Chapter 23: Astra's Upgrade to Tier-3
[System Window (Astra)]
Master, you have received a Tier-3 System Upgrader. Will you please use it for me? （´-`)
Then Sam finally realized that he had received a Tier-3 System Upgrader as his quest reward.
"Ah,now that you mentioned it, I did receive something like that. Astra, tell me the details of the Tier-3 Upgrader."
[System Window (Astra)]
Yes, Master! (◕‿◕)
System Upgrader Tier-3 will upgrade me into a newer and more advanced version of myself. Also, this has a plus point that... oh (¬‿¬) I don't think you should know this now.
---
After Astra said that, Sam felt she was hiding something suspicious. What she said didn't even explain what the "materialized body part" was.
[System Window (Astra)]
U-umm... OH! (•‿•)
Right, Master! Also, at Tier-3, I can calculate everything and use auto-defense and auto-attack. That means we both can fight side by side.
After hearing this, Sam thought it was a very good upgrade. But he suddenly realized, "Wait, what do you mean by side-by-side fighting?"
[System Window (Astra)]
(◔_◔) OH... ah... umm... oh yeah! Maybe you should start upgrading me to Tier-3 fast, or you will be late.
Sam finally gave up. "Huh!!! I guess we start now?" After saying that, Sam's eyes started to glow as he commanded, "System, use the item Tier-3 System Upgrader."
Then suddenly, a notification appeared.
[System Window]
Confirming the assurance of host accepting the conditions for upgrading Astra to Tier-3.
---
[System Window]
Conditions for upgrading Astra to Tier-3 are:
→ Reach level 2500 ✔ Completed
→ Reach advancement 30th stage ✔ Completed (Additional Condition)
→ Host has to endure endless pain more than host has endured during Tier-2. Duration is 168 hours.
Would host like to proceed?
Yes / No
After hearing this, Sam let out a sigh. "Sigh!!!!! I have to endure pain for 7 days straight? Astra, you should be more helpful when you upgrade to Tier-3."
[System Window (Astra)]
No problem, Master. I will be useful in many ways after advancing to Tier-3, so don't sweat about it. (•̀ᴗ•́)و
Sam gave a smile, then told Astra that she better be more useful. Then Sam said one word to the system window:
"Yes."
As Sam gave his confirmation, the system notification appeared.
[System Notification]
The host has confirmed the condition. Astra tier upgrading is now starting.
3...
2...
1...
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By the countdown's end, a light coated with black and red began to surround Sam. The lights struck him and surged up into the space. As the light strucked him his heart beat started to become very fast as the heart was beating " Ba-dump Ba-dump" Then he started to feel pain and tears were cornering his eyes . He started to scream in pain as the light was constantly burning him.The energy was so powerful that it destroyed everything in its path.
But Sam endured it, even as the pain worsened every second. All the armor Sam was wearing auto-unequipped. He was left wearing only a pair of tanned pants, his fully muscular body now visible. Every muscle strained, veins bulged across his head and torso. The lights surrounding him expanded their territory, crackling with raw power.
---
The agony Sam experienced was far worse than last time. As he screamed in pain—"Ahhhhhh!!!!!"—the sound echoed horribly through the void. It felt as though millions of swords were slashing him, millions of needles piercing him, and the very flesh was tearing away from his bones. The pain intensified with every passing moment.
A system window updated relentlessly in the corner of his vision:
[System Window]
Upgrade processing... 1%... 2%... 3%... 4%...
Time left: 167 hours 58 minutes 23 seconds.
..........