Living life as a game was far from the worst thing I could imagine going through. Sure, falling off a tree was a hell of a first introduction to this world, but how many people could ever say their life turned into a literal game? This was definitely a good thing.

Right?

I shook my head and focused back on the translucent panel.

Welcome to hard mode.

The following messages are meant to inform you of your current core mechanics. Whether you acquire more depends entirely on the actions you take after starting.

Alright, starting out simple was good. I pressed the "Continue" on the lower right corner of the panel. The words on the panel shifted into new sentences.

The following three words will provide access to their respective panel. You may access these panels by poking the words or speaking them out loud.

Status Skills Quests

Speaking out loud may not be the best idea, but after taking a look at my empty surroundings, I couldn't resist saying something. In particular, "Status." A second panel popped up with its own cheerful ping.

Name: Jose a Standard Civilian

Level: 1 (0.00%)

HP: 21/100

Stamina: 50/100

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 10

Endurance: 10

Wisdom: 10

Intelligence: 10

Charisma: 10

Luck: 10

Condition: Heavily Wounded

I winced after seeing the low hit points. That along with "Heavily Wounded" probably explained why I felt like chewed gum. Pressing "Standard Civilian" and then "Heavily Wounded" resulted in another pair of smaller panels popping up just above the terms. They mentioned that my standard abilities equaled that of a civilian my age and that my various wounds were likely to get worse with exertion.

I wasn't sure if I should be mad or glad my abilities all started out as 10. That was a pretty average number in the table top RPGs I remembered playing. Went hand in hand with the title next to my name I suppose. I wonder how I could raise them.

Shrugging, I flicked the newer panels away, making them dissolve. Once only the original was left, I pressed "Skills."

0/2 Skills

(No skills)

1 Unlocked

Pain Resistance Level: 1 (0.00%) Passive

You've survived a deadly situation despite an incredible amount of pain. Aren't you lucky!

This panel was more confusing than the last, but still pretty minimalistic. Wondering what the skill meant by "Passive," I poked it and instantly felt a slight relief. My eyes widened as I stared at the panel again.

1/2 Skills

Pain Resistance Level: 1 (0.00%) Passive

You've survived a deadly situation despite an incredible amount of pain. Aren't you lucky!

Ignore (10% * LEVEL) of pain.

0 Unlocked

(No skills)

I rubbed my eyes in frustration. That was a mistake. The minmaxer in me was definitely not happy. I dismissed the panel. There would be time to think about that later. For now, I poked the last of the words on the original panel. As the "Quest" opened, a celebratory ping announced the presence of another panel, covering up its predecessor. The single sentence on the newest one made me pause.

Congratulations on completing the tutorial!

That was it!? As I finished that thought, the panel dissolved, revealing another surprise.

1 Started

My First Ninja Encounter!

How will you survive your first meeting with a real ninja?

Objective: Do not die for the next 23 hours 59 minutes 30 seconds

Reward: ?

0 Completed

(No Quests)

0 Failed

(No Quests)

A heartbeat later something cold and sharp pricked my throat. My limbs felt frozen and I could barely breath as a figure simply appeared in front of me. No noise and completely still. Had it always been standing there? Covered by a knee length, black cloak and a white mask vaguely resembling a cat, the figure stepped closer and that's when it clicked. That was an Anbu. From Naruto. I was in the Naruto world!?

The figure stopped an arm length's away and spoke with cold, obvious suspicion, "You recognize me?"