Makoto prioritized survival above all else.
With no guaranteed HP recovery items and an unknown array of dangers ahead, his high INT dictated a tactical retreat to secure his resources.
Makoto immediately commanded the System to exit the dungeon.
The sterile white lab dissolved, and he was back in the familiar, damp darkness of the subway tunnel base.
Time Remaining (Phase 069:50:50 (Approx. 4 minutes and 11 seconds used in the Arrancar Ward).
The MAG buff from the Reiatsu Potion (Minor) was still active, but it was now a wasted resource outside of combat.
Makoto ignored it and focused on his inventory.
===Inventory===
Soul Candy (Low Grade) x 4
Healing Potion (Minor) x 1
Silver Coin x 4
Copper Coin x 75
Tier 1 Soul Fragment x 2
Tier 2 Soul Fragment x 1
Makoto knew the Arrancar Ward would drop more Tier 2 Soul Fragments and Silver Coins.
He needed a way to mass-produce Healing Potions.
He checked the [Crafting] menu again.
Crafting Recipe (Tier 1): 10 Tier 1 Soul Fragment + 5 Copper Coin = Healing Potion (Minor).
Crafting Recipe (Tier 2 - New!): 1 Silver Coin + 1 Tier 2 Soul Fragment = Healing Potion (Standard).
Healing Potion (Standard): Instantly restores 50 HP.
This was a massive upgrade.
The Tier 2 recipe provided five times the healing for a single coin, but he needed the Tier 2 fragments, which only dropped in the Arrancar Ward.
His immediate goal shifted to crafting a second Healing Potion (Minor) to get his supply up to a minimum of two before re-entering the danger zone.
He needed 8 more Tier 1 Soul Fragments and 5 Copper Coins to craft one more Minor Potion.
He could buy the remaining Tier 1 Soul Fragments using his currency, but the System's currency exchange wasn't immediately obvious.
Makoto decided to try a different approach, leveraging his high INT and Observe skill on his new loot for hidden value.
He focused Observe on the Tier 2 Soul Fragment.
Observe: Tier 2 Soul Fragment
Description: Concentrated spiritual essence from a powerful Hollow.
Notes: Can be broken down into 10 Tier 1 Soul Fragments.
"Excellent,"
Makoto muttered, activating the breakdown function.
[1 Tier 2 Soul Fragment broken down into 10 Tier 1 Soul Fragments.]
He now has:
Tier 1 Soul Fragment: 2 \text{ (from before)} + 10 \text{ (breakdown)} = 12
Silver Coin: 4
Copper Coin: 75
He instantly crafted the second Minor Potion:
[10 Tier 1 Soul Fragments and 5 Copper Coins consumed.]
[Crafting Successful: Healing Potion (Minor) x1!]
Final Inventory Status:
Healing Potion (Minor): 2
Tier 1 Soul Fragment: 2
Silver Coin: 4
Copper Coin: 70
Makoto now had a stable, if small, reserve of HP potions. He was ready.
Makoto was committed. The time bought by his Level 5 achievement was a window to be used, not hoarded.
The remaining MAG buff was a temporary advantage he couldn't afford to waste.
He took a final, deep breath, feeling the slight burn of the Reiatsu Potion's effect, and stepped back into the sterile, white-lit dread of the Arrancar Research Ward - Quarantine.
Time Remaining (Phase 2): 069:50:45
Makoto immediately encountered a second group: one large, heavily-armored Modified Arrancar and two smaller, drone-like Artificial Hollows that zipped through the air.
He activated Observe on the main threat:
Observe: Modified Arrancar (Siege Model)
HP: 250 (High)
Reiatsu: 800 (Very High)
Threat: Extreme. Slow speed, but heavy Hierro (armor) and powerful, sustained Cero Barrage.
Weakness: Joint Seals at the neck and knees (2.5x damage multiplier).
Makoto targeted the two small drones first, needing to clear the field for the one-on-one fight.
He unleashed a chain of three precise, high-speed Flash Steps, focusing his strikes on the drones' spiritual cores.
The Shikkan Tōki's amplified damage, combined with his high Dex, made the difference.
Slice! Slice!
The drones exploded in bursts of static Reiatsu.
[+20 EXP! +20 EXP!]
The Siege Model Arrancar began to charge a massive, slow-moving Cero.
Makoto used his remaining Reiatsu and the last few precious seconds of the MAG buff to launch himself into the air, aiming for the Joint Seal on the Arrancar's neck.
He used Data Disruption (MP Cost 10) on the first strike.
Strike 1 (Disruption): [-65 HP! (26 Base Damage * 2.5 Multiplier) - Critical Hit!]
The Arrancar staggered, its Cero dissolving into harmless smoke.
Strike 2 (Pure Damage): [-55 HP! - Critical Hit!]
Arrancar recovered quickly and tried to grapple, but Makoto was too fast.
He continued his attack, draining his Reiatsu to nearly empty, pushing himself to the absolute limit. He was fighting on fumes, relying entirely on his Gamer's Mind and calculated movements.
Strike 3 & 4: [-130 HP! - Critical Hit!]
The massive Arrancar dissolved into spiritual particles.
[+250 EXP!]
[Item Acquired: Silver Coin x6!]
[Item Acquired: Tier 2 Soul Fragment x3!]
[Item Acquired: Reiatsu Potion (Standard) x1!]
[DING! Level Up! Level 6!]
The column of light was Makoto's salvation.
He felt his entire body stabilize, the deep exhaustion instantly vanishing as his HP and Reiatsu were fully restored.
Current EXP: 305 + 290 = 595 / 400. (Level 6 achieved, 195/500 towards Level 7).
All Stats +1!
===Status===
Level 6
HP 100 / 100
Reiatsu 470 / 470
EXP 195 / 500
Pow 15 (+1)
End 18 (+1)
Dex 23 (+1)
AGI 20 (+1)
MAG 10 (+1)
INT 25 (+1)