Here we go again!
This has taken SO much longer than I anticipated, but I think the end result is finally something I can be proud of. The first run of the second chapter was a steaming pile of shit, so this one was a nice change of pace.
With that being said, let's get right into it, shall we?
Chapter Two- The Plot Thickens
The next morning, as sunlight crept in through the window, Max stretched and greeted the day with a healthy dose of bedhead and back cracking.
"Ah… that was fantastic. These beds are ridiculously comfortable." He patted the bedspread, a small smile on his face as he did so. He didn't realize initially, but he had fallen asleep while writing down and going over everything that was in his menu. The gem in his hand was flashing, as if it was reacting to something. Underneath his hand was his notebook, which was currently on the page involving skill mastery. The last thing he had written had to do with keeping the Veil equipped long enough to use the associated skills with other Veils.
"Hmm? What the…?" While looking at the flashing light, he began going through his notebook to try and figure out what was going on. "Let's see… 'The Veil reacts to foreign materials, and feeding said materials to the Veil will unlock new weapon forms while using Synthesis.'" Based on how the Veil seemed to be reacting, he wondered if the notebook was able to be used. Biting the bullet, he placed his notebook on the gem.
In a display of lights, the gem flashed with a silver circle of magic, taking in the material provided and absorbing it page by page. Moments later, black metallic ribbons folded outwards with the gem at the very center of them, displaying text along said ribbons.
[Attention]
Conditions Met- Scribe's Veil
Equipment Grade- Ramshackle
Ability- Scribe's Library: Your memory has been upgraded in ways of remembering text. Any text you read will be stored in your memory and can be recalled with greater accuracy than most others. Recalling information too fast might cause a shortage in memory, so be careful.
"...that's convenient. I might need that later." After that, Max gathered up his things, placing them into the Veil for consumption. He wasn't sure if he would be going back to his world at any point, so he'd have to use everything he had. Looking into the gem provided the sight of a lot of new things, all of which were displayed on the metallic fabric that opened up from the center.
[Attention]
[New Veils Unlocked]
Wanderer's Veil
Equipment Grade- Ramshackle
Ability- Anonymity: The Veil possesses no natural ability to hide the identity of the wielder. However, by absorbing a storage pack from another world, it grants the wielder the ability to hide their identity from prying eyes. Not only does it add a traveler's pack to the user's back to store items within, but it also adds a hood, goggles, and a mask to hide the face of the wielder as well as gloves to conceal the core. The act of putting on this hood and mask falsifies information in the Status Menu, also preventing prying eyes from seeing your true skills and stats. Can only be used with the Wanderer's Veil.
Magic Satchel: The core of the weapon, which is stored within your left hand, can easily be recognized by others, but is not easy to hide without reducing usability. When active, this skill uses any of the many bags strapped to your sides that are linked directly to your inventory to retrieve items from within it without drawing attention to yourself. Can only be used with the Wanderer's Veil.
Cloak of the Traveler (Passive): Absorbing the materials of clothing that would let you resist the weather will allow you to withstand said weather without it. Thermal Resistance (Medium) has been granted.
Explorer's Veil
Equipment Grade- Apprentice
Ability- Stationary Anchor: Utilize the reaching Ivy to anchor yourself into place. Vines will shoot from your back, locking into solid surfaces and rooting themselves in place.
Grapnel: Launch a Stinger from your body like a grappling hook, pulling you to a location at high speed.
Climbing Gear: Maintain the form of an additional Ogre Claw on any of your limbs to allow you to climb surfaces that most would view as impossible. Skill Points not required to use.
Pioneer's Guidance (Passive): Makes Skills easier to master by 50%. However, once mastered, the amount is lowered to 25% for every Veil other than this one.
Reading over the abilities of the new Veils he'd obtained, Max went over the items in his inventory until he came across something he completely forgot about. A laptop he'd gotten for his psychology course, which was mainly meant for homework and notes. Alongside this was a pair of headphones that he usually kept folded and stored beside the laptop, just in case he had free time and wanted to listen to music. Also stored within were a few textbooks from his psychology and law classes.
In the Inventory tab, all were described as otherworldly items, such as Otherworldly Device, Otherworldly Headgear, and Otherworldly Books. He figured that being in an alternate world made the electronics useless, since he likely had somehow messed them up in the actual fall to the floor. If that didn't do the trick, then the summoning itself did. Excess energy can fry electronics, so he didn't want to think about what the magic circle did to the things. With that being said, he shrugged, removed them from his inventory, and held them up to the Veil's gem for absorption.
Immediately, he was met by even more text, which was displayed on a series of metallic ribbons that basically took up most of the area in front of him. He reminded himself to try to find a way to make viewing this thing easier. But for now, time to look at the new Veils.
[Attention]
[New Veils Unlocked]
Analyst's Veil
Equipment Grade- Mastercraft
Ability- Battle Plan: It can be hard to form a strategy in battle, especially when the battle is raging around you and making it hard to think. Developing a plan has become significantly easier when this is in effect, as you can think faster, plan more efficiently, and see the outcome of any three decisions that you come across. However, these three decisions are chosen at random based on the ideas you have come up with. What happens after these events is still entirely unknown, as this is based on probability of possible actions, and is by no means a form of precognition.
Information Broadcast: When planning for events, one is forced to make decisions that some might not understand. To combat this issue, one may reveal to all around them any information that is gathered in a rather unorthodox way. A screen of magic opens in front of you, broadcasting what can be seen in your mind. Be warned, it will show everything you are thinking in that moment in very vivid detail.
Visual Record: Your memory has been upgraded to remember nearly everything you are able to see. Record in vivid detail any visual things that you see, recalling it as if it were happening a second time. These events cannot be altered, no matter how hard you try to do so. Attempting to recall too much information will result in a memory shortage.
Scout's Veil
Equipment Grade- Mastercraft
Ability- Audio Enhancement: Raise your sense of hearing with this Veil, allowing you to gather information faster than most by listening from a greater distance. You can focus on individual conversations, but any sonic attacks or loud noises will damage your ears significantly.
Audio Record: Your memory has been upgraded to remember nearly everything you have heard. Record in vivid detail anything that your hearing is able to detect, enhancing the recollection of this as well. Attempting to recall too much information will result in a memory shortage.
BONK!: Whack your opponent upside the head with the flat of any part of the Veil. Does little damage, but heavily disorients the enemy and serves as a form of taunt.
Speed Up (Passive): Passively increases your movement speed when worn. Current modifier is 75%.
Psychoanalyst's Veil
Equipment Grade- Journeyman
Ability- Sharp Eye (Passive): When viewing the behaviors of another person, one can detect the smallest of details. Their pulse, breathing, facial expressions, twitching, nervous tics… nothing escapes your eye.
Profiler: As a Psychoanalyst, one needs to learn how to read people with utmost efficiency. Any habits that they display during this will be logged into a profile of sorts, able to be recalled at a whim. When given enough information, you will be able to build a psychological profile of the person that is precise enough to be able to tell everything about them that one might need to know.
"That's a lot to take in... Jeez. I'm gonna need to find a way to keep track of all of this." He gently scratched his scalp with his right hand as he peered into the gem in his left. Everything he had active at that moment shut down when a knock was heard at the door.
"Sir Hero?" A female voice spoke. "I'm here to bring you to the King. Are you decent?" Max believed the woman at the door to be one of the maids, so he switched out to the Standard Ivy Veil to make it less suspicious. Since it took the form of a long white scarf, he wrapped it around his neck a few times to make it look the part.
"Y-yeah! I'll be out in a sec!" Completely missing the stutter that he let out, he gathered everything from his room and packed it into either the Veil or his pockets. He then opened the door, revealing the person outside the door to be wearing a maid outfit with a very polite demeanor about her. "Sorry. Didn't mean to take so long."
"Not to worry. Please, come this way."
With that, Max followed the maid to meet up with the other Heroes, then to meet up with the King.
The throne room was just as regal in the morning sun as it had been in the evening light. Standing at the front of the room and staring at the gathering of Heroes was a large group of adventurers in different types of clothing, equipped with different types of armor, and all of whom were varying in professions and personalities. There were casters, warriors, rogues, tanks… all classes imaginable were available.
"Welcome, Heroes." The King greeted them as they entered. "I trust that you all had a proper night's rest?"
"Yeah… the bed was almost too comfortable, you know? Haven't slept like that in a long time." Max held his hand against his neck, tilting his head to crack the various vertebrae within. Brushing off the uncomfortable silence that followed that action, the King cleared his throat and continued.
"As you can see, we have gathered adventurers from across the kingdom to assist you in your quests-" The King began, but Max's attention was drawn elsewhere. Namely, to a figure just barely hidden behind a pillar, one who appeared to be wearing a three piece suit. Odd, considering he wasn't sure if those existed in this time period.
"Hmph… Half of these are nowhere even close to being considered warriors." The figure began speaking, the same professor-like tone from one of the voices he'd heard before. This was a different voice though, as this one was a little deeper. "They are nothing more than nobles or children of such that took up arms for entertainment." Nobody around him appeared to see nor hear him, and the act of staring into the corner caught the attention of several.
"Psst! Max! Are you listening? We're about to get our party members!" Motoyasu whispered, but this did not go unnoticed.
"Veil Hero! Are you paying attention? What could be so important that you would ignore what I'm saying?" The King definitely didn't take too kindly to being ignored. Max's only response was to point in the direction of the pillar, looking back and forth between both it and the King.
"Wait, you can't-" He began, then shrugged. "Ah, never mind. Sorry, I get easily distracted. Thought I saw someone." This prompted some of the female adventurers to giggle slightly, a few male adventurers to scoff in annoyance, and the remaining parts of either gender to shake their heads dismissively.
"Now then, adventurers! Choose your hero!" Aultcray spoke, and following his words, the crowd of adventurers moved forward as a whole and walked to their preferred hero. Partially, Max had been hoping that he could get a mostly balanced party. The other part of him wanted to try out running a solo party to start off, mainly so he could get a feel for his powers. As his eyes traced the crowd, he noticed an icon in the upper left corner of his field of view. When he focused, a very familiar screen appeared before his eyes, which widened significantly at the display.
[Status] | [Weapon Book] | [Magic] | [Skills] | [Party] | [Contract] | [Help]
"Oh, wait… is this the Status Magic system? That makes things easier by a landslide." This comment had not been intentionally said out loud, but the act caused several to look at him, and caused several of the adventurers to facepalm. Ren glanced over at him with a deadpan look, his tone reflecting the same thing.
"Seriously? I told you where to find it when we got here."
"That's the thing. It was in the top left, not the bottom right. No idea why." The lack of movement in the room brought him to a realization. "Hol' up, why didn't any of you want to go with Naofumi?" Now that he was looking, everybody else except for the two of them had party members. Ren had four people, Itsuki had three, Motoyasu had four, but… for whatever reason, that left both Naofumi and Max with nobody.
"This is most intriguing... " The King spoke, stroking his beard. "It appears some rumors had been roaming throughout the castle. They say that the Heroes are usually well versed in how our world works when summoned, but that the Shield Hero was unfamiliar with the knowledge of our world. Regarding you, Veil Hero, I am uncertain. The Veil is an enigma in this kingdom, and not even I know much about it. Perhaps they prefer to observe you more before joining you."
"Ah, well. At least it gives me a chance to test out this weird thing." Max thumbed the edge of his scarf.
"As promised, the Heroes shall receive 600 silvers each to help purchase equipment. The Shield and Veil Heroes will receive 800 silvers to help them recruit new party members, with extra being included as their compensation for such a task." Maids handed the various heroes their respective coin purses, stepping away shortly after. Max deposited the bag in his inventory before looking back to the King. "Now, journey onward, brave heroes! Become strong so you may help protect our world!" As people began filing out of the room, a voice was heard from one of the members of Motoyasu's party.
"Excuse me, Sir Spear Hero?" This was from a redhead with green eyes. "Would you allow me to join the Shield Hero?" The question surprised everyone who initially heard it, leading to momentary confusion that circulated throughout the room.
"You sure?" Motoyasu asked, bouncing his spear on his shoulder.
"Yes!"
"Alright, then. Keep her safe, Naofumi." He nodded to the Shield Hero, who looked at his new party member with curious eyes.
"My name is Myne Sophia. It's a pleasure to be working with you, Sir Shield Hero." Max didn't catch the last of the conversation, as he headed out before he got the chance to hear it.
New Location Discovered- Castle Town
As Max stepped out into the streets from the castle gate, he couldn't help but marvel at the sights.
"Cabbages! Get your fresh cabbages here!"
"Fresh meat, straight from the farms!"
"Get your potato skewers here! Get 'em while they're hot!"
So many vendors, so many people. The city was absolutely brimming with life, causing Max to smile. He'd have to come back here. Best way to be a hero is to work well with the natives, and to build up a sense of trust with them. But for now, he had to go to the fields.
New Location Discovered- Monster Fields
It took a bit longer than expected to get to the fields (partially because he got distracted helping someone with groceries after getting entirely lost on the way), but eventually he managed to figure out where he was going. The other heroes had beaten him to the punch, already out and leveling up with their parties. Seeing this, Max picked the best available spot and ran off to go do some solo leveling for the time being, switching to the Explorer's Veil.
Finding the enemy was easy, since orange balloon-like monsters with teeth very quickly charged him and began the process of clamping their tiny jaws down onto his body. It didn't hurt (at least not that bad), but his eyes widened when he saw just how much they could whittle away at his health if given the chance in large numbers. His maximum was currently 100, but the seven that latched onto him had already chewed away 14 health in the three seconds they were on him.
Thinking fast, he whirled around on his heel and jumped back, a mask taking form over his face made from black ribbons. The scarf around his neck partially unwrapped itself, going from gray to black and separating itself into vine-like strands. His silver gaze switched to one of glowing crimson in time with black mist that formed in a swirling wind around him. The balloon monsters were hot on while he made his retreat, not wanting to give up their new chew toy before they had a chance to enjoy it.
This eagerness did not go unpunished.
The moment the monsters bounced into the radius of the mist, Max slammed his hand into the ground, the vines beneath him taking shape as massive blades that formed around him. These blades were all the same size as himself, some even larger, all wrapped in the black vines of the Ivy configuration. A series of rubbery pops took place upon the monsters hitting the blades, some jumping into them by accident and some just being outright impaled by them. Either way, his vision filled with the sight of experience from every balloon that was killed. Since five more had decided to join their friends, that very easily raised his current experience to ten and brought him to level two.
+12 EXP
Level Up!
Checking his status, it revealed the following stats.
[Name: Max Syrus]
[Legacy Hero / Veil Hero / Lawyer / Psychoanalyst]
[Level 2]
[Health: 86/115]
[Mana Points: 115/115]
[Skill Points: 115/115]
[Regeneration Charges: 3/3]
[Stored Blood: 0/21 liters]
Full stats:
ATK: 25
MAG: 20
P. DEF: 5
M. DEF: 5
STR: 10
AGI: 25
"So every time I level up, my overall stats increase by about fifteen, at least for now." The blades withdrew, as did the Ivy while his scarf returned to normal. "That's good. I can plan for this. Probably." Taking a look at his Status Window, he viewed his various skills and decided to test some of them.
"Alright… let's try this! Stationary Anchor!" The second he spoke the name of the skill, several strands of Ivy shot from the scarf, anchoring his position to his spot without giving him much of a chance to move. "Crap…" Given that there were currently four more balloons en route to his location, that was a serious oversight.
"Crap…!" Max yanked and tugged on the vines without much success, so he tried the next best thing. "Grapnel!" When he called out the name of this skill, it unexpectedly forced the Veil to change to the one that looked like a long coat. The Stinger configuration, if he remembered correctly. Doing this caused the vines to snap all at once, also causing metallic ribbons to wrap around his right hand.
When the balloons were within range, his body reacted on it's own, ducking into a crouch and thrusting his hand forward into the nearest creature. The resulting pop that came from the Stinger tail that emerged from his palm that blew through a balloon, piercing another one that happened to be behind the first. Upon being retracted, he forced the real one to emerge from his backside as he'd done the night before, whipping it around and catching two yellow ones with the side of it.
+14 EXP
Level Up!
His intuition flared up mere seconds after the tail retracted itself, but before the weapon could pierce the target responsible, an arrow made of energy struck the rubbery menace and forced it to pop. Looking to the one responsible as the adrenaline started to fade, he noticed a smirking Itsuki standing on a nearby ridge.
"Looks like you got in a little bit over your head. Try not to get yourself killed on the second day, yeah?" Itsuki spoke, a slight bit of a condescending nature in his tone.
"Bite me, Robin Hood." Max spat, his mask and tail disappearing. "You try using the most complicated weapon in the book to fight all on your own." He turned away from the bowman, looking at the spoils of his battle. "Let's see… 28 orange balloon scraps, and 14 yellow balloon scraps. Not bad, but I think that I'll need to find a way to sell these." Upon taking them in hand, the core of the Veil began to glow.
"...Seriously? Balloon scraps work as a Veil?" He deposited them inside the Veil's core, receiving a popup on his HUD.
[Attention]
[New Veils Unlocked]
Orange Balloon Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Blow of Madness: Double your ATK for a single strike.
Yellow Balloon Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Adrenaline: Temporarily boosts ATK.
"...Huh. That seems useful. I guess I'll work on mastering those soon." The Veil he was equipped with would be far more useful in the long run. He decided on walking back to town for the time being, because if that first fight was any indication, it's probably best that he went to buy some armor.
New Location Discovered- Erhard's Shop
"Welcome! What can I do for you?"
The moment that Max entered the shop, he was greeted by a bald man with several scars on his head. He wore a blacksmith's apron, clothing useful for resisting the hot temperatures of his forge, and to top it all off, he wore a massive grin on his face that was seriously contagious.
"Evening. I'm looking for a few things. A weapon, maybe some armor." He motioned to the core in his hand as well as the jacket he was wearing. "Got chewed on by some balloons earlier."
"Oh… you're one of those heroes, eh?" That grin lessened, replaced with an inquisitive look. "Sorry, but uh…. I don't recognize that one. What is it?"
"Something called the Legacy Veil. Honestly, I'm not even supposed to be here. I got yanked from my world, and I've just been rolling with the punches until now. Since I don't want everyone to refer to me as Veil Hero, just call me Max." He began taking a look at the various pieces of equipment, taking a sword in hand and testing the way it felt to swing. The moment he did so, a painful shock followed by a loud pop threw the sword from his hand, resulting in something that smelled distinctly of sulfur. "Ow! What the-"
[Attention]
[You may not equip any weapon or armor other than the Veil.]
"...ok, that's a load of bull. How the hell am I supposed to fight if I only have this thing? Sure, it does some damage, but it doesn't protect me in the slightest. Gonna end up dead at some point if I can't put on any armor." Max began a small tirade while the blacksmith watched his little rant, staring into the core of the Veil. "You trying to get me killed? Huh?" Another painful shock traveled through his hand from the core.
[I'm the one thing keeping you alive. Don't try me, kid.]
After reading that, Max paled slightly and looked rather shell shocked. Given the fact that the Veil just threw it's own little warning onto his HUD, it was understandable.
"You alright, kid? You look a little spooked." The blacksmith asked, tapping his fingers on the counter.
"Just, uh… It's nothing. Are there any extra ores or anything that you can spare? I'll pay you for whatever you've got." Max quickly diverted the topic, looking to the back of the shop. "I've got a budget of about 400 silvers, so I'll take what I can get." Erhard grinned again in response, jabbing a thumb behind him.
"What are you looking for? Raw or processed?"
"Anything you can give me." Erhard immediately went into the back, and Max could hear the clattering of metal as he went through his things. While he did, Max saw a popup on his HUD that he was somewhat happy about.
[Attention]
[You have mastered the following Veils and Skills.]
Explorer's Veil- Mastered
Stationary Anchor- Mastered
Grapnel- Mastered
Climbing Gear- Mastered
Pioneer's Guidance- Mastered
The timing couldn't have been more convenient. He could start mastering some other skills. A metallic thump hit the counter after a moment as a pile of mixed ingots and raw ores spilled out of Erhard's grasp.
"This is what I got. I'll give it to ya for 300 silvers." Upon inspection, there were several types of materials that he could use. Meteoric iron, shadow steel, certus quartz, hydrosteel ("A metal from the sea," one of the voices informed him), and something called a "Radiana Crystal," all of which had both raw and processed forms, other than the last of them.
"How about 200? 300 seems more suited for actual armor or weapons, and since I'm not buying either… well, you get the gist of it."
"No way. These materials are expensive. 315!" Is his grin growing?
"How about 230? That's a little more reasonable, right?" Max offered with a slight smirk on his face. This was more fun than he thought it'd be.
"290!"
"250."
"275 or no deal!" This was Erhard's final offer.
"Alright. 275 silver it is." Max passed the aforementioned money across the counter, then took the first items in hand. Best to start with the raw stuff and work my way up. He pressed the first of the ores to the Veil's core, causing the circle that took in the materials to spring to life, also causing his HUD to do the same.
[Attention]
[New Veils Unlocked]
Meteoric Iron Ore Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Iron Will: Temporarily reduced damage taken by weaving a barrier into your blood.
Shadow Steel Ore Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Shifting Hollow: Dash forward in mist form.
Hydrosteel Ore Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Merciless Reaper: Ignores an enemy's defenses for the next attack.
Certus Quartz Ore Veil
Equipment Grade- Primitive
Ability- Blood Shot: Fires a large projectile created from the power of blood.
Meteoric Iron Veil
Equipment Grade- Apprentice
Ability- Severing Abyss: Leap into the air and slam down with all your might. Current Limitation: Ogre/Stinger.
Triple Annihilator: Unleash a devastating combo on a nearby target. Current limitation: Hounds
Shadow Steel Veil
Equipment Grade- Apprentice
Ability- Phantom Assault: Vanish like mist, then do a circular jump slash. Current limitation: Ogre
Shadow Assault: Perform a fast, short range charge that drains blood from an opponent. Current limitation: Ogre/Stinger
Hydrosteel Veil
Equipment Grade- Apprentice
Ability- Dragon Lunge: Dash forward and make a powerful overhead attack. Performed with Hounds.
Certus Quartz Veil
Equipment Grade- Apprentice
Ability- Circulating Pulse: With the Ogre/Stinger, whirl around and perform five slashes in quick succession.
Savage Dive: Launch an assault from midair and mow down the enemy. Performed with Ogre/Stinger.
Radiana Crystal Veil
Locked until level 15.
"Thanks for the gear, old man. I'll be sure to bring my party here whenever I get to hiring them." Max finally closed out the text on his screen and looked up at Erhard, who pulled his well earned silver into his hands and tucked the bag beneath the counter.
"No problem, Veil Kiddo. Come back anytime, and I'll get your party fitted with the latest gear."
Since he had already mastered the Explorer's Veil, he equipped the Wanderer's Veil for the time being in Stinger form and headed out of the shop, pulling his hood over his head and the mask over his face.
Upon stepping out of the shop, people seemed to stop paying him any mind. Other than the occasional glance from people he passed (likely because he was wearing a hood and mask), people didn't really seem to recognize him. Seems like Anonymity works just fine. I think I've found my new favorite Veil. Nobody seems to recognize me, so I could do some interesting things with this.
This gave him an idea. He'd just recently mastered a few skills, so… why not put them to the test?
Ducking into a nearby alley, Max moved to where prying eyes were unable to see him, then cracked his knuckles beneath the gloves. He activated his Climbing Gear skill, manifesting a claw on each arm as he looked up at the wall he stood in front of. A test of the claw showed that it could easily stab into the masonry without resistance, so sticking all five fingers into it and gripping would allow him to climb.
"Hup!" He lifted himself up using his muscles, hearing his altered voice echo off of the walls. It took a few tries, as well as a moment to rest with the Stationary Anchor, but he finished the climb with a well placed Grapnel and landed on the roof.
If he thought the view in the daytime was breathtaking, the sight of the city during the night was twice that. The stars were more visible than he'd ever seen due to no light pollution. The streets weren't as filled with life as they had been earlier in the day, but now that they were clearer, he could appreciate the city for what it was. The few adventurers, the remaining merchants, the group of gua-
"...hold the phone. What's happening here?" His hidden eyes now narrowed at the sights below, which just so happened to be the sight of Naofumi being escorted to the main castle by a group of armed guards. That didn't make any sense. Wasn't he supposed to be one of their saviors or some crap like that?
Time to get a better look.
No, I will not be rewriting the trial scene in the next chapter. I shit you not, if I tried that with what I learned from the "Who Shields the Shield Hero?" on SpaceBattles, it'd be well over seven chapters long. That's just the way it'd be, and I don't have the patience (read, sanity) to do it.
Either way, let me know what you think of the rewrite so far!