A Gaming Afterlife

by Hebisama

I won the reincarnation lottery and became the Gamer. Yep, it exists and I'm fangirling about it too. Fangirling hard. Who cares about getting dead once when now you can live around the multiverse being all OP. Sure, there is some grinding to be done first, but no true gamer is a stranger to that. (Will be yuri harem down the road, darkgrey MC; Current universe: Dragon Age)

1. Fifty Days in Tutorial

So, I'm back with a new fic. I'll be definitely finishing 'You've Got Post' but right now I can't seem to get in the flow of it. I will be getting back to it sooner or later though.

This fic is in The Gamer genre – love the idea, love reading it and so far I'm loving writing it. Hope you will love it too. Just FYI, it's my first time writing in first person. It still feels a little weird but that is the way the gamer works.

---

Chapter 1: Fifty Days in Tutorial

*Ding!*

Among the silence and the darkness I'm in but haven't before now noticed, the festive metallic sound is decidedly out of place. I feel as if I have just woken up, disoriented and definitely not running at full brain capacity. Or body capacity for that matter. Wait…

Where is my body!

Heck, I don't remember much at all but I definitely remember having a body at some point!

I'm definitely awake now.

Hello!

Congratulations on winning the reincarnation lottery! The coveted spot of [The Gamer] is yours!

…

Hello?

All that fire from before disappears as fast as it appeared, I was always one to roll with the punches. I cough, how did I do that without a body, to clear my throat "Yes? Hello."

Hello! And welcome to your afterlife. Thank you for being calm, I hate unruly customers, they take forever to move on

"Oh" is my supremely intelligent reply, "I see. So just darkness it is, huh?"

No, this is just Limbo. Though normally people just go according to their beliefs. It's an automatic process more or less, Christian souls have the heaven/hell thing while atheists just disappear into the ether, like that.

While I don't really remember believing in anything, right. Makes sense.

So you, as a pure agnostic, have the fun event of rolling for your afterlife! Since you didn't care where you end before, you surely can't complain!

Fair enough, though it would be a bitch to get Hell just because a bad roll. Wait… "You have mentioned reincarnation before."

I did! A good roll, but that isn't all!

I resist rolling my eyes, it seems the Reaper, or whatever this voice belonged to, got pointers from teleshopping presenters.

A spot for [The Gamer] had opened up and you got it! The betting pool at the office already started

"Betting pool?" I frown.

Never you mind! Do you remember what the [The Gamer] is about?

I nod and a pleased smile stretches over my lips "I do. A lucky roll indeed."

Excellent, everything is in working order then. Can we proceed?

"Yes, please" I reply, definitely definitely awake now. The Gamer is awesome! The chance to live my life like an RPG sounds amazing. Who doesn't want to be able to fly or do magic, or even visit different universes one could only see on a screen or the pages of a book! Boring people, that's who!

Good, good. A question first, do you wish for a tutorial?

My eyebrows rise at the unexpected question – I do know quite a bit about the Gamer, I read the original manhwa as well as many fanficions on the subject, so what tutorial? Wait, were those fictions real? Like were the characters the previous Gamers? The Reaper did say an open spot just opened up, did that mean a previous Gamer died?

"Yes, please, I would appreciate it" I hastily nod after that frightening thought.

Good choice. Your predecessor was too impatient to start and the option wasn't even offered to the one before that – he was too rude. We sent him to Dark Souls, hehehe

"I would prefer to start slow" I gulp, "And perhaps never go there." While I personally never played Dark Souls I knew its reputation well.

That's what the tutorial is about, you get a training world for a few days to get yourself settled. If you don't die, which would be really pathetic by the way, you will make a jump into another universe. The option to travel further will be explained then. SO! Character creation!

"Would it be possible for me to know the training world in advance?" I venture, "I know many universes have different standards for characters and I wouldn't want to stand out right at the beginning."

Not to worry, while race-changes might be possible at some point, you start off vanilla human.

Noticing my question was brushed off I shrug and nod, I want the Reaper to like me and not send me anywhere near Dark Souls. Better play along. Besides, the voice is pretty and I'm not feeling being bratty.

Ok, have at it.

Oh boy, character creation screen. I suck at this. And this isn't something that is easily changed later so this is going to take a while.

No need to rush, I'm paid by the hour

Good. Oh boy. Well, let's start easy… Female body type…

It really does take forever but one can't be really blamed for that. I know some people would kill for a chance to overhaul their entire body. While I don't really remember myself from before my death, I do recall I always did want a more athletic figure (I was in shape but nothing better than that) and a slightly bigger bust (a nice full handful will be enough).

"So, what do you think?" I ask the voice after hours of labor over my features.

Not bad but you really took that not standing out seriously, huh?

I frown and look over the slowly rotating avatar of my future meat suit "You think it's too bland?"

Three out of four Gamers choose white or silver hair and either red or violet eyes… So, yeah

"Hmm" I do not want silver hair but the Reaper has a point, "I'll fiddle with it some more."

I leave the body alone because I'm really happy with that, but the face does deserve some more work. Heck yeah, why not! I aimed for pretty but I can be beautiful!

Hey, how about this

"Too over the top" I shake my head, not really knowing why. It is sure stunning but I'm comfortable with it for some reason, "But I like the eyebrows."

How abooooout, this?

---

Aaaand… appearance locked!

"That you, you were a lot of help" I smile. That isn't just me trying to butter up the overlord, it's true. It sure went a lot faster and I'm really happy with the result. And no, no silver hair or red eyes. Simple reddish brown and dark grey respectively, but still eye-catching. Yep, we really did a good job. Still, thank god I'm dead because this has been exhausting!

Now for the more fun part!

"Stats and Perks?" I perk up, bad pun definitely intended.

Your name, silly

Yep, we're definitely staying here forever.

Hahahahaha!

Well, at least now I know the Reaper isn't getting bored. With a sigh I begin to think. I already know I don't want it to be anything idiotic and out of the blue. And some famous surnames are a bit iffy despite their 'coolness'. Sure, Pendragon sounded great but not really worth the hassle. Better make my own name and have all my achievements my own. Not to say I wasn't tempted.

In the end, and by end I mean after what felt like eternity and endless considerations, I go with a tribute to my favorite author. First I thought Pratchett, nice and common enough but at the last moment I was swayed by the rule of cool and decided on Vetinari instead. One of his best characters. I like it and should be ok.

Sofia Vetinari it was. Why Sofia? Dunno, I like it. I like that it could be shortened to Fee which was a letter of the Greek alphabet. Might make it my symbol.

Now, it's time for Stats and Perks. Finally. Not that there is anything exciting about the first one – I get a standard 5 in everything plus some free Stat Points to allocate as I wish, now or later. It's the Perks that get my attention.

I get one free roll – a Perk without any downside. Then the Reaper offered new rolls but you always get one positive and one negative. I'm definitely rolling at least once for that but for now, the freebie.

"How do I roll?"

You just tell me

"Could I have the free one then, please?"

Perk Received!

Studious: Stat gain from reading and lessons is significantly increased

Brilliant! INT and WIS gains here I come! Oh, this is great and I get it free. Wait, does it work on things like swordsmanship lessons? Physical Skills? That would be doubly great.

Roll again?

"Definitely!"

Remember, it's one Perk for a Flaw

I damn almost shiver in anticipation"I'll risk it."

Perk Received!

Lucky: A permanent +15 LCK, improves loot drops and gacha chance

Flaw Received!

Battle Lust: You love fighting and can barely resist its lure.

Ok, not bad. I feared for the worst but this looks more or less alright. Lucky is undeniably awesome but that was expected out of a Perk. Battle Lust though, the Flaw, is damaging but not overly so. I mean, judging by the wording, I will not be a complete berseker maniac. I will be able to control myself. I'll have the urge, but I can deal with that. What RPG Game is without fighting anyway.

"Roll again, please"

Perk Received!

Fast Learner: You level your Skills 20% faster

Flaw Received!

Sin of Greed: Be it things or people, you want it all, a never to be satisfied hunger.

I predictably love the Perk – faster Skill leveling? Yes please! And as for the Flaw? It isn't as bad as it looks. I mean in games I always collected stuff, did all quests, tried to level as high as I could – I never was satisfied there either. So not that much of a difference. Plus this will drive me to improve, not a bad thing, so not bad at all.

Roll again?

I wonder if the Sin of Greed is already working or not, because despite my desire I kinda don't want to risk it. I like what I got so far and quitting while you're ahead seems smart. Or maybe I'm just scared to be hit with some bullshit? Because I did read lots of fanfictions and some of those Flaws were no joke. I did get really lucky so far.

Finally I shake my head "No, I'll go like this."

Alright. Now to complete your profile, select a starting Class

"I will be able to change it later, that is great" my smile widens.

Sure is! Now, you get to pick from these

[Fighter] [Rogue] [Mage]

I hum "Classic. Oh, there are subclasses too."

Once you max a Class you can pick up another one, each giving the Game a new flavor. Also, more classes will be available when certain conditions are met.

I'm studying the options with great interest but I spare a thought to ask "Which level is Max?"

You'll see

I have a suspicion the Reaper did not bother to ask or know it in some capacity, but fair enough. I will have to max the Class anyway so it doesn't really matter if I know or not.

Back to my selection. I peruse them all but I'm rather fixated on the Mage category. Why? Easy – if everything is as I read, you can train skills from the physical classes anyway but getting magic? That would be hard. Plus, it feels safer to deal with enemies from a distance at first.

So, which one to pick.

[Elementalist][Necromancer][Healer][Arcane Knight][Mind Mage]

They all have different Stat increases, free points you get every level up, but it's more or less INT and WIS. The main point of difference are the starting abilities. Each class has two and promise that leveling the Skills 'in the branch' goes faster.

I immediately eliminate the Necromancer and Healer options – they are undeniably great but not for me, at least now. I want something more in the lines of personal badass – gotta feel safe. Arcane Knight sounds pretty good being a melee mage, it fits the bill but I feel I can do that on my own anyway. The Elementalist is the solid choice but I'm really attracted to the Mind Mage. It has [Telekinesis] and [Telepathy] as the starting Skills and that blows the [Fireball] out of the water. I mean, surely I can get the fireball later, right? Either in some form of Loot or by myself. But Telepathy and Telekinesis? Yeah, those rock. And they are universally useful and less likely to get you burned at the stake.

Yep, [Mind Mage] it is.

Profile complete. Review your choices in [Status]

"Status" I exclaim giddily.

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 1 (0%)
Title: none
Class: Mind Mage (Lvl 1)

STATS
HP -2.500
MP - 2.500
STR - 5
VIT - 5
DEX- 5
INT - 6
WIS - 6
CHA - 6
LCK - 5 (20)

Available Stat Points - 7

Alright. I see the Lucky bonus, it's not to Base Stat but it shouldn't make a difference. The rest of the Stats are at a basic 5 with the exception of the ones that Mind Mage helps with. Since I get +1 INT, +1 WIS and +1 CHA every level, it seems I got it for level one too. Good stuff.

Then I note the various Tabs and beam, it's all so nicely organized! First Tab is Perks, then Skills, Quests, Achievements and Inventory. And that one is beautifully infinite. That is the best news. I also got curious about the Achievements Tab but was disappointed to just see grey boxes with question marks on them. Ah well. I also check if I have the famous [Gamer's Body] and [Gamer's Mind] and was reassured to see them in the Perk Tab.

Seems like you are set. Ready for your zero world?

"Can I ask some things first?"

Fire away

"Will I get some sort of backstory or am I just going?"

The latter, it won't matter in the tutorial. As for later, you'll see

I nodded "Alright. Will you stay on as the Game system for me?"

No, but you won't likely notice the difference. Since you responded well to me, you get my voice and personality mod. But it's still a System, it won't be as chatty

I'm a bit surprised to be disappointed at that but I nod easily "I think I'm ready then."

Alrighty! Let the Games begin! Ehm, what I mean is, Game Start in 3…

2…

1…

Good luck

GAME START!

---

There is no sudden lurch or tunnel of lights, there really is nothing. I blink and am in an alley. A nice, rather clean alley with some dumpsters nearby.

Guess this is it.

+1 LCK (she did say good luck)

I chuckle, that's rather since I know that Stat can't really be trained.

[World Quest Alert!]

What is High School without some Dead!

Kill 5 000 zombies

OR

Survive 50 days

Award: [World Jump], 30 000 credits, ? Skill Book

After blinking at the word 'zombie' I strain my hearing but nothing seems out of place. Just normal bustle of a city. I cautiously exit the alley and look around. A woman with Japanese features looks at me weirdly for a moment, probably wondering about me being in that alley in the first place, but then she returns her attention to her phone.

Wait, Japanese. Everybody looked Japanese. And the quest is called 'What is High School without some Dead!'. Sooo, Highschool of the Dead? The anime with famous fanservice and death-defying breasts?

'Eh, System?' I try without speaking, 'Am I in HotD?'

You are

'Would you mind telling me the timeline?'

Three days before the outbreak. You are in the protagonists' city

'Thank you. But won't it be a problem that I don't really speak Japanese? I mean I studied a year or two but…'

You'll always have access to the world's main language. Highschool of the Dead is based in Japan so you get Japanese

'Thank you!'

Yep, definitely less chatty than the real deal. But I did get my answers, so great. So, first some planning. I get two free days and then practically a zombie dungeon. Definitely a good world to start in.

And the Game gave me some money so I even get to stay in a hotel before that entire zombie thing starts.

Money…

Money!

I got struck with an idea and I have to congratulate myself on my genius. I'll always have my Inventory with me so… why not rob the zombie-ridden city and get myself rich for the next world? I get some jewelry here and I sell it the next world over! I love it!

A few minutes later, me trying not to laugh out loud like a maniac took time, I sit down at a nice café with a newly purchased notebook and pen in hand, enjoying the scenery while planning out this Tutorial.

First things first – the Quest. Five thousand zombies sounds like a lot at first but if they are easy mobs then it should go smoothly. I should be able to get that done before the time expires but the question was, should I? With the possibility of looting stuff it would probably be better to wait to the end of the deadline and then kill the last zombie… Sure, I might miss out on some speed-run achievement but really, would it be worth it?

Money!

Yep, I'll milk this Tutorial to the last day. Better start keeping track of days then.

Leave it to me

'Oh, thanks! That would help a lot'

Next, the protagonists. A bunch of high-schoolers and the school nurse. Teenage drama. Yeah, pass on that. Besides, this was a training world to me and they would just hamper that. Still, a pity about Busujima Saeko, I really liked her. I had a poster of her, her uniform all torn up, posing all battle-flushed with a katana. Ehm, yeah, pity but I'm staying just 50 days and will be far too busy anyway. Might check out their school though, the outbreak had to have originated somewhere nearby.

And now for the fun part – my training. Sure, my battle training would have to wait a few days but some things I could train right away.

"Here you go" the waitress arrived with my coffee and cake. I smiled and thanked her, activating my Telepathy on her.

She's out of range almost immediately but she doesn't seem to have noticed my intrusion. Great for level one, especially since I got that she's jealous of my Game-given complexion and that she is worried about her boyfriend cheating on her. Still, the range is pretty pathetic so I should probably stand in some queues or ride public transport to level it.

'Skills'

Telepathy (Active)[Level 1] – Access your target's mind and read it's thoughts - 500 MP/use (+100 MP every additional second); progress to next level: 20%

Cool, four more times and I get a level up. And the Mana drain isn't bad, definitely less draining than Thunderbolt would've been. And just as cool if less flashy. Just wait until I'm not just reading thoughts but actively making suggestions.

So yeah, Telepathy would get priority training before the outbreak – I doubt zombies had any thoughts aside from 'braaaaaains'.

Next up, Telekinesis. Definitely trying it out before the zombies come, but since I will be using it was my main weapon on them, it can wait a little.

That's the two Skills I got by default but I need to try making up Skills by myself. The battle-oriented ones can wait but some things require actual humans. Like acting or lying or manipulation or some such. Or maybe flirting? Intimidation?

I write that all down and then stare at my notebook for a while, reeeally concentrating.

You have created a new skill!

Observe (Active)[Level 1] - The go to skill of all with the power of the Gamer, a sure-fire method of gathering information - 10 MP/use

Great, that's a relief. I'll get more Skills when I get a room somewhere, need to grind that Mind Mage. I already have some ideas. But that too can wait until later, it's morning and people are about.

After spending several minutes writing down all those ideas in case I forget to try some of them, I turn a page in my notebook to focus on my Stats. For now I will keep the free seven SP unassigned – better to wait and see where they'll be needed. Besides, Stats could be trained too. Perhaps I could try going to the library and read a book through somebody – try to combo Telepathy and INT training. Would that work?

It will, good idea. INT has risen by 1

'Awesome! Thanks' I have to select some useful book though. And I have to ask where to find the library. Would me trying to be charming train the CHA Stat?

Also I could try running there – maybe get some movement-related Skill? Not to mention either VIT, STR or AGI.

And I have to get that room somewhere. I sigh, the list is getting longer and longer. I'm pretty excited but that [Battle Lust] is steering that excitement mainly to the zombie bashing part of the quest. Oh well, two to three days and I get to let loose. It's just smart to train beforehand what I can't later.

Oh, I also have to scout the city – if I'm going to rob it, it makes sense to scope my targets. I seriously doubt I could easily get guns but maybe a blade? We are in Japan after all. Even though I think the European swords are better. Someplace I could loot a lot of food. Then we have that nice jewelry idea - better than money since jewelry is universal, from Game of Thrones to Naruto, everybody takes gold. I'll also want a phone and a map. Then anything that strikes my fancy – either for being easily sold or something for myself. I definitely want some more clothes for example.

Oh, and…

Yeah, that [Sin of Greed] is definitely making itself known.

Ah, well, where to that damned library?

---

I let myself fall onto the bed, a huge grin playing on my lips. It's almost midnight and the day went most excellently.

'Status'

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 1 (0%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Mind Mage (Lvl 7)

STATS
HP - 4.800
MP - 30.600
STR – 6
VIT – 8
DEX – 7
INT – 18
WIS – 17
CHA – 15
LCK – 6 (21)

Available Stat Points - 7

I changed my Title even though it was useless, [The Gamer] was a vanity Title and nothing more, but I didn't like the empty space so I slotted it in.

As for the rest of the changes… Well, today has been mostly dedicated to other things but the Stat increase was pretty sweet despite that, and if you factored the free point I get from leveling Class? Score! The CHA Stat did get higher when I was talking to people and tried my utmost, so great to know. Vitality got better with my new [Sprint] – sure, the people were a bit scandalized but I got even some nice DEX for avoiding them mid-run. I also helped one librarian with some heavy lifting so I even got one STR. For thinking of all that I got a free point in WIS and that was before the studying. I attached myself to a university study group and read some really interesting stuff. It was pretty neat.

Especially in the Telepathy department.

Telepathy (Active)[Level 11]– Access your target's mind and read its thoughts - 500 MP/use (+89 MP every additional second); progress to next level: 87%

Oh yeah, keep it coming baby. Also, from that it was pretty easy to create a new Skill.

Suggestion (Active)[Level 4]– Access your target's mind and plant a suggestion, the less Intelligent a target, the better the result - 4840 MP/use; progress to next level: 0%

I leveled that up by trying to get one of the students to go places, like the bathroom or a specific shelf to pick a specific book. It wasn't that easy turns out, but it got easier as it leveled. I will definitely invest time in this one.

After I was done with the library I ran around some more, pity I don't have a minimap (I asked), and then I got to the hotel I found while on my way to the library. And now for the last three hours I have been working on the more flashy Skills. The room is extremely cramped but I got to try my Telekinesis without much trouble. First I just floated stuff around but then I tried an attack which went fine as well. A little more tricky is holding more things at the same time or something really heavy. All that though gets easier and easier at every level up.

Telekinesis (Active)[Level 9] - The ability to manipulate and move matter - 100 MP/use (+4650 MP every additional kilogram and every additional min); progress to next level: 40%

Not bad at all, especially since I used that as a basis and created several new Skills.

Barrier (Active)[Level 3] – A personal telekinetic barrier to shield you from harm – 9.850 MP/min; progress to next level: 5%

My very first defense Skill. I was loving it, though leveling it by telekinetically hurling random garbage at myself wasn't all that great.

Telekinetic Strike (Active)[Level 6] – A telekinetic attack meant for pure damage - 500 MP/use, 1300dmg; progress to next level: 40%

Telekinetic Crush (Active)[Level 3] – A telekinetic attack that asserts pressure from all sides - 1000 MP/use, 2100 dmg; progress to next level: 29%

All in all pretty basic, but it's day one. And I confirmed with the System that at a higher class level and better Stats I could get Telekinetic Flight, so awesome.

Speaking of Class Level, using my [Mind Mage] Skills also leveled up the Class which went from nothing to level 7. That was particularly great since said level governed the range of all connected Skills and also how much damage they dealt.

Mind Mage (Equipped)[Level 7] – Class Skill Range: 14 meters; Class Skill Damage: base dmg+INT*3; All Class Skills level 10% faster; +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA every class level

Everything was pretty clear besides the Damage thing. I mean, how come INT doesn't come out to play with other related Skills? Like I did create the [Arcane Bolt], which was basically just a magic discharge that strikes targets, but does that mean this Skill doesn't get the bonus? Will it stay at the same base damage?

Also, the Arcane Bolt? Yeah, I almost blasted the window with it. Experimenting should wait for zombies and a lawless state of the country.

I will definitely come back to the damage and range conundrum when I get used to magic and get a feel for all my Skills. Moving on.

While fiddling around in Status, I discovered something absolutely brilliant about the for someone that is planning to go on a big looting spree. You could create tabs! Load of them! When I go on my spree, and I'm itching to go already, I get to keep everything neatly organized. How awesome is that! I already made some tabs I was sure to use like Food and Everyday Clothes. I also have a Not Yet Stuff tab which I plan to fill with things like weapons I can't use because of their requirement. I will surely be getting things like that in the near future. Similarly the Potions tab is empty too. A soon, oh so very soon, to be filled tab was For Sale tab. Really, can't wait.

I yawn. Well, I'm tired and it seems being a Gamer doesn't make me exempt from sleeping. I quickly shower and put on my newly purchased pajama. Soon I was dreaming of riches…

---

Two days later

I's morning of Zombie day and I feel ready. Also really hyped up for the fight and that isn't just my [Battle Lust] flaring up. So far I kept a really low profile and mostly concentrated on Telepathy and its derived Skills. Telekinesis too - my favorite so far is Crush, the idea to just crush a zombie skull is appealing, though that one takes quite a bit of MP. Still, I will probably start off with just levitating heavy stuff to hit their head with or just try it with Telekinetic Strike. I'll see after I gauge how tough they are.

When do they come anyway? I can't remember from the anime really – pretty sure it wasn't morning and the protagonists were definitely in school… Ah well, I'm already near Fujimi High School and I don't have anything better to do.

I quickly find a suitable vintage point, a rooftop close to the school's parking lot. Telekinesis for the win since I figured out how to use it to open non-electronic locks. Pretty damn awesome if you ask me.

Sitting down for the wait, I once more check my Inventory to make sure I have everything. Knowing money won't matter soon, I used up the budget the Game gave me and got myself some starting gear. I planned to use my magic but a weapon is a weapon so I bought a bokken, a wooden, heavy, practice katana. It was actually cheaper than the baseball bat. I also had a lot of rocks in my Inventory, various sizes too – good projectiles to have. I even found some scrap metal that made for wicked sharp shards. Bought myself some food too, mainly for today as I planned to rob the nearby store right away. The bulk of the money though went on armor. And by armor I mean a set of biker leathers. Really sturdy so I'm pretty sure no zombie can just bite me through them. It was also my first clothing with a Stat boost, so great. All in all it tallied up to +10 VIT, +5 CHA and +1 LCK. See, great.

With everything in order I once more trace my path down this roof for quick escape or attack – yesterday I managed some light telekinetically assisted jumps that will make life definitely easier. It isn't a Skill, just general telekinesis, so it's pretty high level and I have confidence in it.

Telekinesis (Active)[Level 19] - The ability to manipulate and move matter - 100 MP/use (+4150 MP every additional kilogram and every additional min); progress to next level: 78%

Yep, confident in it. Still, my plan has me jump down to a fire escape and do some more little skips, no need to roof jump without trying something smaller first.

Another wave of anticipation fills me. Oh yeah, let the Game start!

I retrieve a survivalist book from my Inventory and set to wait.

---

It was several hours later that a piercing scream makes me finally look up from the surprisingly well-written book. With the 20/20 vision from my brand new eyes I can pretty clearly see a teacher convulsing on the ground behind school gate, cradling his freshly bitten hand. And the very first zombie of the show.

This is it, this is where the anime truly begins.

Showtime.

But first, a little bit of research. The teacher stops moving and all tension leaves his body. Dead in a few seconds. Now for the research part… One… Two…

When I arrive at nine, almost ten, the teacher's body shivers. Two more seconds later the body lunges at his nearest colleague, a rather pretty female teacher, and ravenously bites into her neck.

Another piercing scream and a fountain of blood as the zombie hit something important.

Wow, that was… really quick. I knew that, since all is well now but come evening the zombie apocalypse will have truly began, but still. Quick.

And that means I can be quick to. To the supermarket! Let's go 'shopping'!

Thanking [Gamer's Body] for not feeling those hours sitting in one place, I stretch and head to the edge of the roof. I activate my [Telekinesis] and jump down and over one floor. It goes exceedingly smoothly so I finish my descent in one go.

That was awesome! I can't wait for flying! No wonder powered people didn't walk anywhere, this beats everything.

I'm shaken from my fangirling over flying by several more screams that now grow in number and intensity. The zombies are here in force and the people are starting to panic. Which is great for me as I Sprint to the super and find it pretty empty.

With a cheerful hum I activate my [Telekinesis] again and shove whole shelf-fuls of products into my Inventory with it. I leave everything that needs to be cooked and go for the ready-to-eat stuff. It was really nice of them to have so many pre-made semi-fresh bentos and so many types of onigiri. I always loved this stuff even though it was really pricey to get outside Japan.

My flinging the entire register, closed, into my Inventory is interrupted by one panicked citizen who ran inside screaming. I just shove him aside and leave, happy with my loot.

Next!

But first… Oh yes, the long awaited fight! Two zombies are in my way and my [Battle Lust] is yearning to be satiated.

Zombie Grunt

Level - 5

HP – 3,500/3,500

STR – 10

VIT – 20

DEX – 5

INT – 3

WIS – 0

CHA – 0

LUK – 0

OK, let's try attempt number one. [Telekinetic Crush]!

3117 dmg

The zombie howled but clearly didn't die, just like the numbers said. The state his head is in is sad though, leaking and really disgusting. Let's put it out of its misery. [Telekinetic Strike]! I aim it at the head too, using the existing damage to drive the attack home.

2217 dmg

One down! One to go, but first, dodge. The zombie isn't all that quick but I still put my [Barrier] on despite dodging cleanly. Strike! Strike!

2217 dmg

2217 dmg

And done.

+ 400 exp

Zombies slain 2/5000

I frown, no drops? I mean, sure, I am in the starter world and those are grunts, but still. Eh, I will be robbing this city blind so I'll take it. But it kinda sucks. I want potions and Skill Books and legendary weapons and… OK, unrealistic expectations out of zombies aside. Let's go back down to earth. I have no legendary armor but the sports/outdoor shop with some really handy stuff is near. Let's get my consolation prize. Prises. Many, many consolation prizes.

But first, some more zombies… really, how did this come about this quickly? Fucking anime logic.

This time I try using the rocks from my Inventory and it goes really well actually, and it is more Mana efficient too.

[Telekinesis]'s level has increased by one!

+ 600 exp

Zombies slain 5/5000

YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!

I try very hard not to laugh like a movie villain.

I can't wait to check my Profile again but that can wait until tonight – pity I have to sleep like any normal human. But it shouldn't be too much trouble, I have already scouted a possible lair. Either just for the night or more long-term, we'll see how the zombie situation evolves.

As I jog towards my objective I note that the city has well and truly descended into chaos. There are still occasional screams but now it's more car alarms and crashes, windows smashing and the groaning of newly reanimated corpses. Several people are concentrating on looting too, mostly in search of weapons.

The shop I'm aiming for is just around the corner, and it isn't quiet either.

"Take this you bastards!" a well-built man, maybe even the store's owner, is brandishing a fire axe and battling several undead right before the shop, blocking my path.

Great, I roll my eyes, if I remember correctly the zombies here hunt by sound. If he continues this way…

"Hyaaa! YOU WON'T GET ME!"

… he'll be soon overrun. But not soon enough and I don't really have the time. I have my heart set on this shop, it has a pretty sweet camping section, and I think I can handle these guys. The man just needs to shut up pronto.

I draw the bokken from my Inventory. First attack with the [Telekinetic Strike] and handle the rest the old-fashioned way. I need to conserve my juice and let Mana Regen do its job. I definitely need to invest some points into WIS.

Strike! I aim to the zombie furthest from the shouting man. Strike! Strike!

I lift the dead again zombie with [Telekinesis] and throw him at one of his compatriots, making it fall. I leave him there for the moment and attack a new target, Strike! Noticing my Mana I switch to melee and swing my weapon.

Yeah, it looks pretty pathetic at first but suddenly I wield it better – more like a sword rather than a glorified bat. There are no notifications during combat but I know that I just acquired some sort of sword Skill.

"That's what I'm talking about!" the axe-wielder laughs loudly as he bashes more zombies with unholy glee.

I ignore the man and concentrate on the remaining zombies. The group is almost gone but there are more arriving, almost near us. I use the bokken, keeping my magic as a last resort for now until my tank is full again. Because of that I also have to be really careful – if I got eaten by a generic zombie in a tutorial word, I'd probably die all over again with shame.

"AAAAAGH!"

Oh, axe-man got bit. Well, that does take care of the situation. I break my rule and use [Telekinesis] to swipe him with a dumpster, the big heavy kind, so that I don't have a huge hulking zombie at my back.

I blink in sudden realization that I have technically killed a human. Very technically. Still, that moment of hesitation almost costs me and I have to roll out of the way of one particularly ugly female zombie. Yeah, moment over, the NPC wouldn't have survived anyway, moron that he was, and he was just a random NPC. Nobody to lose sleep over.

2217 dmg

2217 dmg

I concentrate back onto the zombies and without shouty-man I make short work of them. It feels good, turns out zombies really are ideal for a first-timer.

With the battle over, I get hit by the notifications, my [Sin of Greed] purring at the sight while [Battle Lust] is eager to get better at smashing things.

[Observe]'s level has increased by one!

[Telekinetic Strike]'s level has increased by two!

Good, good. That puts the first at level 39 and the second at 15.

You have created a new skill!

Sword Proficiency (Passive)[Level 1] – How skilled you are wielding swords, no matter the make

[Sword Proficiency]'s level has increased by two!

Welcome, my new Skill, welcome.

Your STR has risen by 4

Your CON has risen by 3

Your DEX has risen by 2

Your INT has risen by 1

Your WIS has risen by 1

Oooh, full house baby!

+ 3.600 exp

Zombies slain 23/5.000

YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!

[Mind Mage] Class has leveled up

A very profitable encounter indeed. I'm loving this. Now let's get my well-deserved loot. But not to think that I'm not sore about the lack of drops, I mean getting a shop-full of survival gear is sure handy right now and will sell pretty well in the future, but it's no magic tome.

In enter the shop, the cheerful bell making it pretty funny considering the chaos outside, and I get to work immediately. And this time I take everything, everything. Good haul too.

As I'm leaving the shop I notice the sky is getting darker. I have no night eye skill or anything so I'll have to camp out soon. Still, I have one stop planned before that and it is the next street over anyway. Finally that jewelry I keep thinking about.

The streets are calmer already, now roamed by zombies rather than people. I guess the normal uninfected citizen sought to flee from the epicenter and try their luck somewhere else. That is good for me.

I go slowly this time, walking rather than running, and am especially careful to stay as silent as I can. That is because zombies already formed hordes with only some isolated individuals around. My Mana gauge is full again but right now I choose a different strategy. After all, I don't want to get swarmed. It's day one and I can be patient for slow and steady. I'll get some cheap levels and then I'll crush them in larger numbers to fill up my quest.

I'm pretty sure about them being attracted by sound but I don't really want to risk it on the main street so I keep going high or in the shadows. That awards me with a new sweet sweet Skill.

You have created a new skill!

Stealth (Active)[Level 1] – Increases your chance of remaining undetected by 10% - 400 MP/use (+ 400 MP every additional minute)

That was the plan but it's always nice to see something that goes according to one and not straight to shit. Although to be fair, things are going really well so far.

As I proceed further, another notification hits me.

[Stealth]'s level has increased by one!

Reeeally well.

My destination is right ahead and to my surprise, I'm not the only one here. A person that my [Observe] titles 'Thug' is already taking my jewelry. Heck no!

'Thug', his name is really unimportant, turns around pretty quick. Guess he did survive for a reason so far. "Fuck off!" he whisper-shouts and to my surprise, yet again, he withdraws a handgun from his pocket and points it at me.

No need to mention it, but I am feeling pretty pissed at that. Not only he is taking my spoils, but he dares to threaten me? Both my Flaws flare up, Greed and Battle Lust, and I don't hesitate. He gets a [Telekinetic Strike] right to the throat and then I try something slightly new.

+ 1.000 exp

YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!

You have created a new skill!

Telekinetic Snap (Active)[Level 1] – Snaps the targets neck*- 1000 MP/use

I frown at the small asterisk in the description. I raise my hand and try tapping it to get more info. The Skill obliged. Apparently the asterisk means the Skill requires passing a Stat check, in this case the target's VIT against my INT. That's fair. The thug had 28 VIT and I passed with my 42 INT,simple enough.

Seeing the thug that fell soundlessly down I realize something that really should've been obvious. I'm a freaking Jedi! No really, telekinesis and swords? I only need the Force Choke and I'm a regular Darth Vader. Ok, not Jedi, Sith then. Whatever, I'm not picky. This is awesome.

'System, I love you. Really'

Don't make me blush

+1 CHA

I chuckle. This was awesome and getting better. Especially not having one of the asshole systems but one that is a good sport.

Noticing night is almost upon me, I hustle with collecting my loot. To my shame it is only now that I realize that there might be some alarms ready for me to trigger, really stupid of me, but the thug already had some pieces and the place was silent. I blame the general blackout of the area. I got off easy this time but in the future I really have to be more careful.

Guess the 42 INT and 41 WIS don't prevent me from being a dumbass, huh… Speaking of, are these starts only Skill related or do they govern my actual intelligence?

I ponder on the nature of Stats as I clean the place up. I take everything that is on display and in the drawers, make sure to loot the thug too, and then I take a peek in the back. They have more merchandise over here as well as some broken pieces and loose stones. Tools, wires and other materials. A few books and magazines. I also take the lunch somebody clearly brought but left to the zombies. It's untouched and looks quite good. Observe doesn't find anything wrong with it either so why not. Really, waste not, want not.

It was dark when I finish and I don't dare to bring out a flashlight even though it doesn't seem to bother the zombies – there are several cars, empty but running, with their lights on and the undead just pass them by.

Still, better not to ruin my night vision with a flashlight which is not exceedingly needed. Instead I silently, Stealthily, walk towards the hideout I scouted the previous day. It isn't much, just high ground with good escape routes and limited access for pedestrians.

It's good that Stealth doesn't really eat up much Mana – yeah, even physical Skills like [Sprint] or [Stealth] require Mana, weird – it makes me feel safer. [Telekinesis] is also really proving its worth, I especially like the option to jump away from danger in case my noob ass needs it.

As if the Universe heard my thoughts, my [Sin of Greed] flares up again at the sight of two very special zombies. Policemen. Well, not any more, but made from police people. And what my Greed notices is that they are still in bullet-proof vests, have guns in their holsters and other nice stuff. Heck one even has a shotgun hanging over his back. Sure it's probably empty, seeing that it was still hanging there, but still. I wanna.

Problem is those two are part of a horde. A smallish one, but still a horde. And those I resolved not to attack until I got better at fighting.

Still… my Mana is pretty full and well, I wanna. Sure, I already have one gun and some ammo from the thug I killed earlier, but police surely has better equipment. Not to mention guns are always handy, especially during an apocalypse or when selling at the black market.

Yep, I'm doing it. You live only… twice? I just gotta be silent, easy peasy.

Getting an idea, I slither on ahead and then jump up onto a small balcony.

[Telekinesis]'s level has increased by one!

That's great, honey, but not right now.

The apartment's clear so I just shove the curtains as far as they go to make me some maneuvering room. I peer down, firing up my Observe.

Sturdy Zombie

Level - 8

HP – 6,000/6,000

STR – 15

VIT – 35

DEX – 5

INT – 3

WIS – 0

CHA – 0

LUK – 0

Yeah, a little higher than the grunts but nothing I can't handle.

I aim and then Telekinetically yank the zombie up and towards me. The enemy groans but it's pretty quiet all things considered. Even when I Crush him twice he plays nice and dies in relative silence.

The second police zombie shares the fate of the first one, just the getting him up is a little trickier since the bastard moved further along, almost at the limit of my current range. Still, good job me.

+ 1.000 exp

Zombies slain 25/5.000

Your INT has risen by 1

I open up my Inventory with a grin and basically strip the two zombies. The bulletproof vests are interesting but my biker leathers are better overall. I also Observe the collapsible baton. It's nice but I'll be sticking to the bokken. Mostly because it leveled [Sword Proficiency] and I fully planned on acquiring some legendary swords. Classic blunt weapons just don't compare. Sure, I'll try it once to get the Skill but I doubt I'll be changing my mind.

Good haul, I really hope I will encounter more policemen, or empty police cars. Oh right, survivors too – the protagonists had plenty of guns too at some point so if they bite it, their stuff is mine.

Yeah, if they bite it, I won't be doing any straight up killing. I think. I mean, they are NPCs but it won't hurt me to leave them be. Other survivors too. Well, if they aren't assholes or just scum of society…

Anyway, I better go. This apartment looks nice, zombie corpses notwithstanding, but I have a better and safer place in mind. Though I like the telekinetic ambush idea, I think I'm gonna use that if the zombie horde gets together too much. Or to try new stuff. Controlled environment. I have loads of ideas for new Skills. Tomorrow though.

---

Morning

You have slept in your camp! HP & CP Restored by 75%

I hum at the notification, just 75? The new sleeping bag is really comfy and the mat underneath too. But yeah, I guess. Still, I don't mind in the least, I went to sleep at full gauge so whatever.

Nice thing about mornings of a Gamer is that you wake up really refreshed and not at all sleepy. That's awesome. I don't remember much at all from my previous life but I have a feeling I liked sleeping late a lot. This is better and way more productive!

I actually grin happily when I set about to collect all my rather simplistic traps that are meant to wake me if an undead came about. I got a new Skill out of setting them last night too, [Trap-making]. Pretty neat. Even neater is yet another Skill that I got last night – [Protective Dome]. Awesome right? Right. I kinda thought to protect my little camp with my favorite [Telekinesis] which worked, for a few seconds. When I realized it sucked up Mana like a bitch and couldn't really be maintained without my input, I dismissed it. Definitely out for nightly protection. But it did tie me over for another INT point and even a level in Mind Mage. Hence my grin.

'Profile'

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 4 (54%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Mind Mage (Lvl 20)

STATS
HP - 16.500 (27.500)
MP - 184.800
STR - 11
VIT - 15 (25)
DEX - 10
INT - 44
WIS - 41
CHA - 31 (36)
LCK - 6 (22)

Available Stat Points - 22

It's good, I like my progress. Mind Mage is turning out particularly well. I still don't know when a Class gets maxed but I'm guessing 50. Or maybe 100, but hopefully the former. I have also noted that the range of its Skills is increasing, always double the level, but the damage stays the same. That kinda sucks but since it scales with INT, no harm done.

The Skills look good too. For day one. Today I'm gonna pump those numbers UP! Stealth is a definite, I want to do some serious looting today and that is best done uninterrupted. Plain Telekinesis is needed too – one, for better looting, two, for jumping. But what about my attacks today… I want to focus on one attack right now and maybe switch tomorrow or the day after. I don't know how high those go but I want level 50 in them soon, maybe max by the time Tutorial ends?

Hmm, so far highest non-basics is the [Telekinetic Strike]…

Telekinetic Strike (Active)[Level 15] – A telekinetic attack meant for pure damage - 500 MP/use, 2200 dmg; progress to next level: 43%

Let's finish this one first then. And by finish I just mean that level 50, the rest can be done later. Though I could spruce things up a little by trying that [Arcane Bolt], I only did once so far. And maybe do the set? Arcane missiles or stuff like that? Something big?

Oooh, I definitely need an AoE Telekinetic attack. Not just something scaled but something new. Definitely have to think on that one.

Yeah, more Skills. More. Skills. Oh boy, that [Sin of Greed] is definitely a thing.

Anyway, day 5 of 50. Let's do this!

---

Day 9

I'm already done with all the businesses that I had scouted for looting, but that hasn't slowed me in the slightest. I merely switched to targets of opportunity. Like this nice Kyuudo range. Not only I was sure to get bows there, I might get to loot those awesome outfits people wear for it. Or was it just for competitions? Whatever, I want it.

The building is pretty crowded with zombies but I'm far more confident now as killing zombies is my routine. No trash mob's gonna kill me. Still, no need to go in guns blazing. I go in quietly, not in [Stealth], just regular quiet, and take them out in small groups.

I enter the small reception area and smile when there are just two zombies milling about here. Happy with the easy score I cast [Bind] on both and then simply take their head off with [Decapitate].

+ 400 exp

Zombies slain 1.143/5.000

Love those two Skills. They are still pretty new but coming along nicely. Oh! More targets! In a nice little grouping too!

And here comes more! Such a pity those are wearing those white outfits.

[Bind]'s level has increased by one!

[Decapitate]'s level has increased by two!

+ 2600 exp

Zombies slain 1.156/5.000

Oh, yeah, that's the stuff.

With no more enemies in sight I double back. I've seen a door labeled 'Locker Room' which may have some interesting stuff. I'm still hoping for those clothes. Hopefully at least one set will fit me.

I'm a bit surprised to see that the locker room is empty but that only means I get to stealing faster. I move to the left side of the room and start opening all lockers. Most are locked but they have simple enough locks for my [Telekinesis] to make short work of them.

My loot is pretty much miscellaneous stuff, from water bottles to wallets, some phones and accessories, magazines, things like that. But in the end I have my prize. [Observe].

There is five pieces in total which give…

Kyudo Uniform Set

+15 DEX,+20 CHA

Fun. Definitely getting that Charisma boost.

In the end there are several sets and I take them all. I also find a really nice leather jacket in just my size which I happily shove into my Inventory too.

No more zombies came to hunt me while I was stealing which was nice of them. Despite that I'm pretty sure there are more here, the building is pretty big after all. Even though most of it is an indoor range which is my next destination.

I open the door quietly and with Telekinesis, just in case someone wanted to burst through. That doesn't happen so I slip inside to see around twenty zombies or so. Checking the state of my Mana, even though I knew it was fairly full, I commence the carnage. And by carnage I mean quietly killing all of them with today's special.

Find an isolate group, Bind them all in place and then off with their heads one by one. Repeat with next group. It's kind of unsettling that I don't find rolling ripped off heads at all disturbing but such is the nature of a game.

I'm pretty proud that no zombie comes near enough to scratch me but that also means I don't get to practice my defensive Skills at all. I'll definitely need to do something about that one day.

Your INT has risen by 1

+ 5200 exp

Zombies slain 1.182/5.000

Later though since now I'm getting a new weapon for my arsenal. Several bows are scattered around, zombies not really caring about them. I Observe them all to choose the one in the best condition and pick it up. I make a note to find a storage room or something, the equipment there should be pristine or at least looking better than this.

The arrows are easy to find and I grab a set so I can try out my new bow right away and get the Skill. Before I can do that though, an unexpected Game notification pops up.

Achievement Unlocked!

Thief!: You have stolen over 100 different Items; Achievement Reward: Item [Thief's Cowl]

To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement – a Rare Item as a reward for unlocking this? brilliant. Although I'm pretty sure I stole more stuff than that. Curious I open my Inventory to check. My curiosity is sated almost right away when I notice that all my food is actually labeled 'food', not whatever it is like chocolate bar or bread.

Then I eagerly check my new gear which landed into the Inventory right away, pretty handy.

Thief's Cowl

Efficiency of stealth +30%, Toggled Effect [Unrecognizable]

New Skills Acquired!

Lock Picking (Active)[Level 1] – Opens locks according to Skill Level - 500 MP/use

Pickpocketing (Active)[Level 1] – Steal an unequipped items from your target - 500 MP/use

Oh, that's handy. All of it. The Cowl most of all but the Skills are nice too. Those two hadn't even occurred to me since I used Telekinesis to do all the work for them, but I'm sure they will be useful at some point.

I equip the Cowl right away. It's rather comfortable, and rather fetching, and my Status does say I am now [Unrecognizable]. Will need to test that around some live people.

Speaking of Skills though… I walk over to the small podium before the range proper and take careful aim with my new bow.

You have created a new skill!

Bow Proficiency (Passive)[Level 1] – How skilled you are at shooting from bows and crossbows

Good. I put the bow and arrows into my Inventory. My objective here has been achieved so I'll be leaving soon. First I'll see if they have a locked storage room or something with some untouched equipment and then I'll move on.

To my joy the range in fact does have a storage room that has been spared the zombies' touch so I happily loot it in its entirety. There is also some kind of office so I take some more ordinary things like a computer, books and some odds and end. And pens. One doesn't ever have enough pens.

Some zombies managed to get themselves lost in the lobby again so I take them out on the way out. I love it how easy it is now. Magic is great.

Doubly great is another Skill that I cooked up. I had to wait for it a little bit since it required passing an INT 50 check but I wasn't even mad since the Skill is that good. It's not flight yet, apparently I need INT 100 for it, but it's close. My [Enhanced Movement] is telekinetically aided running, and dodging, and pretty much anything. Just 'movement'. Definitely one of my favorite Skills so far, using it is exhilarating and it blows [Sprint] out of the water. It might not be faster, if they were at the same level, but it's easier. You feel so light. That, plus the bigger range of movement and easier leveling thanks to my Class, makes [Enhanced Movement] the undisputed winner.

Using my Movement I take off from the kyuudo range and continue westward, waiting for anything to strike my fancy.

Your DEX has risen by 1

Oh yeah, another great thing about my Movement, it levels both INT, being magic, and DEX since I am still running around like a lunatic. Less VIT though, since it really is easier.

Good enough trade. Oh oh oh, a cop car! Let's hope this one isn't already looted like the two I've seen yesterday.

Wait a minute! Can I stuff an entire car into Inventory?

I see the fallen motorcycle to my right and I try that. And I almost scream like a loon when it goes in. Oh, yeah, so much profit! And now I sound like a Ferengi. Anyway, I'm gonna learn how to drive this. I only know how to drive cars but with Gamer it should be easy.

But first, profit.

I approach the closest car that looks decent and in good shape. And… and… and it doesn't work.

'What the hell, System' I almost cry when my profit is denied.

Don't be greedy

'It's a Sin! You stuck it on me!'

You rolled for it

'Why is life so cruel!'

Just get yourself a few nice motorcycles, hm?

'Alright. If you insist'

…

Can a system roll its eyes? Because I think mine just did.

---

Day 13

It's raining, which sucks. All my running outside is a no go today. Sure, with my Gamer body I probably don't get sick in any normal way, but I'm not feeling it. The rain is depressing. So far the only highlight of my day was that while figuring out how to make a telekinetic umbrella I created a new Skill that was way better than anything I could've imagined.

Aversion Field (Active)[Level 4] – Objects avoid the user's immediate location – 14.800 MP/min; progress to next level: 33%

Since it should work on projectiles as well as on raindrops, it definitely did raise my spirits. Not for long though. The sky is dark and cloudy, everything is wet and I'm sad.

I tried making new Skills to cheer me up but that only helped a little. Sure, the Skills were great, but I just wasn't feeling it today.

Repulsion Field (Active)[Level 3] – Objects are violently thrown away from the user – 14.950 MP/min; progress to next level: 87%

Attraction Field (Active)[Level 1] – Objects are drawn to user's immediate location – 15.000 MP/min; progress to next level: 51%

So here I am, indoors, clearing out a nice apartment complex of the few zombies in hopes the water still works so I could take a bath. Sure, I don't sweat in my Gamer body but I'm just feeling cold and want the comfort of a bath. The loot isn't bad too, snooping around empty apartments is always fun and you get the most surprising stuff.

It takes me quite a while but I am reasonably sure I'm the only living, ehm, moving, thing in the complex so I return to that one apartment I kinda liked. There is another one even nicer but I had to kill two zombie children there which was pretty freaky. I already checked that the water is in fact still running despite the apocalypse and that the water even runs hot.

As the bath is getting filled up, I throw around some of the noise-making traps just in case, and then return to the tub. The people who lived here had a lot of bath products so I help myself and make myself a nice smelling bubble bath.

Since taking off clothes is for non-Gamer people, I unequip everything and gingerly lower myself into the scalding water. It's glorious.

I really should treat myself more often. And relax. Heck, I'm already way ahead with all that zombie-killing so I have to slow down anyway.

"Quests" I order out loud.

What is High School without some Dead!

Kill 5 000 zombies (2 207/5 000)

OR

Survive 50 days (13/50)

Award: [World Jump], 30 000credits, ? Skill Book

Yeah, definitely ahead. I have to keep an eye on my kill count, I don't want to complete this too early and deprive myself of training and since my Class is leveling faster than I have anticipated. At the pace it's going I'm sure to max it before the deadline. Ok, not sure sure, since I don't know where that tops at.

My player level is great too – this being practically a non-stop dungeon helped raise me to Lvl 14. I'm proud of that since those trashy mobs only give 200 exp a piece. Sometimes a 500 but that's only rarely.

Lots of things to be happy about, right? Right. Except I'm kinda getting lonely. Maybe it's the rain that's getting to me, but right now 50 days feels like a really long time. Well, 37 and a half now. I've even tried to talk to the System but not much luck there. And worst part is that even though I've spotted some survivor groups already, I don't approach them. Why? 'Cause I want to level in peace. So, my fault. I can't even really whine!

With a loud sigh I let aaaaaaaall that go, and try to enjoy the hot water and the wonderful smell.

Oh, yeah, that helps. With another sigh, this one far more contented, I reach into my Inventory for Volume 1 of some manga that looked nice. FYI, I looted an entire book shop.

As I laugh at the surprisingly good read, I relax even further. Yeah, I really should have fun more often. Since there are no quests or people really in this one, I have to make my own entertainment. And make time for it.

I wonder what the next world will be…

---

Day 17

Today I chose the industrial district as my haunt, marking this as furthest I strayed from the epicenter. Or well, the school. I have no idea where the real epicenter is. To be honest I didn't even know there was an industrial district, I just ran in a random direction until I came upon it. I was glad for it too, I got some pretty sweet loot out of it.

It also was a space that would've been perfect for some illegal car racing, if the zombies weren't everywhere. Or some flying. Oh yeah, flying over this and camp on the highest roofs would be really nice. Having my lunch up high with the view of the city.

Humming to myself I make a telekinetically assisted jump. Then another and another. Then I grab the bright blue ladder and start climbing. I want my lunch with a view!

But soon, soon, I will have that view whenever I want. I'm getting so close to that 100 in INT that will allow that Skill creation.

As always when I think about this, I get the urge to check and drink in my progress.

"Status" I murmur.

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 14 (79%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Mind Mage (Lvl 43)

STATS
HP - 97.500 (122.500)
MP – 764.400
STR – 25
VIT – 39 (49)
DEX – 31
INT – 91
WIS – 84
CHA – 54 (59)
LCK – 15 (31)

Available Stat Points – 68

I have slowed on the zombie killing quite a bit, not wanting to complete the quest too early, but I trained. Relaxed and trained. I did less looting in stores and mostly checked out normal homes. Took it easy. My progress was still fantastic though.

I got an increase in STR which was great. One apartment I looted had a home gym so I spent some time there. Sure, I could get some physical Stats by using a weapon like the bokken, but I focused on leveling Mind Mage instead. I wanted to see how high I can take that, plus Mind Mage gives me INT every level. Which brings me closer to flying.

Seeing all those SP piling up, I have also decided to use some and put them into LCK. An essential Stat for a looter. Mh, that sounds bad, on equal level with scavenger. Maybe acquirer? Anyway, that Stat I can't really level on my own so I spent the points without regret. I also like round numbers so the six from before was bugging me.

Closing my Profile screen I focus on the view. It's nothing special since I'm on a fairly low roof of a small warehouse. But it's good enough. And free of any zombies, so that's a plus. Such a pity it's all so quiet. I would've loved to play some music or an audiobook, but it's too dangerous. If I played it out loud, the zombies would come, and if I used headphones or something, I might not be able to hear a coming enemy. Ah, well, only 32 and a half day to go.

I finish up my meal and go exploring again. Back in [Stealth] - soon after entering the district I decided to use it to get around since this was a dangerous location with true hordes of zombies.

Which is exactly why I frown when I see something that could be defined as a 'fort'. Barbed wire, wood and metal wall, and in the middle a yard and a smaller building that looked like a garage. I don't see any people but there is a lot of equipment lying around along with plenty of vehicles.

Oh, scratch that, I see a pair of patrolling guards.

I normally don't interact with any survivors, especially those that my Observe labels 'Thug', but since I am so close already and my [Telepathy] needs work…

I sneak further in, confident enough in my level 41 Stealth plus the Thief's Cowl which gives me a combined 78% of a chance not to be seen. Closing the distance between us without raising any alarms is rather satisfying. I follow their path, sticking to the shadows or behind cover. [Stealth] is not invisibility, though at higher level it could be close enough.

Let's see, what are you thinking about, my dear?

…looks like Satou really did lure out those fuckers away from us, just a few suckers around here…

…I'm so tired of canned lunches, I hope we can get some real food when we get out of here…

…Tiger says only a few more supplies and we're good to go. I think we have enough fuel already but he's the boss…

I switch targets when thug n.1 gets on my nerves with his whining and I go to his partner. Hopefully he will be a bit more entertaining.

…why do I have to patrol with the dumbass, let's just hope he doesn't sneeze like last time. Heck I almost died because of it!...

…we should hurry up, I need to take a piss…

…at least it's my turn with the girls tonight. Gotta love the classic sailor uniform, my old highschool had them too…

Wait, what?

His turn with the girls? Highschool girls?

I focus again and this time I get less thoughts and more images. Quite explicit images.

Ok, change of plans, I'm taking those fuckers down. If the thug's thoughts are memories and not just fantasies, I'm killing them. Scum like that is better as zombie chow.

I probe the duo's thoughts some more, looking for the layout of their little hiding place, their numbers, weapons and most especially, if the raping hobby is real. Spoiler, it is, apparently the boss thought his boys deserved to 'blow off some steam'.

The duo returns to base and another pair takes their place. Though rather than patrolling they are just standing by the door, smoking.

[Stealth]'s level has increased by one!

'Cool' I think dismissively, already plotting my move.

There are eleven men and five prisoners. I thought there would be more of the thugs but I guess that's enough for a zombie killing team. With my Skills as high as I have them, attacking this place would be a breeze but I kinda have another thing planned. Or well, the same, but slower. I mean I made a list of possible Skills derived from Mind Mage that sound really great but I need actual humans to try them on…

Yep, looks like I will be taking some prisoners of my very own.

Hm, I guess a normal person would not giggle at that, but I am a Gamer. I couldn't care less about some NPC criminals. They are just sacks of exp.

Getting on the roof of the hideout is pretty easy, I simply use a telekinetically boosted jump and voila. [Stealth] does the rest. I sneak inside just as easily and scurry out of sight. The fact this is a two-story building only helps me as I get a nice overview of the situation below.

[Observe]

Eiji 'Tiger' Touka

Gang Leader

Level - 12

HP – 7,500/7,500

STR – 35

VIT – 34

DEX – 27

INT – 25

WIS – 19

CHA – 21

LUK – 3

Easy enough. Tiger's henchmen are weaker than him so he's the benchmark. He also looks my age and... Wait, is it my age? Whatever, he's in his mid-twenties or slightly older, most of the others are younger though, early twenties and some that could be eighteen, nineteen. All in all they don't look like an established gang, mostly just a few like-minded survivors who stuck together.

The prisoners though are barely sixteen? Could be around that. Huh, how come Observe didn't get me their age? Whatever. What will I do with them though? They look a bad way. I guess the thugs just plan on killing them before they move on. I guess that is still an option, could be a mercy, or I could give them a chance. Yeah, alone in the factory district teeming with zombies. Unless one of them is Buffy I highly doubt they'll make it.

Finally resolving to knock them out and leave them to their fate, I turn my attention back on the thugs.

What to do, what to do.

I shrug and start exploring the five rooms that are connected to the second-story ramp, to see if I can find a thug alone and unguarded.

The third rooms proves the best as there is just one man, sleeping soundly on a dirty mattress.

[Bind]

He frowns but doesn't wake up. Great. Still, I come towards him, ready to cover his mouth and smother any sound as I try experiment number one. I'm pretty sure this one will work.

This time the thug wakes up, his eyes bulging as his throat is squeezed by an unseen but powerful force. He soon passes out without even making a whimper. Guess [Bind] works on that too when used appropriately.

You have created a new skill!

Force Choke (Active)[Level 1] – Choke your target until it either passes out or dies.*1000 MP/use

Hm, another VIT/INT check. But the Skill doesn't have a damage amount. Was that because of the choice to leave them alive? Hm, probably.

I take a long rope form my inventory and make my bind less telekinetic and more physical. I hum in satisfaction at my work. After a little pause, I stuff the passed out man into the metal locker in the corner.

Next!

[Force Choke] is great at stealthy takedowns when I need the vic alive so I use it on my next target as well. He too is stashed away and I move to the third. The fourth.

It's at the fifth one that the men start to suspect something wrong. Still, number five is out too. Let's try for six. And I can't forget the two on patrol that should be returning soonish.

"Where's Akira?" the leader growled suspiciously, "I swear he was right here."

"Dunno, boss" one his underlings shrugged, now looking around as well.

"You think it's the cops?" a third thug joined them in a scared voice.

"There are no more cops, idiot!"

"Search the room!" the leader barked his order.

Since they were the last three standing I abandon stealth and simply lift them violently up and then even more violently down, slamming their bodies onto the concrete.

You have created a new skill!

Slam (Active)[Level 1] – Raises the target into the air and forcefully slams it down - 800 MP/use; 2500 dmg

Oh, thanks. Didn't think that would be a Skill. And good, they are still alive. A bit broken, but alive.

I quickly disarm the three and bind them with more rope. I have leagues of ropes now, hardware stores for the win. It's just the two patrolling now. I'll wait them out.

Wait! The prisoners!

Smacking myself on the forehead I approach the five girls. Most of them are out of it but two seem lucid enough. They are scared of me, I don't need to have [Telepathy] to know that.

Ah, well. [Force Choke]. When you wake up, I'll be gone. And the bad men will be too. I wish you good luck.

As all five are out I note that I didn't get any exp for that. Neither for the thugs. Guess only defeating instead of killing doesn't work here. Is it because it's HotD, or will that be always like that. What about a spar?

My musing is interrupted by the opening of the side doors, signalizing the final two have arrived and are here to party. I [Slam] them both.

[Stealth]'s level has increased by one!

[Force Choke]'s level has increased by three!

[Slam]'s level has increased by one!

Nice! And thank you for waiting out my 'combat event'.

No problem, as always

I quickly tie up the duo to complete my set and drag them towards where the leader lies. Then I jump upstairs to retrieve the ones I got there and clean up the garage area so the all my test subjects are in one place.

From my Inventory I retrieve a notebook in which I put down some ideas that I wanted to try with Mind Mage. I took out a pen too and tapped the third item on the list. Let's go for this one.

Selecting a thug I drag him closer to me. Let's see what is in your cabeza, shall we?

Hmmmmmm.

You have created a new skill!

Deep Scan (Active)[Level 1] – Accesses the target's memories or retrieves a specific memory - 10.000 MP/use (+ 10.000 MP every additional minute)

I don't know how long I was in but I am feeling dizzy now. And kinda nauseous. That's weird, right? "System, how come I'm dizzy with my Gamer Body and Mind?"

You got carried away with a level 1 Skill

I think I'm going to throw up. Never thought I'd feel this again, and not a fan.

Stop being a baby. It'll pass in a moment

"How long was I… in?" I ask. I could calculate that from Mana but I can't be bothered at the moment.

Eight minutes

Yeah, not ever doing that again until after I get some level in it. Just a sneak and a peek.

After withdrawing a canned iced tea from my Inventory and drinking it slowly, I feel much better. Actually, I feel like it never happened in the first place. I love the Game. The only thing that [Deep Scan] left behind were the thug's memories. Yeah, I definitely overstayed, there's too much and most of it is boring anyway. Hopefully having the Skill will help me regulate how much and what I see better. I'll need some practice.

Since I know way too much about this guy already, I dismiss training [Deep Scan] on him and try something new instead. Hoping I get it right this time.

I dive in again, not as deep, but I rummage around a bit more.

You have created a new skill!

Subjugate (Active)[Level 1] – Your will suppresses that of the target and turns it into an obedient husk. *50.000 MP/use

My happiness at the Skill creation is damped to minimum when I [Observe] the guy and he really is just a drooling husk. He can still move and stuff! He's just not really there.

Shucks, I created a zombie.

Ok, so that didn't work. I better put him out of his misery.

You have created a new skill!

Grasp Heart (Active)[Level 1] –Takes control of the target's heart - 2000 MP/use; 5000 dmg

At least this one worked perfectly.

+ 1 000 exp

I still want to influence some loyalty so that Skill creation is going to have a repeat. Well, after I figure out how to do it. For now, let's train that [Deep Scan] a bit on my second little piggy. Nice and easy this time. Only one memory and out.

[Deep Scan]

A flash of memory, the man fighting off his first zombie. And out!

Head check!

No dizziness, no nausea. Good job me. Let's go again!

[Deep Scan]'s level has increased by one!

[Deep Scan]'s level has increased by one!

[Deep Scan]'s level has increased by one!

I really like round numbers so I dive for the umpteenth time. It's pretty boring now but I need that level 5 to look pretty. Or like a nice start. I do have a lot of thugs here.

[Deep Scan]'s level has increased by one!

OK, moving on. I have just the thing.

You have created a new skill!

Memory Alteration (Active)[Level 1] – Subtly changes a memory according to the your wishes. 30000 MP/use

Nice! This was easy enough. I'm gonna do some more. At least level five again.

Ok, I should feel bad, but this is fun. Let's do level 10!

My fun gets interrupted at level 8 when one of the thugs shows signs of waking. I put him down again but decide to have a move on.

Time to try that loyalty thing again. Should be easier now that I explored the brain a bit more, right?

You have created a new skill!

Forced Loyalty (Active)[Level 1] – Target cannot disobey your orders; 50.000 MP/use

Fuck, wrong again. Well, at least this one doesn't leave the target an empty husk. But [Forced Loyalty] is crude, the target knows something is wrong and the loyalty isn't at all natural. One wrongly or vaguely worded order and I could end up with a knife in my back. Definitely not what I was looking for.

With a heavy sigh I [Grasp Heart] him and move to juror number three.

First I cast the memory Skills a few times, for the exp, and then try again. Third time's the charm, right? I think I'll try going through memory this time, and feeling.

You have created a new skill!

Influence (Active)[Level 1] – Target feels compelled to trust you and follow your lead; 50.000 MP/use

Fuck yeah!

I congratulate myself and fetch my notebook again. What's next?

---

The last thug falls down, dead as can be, and I stand up and stretch. This has been a really productive day. Really productive. And no zombies even interrupted me. Awesome. This little list can only be admired.

Force Choke (Active)[Level 4] – Choke your target until it either passes out or dies*. 985 MP/use; progress to next level: 38%

Slam (Active)[Level 2] – Raises the target into the air and forcefully slams it down. 800 MP/use; 2650 dmg; progress to next level: 21%

Grasp Heart (Active)[Level 3] – Takes control of the target's heart. 2000 MP/use; 6000dmg; progress to next level: 10%

Deep Scan (Active)[Level 19] – Accesses the target's memories or retrieves a specific memory. 10000 MP/use (+9050 MP every additional minute); progress to next level: 1%

Memory Alteration (Active)[Level 23] – Subtly changes a memory according to the user's wishes. 29.977 MP/use; progress to next level: 12%

Subjugate (Active)[Level 1] – Your will suppresses that of the target and turns it into an obedient husk*. 50.000 MP/use; progress to next level: 50%

Forced Loyalty (Active)[Level 1] – Target cannot disobey your orders. 50.000 MP/use; progress to next level: 25%

Influence (Active)[Level 2] – Target feels compelled to trust you and follow your lead; 49.600 MP/use; progress to next level: 50%

Hijack (Active)[Level 1] – Takes control over the target's body*. 5000 MP/use (+15.000 MP every additional minute); progress to next level: 25%

Induce Fear (Active)[Level 1] – Manipulates emotions and causes fear in the target. 500 MP/use; progress to next level: 50%

Hallucination (Active)[Level 1] – Makes a target see, hear or feel something that isn't real. 2000 MP/use (+2000 MP every additional minute); progress to next level: 25%

Mind Thief (Active)[Level 1] – Takes a random skill of the target and adds it to the user. Warning!Kills target. 500.000 MP/use; progress to next level: 50%

The last one, the [Mind Thief] was stupid hard to get. I actually got it only at the last two pigs so I managed to steal only two Skills. Or more precisely one and a half. I got [Machine Repair] and then [Firearms Proficiency] which I already had, so System gave me 10 free levels in it. Still, how awesome is that!

And that's even without the notifications I got.

Your INT has risen by 2

Your WIS has risen by 1

Mind Mage Class has leveled up

So close to flying now I can taste it. Since I have my Status open anyway, I go to the first Tab and sigh in contentment.

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 14 (85%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Mind Mage (Lvl 44)

STATS
HP - 97.500 (122.500)
MP – 808.400
STR – 25
VIT – 39 (49)
DEX – 31
INT – 94
WIS – 86
CHA – 55 (60)
LCK – 15 (31)

Available Stat Points – 68

Oh, yeah. I grin. So close.

---

Day 21

"YEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Suck it you land-dwelling fuckers! I can fly! Mweheheheheheehehahahahahahahahahaha!"

As I fly over the horde they immediately follow the sound of my voice. But I don't care, I can fly away!

Up, up and away!

---

Day 27

It's so rewarding to see your hard work paying off. The Game is perfect in that sense since it always tells you as soon as progress happens. And being a Gamer, it happens a lot.

Mind Mage Class has leveled up

Exactly what I wanted. I have been really focusing on training my Mind Mage Skills so that I get to level 50 in the Class which I suspect, read hope, is the maximum. I'm eager for something new and variety is the spice of life.

That said, I'm loving the Mind Mage. All those telepathy-derived Skill are going to come in really handy once I get out of zombie town and the telekinesis-derived Skills could be really subtle, which is great in setting yourself up. And Mind Mage has flying, nothing better than that. The only real complaint I have about this Class is the damage, which I came to realize is actually a bit low. The Skills are really cheap mana-wise though, so I guess that's the trade-off. If I were to guess the elementalist for example does big expensive damage in comparison.

'System?'

You are correct

I nodded to myself, even happier that I chose the Mind Mage while in a hunting-by-hearing-zombie-infested world. Some people may call me coward, but I like to think myself as careful. Cautious. There is time for big shows of power and there is time for subtlety.

Anyway, my complaint about the Mind Mage actually got semi-fixed when I hit that INT 100. Not only it allowed me to create my flying Skill, it also gave me an amazing Perk.

Caster: Doubles base damage of all INT-based Skills

Take that, I have the amazing utility of Mind Mage and now I have some heavy-hitting spells too. The Skills that benefited from this the most are definitely the [Telekinetic Strike], [Telekinetic Crush] and [Slam]. I use these the most against the zombies and am close to maxing them.

Telekinetic Strike (Active)[Level 92] – A telekinetic attack meant for pure damage - 500 MP/use, 17.200 dmg; progress to next level: 20%

Telekinetic Crush (Active)[Level 89] – A telekinetic attack that asserts pressure from all sides - 1000 MP/use, 28.200 dmg; progress to next level: 42%

Slam (Active)[Level 67] – Raises the target into the air and forcefully slams it down - 800 MP/use; 12.550 dmg, progress to next level: 78%

It looks nice enough but now the base damage is double, so 34.400 dmg, 56.400 dmg and 25.100 dmg respectively. And that's before the Mind Mage addition of my INT times three. Yeah, that bonus is much better now that I passed the 100 there and will continue to grow.

Seeing I got this Perk from reaching INT 100, I'm really looking forward to doing the same with my WIS which isn't all that behind. I'm pretty sure the Perk will be something with Mana regeneration. I wouldn't mind a double there too to be honest even though I have pretty cheap Skills. Or maybe I'll get something completely different, I just hope it's good. Well, to be honest, everything I got so far has been good so thanks!

+1 CHA

'Love you'

Speaking of love, I think I saw the main cast of this anime through the binoculars. Such a pity that [Observe] doesn't work through them, but I'm reasonably sure. Fat guy with gun, hottie with sword, a spear, a pink-haired girl and a woman created for fanservice. It must've been them. I was tempted to fly over, really tempted, but in the end I didn't. They had other people with them and I think the anime only covered, I don't know, two weeks?, of this zombie apocalypse. I have too much stuff to do than babysit whiny survivors. I don't mean the protagonists but the others. Looks like Takeshi & co found themselves a tribe. Not interested in that.

I'll finish up my 50 days and I'm outta here. Great training place and all, but bye bye Highschool of the Dead. Not coming back.

'System?'

Yes?

'When I get to World Jumping, will it be one and done or can I return?'

You won't be able to leave a world until you meet the requirements but returning is possible should you acquire the Perk for it

'How do I do that?'

Don't be impatient

'Awww'

You'll see as soon as you Jump for the first time. If you can't wait, finish your quest

'Nope, not doing that. Just yesterday I robbed another bank. There still are some more around'

*sigh*

'Like you weren't expecting that'

*sigh*

---

Day 31

I have been waiting for this for a while now, spamming my Mind Mage Skills like there was no tomorrow. But finally, finally I get to read those sweet words.

Mind Mage Class has leveled up

Class MAXed!

You may select a new Class

Grinning while I loot the two zombie corpses, they must've been 'survivors' because they were well-equipped zombie-hunters style, I already think of all the new possibilities. Good thing that it's already pretty late in the afternoon so I can go camp out without any fear of missing out. I already know this is going to be a difficult decision I have to think on. And I always think better after having a snack, Gamer or no Gamer.

Today's camping spot is in an apartment building that I cleaned already earlier today so I only have to kill any undead that came in in the last few hours. There aren't many at all which works for me, especially since I'm eager to open up that Class Tab.

A quick early dinner later, I finally settle down on the rather comfy couch and prompt the Game to wow me.

Please select a Class

[Fighter] [Rogue] [Mage] [Support]

Wait, support? That's new. Curious, I click on that first. I already know I can come back until I make a final selection, so I select it more confidently than that Mage from way back in character creation.

[Alchemist] [Enchanter] [Engineer] [Blacksmith] [Wardmaker]

That's pretty cool! I like this but I get why it wasn't in the first selection. I actually really like this… Hm, such a pity that I have no idea what Universe I'm jumping in next. Or…

No, I'm not telling you

Boo!

…

Anyway, [Engineer] is definitely great but that is for a modern world. I would hate to select it and then get stuck in Game of Thrones for example. The other Classes are good too but less exciting.

I call the selection back and this time click on the Fighter Class.

[Knight] [Dueler] [Brawler] [Vanguard] [Defender]

Another nice enough selection but pretty much the same as before, I kinda hoped for some more variety.

You get more Subclasses when certain conditions are met. They aren't.

'I get it' I roll my eyes.

Well, nothing here really appeals to me. I mean, I knew that even before I clicked on it but it has proven true. [Knight] is classic sword and shield combo with a touch of riding and spear. Eh. [Dueler] is more a DEX build, rapiers, double wielding, stuff like that. [Brawler] is okay but martial artist would be better, but this is practically all CQC. Not that bad. [Vanguard] I would've personally named 'berserker'. It's all armor, two-handed weapons, battle roar and rushing into battle. Nah, least appealing option. [Defender] turtles up, the quintessential tank. Not my cup of tea either.

I click back without further ado, I'll be definitely selecting something else. Let's try Rogue.

[Assassin] [Archer] [Gunslinger] [Thief] [Trickster]

Ok, rogue. I do need to beef up my DEX Stat. I can fix a lot with my [Enhanced Movement] and [Flight], but some old fashioned reflexes are great to have. Also [Stealth], but I got that pretty much covered already.

[Gunslinger] is out. Sounds like I would need to kill lots of zombies with guns and one, those are loud, two, I'm already too close to completing the quest so leveling would be stalled, three, the Game of Thrones argument again. Not compatible. Moving on. [Archer]? Eh. [Assassin] is one of the good ones. I could finish up my stealth and since its Skills are more single-target oriented, it's in the running. I'm way past [Thief] and what the fuck is a [Trickster]? Looks like a poor-man's duelist. He's out too.

I ponder this for a while and then go back to Mage. I got loads of INT and WIS and those Classes can really make use of it. Plus, big firestorms and sith lightening is always great.

[Elementalist] [Necromancer] [Healer] [Arcane Knight] [Druid] [Summoner]

The [Druid] and [Summoner] are new, so I look them over with interest. But the result is pretty much the same - from this Tab the [Elementalist] is probably the best for me. But do I really want another magic class? Don't I want all 100 Perks?

And I really do need that DEX.

Yeah, a Rogue Class is probably the best way to go right now. Besides, I can level it up pretty fast. Heck Mind Mage took me thirty-one days. Huh, a nice round month. Though I did use it every day and for everything… Still, I have nineteen days to go and I can get some decent level in the new Class easily enough as long as it doesn't depend on killing zombies too much.

Hmmmm…

Yeah, I think I'll go with [Assassin]. He covers a lot of branches – I mean he can be an archer and a gunslinger. An assassin uses a lot of tools, those are just two. And sure, he'll probably won't have any fancy trick shots but the passive proficiency is amazing all on its own. How about poison? Assassins definitely use poisons. And bombs.

'Right System?'

I'll allow it

"You're the best" I grin. [Assassin] it is.

You have chosen [Assassin]?

"I have"

Class selected. Class equipped.

"Status"

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 15 (79%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Assassin (Lvl 1)

STATS
HP - 131.600 (159.600)
MP – 1M
STR – 28
VIT – 47 (57)
DEX – 44
INT – 112
WIS – 98
CHA – 61 (66)
LCK – 15 (31)

Available Stat Points – 73

Looks nice. I try selecting the Class and it opens up another window where both the old and new Class is. I'm heartened to see that I can change it without issue. Though, I do notice one thing that kind of dampens my spirits.

When I have [Mind Mage] on I get:

Mind Mage (Equipped)[Level MAX] – Class Skill Range: 100 meters; Class Skill Damage: base dmg+INT*3; All Class Skills level 10% faster; +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA every level

And when not…

Mind Mage (Unequipped)[Level MAX] – Class Skill Range: 75 meters; Class Skill Damage: base dmg+INT*3

Yeah, not having it equipped kinda nerfs the range and the speed of leveling. But I guess it's fair. When I'll focus on finishing up my Mind Skills, I'll just switch it back. Not now though, those last nineteen days will be focused on my new rogue path.

Assassin (Equipped)[Level 1] – Class Skill Damage: base dmg+DEX*2; Crit dmg doubled; All Class Skills level 10% faster; +2 DEX, +1 WIS every level

After having enough of admiring my Profile page, I return to the notifications I ignored in my haste.

New Skill Acquired!

Shadow Strike (Active)[Level 1] – A critical strike launched from concealment - 500 MP/use, 5000 dmg

[Stealth]'s level has increased by ten!

Stealth (Active)[Level 81] – Increases your chance of remaining undetected by 82% - 240 MP/use (+238 MP every additional minute); progress to next level: 20%

Oh, yeah, thaaat's the stuff. And very nice that I got the level up in [Stealth] since I already had it. 'Thank you'.

Of course

I'm actually pretty excited about this - new class, new game, new beginning. Still kinda sick of HotD, but now it's a little bit better. Only 19 days till I get some people around me again, hopefully.

Anyway, I can start leveling new stuff right away. Now let's try that poison and bomb thing. I have so much loot in my Inventory so finding stuff for it shouldn't be hard.

Fun!

---

Day 39

I'm gratified to see my choice in Assassin is paying off. I was already skirting around the number of zombies killed so sitting in place tinkering with stuff is perfect. I'm also leveling that first Assassin Skill, [Shadow Strike] by sneaking around and using it on cherry-picked zombies, aka those that have more exp.

The Class is also leveling quite well – every poison I make, every bomb, gives me Class exp. And the results are kept safely in my Inventory, just waiting to be used. I'm sure I'll find use for them eventually. I also get Class exp from my [Bow Proficiency], [Throwing Proficiency] and [Firearms Proficiency], although I only checked with that last one and left it more or less alone because of the noise. I really want a silencer and running around with a home-made one makes me feel like an idiot. At least the quickly leveling throwing knives and ninja stars quickly tip the feeling back into not-idiot.

One of the better news was that [Grasp Heart] is considered an Assassin Skill, as well as a Mind Mage. It makes sense and that makes me really happy. Pity that the Skill didn't really work on zombies. Or, it does, just gives them no damage. But I got to test it on a few of those soldier types, another band of survivors I didn't feel bad killing off.

[Stealth] is king though. It gives exp, makes critical strikes – in melee only though which kinda sucks – and most importantly, it levels faster thanks to the Class bonus. The MAX is just around the Corner. Maybe even literally.

There is one more Skill worth mentioning even though I don't have it. I mean, I'm sure it exists but I haven't attempted creating it. Poison resistance. Thought it wouldn't be smart trying that around zombies, no matter how safe I make my hideout. I wrote it down in my notebook and left it for later.

Those were the Skills I created on purpose but chance also gave me some. Like [Evasion Stance] which gives me an extra chance of dodging. [Stiletto Storm] has a flowery name but it's good, a multi-target throw that gives a surprising amount of damage. When I got the classic [Backstab] I almost slapped myself for not thinking of it myself. [Marked for Death] was one of the best, giving bonus damage to the selected enemy. [Disarm Trap] is sure to be handy too when my own traps aren't the only ones in circulation. There are also some dagger Skills but to be perfectly honest, they don't seem all that worth leveling.

Still, despite all those Skills, I'm having the most fun with [Bomb-Making] and [Poison-Making]. One could say I was having a blast. A blast, get it?

Yeah, System didn't like it either. Whatever. Those two Skills also make looting a bit more fun as well since I'm selecting some new stuff for them.

Thanks to those two Skills I also discovered a nice new mechanic of the Game – reading books. And by that I mean normal books, not Skill Books as I have yet to find one. In search of inspiration I read a book on poisonous plants and while reading I got Notified that my [Poison-Making] Skill went up by one. Naturally that got me searching for more books that could help me advance any Skill which was not only fun but profitable. Heck I even got a boost in [Lockpicking] thanks to this. It also made me read more which passed the time. So score on all accounts.

One last thing about the two production Skills I so praised, is that working with your hands is great. I can think and make all sorts of plans while brewing a simple poison. The brain isn't as occupied as with the Mind Mage Skills. At first I thought it a little dangerous, but the Skill themselves helped guide my hand so some things I could do almost mechanically.

Like this.

Assassin Class has leveled up

Oh yeah, I'm loving everything about this.

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Day 49

Today is the day. The day I finally leave this place. Day 49. I decided to leave this evening instead of waiting for tomorrow. I'm happy with the content of my Inventory, my Skills, my Perks, my Stats, my everything, so why not leave now.

"Quests"

The Tab only has one quest, the one I am looking for.

What is High School without some Dead!

Kill 5 000 zombies (4 994)

OR

Survive 50 days (49/50)

Award: [World Jump], 30 000 credits, ? Skill Book

I'm really proud of how I managed my zombie kills. Six short of completion is a real achievement. Thank Game for [Stealth].

Speaking of [Stealth], that is one of the Skills I'm particularly proud of. It achieved that nice MAX among a few others. Naturally the first Skill I mastered was [Observe]. Which was doubly nice as that also unlocked an achievement.

One down: You maxed your first Skill! Award: [?] Skill Book

From this I got a choice between three Skill Books, one random for Mage, one random for Rogue and one random for Fighter. I thought about it and chose Mage in the end, the roll getting me [Cage of Light]. An excellent way to restrain a powerful enemy and inflict some damage over time. A truly great roll. This one is going to be leveled for sure.

Anyway, [Observe] was only the first to get maxed.

Observe (Active)[Level MAX] - The go to skill of all with the power of the Gamer, a sure-fire method of gathering information - 10 MP/use

Telekinesis (Active)[Level MAX] - The ability to manipulate and move matter - 100 MP/use (+50 MP every additional kilogram and every additional min)

Stealth (Active)[Level MAX] – Increases your chance of remaining undetected by 99% - 200 MP/use (+200 MP every additional minute)

Enhanced Movement (Active)[Level MAX] – Telekinetically enhances all your movement making it easier and faster - 1000 MP/use (+500 MP every additional minute)

Telekinetic Strike (Active)[Level MAX] – A telekinetic attack meant for pure damage - 500 MP/use, 18.000 dmg

Telekinetic Crush (Active)[Level MAX] – A telekinetic attack that asserts pressure from all sides - 1000 MP/use, 31.500 dmg

Definitely a nice view that. Some other Skills are close and I'll get to them soon enough, some are just kept at a respectable level and some I just didn't get the chance to practice since they require actual humans rather than undead ones. All in all, very satisfied here.

Especially when we take into account that INT Perk that doubles damage. I also got another modifier when I reached that 100 in WIS. The Perk [Sage] got me that double Mana regen I anticipated.

With my Assassin Class on, my DEX skyrocketed since I got 2 points there every level. It actually overtook INT. WIS did too actually, thanks to Assassin again, and is now my top Stat. Still, the high DEX got me another Perk, [Superb Reflexes]. It gives me the ability to notice subtle muscle movement of my enemy so that I know to dodge before they even fully moved. Basically a level 1 Sharingan.

Which is awesome and all, but my HP was tissue paper though. Good thing I have good INT shielding.

"Profile"

Name: Sofia Vetinari
Level: 16 (41%)
Title: The Gamer
Class: Assassin (Lvl 39)

STATS
HP - 176.000 (214.400)
MP – 1M
STR – 32
VIT – 55 (65)
DEX – 136
INT – 122
WIS – 144
CHA – 63 (68)
LCK – 15 (31)

Available Stat Points – 78

Last check complete. I really have no reason to dally now. Still, I don't know why, but I'm nervous. Excited, but nervous.

Which is stupid. Let's do this!

I jump off my perch and fly down to where I can see the nearest zombies. As is almost customary now, I enter [Stealth] and take them down, one by one. Nothing elaborate, I just use a [Decapitate] on each of them and voila…

World Quest COMPLETE!

You have killed 5 000 zombies

Award: [World Jump], 30 000 credits, [ID Create/Escape] Skill Book

… mission accomplished.

I wait, unseen by zombies, frowning as nothing further happens.

'Eh, jump, please?'

Do you wish to initiate [World Jump]?

'Yes' I reply with some relief.

Jumping into Hub in three… two… one…

My vision goes white. Something happens, I can feel that but I blink and I still see white. Oh, it's that just white room limbo thing again. Okay.

Achievement Unlocked!

Zombie Slayer: You have cleared the HotD World; Achievement Reward: Title [Slayer]

Slayer: +20% damage to all undead

Oh nice, my first Title. I really thought I'd be getting one before now. But I guess tutorial is tutorial, you get less stuff. If you don't steal it yourself. My equipment is on the poor side as well, definitely of a 'common tier' even if the Game doesn't use those words. Definitely no 'Robes of the Lich King' or epic-sounding things like that. Soon thoug. Soon.

I also note I don't get any exp for finishing the worlds quest which is a bit of a pity. I'll chalk it to tutorial again. What I do get is that dungeon Skill, [ID Create/Escape], so I definitely know the tutorial part is over. I'm ready, oh so ready, to move on. And hopefully not see a zombie in a long long time.

Done with your monologue?

"I wasn't speaking"

I'm your System, I always hear you

The only thing missing was the 'duh' and roll of the eyes. Sassy System.

"Yes, I'm done"

Please select your next World

[Star Wars] [One Piece] [My Hero Academia] [Hunger Games] [High School DxD]

Ooooh, I was looking forward to this. Let's see.

Please note that you may buy certain things with your Credits - whether it is a better start in the new world or certain Perks. You have referenced the [Flashback Jumper] Perk before, that is one such item in the Shop.

I hum, glance at the selection, and shrug. It won't hurt to peruse a little.

"Shop, please"

A list appears with a festive jingling sound. I hum again, this time in appreciation. The list is longer than I anticipated. What I had not entirely anticipated was the exorbitant cost of most of the merchandize. There is one thing right at the top that caught my eye though.

[Money to Credits Conversion] – Convert any amount of any currency from any world into Credits.

Handy, though I actually don't have much of actual money on me. I have goods. And gold. Even precious stones. But not that much money. That sucks! I would've wanted to know about this!

It would be too easy

Yeah, yeah, I huff. I'll keep it in mind for my next Jump. Whenever that is going to be. First though, I select the Conversion and use it on all the yen I have, getting me a 3.359 credits.

I have to blink when the amount pops out, because I'm sure I'm seeing wrong. "This is highway robbery!"

It's a feature. [Shop] is meant for more established Players

Fudgenuggets!

My perusing turns into window shopping since I can hardly afford anything. There are loads of various Perks and Items but those are way out of my price range. The [Flashback Jumper] is actually one of the cheaper ones.

Flashback Jumper: Allows the Player to freely revisit previously completed Worlds. Price: 500.000 Credits

To add insult to injury, the whole thing is grayed out. Yeah, I know I can't afford it, no need to rub it in!

It's a feature

Of course it is.

[Shop] is available to you from this point forward. Some Quest may yield Credits as well

"Available any time?" I ask, "Not just in-between worlds?"

Correct

"At least there is that" I nod but it doesn't make me feel all that better. Heck, I can barely afford the smallest Gacha Bundle and that is the cheapest thing here.

I longingly look at the Companion Token and Familiar Egg. I have already been picturing myself with Arturia from Fate at one side, a majestic phoenix at the other. Yeah, not going to happen any time soon. I can only hope I can get high-level stuff like this like a regular reward for a quest or something.

You can, items form [Shop] are selected form the highest-tiered rewards

Oh goodie. It's great news but I just can't seem to get excited about it right now.

"Let's just go back to world selection, please"

Please select your next World

[Star Wars] [One Piece] [My Hero Academia] [Hunger Games] [High School DxD]

Boku no Hero Academia, I think BokuHero would suit me best.

Star Wars is out. To be honest I don't know all that much about it, especially since there is so much lore. And the only timeline I know thoroughly enough to jump there is Star Wars: The Old Republic. I loved that game, but not enough to live it. I may have Darth Vader's signature [Force Choke] but I'd rather stay earth-bound right now. And go somewhere less futuristic.

One Piece is out too. I know some about Star Wars but zero about One Piece since I have never seen it. All I know is that it's about anime pirates and some guy that can stretch like rubber.

Moving onto the three worlds in actual consideration.

High school DxD is the staple in a lot of Gamerfics but devils, angels? Not feeling strong enough for that, not even close. I would love to be surrounded by a harem of beautiful devils, of course I would, but it's just too soon. They would swat me away like a fly. And they would, no way I am letting someone as disgusting and annoying as Issei alive and in my vicinity. And again, I know well what happens in season 1 of the anime, season 2 is spotty, and I'm not even sure I saw season 3. Never read the manga. So probably not this one.

Hunger Games is a depressing world, but it would be kinda fun kick everyone's assess. But nothing more than that. I'm not a fan of the story and aside from that, there is not much to be gained in this universe. No, this one is out. I want something more 'wow'.

My Hero Academia though? A world with a lot of powerful skills I could potentially steal… I mean, I should work, right? I'm the Gamer so it really should. And if it does, this can be my ladder to power. And the System said I could use Credits for a better start in the world so that has potential too. Knowledge-wise, it's not bad. I saw a good chunk of the anime but I hope the World Quest is something easily achievable, hopefully not in a too long time. This is not an universe I'd like to settle in, just another training/stealing world.

I mull over the decision some more but then I finally nod to myself.

"I choose BokuHero"

Acknowledged. Ready?

"Let's go"

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Skill sheet

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AN: So, first chapter. Tell me what you think (though I have the BokuHero part already outlined so in all probability I won't be taking any suggestions there).

AN2: For the first time I had some trouble posting, some words seem to have disappeared from the doc manager here compared to my Word document. So if you encounter anything hinky, let me please know. Thank you. (UPDATE: I went back and fixed it. Hopefully all of it. Thanks to all that helped point the mistakes out)

AN3: This story will also be posted on AO3, from the very beginning this time. It has a far better tagging system. Which reminds me, the BokuHero fandom tag will be replaced by the tag of the third universe (and probably each jump as well).