The exasperated sigh from the interface had gone unnoticed as Dexter absorbed more and more vital energy. The energy overflowed throughout his body like a water filled cup, pooling along his extremities. Soon he would have enough energy for him to increase his Renown. But as more and more energy crashed into his body, he lost all interest in developing a technique, and dispersed the haphazard ball of energy forming in front of him.

Interestingly enough, the energy didn't suffuse into his attributes as he had expected, increasing their effectiveness. Rather, it was stored throughout his body, and was easier to manipulate. Before, he had unknowingly attempted to pull the vital energy from his cells.

As Dexter continued to absorb the ambient energy, the barrier produced more, doubling production. He was like a battery, and the barrier was an endless supply of electricity charging his attributes and energy reserves.

As more energy saturated his attributes, a warmth blossomed throughout his body. There were even minute tremors resembling the notes of his guitar. Certain cords stretched the energy wavelengths, while others shortened it. But in either case the energy was building inside him, amplified by the absolute insulation of the barrier.

At the same time this occurred, Dexter thought about what attunement he'd choose, using the process of elimination to narrow down the best option that would synergize with him. Once again, Affinity Enhancement was outright rejected. And he eventually decided to forgo Tributary Offering as he focused on Body Modification and Attribute Scaling.

The more he thought about it, he was sure the two were opposites of each other. Attribute Scaling was fairly obvious by its name, but the attunement also gave him an insight towards further applications of Body Modification.

If one desired, they could develop a body that focused on boosting a single attribute to an insane degree, compared to all at once. A tail or gills were useful, but those types of modifications were distractions. They'd fail to go far under a Renown cap of one thousand compared to an alteration that offered echolocation. No matter how basic, the improvement to hearing would grant supernatural levels of Perception. Such a modification would utilize the attribute far greater than anyone who had more points allocated into it.

This line of reasoning caused Dexter to reimagine an augment that would deliver resounding effects, even at his current level. Resistances were among his top choices. Reducing damage was always a plus, but he'd have to rework his attributes towards a Constitution focus. Better to not waste the time. That left movement abilities and elemental affinities. He'd even thought about combining the two, but that was better left up to a future Class.

"One focus," Dexter reminded himself. "Nothing too grand. I don't need to worry about the splash of an ocean, if I'm simply walking through puddles." But as much as he scolded himself, in the back of his mind he kept brainstorming for an ability that would go the distance.

As the vital energy churned in his veins, mixing like warm butter, Dexter brought up his attributes for better visual representation. He'd often play a rogue spell caster in MMOs. An assassin type prioritized dealt massive damage and evasion. And as he thought more about it, he decided to stick with that style. Perhaps a tank build would offer itself in the future, but why tempt death when he could avoid it?

Making his decision, Dexter got ready to choose Body Modification. He decided on an upgrade to energy rejuvenation. But before he could even finish the thought, a jolt ran through him, signaling a level up.

[ Points received! - 10,000 Renown! ]

[ Title: Sage - Become one with nature. +10% to Vital Energy reserves. +5 to Magic. +5% to all stats. ]

[ Points received! - 50,000 Renown! ]

[ Title: Exalted - Level up before the Introduction has ended. +10 to all stats, +10% effectiveness to all attributes. Reward: Attunement bonus. ]

[ Rank received! - Renown (Bronze) ]

Access to the Shop increased. Reward: 5,000 Essence Tokens.

[ Points received! - 1,500 Renown! ]

[ Title: Ranker - Achieve a Renown in the Bronze tier. +5% to all stats, +3% effectiveness to all attributes. Reward: +1 secondary skill slot. ]

[ Points received! - 10,000 Renown! ]

[ Title: Primo - Become the first person in the world to receive a rank. +5 to all stats. +5% effectiveness to all attributes. ]

Dexter stretched, feeling electricity run through him. By sheer luck, he obtained a way to level up, and he hadn't even noticed. He knew he was growing stronger, but the underpinnings of the System still held a blind spot in his vision.

The new bonuses towards his stats and effectiveness of the attributes made him feel like an entirely new person, brushing away at the doubts lingering in his mind. It was just one level, but with the increased stats from the Titles, he could feel the extra space where his energy would grow into.

The smile that cracked his lips at the thought, leaked blood, and he licked it away, frowning at the strong taste of iron in his mouth.

"I should have some water left in that bottle," reaching into his guitar bag, Dexter grabbed a half finished water bottle and drank the rest, while consuming one of the fruits he bought from the vendor.

Somehow that encounter seemed like it was a year ago, and then Dexter laughed, realizing it was probably more than a year ago due to the time dilation.

"Speaking of time, how much do I have left Doc?"

[ 01h:15m:32s until new parameters are finalized. ]

It took half of his remaining time to level up once, but if he pushed it, he should be able to absorb more ambient energy now that he had the Sage Title. Perhaps gaining two or three levels in the process. But by now it was abundantly clear that the Title and Renown systems offered more benefits than levels. If he wanted a chance at closing the paths to the void, he would need to achieve as many high tiered Titles as humanly possible. Levels were an afterthought.

However, as much as he believed that, over the course of the next thirty minutes the fluctuations of vital energy inside the barrier increased, crashing into Dexter. But this time it was with a purpose.

Satisfied by the new rate he absorbed energy, Dexter assigned a free point towards Dexterity, and finally chose his attunement.

"Body modification: attune my vital energy towards critical hit chance and damage. Give me the highest percent I can have within my rank."

After receiving the Sage Title, Dexter switched his attribute priority back to Dexterity. He'd shore up any weakness with an ability to hit hard, and avoid all contact. The enhanced energy regeneration was of course useful, but he didn't relish gambling on a chance to respawn.

[ Renown: (Bronze) - 22,500 point threshold. Request granted. ]

The notification made Dexter question what he saw, but he soon realized his new Renown rank was calculated into the score. With quick maths, he deduced that the Bronze tier started at 50,000 points. It was the exact number he received from the Exalted Title.

Apparently, there was a hidden shortcut, and he had stumbled upon it. Gaining the Sage Title allowed the person to start with a host of benefits. From stats to extra tokens for the Shop, they'd ease the process of acclimating to the new world.

As Dexter began to wonder about the next phase of the Introduction, the energy swirling into him took a drastic turn. It wasn't harmful, but rather uncomfortable, like a jock itch. No matter how much he tried to orient himself, the energy twisted and turned, cycling into an unknown pattern.

The change was unexpected, leaving him to question what was going on. He suspected it was the body modification at work, but as far as he was aware only his energy was being affected. "Hey?" Dexter said, ready to ask the whisper what was up. But his consciousness fled the moment he focused on the changes.

[ Finalizing attunement bonus. ]