[Name: Eren Yadgril]

[Strength: 3.8→5.5]

[Agility: 2.7→4] 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

[Perception: 2.5→3]

[Ability: Predator’s Gaze (Authority Fragment, Stability: 12%)(!)]

[SP: 596→396]

[Enhancement: Body Reinforcement (Temporary)]

[Shop→]

[Return Countdown: 11:59:52 (!)]

I scanned my stats and nodded in satisfaction upon seeing the Permanent Body Reinforcement had increased my overall stats by 3.5 points.

"It was indeed profitable." I muttered. Since 100 SPs could increase my stats by one point, to increase them by 3.5—though not possible since I couldn’t buy the permanent stats in fractions—I would need to spend 350 SPs.

With Permanent Body Reinforcement, I had saved 150 SPs.

Though...

’Will it increase my stats by the same amount if I purchase a second reinforcement?’ I thought.

For a moment, I wanted to buy the second enhancement but stopped myself because I had yet to get familiar with my increased stats. If they were to increase even more, I wouldn’t be able to control my body properly, and this wasn’t something I wanted to experience.

My gaze shifted to the (!) mark behind the Predator’s Gaze and Return Countdown.

I clicked on the first and a small screen popped up.

[+1% Stability—50 SPs]

I couldn’t say I was surprised to see this, but I was relieved indeed.

Because of the threat of being detected, I urgently needed to make the Authority Fragment stable, but I had no clue how I was supposed to do it.

Now the system had given me a straightforward way.

’But it’s quite expensive.’ I sighed.

I didn’t know how stable it needed to be to not emit fluctuations that could be detected, but I believed 100% was the answer. This meant I needed to increase its stability by 88% and therefore, I needed 4400 SPs.

This number was a little too high—I would need to do at least seven or eight streams like the last one to earn so many SPs.

’I should be able to earn them before I use up the remaining two system’s concealments.’ I thought, my eyes flashing.

While I wished the beasts or bandits didn’t attack our group, I knew this was just wishful thinking. This meant before we reached the city, I would have more than enough chances to stream and earn the SPs.

I felt a pang of guilt thinking about it, but I couldn’t help it—this was the cruel but true reality.

Shaking my head, I clicked on the second (!) mark and another small screen appeared.

[Delay Return: 1 Second—100 SPs]

"..."

I stared at it, my eyelids twitching.

First, this function was all but useless because if I needed to do something urgently but the countdown was about to hit zero, it wouldn’t matter much because when I returned, only one second would have passed and I could still do it.

Second, even if I wanted to use it, this was just way too expensive. I had to pay 6000 SPs just to delay my return by just one minute.

I closed the small screen, then thought about using the SPs to increase the Authority Fragment’s Stability but then decided against it.

The system’s concealment was for 24 hours and not even 12 hours had passed until now. Moreover, on Earth, the chances of it being detected were basically zero.

After closing the system screens, I went to the washroom and took a long shower, cleaning myself properly. Then, I got dressed in my night clothes—a loose t-shirt and pajamas—and went downstairs.

My father was watching television and my mother was in the kitchen, washing the dishes. As for those two little monkeys, they were already in their rooms, probably playing videogames or doing their homework.

I entered the kitchen and asked, "Mom, is there something to eat?"

This must have sounded strange to her because to her, I had eaten just earlier, but she didn’t know it had been 12 hours for me.

And as expected, my mother looked at me strangely, "Did you not just eat?"

"Yeah. But I’m not full." I smiled.

She sighed and waved her hand, "Alright. Go wait for a few minutes. I’ll heat up the leftovers."

"Thanks, Mom." I hugged her and left.

I didn’t notice after I left, my mother sniffed the air around which made her eyes light up.

...

"You should have eaten more if you were hungry. Why trouble your mom again?" My father rebuked, though his eyes remained glued to the T.V.

"I thought I had eaten enough." Saying this, I took a seat at the dining table while looking at T.V.

I wanted to see if there was any news about that unknown object would come up, but nothing came.

’Maybe it’s not coming tonight.’ I thought, sighing in relief.

What I needed was time, so this was positive news for me.

My mother came carrying dishes, and served them to me.

"Thanks, Mom." I said and began eating. But then I stopped a moment later and looked at her—she was standing behind.

"What is it?" I asked in confusion.

She gave me a knowing smile and shook her head, "Nothing."

Then, as I frowned in confusion, she went over to my father and said something to him which made him glance at me.

Again, he also looked at me with that same look.

"What is it?" I asked again, feeling weirded out.

"Ahem, use soap when you shower if you don’t want anyone to smell anything." My father said slowly as if he was imparting some divine knowledge to me.

I hurriedly sniffed myself, but smelt a very faint but pleasant smell. And it was familiar too—it was Luna’s scent.

This surprised me.

I know when I had gotten her scent—when she took me to the wall after I had passed out on the battlefield.

But after that, I had excreted impurities that had a powerful stench. When I removed it using the soil, most of Luna’s scent should have been eliminated and the long shower I took just now, using even body wash, should have gotten rid of the remaining.

’Don’t tell me...’ My eyes narrowed as a thought crossed my mind.