Chapter 44
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Ability Specialization Choice
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'But six options popped up.'
Moreover, since ability specialization only became available every 10 levels, I had to choose carefully.
'Let's check them one by one.'
I started by looking at option 1.
Telekinesis power and range increase by 50%.
My current Telekinesis level was 10.
So, power was 1 ton per hand, and range was 100 meters.
'This would make it 1.5 tons and 150 meters, right?'
It seemed like the safest choice, further strengthening my current Telekinesis.
Telekinesis power doubles. However, range is halved.
'This means 2 tons per hand, 50-meter range.'
That would let me lift up to 4 tons total.
But what if the same option appeared at level 20 specialization?
'At level 20, that's 6 tons total, doubling to 12 tons.'
Doing the math, option 2 didn't seem bad.
Telekinesis range triples. However, power is halved.
'Range becomes 300 meters...'
Longer range was nice, but I couldn't think of great ways to use it.
Just attacking from afar with 4-channel weapons—did I really need 300 meters for that?
'I'll skip option 3.'
Telekinesis physical force and resistance increase by 50%.
"...?"
I still couldn't quite grasp what this meant.
How would increasing Telekinesis's physical force and resistance help?
'Physical force? Does hitting with Telekinesis hit harder?'
And what was resistance even against?
I set option 4 aside and moved to option 5.
A random attribute is granted to Telekinesis.
'This means my Telekinesis gets fire or lightning or something.'
If so, just grabbing with it might deal damage.
But would it outperform 4-channel weapons? And I'd have to give those up.
'If Telekinesis gets fire or lightning, I couldn't hold weapons.'
I boldly eliminated options 3 and 5, then checked the last one, option 6.
Two more hands are added to Telekinesis. However, power and range decrease by 40%.
'It drops my Telekinesis to level 6 strength.'
The key was the two extra hands.
Choosing 6 meant I'd control four hands total.
'Not bad. I could wield four weapons.'
Even at level 6 strength, using weapons was fine.
The issue was uncertainty about power scaling with levels after gaining four hands.
'If it still goes up 100kg per level, great. But if it splits to 50kg per hand across four?'
At level 20, that'd be 1.1 tons per hand, 4.4 tons total.
'Still less power than option 2.'
I'd planned to decide myself, but I needed advice.
Obviously from 3-channel's Ice Queen, so I immediately requested a 1:1 chat with her.
Seeing you message again, looks like ability specialization popped up.
Yes, that's right.
Tell me what options came up, and I'll advise you.
I listed all six options and asked my questions.
By the way, what the heck is physical force and resistance?
Physical force means it gains more substance and the limit on force you can apply increases.
Ah... I see.
For example, even if you can lift 100kg with Telekinesis, it's not exactly 100kg only.
I got it.
When I first acquired Telekinesis, I lifted weights.
I could lift slightly over 100kg, not precisely 100kg.
You can probably lift a bit over 100kg. Physical force increases that limit.
Not bad at all.
Yes. And resistance is the power maintaining Telekinesis. It can collapse under strong attacks.
You mean it disappears forever?
No. About 30 minutes? An hour? You can use it again after that.
If Telekinesis collapsed mid-battle, I'd fight without it.
'Useful if I fought upfront, but...'
As support from behind, I could skip it.
What about option 5, the attribute?
Exactly as it says: a random attribute. Fire makes flames on Telekinesis, lightning adds electricity, etc.
It matched what I thought.
These grow with level. Higher Telekinesis level means stronger attribute.
Like a growth type, huh.
Yes. And since it's random, you might get a rare one. My little sister got 'Snake' attribute.
'Snake?'
Ice Queen's sister—the one who shaped Telekinesis like wires.
What's Snake attribute like?
I heard it moves on its own without manual control.
Attributes could be good if you luck out.
But my personal recommendation is 6.
The extra two hands? I thought it was decent too...
I mentioned the issue I'd thought of.
With four hands, doesn't power split per level?
No. The extra hands are a bonus. If power split, they'd start with four or six hands from the beginning.
Huh?
So power scales the same even at higher levels?
Better than that. All four hands level up equally. And you'll control them as freely as the original two.
Now I understood the bonus concept.
The added hands applied identically, no strings attached.
Going with 6 then. Thanks for the advice.
No problem. Ask anytime about this stuff.
I ended the chat with Ice Queen and selected 6 without further hesitation.
You have selected option 6.
Two more hands are added to Telekinesis.
Power and range decrease by 40%.
Testing Telekinesis afterward, four hands appeared.
As Ice Queen said, I could move them naturally.
'600kg each, total 2.4 tons.'
I could even fight with a weapon in each right now.
'I like it.'
I wanted to pull out four 4-channel weapons and swing them, or grab some guns for a barrage.
"Elly. You really not getting an ability? Think about it—if you get Strike Block, Castaway's safer."
"I'm already in his debt constantly. And Castaway says he needs it too."
Rubyel was persuading Elisicia nearby.
They were talking about my Awakening Stones.
'No way Strike Block comes up normally.'
But rare abilities were possible.
Feeling good from specialization, I pulled out an Intermediate Awakening Stone and handed it over readily.
"Hero. I'm fine, try getting an ability."
With Rubyel and me pushing, Elisicia's stubbornness softened.
"Castaway. You sure?"
"Yes."
I had six Lower ones left anyway.
Using Intermediate on 20-30 level chances felt wasteful.
"Plus, you need to get stronger to conquer the labyrinth and claim the holy sword."
Mentioning her duty, she finally took the Intermediate Awakening Stone.
She seemed reluctant even after, but my reassuring look made her swallow it.
'What ability will Elisicia get?'
Hoping for combat utility.
She stared into space checking, then spoke.
"Got a C-Grade ability, [Instant Acceleration]."
"Instant Acceleration?"
"Yeah. Let me try."
Pop―
Elisicia vanished instantly.
Reappearing 5-6 steps away.
"That's Instant Acceleration?"
"Seems like my speed triples."
Triple speed burst—pretty good.
But Elisicia pondered, something bothering her.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh. Thinking about the ability. Once per hour, and only 1 second."
Once per hour, 1 second.
'Level 1 limits, probably.'
I pulled 30 Bloodstones from inventory.
"Try these too. It'll level to 3."
Leveling Instant Acceleration showed what improved.
Duration +1 second per level, max uses +1 per level.
'Charge still once per hour though.'
At level 3, max 3 charges needed 3 hours.
3 seconds duration felt short, but Elisicia was satisfied.
"Thanks, Castaway. I got way stronger so easily."
"But 3 seconds too short?"
"Enough. I'll save it as a trump card for key moments."
Unlike me, she was content, so I didn't push.
"Let's rest here for today."
We walked far on floor 10, then rested suitably.
Setting up tent and shower, I felt the Restal's effects fully.
'No fatigue even walking all day.'
Later I noticed my body changed too.
Height up 2-3cm, from gaunt to slightly filled out.
'E-Grade hunter physique applied, probably.'
After shower and meal.
Rubyel drank the Mana Potion I gave her, improving her constitution.
'Expands mana circuits, adjusts body to mana.'
I got two from Melani before.
Rubyel drank one days ago, waited for stabilization, drank another today.
"Hoo."
After 1 hour effect, Rubyel slowly opened her eyes, relaxing her rigid posture.