A Gamer's Only Equal

by RealityOyster

What is a gamer? An incredibly powerful being with the power to tip the balance between good and evil, one without equal. But then, is that really true? Can't be if there's more than one.

So… Basically just a random thought that escalated FAR beyond what it should have and written while I was being lazy and ignoring my part of the other fic, but if you enjoy it, I'll continue with this thing. Simply put - 'Gamer fics have no sense of challenge to them… Ok, how can I fix this? MORE GAMERS!'

Side note: The exp scaling was incredibly difficult to work out.

---

- The Void, Origin Year ? -

'Eh, it's not like he'll notice, he hasn't looked at the thing in millenia. But where to get them from?.. Ama and Yah might lend me some.'

- Unknown Place, XX-XX-XXXX XX-XX -

'Blackness… Blackness… Blackness… Five other people… Ah. So I'm not actually alone in this empty void, good to know.'

'My name's Coby April, and to summarize why I'm in this position, truly cultured men need but one word. Truck. But there's something wrong with this image. If I'm being reincarnated as an anime protagonist… WHY ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE HERE?!'

"Ah, you are all awake." A voice breaks me from my musings as I get moved around to form part of a circle with the others. Hexagon? Circle. No, hexagon.

"You will not be able to hear each other while you are in this space, as there is no medium to carry your voices."

'So… We're in space. Makes perfect sense to me. But why are we here?'

"You are all here because you have died prematurely, and I offer you a chance to live again. To make up for my blunder, I will allow each of you to customize your lives to a certain extent. A screen will appear in front of you with various benefits on it. Select any you would like, but take heed. For every benefit, there is a drawback. Some are equal, and others less so."

A few seconds of silence, and as the voice mentioned, a selection appeared in front of me.

{Alignment: Good} - Gain reputation and affection with 'Good' aligned characters 50% faster. Gain reputation and affection with 'Evil' aligned characters 100% slower. (Max: 100)

{Alignment: Evil} - Gain reputation and affection with 'Evil' aligned characters 50% faster. Gain reputation and affection with 'Good' aligned characters 100% slower. (Max: 100)

{Alignment: Neutral} - Gain reputation and affection with 'Good' aligned characters 25% slower. Gain reputation and affection with 'Evil' aligned characters 25% slower. (Max: 100)

'Good. The main characters have bs plot armour and I don't want to be on it's receiving end.'

Once it is selected, a far larger list appears.

'Ok then… This may take a while

- A little later -

'I think that's everything!'

{GAME} - The world is treated as a game, and your body reacts as such. You can no longer change alignment, and improvised attacks will be severely penalized.

{Slow Start} - Triple stat gain from level-up. EXP to level-up increased by 50% per level (Additive).

{Luck's Favourite} - Luck stat doubled. EXP to level-up increased by 25%

{Starting Line} - Choose birth family. Luck stat halved.

{Consolidation} - -30 starting stats (Base - 75). +1 stat point per level.

{Genetic Lottery} - +20 starting stats (Base - 75) and other benefits. -10 to all stats at level 20

{Grind King} - Repeat an action 1000 times to gain a 10% EXP bonus for that action. Reputation and affection gain with characters lacking the 'Dedicated' hidden trait reduced by 20%

{Mage} - You can use magic. From level 10 onwards you are targeted by other magic users, either for recruitment or to be killed.

{Weapons Specialist} - Double weapon bonuses. Halve social bonuses where weapons are uninvolved.

{Weapons Prodigy} - Weapon related skill EXP gain increased by 400%. Social skill EXP gain reduced by 100% while unrelated to weaponry.

{Specialized Prodigy} - Requires -1- {-Prodigy} trait. Benefits magnified 475%. Drawbacks magnified 500%.

{STR: [-] 20}

{DEX: [-] 10}

{CON: [-] 20}

{INT: [-] 10}

{WIS: [-] 10}

{CHR: [-] 3}

{LCK: [-] 10}

{Total - 83}

Points remaining: 0

'Fact is, I'm going to get exponentially stronger, so as long as I can get past the hurdle that is the first five or 6 levels I'm practically home free. As such, an early investment into strength is practically mandatory. I would be wasting my bonus if I didn't put anything in luck, and I don't want to have my learning stunted so intelligence is a must as well. Grind King seems useless, but I'm betting on the fact that the lack of an OPT clause is intentional.'

[For rational analysis and deduction, +1 INT]

'Ah. So I'm right. Always good to get confirmation.'

…

'So uh… What now?'

…

'Hello?'

- Another little while later -

'You have all now completed the first step. I wish you all the best of luck.'

{Select birth family:

Fall - Alignment = Evil, Wealth = Small, Influence = Small, Physique = Lithe/Moderate, Traits: Ambitious, Intimidating

Ambitious - +50% EXP when working against influential opposition

Intimidating - Gain reputation with subordinates 100% faster. Lose affection with subordinates 100% faster.

Schnee - Alignment = Neutral, Wealth = Extreme, Influence = Large/Extreme, Physique = Lithe/Weak, Traits: Arrogant, Intelligent, Glyph User

Arrogant - Lose affection 50% faster

Intelligent - Gain 2 INT per level

Glyph User - Semblance becomes 'Schnee Glyphs'.

…

Arc - Alignment = Good, Wealth = Moderate, Influence = Moderate, Physique = Lean/Strong, Traits: Extreme Aura, Hero's Legacy

Extreme Aura - Triple CON, gain trait Grimm Magnet

Hero's Legacy - Gain 3 stat extra points per level, Lose reputation and affection with 'Evil' aligned characters 100% faster, double CHR, damage taken from 'Evil' aligned characters +50%.

Grimm Magnet - All Grimm within a level-based radius will be attracted to the player's location.

…

Belladonna - … Physique = Bulky/Massive

…

Rose - Traits: Silver Eyes

…

Ironwood - Influence = Extreme+

…

Polendina

….

Soleil

…

Black

…

Supercut

…

…

...

- Arc Residence, 21/08/0000 -

"What should we call them?"

"Heh… This little guy rushed to get out past hist brother. He's a Coby for sure."

"Then Jaune, he played along happily. Coby and Jaune Arc."

{Title Added - Baby. Title locked. Effect - All stats reduced by 90%, EXP gain reduced by 100%}

'I regret nothing.'

{Pewter Arc - Unstoppable Force:

Level: ?

STR: ?

DEX: ?

CON: ?

INT: ?

WIS: ?

CHR: 120

LCK: 75}

'I regret even less.'

- Arc Residence, 12/01/0001 -

{Gained Skill: Crawl}

'Shut up, I don't need this.'

- Arc Residence, 21/08/0004 -

"Aawww. But I want a blue one!"

"Tough. Mine."

{Title Removed - Baby. Title Added - Child. Title locked. Effect - All stats reduced by 50%, EXP gain reduced by 80%}

"Atch'lly, fight me for it."

- Arc Residence, 21/08/0011 -

""""""Happy Birthday to you!""""""

""""""Happy Birthday to you!"""""" ""Squashed Tomatoes and Stew!""

""""""Happy Birthday Dear Jauuune/Coooby…"""""" ""You look like a monkeeey…""

""""""Haaappy Biirthdaay… To yoouuuu!"""""" ""Aaand you smeeell liiike one toooo!""

"Happy birthday you daft idiot."

"Happy birthday know-it-all."

{Title Removed - Child}

"So, you two excited to be going to Pharos?"

"No, not really." "YES!"

"Coby, you said not really, why's that?"

"I wanted to go to Signal, remember?"

"Wow, that was a long time ago. I would've thought you'd forgotten by now - did he really leave that big of an impression? To me he just looked like a casual drunk."

"A casual drunk wouldn't carry around a sword-scythe and have a hand in a position to grab it at any time."

- Pharos Academy, 12/03/0014 - Time till canon: 3 years -

Walking to the training grounds for the start of the daily routine, Jaune turns to his brother, eager to talk about the topic mentioned by the teacher earlier in the day.

"So what's your weapon gonna be Coby?"

Jolting out of casual thought, he turns to his slightly shorter and leaner twin "Huh? Oh, that. Actually, I was thinking of having a spear and dual pistols."

Jaune frowns. "It's not going to be mechashift?"

Rolling his eyes, Coby chuckles a bit and shakes his head "No, It would make the spear too rigid. What I'll do is implement a gravity dust system to decrease the weight while it meets the conditions of being below a certain speed and not in contact with anything, and increase it for any downwards motion and as the speed increases. As for the pistols… They're only going to have 1 shot before reload, but triple reinforcing the shot with force dust and setting a fusion burst should give me the opening I need to either flee or get up close… Which are really the only things I need them for."

"Hold on though, what are you going to do about the recoil? It would have to be ungodly on something like that."

At that, Coby looks over to the teacher closest to him. "Professor Tine, didn't you say that force dust stored immense amounts of force in order to energise itself at one point?"

"Yes... My apologies, but I couldn't help overhearing your explanation. Very well thought out by the way, but might I recommend a flux drive to counter the build-up of ambient gravitational force in the spear? It would be a shame if such a spear just flies away eventually."

"Yeh, I've been thinking about that for a while now, and I was originally planning to leave it, since it would mean it would take less dust to activate the spear's effects, but then I would have to have constant application of a small amount of dust to cancel the effects on the weapon even when outside of battle… It all comes down to expense at the end of the day."

"I see… That would work wouldn't it… Ah well, I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide to create in the end, and if you need any help with anything just come talk to me."

{Reputation +20 (70/100)}

"Will do."

Turning back to Jaune, he notices the unamused expression on his face. "I don't suppose you'll let me off for being excited would you?"

"Nope."

- Later that day -

{Workout finished, +39 EXP (20 + Bonuses)}

{Level Up! 9 - 10!}

Points Remaining: 27

'Oh FINALLY.'

{Exp: 3249/3230 - 19 / 4500}

'Dammit. These experience notifications are seriously depressing.'

- Meanwhile -

{Level Up! 37 - 38!}

"Nice."

- Pharos Academy, 15/06/0014 -

{Congratulations! You have crafted a soul weapon(s). +15000 Exp!}

{Soul weapons are found far easier to wield by the user, grant the user a bonus to certain stats, and gains a unique ability of it's own.}

{Gae Daerg (Spear) - Ignores Aura. +30% DEX while equipped.)

{Severance (Pistol ½ set) - Effects only applied with both pistols equipped. Deals +900% damage to Aura. +20% INT}

{Binding (Pistol ½ set) - Effects only applied with both pistols equipped. Damage to aura and wounds inflicted by this weapon become permanent. +20% INT}

{Level Up! 10 - 12!}

Points Remaining: 54

"Well that's something I guess."

'I mean, they were the inspiration for the design, but still.'

"Hmm?" Professor Pallet looks over from working on his own weapon - a greatsword with the capability to split into two backswords. The man himself is broad chested, deep-voiced, and what many people would consider the perfect 'manly man'. "What's the problem?"

"Ah, no problem, in fact I'm finally finished, but now that I look at the finished product… My weapons look really menacing."

They do. Gae Dearg is crimson, struck with black in parts from the gravity dust. Severance is predominantly black with red vein-like patterns across it's surface and white snowflakes falling down the grip panel, and Binding is white, with black vein-patterns and red snowflakes.

"Bah! What a shame! Fact is eventually you're gonna be killing shit with that. I'd say that deserves a bit of menace. No matter. If they're ready, why don't you test 'em? Come on, stab me with your pointy little pole and shoot me with your little toys!"

"Uhh… Before I do that could you test Dearg's edge? I've used a pretty interesting method to forge it, so I'm not sure how sharp it's gonna be." Coby admits sheepishly.

"... You can't do that yourself? Fine. Chuck it over here." He sighs.

Coby wraps the handle in cloth and throws it side on. Pewter catches it in one hand and taps the tip in one motion… Only for it to come out the other side.

"FUCKING SHITE! FUCK'D YOU DO TO MAKE IT THIS SHARP?! OUM DAMN IT!"

{Affection -10 (20/100}

{Reputation +5 (55/100)}

"You still want me to shoot you or are we going to hold off on that one?"

After a few minutes of pouring aura into his finger to stop the bleeding and start the healing process the professor turns to Coby with a radiant smile on his face.

"Coby?…" He says with an attempted sweet tone that just grates against his natural pitch horrendously.

Slightly unnerved, he replies. "Yes...?"

"Get out."

- Pharos Academy, 23/06/0017 -

On the walk back home from the last day of the school year, the conversation inevitably turns to the most pressing topic at hand.

"So, you're not going to Beacon then?"

"Nah…"

"Are you finally gonna tell me why?"

"Nah…"

"Is it that I'm going there?"

…

"The family feud with Ozpin?"

…

"Crocea Mors?"

…

"Coco?"

*Flinch*

"Ok then. You could have just said. Though I do wonder why you find her so terrifying…"

"That's because you've never gone on a 'little trip out' with her! That-that-that THING is a monstrosity! A demon in the flesh."

"She's really not that bad… Just a little… Enthusiastic about the cosmetics industry."

"No. Denied. Refused. Spurned. Vetoed. Rejected. Prohibited. Atlas graduates have a higher huntsman score than Beacon anyway."

"You do realise that most of that's due to the large majority of students entering the military immediately after graduation right? The huntsman score system shouldn't be applied to Atlas graduates, it's all propaganda."

"I can't believe that it's that wrong though, there has to be at least some skill there to get that many missions completed."

"Obviously, but the fact that it's targeted rather than random… You know what, I can't convince you, so I'm not even going to try anymore."

"Thank you."

…

…

…

"So… Any progress dating?"

"Tch. You know how I am at things like that, so how do you think it's going… Bonus points for guessing 'not at all'."

"Geez, I was just asking."

"Well don't. Honestly I regret taking those damn perks"

"I'm-sorry-what?"

"Nevermind… We gonna carry on that game of Civ 5 or start a new one? If I remember correctly you weren't doing too well against my AK-130s and Hunter-carriers."

"You're on - Bet I get a culture victory before you even get halfway~"

*Chuckles* "We'll see."

---

{Coby Percin Arc)

{STR: 80}

{DEX: 55}

{CON: 300}

{INT: 63}

{WIS: 64}

{CHR: 30}

{LCK: 50}

Passive skills:

Social - {Speech 86 - 52% (Inherited 85)}, {Misdirection 14 - 23%}, {Haggle 9 - 10% (Inherited 7)}, {Lie 7 - 83% (Inherited 3)} and 13 others.

Combat - {Spear Proficiency 157 - 3%}, {Combat Aim 135 - 43%}, {Weapon Analysis 112 - 66%}, {Pistol Proficiency 103 - 77%} and 52 others.

Utility - {Blacksmith (Polearms) 112 - 50%}, {Weapon Repair 107 - 20%} {Blacksmith (Guns) 103 - 91%}, {Blacksmith (Swords} 99 - 80% and 24 others.

Misc - {Sleep MAX - 100%}, {Code 70 - 88% (Inherited 61)}, {Investigate 60 - 63% (Inherited 47)}, {Hack 50 - 99%} and 29 others.

Active Skills:

Social - {Interact MAX - 100%}, {Suggest 50 - Reliant on Speech, Misdirection}, and 12 others

Combat - {Possibility Sense (Spear) 150 - Reliant on 'Spear Proficiency' and usage.}, {Sense Weakness (Pistol) 105- Reliant on 'Pistol Proficiency' and usage.} and 30 others

Utility - {Blacksmith (Weaponry) 105 - Reliant on top three 'Weapon' Blacksmithing proficiencies.}, {Observe 60 - Reliant on level and usage, higher levels reveal more details about advanced targets.} and 17 others

Misc - {Narcoleptic Episode 77 - Reliant on 'Sleep' and usage, higher levels can determine the length with greater efficiency.}, {Code Generation 56 - Reliant on top three 'programming' proficiencies. Applicable for advancing any 'programming' proficiency.}

Traits: Extreme Aura, Hero's Legacy, Grimm Magnet

Hehe… He accidentally turned notifications off. As for the reason the skill levels are so high, he's had 17 years to upgrade them in - only bursts of inspiration will really change the top skills at this point.

Please keep in mind that gamers are meant to be over the top anomalies. However, there will still be enemies that can completely mop the floor with any of them for quite a while, and even once they get past maiden level there's still each other, Salem and Ozpin to contend with. That being said, here are Jaune and Cardin's stats at this point in time, as a baseline you can draw from.

{Jaune Arc:

Level: 30

STR: 62

DEX: 50
CON: 240
INT: 45
WIS: 55
CHR: 60
LCK: 75}

{Cardin Winchester:

Level: 17

STR: 132

DEX: 15
CON: 60
INT: 15
WIS: 14
CHR: 80

LCK: 40}

Since Jaune has actually had a decent hunstsman education, his stats are far better than they were in the original series, and in-keeping with appearance, Cardin has a 2x multiplier on his strength stat, but little else. Overspecialization in the early game can be a real problem people. Also, gamers are the only ones with alterable luck stats. Sorry Qrow.

Final question before I close this up, can anyone guess what build Coby'll eventually go for? - if I keep this up that is.