It had been a few hours since I'd left the dungeon, the night was slowly turning to morning and the infomercials that had been playing on the TV since I'd bought the room for the night.
It was surprising how few questions the guy at the front had asked when a kid covered in blood turns up and says he wants a room for the night, then again a few grand thrown his way might have also been a deciding factor in that decision.
The clothing situation wasn't any good right now, the grey hoodie I'd woken up in was ruined, if not because of the blood then the large holes that had been torn through it in the fight meant it was damn near unusable if I didn't want to draw attention outside of this room.
The t-shirt wasn't any better, it was destined for destruction considering it was basically a biological hazard. I was more surprised that a gust of wind hadn't torn it off of me.
The trousers were… salvageable. If I put in the effort to clean them then they'd be fine, if there was one plus side to fighting gangsters they seemed to aim for center mass instead.
By right now it was quiet, and that left me alone to focus on the little things.
Little things like how I couldn't feel pain anymore.
It was a strange sensation; to know you've been shot, to feel the bullet tearing it's way through your body and yet to not have it hurt. I remember whimpering like a little girl when I gave myself little knicks from woodworking and now I'm shrugging off bullets like a motherfucker.
However it still wasn't as strange as seeing my face. Like it's a face, a decent looking one at that.
But it wasn't mine.
My eyes had never been green, my hair had never been blonde and my skin had never been as fair as this. For a solid minute I'd thought someone had broken into my room when I'd seen it.
It was just going to take a while to get used to I guess.
Hey Game?
[Yes Gamer]
What am I supposed to be doing?
[Probably checking out the rewards you received from completing the dungeon]
I mean I got an EXP reward, is that what you're talking about?
[Not directly, but we may as well address the effects of that reward. Can you do me a favour and check your Status menu?]
Sure, 'Status'.
Name: Mordred
Age: 12
Race: Talented Human
Alignment: True Neutral
Current Class: Scrapper
Class Level: 23 [1275/2300 EXP]
EXP Gain: 200%
Total Levels: 23
Credits: 1000
Hit Points: 2475/2475 [297 HP/Sec]
Stamina Points: 2425/2425 [291 SP/Sec]
Magic Points: 20/20 [20 MP/Sec]
Psychic Points: 26/26 [26 PP/Sec]
Stats
Strength: 99 (99)
Endurance: 97 (97)
Dexterity: 57 (57)
Intelligence: 10 (10)
Wisdom: 13 (13)
Charisma: 13 (13)
Luck: 18 (18)
That's… one hell of a stat increase. I literally have nine times as much strength as I started with. Hell I'm nearly twice as strong as a peak human.
I know this is probably a stupid question but why has my race changed?
[As a Gamer you have access to the Racial Evolutions tree, meaning you can enhance how your race functions]
But being talented isn't really an evolution, that's more like a perk than a fundamental change to my race.
[Humans are a bit… basic. There really wasn't much for me to use when making up the tree for them]
I mean it's fine, just a bit funny to me. So what does the whole race change thing even do?
[As you advance through the tree the amount of HP, SP, MP and PP you gain from your stats will increase, fundamentally making you a more powerful individual. As a plus you also gain access to unique Racial Perks as a result of the trees]
So I'm stronger is all I'm hearing?
[In simple terms, yes]
Cool, so what causes the race change?
[You meet the Stat threshold, with each tier of the racial tree you advance through the requirements will also increase]
So it's tied to stats, that means I can get stronger by getting stronger? That's kinda… simple, not gonna lie.
Well at least that's another thing to try and 100% later. How many tiers are there?
[There are 9 Tiers for the tree, with 38 possible options amongst them]
Holy shit, that's definitely going to take a while.
Nice work…
By the way do you have a name?
[I am merely the UI for the System, it was not deemed important for me to be given a name on my creation]
...do you mind if I give you one?
[If you want to do so I won't stop you]
Well if we're sticking with the Arthurian naming scheme then I may as well give you one that makes sense.
A loyal guide and trusted companion of the protagonist…
How about Merlin?
[I thought Merlin was Arthur's guide, if anything Morgan Le Fay would be a more fitting name]
Yes, but she was also an evil bitch. You aren't.
[Alright then, I'll accept it]
Well then Merlin, what do we do now?
[Well, I'd say we should check out your Inventory]
Okie dokie, let's check it out.
Inventory
[Consumables]
[Heart Crystal]
[Stat Crystals] (x6)
[Gacha Tokens] (x6)
So the only things in my Inventory are a bunch of consumables. Where did these even come from?
[They were enemy loot drops, I was suppressing the notifications so that you wouldn't be distracted in the fight]
Well… thanks then Merlin.
[No problem, would you like me to run through the Tutorial on how they work?]
Sure, I'll never complain about getting more knowledge.
[Then we'll begin with the most simple item: Stat Crystals]
Based on the name I'm guessing they increase my stats or something along those lines?
[Correct! When you consume these items they increase a specific stat by a certain amount based on the rarity of the Crystal]
Rarity?
[In ascending order, they are: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Mythic and Legendary]
Okay, so what do I have right now?
[Right now you have: 1x Strength (Common), 2x Endurance (Rare), 1x Dexterity (Mythic), 1x Intelligence (Legendary) and 1x Luck (Rare)]
Is there a shortcut to consume them all immediately? I don't want to have to pull them out one at a time to use them.
[If you want to use them all at once then tell me and I can do it for you]
Thanks Merlin, you're the best. But yeah, I'd like to use them all.
[You have received: +5 Strength, +30 Endurance, +20 Dexterity, +25 Intelligence and +15 Luck]
Ooh, that's a nice boost.
So what's next?
[Next is Heart Crystals]
So what do these do? Are they like in Terraria where they just increase my HP value or something?
[No. These items are used as part of the Relationship segment of the system. By using one of these items you can permanently increase a targets Affection or Obedience score with you up to a max of 50]
Okay…
But I'm guessing I can't use that right now can I?
[No, you can't. You currently have no targets registered within the system]
Well bollocks. I guess I can just stockpile them up for later and when I find someone whose opinion I need to alter I can just dump a load of crystals into them.
Alright so the final ones, Gacha Tokens.
[Gacha Tokens are consumables that allow you to draw an item from any possible fictional universe]
That sounds… really OP not going to lie.
[Do keep in mind that it draws from a large variety of settings and that the odds of you getting something useful from such a broad selection is sadly much lower than you would expect]
True, true.
Alright then, so do I just do them all at once or one at a time?
[These ones you can only do one at a time]
Ah okay, well then I'd like to use one.
[Choosing a random item]
[Item has been Chosen]
A large hi-tech sword spawned into existence in my lap, a katana style blade contained within a gunmetal grey sheath with what looked like a magazine and trigger on the bottom side.
[The Murasama]
{Legendary}
This blade has been passed down the Rodrigues family since the 14th century before receiving a potent upgrade in the 21st century that converted it into a powerful High-Frequency blade. The blade itself is strengthened via alternating currents which, when combined with the blade resonating at such a high frequency, allows it to weaken molecular bonds, making this one of the sharpest blades in the modern era.
Like most High-Frequency blades this weapon has a strange feature, draining electrolytes from foes it strikes to charge both itself and any compatible cybernetics belonging to the wielder.
Damage
50x STR (Slashing)
Unique Effects
Bypasses Mundane/Organic Armour
Drains 10% of Targets SP on successful attacks
[The Murasama's Sheath]
{Legendary}
This custom-made sheath, specially built for the Murasama, utilising the internal components of a rifle and a series of explosive charges to eject the blade at high speeds to enhance the users strikes.
This sheath is also DNA locked, currently it has you registered as its owner, so as to prevent any unregistered users from drawing the blade.
Unique Effects
When the ejection feature is used the next attack dealt by the Murasama deals an additional 100% damage.
Holy shit, I got Jetstream Sam's sword.
Gingerly I navigated my hands across the sheath, avoiding the quickdraw mechanism as I doubted that anybody would appreciate being woken up by a fucking gunshot in the middle of the… I think this can now be classified as morning.
Gradually I drew the blade from the sheath, encountering a little resistance at first before a screen on the sheath changed from red to green, revealing the iconic blood red blade of the Murasama.
I let the sheath rest on the bed, turning my full attention to the blade as bolts of electricity ran up and down it. It was light in the hands, and oddly comfortable to hold.
I was living the dream right now, in a world far away from my own and armed with one of my favourite weapons and a power that few could hope to dream off.
Still, I had 5 more tokens to use and so it was with a heavy heart that I returned the blade to its sheath and let them both rest on the bed.
[Please do keep in mind it's incredibly unlikely for you to get another useful item]
[Choosing a random item]
[Item has been chosen]
Yet another katana spawned into my lap, this one a much simpler looking thing. It came with an undecorated black sheath with a piece of black fabric wrapped around roughly a hands distance from the top of it. The sword's handle was wrapped in white leather and accented with gold.
[Yamato]
{Legendary}
One of several powerful blades forged by the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda, having been left to his eldest child Vergil. This blade has passed through many hands over the years, usually falling into the hands of the descendants of Sparda.
As one of the Legendary blades of Sparda it is far more powerful than your ordinary sword, imbued with a cutting edge so sharp it can cleave through dimensions and with enough precision it can even sever concepts.
Damage
50x Dex (Slashing)
Unique Effects
This weapon can bypass organic/magical/mundane armour
Oh fuck that.
Without thinking I sent Yamato straight back into my inventory, there was no way I was walking around with that thing.
[Why, what's wrong?]
Look, that thing is so damn sharp that if I draw it wrong I could cut through the sheath, my hand, the floor and the street below. I'm not using this thing until I get a bit more practise with the swords.
[And the Murasama isn't sharp?]
It is, but it isn't magically sharp so I don't have to worry about cleaving reality with it, just physical stuff.
Still I'm on a hot streak, I should keep going.
[There is no such thing as a hot streak, right now this is just a series of extremely lucky draws]
Don't jinx it, I've still got four more draws left to do and I'm going for as many as I can get.
[Fine, hopefully this one will prove you wrong]
[Choosing a random item]
[Item has been chosen]
This time a ring spawned into the palm of my hand, an ornate little thing coated in a shiny-black metal and housed a glowing white crystal. For some reason as I held onto it I felt as though there were a dozen separate sets of eyes that were staring at me, judging me, and I could tell that they definitely didn't like what they were looking at.
[Ring of Lucii]
{Legendary}
This divine artifact was forged by the Astrals and bestowed upon the royal family of Lucis. This ring allows the user to channel the power of the Eos Crystal and serves as proof of rightful succession of the throne.
Unique Effects
This ring is protected by the souls of the past kings of Lucis, should someone they deem unworthy attempt to wear the ring they will suffer severe damage and possibly death.
You are unworthy, should you take this ring upon yourself you will find your life cut short.
What the shit?
Why's the text box being screwed with?
[The item is sentient, it's altering the description to ward you off]
Well then, I hope you like resting in my inventory for the foreseeable future you bunch of judgy pricks.
Hey Merlin, that's three legendaries now. What were the odds of that?
[...Literally one-in-a-million]
You seem upset at that, what's wrong?
[I wanted it to be a rare event for you to get powerful artifacts and yet it seems it's all you can get, I'm looking over everything and nothing's malfunctioning so either you're an incredibly lucky individual or someone else is messing with it]
Okay, how about this: I do one more pull and we'll see what it comes out as? If it's a Legendary then something's bugged and you can do some readjustments to it and if it's something else then it's just a fluke and we leave it as is.
This time the item that spawned in was a small vial of a glowing red liquid, overall a rather lackluster looking item in the grand scheme of things.
[Fine, one more roll]
[Choosing a random item]
[Item has been chosen]
[Vial of Dragon's Blood]
{Legendary}
A vial containing the blood of a dragon, one of the powerful Phantasmal Beasts that once roamed the world.
...yep, there's something wrong with this system. It was funny at first but this is kind of bullshit, I mean seriously, four legendary items at once.
[Agreed, this is some bullshit]
Still, what the hell am I going to do with a vial of dragon's blood?
[You could drink it, though I wouldn't recommend it]
Why would I drink it and why shouldn't I?
[Well if you drank it you would gain the (Dragon-Blooded) augmentation, though your odds of survival are even less likely than the odds of you drawing those four Legendary Items]
Augmentations?
[Augmentations are upgrades to your body from outside sources that do not fundamentally alter your race]
So I'm guessing Dragon-Blooded is something like becoming a Draconic Sorcerer?
So unless I want to push my luck I probably shouldn't do anything that will immediately kill me.
Well then, are we done with all the reward stuff?
[We have one final thing to cover, please open the Augmentation menu]
Why, you already just explained them to me?
[Just do it please]
Fine, 'Augmentations'.
Current Augmentations
[Null Touch]
The world was much better when the strangest people running around were psychos wearing masks killing gangsters, instead of it being the era of freaks running around with supernatural abilities.
Well you can't change the world but you can deny another of their powers.
Whilst in physical contact with another individual you can temporarily disable 'mutant' powers.
...where the hell did I get [Null Touch] from?
[That was the final reward for completing the Dungeon]
Why does it mention masked psychos killing gangs as a part of it, that doesn't really affect the ability so why bother mentioning it?
[Because the world of origin for the Dungeon was one that lacked any supernatural shenanigans]
World of Origin? What are you on about?
[The dungeons are not simple constructs made by the system, they were brought about when you entered this world. When you were pulled through the gap between realities you, for lack of a better term, dragged along fragments of other universes that have infested this one]
So it was less that I'm a plague on reality and more that I brought a plague into this one?
[Yes, we successfully quarantined the infections and prevented them from spreading too far and altering the metaphysics of the setting]
Well if you can do all that why didn't you just get rid of them?
[I decided it would be a good way for you to get some experience and give you something to work towards]
Actually... that raises a good question, how many dungeons are there?
[There are 22 dungeons in total, 21 remaining after the one you cleared and you've got 1 month before the quarantine breaks]
Quarantine breaks?
[Should you not clear any dungeons in an allotted time the quarantine holding it back from altering your reality any further will break. The amount of time you get depends on the difficulty of the dungeons you clear]
…shit.
The dungeons get stronger, there's tons of them and if I don't do anything they'll break and fuck up the world. Great, now I've got to take shit seriously.
Looking out the window I could see it was considerably brighter than the last time I'd bothered to pay attention.
Hey Merlin, where's the nearest Dungeon?
[Roughly 100 Miles from your current position, would you like me to guide you to it?]
Yeah, let's build up a bit more of a buffer before I start to get anything done here.
I still need to figure out where the hell you sent me anyways.
PoV Change
When you signed up to join S.H.I.E.L.D. you had to get used to strange events, like getting a call in the middle of the night telling you to head to a random building in the middle of Miami's red-light district because something that fell under their, rather broad, scope had happened.
Less than 24 hours ago the site he was at there had been an office building, the actual business was unimportant as S.H.I.E.L.D. had already gone through all the relevant checks. There was modern equipment, state-of-the-art, at least for the public market, security and an orderly and admittedly bland layout.
Now in its place was a building whose decorations seemed to come straight out of the 80's with its mixture of garish colours and antiquated technology. The most advanced thing in the entire building was a television that had been rendered inoperable in the firefight that had taken place, and even then it was a miracle that the thing was functioning anyways.
Apparently nobody had thought it important to alert the authorities to the… he checked the file again, looking for the section on the ballistics work.
217 shots that had been fired, more than enough to draw the attention of the local authorities, and yet it took until roughly 7 seven hours after the fact for them to be alerted, one of the morning shift had come across the bodies and called it in.
217 shots that had been fired from guns that were unregistered, belonging to men who also were unregistered and were fired at a target whose fingerprints were, yet again, unregistered.
He could count on a single hand how many times before this day they'd had humans turn up that weren't registered in some way, shape or form and he'd still have fingers to spare.
There was no security footage either, the cameras on the block had been taken offline around the same time that the killings were to have taken place and the former security system that had been set up was nowhere to be found.
He sighed, looking over the crime scene again.
The amount of damage dealt varied from body to body, some had been taken out with bullets whilst some looked to have been killed with a fist striking with superhuman strength.
Each piece of information gathered was both immensely useful and abysmally useless. They knew they were dealing with an Enhanced of some kind, one that had somehow managed to avoid any form of registration or leave any traces of their identity beyond fingerprints
It was an impossible
But Agent Coulson was one of the best S.H.I.E.L.D. had to offer, and he'd be damned if he let it remain that way.