Chapter 2: Hopes and Dreams (Part 2)
[1 Stat Point]
[Cost: 500 points]
Seth numbly stared at the only item for sale in his System's Store. 'It's still so far away.'
[Points: 234]
Bang!
Seth turned his gaze to the source of the noise. A teen boy was holding his hand up in a gun-like gesture. As he slammed his thumb down, another loud bang sounded as an energy bullet shot down another ghostwing.
So far, the teens had failed to find the path to the next floor. However, that wasn't a bad thing. They were taking their time to hunt down any ghostwing flocks they came across and harvested them for their gems.
Robert's eyes shone brightly whenever an ability caught his interest. He was a complete power nerd, which strangely suited him. Seth knew Robert wanted to progress to the 4C classification. It was Robert's hope and dream for a long time now.
It was the minimum requirement to apply for and take the examination for a hero license. Classes 1C to 3A were considered the Human Ranks. During ranks 4C to 6A, an individual would be in the Superhuman Ranks. Of course, that means 7C to 9A are the Heroic Ranks.
Each level had three tiers. From C to A. C's are the lowest overall stats in that level, with B's forming middle-tier power. Naturally, A's are the top dogs of their level and close to breaking through to the next one.
It was a simple classification system to gain a general idea of someone's overall power. Level followed by Tier within that level. Seth couldn't help but grin at Robert's enthusiasm as he questioned the boy about the specifics of his ability.
Seth turned his attention back to his system as he changed the screen to his stats. He didn't know why, but it had always troubled him. When the system first appeared, Seth had expected stats like Strength, Endurance, Charisma, etc. However, what he got instead was just as simple as the Level Classifications.
Seth's eyes glazed over as he stared at the simplistic stat screen.
[Name: Seth Rice]
[Power: Divine Stitchcraft]
[Level Classification: 1C]
[Level Up Progress: 28/30]
[Body: 5/5]
[Power: 8/8]
[Energy: 15/15]
[Skills:]
[Divine Threads]
[Energy Cost: Equal to the amount of Power stat you channel into the Threads per activation.]
[Create Threads from your fingertips that you can freely control that are equal in strength to the amount of Power stat you channel into them. When used to stitch wounds, they heal physical damage equal to the difference between the amount of Power stat used and the target's Body stat.]
'Even the skills are simple.' Seth shook his head as he reviewed what he knew about the stats. 'Body is my physical condition. It represents my health bar, physical damage, speed, reactions, and every other bodily function rolled into one stat. If I take damage, then my body becomes weaker.'
'The number on the left is my current condition, and on the right is my peak condition.' Seth took a moment to sigh at his pitifully low Body stat. Some teens were moving twice as fast as he could as they hunted the ghostwings.
'Then there's the Power stat. Basically, it's the strength my skills and abilities can display.' Seth knew some physical powers allowed people to spend energy to increase a specific bodily function by their Power stat. If they had a Body stat of ten, and a power stat of five, by spending some energy, their strength would rate at 15, but their speed and everything else would still be at ten.
Again, the number on the right side was his peak condition. However, his current power level he could display could be manipulated by other abilities. Some people could lower it or even overcharge others depending on their abilities.
Then there was the Energy stat. It was basically the fuel for skills related to the abilities people had. Its current amount is on the left and the max on the right. However, a person had to spend an entire hour without using energy for it to fully recover.
Seth had spent the majority of points he had earned over the past five years on this stat. The unusual cost restriction of his skill had forced him to make that choice. That was why his progress had been slow. It was also why the various raid teams weren't interested in recruiting him.
However, Robert had seen potential in his ability. So the young man went out of his way to help Seth grow.
"Hey! I found something!" Rachael, the girl who had become the group's leader, called out to Robert.
Robert cocked an eyebrow as a slight grin appeared on his face. When he and Seth approached the group, they discovered a small stone platform among the grass.
"Good work. This is the entrance to the next floor." Robert beamed as he looked around the group. "Ok, who saved some gems?"
Seth chuckled as the teens paled at the question. It was always the same. The newbies to tower raids would cash in every gem they got their hands on. He gave Robert a mocking grin as the latter pulled ten small white gems out of his pocket.
"Remember this. The first floor of every tower demands ten gems of its colour to open the path to the next floor. The cost increases by ten on every floor." Robert gave the teens a stern look. "So, save twenty gems between you on the next floor. I won't bail you out again."
Seth chuckled at the looks the teens were giving Robert. 'They never noticed him killing ghostwings on the side. How could they? I can't follow his speed either.' Robert placed the small pile of gems on the platform and stepped back.
The air around them became charged with energy, causing the hair on their arms and necks to stand on end. Seth wrinkled his nose at the smell of burning ozone as white noise buzzed in his ears. Luckily, it didn't last long as a flight of spiral stairs grew out of the platform.
The tension in the air dissipated as the teens released their collective breath. Everyone looked to see the end of the single flight of stairs that led nowhere.
"What do we do now?" Rachael asked hesitantly.
"Now, we climb the stairs." Robert chuckled at their shocked expressions. "Don't worry. When you step off the last stair, you'll find yourself on the second floor."
Seth could hear the kids gulping when Robert said that. Doubt was plastered all over their faces as they looked from him to the fall they would experience if he was wrong.
"I'll go first," Robert said as he gave them a pitiful glance. "You know, you should have more faith in your stats. Any of you could land from that height without hurting yourselves now."
Embarrassment flashed on several faces, but Seth understood how they felt. They probably hadn't tested their limits much since receiving their systems. So their thought process still worked on the level of their old capabilities.
Robert glanced at him, and Seth shrugged as the pair climbed the stairs together. Loud gasps sounded as Robert disappeared into thin air instead of falling when he reached the end. After a moment, Seth followed.
It was always a strange feeling moving between tower floors. Seth's whole body screamed to prepare for a fall. But then, he got a sudden wave of vertigo before his vision changed to show another meadow with small groups of trees dotted around.
Seth blinked several times as he looked around. Robert looked thoughtful as he studied the scenery. It wouldn't be long until the teens joined them, so Robert attempted to guess what they would face next based on the terrain.
"What do you think?" He asked without taking his eyes off the trees.
"Hm, the first floor was evolved birds. So it's a bird-type tower. There are a few evolved species it could be with this terrain." Seth replied as he studied the sky and the grass.
"What's your best guess?"
"Steelbeaks, maybe? Or Swifties?" Seth shrugged as Rachael appeared behind him.
She fell onto her knees and vomited from the trauma of the strange experience. Her face turned red, and a deep frown formed when she noticed Seth looking at her.
"It's normal. You'll get used to it." He sighed as he turned his attention back to the meadow while the others arrived.
All but one of them emptied the stomaches on the grass as the first ones to arrive began cautiously exploring the area. Once they were alone, and there was no risk of being overheard, Robert turned to look at Seth.
"How's your little sister doing?"
"She's hanging in there." Seth sighed as he looked to the sky.
"Still no progress in curing her condition?"
"Nah, I don't think any progress has been made for the other survivors either." Seth groaned.
"Mm," Robert nodded his head. "You've just got to keep your hope alive, mate. If the docs don't find a cure, I hope your ability evolves to manifest a skill that'll cure her."
Seth nodded at the sentiment as he thought about his sister lying in that hospital bed. Their parents had spent every penny they had on medications and people whose abilities had a chance of saving her. When they all failed, they became desperate.
Eventually, both of them lost their lives raiding towers while looking for an answer to her condition. Seth smiled as he remembered her enthusiasm when talking about her ability.
"Hey, looks like we have a bite," Robert said as his expression turned serious.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone