章 2: Talent Evolution--From D to C level!

Sterl felt a bit dazed.

All other attributes on his panel are normal, with each item having a value of one. These are all attributes of standard adults, and they are also the maximum values of various attributes for level 0 players in Transcendence.

But the talent column actually turned into "Physical Talent Ability", followed by a shiny plus sign.

That plus sign seemed to be tempting Sterl to click.

And somehow, he sensed that all he needed was a thought to press that plus sign.

Also, there was a new entry: "Mental Talent Ability", showing "Insufficient Potential".

Sterl had a vague idea about mental talents.

There were two kinds of talent awakenings—

One was physical enhancement, buffing one's physique.

The other, like the middle-aged man beside him, was mental powers like "Flame Enhancement".

Based on what Sterl learned in "school", the latter kind of talent was rarer and stronger. And before becoming a "player," the amount of mental power one had was naturally fixed.

Now, more information flooded into Sterl's mind.

He sensed that with a mere thought, he could upgrade either his physical or mental talent by choosing any plus sign on the attribute panel.

"Could this be my golden ticket after transmigrating?"

A wave of ecstasy surged in Sterl.

A D-level physical talent would only make him an average player.

Enhanced attributes, as the middle-aged man mentioned, could allow Sterl to awaken his talent and have the ability to grind the lowest level monsters outside the base. It would quickly turn Sterl into a player, earning some resources for a modestly comfortable life.

But that was the limit.

"If talent levels could evolve with this golden ticket..."

Stelle couldn't help but let her imagination run wild, thinking of those players in the [Transcendence] game who possessed supreme abilities, akin to gods.

"Do I have a chance to reach that level too?" His mind buzzed excitedly.

But then, Sterl calmed his excited heart and didn't choose to upgrade his panel.

He is worried that if his talent improves in public, he will be targeted if there are any anomalies.

Staying low-key was the best strategy until he fully grew into his powers!

…

Regaining his composure, Sterl turned to the enthusiastic middle-aged man with a grateful expression:

"Thank you."

"But I haven't decided about joining the guild yet. I'll surely speak up if I need to in the future."

The middle-aged man didn't press him, instead encouraging Sterl a bit more: "Do well. Once you become a player, you'll see how vast the world is."

Sterl nodded slightly, then resumed his place in line with the proud demeanor of a victorious youth.

Around him, peers who could once jest easily with him now looked on with envy and awe.

The testing proceeded as usual.

But aside from Sterl, no one else awakened any talent.

The middle-aged man could only shake his head in disappointment, "This year, our District 6 really lacks talent."

As the talent awakening ceremony ended, the disappointed boys and girls dispersed.

Sterl's panel flickered.

He received a DM from the ID[District Six Manager]—

[Congratulations, Mr. Sterl! You've successfully awakened your talent and unlocked the attribute panel. The base will offer you a free skill learning opportunity.]

[Please, within a month, head to the base and learn skills from the following NPCs: Shadow Assassin Seren, Pyromancer West, and Scarlet Blade Ankon.…]

The old Sterl might have jumped for joy at this message, but now he was in no mood, quickly hopping on the maglev train back home.

He dashed into his bedroom. He thought for a moment, then he dove straight into the closet.

After preparing, Sterl pulled up his attribute panel again.

This time, he unhesitatingly chose the plus sign behind his physical talent.

"Come on!"

Sterl's eyes were full of anticipation.

He didn't choose the mental talent, fearing if he could only add points once and failed to awaken a new talent, it would be a huge loss.

The next second, Sterl saw a flash of light.

His body felt like it was being crushed and then rapidly reassembled in a superior way, all without an ounce of pain.

And in a blink, the transformation was complete.

Sterl saw a prompt in his mind.

[Physical Talent Evolved: Attribute Enhancement (D→C)]

"This... is it??"

Sterl was momentarily stunned, quickly sensing the change.

His D-level talent "Attribute Enhancement" used to give a flat two-point increase to all attributes and an additional 10% boost, roughly three times more than a normal adult.

That was why the middle-aged man said Sterl, with this talent, could grind mobs in the open world.

Now upgraded to C-level, it was a flat five-point increase to all attributes and an additional 20% boost.

The talent's effect had more than doubled!

"Not bad for a C-level talent!"

Sterl was thrilled. Now he could boldly say his future potential was even higher than the middle-aged man who led their awakening!

The difference between C and D-level talents was huge. Even if the middle-aged man had a superior mental talent, it couldn't compare!

Sterl had casually pressed a plus sign on the attribute panel, and his future was now wide open!

A D-level physical talent was enough to make Sterl an average player.

But a C-level talent was destined to make him a ruler of a base sector, holding the power of life and death over thousands!

"Now I won't just be freeloading. Linna and Rayna will have to rely on me." Sterl was in high spirits. As a time traveler, just arriving in a new world, he felt chosen by fate. He anticipated dominating and achieving greatness.

But his eighteen years of ordinary life had already dulled his passion. Who would have thought, the moment he awakened his talent was when his real cheat code activated!

After the excitement, he couldn't help but open his attribute panel again.

And it was essentially the same as before.

[Player: Sterl]

…

[Physical Talent Ability: …]+ (Unavailable)

[Mental Talent Ability: …]+ (Unavailable)

The panel confirmed his talent had upgraded from D to C-level, and the plus signs were still there. However, the only issue was both had turned grey, marked as unavailable.

But Sterl was more elated than disappointed.

The plus signs not disappearing meant the unavailability was only temporary.

Before his travels, he had read many novels. Generally, such a direct talent upgrade cheat required activation conditions...

Like defeating a powerful enemy or collecting high-energy items for the panel to absorb, etc.

"No worries. I've already got a grand avenue to power up. All that's left is to work hard!" Filled with passion, Sterl then received new information after a bit of mental exploration.

Then,

He was dumbfounded.

[Current Evolution Count: 0/1. Remaining Refill Time: 23:57:44]

"Huh?"

Sterl didn't catch on at first.

The next second—

[Current Evolution Count: 0/1. Remaining Refill Time: 23:57:43]

Wait, what?

Hold on!

Sterl was incredulous, even thinking he was dreaming.

My super powerful cheat's condition is—

I can only use it once a day??

I don't need to grind mobs in the open world?

I don't need to collect treasures?

"Alright, alright! So this is how it's gonna be??" Sterl was flabbergasted.

By this logic, it wouldn't take many days for him to max out his physical talent and even forcibly awaken and max out his mental talent.

Doesn't that mean...

"I'm going to be invincible?" Sterl's mind was in utter chaos, overwhelmed with joy.

He couldn't care less about anything else, sitting in his bedroom, pulling out books like "What You Must Know Before Becoming a Player" and "Wilderness Survival Guide", trying to divert his attention and pass the time.

Until 24 hours later,

Sterl excitedly opened his attribute panel.

Sure enough!

Both talent plus signs were highlighted again.

Sterl swallowed nervously.