The surge of power that accompanied reaching Level 2 was more potent than the transition to Level 1.
It felt like a key turning within him, unlocking deeper reserves of strength and potential.
Fatigue vanished completely, replaced by a vibrant energy that hummed beneath his skin.
The aches from his earlier fights faded into memory. This feeling alone was addictive, a powerful motivator for continued growth.
He immediately accessed his Nexus Interface to review his status and allocate his newfound resources.
[Daniel Vance - Level 2]
EXP: 6/500 (Next Level requires 500 EXP)
Attributes:
Strength: 53.1 (Base) + 1 (Lvl Up) = 54.1
Vitality: 56 (Base) + 1 (Lvl Up) = 57
Agility: 91.3 (Base) + 1 (Lvl Up) = 92.3
Spirit: 15.2 (Base) + 1 (Lvl Up) = 16.2
Adaptability: 22 (Base) + 1 (Lvl Up) = 23
Potential Flux: 45
Free Attribute Points: 5
Talent: Soul Assimilation (SSS-Grade)
Assimilation Charges: 15/15 (Regenerates 1 per hour; Limit Increased)
Skills:
Kinetic Hammer (C-Grade): Manifest kinetic force for impact (+250% Force, 20% Def Ignore) or shockwave (5m Range). High mana cost. Cooldown: 1 min.
Ghoststeps+ (D+-Grade): Active. Triples Agility for 10 seconds. Reduces movement noise significantly. Adds minor camouflage effect (passive). Mana Cost: 40. Cooldown: 1 min.
Aura Sense (E-Grade): Passive awareness of life signatures (~30m radius). Low mana drain.
Stone Resilience (D-Grade): Passive. Increases physical damage resistance by 15%. Enhances resistance to blunt force/impacts.
Quick Dodge (F-Grade): Instantaneous 1m dodge. Minor stamina cost. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Mental Fortitude (F-Grade): Passive minor resistance to mental effects.
Pocket Sand! (F-Grade): Active. Throwable burst of distracting particles (2m Range).
Minimal mana cost. Cooldown: 5 seconds. Requires nearby particles.
His attributes were reaching truly monstrous levels for someone who had been in the Verge for mere hours.
Agility nearing 100 meant his base speed was likely faster than many recruits using C-grade speed enhancement Talents.
Strength over 50 combined with [Kinetic Hammer] gave him knockout power.
Vitality approaching 60, boosted by [Stone Resilience] and his E-grade vest, made him incredibly durable.
He had 5 free attribute points. Following his previous logic, enhancing his core combat stats seemed most prudent.
He allocated 3 points to Strength and 2 to Vitality.
[Strength: 54.1 -> 57.1]
[Vitality: 57 -> 59]
Every point added felt tangible now, a solidifying of his power.
His Assimilation charges had refreshed and increased to 15, giving him much greater operational freedom between level-ups.
The question was, did reaching Level 2 unlock anything else about his Talent?
He focused inward, probing the connection to his SSS-Talent, recalling the description:
"Further potential unlocked through exploration, application, and understanding." Did leveling up count as 'understanding' or 'application'?
He navigated the Nexus Interface menus related to his Talent, searching for any subtle changes.
There! Under the primary [Soul Assimilation] ability description, a new sub-option, previously greyed out, was now faintly illuminated: [Essence Storage (Basic) - Locked].
Below it, smaller text read: Requires Level 5 Attunement or significant compatible Essence integration.
Essence Storage? The ability to store assimilated essences instead of immediately absorbing them for attributes or skills?
That would be revolutionary!
It would allow him to save potent essences for later skill fusions, strategically boost attributes when needed, or perhaps even… apply them externally?
The possibilities were staggering. It was locked for now, requiring "Level 5 Attunement" (likely meaning reaching Level 5) or "significant compatible Essence integration" (perhaps assimilating a large amount of a specific type of energy or material?).
It was a tantalizing glimpse of future power, reinforcing the need to level up rapidly.
Just as he was pondering this, a familiar, amplified voice cut through the relative quiet of the jungle, broadcast directly via his Nexus Interface. It was Instructor Elara Rostova.
"Assessment Update, Aspirants!" Her voice was crisp, carrying its usual authority.
"Approximately six hours have passed since Verge entry. Initial data confirms multiple aspirants have successfully reached Level 1.
Commendable progress. However, casualty rates remain within expected, albeit sobering, parameters. Remember your training: caution, awareness, adaptation."
She paused, letting the casualty reminder sink in.
"The minimum requirement remains: Achieve Level 2 within seven Terran Standard Days.
Failure means disqualification. Additionally, the Rank 1 kill score calculation is ongoing.
Current provisional leaderboards show significant activity, with the highest confirmed kill score belonging to Aspirant Seraphina Bellweather, primarily through assisted takedowns leveraging her unique Talent.
Competition remains fierce. Prove your worth not just through survival, but through contribution and capability."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. Seraphina leading the kill score? Interesting.
Her [Precognitive Glimpse] likely allowed her team (what remained of it) to target vulnerabilities and coordinate finishing blows effectively, racking up assists that counted towards her score.
It made sense. She wasn't a direct damage dealer, but her Talent was a massive force multiplier.
It also highlighted that the official leaderboard likely didn't reflect the true power dynamics, as lone wolves like himself or the mysterious leather-clad woman weren't necessarily reporting kills or operating in monitored zones.
The Rank 1 position was still very much up for grabs.
He felt a renewed drive. He had met the minimum requirement, but his ambition soared higher.
Rank 1 meant resources, recognition, opportunities. With his SSS-Talent, aiming for anything less felt like an insult to the power he wielded.
He activated [Aura Sense], casting his awareness outwards. Nearby, perhaps 200 meters away through the dense foliage, he detected a small group of signatures, three recruits.
Their auras felt weak, hesitant, radiating anxiety. He also sensed a single, slightly stronger beast signature near them, likely a Level 1 Crimson Fang Hound based on the energy profile.
Curious, he moved silently closer, using the enhanced camouflage of [Ghoststeps+].
Peering through the leaves, he saw three recruits huddled together, armed with basic F-grade gear, nervously facing a lone, snarling Hound.
They were clearly terrified, hesitant to engage even the single Level 1 creature. One of them fumbled with a small knife, another seemed frozen, while the third weakly tried to manifest a tiny spark of fire, likely an E or F-grade Talent.
The power gap between them and himself was already astronomical. He could likely vaporize that Hound with a single [Kinetic Hammer] punch without breaking a sweat.
He considered revealing himself, perhaps offering assistance or just observing their struggle.
But secrecy remained paramount. Drawing attention, especially now that he was Level 2 and significantly more powerful, was unwise.
Let them have their struggle; he had his own path to forge.
Turning away from the scene, Daniel faced deeper into the uncharted territory of the Verge.
Level 2 achieved. Charges replenished. A glimpse of future potential unlocked.
His next goal was clear: push deeper, hunt stronger prey, accumulate EXP and Assimilation targets, and solidify his claim for the Rank 1 position.
The Astral Verge was a crucible, and he intended to emerge from it forged in the fire of assimilated power. The real hunt was just beginning.