Chapter 22: Decision
Before testing anything, Bruce decided to finish his meal. After all, he had no idea when he would have time to enjoy another meal or if he would have another chance. He had never been someone with a big appetite. Still, weirdly enough, he stuffed his mouth for more than half an hour. Bruce only stopped after eating an entire chicken and, who knows, many plates of rice. After that, Bruce noticed something odd on his status screen.
Status
HP: 12/22
MP: 11/11
SP: 22/22
Level 04 (414/500)
STRENGTH: 17
P. Attack: 18 + 12
VITALITY: 02
P. Defense: 3 + 7
AGILITY: 02
Movement Speed: 6 meters per second
INTELLIGENCE: 4
M. Attack: 5
DEXTERITY: 3
M. Defense: 5
LUCK: 5
Range: 6 meters
Free Points: 00
Spiritual Coins: 89
Social Status
Level 01 (90/100)
Karma: 00
Intimidation: 02
Charisma: 2
Persuasion: 02
Insight: 04
Perception: 04
Presence: 01
Allies: 02
Enemies: 01
Skill List
Magic: Fireball Lv 01,
Physical: Bash Lv 01,
Passive:
Production:
"Now this is interesting…" Bruce said while rubbing his chin. "It looks like I can recover SP and MP pretty fast while eating. That is good to know."
After doing some calculations, Bruce realized that a single big meal would be enough to recover two points of MP, one point of SP, and half a point of HP. It seemed kind of silly, but it looks like the gluttons will have better chances of surviving the election.
Without wasting anymore time, Bruce decided to test if he could level up his skills outside the battles. Holding his long sword, he raised it upward and then wished to activate Bash while he slashed the blade downward. Bruce opened his eyes widely when his weapon moved so fast that he lost the chance to stop the swing. With a 'whoosh,' the sword cut the air in the blink of an eye, and with a 'clang,' the weapon hit the floor and pierced it quite deeply. The sound of metal colliding with something sturdy passed through the entire building. However, that was just a minor problem. The realm problem was Bruce's eyes which began to tremble and ache due to the vibration.
"I should have known…" Bruce forced a smile while watching his hands trembling. "There is no way a newbie like me would have managed to stop the power of such an attack…"
Bash: Increases the attack of your next physical attack.
Damage: P. Attack x 2 – P. defense (Target)
Cost: 02 SP
Lv 01 02/100
Next Level: increased damage.
Fireball: Cast a Fireball with the use of both hands and then shoot toward the target.
Damage: M. Attack x 2 – Magic defense (Target)
Cost: 03 MP
Range: + 3 meters
Lv 01 28/100
Next Level: increased range, damage, and the capacity to shoot the spell with a single hand.
After making the comparison, Bruce realized that he could level up his skills outside battles. Still, it was two times more efficient to use them on enemies. It was logical. In any case, those were some good news.
"I bet I can recover some energy while sleeping as well, but in any case, I'd better conserve my energy and use skills on proper targets," Bruce said and then walked back toward Diane and Chris' positions. "I made a lot of noise when I caused that impact."
Once again, Bruce found the two siblings in the same position he had left them. They were still waiting for the survivors to receive them instead of waiting for them in some of the unlocked rooms. Looking at them, Bruce couldn't help but sigh.
"We need to talk," Diane said.
"I'm listening," Bruce crossed his arms.
"Chris and I decided to stay here," Diane declared. "When morning comes, I'm sure we will be able to talk with the people here. Right now, they are scared, thanks to the darkness and the arrival of monsters, but I'm sure they will recover from the shock of the daylight."
"I see," Bruce nodded. "I guess that is the correct choice for you two… Still, it surprises me that none of you want to look for your friends and relatives."
"We have neither," Diane said. "We are orphans… Although Chris has some friends in the orphanage, I'm not letting him return to that place until we are absolutely sure that we can survive anything."
Bruce couldn't help but frown at that statement. Is there some person who could find the strength to survive everything that a magical apocalypse might throw at them? He couldn't believe that someone like that might exist. That being said, Bruce wanted to become someone like that, and it was precisely because of that, that he wanted to level up more and more. Looking at the crack he caused on the floor, he wishes for that it only grew stronger.
Regardless, after that, Bruce told them the things he had known recently. Although knowledge is power, Bruce didn't have problems in giving such convenient pieces of information to the people who helped him. After all, without those two, Bruce wouldn't have beaten the stone golem leveled up two times and obtained one heck of a sword.
"I see. Thanks for sharing that with us," Diane said. "Do you mind if we share this information with others?"
"None at all," Bruce shrugged. "The more people survive this situation, the easier things will become for me. So, do as you want. Well, before leaving, there is something I must do."
Diane and Chris frowned when they heard that, but soon they sighed when Bruce stepped in front of one of the doors, which they believed to have a fair number of survivors hidden inside. They remember one of the active quests that they had and the requirements to complete it. It was obvious that Bruce wouldn't leave without doing that.
"Open the door," Bruce said. "There is something we must discuss."
Bruce tried to say those words as calmly as possible, but despite that, he didn't hear anything. Only that much wouldn't be enough to make him lose his cool. However, Bruce didn't have time to waste, and he certainly wasn't the type to make empty threats.
"Open the door now, or I will destroy it," Bruce said. "If you do that, I will give you something that will increase your chances of survival."
In the end, Bruce had to wait for a full minute before he could hear the door being unlocked. However, it didn't open completely. A single middle-aged woman appeared before them while showing deep fear in her eyes.