[STATUS SCREEN]

Host: Jem Hansen

Race: Human

Level: 0

Exo Points: 2/10

Ex-Energy: 60/70

Ascendance Points: 7/100

Trade Point/s: 70

Skill/s: Fortification

Jem could not hold the tears of joy after seeing the credibility of the system.

“Wait, my Ex-Energy is now 70 in total?!” Jem exclaimed. “Right. In our lecture with Miss Sylvia, she once told us that Ex-Energy fluctuates from the Ascendance points. Whenever the Ascendance Points grew, the Ex-Energy also grew.”

“Wait, does it mean… While I started from 1 Exo point, the others started ahead of me?!” Jem realized the sad truth.

Most Ex-Human had a good amount of light the moment they were born, but on contrary, he could only glimmer a little.

Probably, the reason for it was he had 10 Ex-Energy only, while the others have much. Also, he was advancing slowly, while the others progressed at a remarkable speed. Therefore, the gap between them only became broader.

He also noticed that his Ex-Energy expense was 10 points only. Probably, his Fortification ability cost 10 Ex-Energy points. He was lucky that his attack landed on the enemy’s jaw. If not, he might empty his Ex-energy. And worst, he could have died in that battle.

While sitting on a small boulder in front of the bonfire, Jem lifted his hand in front of him then summoned his energy. The energy of green brilliance seeped out of his hand. It was brighter than before.

Nonetheless, he learned that Exo Points fluctuates his Ascendance Points, whereas. Ascendance Points fluctuate his Ex-Energy.

(Exo Points>> Ascendance Points>> Ex-Energy)

And the more Ex-Energy he has, the stronger he becomes. But, it was still no good if he only knew how to fortify. If he wanted to prove its might, he needed to learn better abilities.

However, there was a problem regarding it. Miss Sylva once told them that stronger ability required more Ex-Energy. So, probably, even if he learned some good ability, he could not manifest it at his current level.

Sigh.

While playing with his Ex-energy, his eyes suddenly felt heavy.

After checking his Status Screen, he found himself a spot to rest, near the bonfire. The warmth from it was very soothing.

He could not tell if it was day or night outside, but he felt sleepy after eating.

Jem was lying on the ground while using the dry furry skin of Little Brown Swine as mat. He made sure that his ear was facing the ground so that any subtle noise never escaped his perception.

Being a self-conscious person also developed another passive ability. It was an ability that, whenever he heard subtle noises, alerted him.

Before his consciousness traveled to the dreamland, a tear fell from his eyes.

If he didn’t join the Academy, nothing like this would happen to him. It was a few months only after he left the farm. Yet, many things had happened. He wondered what his grandfather would say when he knew it.

He also wanted to know what the others thought about his disappearance. Did they rejoice? Or sad? How about Desty? What did she feel? Did they send a search party? He hopes they did. The place was scary. Any moment could be the ending of his life. No matter how many resolutions he had, it was useless in the face of danger. In the face of true despair, everyone would tend to make irrational decisions. Even his motivation had started to wane down.

He remembered his grandfather’s words. He told him that people are weak creatures. When the emotion is high, the rational thoughts become low. He wasn’t generalizing, but the majority was like that. That’s why– he never forgets to tell him to have a cool head every time.

Jem opened his eyes one more time. Before he closed them back, he noticed something was gleaming on the ground– to where the remains of the butchered beast.

Right, he remembered it was there. It was the semi-round solid object that he found in the beast’s chest.

Wait, isn’t one of the recruit soldiers once told them that the beast of Rank-D and higher have an object known as B-Beast Core? Right. It’s called Beast Core. The heart of the beast! He also told them that it could be expensive depending on the beast that owned it. But perhaps, he also meant depending on the rank of the beast.

Jem left it on the ground as it wasn’t on the list of Obtainable Parts. He once again pushed his body and picked it. It was swimming in a pool of blood. Jem wiped it on his clothes.

“Trader, why does this thing have no value?” He was just curious. The soldiers that guided them told them that the beast’s core was a valuable item.

<Yes, Host. Beast core had no specific use to unlock the basic needs of the Host in his journey.>

“Basic needs?”

<Like for example, clothes, weapons, armors, foods, and etcetera…>

“I see,” Jem replied understandably. ‘Bone can be used to make tools; fur can be useful in making a soft mattress together with skin, and claws also have many uses. On the contrary, the beast core had no actual use. It is probably the reason that it didn’t belong to the obtainable parts that have value with the system.’

<Also, the beast core has to be identified first before it became a useful material.>

“Ha? What do you mean has to be identified, Trader?”

<Yes, Host. Beast core is only a shell. Or you can also say that it is an Unidentified Object.>

<Once it is identified, the actual value of it will reveal.>

“Hm, the actual value. So this one can be a chance of good material?”

<Yes, Host. But please do remember that the beast core of the low-tier beast has the least probability of getting valuable materials.>

“So, what kind of materials can we possibly receive in this beast core?” Jem asked, sounded excited.

<The least valuable item that can obtain is a piece of stone ore.>

<However, the most valuable item that you can obtain is– Aspect Gears and Shapeshifting Ability, and even additional Ascendance Points.>

“Woah! A-Ascendance points? T-Trader, is that for real?” It surprised him.

<Yes, Host.>

He did not expect that beast core was so valuable. He could even obtain Ascendance Points!

According to Trader, the beast core was the most valuable part. However, how to identify it? The trader told him he needed a material known as Water of Identification.

Jem asked the Trader regarding it. But the Trader had no more information except for the name.

He fell asleep after their talk. He had no indication how many hours he was sleeping, but he awakened after a slight scraping noise.

When he opened his eyes, what greeted him was a pair of long pointed fangs.

Jem Hansen widened his eyes. Instinctively, he kicked it. The kick landed on the lower part of the gaping mouth.

The beast let out a pained howl.

GWAAR!

He picked the hatchet that was beside him. Then, he sprung on his feet. His heartbeat was fast and noisy.

“What?!” Jem froze upon seeing in full the beast in front of him.