18 Meeting Ashley

It took approximately 10 minutes for the bloodline to completely integrate with their bodies.

Now everyone in the room, except Ellie, was sporting a bushy monkey tail and spiky hair. All the males had also obtained a more well-defined and muscular body.

'How am I going to explain this to Lena?'

Oliver wiped away the sweat on his forehead that had formed due to intense pain and said, "Everyone okay?"

Tired and barely audible mutters of yes sounded through the room.

After making sure that everyone was okay, Oliver called up his status menu to look at the changes in his body. And they were impressive, to say the least.

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Name – Oliver Hanover

Age – 22

Race – Saiyan (low-level) (Evolved - Human)

HP – 3750

Strength – 31.25 (↑ 6.25)

Constitution – 37.5 (↑ 12.5)

Agility – 31.25 (↑ 6.25)

Intelligence – 12 (↑ 2)

Spirit – 8 (↑ 5)

Skills –

Active: None

Passive: Will of Steel (Level 2), Military Melee Combat Art (Level 5), Military Gun Arts (Level 4),

Armour operation (Level 5), Parkour (Level 4), Arcane Cooking Master (Level 1)

SVP – 10,200

Skill Points – 7

Inventory – Decapitation Style Armor; 4 Orb contracts; 3 Saiyan bloodline serums

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'So, it seems that lowest increase occurred in the intelligence attribute, just as I suspected. My Constitution increased by 12.5 points, which is 50% of the original value. It has the highest increase in terms of points. But if we look at the percentages, then my Spirit wins the race. It was 3 before and now it has become 8. So, it increased by more than 100%. My Strength and Agility increased by 25% too.'

After thinking over his changes for some time, Oliver came to the following conclusion about his transformation.

'Intelligence is an exception, its increase is unnaturally low due to Saiyan's personality issues. I suspect that it increased only because my physical body had naturally reached a realm where my brain could function better. Constitution increased by 50% whereas Strength and Agility increased by 25%, seems a normal development for a race geared towards CQC (close quarters combat). But why did Spirit show such a weird increase? I can only assume it was so because it was so low that it didn't follow the norm. I think it should have also increased by 25% if it was above a certain threshold.'

Oliver carefully looked at his new Saiyan subordinates.

'Their complexion has returned to normal so quickly. It must mean that there was a drastic increase in their attributes. Most probably all their attributes except Intelligence increased by 5 points. Maybe the Constitution even increased by 10 points. Well, it will become more clear in the mission world. According to Orb, they will get a simplified version of the status menu and stuff for better communication and convenience.'

He clapped his hands twice to gather everyone's attention.

"Guys I have to be somewhere soon, so I want to talk to you for a moment before going out. If you want to become strong then try to be kind and hardworking. If you are kind then the number of S-cells in your body will increase, and trust me they are very very important! If you don't die from training and fighting then you will only get stronger. Though don't do anything too crazy right now as we don't have a good method of healing in case of emergencies. And no looking at full moons if you don't want to be killed by me. Understood?"

Jeff swung his arms a few times and said, "Big boss, I feel a lot stronger right now. I could probably take 10 of old me and still come on top."

Oliver just laughed at the old man jumping around like a little kid in an amusement park.

Molly suddenly rushed in front of him and said, "Boss boss, why don't I feel the bloodthirst of a Saiyan? Except for a wee bit desire to have a good fight, which I can keep under control, all I fell is the huuugee increase in my power!"

For a moment Oliver was completely dumbstruck by Molly's question. It wasn't because he had never thought about it, it was because, "Molly, I don't know if I should be happy that you trust me enough to drink something handed by me without asking questions, or should I spank your ass hard for not thinking about this question before drinking the potion."

"Ehh~ but boss I thought you are the type that doesn't like his orders being questioned."

"..."

"Sigh, anyways, don't worry about the adverse effects on our psychology. Our base is different from Saiyans. We were and will always be humans in some shape or form. So, although we are more inclined to start a brawl we won't become serial killers just for fun."

Oliver had used four days asking questions to the Orb. And he had definitely used that time to get much as much information as possible. There was even a folder saved by Grace, just detailing all the important about various attributes. There was a lot of redundant information in there, but there was no shortage of useful information.

For example, Intelligence wasn't used for determining something like his Spirit recovery or something along those lines. Instead, it was used to determine the number of skills he could learn. Oliver had never imagined Intelligence could be so important. It was the only attribute that couldn't increase through some kind of training or practice.

According to Orb, there are only three ways to increase intelligence. First, when strength, constitution, and agility all reach a multiple of 50 points, then intelligence will increase by 10 points. Second, buy a skill to do it. Third, spend SVPs to directly increase it.

'Ah, I started thinking about something completely unimportant!'

Oliver shook his head to clear away the annoying thoughts and focused on his subordinates again.

"Guys you should be easily able to feel that your physical strength has increased tremendously. Unfortunately, our enemies are so strong that they can eat you in a single gulp without much thought."

At this point, the colour had drained from the member's of the girl squad. Jeff and Romano had an unnaturally solemn expression on their face. They were used to fighting far more than the girls and they clearly understood how powerful they had become. But according to their boss, even this strength was useless. They couldn't even begin to imagine how harsh the burden on their boss must be to keep on fighting such terrifying enemies all alone, and who knows for how long.

"I, Romano, and Jeff already have a practical combat style, but you girls don't. So, for the next week, we will set the foundation for you. I have a thing called the VR chamber. It can stretch an hour into almost 20 hours. You will practice the techniques of Muay Thai, MMA, and Shooting in there. I hope you don't take too much break this week and practice hard. Romano, the machine is installed at my house. It is your responsibility that everyone uses it properly."

'Grace send all the info and instructions about the VR chamber to Romano.'

>

Ellie slightly fixed her glasses and asked, "Boss can you please tell us what we are going against?"

Oliver just gave a mirthless chuckle at that, "It can be anything. Living, not living, monster, or even human. This is why I'm going to such lengths to strengthen you guys. If not, you will definitely die on the first day in "that" place."

Everyone couldn't help but suck a breath of cold air.

Oliver smirked after looking at their expression, "Don't worry though. I am not the strongest being out there, but I'm pretty strong! Just leave the strong enemies for me right now. Though I hope you can grow soon and help me share my burden."

Oliver started walking towards the door and then he turned to look at Jeff. "Jeff try to bring Emily and Ashely a little later than usual today. I will be cooking a feast and it will take some time to get it ready."

"Sure thing big boss!"

"Oh and if you don't like your scars then get an open wound on them and it should heal back perfectly. This is just a theory though. So, test it on a small piece of skin first."

"Thanks, big boss. I will keep that in mind."

.....

Oliver had just reached his house when he remembered something he had completely forgotten about due to the sudden emergence of the bloodline sale.

'Grace, could you please forward the blueprint of the holographic phone to Ellie and Romano. Ask Ellie to study it, and tell Romano to find a way to make money using it.'

>

After getting a refreshing bath at his own house, Oliver put on some baggy clothes to hide his tail and muscles and started parkouring (is that even a word?....I hope you get what I was trying to say~)

towards his mother's house.

Although he didn't hear a notification about his skill levelling up, Oliver was very satisfied with today's session as he was able to test his new strength...somewhat.

'Seems like I need to find a proper opponent to gauge my limits.'

Oliver used a spare key to walk into Lena's home. As he would be meeting Ashely for the first time in this timeline Oliver decided to prepare a grand feast to leave a lasting first impression.

'As they say, way to a woman's heart is through her stomach.'

>

'...'

*Sigh* 'Grace play some of Gordon Ramsay's cooking tutorials. I want to make something awesome today.'

Although Oliver's Arcane Cooking Master was still level 1, it didn't mean that he couldn't cook anything except Egg Fried Rice. It was just that other food created by him wouldn't have some beneficial effects attached to them. It would still be immensely tasty though.

...

"Haven't you people ever heard of~ hum hum..."

Oliver heard the click of the main door opening and started walking towards it to welcome whoever had come.

He was a little surprised to find that Lena, Emily, and Ashely were together.

Lena noticed his surprise and said, "I found them walking down the street so I gave them a lift."

Then Emily came forward and introduced Ashely.

"Oliver this is my best friend Ashely. She is the one I was talking about last night."

Oliver was clearly excited to meet Ashely after such a long time. But just as he was about to say hi to her, mount mama erupted with full force.

"Oliver Hanover! What have you done to your hair?"

Oliver panicked for a split second before he thought of a perfect answer. He walked closer to Lena and directly looked into her blue eyes.

"Mother, I have decided what I want to be in my life. I will be a great ... Super Saiyan."

Every word was spoken with a perfect amount of seriousness.

Lena obviously didn't know what it was, and she was confused as to how to react to it. By this time Ashley couldn't keep her laughter in.

"Ahahaha... ahahah... Hi, Oliver nice to meet! I'm Ashely. You are even better than Emily described you."

"Hey, Ashely! Nice to meet you. Come inside. I have cooked some good things tonight. I'm 1000% sure that you guys will love it."

As Oliver moved forward to have a casual handshake with Ashely he realized that her style was such that it almost completely covered the right side of her face.

For a moment all Oliver saw was red. He almost rushed out of the house to kill her step-father. But the concerned look from Lena and Emily poured a much needed bucket of cold water over his mind.

Oliver took a deep breath to press down the anger bubbling inside his blood.

"Ashely, who did this to you?"

'I know who it is. But the me right now shouldn't know it. Keep calm and act for a few more lines Oliver. You can do it!"

"Wha- What are you talking about?"

"I'm not in a mood to joke Ashely. Who hit your face?" Although his body was in a total aggressive stance, his voice was the gentlest he had ever used.

"It- Its nothing! I just fell off the stairs. AND Why does it matter to you? Back off man!"

Oliver didn't mind Ashely's outburst at all. Anyone would be uncomfortable if a stranger tries to get nosy about your personal business. He quietly walked near her and only stopped when their breaths started coiling together like long lost lovers.

Oliver carefully lifted her head so that he could once more drown himself in those beautiful eyes of hers...