The Hero System - Chapter 30

“System, allocate all upgrade points into Spirit.”

Right now, Jonah had The Wind’s Blessings skill that would boost his physical stats. Even though he can’t use it for another month, it was still a powerful skill. Getting a 10x boost wasn’t something that easily done. Thus, he decided to focus on his spirit for the time being.

[Warning: Soul damage is expected if this action proceeds. Confirm?]

“Soul damage?” Jonah frowned.

He remembered this term from the lectures. People who get too much exposure to Spiritual Energy and they’re not cultivators would experience that. However, Jonah was a cultivator!

“System, analyze the reason!”

[The user’s vitality stat is insufficient. There must not be a huge gap between spirit and vitality and resistance.]

‘Show me the precise numbers!’

[Resistance needs to be at least 20% of Spirit Stat. Vitality needs to be 33% of Spirit Stat. The Resistance would help your body against spiritual energy. Vitality would grant you the ability to wield it. Both conditions must be met all the time to avoid getting soul damage.]

“So I just need to upgrade my vitality for now”

At first, Jonah didn’t pay much thought into vitality. He just thought of it as something like life energy. Like he’d get healthier every time he upgrades it. He’d also have a better cellular functioning. Now, he learned that it also had to do with Spiritual Energy.

However, that wasn’t weird if we assume that Spiritual Energy is a part of this world, to begin with. After all, there must be a cellular level process that uses Spiritual Energy.

Jonah remembered Spider Steps skill. Using Spiritual Energy, he’d get a minor boost when he runs. That can be explained by the cells ability to utilize Spiritual Energy. If his vitality was low, his cells would probably crumble afterward.

“Okay. Allocate 10 points to vitality. 70 points to Spirit. And the remaining 13 to agility.”

Since Jonah wasn’t going to pour all of his points on spirit, he might as well increase his agility. After all, Jonah was a spear user. If he can dominate his opponent with speed in addition to the range, that would further increase his fighting ability.

[Done. Start upgrading?]

Jonah looked at the clock. It was only 2 pm. At his current level, he needs 8 hours 51 minutes to upgrade his body. That means he’d wake up around midnight.

Since he had nothing to do, Jonah decided to start upgrading now. He can cultivate afterward since that would be more beneficial after he upgrades his spirit.

‘Confirm.’ He then fainted.

“Hu” Jonah let go of the foul breath. He checked the time and it was 6 am. He had been cultivating for over 6 hours. Not only were his stats crazily rising, he got his next rare skill!

[Foresight: Seeing the opponents’ next moment by 0.1 seconds. This skill utilizes intelligence and spiritual sense to predict the opponents’ movements, allowing the user to foresee their attacks. Rank: Rare. Level Up: 50 Intelligence.]

Jonah was extremely happy with this skill. Well, truth be told, he’d be happy with any skill! Even a mosquito’s meat is still meat!

But this skill was really useful. Even though Leo would benefit from it more as he was a gun user, Jonah can also use it with his needles. Speaking of which, his telekinesis also leveled up! Twice! It reached the second level at 70 points, and the third level at 120!

[Telekinesis Level 3: Move objects around the user in 7 meters radius using spiritual energy. Rank: Rare. Level Up: 180 Spirit Points.]

‘Seven meters! That’s a whole house!’ A wide smile bloomed on Jonah’s face. He used his skill and tried to move his spear not so far away from him.

The spear slightly trembled and started to rise. However, that was all Jonah can do for now. He couldn’t move it quickly and he can only maneuver it around. But that was already quite the progress! He estimated that he can use ten needles at least now!

He also got another two level ups.

[Spiritual Sense Level 8: Using Spiritual Energy to sense 35 meters radius around the host. Level up: 150 points.]

[Evade. Level 4: Increase in agility and reflexes by 25% when dodging. Level Up: 50 Intelligence, 50 Agility. Rank: Common.]

Jonah noticed that Spiritual Sense’s radius would increase less with each level up. However, he didn’t mind. 35 meters radius was quite a lot.

He then checked his Status Menu.

[Name: Jonah Regon]

[Age: 16]

[Level: 4]

[Cultivation: Energy Condensing Stage (Third Level)]

[Spirit Points: 40/40]

[Experience points: 03/80]

[Upgrade Points: 0]

[Heroism Points: 4]

[Vitality: 56]

[Stamina: 47]

[Strength: 49]

[Agility: 61]

[Resistance: 41]

[Intelligence: 40]

[Charm: 25]

[Spirit: 135]

Jonah was quite satisfied with his progress. He took off his shirt and admired what 25 points of charm meant. His body was well proportioned and his six-packs were starting to appear. His green eyes weren’t lifeless and confused anymore but had an underlying charm to them. His black hair was smooth and had a black luster. Overall, he was quite handsome.

Even though Jonah matured, he still had the habits of a teenager. For example, admiring his looks. After he was done with his stupid posing, he wore his shirt and headed downstairs.

Today was the day of the assessment! He had to be there by 7:30 am and no delays were allowed! When he reached the kitchen, he heard a happy humming sound.

“Well, you seem happy.” Jonah laughed as he walked in.

“Haha, good morning! Of course, I am! The technique you gave was incredible! I can feel strength all” Lao wanted to tell Jonah all about it but Jonah interrupted him.

“Shhh! Dumbass, what are you doing?! Don’t talk about the technique in public!” Jonah whispered. Even though the rest of the courtyard were quite friendly, Jonah wasn’t foolish to trust them fully. After all, he only knew them for a couple of days. Besides, a 95000000 credit points’ technique would bring greed to friends and foes alike.

“My bad!” Leo zipped his mouth and nodded. He wasn’t that foolish, he was just too happy. After all, the technique was amazing!

“Anyway, we need to eat. We got an assessment to take!” Jonah patted his shoulder and started preparing breakfast.

After the two finished their breakfast, they prepared themselves and then called for a Spirit Vehicle to take them to TSO. After a short while, the vehicle stopped.

This time, both of them were used to the magnificence of the city. They went into the building and were greeted by a crowd. Naturally, all of them were here for the assessment. Jonah estimated that there were at least 300 people here. He didn’t know if more were coming since it was barely past 7 am.

The two followed the crowd into a huge hall that can easily fit all of them. Jonah and Leo waited for the assessment to begin. Leo started telling Jonah about the different aspects of the city like the guilds, shops, organizations, companies, religious groups, and so on

Jonah was speechless as he realized how big and diverse Zoras was. After all, it was only a D-Rank city!

“Tch, it stinks over here! Looks like the trash has increased!” The two heard a haughty voice coming from behind.

When Jonah saw the owner of the voice, he frowned. It was the youth he met yesterday. Just like last time, he was accompanied by the brown-haired youth. However, the black-haired youth had a sword on his belt. Jonah can also see hidden pockets inside the sleeveless vest. There were probably hidden weapons inside.

“Then I suggest that you go take a shower! Maybe that would help remove your stench!” Jonah sneered.

Leo was stunned when he heard his friend rebuke this youth as soon as he appeared. He realized that Jonah must have met this youth beforehand. Otherwise, Jonah wouldn’t insult him like that!

Leo knew his friend. Jonah wouldn’t start troubles left and right for no reason. This youth must have provoked him for Jonah to have such a bad impression.

“You sure have a mouth befitting of a trash, but let’s see how does it help you during the assessment!” The youth smirked before walking away.

“You just came here to say that? Are you that bored? Lonely, perhaps? ”

Before Jonah can reply, Leo has already spoken in his place. Since the other party has already insulted them, there was no need to be polite.

“Fucker, know your place!” The brown-haired youth stepped forward furiously and roared before sending a slap toward Leo’s way.

Leo hadn’t expected the youth to be this unreasonable and strike out of the blue. He was about to dodge when a hand flashed and grabbed the youth’s arm.

With his Foresight skill, Jonah could easily stop this youth’s slap. Even though it was only 0.1 second, it was only a short duration for normal people. With his agility being 61, he can easily respond to his foresight skill.

“Hey, let go of me!” The youth struggled but Jonah’s hand wouldn’t budge.

Jonah was about to shove the youth away and warn him when his foresight caught a shadow from his peripheral view. Using his evade, he nimbly dodged and stood beside Leo.

“Are you crazy?” Jonah’s voice was filled with coldness as he glared at the black haired youth. He didn’t expect this guy to attack him with a sword so suddenly and in such a place!

“Crazy? That’s my line. It was fine if you, a worthless trash, barked a bit. But since you stood against us, you wouldn’t end up well!” The black-haired youth gaze was filled with viciousness.

Jonah couldn’t help but be shocked. ‘That’s a reason to kill someone?’ Jonah was speechless. It seems he underestimated this whole ‘cultivation world’s’ culture too much. It seems people can kill others just because of a simple offense! Furthermore, they were the one who tried to assult them!

“Since you asked for it, don’t blame me.” Jonah took out his spear.

Ever since he finished the first trial in the Elrin Kingdom, he promised himself to never let hatred take control of him. At first, he kept burying it deep down thinking that was the right way. However, that would only hurt him in return, turning his heart into a demons’ plaything!

Since then, he decided one thing. Those who are good to him, he shall help, save, and even suffer for them! Those who are kind to him, he would help them! Those who are innocent, he’d save them! However, those who cross his bottom line by hurting him, his loved ones, or the innocent he wouldn’t spare!

With his Moonlight Butterfly in hand, Jonah was ready for battle.

The whole crowd circled them and started to enjoy the show. ‘It seems that the cultivation world, after all, is a cruel place.’ Jonah realized.

Excuse any typos or grammar mistakes you spot. If possible, help me correct them. Dark circles under my eyes, I struggled to write this. Enjoy!

Oh, you guys earned yourself a bonus chapter for hitting 300 power stones. Each 300 power stones equal one chapter. Chapters would be published the next week.