Chapter 26: Getting a boost?
Grayson found himself face-to-face with Captain Zaraki of Squad 11, feeling the intense spiritual pressure that he was giving off and seeing that it was enough to drop all of the others who had been standing behind him.
"How interesting..." Zaraki said, seeing that Grayson seemed to be unaffected by his presence.
"I like this one," Zaraki then said with a large grin forming on his face.
"Eh, Captain," Ikkaku said while clearing his throat.
The group behind Grayson was being impacted by Kenpachi's strong spiritual pressure, and Kenpachi turned his attention to them. Deciding that this was enough for the time being, not wanting to kill them with his presence alone before he moved back and relaxed a little.
Kenpachi turned around, his Captain's cloak flapping in the wind to add effect. "Whatever, if there are no more Hollows here, then I have no further business here to deal with," he said as he walked off, leaving Grayson and the others alone.
"Nice to meet you, Grey-kun!" The small vice captain yelled as she ran after the Captain, waving with her small hand.
"Wait up, Kenny!"
However, Both Ikkaku and Yumichika remained behind, still looking at Grayson with a smile on their faces.
"Me and you, 5th seat. I can tell you are strong; you have the smell." Ikkaku said, seeming to get serious for a moment.
"I don't think now is really the time, Ikkaku," Yumichika said with a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Shut it; I'll decide when the right time is!" Ikkaku yelled, causing Yumichika to sigh and go back to minding his own business.
"So how about it? You wanna go or what?" Ikkaku asked, raising his eyebrow while he waited.
Grayson didn't particularly want to fight this man right now because he felt tired from fighting the group of Hollows and didn't want to take on a third seat from Squad 11, which was known for being the most aggressive squad among them all.
"Thanks for the offer; maybe we can spar some other time," Grayson said, flashing a smile at Ikkaku with a wave of his hand.
"Moreover, I must attend to my men first." Ikkaku looked at the wounded group after Grayson's comment, which suddenly became more grave, and realised he was correct.
"Well, I think this time I'll let you go. Just remember that I, Ikkaku Madarame will fight you one day. Make no mistake." He spoke, looking briefly into Grayson's eyes before breaking the glare and turned to leave.
"Come on, Yumichika, let's get out of here," Ikkaku said before the two of them dashed off, leaving Grayson and the group alone to clean up the mess.
Grayson was relieved that he had temporarily backed off as he watched them leave, feeling his body relax a little.
Wait a second... Did they really just leave us here? He then thought, knowing that some of his squad needed medical attention and more.
"Sir, What should we do?" Obune Emiho asked, seeming to still be in good shape, unlike some of the others once she had recovered from Zaraki's spirit pressure, still a little shaken up by it.
Grayson snapped into action and took out his emergency contact device that had been given to him by Vice Captain Momo before he had started the mission.
Grayson was able to make contact and report on the details of the mission, also requesting medical aid for his men and those that had not made it for clean up.
Before they knew it, the area had been cordoned off, and a Squad 4 medical unit had shown up to treat the group and help retrieve the bodies of the fallen. While squad 10 had shown up to help scout the area and determine what had been going on with the large number of Hollows arriving.
While Grayson waited, he decided to check out his stat screen, realising he hadn't taken a look at it for some time now, having placed the system on mute for a moment once Captain Zaraki had shown up.
"Let's see here..." He said to himself, bringing the display screen up to get a good look at it.
Name: Grayson.
Level 29. (200/23000).
Class: Soul Reaper of Squad Five, 5th Seat.
Health: 240/240
Stamina: 230/270
Reiatsu/Reiryoku: 320/400
Skills: Hadō 31 Shakkahō level 3/10.
Hadō 1 Shō level 3/10.
Flash Step 4/10
Strength: 50/100 (1/10)
Speed: 35/100 (1/10)
Intelligence: 85/100 (1/10)
Enhanced skills
Zanjutsu: 4/10 (1/10)
Zanpakuto name: Jūryoku no Megami.
Hakuda: 5/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 3/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 7.
Grayson studied the display screen in amazement, not having expected to have levelled up twice and gained additional skill points.
It looks like I have some points to play with. Grayson said to himself, wondering what he should focus on or maybe branch out to learn.
"5th Seat Grayson, are you alright?" A member of squad 4 suddenly asked walking over to him, having taken him off guard with him being lost in his display screen.
"Ah, yes I'm fine," Grayson said, smiling at the soul reaper who seemed to look at him a little worried.
"Are you sure?" The woman asked, trying to get a good look at his eyes.
"Please, just tend to the others," Grayson said, getting a nod not a moment later before the soul reaper medic left him alone.
Grayson and the others quickly found themselves back at the Squad 5 barracks after a little interval. While the remains of the deceased were gathered and returned to Squad 5 so they might be buried and honoured for their sacrifice, those who were unable to do so were admitted to the hospital and would be given time to heal and recover from their injuries.
Grayson had been asked to report on the operation to Vice Captain Momo, who could tell that there was more to this Hollow attack than first appeared, leaving more questions than answers for both of them.
"Is that right... You really defeated over 50 Hollows by yourself?" Momo asked as she read the report that some of the others had given to her.
Grayson was trying to be modest but nodded nevertheless.
"Yes, vice Captain." He replied.
Momo looked impressed with the report before looking over at him.
"Well done Grayson. If not for you the entire squad would have been killed and who knows how many poor souls in the rukon district could have been eaten too before Captain Kenpachi arrived." Momo said, flipping through the report he had given her.
"I will make certain that Captain Aizen hears about this." She then said, placing the report down on the table.
"Is the Captain indisposed?" Grayson asked, wondering where he might be.
Momo noted, "He is away on business at the moment," giving Grayson the sense that she would not elaborate further.
"Anyway, good job on clearing the area." Momo then said, moving back to her seat before she sat down.
"Now make sure you go and get some rest." She then said, dismissing him without anything else important to add.
"Thank you, vice Captain," Grayson said, nodding his head to her before he took his leave.
Grayson decided that the first thing he would do was go to the mess hall to get some food so he could help recover some of his Reiatsu. However, word had seemed to spread of what went on during his mission, making him the centre of attention from most of the others, giving him no peace while he sat down to try and eat.
It was late now and Grayson found himself back in his room, having retired for the night away from all of the attention he was getting.
Grayson thought back on the day while he lay in bed and realised that more than half of his group had perished during their operation. He was told that it wasn't his fault, but he still felt somewhat guilty about it. Feeling he could have done more to maybe rescue them.
Still, he knew that worrying about that now would do him no good and instead decided to look over his stats once more, remembering that he had some skill points to mess around with.
Name: Grayson.
Level 29. (200/23000).
Class: Soul Reaper of Squad Five, 5th Seat.
Health: 240/240
Stamina: 270/270
Reiatsu/Reiryoku: 400/400
Skills: Hadō 31 Shakkahō level 3/10.
Hadō 1 Shō level 3/10.
Flash Step 4/10
Strength: 50/100 (1/10)
Speed: 35/100 (1/10)
Intelligence: 85/100 (1/10)
Enhanced skills
Zanjutsu: 4/10 (1/10)
Zanpakuto name: Jūryoku no Megami.
Hakuda: 5/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 3/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 7.
Grayson studied his options now that he had the time to do so, seeing that no one could bother him or get in the way.
After see the levels and stats of captain Zaraki and the others from squad 11. Grayson had realised that he would have to grow much stronger if he wanted to ever match them, knowing that his stats were currently lacking behind a little.
Maybe Kidō could be a good option to help mixed up my fighting style. Grayson said to himself, opening the skill tree to see if he could go for anything useful.
How about Bakudō? I haven't really looked at anything to do with that. Grayson said while opening the menu to take a look.
He could see a small list of spells that were currently available to him, browsing over them to see what they were.
Bakudō #1. Sai... He said, reading about the spell in the small description that the system provided for him.
So once the user casts the spell it will cause the target or target's arm to lock behind their back. Grayson read.
Sounds useful for restraining people I guess. But not worthy enough to use a skill point on. He then said looking at the next one.
Bakudō #4. Hainawa... Generating a crackling yellow energy rope made of reishi that the user can throw at or bind a target with.
Hey, that one sounds good. Grayson thought, clicking on it and using one skill point to unlock the ability.
Suddenly the knowledge of the skill flooded his mind, allowing him to be able to use the skill with ease and without practice in a matter of seconds.
"Ahh so broken," Grayson said to himself, laughing for a moment due to the power of his system, giggling like a small child with a new toy.
Now what else should I play with... Grayson then asked, taking another look this time at the Hadō section.
Hey these two look intresting... Grayson said after a moment, reading Hadō #4 and Hadō #11 to see what they did.
Hadō #4 Byakurai... The practitioner gathers high-density spiritual energy, which they can discharge from both hands. Alternatively, the practitioner points at the intended target with their index finger and generates a concentrated bolt of lightning to use against the target.
Holy shit I can shoot a bolt of lightning with that? Crazy... Grayson said before clicking on the purchase option, using another skill point to unlock the ability.
And this one, Hadō #11 Tsuzuri Raiden generates an electric current through any object they touch.
Wow, that would be a pretty cool combination with the Bakudō skill I just learnt. Grayson said, clicking buy once again to unlock the skill.
Name: Grayson.
Level 29. (200/23000).
Class: Soul Reaper of Squad Five, 5th Seat.
Health: 240/240
Stamina: 270/270
Reiatsu/Reiryoku: 400/400
Skills: Hadō #31 Shakkahō level 3/10.
Hadō #1 Shō level 3/10.
Hadō #4 Byakurai level 1/10
Hadō #11 Tsuzuri Raiden level 1/10
Bakudō #4 Hainawa level 1/10
Flash Step 4/10
Strength: 50/100 (1/10)
Speed: 35/100 (1/10)
Intelligence: 85/100 (1/10)
Enhanced skills
Zanjutsu: 4/10 (1/10)
Zanpakuto name: Jūryoku no Megami.
Hakuda: 5/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 3/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 4.
There, Now I'll place one more point into Kidō and bump that up another level. And I guess the other three can go into strength for now... Grayson said, hesitating for a moment while he looked at the stats.
Actually, let's put those into intelligence instead. He then thought, pressing the increase button three times, watching as the skill and his base spiritual pressure increased, remembering what the system had said about how he could use his spirit pressure to boost his other stats anyway.
Name: Grayson.
Level 29. (200/23000).
Class: Soul Reaper of Squad Five, 5th Seat.
Health: 240/240
Stamina: 270/270
Reiatsu/Reiryoku: 530/530
Skills: Hadō #31 Shakkahō level 3/10.
Hadō #1 Shō level 3/10.
Hadō #4 Byakurai level 1/10
Hadō #11 Tsuzuri Raiden level 1/10
Bakudō #4 Hainawa level 1/10
Flash Step 4/10
Strength: 50/100 (1/10)
Speed: 35/100 (1/10)
Intelligence: 15/100 (2/10)
Enhanced skills
Zanjutsu: 4/10 (1/10)
Zanpakuto name: Jūryoku no Megami.
Hakuda: 5/10 (0/10)
Kidō: 4/10 (0/10)
Skill points available: 0
Wow... What just happened? Grayson asked, seeing that his spiritual pressure just jumped up by an extra 100 points on top of the 30 he had just increased them by.
Answer. Once a basic skill such as strength, speed or intelligence is increased to the next rank (2\10 and above) the user is also granted 100 extra points into the stat that they affect. The system answered, explaining things to him.
Wow, I had no idea. Grayson said taking one last look at his display screen in awe, seeing that his spiritual pressure had just gone through the roof.
I'm eager to put these new abilities to the test tomorrow. Finally, he muttered to himself, shutting the system's display screen and placing both hands behind his head before closing his eyes and considering all of the possible applications for his new Kidō spells before he finally drifted off to sleep.
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End of this chapter! I hope you are enjoying it, thank you for reading and have a great day.