chapter.22: On the Edge of Ten — A New Path Opens
POV: Zai
I lie out on my bed, staring up at the ceiling as though somehow it can inform me about the storm raging in my life.
The mirror match drained me—body-wise, mind-wise, system-wise—but I knew it. A tension. A shift.
I was on the verge of something big.
And then the system confirmed it.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
User Progress: 86% to Level 10
Current Level: 7
Project Timeline at Level 10: UNLOCK — Mii Class Manifestation Protocol
[DESCRIPTION UNLOCKED EARLY – "Mii Class Manifestation"]
Once the player reaches Level 10, the player will receive a system-exclusive ability based on the Mii Fighter archetypes (Brawler, Swordfighter, Gunner).
This ability enables partial construction of semi-custom combat avatars (Mii Units) with move-sets, stats, and styles of fighting specific to each user.
Mii Units could be standalone fighter OR ad-hoc fusion-type armor upgrades for the user's own person to fight alongside.
Form in Unlocked is determined by the user's default playstyle, skill trend use, and stat allocation.
I jolted upright. My heart missed a beat.
"Wait. Fusion upgrades?" I panted. "You're saying I'll get to meld with my own constructible fighter class?"
[Affirmative.]
Mii Class Manifestation is a hybrid style taken from the foundation of CPU Creation, optimized for user combat.
You can choose from:
Mii Brawler (Enhanced melee, close-quarters chain tech)
Mii Swordfighter (Accuracy, flair, hybrid spacing)
Mii Gunner (Zoning, ranged punishment, mobility tracking)
Style set at time of purchase. Evolves to get better with play.
It hit me out of the blue.
CPU Creation let me build something powerful.
But Mii Class Manifestation?
That was more about becoming powerful.
"System," I grumbled, trying to shake my head clear. "How many stat points have I banked?"
[STAT POINTS UNCLAIMED: 18]
Gained from Level 1 to Level 7.
Level-Up Bonus: +3 per level | Optional back-distribution possible.
I whistled softly. "That's. kind of a lot."
I hadn't spent any yet. I had been restraining myself—thinking. The fight with Mirror Zai and syncing with Marcus showed me just how much stats actually mattered when used well.
I was not yet ready to start selecting where to place them when the next panel opened.
[NEW CHALLENGE UNLOCKED: "Skill Link Evolution"]
Non-Combat Challenge
Focus: Mastery, Control, and Chain Logic
Objective:
Use a minimum of 5 active skills in a single continuous combo (damage-based OR movement-based).
Each skill must logically transition into the next.
Finish with either high damage or positional control.
May be attempted alone or supported by Core Unit.
Must be performed in Training Simulation Mode.
Reward:
Level-Up to 8
+1 Stat Point
Unlock: Skill Evolution Tree (Lv. 1 Access)
Increases Combo Branch Potentials
I looked at Marcus. He stood quietly by the window, watching how the sunlight filtered through the blinds.
"Yo," I said. "We've got work to do."
His eyes turned to me. "Five-skill combo?"
"Yeah. Can I chain Flip Jump, Boomerang, Fireball, Short Dodge, and Charge Shot all at the same time?"
"You can," he said. "But when you do it in sync with me, you'll evolve."
I grinned.
Because I wasn't just chasing power anymore.
I was building it