Chapter 14: The Scorpion Den's Challenge
Eli's arrival at the Scorpion Den marked a significant departure from his previous forays into the Spider Nest. The arid, harsh environment of the den, with its jagged rocks and sparse vegetation, was immediately imposing. The air was thick with menace, the occasional skitter of scorpion legs echoing ominously through the cavernous expanse.
Without hesitation, Eli summoned all ten of his God Hands, a now-familiar sense of anticipation coursing through him. "Start clearing the scorpions," he commanded, his voice resolute in the silence of the dungeon. The spectral hands sprang into action, darting away to engage the lurking threats.
Within moments, Eli began receiving notifications of scorpions being eliminated. The efficiency of his God Hands was undeniable; twenty scorpions fell within the first five minutes, a testament to their power and his growing control. Eli set a bold goal for himself: to reach level 15 before exiting the dungeon. Despite the fewer enemies compared to the Spider Nest, the experience gained per scorpion promised a fruitful venture, potentially translating into significant earnings.
As his God Hands continued their relentless assault, Eli sought a moment of respite in a relatively safe nook within the dungeon. It was a rare pause for contemplation, a moment to strategize his growth and the future of his abilities. The elemental skills of his peers came to mind, each with inherent strengths and weaknesses. Fire wielders faltered against water, earth users could be outmaneuvered by air, and so on. This elemental rock-paper-scissors dynamic led Eli to a crucial decision: to ensure he remained versatile and unpredictable, strengthening his mastery over the more complex elements like space, time, and photosynthetic conversion. These abilities, demanding more skill points to unlock, hinted at a potential that Eli was eager to explore.
Twenty minutes passed, and the continuous flow of notifications signaled his ascent to level 11, while each of his God Hands also advanced a level. It was time to allocate his newly acquired stat points:
Before Allocation:
Strength: 25
Agility: 22
Dexterity: 23
Vitality: 35
Intelligence: 24
Mana: 26
New Stat Points: 20
Distribution:
Strength: +3 (total 28)
Agility: +3 (total 25)
Dexterity: +3 (total 26)
Vitality: +7 (total 42)
Intelligence: +2 (total 26)
Mana: +2 (total 28)
Reinvigorated by his growth and the clear path forward, Eli returned his focus to the dungeon. The goal of reaching level 15 loomed large, but with every scorpion dispatched, he drew closer to achieving it. The Scorpion Den was not just a test of his current abilities but a forge for the power he aspired to wield. As he navigated through the den, Eli was not just hunting; he was evolving, each step taking him further into the heart of darkness and closer to the light of his potential.
After dedicating another half hour to meticulously clearing the Scorpion Den, Eli achieved another milestone: reaching level 12. The flurry of notifications and the steady increase in his abilities served as tangible markers of his progression. With the dungeon gradually quieting around him, Eli took a moment to review the stats and abilities of his God Hands, each set resonating with the power they had accumulated.
As Eli delved into the capabilities of his God Hands, his attention was drawn to the photosynthetic conversion ability—a unique skill among his arsenal that allowed the hands to convert sunlight into energy. Intrigued by its potential, he decided it was time to experiment with this ability, to understand how it could bolster his powers.
Positioning his God Hands in a patch of sunlight filtering through the dungeon's entrance, Eli commanded them to initiate photosynthetic conversion. To his astonishment, the process was not only seamless but also incredibly efficient. A new stat meter appeared in his system, labeled "Energy," climbing steadily at a rate of about 5 energy points per second. This discovery was a revelation, opening up a new dimension to his powers.
With the energy stat now visible, Eli noticed additional details accompanying each stat and skill within his system. Notably, his Multi-Hand skill, a cornerstone of his combat strategy, required 50,000 energy points for its next level-up—an ambitious goal, but one that suddenly seemed within reach given his new ability to generate energy.
Considering the skill points he had previously allocated and the energy points required for upgrading his Multi-Hand skill, Eli realized he needed to strategize how best to accumulate the necessary energy. Given his current rate of 5 energy points per second, he calculated the time and conditions needed to reach his target:
Energy Points Required: 50,000
Energy Points Generated Per Second: 5
Time Required: 50,000 energy points5 energy points/second5energy points/second50,000energy points
Executing the calculation:
Time Required=10,000 seconds
This equates to approximately 2.78 hours of continuous photosynthetic conversion under optimal conditions—a feasible task during daylight hours, assuming he could maintain the process uninterrupted.
With 28 skill points at his disposal, Eli would need to utilize photosynthetic conversion for approximately 1.22 hours to generate the remaining energy required for his Multi-Hand skill upgrade to the next level. This showcases how skill points can significantly impact the time and effort needed to achieve significant power upgrades, illustrating a strategic layer to Eli's growth and development as an ability user.
Eli was invigorated by this revelation. The ability to generate energy not only offered a new layer of strategy to his powers but also symbolized a significant leap forward in his journey. With a clear goal in mind, Eli began to plan how he could best harness this ability, not just for leveling up his skills but also as a sustainable source of power for his future endeavors in and out of dungeons.
As the energy points accumulated, Eli knew he was on the cusp of unlocking even greater potential within his God Hands. The path ahead was filled with challenges, but with each new discovery, Eli found himself better equipped to face them, his resolve and capabilities growing stronger by the day.