SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 43: Weapon of mass promotion!

The aftershocks of the platform-wide announcement about Daniel's absurdly high assessment score faded quickly, but the stunned silence from the assembled recruits lingered. freewebnσvel.cøm

Daniel found himself standing on a hastily erected awards platform.

Director Thorne , a man whose usually stern face now looked like he'd seen a particularly aggressive unicorn, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Ahem! Yes, well," Director Thorne began, his voice amplified but still carrying a tremor of disbelief.

"As the... unequivocally top-ranked Aspirant of this consolidated cohort, Daniel Vance, on behalf of Vanguard Academy, it is my honor to present you with these tokens of your exceptional... thoroughness."

Several items appeared on a floating tray beside the Director, the dramatic flair feeling a bit unnecessary.

First, a rack of sleek, metallic vials filled with shimmering liquids.

"Standard-issue Nanite Enhancement Potions," Thorne announced. "Designed to provide a temporary boost to physical parameters. Use them wisely."

Daniel nodded, accepting them.

Nanite potions, huh? Wonder what happens if I try to assimilate it. Fun experiments for later, he mused. Nyx, from her pouch, let out a soft "mrrf," probably smelling the concentrated energy.

Next, two intricately designed data-chips, one silver, one gold. "A Grade-A Weapon Exchange Coupon and a Grade-A Skill Exchange Coupon,"

Thorne continued, his voice regaining some composure.

"These will grant you access to some of the Academy's finest non-artifact-tier armaments and skill imprints. Choose with care, for these are resources many veterans would covet."

Grade-A, nice, Daniel thought.

His Solar Flare Fist Art was already S-Grade thanks to his talent's Midas touch, but another A-Grade skill, perhaps something more subtle or defensive, could be very useful.

And his D+ grade bow, while improved, still felt like a peashooter compared to his fists.

The crowd below watched with a mixture of awe and outright envy.

Whispers of "Grade-A coupons!" and "He could get almost anything!" rippled through them.

Roxa Rourke, the S-Grade Berserker, was leaning on her massive axe nearby, a curious grin on her face.

Lia, observed with thoughtful, calm eyes, her expression unreadable.

"And finally," Director Thorne concluded, gesturing to a small, unassuming black card that appeared on the tray, "this is your Priority Access Card.

It will grant you preferential treatment in most Academy facilities and resource queues.

Consider it a... small acknowledgment of your... significant impact."

Daniel pocketed the card and stepped down from the platform, the weight of a thousand stares following him.

He hadn't taken five steps before the swarm descended.

Not Purge Beasts, thankfully, but something almost as persistent: investors.

Representatives from various inter-Stargate corporations, powerful family factions with Academy ties, and even a few shifty-looking individuals who probably represented less-than-official guilds, all buzzed around him like mosquitoes.

"Aspirant Vance! A word, if you please! The Hephaestus Forge offers exclusive weapon sponsorships!"

"Mr. Vance! The Chronos Guild values talents like yours! We have... lucrative opportunities!"

"Vance! My boy! Ever thought about a career in high-risk, high-reward Labyrinth cartography?

My uncle Vinny runs a great outfit, very discreet!" This last one came from a particularly greasy-looking fellow with too many teeth. Nyx actually growled from the pouch at that one.

"Easy, girl," Daniel muttered, then addressed the throng with a calm he didn't entirely feel.

"Ladies, gentlemen, esteemed entities of various affiliations. I appreciate the interest.

Truly. My Nexus Interface is open for official proposals. I'll review them when time permits. For now, my focus remains on surviving this assessment and, you know, not accidentally leveling the platform."

He gave a charmingly disarming smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

It was surprisingly effective. Most of the investors, used to dealing with arrogant young talents, seemed taken aback by his polite but firm deflection.

They exchanged contact details, their eyes still gleaming with greed.

The greasy guy, Vinny's nephew, winked and slipped him a data-chip that felt suspiciously sticky before scurrying off.

Daniel made a mental note to assimilate that chip later from a safe distance, just in case it tried to steal his kidneys.

Just as he was about to find a quiet corner to examine his new coupons, Director Thorne's voice boomed across the platform again.

"Aspirants! One final announcement before your designated rest and preparation period continues!

To further gauge practical combat application and foster a spirit of... spirited competition, the Academy will be holding a Freshmen Impact Challenge tomorrow morning!"

A new wave of murmurs. Another test?

"Participation is optional but highly encouraged!" Thorne declared.

"It will not be a direct Player-Versus-Player engagement.

Instead, aspirants will demonstrate their offensive capabilities against a series of specially calibrated Adamantium Impact Pillars.

These pillars can withstand and measure extreme levels of force, converting raw power and skill efficacy into a point score.

Top performers will receive additional Commendation Points and minor resource bonuses!

It is an excellent opportunity for self-assessment and to see how you stack up against your peers before the trials of Phase Three!"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. An Impact Pillar challenge? After he'd accidentally atomized one in the simulator?

They were either very confident in these new pillars or hadn't gotten the memo about his S-Grade fist art. Probably the latter.

This could be interesting, a chance to test his Solar Flare Fist Art in a slightly more controlled environment, assuming "controlled" was still a concept that applied to him.

He slipped into a quiet alcove near the loading bays, the same one he'd used before.

Daniel pulled out the golden Skill Exchange Coupon. Grade-A. His Solar Flare Fist Art was already S-Grade, a pinnacle of destructive close-combat power.

But it was also a 'finisher,' a pocket supernova with a significant cost and cooldown.

His SSS-Talent, [Soul Assimilation], wasn't just about raw power; it was about versatility, about building a complete arsenal.

He headed back to the Exchange Post, the Priority Access Card getting him straight to a dedicated terminal.

He swiped the golden coupon. The skill database shimmered to life, listing available A-Grade skill imprints.

He browsed the 'Close Combat Arts' section. There were flashy sword styles, nimble spear techniques, even some esoteric whip arts.

Then, he saw it. It wasn't as overtly destructive as Solar Flare Fist, but its description resonated with a different kind of power.

[Skill Imprint: Adamantine Titan Stance (A-Grade)]

Description: A defensive and recuperative martial art focusing on extreme bodily resilience, damage mitigation, and channeling kinetic force for both enhanced defense and sustained, powerful counter-strikes. Greatly increases physical toughness, resistance to impacts, and allows for rapid stamina recovery during combat lulls. Requires high Vitality and Strength.

Interesting, Daniel thought. Solar Flare was about overwhelming offense.

This 'Adamantine Titan Stance' sounded like the immovable object to Solar Flare's unstoppable force.

It focused on endurance, defense, and turning an enemy's power back on them. It would complement his explosive style perfectly.

"This one," he selected. The terminal chimed. The golden coupon dematerialized.

[New Skill Learned: Adamantine Titan Stance (A-Grade):] Active Stance. Drastically increases physical damage resistance (+50%), impact absorption, and knockback immunity. Enhances physical strikes with sustained kinetic force (+150% Force).

Promotes accelerated stamina regeneration while active. Moderate mana/stamina upkeep.

An A-Grade skill. Good. Very good. But Daniel didn't do 'good' if 'broken beyond all reason' was an option.

He focused, feeling the core concept of the Adamantine Titan Stance within him. Then, he reached out with his SSS-Talent.

Assimilate. Enhance. Evolve.

A deep, steady vibration moved through him, unlike the fiery burst of Solar Flare. Silience pushed to its absolute limit.

His [Soul Assimilation] talent latched onto the A-Grade skill concept, not just learning it, but digesting it, reforging it in the crucible of SSS-potential.

[Soul Assimilation successful on Skill Concept: Adamantine Titan Stance (A-Grade)]

[Skill Essence Reforged and Amplified by SSS-Grade Talent Synergy!]

[Skill Upgraded: Adamantine Titan Stance (A-Grade) has evolved into EARTHQUAKE COLOSSUS FORM (S-Grade)!]

Daniel's eyes snapped open, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Oh yes!

[Skill: Earthquake Colossus Form (S-Grade):] Active Transformation. The user's body becomes like a living tectonic plate, making them almost immune to physical attacks (below a certain strength), completely resistant to knockback, and able to deliver powerful, quake-infused punches.

Stamina drain significantly reduced, passive health regeneration moderately increased while active. High initial mana cost, low upkeep. Cooldown: 5 minutes.

He almost laughed out loud. This wasn't just a stance anymore; it was a full-blown transformation into a walking natural disaster.

Solar Flare Fist for offense, Earthquake Colossus Form for unkillable defense and sustained brawling.

He was becoming less of a Hunter and more of a one-man siege engine.

He could feel the new S-Grade power settling into his bones, a comforting weight of sheer, unfiltered toughness.

The Impact Pillar challenge tomorrow suddenly looked less like a test and more like an appetizer.

He wondered if the Adamantium Pillars came with a warranty against S-Grade seismic beatdowns. Probably not.

This was going to be fun!