Metalweaver's Odyssey: A Mobster's Full Metal Alchemical Isekai

1-2. Core Nexus

Chapter 2: Core Nexus

Adam's POV

While my family rode the crest of the underworld mob, grooming me to follow suit, I wasn't exactly on board with their game plan. That's a tale for another day, though. What I'm getting at is, even in the midst of all that chaos, I was a bit of a rebel. My refuge? Gaming, movies, and stories – the whole shebang.

Yep, I was quite the weeb.

So, instead of spiraling into confusion, I found myself getting pumped. Stats for myself, like this one, scream potential. I could evolve into an absolute powerhouse, pull off magic tricks, soak up knowledge like a sponge, and maybe, just maybe, have unlimited potential. Back in my original world, I'd daydream about having a stat sheet of my own. This is the kind of stuff that got me hyped.

Regardless, I didn't let it go to my head and started analyzing the stats sheet my core nexus was showing me.

Overall Stats:
Strength (STR): 6
Vitality (VIT): 5
Endurance (END): 5
Intelligence (INT): 36 (+10)
Dexterity (DEX): 10
Agility (AGI): 10
Wisdom (WIS): 27 (+5)
Charisma (CHA): 8
Metalweaving Mastery (MW): 2
Alchemical Mastery (AM): 32

I'm no stranger to the basic stats – you know, STR, VIT, END – but what in the world are the MW and AM stats? Especially the AM stat, considering I'm sporting a solid 32 points in it. And if it weren't for that (+10) on the INT stat, AM would be topping the charts, even though I'm clueless about its deal. I'm curious if the alchemy it's talking about is the same one I know from games – crafting potions and whatnot.

Lost in thought about these mysterious stats, the sentient core chimed in with a sudden sense of urgency, 'Detecting an anomaly.' It sounded kinda panicked, to be honest, a weird mix of surprise and urgency.

"What's the matter?" I inquired as the stats screen vanished before me.

"I'm detecting another Core nexus in your Core nexus area besides me," the voice replied, a sense of urgency underscoring its words.

Another core? Like, another sentient core, akin to the one I'm having this chat with?

"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" I wondered.

"It's an impossible thing. Let me put it in perspective – it's like developing a second heart or another brain in your body."

"Oh, now I get why you're all worked up."

"Don't worry, Core Nexus. I've analyzed it. It's an Inert Core Nexus, the kind found in newborn babies."

"So, not dangerous?"

"No, not at all."

"Is this like a normal thing?"

"Based on your extensive reading, I can confidently say this is an impossible event. There are theories about such happenings, but they usually involve death, rebirth, or snatching someone else's soul."

"Huh, I see."

Hold on a sec. Did that thing pop up because of me? Since I took over this body?

"Um, hey, sentient core?"

"Yes?"

"Let's not dwell on this new core. It's not harming us, and maybe we can use it to survive and level up, right?"

It went silent for a moment, almost as if it was thinking on what to do.

"Affirmative. On your command, I will cease pondering the new Nexus core that developed in your Nexus core area."