Chapter 15: Arrangement
My heavy eyelids opened as I woke up earlier than expected. Checking on my alarm clock on the table beside my bed, it was still five o'clock past thirty in the morning. I rose from bed with an aching sensation on my back, which I cracked to ease the uncomfortable feeling. A cold breeze touched my face as I opened the windows.
After opening the windows, I decided to wear my sweater for the cold morning weather. It's time to check the package that I ordered the other day. Exiting my room, the smell of dust and sweat permeated the air in the living room. I went through the back door that led to the warehouse.
As I approached the shutter, I pressed the button. The shutter started to clank as it slowly opened. Seconds later, well-arranged and organized appeared before my eyes. I entered and saw the package on the floor still in its box.
I tried to lift the box thinking it might be lighter than it appeared, but I was wrong. I groaned trying to lift it for several centimeters from the ground. Giving up, I used a platform trolley instead and dragged the package to my workshop.
With the help of some machines, I was able to lift the box to the table and unbox it first. A tightly covered container was the content of the box and it can only be opened using a special tool. I used a specially designed wrench to open the intricate lock and was able to unpack the contents inside the container.
The contents of the container amazed me, these items were made from rare and durable materials. I can make special ammunition from these parts. By touching alone, I can identify what kind of metal these items were made of. These are high quality and are made from special alloys.
The second container contained a box full of smokeless powder, and propellant used in ammunition. Judging from the looks of it, these are also high quality. The texture of the grain alone was different compared to commonly used propellants.
I worked the whole morning in making ammunition and then checking my other equipment and weapons. Taking only small breaks of thirty minutes, I focused my time on what I was doing. Looking at my watch, I realized it was already noon. I ate my lunch and took a nap after. Forty-five minutes later I woke up and went to the backyard.
I concentrated my mind and activated the system. The notifications caught my attention, telling me that there were several skills I could unlock with the Learning Points that I had accumulated. Wishing that I had unlimited points, I could somehow unlock every skill available.
However, I only needed to select skills that benefit my fighting style. Having too many skills will only confuse me and will not harmonize my abilities. Checking on the available skills, I had unlocked a new core skill and many more.
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Skill Info: Magnetism
Description: Allows the manipulation of magnetic materials. Can be used offensively and defensively.
LP Cost: 250 LP
Skill Info: Photon Manipulation
Description: Allows for manipulation of photon particles. Does not work at night or in places with no light source.
LP Cost: 300 LP
Skill Info: Fire Element
Description: Imbues fire element to attacks. Can unlock special attacks if combined with appropriate core skills.
LP Cost: 200 LP
Skill Info: Skin Hardening
Description: Harden skin to protect against physical attacks. Skill Level dictates the strength of hardening while mastery helps with the hardening speed. This is a defensive skill only.
LP Cost: 150 LP
You have: [500/650 LP]
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These new skills gave me a smirk. I was excited with my new skills as they looked powerful and useful at the same time. As I navigated my skill tree these looked useful. I will upgrade my skills with new ones. There's so many skills to choose but the Learning Points were just too few.
I accessed the system and the skills showed before me. I selected both Magnetism and Skin Hardening the system then displayed as follows.
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Notification!
You have unlocked,
Would you like to access the skill Description? [Y/N]: Y
Magnetism Level 1
Cooldown: 5 seconds after an attack
10 seconds after object manipulation
20 seconds if both moves were used offensively (Throw object/manipulation attacks)
FP Cost:
20 points for normal attacks
45 points for object manipulation
60 points for manipulation attacks
Skin Hardening Level 1
Speed of hardening: 40 seconds
Cooldown: 2 minutes after hardening is deactivated
FP Cost:
80 points
Total Usable Focus Points: [300/300]
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With the skin-hardening skill, I needed less armor since heavy armor would make it impractical. All I needed was to practice and master these new skills so that I could use them efficiently. As I checked the time, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon. Setting my skills requires a lot of time and concentration.
My head felt lighter after I deactivated the system. Feeling a little drowsy I rested a bit and stood up when I felt better. In a reward for my efforts that day, I decided to give myself a treat. I went outside and decided to buy donuts and coffee. It has been ages since I ate out and treated myself.
Outside, there were many hawkers and stalls that were selling a lot of merchandise. I looked for my trusted donut brand, it was not there. I checked my favorite coffee stand, it was not there either. Feeling disappointed, I decided to return back to my flat. It was until I heard someone who was selling hotdogs. Although I eat meat, I am picky about it.
For the sake of treating myself I approached the hotdog stand and ordered a bun and their expensive hotdog. After a few minutes, my hotdog bun is now ready and am excited to consume my treat. As I impatiently bit, I squirmed as my tongue almost burned out of the heat. I could not spit my food because I had spent a dime on it.
Despite of all the setbacks, I savored my treat that night. I returned to my flat and felt relaxed, being able to stretch my legs for a while. Looking at the night sky, stars appeared to be as majestic, immovable and almost perpetual. Missing the life of immortality, one day this vessel of a body I had will die. I will use the remaining time to its greatest effect.