-----

Seeing what each stat does really opens my mind as well.

-----

[Sub‑Stats]:

[Raw Power]: Governs the maximum force output in physical attacks.

[Muscle Density]: Determines muscle durability, reducing fatigue and injury risk.

[Grip Force]: Enhances weapon handling, grappling, and crushing techniques.

[Explosive Force]: Governs sudden bursts of strength, such as sprint starts or heavy strikes.

[Endurance of Might]: Extends how long full Strength can be maintained without exhaustion.

[Bone Reinforcement]: Increases skeletal resilience to withstand immense pressure.

[Weight Capacity]: Defines how much weight can be lifted, carried, or thrown.

[Impact Force]: Amplifies shockwaves and collateral damage from physical blows.

[Resonance]: Synchronizes with Sylphy’s body, amplifying other stats when Strength is exerted.

-----

And my Total Strength already being above one hundred points is definitely something worth celebrating, hehe. But this isn’t the end, is it?

There’s more.

Ding!

[Strength] can now evolve! Do you wish to begin evolution right away?

[Yes] [No]

Looking at the message, I smiled and glanced back at Strength. She stared at me with her blazing eyes. She did not speak, but I could tell she was excited just like before.

For the first time in my life, I was finally able to grow my own stats, and Strength had been chosen as my first "Living Stat." Now that she had evolved once, she—no, we—couldn’t get enough of that feeling.

Yes, the feeling of finally raising my stats after they had been frozen for so long.

I bet she felt proud somehow, or maybe even honored. Whatever the case, I could not read her mind, but she was definitely impatient. She was glaring at me with her arms crossed after all.

Though I knew one thing about her. She, like me, burned with the desire to grow stronger, to surpass our limits no matter the effort required. As long as there is a path, we will take it. And if there is no path, we will carve one with sweat, tears, and blood. Maybe that sounds too edgy, but I like thinking that way.

After pressing [Yes], Strength surged upward like a pillar of fire just like the first time she evolved, but now even more fiery and intense.

Stronger.

FLAAASH!

RUMBLE!

Her body glowed with bright orange light mixed with streaks of yellow, which then shifted to gold and red before returning to red, yellow, orange, and gold again, constantly cycling between those colors.

With her evolution, she grew taller, at least twenty centimeters taller than me this time, and her musculature expanded, now at least twice my own physique in appearance.

"Oohh!"

While watching her evolve, I felt her power flooding through me, through my body and physique, even leaking into my soul and spiritual energy.

Oh yeah, the Flames of Strength burned fiercer than ever. My physical body absorbed every wave of that energy and made it my own. It was refreshing and incredible.

[Congratulations, Strength has successfully Ranked Up to Rank D!]

[Strength – Rank D: Level 0/100]

[Total Strength has increased from 122 to 202!]

[All Sub‑Stats have increased!]

[The Skill: Flames of Strength Lv5 has leveled up.]

[The Skill: Overload Lv3 has leveled up.]

[The Skill: Impact Shockwave Lv1 has been unlocked!]

"Oooh! Impact Shockwave?" I wondered. "What does this do?"

I quickly checked her status and the new skill.

-----

<Status System>

[System Owner]: [Strength]

[Race]: [Spiritualized Concept of Strength: ★★]

[Class]: [Developing Strength Stat: ★★]

[Rank]: [D]

[Level]: [0/3000]

[Total Strength]: [202]

[Sub‑Stats]:

[Raw Power]: [467]

[Muscle Density]: [314]

[Grip Force]: [388]

[Explosive Force]: [393]

[Endurance of Might]: [394]

[Bone Reinforcement]: [320]

[Weight Capacity]: [316]

[Impact Force]: [541]

[Resonance]: [317]

[Skills]:

[Flames of Strength: Lv6]

[Overload: Lv4]

[Impact Shockwave: Lv1]

-----

Oh, the stats rose again to really high levels.

Right, and the skills too. Let’s see. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

-----

[Flames of Strength: Lv6]

Type: Active/Passive Hybrid

Skill Proficiency: 0/70,000

Description: The embodiment of Strength’s soul manifests as blazing digital flames that coat the user’s body and weapons. These flames are not elemental fire but condensed digital energy of the System Element that burns with raw force.

Effects:

Passive Effect (6): Increases Raw Power and Impact Force by +120% while active.

Active Effect (6): For 150 seconds, imbue all physical attacks with Flames of Strength, causing collateral shockwaves that deal splash damage equal to 150% of Raw Power.

Resonance Bonus (6): When synchronized with Sylphy, Flames of Strength amplifies all Sub‑Stats by an additional +90%.

Cooldown: 60 seconds.

-----

Hmm, after finally reaching Level 6, it is starting to look like a really good skill. These bonuses are amazing. The cooldown is still the most annoying part since it stops me from repeatedly using these abilities, but it has been decreasing with each level. Maybe at max level there will not be any cooldown at all.

-----

[Overload: Lv4]

Type: Active

Skill Proficiency: 0/50,000

Description: Temporarily forces Strength beyond its natural limits by igniting the Sub‑Stats with condensed digital energy. Overload increases physical might dramatically but strains the body and Strength’s soul if used recklessly.

Effects:

Active Effect (4):

Increases Raw Power, Explosive Force, and Impact Force by +200% for 90 seconds.

Greatly boosts Muscle Density and Bone Reinforcement to prevent self‑damage during Overload.

Temporarily increases Resonance, enhancing synchronization between Sylphy and Strength.

After the effect ends, Strength enters a Fatigue State for 7 seconds, reducing Raw Power by 7%.

Cooldown: 120 seconds.

-----

Same for this one. It is more like a buff, and the cooldown is worse, but at least it lasts 90 seconds now, and that is without considering the massive 200% bonus.

The weakened state has also been reduced as the skill levels up, which is amazing.

And now, the star of the show: Impact Shockwave Lv1. Let’s see what it does.

-----

[Impact Shockwave: Lv1]

Type: Active

Skill Proficiency: 0/20,000

Description: By channeling condensed digital energy of Strength through a physical strike, the user generates a powerful shockwave that radiates outward from the point of impact. This wave carries raw kinetic force capable of knocking back, stunning, or shattering multiple targets in a conical area. The skill synergizes with other Strength‑based abilities, amplifying its effects when combined with Flames of Strength or Overload.

Effects:

Active Effect (1): On a successful physical impact (punch, kick, weapon strike, etc.), release a shockwave with an 8‑meter radius. Deals 80% of Raw Power as area‑of‑effect blunt damage and applies knockback scaling with the target’s weight and resistance. Has a chance to stun lighter or less durable foes for 2 to 4 seconds.

Resonance Bonus (1): When synchronized with Sylphy, the shockwave gains additional piercing properties against armored or crystalline targets, increasing damage by +30% against such enemies.

Cooldown: No cooldown.

-----

"No cooldown! And... yeah, this sounds deadly. I want to try it right away," I muttered. "Alright Strength, Resonance!"

Strength jumped toward me, fusing with my body and allowing me to become a blazing woman, fiery and surrounded by the Flames of Strength.

"Master, are you going to fight? Let me help!"

Naturia noticed me and quickly flew over, turning into lightweight armor that fit perfectly around my body, offering protection, stat boosts, and support.

"Alright, we’re going with fists for now!" I said with a smile. "Scarlet, Sapphire, support us! Everyone else, charge with me!"

As I roared, my Familiars charged into the battlefield with me.

-----