“Ok Spark time to talk about stat quantification, what''s the range?” Arthur said from where he sat on the ground.


    “ Well you are just above average in most areas to seem like a quick learner, there is enough between you and the peak of human potential that you will be a hit at bars, but always have imposter syndrome in front of your peers or those who are truly near the peak. However your spiritual control seems to be quite high for someone without access to… ah I see, you have one of those souls I mentioned that has not just the potential, but the storage of having lived multiple lives on various worlds throughout your universe… hmmm I see. You have had dealings with some of these higher entities. You even have residual spiritual scars from encountering Either. You are actually quite versed in non corporeal combat. In fact given a few hundred more years of reincarnation cycles, you may have begun to construct your own mana core. I''d suggest you don''t reach out to any beings, nor should you traverse any sanctified ground. If any of those beings detect your system that could be bad. ”


    Arthur blanched. He’d always been spiritual but not religious. And he did have experience with metaphysics and Magik. He even trained himself to see auras and control his own. He always felt like religion was like working in an industry rather than something he ascribed to or believed in.


    “Thanks for that truth and a bit of Existential dread, I more so meant, explain tiers to me.”


    Spark made a throat clearing sound and began. “The tiers are an energy system meant to gradually condense mana into higher forms of energy with greater control over the physical world. We will begin talking about stat expressions. As you level up your body will be saturated with potential, this is a complex metaphysical application of energy, because as much as your physical form is saturated with mana on a cellular level from your core to become more durable, you become greater as a spiritual being as well. Which means that when your stats exceed your body''s raw physical capabilities, you can begin to express this excess potential. I would suggest keeping your perception on par with whatever physical stats you take, because with perception comes proprioception. Or the ability to gauge distances as well as spatial awareness and how much force is required to perform an action. But more importantly is the ability to disburse momentum and anchor you in place when opposing forces with greater mass or velocity. Such as stopping a moving train without crushing the hull. Your spirit backed by the excess potential in your aura contends the forces. Now that is all well and good when dealing with objects without a sentience, but when dealing with people or beasts, it''s a contest of will and power, because a higher tier person or beast can exert their will and negate some or all of your spiritual force. Now in the greater multiverse it''s considered excessive and a show of weakness to punch down stages. But for now we will only deal with the mana condensing stage which is the first 10 tiers. Once you reach tier 10 you will condense your mana core into an either core. Once you can control even a single mote of Eather, you will start to create a domain, before your domain gains a concept, all you can do within your domain is control the mana, which means enemy spells and other lower forms of energy are subject to your will in varying degrees. Now once you hit tier five that half way point you will go through a refinement where your body will shed all impurities, including genetic defects and injuries. you will have a class refinement. your spirit will have a greater effect after that point. But for now just take one of your stats up above 10. Which is your species maximum physical potential. Last thing I''m gonna say about the tier five transformation is that if you have or find any bloodline treasures; you will want to absorb or consume them before this point for the best effect. Bloodlines are as much spiritual as they are physical since most bloodlines come with bloodline memory and knowledge passed down, thus you want those to be present when you  go through refinement.”


    Arthur nodded and thought about his stats, “so charisma… it’s emotional and social intelligence and force of presence?”


    The light ball bobbed in place. “Yes, it can be given positive or negative weight by your intent, charm vs intimidate.”


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    Arthur bounced in place like an excited boxer, even knocking his fists together. “Ok next question if i took my Charisma to 12, would that synergize with my summoned weapon? It''s me and charisma is my force of presence so…”


    The floating ball dimmed before brightening. “Hmmm… lets see… Yes! That will factor heavily.”


    Arthur nodded and assigned all 4 points to Charisma. Taking it to 12, he felt the energy build in his chest. It crawled up his spine and he felt it take root in his brain and eyes. Then shoot down into his Summoning talent, where it spread like warm water through his pathways.  He breathed and extended his hand, his weapon snapping into existence in his hand.


    With surety he knew he could control its perceived mass and sharpness, even when sheathed. But many meta tricks were still beyond his reach. Boosting charisma has been the correct choice. “I''m heading out into the second layer. Do your thing.”


    Arthur set out at a jog towards the forest that was the 2nd layer. Inside the trees were dense and the canopy blocked the light that didn''t seem to have a source. He held an image in his mind''s eye of climbing a tree to a large overhead supportive branch, and with a thought and a blink he appeared standing on the branch far above the ground. From here he spotted a group of 3 goblins following a trail. With a blink he appeared beside their single file line he swung the sheathed sword in an arc, the blade light until impact then heavy and sharp passing through the 3 goblins without resistance. They collapsed to the ground with a disturbing slosh and splash, like that scene from ghost ship. The goblins dropped a few coppers apiece as cards. As the bodies began to pixelate he was already moving through the trees. He used his talent with knowledge of survival from a 70s boy scout hand book, to create several pit and snare traps with a smattering of swinging logs and spikes attached to saplings. The forest became a death trap for goblins. It was easily 6 hours before he discovered the village, and when he did the goblins were hole up in trepidation. From a tree branch that had a view over the wall he was able to spot the chieftain. A big bastard with a cleaver and head dress. He lounged with what must have been females pleasuring him while he ate mystery meat, his other hand ever on his massive cleaver.


    Arthur steeled himself, ignoring the goblin debauchery, and imagined leaping from the limb he preached upon rolling to absorb impact and sprinting behind the chief. With a flicker he appeared where he imagined. He drew his blade for the first time, an iai slash Arthur drew and re sheathed the blade in one motion. The chieftain and his concubines fell in two. He then flickered All over the camp goblins falling to pieces. When he was done he dropped to his knees, sweat pouring and his face red as he heaved. His hand shot into his hip pouch and he grabbed a fist full of berries. He knew he had overtaxed his initial talent, however what he hadn''t accounted for was his body beginning to flash starve and cannibalize itself. With those berries choked down. His body had a new target to break down, and somehow he knew that these berries being mana dense gave them more caloric value.


    With a whoosh all the potential crashed down on him like a wave, he nearly blacked out, it was so intense, but it did heal his fatigue.


    *****


    Congratulations you have reached level 7 you have unlocked your 3rd talent slot and you have 3 stat points to spend.


    You have unlocked the draw strike skill


    You have unlocked the stealth skill


    You have unlocked the Back stab skill


    You have unlocked craft trap skill


    You have unlocked general bush-craft skill


    You have unlocked foraging skill


    CONGRATULATIONS!!!


    You have unlocked the third Layer.


    The third Layer has two biomes, a rocky forest slope that is thinly forested and a rocky pebbled beach. These areas house the entrances to several dungeons. There are leaderboards first clear and solo clear rewards, as well as static loot charts that are only uncovered as discovered.


    Clear 3 dungeons to unlock the 4th layer.


    *****