That won't do. I shook my head, unable to stop laughing.
The more I looked at the new shape of my hand, the better it got. It was almost identical.
"Little hand... Could it be you?"
Scary Movie is truly on another level.
Nostalgia hit me hard.
I spent a few seconds laughing to myself before checking what I wanted. It didn't even seem like I was anxious about it moments ago.
"Status."
Well... it probably hasn't changed much, but a little is still a lot for me anyway.
—————
Name: Lucca Carvalho.
Race: Human.
Age: 22.
Titles: —
Overall rating: F.
Skills: [Rite of Flesh and Blood — No grade (new).]
Resistances: [Pain — Grade A (updated grade).], [Poison — E (new).], [Fire — Grade D (new).], [Mental — Grade A/S (updated grade).], [Biological — Grade F (new).].
Attributes: —
Physical Abilities: [Strength — Grade F.], [Speed — Grade E.], [Reflexes — Grade D.], [Resilience — Grade A (updated grade).], [Stamina — Grade E.], [Acceleration — Grade D.], [Balance — Grade B], [Five Senses — Grade D (updated grade)], [Body Control — Grade C (updated grade)], [Vitality — Grade A (updated grade)], [Spatial Awareness — Grade D]...
Mental Abilities: [Processing — Grade A], [Improvisation — Grade B], [Creativity — Grade B], [Cognition — Grade C], [Combat Intelligence — Grade D], [Mental Fortitude — Grade A (updated grade)], [Practical Intelligence — Grade A.], [Tactical Intelligence — Grade B.], [Lucidity — Grade C.], [Madness — Grade B (new).], [Adaptation — Grade B.]...
Mana: [Capacity — Grade E], [Conductivity — 17/100% (Updated percentage)], [Manipulation — Grade F], [Sensitivity — Grade F], [Quality — Grade D (Updated grade)]...
Physical Integrity: 87% (permanent).
Mental Integrity: 43%.
—————
This...
This is much better than expected. In two years, I've never grown this much...
I even had an ability now.
[Rite of Flesh and Blood — No Grade.
Category: Curse/Voodoo
Description: A temporary bond is created through the mutual sharing of flesh and blood between two living beings.
During the bond, any physical damage suffered by one party is replicated equally in the other.
Duration: Ends when the material ingested by one party is completely digested.
Details:
Only damage is shared.
Distance is irrelevant.
The bond cannot be broken by external means.]
"Damn... So that's what a skill window is? It really counts everything I already know."
Others may see these gains as nothing or do better without any effort in a single day, but this was better, much better than anything I've done in the two years since I awakened.
And who would have thought I wasn't moved by Click, Titanic, Marley & Me, or even City of God, but here I am now, all teary-eyed.
Sure, I got screwed over a lot for it, a lot, and I'm still not sure, but...
It was worth it. Somehow, it was worth it.
Breathe... What satisfaction.
Maybe it's madness talking now, but I would go through it again.
It's not much. Yes, I know it's not, but it's still a lot for someone as pathetic as me.
Finally, my effort has rewarded me with something.
So is this what satisfaction is? Validation?
Maybe I'll get addicted to this feeling...
But who cares? I don't mind getting addicted to it.
"Hey, become my patron!" I shouted, looking up at the sky, or rather, half of the sky now. My right side was completely dark.
Seconds passed as I waited for an answer, but nothing came. My disappointment was evident.
Am I that uninteresting? I guess I shouldn't have rooted for São Paulo momentarily, but fuck it.
"I don't need you anyway, you damn pervert!" I cursed as I got up, although I ended up tripping and falling on the ground, so I decided to give her the middle finger right there.
I had to get her attention somehow, and it worked...
[Ungrateful.]
"Hey, I knew you were still there," I smiled as I got her attention again, or rather, made her respond.
I coughed a little, clearing my throat, before continuing.
"First of all, I'm sorry. I'm not ungrateful, but I needed to get you to say something. And second, how rude of you not to respond." I shook my head in disappointment as I said the second part.
"Constellations really don't have a shred of manners."
"So, are you going to be my patron or not?" I asked again. I already had the no; now I was after humiliation or maybe a yes, sometimes it happens, not often, but it happens.
[No.]
Yeah, it didn't happen this time... At least it was just a no...
[You just put up with it well. Why would I become your patron?]
[And no. I'm not asking for arguments.]
[I expected you to evolve more to be my toy.]
[But you couldn't even do that.]
[What a disappointment.]
[The best you can do is entertain me.]
What's the need for that? One no wasn't enough...
Then they say the most she can say is no...
There's nothing left.
"I see..."
Disappointing, but I kind of asked for it. Now it's time to try to come out on top.
"Just don't regret it later when my show gets too big for you."
[Don't worry. The pain of regret is exciting.]
[And you're already my dog anyway.]
"Woof woof, then."