Symbiotic: Chapter 18

Chapter 18 (Chapters 16-18 mainly deal with Sara Bloom Leveling up, choosing a Class, and updating their Character Sheet... Repeatedly. Since scanning through Stats and sheets are not everyone's choice of a good time, these two chapters are kept purposefully short., and can be skipped over if they are not your cup of tea.)

Sara stopped herself before her eagerness to test her new strength caused her to rush forward without preparing. Her heart was racing and she was truly eager to test her new limits. But ‘Preparing before proceeding is how perfection is produced’, as her old Uni lab professor used to say. Sure, it was just a ripoff of the age old ‘Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance’ adage, but it was much more suited for the lab environment. “And,” thought Sara, ”Pretty damn catchy too.”

“Ok, Future Sara. Here we are. Stat points. Let’s be smart about this. We’ve racked up 17 Free Points to distribute. What makes the most sense.”, she talked out loud as she pondered to herself. “Adding Force or Speed is always going to be tempting. Who doesn’t want to be stronger and faster in a world where every step forward needs to be fought for? And Increasing Thought and Knowledge undoubtedly gain me access to newer and better skillsets…”

She chuckled to herself. “But who are we kidding. Soul seems to be the hardest to increase with absorption. The Network is what has gotten us here, and what will take us where we need to go. More microbes, and stronger network abilities. THAT’S our difference maker! Right, Future Sara?” She paused as if expecting an answer momentarily, lost in her process. “Yeah, well I’m sure Future Sara will agree when she sees Me Sara’s results. Ok… Free Stat Points.”

She paced along the dead body of the Greatworm beside her as she continued. “Soul Self is how many microbes in my network. More Microbes means more uses of abilities. And more microbes means more members of my Army, and therefore my Commander Stat buff. Wow. That’s… Wow.”

“But Soul Sum determines how quickly I can regain microbes I use, and also, if I’m understanding properly, higher Soul Sum means I can absorb more stats from kills, ALSO increased by my Commander Stat buffs. Oof.”

Sara continued her pacing, the movement of her body helping her mind cycle through her options. “So, much as I’d love to just toss everything into my Soul Self for more microbes, I think raising them together is the key to success. So that means…”

Adding 5 Free Stat Points to Soul Self. Soul Self = 30

Adding 10 Free Stat Points to Soul Sum. Soul Sum = 30

Free Stat Points Remaining: 2

“Ok, Future Sara. Rainy Day Fund of 2 Stat Points for emergencies. Let’s see if our expectations are realized.”

“Now. Show me what’s behind…. Door Number One!”

“Mycorrhizal Network.”

________________________________________

[System Notice: Mycorrhizal Network Parameters]

Definition: The Mycorrhizal Network is the bearer’s fungal lattice, a living system that absorbs, stores, and redistributes energy from defeated creatures. It is tied directly to the bearer’s Soul.

Maximum Capacity: Determined by Soul Self (Base).

- Current Soul Self: 30

- Network Capacity: 3000 Microbes

- At Soul Self 35 Network Capacity: increases to 3500 Microbes

- (Additional Network Abilities determined by Soul Self & Mind Knowledge)

Absorption Rate: Determined by Soul Sum (Base).

- Current Soul Sum: 30

- Absorption Efficiency: 150% of creature biomass converted into usable Microbes.

- At Soul Sum 35: Absorption Efficiency increases to 200%.

Stat Growth Energy Storage: Determined by Soul Sum (Base).

- Current Soul Sum: 30

- Current Limit: 2.5 × creature stat value.

- At Soul Sum 35: Stat Growth Energy Storage increases to 2.5 × creature stat value.

________________________________________

“Ok, excellent. The growth pattern follows exactly what we predicted. We should be able to absorb microbes and increase stats much more efficiently now. And Microbe Capacity 3000. Ok. I can’t wait any longer!”

“Show me what’s behind…. Door Number Two!”

“Total Stats!”

________________________________________

Core Stats (Commander Bonus 300%)

• Body: (26) 84

o Force: 26 (+1 Spear, +2 Robes) (Effectiveness 300%) = 84

o Speed: 32 (+1 Spear +1 Robes) (Effectiveness 300%) = 105

• Mind: (22) 66

o Thought: 28 (Effectiveness 300%) = 84

o Knowledge: 22 (Effectiveness 300%) = 66

• Soul: (30) 90

o Self: 30 (Effectiveness 300%) = 90

o Sum: 30 (Effectiveness 300%) = 90

[Free Stat Points for allocation: 2]

________________________________________

Physical Defense 84 (+3 Robes +2 Shield) = 89

Mental Defense: 66 (+2 Shield) = 68

Soul Defense: 90 (+2 Shield) = 92

________________________________________

“Holy Forking Shirt!”

<>