14 Level Cap
A few days slipped away, during which I had to juggle two identities like a precarious balancing act.
Having hit level 75, the quests tied to my Libert Mulling persona ceased to materialize. My array of intelligence-related talents and skills suggested that this was my current limit. With the impending completion of the Muscle SpeedRun II quest, my final level would cap at 90.
I held in my possession 15 skill points and 2 Skill Tickets, potent tools to bolster my strength. Crafting a skill worth 10-15 skill points would likely propel me closer to my goal of achieving Low Combat Prowess. Yet, I hesitated, realizing the futility in such a move.
What I needed was a guaranteed pathway to match her level in the remaining loops, and for that, I had to delve into my inventory.
[Inventory:
2 Skill Tickets
5 Question Tickets]
Of course, this "Inventory" can only store things related to the System, like Tickets.
Even if one day it could store many different things like your average Overpowered MC with a System, I wouldn't use it.
For such obvious reasons, I didn't even try to put my sword in there.
Anyway—I had 5 Question Tickets.
I needed to utilize them more strategically than before. My earlier attempts were focused on probing the System, but now, armed with a keener sense to discern lies, I aimed for something more valuable.
The key lay in crafting questions that left no room for ambiguity, questions that could only be answered with a binary yes or no. If the System lied, the inverse would reveal the truth, providing me an escape from deception.
But questions with multiple answers posed a greater challenge. The System could artfully maneuver around the truth, rendering the tickets ineffective.
Let's say you're faced with a math problem, like an equation.
Now, if I ask you, "Does this equation have a solution?"
You can answer with a simple yes or no, right? But what if someone throws a curveball and says
"Well, there might be a solution somewhere in the real number range." Sure, it's a legit answer, but is it what I'm looking for? Nope.
I needed a question where the answer couldn't wiggle out with vague possibilities. Something straightforward that doesn't leave room for tricky maneuvers.
"...Question: Can I ask for a growth-type Skill?"
A growth-type skill, a concept I didn't have to spell out to the System. It was a skill that, under specific conditions, fueled one's growth. I envisioned using this to facilitate the formation of a bridge for the [Body] Talent I would soon acquire.
[Answer: Yes, you can]
The System's straightforward response left me with a mix of uncertainty and foreboding. My Sixth Sense, activated in anticipation of danger, screamed at me that this was a trap.
This damn System.
It didn't hesitate to spill the beans. The implications hit me - either growth-type skills had hazardous conditions or could be downright fatal to me and my path.
My expression turned frigid, a stoic mask concealing the rising tension within.
Four chances remained, and I was determined to extract the utmost from them. The tension in the air thickened as I prepared for the next question...
---
I've got a crucial piece of the puzzle now. The picture's still a bit blurry, mostly because I can't foresee how the final rewards from the Personal Quest will play out. Despite the uncertainty, I know what to do.
[Orc Body]
[Description: Your body's internal functions will be more adapted for Combat, resembling an Orc's]
I bought the [Orc Body] Skill.
Sure, the name might sound ominous at first glance, but there's a deeper significance if you look past the surface.
What's the big deal with an Orc's body, you might wonder? Well, I did too.
A bit of research cleared things up. This skill will never be able to turn me into an Orc.
I'm still a Manaless being, but let's ignore it for now.
Magic changes will surely require Skill Points, but for such a huge transformation, would 3 Skill Points be enough?
To morph a human into an Orc involves altering the entire DNA structure, considering the mental shock I'd face witnessing my body undergo such a drastic change, and the pain...
Even 10,000 Skill Points might not scratch the surface of this madness.
The catch is, I have complete control over where I allocate my Skill Points. The System attempts to dance around answers, coaxing me into impulsive decisions, but it's restrained by rules. I don't know who enforces those rules or why, but I do know the System is compelled to assist me occasionally.
The Skills in the Skill Shop have proven invaluable, exceeding my expectations. So, considering this, I can't help but think these Skills are an extended reward for reaching level 50.
If you want to stretch this line of thought even further, the existence of Skill Points and Skill Tickets is all just a ploy to trick you into making decisions.
Now, why does Orc Body have this ominous name, hinting at both positive and negative possibilities?
In my view, it's possibly the best passive I could acquire.
Many people would have started doubting the System by now, yet they still failed the Trials. Why is that?
Probably because people grew too suspicious of everything behind the System.
It's perfectly valid to be suspicious, but as long as you reflect on it a bit, you wouldn't even be alive if the System was solely intent on killing you and your future.
My conjectures might be off, but even if they are, I only spent 3 Skill Points on it.
Trusting my Intuition and taking this step was worth it. I can't be sure if it'll have the exact effect I'm hoping for, but if not, I'll just have to buy another skill to build a bridge for the Body Talent. That's something I'd have to do regardless of the Orc Body skill, so it's all good.
---
[Author's Small Space]
[Description: Thank you for all the comments, reviews, and power stones! I deeply appreciate it. I thought I would likely be reading this story alone, lol!
I'm delighted you all are appreciating the story as is and will stay on to read over Akira's journey across the Anime Multiverse. I have so many cool things to do!]
[Effect: The Author is motivated, happy and thankful to everyone reading this]
