“Maybe. Hmm ... now where do I put my shining new points ... I feel like my Intelligence is high enough for now … Awareness is the second primary attribute for an Expert, but I have four points there. I think I’ll increase my Control. It’s a secondary attribute, but it’s only at two now and I got a feeling it’s something I shouldn’t neglect. Gimme a sec … and … done. Yay, I’m officially level six.”

Nathan smiled at his friend’s enthusiasm and turned his attention to his own level up options. Like Lana, level six had no special benefits, so he only needed to decide the attribute points allocation. As a Technomancer his primary ones were: Agility, Intelligence, Control, and Awareness. Agility was his lowest, with only two points in it. He wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about increasing his physical stats, he was no front liner, but the encounter with the hostile excavator had taught him a hard lesson. The world is a dangerous place and hiding isn’t always possible. He should at least be able to dodge whatever was thrown at him.

He dumped both points into Agility, wincing as his muscles shifted and stretched in response. It was an unpleasant sensation but the process was over in an instant. Nathan flexed his fingers and bent his legs, marveling at the sense of control and freedom. With an excited grin, he accessed his Status.

Nathan, Human-scion, level 6 (35 Tec)

Skill: Technomancer→Bonded (score 20)

Attributes:

●       Strength 1 Ⓢ

●       Agility 4 Ⓟ

●       Intelligence 5 Ⓟ

●       Control 5 Ⓟ

●       Awareness 4 Ⓟ

●       Appeal 2 Ⓢ

Conditions:

●       Tec Infusion Boost +5%

●       Score boost +10%

●       Bond

“Ain’t he just looking like the proverbial cat who got the cream.” Bulco chuckled as he caught the young man’s smug smile.

“He earned it,” Nori said. “Without his abilities and that cannon, we wouldn’t be standing here.” She looked at Martin and Diamond who were talking quietly among themselves. “I think we’re done here. Are you guys on board for the rest of it?”

The two shelter leaders looked at each other and something passed between them.

“Here.” Martin handed Nori a crystallized tear. “That’s half the piTec we’ve gathered.”

Nori stared at the item in her hand. “Twenty-five thousand? But your people--”

“Would be dead without you,” he cut her off. “You’ve more than earned your share.”

“But--”

“Take it,” Diamond said in a commanding tone and Nori’s finger instantly closed around the item. “And as soon as I get back to my shelter, I’ll get you our half of what my people collected as well.”

Nori started to protest again but Lana, of all people, cut her off. “Just take it, Nori. We have a loan to repay and Unity needs repairs.”

“She’s right,” Bulco said. “We’ve helped everyone out with limited resources. Think of what more we can do with extra funding.”