To min-max or not to min-max? That is the question.
The real world is not a game where you can simply stack damage multipliers to achieve victory. Sometimes, the frailty of the human body forces you to prioritize survival over damage output.
Simon glanced at his three new Talents.
[Mind's Eye (Excellent):]
[Your martial aptitude is enhanced. You will accumulate weapon proficiency at a significantly higher rate.]
[Analysis (Excellent):]
[Your observation skills are enhanced. Your ability to analyze intelligence is increased.]
He had already seen [Honkai Resistance]. All three were excellent talents, especially [Analysis], which was useful not just in combat, but also for his daily life as a corporate executive.
Simon was still holding onto hope for his peaceful, slice-of-life future.
As for how to distribute his stat points...
Since we're already here, let's do some gacha first.
The System offered two types of lottery: a Standard Draw for 100 Points per ten-pull, and a Premium Draw for 1000 Points per ten-pull.
With 300 Paragon Points fresh in his pocket, Simon decided to burn them on three standard ten-pulls. He needed immediate combat power; hoarding points like a hamster would only slow down his growth curve.
"System, pull!"
The familiar blue sky and white clouds, followed by a shooting star, made Simon's eye twitch.
Wow, it really is you, isn't it?
Unfortunately, the System's gacha didn't have a guaranteed 4-star pity like Genshin Impact. Among a pile of white trash items, Simon found only one green item.
[Anti-Honkai Serum Vial (Excellent):]
[Can hold one dose of Anti-Honkai Serum. Suppresses minor Honkai erosion. Usable only in Dungeons. Refills upon Dungeon reset.]
A consumable anti-poison potion for dungeon runs. It was actually quite useful. Simon knew his innate resistance wouldn't be enough to fully protect him in the Honkai-flooded ruins of Nagazora.
As for the pile of white trash?
Simon looked at the heap of diapers with disgust and threw them away.
Do I look like I need these? I fill Mei up every night before I sleep, thank you very much.
"I have Talents. I have anti-Honkai measures. In that case... System, add points!"
[Name: Simon]
[Level: 1]
[Experience: 0/100]
[Attributes (Adult Male Average is 5):]
Strength: 11 [Power to Bind a Chicken (Deadwalker)] (+4 Honkai Bonus)
Constitution: 8 (Still weak!) (+1)
Stamina: 18 (+2)
Intelligence: 10
Spirit: 15
Agility: 9 (Will your stamina drop now that you're faster?) (+2)
Charm: 17
[Talents:] [Mind's Eye], [Honkai Resistance], [Analysis]
[Inventory:] [Anti-Honkai Serum Vial]
[Normal human attribute cap is 10. Player possesses Honkai Resistance. Injecting Honkai Energy...]
[System Notification: Honkai Energy modifies the human body, allowing attributes to break the human limit.]
Hmm? If the human limit is 10, why is my Stamina 18?
Simon noted the discrepancy but was too lazy to dwell on it. This was the Honkai world; maybe he had been exposed to something years ago.
However...
"Why is my Strength—which has broken the human limit—still described as 'Power to Bind a Chicken'?" Simon demanded.
The System didn't speak. Instead, it silently displayed the stat block of a Scythe Deadwalker.
[Scythe Deadwalker]
[Attributes:]
Strength: 15
Constitution: 10
Stamina: 15
Intelligence: 2
Spirit: 2
Agility: 15
[Description: The weakest Deadwalker. But stronger than you.]
Simon shut his mouth.
Why are my base stats lower than a zombie's? Sure, my Intelligence is higher, but I can't exactly challenge a Deadwalker to a math duel.
Well, at least my Stamina is higher. I can outrun it.
Simon comforted himself with this thought.
"System, enter the Dungeon!"
[Dungeon Loading...]
The world spun again, depositing him in the same location. But this time, Simon was brimming with confidence. His stats might be lower, but he could crush the enemy with IQ.
Creeping along the corridor of the employee lounge, Simon found the Zombie Sister who had decapitated him last time.
Her back is turned. Good chance!
Simon silently drew his longsword, raised it to Jodan-no-kamae (High Stance), and swung down with full force without hesitation.
Whoosh—
The sharp sound of cutting air alerted the Deadwalker, whose senses were far sharper than a human's. She swung her scythe behind her back, blocking Simon's blade with the crook of her weapon.
Clang!
The vibration of steel clashing numbed Simon's hand, but thanks to the Honkai enhancement, his strength was now sufficient to hold onto his weapon.
Seeing his ambush fail, Simon retreated a step in frustration.
He realized he had been too rigid, following his dojo training too strictly. Even for a sneak attack, he had used the High Stance for maximum damage. In reality, a thrust would have been quieter and deadlier.
Simon quickly internalized this combat data, shifting into Chudan-no-kamae (Middle Stance)—a balanced posture for offense and defense. His opponent used a polearm, giving her a reach advantage. If he attacked recklessly, he would suffer.
The mindless Deadwalker lost patience first. She raised her scythe horizontally and unleashed a sweeping slash.
Opportunity!
A gleam flashed in Simon's eyes. If he lacked strength, he would have had to dodge backward. But now that his strength was comparable, he had the courage to step forward.
Step in. Parry and counter!
Simon's blade firmly blocked the shaft of the scythe. While parrying the slash, he slid his blade down the shaft toward the Deadwalker, closing the distance to negate her reach advantage.
Seeing her attack blocked and Simon closing in, the Deadwalker was forced to step back, simultaneously hooking her scythe backward to catch Simon in the back.
Too late!
Simon, having added points to Agility, slid forward. He compressed the Deadwalker's space to generate force, disengaged his blade from her shaft, and used the momentum to slash.
Kesagiri! (Diagonal Slash)
The blade aimed straight for the Deadwalker's throat and chest. She wanted to dodge but refused to let go of her weapon, leaving her helpless to watch the blade arrive.
Squelch—
The blade sliced through the body. At the same moment, Simon spun to dodge the returning scythe hook. Black blood sprayed from the wound. With strength surpassing the human limit, Simon's heavy strike cleaved half the Deadwalker's torso. Fortunately, she was no longer human, so there were no restrictive censorship mosaics.
"Hiss—"
Before he could celebrate his victory, Simon stumbled, clutching a gash on his waist where the scythe had grazed him.
He had calculated the scythe's return path on his left, but failed to account for the curved blade reaching his right side first. Even though he spun away, he was still nicked.
"Barely killed the first one and I'm already crippled. Makes sense. I fought too aggressively because I knew I wouldn't die."
The human body was fragile. A mere scratch on the waist had severed muscle fibers, hindering his movement and power generation. He only dared to fight this recklessly because it was a Dungeon. He wanted to experience the thrill of life-and-death combat to train his technique.
Rip.
Simon tore a strip of cloth from his clothes, bandaged his waist, and injected the Anti-Honkai Serum.
"Let's try again. See if I can kill one more."
Simon revealed a bloodthirsty grin.
Actually... I think I kind of like fighting.