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

Chapter 59: Upgrading Skills, and a Special Return to the Trading Hub

The next few days pass relatively quickly for Alex.

In the real world, not much changes. He starts working out at a gym again and settles into a more or less normal routine, except for his nightly trips to a nearby park, where he practices with his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto], honing his skills. For now, he decides not to do anything too risky, like gambling. Alex isn't a vain person, and he and his parents are still living comfortably. His goal is to get enough money to help his parents upgrade from their apartment to a nice house, maybe even hire a housekeeper, but he's willing to wait a little longer. "They don't seem like the type to change their lifestyle suddenly... and I can't exactly explain how I got the money. Becoming a professional gambler sounds weird."

He also makes regular visits to the Skill Hub and the Trading Hub. After a few days, he notices that the "spies" have almost disappeared, and the Skill Hub is practically empty.

Alex spends a total of 7,000 FC to push all his basic skills to level 2, in addition to the 1,000 he already spent for Basic Eloquence lvl 2.

He also decides to mercilessly throw away his FC, and even Soul Crystals, to upgrade his other skills. He raises Annihilation Grenade lvl 1 to lvl 2, costing him 2,000 FC, and Sealion's Icewing Embrace lvl 0 to lvl 2, which requires 3,500 FC.

His Innate skill, Genius Conjurer lvl 1, consumes a Soul Crystal and another 2,000 FC to reach lvl 2, while his gold-ranked skill, Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 0, requires 2 Soul Crystals and an additional 3,500 FC to upgrade to lvl 2. Finally, he spends 2,500 FC to bring his Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 to lvl 2.

Alex notices that his Basic skills and even his unique skills are quite a bit cheaper than the blue-quality Pistol Proficiency. While his Innate skill and gold-ranked skill are cheaper in terms of FC, they demand Soul Crystals. He also knows that the cost of upgrading purple-ranked skills, although higher in FC, doesn't require Soul Crystals. With this information, Alex can now roughly calculate how much FC he'll need to spend after each world... a cost that will increase rapidly and eventually make it impossible to upgrade everything, at which point his level will no longer limit his skill progression.

"How am I supposed to save up 100,000 FC for [Pluto's Ceremonial Blessing] while still upgrading these insanely expensive, yet life-saving skills? This seems almost hopeless!"

Upgrading his skills cost Alex a total of 21,500 FC, actually 500 more FC than he initially had.

He only managed to afford these upgrades by selling his [Dagger] to another player who was desperate for a weapon and specifically wanted a dagger. Alex spotted the guy frantically shouting in the Trading Hub, as his next mission was about to start. Seizing the opportunity, Alex squeezed 1,500 FC out of him, probably the guy's entire remaining stash.

After acquiring all his skill upgrades, Alex's inventory and status looks like this, with all items unequipped:

Alex Kerber: Lvl 2 (Stats without items)
HP: 108/108, MP: 108/108
STR: 9, AGI: 9, PHY: 9, SNS: 9, CHA: 9, MNA: 9, INT: 9 SPR: 9, LUK: 9
Available Stat Points: 1
Innate Skills: Genius Conjurer lvl 2, Statistical OCD lvl MAX
Free Skill Slots: 0/2, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8
Basic skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 2, Basic Footwork lvl 2, Basic Endurance lvl 2, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 2, Basic Eloquence lvl 2, Basic Concentration lvl 2, Basic Meditation lvl 2, Basic Mana Control lvl 2
Passive Skills: Pistol Proficiency lvl 2, Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 2
Active Skills: Annihilation Grenade lvl 2, Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2
Fantasy Coins: 1000 Soul Crystals: Small x3
Current Weapons: Mr. 5's Revolver (Deep Blue), Sword of Pluto (Deep Blue) Barbed Dagger (Light Green)
Current Equipment: Commander Shepard's Dog Tag (Deep Blue), Sealion's Might (Deep Blue), Shield of Pluto (Deep Blue), Armor of Pluto (Blue), Visor of Pluto (Blue), Cuisses of Pluto (Blue), Gauntlets of Pluto (Blue), Sabatons of Pluto (Blue)
Miscellaneous Items: Navalia Wolf Jerky x3 (Gray), Potion x3 (White), Antidote x3 (White), Eye Drops x3 (White), Jack's Spare Silvery Mask (Light Green) Navalia Fur Armor (White), Navalia Fur Boots (White), Navalia Fur Gauntlets (White) Solid Marine Saber (Light Green), Plant Essence x3 (Green), Frost Essence (Green), Steepled Hat (Green), Rod (Light Green), Mage Staff (Light Green), Silk Shirt (Light Green), Wrist x2 (White), Iron Sword (Light Green)
Special Items: Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire) (Blue), Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder) (Purple), Pluto's Ceremonial Blessing (Deep Purple), Baroque Works Invitation (Purple)