Avon absorbed the information with a solemn nod. The journey ahead was daunting, but the newfound power he had begun to wield was a crucial first step toward his quest for vengeance and strength. He steeled himself for the trials that lay before him, ready to confront the challenges and harness the power that awaited.
"Ah, I see," Avon muttered, his voice a mix of contemplation and concern. "With my current energy capacity, I can last for almost 25 days without using any skills. But what happens if I run out of energy?"
[The host would be unable to use their fused parts and would need to be recharged before being operational again.]
Avon nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation. The thought of being powerless was unsettling. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a nurse stepped inside, her gaze softening as she noticed Avon moving around.
"Sir, you need to rest in bed and avoid moving around," she instructed with a gentle firmness.
"Apologies, I just couldn't resist getting up," Avon replied, trying to muster a casual tone despite his anxiety. "By the way, when will I be discharged?"
"If your vitals remain stable, you can be discharged tomorrow, sir," she answered with a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
As the door clicked shut, Avon sank back onto the bed, lost in thought. "Hmm, she didn't seem to notice the cybernetics in my eyes."
[That is because of the skill 'Hide Components,' Host.]
"That's a relief," Avon thought, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
With a determined mind, Avon delved deeper into the system's interface, his curiosity piqued by the mention of the "Scrap Multiplier" card. "Hey System, what exactly is this 'scrap'?"
[Scrap is the currency of the system and has many uses, such as buying parts, skills, upgrading existing parts, and more.]
"And how do I obtain scrap?" Avon inquired, eager to understand how to acquire this valuable resource.
[Scrap can be obtained by decomposing high-tier pieces of technology or your old cybernetic parts. However, the system advises against depleting valuable parts.]
Avon pondered this for a moment. "I see. I'll keep that in mind. But what if I need scrap urgently? Is there any other way to obtain it?"
[Yes, there is a way to obtain scrap quickly, but it comes with risks. You can take on missions from the system and earn scrap as a reward. However, these missions can be dangerous, and there's no guarantee of safety.]
The idea intrigued Avon, despite the inherent risks. "I'll take my chances," he decided with a steely resolve. "What kind of missions are available?"
[None currently, as you are still level 1.]
"That's disappointing," Avon said with a sigh, his excitement tempered by the realization that he needed to wait. "I guess I have to wait until tomorrow before I can do anything significant."
Noticing the system's silence, Avon hesitated for a moment before asking, "How do I level up and unlock quests? Is there a specific way to advance?"
[To level up and unlock quests, you need to engage in combat and defeat beasts. Successfully completing these tasks will earn you experience points (XP) and advance your level. Higher levels will unlock more quests and opportunities.]
Avon's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, I need to start hunting beasts to gain experience and unlock quests. That makes sense."
Unbeknownst to Avon, a massive upheaval was taking place at the Awakener Society. A recent attack by a formidable group of beasts had breached their defenses, plunging the society into chaos. They were desperate for skilled hunters to help defend their territory, offering substantial rewards for their services. Compounding the turmoil was the recent news of the legendary Scorching Metal Blacksmith's death, which had further destabilized the society.
As Avon pondered his next steps, he overheard hushed conversations between nurses and doctors in the hallway. Their words were fragmented, but he caught snippets about the Awakener Society's attack and the death of the Scorching Metal Blacksmith. Avon's ears perked up, his mind racing as he pieced together the fragmented information.
"Scorching Metal Blacksmith?" Avon muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling. The name rang a bell, triggering memories of the Dragon Fiend mocking his grandfather with that very name. Could it be that his grandfather was the legendary blacksmith all along? "If Grandpa had such a significant background, why did he live in the slums? And what exactly is the Corporeal Engine?" Avon's thoughts churned with questions and confusion.
As he floated in this sea of contemplation, exhaustion overtook him, and Avon drifted into a restless sleep, his dreams haunted by memories of the past and uncertainties about the future.
The following morning, Avon awoke with renewed determination. After a quick check-up from the doctor, he was finally discharged. Stepping outside, he inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air. The sun shone brightly, and the streets bustled with activity. With his enhanced senses, the world seemed more vibrant—every detail, from the intricate patterns on birds' feathers to the subtle cracks in the pavement, was strikingly clear.
Fueled by his newfound purpose, Avon decided to head to his grandfather's old workshop. "If there's anywhere I can find parts to decompose, it's there," he thought with resolve.
Navigating through the crowded streets, Avon's enhanced senses allowed him to detect a group of people gathered around a notice board. Curiosity piqued, he approached and discovered it was filled with job postings from the Awakener Society. They were calling for hunters to help defend against the powerful beasts that had breached their defenses. The rewards were substantial, offering not only money but also rare beast weapons and materials.
A surge of excitement coursed through Avon. "This could be my chance," he thought eagerly. But he knew he needed to be adequately prepared. His current level wasn't sufficient to tackle such dangerous missions just yet. "Let's start by getting some scrap," he resolved, his mind focused on immediate goals.
With a determined stride, Avon headed toward his grandfather's workshop. His enhanced agility allowed him to maneuver through the bustling streets with ease. "Just a little further," he thought, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Upon reaching the workshop, Avon wasted no time in scouring the area for valuable parts to decompose into scrap. His excitement grew with each discovery, but he soon realized that most of the items were low-level and not very valuable. Nevertheless, he wasn't about to squander the opportunity.
Drawing a Scrap Multiplier Card from his inventory, Avon activated it.
[Ding!]
[-1 Scrap Multiplier Card]
[Gained 2X Scrap Gain effect (1 hour)]
"Extract," Avon whispered, focusing intently on a small, rusted mechanical part.
[Extraction successful. You have gained 20 SP.]
With a grin of satisfaction, Avon continued his frantic scavenging and decomposition. Time seemed to fly by as he worked tirelessly, and by the end of the hour, he had accumulated a significant amount of SP. Checking his status, he felt a thrill of accomplishment.
[System Status]
Name: Avon
Level: 1
Experience Points: 0/100
Health Points: 100/100
Energy Points: 47/50
SP: 11,800
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Speed: 8
Endurance: 9
Agility: 7
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 5
Cybernetic Components:
Tier One Eye Component (X-1 Precision Lens)
Tier One Muscle Component (ZXd5 Fibers)
Tier One Neural System Link (Cypher Hyperlink)
Skills:
Overdrive 1/10
Hide Components 1/1
Functions:
Store [Locked] (Unlock with 10 SP)
Fusion [Locked] (Unlock with 10,000 SP)
Drivers [Locked] (Unlock with 100,000 SP)
Inventory:
5 Basic Battery Cells
4 One-time use Scrap Multiplier Effect Cards
Quests [Locked]
Eager to make the most of his hard-earned SP, Avon instructed the system, "Unlock the shop and open it for me."
[Ding!]
[Shop Feature Unlocked]
A comprehensive shop screen appeared, displaying a variety of items and upgrades available for purchase. Avon scrolled through the list, his eyes widening at the range of options.
[SHOP]
Basic Battery Cell (Price: 50 SP)
Intermediate Battery Cell (Price: 500 SP)
Advanced Battery Cell (Price: 5,000 SP)
Basic Wiring Kit (Price: 200 SP)
Holographic Projector (Price: 7,500 SP)
EMP Grenade (Price: 10,000 SP)
Random Tier One Component (Price: 1,000 SP)
Random Tier Two Component (Price: 5,000 SP)
Random Tier Three Component (Price: 25,000 SP)
Skills:
Analysis (Cost: 2,500 SP)
Tech Radar (Cost: 2,000 SP)
Bio Radar (Cost: 2,000 SP)
Repair (Cost: 2,000 SP)
Hacking (Cost: 5,000 SP)
Neural Interface (Cost: 15,000 SP)
Accessories:
Cloaking Cloak (Price: 5,000 SP)
Grappling Hook (Price: 2,500 SP)
Nanotech Regenerator (Price: 10,000 SP)
Advanced Nanotech Regenerator (Price: 35,000 SP)
Services:
Upgrade: Varies depending on the component.
Maintenance: Varies depending on the damage sustained.
Avon's excitement quickly turned to frustration as he observed the steep prices for many items.
"EMP Grenade, 10,000 SP… Holographic Projector, 7,500 SP… Advanced Nanotech Regenerator, 35,000 SP…" Avon muttered, his initial enthusiasm waning. He was particularly interested in the Cloaking Cloak and Neural Interface, but their costs were prohibitive for now.
He refocused on what he could afford and reviewed the Skills section. The Analysis, Tech Radar, and Bio Radar skills were within his budget and promised valuable tactical advantages. The Repair skill, while useful, was slightly beyond his current means.
In the Components section, Avon saw the Random Tier One Component priced at 1,000 SP. It was a risk, but acquiring it could provide useful parts to enhance his cybernetics. The Random Tier Two and Tier Three Components were too expensive at the moment.
After careful consideration, Avon made his decisions. "I'll buy Analysis, Tech Radar, and Bio Radar skills, and use the remaining SP to get a Random Tier One Component. It's a solid start."
[Would you like to fuse with the components obtained?]
"Yes," Avon replied without hesitation, understanding that this was his quickest path to gaining strength.
[Fusion process commencing]
A searing pain shot through Avon's body as the fusion process began. His head throbbed as if it were being cleaved in two, and his right arm and chest burned intensely. He screamed, the agony overwhelming, but the room was empty. The pain was excruciating, yet Avon gritted his teeth, determined to endure.
The fusion process was long and grueling, but as the pain subsided, Avon felt a new surge of power within him. He opened his eyes, now sharper and more perceptive, and his body felt more attuned to the cybernetic enhancements. The process had transformed him, leaving him more prepared for the challenges ahead.
As he recuperated, Avon's thoughts turned to the impending missions and the mysteries surrounding his grandfather. With his newfound abilities and a sense of purpose driving him, he was ready to face whatever came next.