The list of options presented before his eyes did make Viktor fall into a very hard decision-making time.
Even with a simple glance, one could tell that a 30% increase in battle power was an extremely helpful boost in any situation, especially if he happened to meet an opponent with high defenses and needed just a little bit more power to deal with it.
However, the option of spirit control is also really enticing in his eyes. An one hour deduction in the duration of the drawback he had to receive after the skill expired would allow Viktor to use the skill more often and subsequently make those stressful battles much easier.
Meanwhile, the last option of spirit pool which would increase the skill's duration by 1 minute before throwing his gaze back to the two options above it. An increase in duration would only give him 60 seconds, which honestly wasn't that much of time in the grand scheme of things.
But after a moment of consideration, Viktor decided to choose "spirit pool"
The reasoning was this. After checking with the Djinn it was confirmed that only the bonus battle power that will increase by 30%.
Using his current body's state, he believed the bonus would be as follows.
[Strength 29] [Battle Power 39]
Right now, the skill increased his strength by 29 and battle power by 39. If 30% of that were added, he would get 13 points of battle power, which translates to a total of 81 points of strength instead of 68 points. That would mean he would only obtain a 19% increase in overall strength.
Meanwhile, on closer look, the one-minute extra time could be helpful in certain situations. If he could hit the opponent 30 times in the allotted time, he would instead be able to hit them 40 times after the boost. That means, he would see an exact 33% increase in output.
The only other reason why he would choose to increase spirit power was to improve his overall strength of [metal bending]
For example, holding the knife that was aimed at Eva's neck at that time would be much easier with stronger spirit power.
However as Viktor always prioritized his survivability, he was sure that having a larger spirit pool at the end would help him in the long run.
Now, another comparison to be made was with the spirit control. Actually, that 1-hour drawback cut would be a great upgrade. After all, he knew first-hand that fear was a dangerous thing, and being vulnerable for one less hour could mean the difference between survival and death. However, despite the seemingly great benefits, one thing couldn't help but bother him.
At first glance, the upgrade would indeed mean he could hide for one less hour, but why does hiding for one less hour matter if he couldn't escape from the sticky situation he got himself in the first place?
With that in mind, the extra 1 minute would be more useful, as he could use the first 3 minutes to fight and then use the extra 1 minute to run if he really couldn't handle what he was fighting at that time. In that same context, he could even use the whole 4 minutes to run, and just like that, his survivability would be brought to another level.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEither way, Viktor believed that he would get more magic points in his next breakthrough, and among all those options, mana pool should be taken as the priority. Later on, when his battle power had grown higher than he was currently, the spirit power increase should prove to be more useful.
"Spirit pool!" Viktor exclaimed, his voice full of resolution.
[You used your magic point to upgrade spirit pool]
[Your spirit pool has been upgraded to rank D ( C ) ]
Now that all his upgrades were set and everything that he wanted to do he had done, it was almost time for him to enjoy his special night.
This is truly a good day for him.
It reminded him to quickly tell the blue husky and golden lemming to get out of the room, as he couldn't afford to be blue-balled by either of them. While they stepped out of the room after his incessant words and scary glare, Viktor quickly prepared himself to receive the star of the night.
Right as the two animals left, Viktor heard some noises from next door. He asked. "Are you ready, dear?"
"Just a few more minutes," said the girl in such a teasing manner that it brought waves of indescribable feelings within him.
Viktor took a deep breath and remembered, the last time he had the chance to enjoy himself was when he was still confined in the comforts of the bunker. Were it not for those monster attacks, he would still be there, safe and sound as they whiled the apocalypse in safety.
The memory of that attack suddenly reminded him of something.
"Djinn can you still hear me!?" Viktor shouted.
<yes, half a mile range, remember?>
"Yes" With such limited time he hurriedly asked "You did told me that my realm upgrade would affect my [Allmight] divine skill right?"
<Yes>
"Alright…. then, how about my other divine skill?"
Of course, the thing Viktor was talking about was none other than the S-rank divine skill, [Rebirth], that helped him escape death the first time. He was sure that it was no mere coincidence that a divine skill was given to him after he died under that monstrosity.
<yes..? what about it?>
"Darn it, Djinn! It is an important skill that could turn the tides on everything. It is a life or death skill, so don't play with me! Tell me everything about it now!"
He remembered the near-death experiences he had today, the sight of the cold lifeless bodies of Andrei and Olga. This only served to make him even more curious and emotional about that particular skill.
<alright, check this out.>
Suddenly, information flashed into his mind.
[Skill list - type - rarity]
[Metal extraction - elemental spell - rank B]
[Metal bending - elemental spell - rank B]
[Metal tempering - elemental spell - rank B]
[All might - divine art - rank C]
[Rebirth - divine art - Rank S - 0/1]
They were all important information, but all those marks were not comparable to the number zero on the last line.
"What, zero out of one? Is it a one time skill?"
<Well, not exactly…>
The anxiousness within Viktor's words was colored with a tint of hope when he heard that.
"Come on Djinn, I am panicking here, stop talking in circles and let me hear it!"
<Okay, it's a skill that is so powerful, that you need to fulfill a special requirement before it could be used again>
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yes.. tell me the requirement already Djinn!"
<Are you sure you are up to the challenge right now? It will be very hard.>
There was nothing to doubt about such skill. Three hours' return from death could not even be said as a cheat skill, it may as well be a fucking time machine!
Therefore, Viktor answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Hell yeah!"
In an instant, a notification that Viktor had not heard for a while came to him.
[You have received a quest]
Viktor quickly read through the notification he had just received, excitement could be seen clearly on his face.
[Rebirth is about life and second chances, only the most devout would deserve such divine skill - proof your piety by resisting your fleshy needs]
[Quest reward - one-time rebirth]
[Quest objectives]
[You shall not kill another human being]
[You shall purify your body from sex]
[Quest duration - one month]
"....."
Viktor fell into a state of complete silence and dumbfoundedness when he read the requirements.
Then, as if fate itself was testing him, right after he finished reading the information, the door was opened, and the most beautiful creature he had ever seen entered into the glamor of the room, half-naked with her lascivious curves laid bare for his eyes to freely see.
"I am ready, my dear."