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-+=[BoG]=+-
After an hour of breaching, he checked his stats.
Intelligence 1(225/400)XP
- Breach Protocol 1(400/400xp)
'Damn, I'm speed-running with this.' John smiled and perhaps it was that he already had a good baseline or something from the game.
It was hella exhausting though. The most mentally demanding training of everything he had done. Makes sense though.
Since he couldn't level it up, the computer over on the right looked interesting, but he had a creeping suspicion of what awaited him.
As he moved close and picked up the first book on the shelf, his fears were confirmed.
Programming.
Sucking it up, he read through the pages.
It's about as much as you'd expect. Coding various programs and the language, even hints that you could develop something entirely foreign to what most people use too.
The likelihood of the top netrunners and corporations using their own in-house coding language was likely. Functionality was the same, but breaching into something you don't even understand could be fatal.
Examples of quickhacks like Ping were also given and the computer itself is more for beginner-friendly script kiddies.
With the Kiroshis paired with his cyberdeck, he could code without even typing, debug, test, and upload the program directly into one of his open slots.
Very convenient.
He learned more about programs and knew that he had to pick and choose his slots carefully.
It wasn't like the game where you could turn off cameras, take control of them, and all that in the scanner without it taking up space. That was a big differentiation between reality and the game he knew, but there is a workaround.
Daemons. They could have subroutines filled with that kind of stuff if he was able to upload it and he was also able to choose what it did. Very nice.
Unfortunately, he had no idea how to make one, but he will once he levels up enough.
He decided to just copy the example of Ping and typed away at the keyboard. It was pretty long, so it took him a bit before he finally finished.
Programming +50
John blinked as a great idea popped into his head. He started coding the Ping directly on his own OS.
This went by much faster as his intentions were read and typed out filling the right side of his vision.
Once he got done, he uploaded it to one of his free slots and boom. Got his first quickhack.
Programming +50
Now he decided to level up as a rush of information filled his brain. Basic knowledge of the coding language, daemon creation, Datafort creation and fortification, and so on. Some of the most useful info is how to make stronger ICE.
His head hurts.
There were a couple more examples such as Take Control, Distract Enemies, and Remote Deactivation.
Programming +50
Programming +50
He copied all of them and uploaded them into his open slots leaving him 2 that are empty. The awesome thing is that he can uninstall them and store them in his neural interface.
'Huh, is that how the data mining daemon was able to get quickhacks from the game? Cool.' He smiled as that would come in handy one day.
Getting up, he went over to the red figure and now that he got closer, he saw a number above its head.
1
Ah, so that's how it'd work. He mentally commanded the level to be raised and it worked before he turned it back down.
Deciding to get some practice, he scanned the figure and tried uploading Ping before he was blocked by ICE which he had to crack.
It was ridiculously easy as one would expect. He did so, and the quickhack was uploaded. Not very useful since the figure wasn't connected to anything, but that wasn't the point.
+50 Quickhacks
Since his Breach Protocol was maxed, he didn't get any XP, but he would've likely gotten some if that weren't the case. This would make it a 2-in-1 exercise that would help in cutting down time.
He had to wait for a cooldown. Not a gameified cooldown or anything like that, but a more practical one.
Try to think of it as running a game at maximum settings with high resolutions with a PC that can't handle it. It'll start using more memory and work harder, but also your system will heat up drastically. Hell, it could even crash the game.
Now imagine that, but inside a human's brain. Yeah, there's a reason why netrunners are so much more dangerous in cyberspace because they have cooling methods such as ice baths and netrunning chairs also much more freedom to unleash their full prowess.
He did it again and got more notifications.
+50 Quickhacks
John had noticed that using bots sped up the XP gain and also fighting in real life was another boost. This probably only works because of his low level. He doubted he'd get so much XP at the later stages, but one can hope.
He directly leveled up quickhacks and what this did was interesting. From gaining basic knowledge of various quick hacks but also more technical understanding which connects with the programming stat. He was also given barebones tactics of where to use certain quickhacks in different situations.
It was very nice.
He pulled up his stats.
Intelligence 1(350/400)XP
- Breach Protocol 1(400/400xp)
- Programming 1(100/400xp)
- Quickhacking 1(100/400xp)
'Well, might as well level it since it's so close right?' He thought with a smile.
John went on for another 30 minutes, with ample rest time, before he maxed out Intelligence.
Leveling up both Intelligence and Breach Protocol he was flooded with knowledge of all three stats. Programming, breaching, and quickhacking all became a bit more refined and easier to understand and implement.
This was truly his most busted ability. Trying to learn all this on his own would be difficult and that's not even mentioning that he'd have to spend more money too.
Deciding to give his aching head a rest, he went through the other training modules starting with Driving, Gunplay, and then Melee Combat.
In total, he spent 8 hours of training with multiple breaks in between, so it was more like 9.
John decided to try something he had previously wanted to do.
The Gunplay module had a Combat Zone where it was a Deathmatch type thing with bots. The Melee Combat had this with the rings but the reason why he didn't truly utilize it every session was because of the toll it took on his fatigue.
His Body stat wasn't high enough to engage in that amount of rigorous training, so he decided to wait until now.
With each module, he used bots and even went Driving with more intense chases, obstructed roads, and even explosives. A Michael Bay worthy high speed chase.
Finding out that he could handle it, filled him with overwhelming glee, albeit barely. He felt as if he could pass out at any moment from sheer exhaustion.
Pulling up his stats, he is very satisfied.
Body 5(640/1250)XP
- Brawling 4(1,100/1250xp)
- Athletics 5(100/1500xp)
- Shotguns 5(200/1250xp)
- Heavy Machine Guns 4(800/1250xp)
- Blunt Weapons 4(900/1250xp)
Reflexes 4(1575/2000)XP
- Driving 4(600/1250xp)
- Pistols 4(1250/1250xp)
- Submachine Guns 4(950/1250xp)
- Assault Rifles 4(1250/1250xp)
- Blades 4(850/1250xp)
- Rockerboy 4(200/1250xp)
He couldn't help but be concerned though.
The leveling and XP system is a bit off. If he only wanted to focus on a specific thing, then he'd be unable to progress.
Just look at his Technical Ability.
Technical Ability 1(625/800)XP
- Gunsmithing: Level 1(800/800)XP
Still the same as days ago and if he wanted to level up, he'd have to learn other things, but why is it like that?
Suddenly text appeared before him
Analyzing System.
Processing Experience Breakdown and Calculations.
ERROR
System Experience Calculations and Distributions have been incorrectly uploaded.
Uploading new Formula.
…
…
Success
Apologies
Attributes such as Body and Reflexes can now gain independent experience gains.
Attributes can still gain XP even if stats are capped.
Attribute experience gains from stats are doubled.
John, while feeling that he could've progressed much more quickly had it been uploaded correctly, still sighed with relief.
Perhaps he should've thought of this more in-depth sooner, but no use in crying over spilled milk.
This is also huge as instead of the usual +25, he'd be getting +50 and even independent increases too of +100.
He assumes that increases in Body and Reflexes are only possible in the real world so it won't help in the training shard just like he hadn't gotten any increases for Athletics, but it's still a massive change.
Now he'd be getting +50 in association with stats with that being +25 in the training shard which is still the same, but the big difference is in Level 5+ as it would be +12.5. Not a big increase at first glance; however, over time and with multiple stats, it eventually adds up.
John is also grateful that he can now still gain XP for his Attributes even if the stat itself is capped. The most recent example is when his Breach Protocol hit max and he had to switch to Programming because he wouldn't get Intelligence XP from it anymore.
He had a satisfied grin on his face, but it seemed the text wasn't done yet.
To apologize for this gross miscalculation.
The restrictions in the training shard will be lifted for 24 hours of active use starting now.
Now his grin stretched even further.
He knew exactly what that meant.
Quickly, exiting the shard, he felt all the exhaustion return to him in force.
Deciding to eat, he got his burrito and cola while he sat back down on the couch.
Overall, today was a good day. He met Misty and Vik along with Lucy. Maine's crew as well. The downer was Gloria's cut contact which stung, but then the day ended strong.
Oh, can't forget about the muggings.
He sat in silence as he finished eating before hopping in the shower and starting the washing machine.
It was pretty late as it was 11 at night, so he didn't bother putting on clothes and went straight to his bed.
As he was about to turn in for the night and put himself to sleep he suddenly got a call.
Misty.
'Ah, shit. I forgot to call.' John covered his eyes in exasperation.
He picked up.
"Hey, John. You forgot to call." She looked saddened as her gaze searched for an answer.
His lips pursued.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Hectic day." John sighed.
It was then that she noticed that he didn't have a shirt on. Luckily or unluckily it didn't show his full body.
"How'd it go with your aunt?" Misty had deduced the reason and didn't let his lack of wardrobe affect her especially since she could feel something was wrong.
'Looks like she can tell. No surprises there.' Misty was quite good at reading people. Scarily good.
"Not...great," John admitted.
She knew he was downplaying it.
"Do you want to come over to the shop in the morning and grab breakfast to talk about it?" Misty asked with concern.
He wanted to instinctively refuse, but he wanted to see her and it's not like he has anything better planned other than training.
"Misty, are you asking me out on a date?" John laughed a bit with a smile.
"I'll take that as a yes?" Misty smiled slightly as he lost the grin.
"Yeah, is 7:30 good?" He asked.
"Works for me, see you then. Good night, John." Misty waved.
"Night." She hung up as he rested his back against the bed.
-+=[BoG]=+-
Misty laid in bed with a contemplative look.
She could tell that John wouldn't open up about it on the holo, especially since he deflected with teasing.
Sighing as she was about ready to sleep, she could only hope that he'd open up about it.
Most people in Night City turned to vices or other things to hide the pain inside.
She had to help him.
-+=[BoG]=+-
Ah, have you finally noticed the character flaw? It wasn't too obvious before, but I made it very clear here, perhaps you could make more connections about his character from the previous chapters since he started interacting with people.
Always a fine line between allowing for multiple interpretations and just straight-up confusing the audience.
Thanks for all the support and see you next time!