Domain

Volume 1 berserk upgrade chapter 5 - getting an upgrade

Having finished the test and recovered my memories I began considering my future. After my outburst Ourous had continued to explain the rules.

Every week I had to complete at least one mission. This mission had to be at the level of my top exchange.

After asking what she meant by levels she explained. The exchanges were separated into levels. These levels were divided by the tokens needed to exchange for them. Starting at G to A then S, SS, SSS and Z, ZZ and finishing at ZZZ. If you failed to complete one weakly mission you would be erased.

having understood I started perusing the exchanges. The popup “173015491739 results” appeared when I opened genetic variations

Solomon: hey Ourous, is there a way to shor, thank you

As I was asking my question a popup filter appeared on the panel. Sitting down at my desk I started delving into the amazing world of exchanges.

15 hours and five cans of red bull later I had picked through several tens of thousands of exchanges. At first I removed exchanges above G rank, then I set it to only show exchanges that had a growth potential to ZZZ.

After a conversation with Ourous I had learnt that every exchange had a different potential. Those that grew the most levels had the best potential but we’re weaker at first than their lower potential counterparts.

Even after this I still was left with several hundred thousand results. And after a day of searching I still had barely scratched the surface.

Having looked through so many, I had found several that interested me.

Energy enhancements

Low rank level up system

G rank energy enhancement

175 point cost

Unlock level system up to level 10 as well as class and skill system. Unlocks mana core. Being based on several different works of fiction it incorporates a huge system of skills. This allows a person to be as specialised as they would like to be. Most users of the system fail without a team. Useful for developing specialists.

Basic level up system

Layman’s prana

G rank energy enhancement

150 point cost

The energy present in monks. Most monks spend years of meditation to acquire a amount equal to this. As you have not done this you will find the energy difficult to control. Unlike most energy's training wont increase you energy. Instead your control and efficiency in its use will increase. Can physically strengthen the body and has a calming effect on the mind. If consumed can vastly increase mental proccesses.Useful for missions requiring the use of a high level intelligence.

Rookie rank Ki

G rank enhancements

210 point cost

Commonly used in martial arts based fiction. It can significantly improve strength and regenerative ability. At this rank Ki is insufficient for emission. Until next rank is acquired skills requiring Ki are unusable. Suitable for combat based mission. Heavily increases individual survivability.

1st stage qi cultivation

G rank energy enhancement

240 point cost

The energy commonly used by cultivators in wuxia/xianxia fictions. equal to a 1st stage qi cultivator from issth(I shall seal the heavens). As energy level increases so does the effectiveness of skills. Due to the inability to use qi without skills one G rank skill book will be provided alongside this enhancement. Specialised in skills/techniques.

Basic Reiryoku

G rank energy enhancement

230 point cost

The energy used in the bleach universe. Due to insufficient energy the usual zanpakuto is replaced with an asauchi. An asauchi is a weaker version of the zanpakuto. It has no link to the wielders soul and because of this no shikai or bankai. Reiryoku can be used to strengthen the body as well as perform spiritual attacks. The need for a substitute Shinigami badge has been voided. A contestant can now freely enter and exit their soul form. If the soul form is damaged the contestant will be forced into there body. from there the soul form will be unusable while it repairs. Suitable for missions requiring the extermination of spirits.

Trainee furyoku

G rank energy enhancement

270 point cost

The energy present in the shaman king universe. Only useable through contracted spirits. Special exceptions for certain skills. Due to being unusable without a skill one g rank skill provided alongside the enhancement. Alternatively one g rank spirit can be acquired. In the case no skill to use the spirit is available the spirit will be useless. Useful for missions requiring use or perceptions of spiritual beings.

fledglings power level

G rank energy enhancement

150 point cost

The Chi energy found in the dragon ball universe. This enhancement is equal to a power level of twenty. Chi vastly increases physical strength alongside being highly compatible with emission based skills.along with the depletion of ci ones power level will decrease. If fully depleted power level will become one till chi regenerates. specialised in fast paced 1v1 fights.

Basic Magicka

G rank energy enhancement

140 point cost

The energy found within the elder scrolls universe. Very versatile in its use ranging from complex spells/rituals to simple manipulation. It also has an astounding regeneration rate of 1/s. Provides a magicka pool equal to 100. Suitable to missions requiring the extensive use of multiple forms of magic.

Genetic variations

1/32 yoma inheritance.

G rank genetic variation

120 point cost

The yoma race within the claymore universe. Will make the contestant 1/32 yoma. Due to insufficient yoma DNA awakening is impossible. Only 5 percent of yoma DNA can be harnessed. Yoki energy is included in this enhancement. Due to low amount of yoki, skills involving energy are unusable. Yoki can greatly enhance the ability to use the yoma bloodline. Suitable for missions requiring the mass slaughter of weaker fighters.

1/64 Saiyan inheritance

G rank genetic variation

210 point cost

Due to insufficient DNA super saiyan Is unusable. This enhancement will improve the control of chi and provide a natural boost to any chi related enhancements. The enhancement will also provide a boost in physical strength, endurance and agility as commonly seen in Saiyans. Suitable to missions requiring high physical abilities.

basic high elf inheritance

G rank genetic variation

170 point cost

Based on the many variations of elves in fiction. Provides a small increase in strength and agility as well as a huge increase in longevity. Adds affinity for most forms of magic. Adds a bonus of plus 33% magicka regen and 50% max magicka. Due to increased affinity the cost of magic skills is reduced by 10%. Specialised In the varied use of multiple forms of magic.

Weak genetic augmentation

G rank genetic variation

230 point cost

Based on the Dues Ex series of fiction. Similar to Adam Jensen's altered DNA you have a resistance to the negative effects of augmentations. Allows for one nanotechnological augmentation, one Physiopharmaceutical augmentation and one mechanical augmentation. Suitable for missions requiring frequent interfacing with technology.

Lesser Draugr inheritance

G rank genetic variation

160 point cost

Becoming undead the contestant will became able to perceive spirits around them. They will be more accepted by spirits allowing them to form bonds easily. They gain a bonus in strength, agility and longevity at the cost of endurance . Because they become undead the contestant will take on the appearance of a zombie as well as carrying the stench of death. Suitable for mission requiring contact with the dead/spirits.

Low grade chimera inheritance

G rank genetic variation

140 point cost

Allows the user to gain the stats and enhancements of enemies they consume. The enemies must be eaten within five minutes of death. if more of the enemy is ingested in this timeframe better stats and enhancements can be gained. no stat increases come with this enhancements. At this level there is a 10% likelihood that stats will increase after consumptions and a 0.1% chance to gain a enhancement. Each time this occurs physical appearance will change. Suitable for improving individual survivability.

Basic Omnimatrix implantation

G rank genetic variation

230 point cost

Based of the device from the ben 10 universe. Allows user to transform into each scanned lifeform for 10 minutes per day. Contestant may choose between having Grey Matter(ben 10), dire wolf (dragons dogma) or fanged panda (tales of demons and gods) DNA pre-scanned. To acquire new forms the contestant can scan any new species. The stronger the species the longer the scan time. Useful for developing a wide range of skills and forms.

Initial Minor god inheritance

G rank genetic variation

200 point cost

Power gained through the approval of a god. May choose to gain Asopus's(the river god), Makhai's(god of manslaughter) or Androktasiai's(god of battle spirit) blessing with enhancement. Upon gaining the approval of a god a blessing shall be bestowed upon the contestant. These blessing vary depending on the god. Alongside the blessing the contestant will receive an increase in divine energy and stats. Suitable for missions requiring the use of divine powers.

G rank Raceless inheritance

G rank genetic variation

Point cost 180

Randomly assigns a G rank creature as your race. Stat gains and abilities will be gained from the creature. As part of the process aspects of the creatures body will be incorporated into your own. For example if your race was rattlesnake you may develop fangs for the use of venom. for the cost of 100 points the contestant can discard their current race and be assigned a new one. For the cost of 200 points and a G rank reward another race can be added in addition to the original. Specialised in the cultivation of skills.

Having whittled down the original ten thousand I was left with these options. As I was currently facing the missions solo I wanted enhancements that would increase my individual strength. Taking a support role without a team would be suicide. That ruled out several choices. That left me with the Low rank level up system, Rookie rank Ki, 1st stage qi cultivation and fledglings power level enhancements for energy and the 1/32 yoma inheritance, 1/64 Saiyan inheritance, Low grade chimera inheritance, Basic Omnimatrix implantation, Initial Minor god inheritance and G rank Raceless inheritance.

I ruled out the Omnimatrix for its low activation time and the chimera inheritance as it provided no instant power up. I then ruled out Ki for its inability to use skills and the level up system for its complexity. Now left with 1st stage qi cultivation and fledglings power level for energy and 1/32 your inheritance, 1/64 Saiyan inheritance, Initial Minor god inheritance and G rank Raceless inheritance for genetics. I removed yoma inheritance and minor god inheritance for there incapability with the remaining energy enhancements.

Initially I was going to choose the saiyan and power level enhancements, then a thought occurred to me. If the raceless inheritance could make me any race then could it effect my talent with energy's. Following this idea I began to consider if I could practise special techniques due to my changed race. If this was true then when I had multiple races in the future I could practise techniques outside the usual ability of humans. It was this line of thinking that lead me to finally choosing 1st stage qi and raceless inheritance. I chose qi as it was the most likely to have multiple techniques with varying restrictions.

Ourous: interesting choice

As Ourous's finished speaking the world around me instantly shifted to black. At first I feared I was back inside the black. This was dispelled when the familiar yet more mechanical voice of Ourous spoke to me.

Ourous: enhancements 1st stage qi cultivation and G rank Raceless inheritance selected. Costs a total of 420 points and 2 g rank tokens. Compatibility 98.73%, success 1.02%, death 0.25%, failure. As these are your first enhancements merger and consumption unavailable. Do you wish to proceed?

Slightly creeped out by the lack of emotion in Ourous's voice, I confirmed.

Solomon: yes.

After my confirmation, two lights appeared in the darkness. One glowing a bright white and the other being mostly translucent. As the lights approached I could see them in more detail. The white light was constantly swirling clockwise, if you looked close enough you could see images appearing within the light. The other light lacked any detail. It looked more like slime than light. In the centre of the light was a book with "bestiary of eternity" inscribed on its cover. I could tell the white light represented qi and the translucent light represented racelessness.

As the energy's reached me the qi passed through my gut settling in my Dantian. The translucent orb encompassed my whole body before sinking into my skin. As they entered two new sensations entered my body. From my navel a great wave of energy expanded into my body. From my skin a strange tingling pushed into my body. The tingling spread like roots within my body. As the new sensations spread throughout my body I marvelled at the power entering my body.

As both energy's spread to fill my whole body they began to mix together. The two energy's formed a milky white veil that filled me with a third new sensation. Like a tree taking root energy seeped into every inch of my body, flowing like water yet growing inward like a plant. After the energy took root it split back into its parts. The qi returned to my Dantian and the translucent energy spread throughout the root-like network in my body.

Having gained my enhancements Ourous's mechanical voice once again echoed in my head.

Ourous: implantation of enhancements complete. Due to the nature of your enhancements I will now bestow one skill book and randomly select a race. You have the choice between three skills

Flame serpent art

G rank skill

180 point cost

The common art first learnt by disciples of the reliance sect. Once learnt by a disciple who would go on to be the strongest cultivator. He perfected this art bringing it to new levels. This skill summons a serpent made of flame to attack enemies. If one reaches a high enough level then this technique could rival A rank skills. Costs voided.

Solitary rapid fist

G rank skill

150 point cost

A fist technique best accompanying the ancient strengthening technique. As the user becomes more proficient the strength of the technique shall grow. With each increase in power the strength of the technique will double. This technique could eventually rival A rank techniques. Costs voided

Dragon subduing fist

G rank skill

240 point cost

A skill containing both physical attacks and qi techniques. This skill is said to contain the dominating pressure of dragons. If brought to perfection each attack and technique can reach C rank. If blended together the techniques could rival A rank skills.

After deliberation I decided on the flame servant art. Mainly because the others were physically based. I didn’t have the ability to make proper use of the skills in combat. Considering this I chose the one skill specialised in range.

Solomon: I’ll take the flame serpent art.

Upon making my choice another light appeared. Though many times smaller than the previous lights, it shone a brighter resplendent red. As it approached I could make out a scroll hovering in its centre. As it reached me the red energy around the scroll morphed into the shape of a snake. From there it grew through several forms into the shape of a dragon.

Having reached this stage the scroll opened and the red energy passed through the scroll into my head. As the energy filled my mind the details to use the skill was imprinted into my brain. Having finished absorbing the scroll Ourous moved onto my race.

Ourous: skill implanting completed, randomly generating race. Selection complete, lesser salamander generated. Commencing implantation.

One final light appeared. The light was rosy pink. Inside the light was a small translucent lizard. The Lizard smashed into shards that spread into the light. The light then entered Into my chest. As the light disappeared a red tattoo spread outward from my chest. After spreading to every part of my body the tattoo lost its colour, blending with my skin. Finishing my transformation my ears grew slightly pointed and my teeth sharpened.

Finished with enhancements I was once again in my origin plane. Done with my first task I moved onto the second.

Solomon: Ourous, send me to domain