Bonger, let's start with my paths! I can't wait to get to know what they actually are!
"Blop!"
"Paths - set of steps containing skills allowing one to improve certain styles of fighting"
Well, that's to be expected. I can't say that I'm surprised, but it's nice to have it spelt outright. But now its time for the real deal.
Bonger, I want to analyze the Executioner Path!
"Blop!"
"Executioner path - Ancient fighting style suited for Vernerian Emperor guards. Focuses on swift movements bringing quick and efficient death to the enemies. The core of this style lays in swift sure kill strikes, designed to bring the most harm in every move. Created by Markial Nafserto by observing seven thousand executions during the Vernerian Uprising.
The first stage: Improves the efficiency of the host's attacks.
The second stage: Gives access to 'Fatal strike' allowing one to one-hit opponents with vitality weaker than a third of the host's agility and strength combined.
The third stage(locked): Unlocks 'devious sidestep' skill, used to sneak attacks while dodging. "
Whoa! I could never imagine that a single path could not only have such a complicated history behind it but have exact skills attached to every stage of its development! I remember using this 'fatal strike' while fighting gyuarnas back in the forest, but there is something else that puzzles me.
Since the effect of said skill depends on the stats of my opponents! Does that mean that everyone else can be evaluated by Bonger's attributes? Isn't that awesome?
Bonger, is there any tool that I can use to gauge stats of other people or other living beings?
"Blop!"
"Targeted analyze is currently locked due to insufficiently high level of the host."
Ugh… While I would love to obtain such a useful ability right away, knowing that I will be able to do in the foreseeable future is good as well. As soon as I get this, I might be able to act like all those main characters from the cliche novels back on earth! Faceslapping those weaker than me, while avoiding those stronger! I can't wait for it to happen!
While I'm really excited by this prospect, I don't waste my time on daydreaming. I still have loads of stuff to check!
Bonger! Analyze my cultivation abilities!
"Blop!"
"Inner circulation - ability refers to the host's efficiency in circulating his energy through established and self-created paths inside his own body. Every level and stage of this ability improves the maximum flow speed, flow capacity, power output and complexity of the marks."
"External circulation - ability refers to the host's efficiency in circulating his energy through marks in his immediate surroundings. Every level and stage of this ability improves the range, flow and power output of marks."
"Duel circulation" - ability refers to the host's efficiency in connecting the specifics of both his inter and external circulation. Every level and stage of this ability improves the complexity of the possible marks and efficiency of intervening both kinds of circulation."
"Inner energy manipulation - ability refers to the host's efficiency in managing his inner energy flow and energy output to the marks and paths."
Ugh… Why do I need to experience the meaning of all those famous dictums? Answers bringing up even more questions… Not only is this damn Bonger greedy, even when I sate its hunger for attribute points it still gives me such elusive answers that brings me almost no benefit! In the end, most of the information about the cultivation could be derived from said abilities name alone!
Bonger, what the hell are those marks?
"Blop!"
"This information is locked because of the host's insufficient level."
For fuck's sake, it won't make things easy for me, won't it? Well, to hell with it. Maybe if I go through everything, I will be able to make some sense about those new names!
*
*
*
Checking all the things that I could, took me way longer than I expected. By the time I was done with analysing everything with both system tools and my own intellect, the sun was already on the verge of hiding behind the line of the buildings far in the horizon. In a few more moments, I would have to use some kind of lamp or torch to see anything… if I was on earth at least.
With a pristinely clear sky of this world and lacking lighting around the sect, just the moon and stars were more than enough to light my way back to the mansion. In the end, even if some clouds were to block their shine, my nightvision ability would come in handy.
Unable to sit in a spot for even a second longer, I gathered my energy and stood up. While I might be incomparably stronger than a normal human, sitting on my legs for such a prolonged amount of time still made them numb. Only after I stabilised myself I even attempted to move back to the building.
Oh damn, in my excitement about discovering the truth about capabilities of my system, I totally forgot to check on Eve! How could I be so dumb?!
As I approach her bed when I laid her almost an entire day ago, I can only see a small mess of blankets gathered into a ball. Recalling that there was only one cover lying nearby, I silently sit down on the mattress next to this curled ball and place my hand on top of it.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you. I got too immersed in my cultivation that I lost a track of time. Can you forgive me?"
As I try to apologise, I can feel a small movement from this cuddler ball of a sulk.
"Hmph"
With a pout being the only reaction that I receive, I can't help but smile. Even when she is justifiably angry at me, her actions make her only cuter and cuter!
"I will understand if you don't want to talk to me or even see me. I will go train some more then, have a nice sleep."
Making my voice sounds sad and dejected, I force my energy to the bottom of my feet. Condensing enough of the energy between my body and the mattress, I float a few centimetres over the bed, but this isn't the end of my plan! Calculating required power in my mind, I send slow and weak bouts of energy to hit the wooden floor in a stable succession, faking the sound of walking away!
"Wait…"
Fooled into thinking that I'm leaving, Eve uncovers herself from under the sheets and is about to rush towards me when I throw my arms around her, stop my circulation of energy and fall to the bed while holding her tight.
"I know that you are angry, I don't even want my reward. Can we just stay like this as we will go to sleep?"
With a now soft voice, I only increase the strength at which I embrace her. Feeling every curve body tightly pressed against my body, I can't help but get excited a bit, but I don't jump on this opportunity. Figuring out the right uses of my abilities as well as deciphering the meaning behind their descriptions took a great toll on me. I can't honestly say that I never worked so hard in my life before, be it as the original owner of this body in this world or as myself back in the earth.
"You actually managed to learn how to fly?"
With her face hidden in my chest, I can barely hear her mumble. To tell the truth, the vibration that her voice sends down my spine makes it a lot easier to discern what she tried to say, but the sound itself still does most of the work. I wonder if at some point in the future I will be able to eavesdrop other people just by analyzing the minuscule vibrations in the air?
"I wouldn't call it flying yet, more like hovering. It's insanely taxing on my mind at that, so I won't be able to use it in fights yet. But all in all, it makes a good practise for me to control my energy."
Extending one of my hands to pat Eve's head, I close my eyes and focus on her delicate, feminine aroma. I don't want to pose as some kind of fetishist, but laying under the blanket for the entire day made her sweat a bit, introducing me to her arousing smell.
"Can I ask for a goodnight kiss?"
While I gave up on my 'reward' whatever it was supposed to be, I can't help but long for even the tiniest bit of intimacy with her that I can get. While I'm as horny as every teenager in the human race, deep down I what I seek is not a beastly mating, but the warmth of love and cuddling together in a rainy day while drinking hot tea!
"Hmph!"
Despite her small pout, she still tilted her head upwards with closed eyes and lips pushed forward for a kiss.
I'm not sure if it surprised her, but after taking up on her invitation and sharing a passionate but short kiss, I actually separated my lips and hugged her again.
"Let's go to sleep just like that, can we?"
"Hmph! Hpmh harumph hmph! Hmhhm. Hm… Hum"
With her face pressed tightly against my chest, Eve isn't really able to say anything. After a short moment of the attempted fight, she finally gives up and relaxes, twisting to find the most comfortable position within my arms.
I'm not gonna lie, this is the happiest moment of my entire life!
And here goes the last chapter for today!
When I will find some time, I will update the entire status window with a description of every ability and path, I just didn't want to waste words in a chapter to do it.
If you like the story so far, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or maybe even cast a vote, that might help you force me to write another bonus chapters next week! :D
For the sake of pushing the story forward, this chapter is a little bit longer than usually, so feel free to enjoy it and pay me back with votes for it! :3
Cheers!