Chapter 26：3rd Stage Mortal Realm (1/2)
[Ding! Pre-Mortal Realm reached 100%]
[Advanced to 1st Stage Mortal Realm ]
[Gained 1 Strength, 0.5 Endurance]
Within 5 minutes I filled up the necessary Brute Energy to nourish my body reaching the 1st Stage Mortal Realm.
Because of my system, I also gained insight into how much stats does advancing a stage give. Just by reaching the Mortal Realm, it doubles a person's strength.
Because of my Adaptability, controlling the inherent energy is easy but yeah, controlling it and actually using it to nourish your body isn't the same thing.
I soaked myself in a blob of Brute Energy to fill it within 5 minutes.
Next will be to temper my skin using it. The barbarians have no way of doing what I just did, they rely on their body to sense the Brute Energy and guide it to nourish themselves. It sounds easy for me but for them, it takes effort and everyone has different talent at sensing it.
Raiden probably has some cheat being blessed by this World hence the reason for his fast growth.
I condensed another blob of Brute Energy and spread it all over me to strengthen my skin.
I can feel my whole body itch but I resisted the urge to scratch it. This is because the itch comes from how the Brute Energy is strengthening my skin.
Slowly, the percentage is rising up. 30 minutes later another system message rang out in my mind.
[Advanced to 2nd Stage Mortal Realm]
[Gained 2 Strength, 1 Endurance]
Then another 3 hours passed before I advanced to the next stage.
[Advanced to 3rd Stage Mortal Realm]
[Gained 2 Strength, 1 Endurance]
Another 3 hours passed and the percentage for the next stage is still at 17%.
It appears that I'm wrong about doing this easily overnight. Even if I can control the Brute Energy freely, cultivating the body isn't that easy and the higher the stage, the longer time it needs.
Skin is external so it's fairly easy to strengthen it. The deeper it is, the longer the time needed to strengthen it.
It's almost dawn and I haven't slept yet. Adaptability gave me the cheat to control this world's inherent energy but that doesn't mean I won't get tired after hours of concentrating on it.
I shouldn't forget that I'm different from the Heroes. They're specifically summoned by their Otherworlds whereas I'm relying on my Adaptability to tag along with them.
They were given benefits by the world while I have to work hard exploiting the inherent energy for my benefit.
Just like in Yuko's world, I'm already lucky to be given a Unique System. If not for that, I might've gone down either a Knight or Wizard route.
Even back at the Pocket Dimension, I often rested after hours of training. At least in that field, we're all almost at the same pace. But since there's a 3-year gap, they already managed to upgrade their ability once or twice. My Adaptability still sat at 25% even after a week of training and it's getting slower the bigger the container gets.
I should be happy that in less than 7 hours here, I reached the 3rd Stage Mortal Realm. In total, I gained 5 Strength and 2.5 Endurance.
Well, that's not bad considering I only aimed for 15 strength. I already achieved 1/3 of my original objective.
Now, it's time to rest and I'll continue tomorrow. I don't know how long we will stay here. It always varies according to them but the longest someone stayed in an otherworld was recorded as 3 months.
[Physique Cultivation: 3rd Stage Mortal Realm (17%)
Strength: 6.4(11.7)(0.3)
Endurance: 4.2(8.2)(0.2)
Intelligence: 3.1(3.2)]
Staring at my changed stats, I smiled at my progress. This Physique Cultivation is my own strength that I gained, not just some bonus from the Supported Individuals' average stats or given by the world.
The number indicated at the second parenthesis corresponds to my current progress in 3rd Stage. Only when I reach the 4th stage will it merge to my fixed stats.
I drifted to sleep soon enough and when I woke up another meal was prepared for me. The slave woman was already standing on her corner. When she saw me waking up, she moved closer with a towel made from some kind of fur to wipe me.
I stopped her and told her to relax. I took the towel from her and dip it in the basin.
Bath is a luxury here and water is scarce so wiping one's body is the way they clean themselves.
After eating the meal, I went out. I can't talk to the slave woman at all but at least she's listening to me now. Do I confront Raiden about it?
No. Without strength it's useless. It might even put that woman in danger. I'm still not a Messiah but I'm not some cruel guy as well.
Ah. Wrong, I can be cruel as well especially when my dark thoughts surfaced. Luckily it hasn't surfaced again. Or yet.
I met Erin outside my tent, she's still wearing the same outfit but currently, she's looking at me like there's something weird on me.
”What?”
”You. What the hell happened? You look different.”
”Huh?”
”No. You look stronger than how you were yesterday.”
Only now did I check my body.
My muscles swelled a bit, I don't look as skinny now but it's still thin. This is probably the effect of passing the 2nd Stage Mortal Realm.
”I started cultivating. Maybe that's why.”
”Wait. Which stage are you in now?”
”You won't tell anyone?”
”Idiot, what for? It will be noticed by Saint Realm experts and above anyway.”
I see. Those monsters already have a keen eye to gauge the strength of those weaker than them.
”Alright. 3rd Stage Mortal Realm.”
”What the?! And you told me you're different from the Chieftain!”
”Err. I still am different”
”Don't talk to me, you monster.”
Erin stomped off in frustration.
I can understand why she's like that. Since I can't hide this progress, maybe I can use it as protection. I just don't know how Raiden will react to it.
After a while, Erin stopped and looked back at me before shouting.