Alpha Zero (Alpha LitRPG Book 1) by Arthur Stone (top 5 books to read TXT) 📕

the second would increase the chances of the ORDER dropping me trophies, and the quantity dropped when it did. Both would be useful—and I would be able to improve my already-unlocked states. They could stand for a good deal of improvement.

I unlocked Chi Shadow and then Measure of Order. Paying attention to any sensations, I detected nothing suspicious, and so I poured five of my six superior standard universal states into Measure of Order. Now, it held 300 units, bumping it up to level 3.

I could have gone higher, since I had a decent number of greater and normal universal states. However, I didn’t know quite how well this new state worked. I wanted to observe first. Perhaps, in order to noticeably increase my loot, it needed to be pumped to level 20 or 30. But the trophies I needed most didn’t drop during the course of ordinary fishing. They dropped when I performed such feats as invent new items and use them successfully. Each new discovery was a well of rewards that quickly dried up.

So before I pumped my Measure of Order to the sky, I wanted to see how beneficial it was. I recorded the day’s kote count and resulting drops. I would compare tomorrow’s results with these.

My Equilibrium reached level 7 with the next boost. When I did that, my head became muddled for a few seconds, but it wasn’t too distressing.

That was a sure sign, though, that I needed to stop playing with my states for today.

I returned to attributes. Here, I spent all six superior standard marks. Two on Agility, two on Strength, and two on Stamina. Each of these marks gave +100 units, which was enough for +2 levels. I also used an additional 12 greater chi symbols to compensate for the energy lost.

Suddenly, a rising tide within swept me into a sea of cramps, and then swept consciousness away from me. I woke in the middle of the night, covered in a cold sweat, nauseous and numb, my legs and arms disobedient. The only presence of mind granted to me was enough to say “stop.”

I had developed my character too much, too fast. Mother had told me of tales where unusually fortunate natives hurried to use everything they had won too quickly. The tales were sad indeed.

I had come back to our cellar with my three familiar attribute levels. Now, I had twelve in total. That was a mighty leap forward. I had to stop.

Not that I could do much more. The attribute level limit for each stage was 6. With my Equilibrium at level 7, I could now add 7 more. 13 in total. With 12, I had nearly hit my ceiling.

I could, of course, raise my Equilibrium more. Much more. I had 23 greater standard universal states left, as well as 20 common ones. The greater ones would give me 0.25 each and the commons 0.12. Each whole point would add a level to any state. I could pump anything up to 8 immediately.

That would be unwise. I had already pushed my character too hard, and it was time to sleep.

Chapter 28 No Pain, No Gain

Degrees of Enlightenment: 0 (182/888)

Shadow: 182

Attributes:

Stamina: level 5, 259 points

Strength: level 3, 170 points

Agility: level 4, 225 points

Perception: NA, 50 points

Spirit: NA, 50 points

Talents:

Fishing Instinct (tier 2): 10/10

Cure Wounds (tier 2): 10/10

Free Talents:

Trolling with Spinning Rod (tier 2): 10/10

States:

Equilibrium (7.06): level 7

Enhanced Enlightenment (0.50): level 0

Shadow of Chi (0.50): level 0

Measure of Order (3.00): level 3

I woke in agony due to my rapid advancements.

Vainly had I ignored the fables told by my mother. Going from 3 attribute levels to 12 at once was a quadruple move. At such low numbers, this kind of move was not too dangerous, but the ORDER never left haste unpunished.

I woke past noon, feeling as though I was exiting a meat grinder rather than my bed. Every part of me wanted to howl.

I barely chewed the breakfast Beko brought me. He had also brought some rich fish broth from the innkeeper—seasoned with expensive spices. In addition, he had a healing potion.

Fishing was unthinkable in such a state. Instead, I had to send Beko to inform the blacksmith and carpenter that they should not expect full repayment today. They could count on it tomorrow.

From now on, I would never forget that over-enthusiastic application of ORDER upgrades would result in the utter loss of a day.

At minimum.

When I went to sleep once more, I feared that they next day would be another waste. But as I opened my eyes the following dawn, I realized that I was once again a strong young man, not a dilapidated ruin as I had been the day before. It was time for more great achievements.

I leaped out of bed so enthusiastically that I slammed my head into the low ceiling. Hissing in pain and clutching at the growing bruise, I shouted at the gaping Beko. “Well, what are we standing around for.

Forward march!”

“March? Is there a battle?”

“Yes! Facing off against us is a sizable breakfast!”

“Are you sure you feel better? Maybe you had better lie down.”

“No, that breakfast isn’t about to eat itself!”

* * *

The amulet gave me eighteen various attributes. I assumed they were filled with energy at the minimum rate. That is, about ten per unit. This gave me a total of 180.

Due to my haste two days past, I had accumulated 12 “natural” attributes, upped to the max. Each contained 50 units, for a total of 600 attribute energy units.

In other words, I was full to bursting, like a balloon. I finished breakfast at a speed that would make the dogs jealous. Still hungry, I asked Beko