[Agility: +0.2]
[Dexterity: +0.1]
[Spirit: 0.01]
It has been couple of days since Aster started practicing [Basic body strengthening].
During that time, he realized that how sluggish and substandard his control over aura is. The manual described that one cycle of aura circulation takes about one hour to complete while Aster took over 3 hours and the changes were minimal as well.
His current attributes looked like this
-[Host Name: [Benefactor of Gaia], Aster Gaelcius]
-[Level: 1] [Exp:0/100]
-[Race: Human(Earthling)]
-[Titles]:[Benefactor of Gaia]
-[Personal traits]:[Earthling], [Gaia], [Sloth], [Soul striker], [Malleable soul membrane]
[Hp:3/3] [Energy:7/7] [Mana:0/0]
-[Attributes]
[Strength:1.2] [Agility:0.9]
[Endurance:0.7] [ Vitality:0.3]
[Mana:0] [Intelligence:0]
[Dexterity:0.4]
-[Pseudo attributes]
[Comprehension: 0.87]
[Spirit: 0.06]
[Elemental affinity: None]
[Available attribute points:0]
[Techniques]:[Mana recovery meditation(Beginner)9/100%], [Basic body strengthening(Beginner)89/100%]
[Unique skills]:[Overwrite], [Erase], [Inscribe], [Rewrite], [True sight Lv 1]
[Passive skills]:[Mana sense Lv 1], [Mana control Lv 1]
[Status: Paralyzed(agility: minimal, dexterity: minimal)]
It does not look good at all.
The silver lining is that [Basic body strengthening] was about to reach 100% proficiency. The 500% proficiency effect was really handy here. Aster did not know what would happen when it would reach 100% but considering it said (Beginner), it probably would advance to (Intermediate) or something.
Currently, the technique description was like this.
[Basic body strengthening(Beginner) 89/100%]
<[Description: The most basic way to improve the body beyond the normal limit. Typically used by warriors in early stages to maximize the return of their training. Effectiveness increases with level. ]>
[Effects at (Beginner) stage: Revitalizes the cells by using Aura.]
'It says it revitalizes cells at beginner stage and that's currently bad for me. Without intense exercise to tear my muscle cells, the revitalization does absolutely minimal strengthening. I wonder if it will change once it advances.'
Without anything to do except tedious cultivation, Aster explored his new system a bit and found out some new stuff.
'System window' he thought.
[[Status screen]] [[Skills]]
[[Attribute board]] [[Techniques]]
[[Shop]] [[Quests]]
[[Essence]] [[Crafting]]
(A.N: The change in system might be too weird but there's a reason so bear with me.)
'Shop!'
<<<
[Credit:0]
[Conversion]
[Blueprints]
[Alchemy recipes]
[Cultivation manuals]
[Techniques]
[Consumables]
[Skills]
Conversion converts exp to credit, blueprints have bunch of blueprints of weapons, artefacts and magic items, alchemy recipes, cultivation manuals, skills and techniques are self explanatory, consumables have potions, scrolls that give temporary buff and some raw materials such as iron. Credits are used to buy them.
There was something called [[Essence]] in the system window but Aster didn't know anything about it.
After looking through everything one more time, he got back to cultivating. While he was cultivating, he started to hear some stuff. At first Aster was cautious but the system informed him that the noise was the result of him slowly recovering and his senses returning. This made him hopeful that within a few more days, he might be able to open his eyes again.
***
[Basic body strengthening(Beginner) has advanced to the next stage]
[Basic body strengthening(Intermediate)0/100%]
<[Description: The most basic way to improve the body beyond the normal limit. Only people who are serious about becoming a warrior develop this technique to this level. Effectiveness increases with level.]>
[Effects at (Intermediate) stage: Nourishes the cells with Aura]
'Hmm it changed from revitalizes to nourishes. I wonder how much difference that makes'
[Strength: +0.2]
[Endurance: +0.1]
[Vitality: +0.2]
[Dexterity: +0.2]
[Agility: +0.1]
'Hah, why is it so hard to increase dexterity and agility? I only need those 2, I can increase the others later. Oi, System! Is there truly no way other than this shit?'
[The host is advised to claim the reward for the daily quest]
'HUH?!? THERE WAS A DAILY QUEST?'
[Yes, there was.] the System nonchalantly replied.
'What the f*ck, Quest'
<<<
[Main quest]:[Miraculous recovery](1/2 completed. In progress)
[Optional quest]:[None]
[Daily Quest]: [Practice body strengthening for 2 hours](Completed, reward pending)
'Fuck me, I thought I already knew what [[Quest]] window was so I didn't check it, I seriously need some intelligence ASAP! Claim Daily Quest reward!'
Aster did not dare to blame the system for his incompetency. In his opinion, the system already provides plenty of opportunity and it is up to the user to seize those.
[Quest completed: Practice body strengthening for 2 hours]
[Rewards: 3 attribute points, 5 exp]
[EXP: 5/100]
[Available attribute points: 3]
'Goddamnit, add 3 points to dexterity'
[Dexterity: 0.9]>>>>[Dexterity:4]
[Dexterity and Agility have passed the necessary threshold, paralysis debuff has been removed]
'Finally'
Aster slowly opened his eyes as it was very stiff. He looked around with visible joy in his eyes since he was seeing once again. It looked like he was in some kind of hospital with the white walls and the life support machine next to him.
He scanned around the room and didn't find anyone else there, even other patients. It seems this room was dedicated to him personally. His body felt weird, almost foreign but he paid no mind to it.
It felt so nice, so unreal to see again that a tear dribbled down Aster's cheek. Being stuck in an pitch black space with nothing to keep him company except some holographic images and a female voice that rarely spoke for a week left it's toll on his mind and sanity.
The fact that he could not move, could not hear anything, could not physically feel anything only made it worse. It was easily the second worst thing he experienced right after getting scorched alive.
It was excruciating but he smiled and said in a raspy, hoarse voice.
"Finally"