Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC. Please support the official release
-/-/-
'Huh. It's pretty dark right now. I can't even see my hand in front of my face. Is this a prank?'
...
...
I go to speak but I can't seem to get a word out of my mouth. 'Ha Ha very funny. when I get my hands on the motherfucker that did this they will know what a true prank is supposed to look like.'
As I finished that thought I bore witness to the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was like there was a crack in reality that exploded. The cosmos rushed all around me, everywhere I looked there were stars and planets. Galaxies swiftly passing all around. It was like witnessing the birth of a universe. Then everything suddenly stopped and I was rocketed backwards as something started pulling me.
As I was being pulled I could see everything growing smaller and smaller to the point where it looked like a marble. As I kept being pulled back I started seeing more and more of these universe marbles. Thousands upon thousands of them all connected to a very big...branch? I was pulled even further and then I saw it. It was a gigantic tree just floating in a void as blue as the sky. The uni-marbles adorning its branches making it look like an extravagant Christmas tree.
'And what, pray tell, does a real prank look like?' it says with a deep, but caring, feminine voice
'Oh shit. I'm a dead man.'
'Indeed, that is why I've brought you before me.'
'What? What do you mean I'm dead? We're talking right now aren't we.' I must have dropped too much acid because this is one hell of a trip.
'Ah, this memory lost must be from the shock of death. Try and focus on the last thing you remember.'
I guess it couldn't hurt to just go with the flow on this. Hmm, the last thing that I remember was landing a gig at this grimy bar. I was about to finish my set when I saw my psycho of an ex-girlfriend in the crowd. When I finished I hurried up to pack my things and hurry home to avoid her, but I was too slow.
As I was walking to the bus stop my ex dragged me into an alley and... oh. I can't believe I died to a fucking yandere... well thats actually a lie. I always counted it as a possibility, but I swear I didn't know what I was getting into. She seemed so innocent when we first got together and it was only after the first week that her mask slipped, but I digress.
'Ok, so I might be dead but why am I here? Is God a tree? Damn we were way off the mark.' As I continue that thought process my mind wanders to the Norse. Didn't they have a tree like this. Oh no, we're the Norse right about everything. 'You wouldn't happen to be Yggdrasil would you?' I hear an amused chuckle in my mind.
'I am, but the one you know of is merely one of my many different roots spread across the multiverse. You see I am not a world tree, but a universal tree. A common misconception you mortals have.'
'You still haven't answered my first question yet?'
'Ha ha, patience young one. The multiverse wasn't formed in a day and its not like you have anything better to do. But to answer your question I am quite bored. I know everything that goes on in each of my universes and the only entertainment I get is when a new one grows from my branches. To put it in mortal terms I have been watching reruns for millions of years.'
'Damn that sucks, but I still don't get what you need me for.'
'Yes well there has been a new source of entertainment among us divine beings. I am sure you have heard of The Gamer system haven't you?'
'I know that you already know the answer to that, but i'm glad that you asked me anyways. Yes I do know of the gamer system.'
'Well I have kept my "eye" on a certain old dark wolf since this whole thing started and it has caused an uproar. None of us can get enough of the unpredictable things you mortals cause when thrown into the multiverse. Because of this I have decided to create a champion of my own.'
Wait, an old dark wolf? They can't be referring to THE gamer can they? Fuck if he's real then I'm going to have to watch my back. Eh I doubt one more gamer would catch the attention of the big four and that magnificent beast of a gamer. I'll keep my head low just in case. 'Ok so what are my options?'
'Well I wanted to shake things up a bit so I chose you specifically because of your background so that you would be more inclined to start on the path I have laid out for you. Keep in mind that you do not have to follow this path, but if you do there will be a couple of bonuses from me as an incentive.'
Something new eh. Well it couldn't hurt to be polite and hear them out. If I don't like the offer then I can always go for a different build.' Sure I'll hear what this new path entails.'
'The path that I have laid out for you is one that will lead to you being the greatest bard in all of the multiverse and not just the ones growing from me.'
Eh, A bard? I mean that's cool and all but I don't think a bard is that powerful. Bards mainly buff their allies and debuff their enemies, not a very good choice for what I'm getting into right now. I do have a passion for music, but my passion for living is even grea-
'As I said, have patience young one. You didn't let me finish what I was saying. This path is not that of an ordinary bard it is that of the greatest bard in the multiverse. And the bigger the star the more humble their beginning. Have a look at the path and then decide.'
[Path of the Bard]
[Step 1]: Aeromancer,?,?
[Step 2]: Acoustic Mage,?,?
[Step 3]: ?,?,?
[Step 4]: ?
[Step 5]: Become the Ultimate Bard
Damn this is actually sounding pretty good. I get to start with a nice offense and if [Acoustic Mage] does what I think then I will have attacks that are almost undodgeable. This bard thing isn't looking too bad and I also get some bonuses on top of this.' I think I'll take you up on that offer.'
'Excellent, this path comes with a special race as a bonus to help with your rise to stardom. Now I need you to pick a name, choose wisely for this name will soon be known by everyone.'
Please Enter Name
[ ]
Oh this was going to be tough. I spend hours thinking of names for my game characters and those are way less important than this. It needs to be something catchy, something that rolls off the tongue.
Name: Emeric Ceol
[Are you sure?]
(Y/N)
'Yes'
Emeric Ceol
Level - 1
Class - Aeromancer - lvl 1/100 [0%]
Job - Junior Bard - lvl 1/50 [0%] (locked in until max level)
Race - Fae/Human Hybrid
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - ?
HP - 100 [20 HP/min]
MP - 300 [60 MP/min]
SP - 100 [20 SP/min]
STR - 10
CON - 10
DEX - 10
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 80
LUK - 10
HP/SP = CON x 10
HP/SP Regen = CON x 2
MP = INT x 10 (x3)
MP Regen = WIS x 2 (x3)
Why is my mana pool so big? Does it have to do with being half fae? I can see how that would make sense, but I just can't wrap my head around the reason for my ludicrous charisma stat.
Traits Gained
[Blood of the Royal Fae]
Due to your fae heritage you are more in tune with nature and the magic that surrounds you. Unlike the regular plebs of the fair folk you come from the purest line of fae. Due to this you have a larger pool of mana and a higher rate of mana regeneration than the rest of your species.
MP and MP Regen are tripled
Exp gains for Mana Manipulating and Mana Sensing skills are doubled
Grants Skills: [Wilderness Survival] and [Will-o'-Wisp]
[Fae Physiology]
In folklore fae are seen as very beautiful creatures and you are no exception. Furthermore Fae are most easily identified by their butterfly or dragonfly like wings.
Grants +70 CHA
Enables flight with the use of wings
God damn [Blood of the Royal Fae] is such an OP trait. When I saw Fae as my race I was not expecting it to be too powerful, hell I thought they were weak little magical creatures that could be trapped in jars and put on display like some fireflies until now.
Skills Gained
[Gamer's Mind] (Passive)
Allows the user to keep a calm head and think logically while in conflict as if they were experiencing life from behind a screen.
Suppresses negative emotions and grants an immunity to Psychological attacks and effects.
[Gamer's Body] (Passive)
Gives the user's body the characteristics of a video game character
[Observe] (Active) - lvl 1/100 (0%)
Provides the user with information on the target. More information the higher the level.
[Fae Transformation]
Half-transformation: User grows a pair wings that enable flight (50 MP)
Full-Transformation: User grows a pair of wings that enable flight and shrinks down to be 8 inches tall. -70% STR and -35% CON while in this form(100 MP/min)
[Wilderness Survival] (Passive) - lvl 1/25
Allows you to find food, shelter, and water while in the wild.
IMPROVISE. ADAPT. OVERCOME.
[Will-o'-Wisp] (Active) - lvl 1/100
Cost 10 MP/min
The user conjures a harmless but captivating little blue flame
Class Gained
[Aeromancer] - lvl 1/100 [0%]
Gain 5 INT and 3 WIS every level
Skills Gained
[Air Arrow]
Cost 30 MP
Summons an arrow of air that inflicts 60 piercing damage
[Aero-blade]
Cost 60 MP/sec
Encases the user's chosen limbs or object with a layer of razor sharp air that deals (Weapon Damage + STR/2 + 10 Slashing Damage)
[Air Burst]
Cost varies
Allows the user to concentrate air into a burst that causes (MP used/2 + 60 Blunt Damage) as well as knocking back enemies.
Profession Gained
[Junior Bard] - lvl 1/50 [0%]
Gain 7 CHA and 3 DEX every level
Skills Gained
[Background Music] (Active)
Cost 1 MP per song
Allows the user to play a chosen song. Other beings are able to hear the music played if the user wishes.
(Unable to be used during performances)
[Inspiration]
Cost 50 MP per target
Allows the user to inspire allies to fight on and complete the task. Can be used to break the debuff [Frozen With Fear] that an ally has based on the user's CHA and reputation with said ally.
Allies have a (CHA/2 + reputation/2)% chance of being inspired
[Inspired]: large boost in drive and confidence in completing the task at hand.
+30% to all physical stats and a 25% boost to MP Regen
[Intimidation]
Cost 50 MP per target
Allows the user to inflict the status effect [Intimidated] on the chosen target based on the user's CHA and level. If target that is your level or lower has a 150% or more chance to be intimidated then they will also be afflicted with the debuff [Frozen With Fear]
Enemies of lower level have a (CHA/2 + number of levels higher)% chance to be intimidated
Enemies of the same level have a (CHA/2)% chance to be intimidated
Enemies of a higher level have a (CHA/2 - (levels lower x 5))% chance to be intimidated
[Intimidated]: -25% INT, -25% WIS, and victim is more likely to run away from conflict with you
Alert: The Gamer's Class and Profession has been locked onto a preset path due to the acceptance of [Path of the Bard]. Due to this inconvenience you have been gifted the perk [Road Less Travelled] and shall receive a gift upon arrival in your starter world.
I didn't get as many skills in Aeromancer as I would like, but its not a bad start all things considered. Looking at the skills that I got from Junior Bard brings a smile to my face. [Intimidation] will become such a good skill based on the way my stats seem to be going. Sure it won't be too powerful right now, but with my Profession my charisma will rise very quickly and with it the chance of my enemies being intimidated grows too. Soon enough I will be walking up to my enemies and slitting their throats with ease since they will automatically gain the [Frozen With Fear] debuff.
'Well am I going to get an Instant Dungeon skill or will I have to kill random homeless people wherever I end up?'
Skill Gained
[ID Create/Destroy] (Active)
Allows the user to create Instant Dungeons. (This skills use will be determined by which world you are in.)
Available Dungeons:
Zombie
There we go. Well it looks like I've finished everything, guess I should be getting transported to my starter world any minute now.
Alert: You are allowed to draw a random bonus perk, but if you do you will also be given a random character flaw to go with it. Do you wish to draw a random perk or proceed to your starter world?
'Yeah no, thats a hard pass for me. I've seen how this goes and I don't want to end up with my judgment clouded by greed or lust while I'm trying to make decisions.'
Okay. Then you shall be transported to your starter world in: 5..
4..
3..
2..
1..
-/-/-
As I come to I hear birds chirping and the flow of a river nearby. I get up and take a look around me and I find myself in a forest. Just as I was about to look for a road to find a way to civilization I get a notification.
*Ping*
Perk Gained
[Road Less Travelled]
For choosing a less desired path the World Tree has seen fit to give you an experience boon.
+50% Exp for all [Path of the Bard] related Classes, Professions, and Skills
Fuck yeah. I'm locked into [Path of the Bard] so this will make things much quicker. Now I need to hurry up and find out what world I got Isekai'd into, but first I need to see what gift the World Tree gave me.'Inventory' with a thought the inventory screen pops up before me."Nice, thought commands will make things so much easier. Now what do we have here" I say with building curiosity.
[All in One Instrument (A.I.O.I.)]
This item is crafted from the wood of the World Tree itself and as such can't be broken. It also has the ability to turn into any instrument that the wielder desires (including a microphone) as well as being able to alter the form of said instrument.
All bard skills have a +15% chance to work if using this item
All melodious magic channeled through this instrument has +25% effectiveness
I take it out and as soon as I do I get a pop up.
*Ping*
Item A.I.O.I. has been soul bound
Huh, neat. Currently it is a microphone so I change it into a green electric guitar, as I do I feel a weight settle on my shoulders and look to see a small speaker strapped to my back."This thing is so sick!" I say as I play the intro to Detroit Rock City while looking for a road I can follow to civilization.
*Ping*
Skill gained
[Strings Family Mastery] - lvl 1/100 [4%]
Determines one's mastery of stringed instruments
Due to experience in previous life the skill [Strings Family Mastery] has leveled up x27
[Strings Family Mastery] - lvl 28/100 [63%]
Determines one's mastery of stringed instruments
"Skills from my past life carry over then? That is good, this means I don't have to train this body to have the same muscle memory when playing instruments. Now where will I find a road?" I say as I start walking in a random direction.
(40 minutes later)
As I walk through the forest searching for a road to follow I started jammin' out on my guitar so I could start grinding my [Strings Family Mastery].
"Sexual acts, performed at a reasonable price
Sexual acts and they're preformed at a reaso-"
[-24 HP]
"Ow,what the fuck just happened?" I looked around and saw 3 goblins with the middle one holding a sling and the others holding makeshift spears.
'Observe'
[Goblin Spearman] - lvl 3 x2
HP: 150
[Goblin Sniper] - lvl 2
HP: 70
"Oh you fuckers are so dead!" I yell in frustration while I cast [Air Arrow] at the goblin sniper. It gets hit in its shoulder, disabling its arm making it unable to use its sling.
-60 HP
The two goblin spearmen charge me at the same time and try to stab me. I dodge the first goblin's thrust but the second stabs grazes the side of my chest."Fuck! This hurts way more than I thought it would!"
[-23 HP]
I run back a couple feet and blast those fuckers with a 180 MP charged [Air Burst].
[Goblin Spearman] Killed x2
+120 Exp
They get blasted away and die before they hit the ground. As this is happening the goblin sniper pulls out a dagger and rushes me while I am distracted with it's companions and tries to stab me. I notice in time to raise my arm to stop the knife stabbing my heart, but it sinks straight in to my forearm."Ahhgg!"
[-38 HP]
It gives a victorious yell right before I use my left hand to grab it's throat and slit it by using [Aero-Blade]
[Goblin Sniper] Killed
+50 Exp
Gained
16 Eris
[Makeshift Spear] x2
A poorly made spear crafted by goblins.
(10 + STR) Slashing/Piercing Damage
[Makeshift Sling]
A decently made sling crafted by goblins out of plant fiber. Flings small rocks at enemies
(5+ (STRx2)) blunt damage
"Fucking cunts. Status."
Emeric Ceol
Level - 1
Class - Aeromancer - lvl 1/100 [0%]
Job - Junior Bard - lvl 1/50 [0%] (locked in until max level)
Race - Fae/Human Hybrid
Rank - Mortal
Alignment - True Neutral
HP - 31 [20 HP/min]
MP - 0 [60 MP/min]
SP - 100 [20 SP/min]
STR - 10
CON - 10
DEX - 10
INT - 10
WIS - 10
CHA - 80
LUK - 10
"I almost died to a trio of dumpster midgets. I am so weak right now. Wait if I am locked into [Path of the Bard] how am I supposed to raise my CON? I may be fucked here. "I take a minute to rest and think about how I can raise my CON before I set off again.
"This is taking forever, hey game can't you give me a little push in the right direction?"
Why don't you use your wings to fly?
"Honestly I forgot I could do that." I shift into my half transformation, unleashing my wings. I take a look at my wings and I can't help but stare at them for a while. They were two big butterfly wings that look like the ones that an Old World Swallowtail would have. They have a shifting rainbow color to them like Gloxinia from Seven Deadly Sins has. I cast a mana arrow and see that my wings turn white as I do. "Sick I have moodlight wings."
After admiring my wings I fly up into the sky. "Lets see here." I say while looking for a road, while I do I see that the river I was near earlier flows into a town.
"Huh, well I guess I can rule out being in a modern world." The town that I see in the distance is surrounded by walls taller than most of the buildings inside of it.
I start flying towards it and land a little ways down the road from the town's gate and put my wings away so no one sees me flying in and shoots me down.
As I walk along the road toward the town I change my instrument into an acoustic guitar and start playing a song to grind and pass the time all at once.
(On the Road Again by Willie Nelson)
"On the Road Again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again."
As I finish up the song I get a notification.
*Ping*
Skill Gained
[Singing] - lvl 1/100 [45%]
Determines the users singing prowess. It has been said that the most skilled singers could sway the hearts of whole nations with song alone.
Due to experience in previous life the skill [Singing] has leveled up x32
[Singing] - lvl 33/100 [13%]
Determines the users singing prowess. It has been said that the most skilled singers could sway the hearts of whole nations with song alone.
That makes sense, I was always better at singing than playing a guitar. I guess I wasn't that good though seeing as I was playing gigs in little holes in the wall instead of on stage performing for thousands. Well I can make that dream a reality now, and soon everyone will know the name Emeric Ceol. Everyone will travel for miles, no from different worlds to hear me perform. The gods themselves will notice me and when they do I will subdue them with the power of my music.
-/-/-
(About an hour later)
While walking to the town I gained a level in [Strings Family Mastery] and a couple in [Observe] since I decided it would be a good idea to grind it where I could.
[Strings Family Mastery] has leveled up
[Observe] has leveled up x4
I soon arrived at the entrance to the town and walked in. I saw people going about their day and decided to stop one so I could find out where I am. The man I stopped was old with a bald head and needed a cane to walk.
"Excuse me sir, could you tell me where I currently am? I got lost in the forest and lost my map while fighting some beasts." I say trying not to sound
"What really?! How long have you been lost in that forest, the nearest town is a day away and that is by cart. What were you doing out there?" He says with a surprised look on his face.
'Shit, got to think of something quick.' "Uh, w-well you see. I was split from my party while on a quest and I got turned around trying to find my way back to town."
Lie Successful
Skill Gained
[Deception] - lvl 1/100 [25%]
Determines the users ability to lie. Users CHA plays a big role in the lie as well as how believable it is.
Nailed it.
He has a sad look on his face. "Oh how unfortunate. Young people now a-days are quick to abandon people if it means their own safety, how disgraceful. Well my boy, you have made your way to the town of Axel."
Huh, Axel. Where have I heard that name before? YES! Yes yes yes yes yes yes. Kono fucking Suba. Oh praise the World Tree I landed in this world instead of one filled with things that could kill me by blowing on me too hard.
"Do you need directions anyhere sonny?"
I can't keep the grin off my face. "No I wouldn't want to impose and thank you for your help sir. Have a nice day." I say chipperly as I walk away with a spring in my step whistling a happy tune.
'Huh, what a weird kid.' the old man thought as he went back to what he was doing.
'Ok game when in the anime am I?'
About four weeks before Kazuma and Aqua arrive in this world.
So that means that Darkness and Megumin are up for grabs. Maybe I'll let Kazuma and Aqua join the party, I could use a good healer with my shit health.
Quests Gained
[Game Start]
Objective - Join the Adventurer Guild
Reward: 500 Exp
[You Son of a Bitch, I'm in]
Objective 1: Recruit Megumin to your party
Objective 2: Recruit Darkness to your party
Objective 3: Recruit Aqua and Kazuma to your party
Bonus 1: ?
Reward 1: 300 Exp,
Reward 2: 300 Exp
Reward 3: 600 Exp
Bonus Reward 1: 1000 Exp, ?
'Yes, my first quests. Look at all that delicious Exp.'
I start heading towards the indication in my vision since I'm pretty sure that is where my objective is. As I walk to the Guild hall I see my reflection in one of the windows I pass. I have ginger hair and green eyes. I'm pretty tall, standing at about 6'3". I have fair, unblemished skin with high cheek bones and an angular face. Damn I look good.
I'm currently wearing a green tunic with burnt orange trousers and brown leather boots. All in all its not a bad look on me.
A bit of a walk later and I find myself in front of the Guild building. I head inside and find that Luna is manning the front desk as always and damn she is way more beautiful in real life.
'Observe'
Luna
Level - 5
HP - 110
MP - 0
SP - 110
Thoughts about you - She thinks you're pretty cute.
+5 affection with Luna for being cute [5/100]
As I approach the front desk Luna greets me with a cheery tone. "Hello sir, what can I do for you today?"
"Hello, I would like to register to become an adventurer."
"Ok, do you have the 20 eris registration fee?"
I check my inventory and see that I am a little short of 20 eris. "It seems that I don't have enough eris. Would you excuse me for a moment?" I walk into the middle of the Guild hall and grab an empty bowl on my way. I set the bowl down and get ready to play a song on my A.I.O.I.
(Patience by Guns N' Roses)
As I start whistling the intro to the song the guild hall slowly grows quiet. All eyes on me as I play my acoustic guitar, I use [Background Music] to have the other instruments in the song start playing.
"Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you
I'm still alright to smile"
As I keep playing some of the female adventurers in the hall start whistling at me while others clap along with the beat.
"Oh, I need you (All need some patience)
Oh, I need you (Just a little patience)
Ooh this time (Is all you need)."
As I finish the song the guild hall bursts with cheers and some people walk up and put some coins in the bowl while giving me a friendly clap on the back. "Thank you all for your time and I hope you enjoyed."
*Ping*
Skill [Strings Family Mastery] has leveled up x2
[Strings Family Mastery] - lvl 31/100 [14%]
Determines ones mastery of stringed instruments
Skill [Singing] has leveled up
[Singing] - lvl 34/100 [3%]
Determines the users singing prowess. It has been said that the most skilled singers could sway the hearts of whole nations with song alone.
+100 Exp for a successful performance
+10 affection with Luna for entertaining her during while she is working [15/100]
Huh I guess I get more experience for my musical skills if I perform in front of an audience because I grinded my [Strings Family Mastery] and [Singing] most of the way to this town and only got a level in the former.
I pick up the bowl I put on the ground and see that I made a good 37 eris from that. I walk back over to the front desk and hand luna 20 eris. "Here is my registration fee miss?"
"Luna."
I smile and give her my name as well. "Nice to meet you, I'm Emeric Ceol."
She smiles back and starts explaining how things work as she has thousands of times before. "Well Mr. Ceol, allow me to formally explain. Adventurers each have their own occupations."
She pulls out a small cream colored card and continued her explanation. "This is your registration card. It keeps track of how many monsters you've vanquished. As you're level increases, you'll earn points that you can use to learn skills, so please work hard to raise your level."
After she's finished she gestures to a crystal ball looking object held up above, what looks like, three funnels that get smaller the lower position they are. She places my card underneath the funnels and continues to give me instructions. "Now please hold your hand over this crystal.
I do as I'm told and right as my hand is held over it the crystal starts to glow blue and the mechanical parts surrounding it start spinning back and forth. A small blue beam shoots out of the crystal ball and gets channeled through all three funnels and starts writing on my registration card like a laser burning designs into wood.
As this happens Luna continues to explain what is happening. "With this, you will learn your current status, so please choose your desired occupation based on your stats." When she finished speaking the crystal stopped glowing and she picked up my card and started reading it.
"Huh, whats this? Your occupation has already been chosen and it is one I've never heard of. Bard? It seems that you already have some skills unlocked for it. Weird, but other than that you're pretty average across the board. Well I guess having a unique occupation will make up for your average stats."
Average stats? What is she talking about my charisma is through the roof for the level I am at right now. She hands me my card and I take a look at it. Huh, it seems that the registration card doesn't show the charisma stat. I guess they wouldn't need it since none of the occupations this world has would use that stat.
*Ping*
Quest Completed
[Game Start]
Objective - Join the Adventurer Guild [X]
Reward - 500 Exp
And with this it begins.
-/-/-
A/N: What is up my dudes. This is my first story so some constructive criticism would be appreciated. If you just full on flame this I'll most likely ignore you so get fucked.
Anyways the world tree is supposed to look like a giant Banyan tree. I don't have a solid update schedule for this either so it will update when it does. I made this story because i have seen a severe lack of bard gamer fics and I couldn't allow that. Also, tell me if you want me to continue putting lyrics in this fic. I enjoy fics with lyrics in them myself, but I want to get a read of how many people would rather them not be included.
Thanks to Raven, Reven, and MyriadLust over on The Dark Wolf Shiro's discord for reading over this and helping me tweak the skills and such.
Link to The Dark Wolf Shiro's Discord: discord .gg/k3jTZB9