The opportunity was too great to pass up.
With his stats spiked and only 405 EXP needed, Makoto had the momentum and the buffer to finish Phase 2 now.
The System Transport Key was the only thing that mattered for his long-term survival.
Makoto did not exit. He took a single Healing Potion (Standard) from his pouch, his finger resting on the cork, ready to use it the moment his HP dipped below critical.
He plunged deeper into the Arrancar Research Ward.
Time Remaining (Phase 2): 069:45:00 (The MAG buff has 8 minutes remaining).
The next section was a long corridor filled with a swarm of weaker, drone-like Arrancar. The perfect experience fodder.
Makoto entered a state of calculated flow. His high Dex (26) allowed his blade movements to be impossibly fast and precise, while his INT (28) instantly mapped the most efficient path through the enemies, minimizing wasted movement. He was a whirl of black fabric and focused Reiatsu.
He unleashed a rapid series of low-cost Flash Steps, weaving through the swarm and striking the known weaknesses with the amplified spiritual energy of the MAG buff.
[+150 EXP!] (Group 1 cleared)
[+150 EXP!] (Group 2 cleared)
[+150 EXP!] (Group 3 cleared)
He moved so fast that he didn't take a single point of damage. The grind was complete.
Current EXP: 395 + 450 = 845 / 800.
The light was blinding—a final, triumphant column that washed over the entire chamber.
[DING! Level Up! Level 10!]
[QUEST COMPLETE: THE GREAT ESCAPE (PHASE 2)]
Makoto felt the most profound change yet.
The core of his spiritual body hardened, his control over his Reiatsu felt absolute, and his senses extended far beyond the immediate chamber.
All Stats +1!
Reward Acquired:
Survival.
Permanent Access to Shikai Release: Makoto can now maintain Shikai continuously without conscious Reiatsu cost. The blade is now permanently the sleek Shikkan Tōki.
System Transport Key (Tier 1) acquired!
===Status===
Level 10
HP 100 / 100
Reiatsu 620 / 620
EXP 45 / 900
Pow 18
End 21
Dex 27
AGI 24
MAG 14
INT 29
===========
Makoto immediately checked his inventory.
The System Transport Key was a crystalline shard that radiated a dense, highly compressed form of spiritual energy—enough to breach the boundaries of reality.
System Transport Key (Tier 1)
Description: A single-use item capable of creating a temporary interdimensional rift (Tier 1 stability).
Usage: Must be activated outside a Dungeon.
Range: Approx. 500 miles.
Effect: Instantaneous physical and spiritual transfer to a designated coordinate.
Warning: Must be used within the 72-hour window to complete the Great Escape.
He had the means of escape. The immediate danger of the Hollowfication curse was manageable (1 year), and he had the path to power.
The System immediately updated the final phase of his quest.
[QUEST UPDATED: THE GREAT ESCAPE (PHASE 3: ESCAPE)]
Objective: Escape Soul Society's jurisdiction permanently.
Goal: Use the System Transport Key (Tier 1) to teleport 500 miles away to a location of relative spiritual silence.
Time Limit: 069:44:20
Reward: Survival. Access to Tier 2 System Functions. New Companion Slot Unlocked.
Penalty for Failure: Extinction.
Makoto exited the dungeon and found himself back in the secure subway tunnel.
The final decision was one of location. He had to pick a destination 500 miles away that was spiritually inert.