Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 58: Spies, Upgrades, and Magic!

Alex returns to the Skill Hub. He finds an empty corner, makes sure no one is around, and spends 8 of his 9 stat points to use his innate ability twice, allowing him to increase all his stats by 2 with the 8 free stat points.

Alex closes his eyes, feeling his entire body strengthening. At the same time, his mind, senses, and everything else are tingling with joy.

Alex Kerber: Lvl 2
STR: 9, AGI: 9, PHY: 9, SNS: 9, CHA: 9, MNA: 9, INT: 9, SPR: 9, LUK: 9
Available Stat Points: 1

After the sensation passes, Alex can't help but feel genuinely great. "This feeling is so addicting... I feel like my whole existence is getting stronger," he thinks.

Alex scans the skill stations and notices a few people lingering nearby. "Surely they aren't actually spying on people?" he wonders, feeling a bit hesitant.
"It's the time when everyone is happy to be back alive and has their guard down. Surely the Realm forbids people from eavesdropping or somehow seeing others' skills, right? So why do these players look like they're trying to spy?"

He watches as a player enters one of the cabins, only to leave less than a minute later. "Time!" Alex realizes. "When I entered and upgraded my 8 basic skills and my pistol skill, it took a long time. I had to learn those skills and then upgrade them. Judging from the short time it took that guy, he probably just upgraded a minor skill from level 0 to 1! No wonder people are hanging around to spy. If someone goes in and spends an hour, they're probably upgrading a bunch of high-level skills. That's a warning sign—a clue to mark that player as a potential rival or threat. It might even be a reason to keep tabs on them or try to recruit them."

"Should I wait until the Hub is completely empty... or should I... yes!" Alex formulates a plan.

He decides to enter a cabin, spends 1000 FC, and upgrades a basic skill. "Let's choose Basic Eloquence for now." As he expected, the whole process takes about a minute. He leaves, sighing, and whines loudly, "I wish I could upgrade more..."

Alex then chooses to leave the Skill Hub and the public area after upgrading only his Basic Eloquence from lvl 1 to lvl 2.

"I don't think this cautious behavior is really necessary, but it can't hurt to act like an underachiever. I'll openly upgrade my skills, but only a little at a time so no one pays too much attention to me. That way, I look like someone who's made some progress, but nothing too outrageous. Better to stay under the radar. I already trusted Roja more than I should have, and I'm starting to regret it, even though she was probably just kidding with her jokes. If I enter the next world and other players underestimate me, I can surprise potential enemies with my abilities!"

Alex returns to his private room and finally decides to open his two remaining chests, which he can no longer trade. "Guess you can only trade chests inside missions," he reasons.

[Chest]
World: Final Fantasy 9
Quality: Green
Level: 1
Note: Dropped by Black Waltz No. 2 - Can't be traded

[Large Chest]
World: Final Fantasy 9
Quality: Blue
Level: 1
Note: Dropped by Black Waltz No. 3 - Can't be traded