[CE:6/18]
His CP popped into view, an activity initiated by X L. An attempt aimed at helping Rex monitor his cosmic essence as he battled.
"The CP left will only be enough for two more usage of HARDEN" Rex heard X L's voice reminding him.
He had already defeated two of the attacking creatures and they both dropped an orb.
Rex nimbly dashed backward as he picked up both orbs, quicky selecting the Absorb option.
His Harden skill was pushed to the next level.
HARDEN Lvl 2 [1/4]
Reinforce a 55cm part of the body, increasing strength by 200% in the reinforced region
E.COST: 3CE
{Experience Skill}
Learn how to use your new skill
Exp Inspirations left 2/3
His backward dash had created some distance between him and the dashing Neo-Life Creatures, he quickly scanned through the change the upgrade had brought to his skill.
"An increase in body area that can be reinforced, am not sure that would be of any help right now", Rex thought. Within the short moment, he had stood still to analyze the changes to his skill. The closest of the Neo-life creature was almost within Melee range. It was the Neo-life Tortoise that he had already wiped out 50% of it's HP with a sweep kick.
HOP!!!, The enraged attacking Neo-Life tortoise jumped, with it's fists clenched and positioned for a diving punch aimed at Rex's face. As Rex was now very much familiar with the preferred attack target of this creature, he was expecting this move, the moment the creature had jumped.
Twack!!!!
Rex delivered another sweep kick reinforced with HARDEN that connected with the creatures head, wiping off the rest of its HP. Before it's strike could connect.
My reaction time is so much faster and my ability to analyze the most appropriate move is progressively improving as I fight.
[CE: 3/18](Recovery Rate 1CP/10Mins)
As Rex saw the new pop-up, an amused grin appeared on his face. He had only enough CP to use HARDEN, one more time.
And he still had four more Neo-Life Creatures to fight.
Rex continued to increase the distance between him and them, as he tried to decide on a course of action to take.
"X L what are the changes, my increase in level brought to my Stat and any idea on features that can help me improve my chances of getting out of this 4 to 1 duel unscatched". Rex communicated mentally with XL.
He was testing an unconfirmed theory of his, several times during his communication with X L, it had reacted to his thoughts and even brought up an "Analyzing though pattern" notification ones. He was about 70% certain that the AI could read his thoughts.
UPGRADED STATS
HP: 15+5 ×2 [40/40]
STRENGTH: /7+1×2/ 16
VITALITY: /6+1×2/ 14
SPEED: /8×2/ 16 (+2)
INTELIGENCE: /7×2/ 14
WILL: /4+1×2/ 10
INSTINCT: /7×2/ (+1)
DISRUPTION VALUE: 100%
EQUIPMENT
Overlord Body Set [GRADE E].
SET ATRIBUTE: x2 to all stats.
"The Market hub feature can be of assistance, Please open the tab for me to effectively guide you on the features that can currently help you"
The four left hostile neo-life creatures, had quickly reduced the distance between them and Rex, Two of them almost within melee range. Rex could feel it, he could weave his way through them, the Neo-Life tortoise were some distance away from each other.
Rex dashed through the creatures, successfully breaking from their sparse encirclement, as he succeeded in his plan. He concluded his findings!!!!.
He could communicate with X L via thought.
Using the short time he had gained from his dash, he brought up his interface navigating to the market feature, he had been notified of it earlier by X L, but in all his excitement, he had forgotten to check it out, typical of his forgetfulness.
Navigating quickly to the market section, signified as a storefront icon in his tab.
He was welcomed by a pop-up.
...."FIRST TIME SHOPPER WELCOME ITEM"...
He could see three items under the pop-up:
Vial of Rage F(Boosts Strength by 3 points for 10 mins)
Cosmic Enhancer F (Increases regeneration of Cosmic Energy by 30% for 30 mins)
Chrono Slurp F (Boosts Speed by 3 points for 10 mins)
Rex, had a decision to make, quickly analysing the three items, he made his decision.
+1 Vial of Rage
He had chosen the strength boost, when combined with the overlord set that was multiplying his stats. He was certain that he would be able to dominate his fight against the Neo-life creatures without having to rely on his skill.
As a red dot appeared above the box icon that signified his inventory, he quickly opened it, In response to his thoughts, the Vial of Rage was summoned.
An ominous-looking flask with a skull engraved on it and tentacles running from the skull all across the flask.
- - -
"Fusssss...."
Red mist escaped from the mouth of the flask as Rex removed the lid that covered it.
"What ominious looking fluid" Rex said as he grimaced from disgust. X L couldn't resist popping out and nodding. Her face bearing the same expression as Rex.
"Disgust".
As Rex peeped into the bottle, he saw bubbles continually forming in the liquid and slowly coming up to the topmost surface of the liquid to release red vapour like mist.
Inhaling a wisp of the red misty vapour coming out of the bottle. His nostrils where assaulted with a very peppery hot sensation.
SWOOSH!!!
Rex bent as a fist shot past his head. One of the Neo-Life Tortoise had caught up with him.
Avoiding the fist, Rex dashed backward, creating distance between him and the Neo-Life Tortoise.
"Gulp"
Rex downed the "vial of Rage". He felt like all of his body was on fire, his body felt extremely hot, as the temperature of his body rose, his felt progressively energized.
+1 Strength
+1 Strength
+1 Strength
Strength: /8+3/ x2 (22)
- - - - -
Dum!! Dum!!
The Neo-Life tortoise he had just avoided was hastily dashing forward towards him.
With a short burst, Rex quickly covered the distance between them, and...
Boom!!!
Rex struck the Humanoid/Plant creature squarely on the face. A replica of it's beloved repetitive attack. The struck Neo-life tortoise took several steps backward, from the force of the punch. Before the creature could even fully recover from the momentum of the punch. . .
Squish!!!
Rex's fist pierced through its skull. Ending the creature with a follow-up punch reinforced by HARDEN.
[CE:1/18]
"Oh Crap!!!!"
Rex screamed inside.
He had instinctively used HARDEN.
Skills were performed actively in Cosmic Ascendance. With players being in control of the process. He had been integrating HARDEN into his combat style since he got the skill; it felt like a weapon, a weapon that was integrated into him. It's activation and it's flow as it reinforced a body part, felt all so natural.
He had not considered that he needed to actively resist the urge and pay attention to ensure he did not use it in combat. His battle style was more of a flowing style, a dance he easily fell in, this made using HARDEN difficult to resist.
"Swipe"
Rex picked up the greenish orb that fell as the creature disintegrated, quickly absorbing it.
HARDEN Lvl 2 [1/4]
"You would need three more orbs to upgrade the skill" X L's voice resounded in Rex's ear. She had disappeared after appearing to show support for Rex when he used the "Vial of Rage".
Rex glanced at the three remaining Neo-Life Creatures, They had halted their advance at the moment, studying Rex. Dispatching four of their kind seemed to have made them reconsider their incessant attack, as they studied Rex with their rage-filled eyes.