Makoto looked at his inventory. He had just emerged from a high-risk scenario, and his biggest vulnerability was still his HP reserves.
He had the components for powerful healing items—it would be a lapse of basic prudence not to secure them.
He couldn't risk the entire mission on two minor potions.
Makoto exited the Dungeon immediately and returned to his secure base in the subway tunnel.
Time Remaining (Phase 2): 069:45:30 (Approx. 5 minutes used for the crafting withdrawal).
Makoto focused on the crucial Tier 2 recipe: Healing Potion (Standard).
Recipe: 1 Silver Coin + 1 Tier 2 Soul Fragment = Healing Potion (Standard) (Restores 50 HP).
He had 10 Silver Coins and 4 Tier 2 Soul Fragments. He decided to use the full supply of fragments to create the most robust safety net possible.
[4 Silver Coin and 4 Tier 2 Soul Fragment consumed.]
[Crafting Successful: Healing Potion (Standard) x4!]
His inventory was now stabilized for the grind to Level 10.
===Inventory===
Healing Potion (Minor) x 2
Healing Potion (Standard) x 4 50
Reiatsu Potion (Standard) x 1
Silver Coin x 6
Copper Coin x 70
Tier 1 Soul Fragment x 2
=============
Makoto felt a surge of confidence. Four major healing items and one massive Reiatsu boost, combined with his fully restored Level 6 status, gave him the margin of error he needed.
His high INT had guided him to the perfect tactical preparation.
"Time to push,"
He muttered, turning back toward the shimmering white portal.
Makoto plunged back into the Arrancar Research Ward.
Makoto quickly found the next encounter: a group of four Modified Arrancar (Quarantine Models), the same type he had faced in the first battle.
This was the steady, repeatable grind he needed.
He moved with ruthless efficiency. His knowledge of the weakness (Reiatsu Conductors) and his now-increased stats made the fight less frantic.
He used Flash Step defensively to isolate targets, then focused the analytical power of Shikkan Tōki into the elbow/wrist seals.
The fight was swift and clean. He only took 15 HP damage from a deflected Cero, which he ignored, letting Gamer's Body begin the slow recovery process.
[+600 EXP! (4 Arrancar * 150 EXP each)]
[Item Acquired: Silver Coin x8!]
[Item Acquired: Tier 2 Soul Fragment x4!]
Current EXP: 195 + 600 = 795 / 500.
[DING! Level Up! Level 7!]
The level-up light was almost routine now, a welcome punctuation mark on the violence.
All Stats +1!
===Status===
Level 7
HP 100 / 100
Reiatsu 520 / 520
EXP 295 / 600 (Toward Level 8)
Pow 16
End 19
Dex 24
AGI 21
MAG 11
INT 26
==========
His INT and Dex were now superb, and his overall resilience was noticeably better.
He pushed into the next chamber.
The sterile white environment gave way to a massive, circular testing arena.
In the center, a single, terrifying figure stood. It was twice his height, clad in seamless black armor, its helmet a jagged, demonic mask.
[WARNING! DANGER LEVEL: EXTREME! MINI-BOSS ENCOUNTER!]
Makoto did not hesitate, immediately activating Observe.
Observe: Experimental Arrancar (Project Chimera)
HP: 750 (Colossal)
Reiatsu: 1200 (Overwhelming)
Threat: EXTREME. Unstable. Combines high-speed movements with a powerful Gran Rey Cero equivalent attack.
Weakness: Reiatsu Regulation Unit located on the lower back (3.5x damage multiplier). Only exposed after a heavy attack or a failed Cero charge.
Special Condition: Barrier Active. Physical damage reduced by 50%. Must use Reiatsu-based attacks to pierce the shell.
Makoto's heart hammered, but his Gamer's Mind MAX kept his assessment crisp.
His Shikai's passive was Physical Damage amplified by data, which would be cut in half! He had to find a Reiatsu-based solution, and his MAG was only 11.