If the last [Integration] had been a lesson on pain, then this one was a test of patience and endurance. Quintin had no problem waiting, after all, he did enjoy meditation. The major problem being: it was entirely too easy for him to lose himself in a tranquil moment. Back at the Monastery, there was hardly a day that went by where Oltoi or Master wasn't coming out to find him. Eventually, one or the other would, but he was always unaware of how much time had passed.

Like now, he was blissfully unaware of the changes occurring within him at the molecular, cellular, and bone-deep levels. He was empty of thought. Though instinctively, he knew the process would soon be over. [Meditation] had leveled up four times since the start, bringing it up to six now.

As the intrinsic transformation ceased, so too did his statuesque posture break. His eye came alive, sharply scanning the office—not because he expected a change, but simply out of habit. His gaze went down to the spot in-between his ribcage. Parting the inner-fold of the [Battle Robe of Many Tumbles], he lifted up his undershirt where his fingers met a semi-circle protrusion of skin. There was no discomfort, even when he gave it a poke and pinch. The layers of skin and muscle seeming to form a protective barrier around it. The strong pulse from a heartbeat went through his palm, and right next to that, a seamless gyration coming from the embedded sphere.

This spherical [Core] is strangely comfortable. As if before, everything was separate. Now there's a oneness that connects my [Pneumatic] limbs. A balance and nuance I never had before, he solemnly thought.

Straightening his shirt, he redid his battle robe. The [Savior's Shoulder Cape] was all in black with gold trim work. It fit snuggly over his right shoulder like a pauldron and tapered down to a 'V' just below the shoulderblade. An image of a red heart surrounded by golden light beams took up the very middle of the unknown fabric. The cape itself was like a patch on the cream-white battle robe and complimented well with an expensive-looking gold chain around his neck.

This critical upgrade was something he had been yearning to understand. It turned out this was an evolution that brought the gears of the apparatus into a harmonious state. With this, he knew he was all in. For better or worse [Pneumatics] had kept him alive up til now, and it would continue to do so in the future. The deck seemed to be rigged to his favor-—or misfortune; no single skill could out-perform what another [Pneumatic] option would give. There was never a time when he didn't have one to choose. Either he was extremely lucky, the odds were weighted towards them, or something unknown -and blessed or sinister- was at play.

His initial thoughts aside, he calmly went over his mystery [Job].

[Job]:

[Material Integrator]*

—Unique Job

—Reprocessor

—Repurpose: Skills

•Unique: tailor-made for Quintin Julle.

•Unlock: new [Skills] added to choice-pool.

•[Skill]: [Material Integration] Lv. 1 gained.

•[Material Integrator]* has rank-up potential.

•Does not [Level].

•Provides no [Stat] bonuses. •[Identification]: adds grading functionality.

—[Common]: 1-10

—[Uncommon]: 1-10

—[Rare]: 1-10

—[????: LOCKED]

—[????: LOCKED]

... •[Skills]: adds [Job-related] functionality.

—[Compression Grip]

—[Breath of Sudden Calamity]

—[Mitochondrial Efficiency]

The briefest flash of disappointment gripped his face when he read there were no stats or levels. However, that was short-lived, his expression gradually spun the opposite way with the realization of what his [Job] did. What he understood was simple: a [Job], or at least this one, was another sheet on the base schematic. What he got was exactly what he needed; more synergistic qualities between his skills and [Pneumatic Enhancements]. He had no idea why [Identification] grading was there but thought it might become more apparent when he viewed [Material Integration] and the other reworked skills.

Overall, this was not a hard idea for him to comprehend, at least not in comparison to his body enhancements. The right [Job] would support an individual's playstyle and bring out strengths in their build.

"Weird, but simple enough," he grinned in evident amusement.

Next up, his [Skills]. Which he decided to go through starting with the newest, [Material Integration].

[Skill]:

[Material Integration] Lv. 1

—Unique

—Recombobulator

—Passive

—Go-between

•This skill allows for the smooth transferal of materials.

—○Transfers stored materials from the [Core] to [P.I:] parts.

—○Use of those materials is for attachments to [P.I:] parts.

•Potency: 50% of original material strength is retained.

•Duration: 1 min./level or until the desired end.

•The percentage and duration increases as this skill grows.

•Created objects are destroyed upon detachment or expiration.

•Only materials stored in the [Core] can be used.

—○Max material grade is [Uncommon]: 6

Quintin wasn't exactly sure what to make of the skill. It seemingly gave him the ability to reinforce or shape materials into attachments for his various [Pneumatic] limbs. How materials got to his [Core] was the question, as he couldn't put things inside like with his [Inventory].

It was a question he thought would be answered by the other skill changes.

[Compression Grip] Lv. 9

+Crushed objects can be stored inside the [Core].

—○Crush and store up to max material grade [Uncommon]: 6

+Max material grade is the same as crushable item grade. [Breath of Sudden Calamity] Lv. MAX

+Pathways from the [Core] to the [Pneumatic] nodules allow for

the molding of projectiles that would otherwise be unattachable.

+Projectiles created this way are subject to:

—○Potency: 50% of original material strength

—○Duration: 1 min./level or until the desired end.

+[Core Materials]: can spray liquids and aerosols. [Mitochondrial Efficiency] Lv. 4

+[Core Materials]: can be used as sustenance.

He rubbed his temples, mind spinning in deep thought, So, basically: [Compression Grip] acts as a collector of materials. [Core] acts as the storage point. And [Material Integration] acts as the... conduit of usage between the different [Skills]? I crush something, it goes to the [Core], and then from the stored materials I can 'Integrate' attachments or spray liquids and aerosols.

Putting thoughts into action, he took out an [Intruder Wolf Claw] and crushed it in his palm. Instead of turning into particles that went through his fingers, it dematerialized into his metallic palm. After this, he checked the [Core's] storage, and the 'claw' showed up as '1/100' units inside. Next, he took it a step further and willed that new 'claw-unit' to materialize on a nodule, which it did cleanly and within moments of the thought.

What about something like [Starmoss]? And what about [Identification] grade, he ponderously engaged.

[Starmoss]

—Grade: Common 4

—Magical Glow: Medium

So say if I materialize it in the palm of my hand...

The [Starmoss] shone out from between his fingers, blossoming with less than stellar light. Quintin's face was lit in the subdued blue tone as he turned his palm up to look directly at it.

Materialized [Starmoss] isn't nearly as strong as if I used one naturally. However, the fact that I can even do so is simply amazing, he thought in wonderment.

He continued experimenting with objects found in the two rooms, such as heavily rusted instruments, [Cobblerite], and other ruined items. As he got more and more experience, he could shape the materials into spikes that ran along his [Pneumatic] arm. Or create an over-long blade that came out of his wrists, palms, and the bottom of his foot when he attacked. Most of the time he would do some simple moves with the attachments until their duration ended. In a few different cases, an attempt was made to recall the components by purposefully ending the skill-use early. But unfortunately, he wasn't able to reclaim them in that way.

After a while, he felt he had as much of a handle on his new abilities as he was going to get here. He never bothered to [Identify] the office door, but before leaving this place, he thought it would be a waste if he didn't.

[Reinforced Door]

—Grade: Uncommon 4

—Enchantment: Reinforce

—Door

A [Reinforce] enchantment has been placed.

*5x units of [Reinforce] wood.

Since his maximum material grade was uncommon six, and the door itself was only a four, he was able to break the door down by using [Compression Grip]. His [Core Storage] was already being filled with materials, most of which he would probably dump later. For now, though, he was happy to have whatever he could get.

[Core Storage]:

—○25/100 units.

—○Unit: 5x [Intruder Wolf Claws] = 1 full unit.

3x [Intruder Wolf Claws] Common: 5

5x [Reinforce Wood] Uncommon: 4

5x [Misc. Rusty Metals] Common: 2

12x [Cobblerite Stones] Common: 9