"System, can I see my attributes?" I asked, a familiar urge to check my progress surfacing. There was the usual digital hiccup.
Ding! Error: Did you mean your profile?
Honestly, it felt like talking to a particularly literal rock.
"Yes, my profile," I clarified, a touch of impatience in my mental tone. Then, a soft shimmer began to coalesce in the air before me. It solidified, growing brighter until a translucent screen hung in my vision, displaying my stats.
Processing request... Ding! Displaying profile now.
Host Profile
Simulation Points: 40
Name: Lazarus
Marine's Rank: Chore Boy
Attribute: Endurance (20), Strenght (30), Agility (7), Spirit (12)
Ability: no
Battle Skill: Shooting (Basic)
Forty simulation points. Forty burning embers in the hearth of my mind, each one a potential leap forward. I stared at the attributes shimmering on the screen, each a silent testament to untapped power. Strength, agility, endurance… and then there was that newcomer, that unexpected flicker of possibility: shooting skill. It was a complete surprise, something I hadn't even considered, and yet… the idea sparked a fresh wave of curiosity, a new path to explore.
Three more Bronze Simulations. Thirty points. A significant chunk of my current reserves, but the thought of waiting, of letting this potential lie dormant for the three days it would take to travel back to base… it felt like a waste. A frustrating stagnation when every fiber of my being screamed for progress.
The memory of those fifty hard-earned points from the pirate flickered in my mind, so tantalizingly close to the Silver Simulation.
Fifty points for a Silver upgrade… but I only had forty now, thanks to that initial, crucial Bronze investment. Ten more points. Another bounty head, another risky hunt. And with the state of the crew, the injuries… it could be days, maybe even longer, before another opportunity arose.
Impatience, that familiar shadow, began to stretch its tendrils through my thoughts. Waiting felt like a weakness, a luxury I couldn't afford. I needed to be stronger, faster, more capable. And I needed it now.
Thirty points it is. Three more Bronze Simulations. Ten points left. A small reserve, a tiny cushion. But the immediate gains, the tangible improvements I could feel coursing through me after the last simulation… that was the priority. I wouldn't just blindly throw myself back into the digital void, though.
That first surge of strength, the way my muscles had burned and then settled into a new level of power… that was a lesson etched into my very being. I'd dissect it, remember the nuances, the way my body had responded. This time, I'd be smarter, more strategic. Maybe I'd focus on agility, try to sharpen my reflexes, or perhaps even dabble in that mysterious shooting skill, see what latent potential lay hidden there.
Whatever I chose, it wouldn't be a whim. It would be a calculated decision, informed by experience, driven by the relentless need to improve.
The Silver Simulation… it would still be there, a longer-term goal to strive for once we were back at base, once new missions presented themselves. But right now, here in this moment, the bronze glowed with the promise of immediate growth. And I wouldn't let that opportunity pass me by.
Ten points left.
A reminder of what could be, but for now, the immediate future was bathed in the bronze light of potential, waiting to be unleashed.
I'm trying to remember the summary of future events that was displayed as text on the screen during the simulation.
Recalling those key indicators is crucial for understanding the overall success or failure of the simulated scenario and identifying areas for improvement.
This is a devastating turn of events. To think that after all the progress, the hard-won promotion, and the grueling training, it all ends in such a brutal and senseless massacre… It's difficult to process the suddenness and finality of it. Captain Darius, despite the tragic end to his career, survived the initial pirate attack, but now everyone, including myself, is gone.
The information about Zephyr's fate and the annihilation of his division and the elite camp is particularly shocking. To lose so many promising marines, including the instructors, in such a violent manner underscores the unforgiving nature of this world.
The fact that even the elite training wasn't enough highlights the sheer power and unpredictability of pirates, especially those with Devil Fruit abilities.
Reflecting on my journey, there are definitely areas where I could have focused more intently during Zephyr's training. While the basic Rokushiki techniques were drilled, the information specifically mentions that I remained the weakest in the camp. This suggests a significant disparity in overall combat prowess.
Knowing what I know now, if I were to relive those training years, my focus would be laser-sharp on identifying and addressing my weaknesses.
While physical conditioning and basic Rokushiki are crucial, the mention of others wielding Rokushiki with "terrifying skill" implies a deeper understanding and application of those techniques.
I would need to push myself relentlessly to bridge that gap, perhaps by seeking extra guidance from Zephyr or even observing the more skilled trainees to learn from their movements and strategies.
Furthermore, the prompt specifically asks me to focus on my shooting. This is a critical point. In a world filled with powerful Devil Fruit users and masters of close-quarters combat like Rokushiki, having exceptional marksmanship could be a crucial advantage, allowing me to engage enemies from a safer distance and potentially neutralize threats before they get too close.
I should have dedicated significant time to honing my accuracy, speed, and adaptability in various shooting scenarios under Zephyr's tutelage. Perhaps I could have requested specific drills focused on engaging fast-moving targets or practicing shooting under pressure.
Ultimately, the massacre highlights the need for well-rounded strength and adaptability in this world. While close-quarters combat is essential, ranged capabilities like superior shooting skills could be the difference between survival and death, especially against unpredictable and powerful foes.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that even elite training provides no guarantee of safety, and continuous self-improvement and a keen understanding of one's weaknesses are paramount.