally or one after the other. The book said there were many ways, but most focused on one or two.
With all my research done, I headed out of the library, but not before another idea came to mind. However, I wasn't sure if I wanted to waste time trying to find the group which had helped me yesterday, and even if I day, would they notice what was happening to me? I wasn't a genius, but also not an idiot. I knew very well that my abilities were far beyond anything average, and would paint a target on my back for sure.
Plus they were probably in a group via the link menu which was another aspect of the system similar to a video game. It allowed one to form groups and to a degree, gains were shared, although for some reason not for regular training. It had to be proper scenarios and encounters. This was connected to the clan/group menu which was similar except like an MMORPG guild. Nations, powerful groups would create clans and would be able to communicate with one another, send orders, and create groups for different tasks.
One book I'd read had stated that most armies used this menu which confirmed that there were wars, which wasn't a surprise. It was frightening to think about the level of devastation in such large-scale battles in this world since these people had access to skills, abilities, and magic. Luckily the area I was in had not experienced such an event for over fifty years, and was considered neutral ground. It turned out I wasn't even in a nation, but more like a town tied to a very powerful city-state similar to ancient Carthage. The city was called Kyron and was about a week's journey away on foot.
At some point, I might go there but for now, I wasn't ready. So, i needed to get ready. After mulling things over the most sensible thing I could do was use potions. The lesser potion from yesterday had cost fifty copper, so not cheap and an average potion cost a silver, but I was guaranteed its effects were strong. Broken bones, shattered ribs, concussions, and even brain damage would be healed. It was a potion meant for everything rather than a specific sort of injury. I bought two, knowing it would pay off in the end.
Besides, I still had some silver left, and so long as I kept two or three, I could stay at the inn, and not starve for some time. I wasn't planning on it. With more constitution, I could enter the dungeon more safely. I already felt far more durable, and I did a bit of testing. It looked stupid when I punched the wall in my room, the pain was very dull, and though it hurt it was more a small wince than a shout or scream. I'd hit it full force, holding nothing back. There was a bit of red, but it faded quickly.
I smiled. The drop wouldn't be as bad. I sat on my bed for a while, rolling the potion around in my hands, considering things. There really wasn't any going back since I'd bought the potion and there really wasn't any other way I could think of.
With a sigh and a deep breath, I activated Boost. This time I tried to focus, and force my mind not to go crazy, but it was hard. The feeling of Boost was euphoric and felt better than any other sensation I'd ever experienced, save maybe for sex, but that was a hit and miss. Sometimes it could be amazing, and other times the girl would vomit all over you because she was too drunk.
Instead of waiting, I hit another boost, and another, and until I hit the limit. The timer of a single boost was around thirty seconds, and I could boost five times. It wasn't as bad this time, the feeling of hyperactivity, but my thoughts were a mess. Every inch of me wanted to go, to do something, anything, and many times I found myself walking to the door. It only took a step to reach and the wooden floorboards creaked under my feet unused to my new weight and strength, which I found odd. Many pieces of fiction, never show the effect of one's weight on the ground, but now I could feel my control over it. If I just pushed my weight down the floor would shatter.
So much power, but not for long. The drop hit, and though it wasnt as bad as last time, it was still far worse than I had hoped. I managed to lay down before it hit, stuff my mouth with the strap of my bag and drink the potion. My screams were muffled as pain racked my body in waves, again and again. Heat and cold clashed, and my mind grew hazy as my vision blurred. A part of me hoped I passed out, but this time I didn't. It must have lasted only a few minutes but when all was said and done, I was left panting, my vision wavering, and my body.
I wondered if the potion was working, but soon after the pain was gone, I started to get better. The shop I'd purchased the potion from had said it wasn't a fast-acting thing, more like speedy regeneration. I just stared at the ceiling for a long while trying to calm down my racing heart. After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes my head began to clear, but I didn't try to think about anything. All I did was turn, close my eyes, and fall asleep.