Have you ever felt the pain of when a car hits you at over eighty miles an hour? Your nervous system doesn't register the agony until you see the mangled state, you're in.
What about when the shards of debris pierce through your organs, shredding them into a fine pulp?
Or maybe you've experienced that sensation of burning cold as you bleed out on the ground; your senses slowly leaving you as your consciousness fades, the only feeling is the knife that's still between your ribs.
Sounds like a morbid and harrowing experience, right?
Not that I'd know since none of that happened to me.
Or maybe it did.
I honestly don't remember much of myself. Though the amount of pop culture knowledge is surprisingly clear.
Greetings User.
Oh? H-Hello! Are you god? Are you here to judge me before sending me to whatever afterlife there is? If so, I totally believed that god was a woman, though the Australian accent is a bit surprising.
Negative User. This unit is does not hold the same designation as 'GOD'.
Oh...Then who are you?
This unit is designated TARI. A program designed by the system to help new Users.
Wait? The system? Like the gamer system? Like from those manhwas and fanfics?
Repetition is not needed when your question is the same User
Ah. Sorry.
Apology accepted User.
Now. Let us begin.
Skills Gained
[Gamer's Mind] (Passive)
Allows logical thinking in high intensity situations.
Protection against psychological status effects
Allows a calm state of mind when needed.
[Gamer's Body] (Passive)
Grants a body that allows the user unlimited potential and growth.
[Observe] (Active)
Provides information about target.
If I had any doubts about this than I can legitimately consider then squashed. I can already feel my mind restructuring itself almost instantly, as if a fog had been lifted that I never even knew was there. The only problem is that my memories remained unchanged, as in none of them returned and all I was left with were empty gaps of what probably was my previous private life.
The absence of memories is intended User.
It is? I mean not that I'm really complaining or anything but I kind of want to know why there are gaps in my memory. I'd hate to for this to become some kind of chronic problem. Mental illness is a real issue.
User has voluntarily offered to remove all memories of their previous life.
…I did?
Indeed. User traded them for special privileges to be added at the beginning.
User's reasoning was that such memories would only hinder the experience.
I…guess that makes sense. It would be easier to move forward without thinking of something I'm probably never going to see again.
Can I at least know what I traded them for?
Negative User.
Although, personally, this unit believes that you have chosen very well.
Oh…Well thanks! I'm not really sure what I chose but if a multiversal entity thinks I've made a good choice then it must be something good.
Your recognition of this unit's advice is appreciated User.
5 reputation with TARI [5/100]
Hey TARI? Something just came up in front of my…I can't really say face since I don't have body… Something came up in front of my existence.
That would be the reputation program User.
This program is designed to track and boost your reputation and affection.
I don't know how I feel about this. On the one hand it helps that I can literally keep track of how people feel about me to avoid social ineptness, but on the other hand I really don't care for hijacking someone's feelings or freewill.
Subverting someone's freedom just…doesn't sit well with me.
Worry not user.
The Rep system does not control the minds of others. Merely displays their feelings.
Well, that's a relief. So, TARI. What's next on the list of my set up?
The next step is the world that you will be starting in.
Select a World!
One Piece
Harry Potter
Percy Jackson
Worm
Fate/Stay
High School DxD
RWBY
Bleach
Dragon Ball
…
The list was virtually endless no matter how far I scrolled down. Every time I thought I reached the bottom it would simply refresh and add more and more names of places that seemed familiar and places that were utterly unknown. I didn't really feel like searching through each and every one because I had a feeling that I'd be here till the end of time.
Luckily there were preference tags at the top to help sort it out but I'm pretty sure that I know which one I am going to pick.
I choose RWBY. There are plenty of other worlds I want to go to but there's one or two things that make me hesitate. Aizen and that soul Nazi guy who's name I can't pronounce had absolute bullshit abilities on top of power and that made Bleach a big no as a starter, no matter how much I want to meet some of the Espada.
Fate/Stay, as much as it's a high collection of beautiful women is a cluster fuck with its backstory. That and the power gap between the servants and anyone else is absolutely massive and not something I want to bridge without at least a half years' worth of hard grinding.
One Piece is just filled with absolute monsters and I have no interest in seducing many of the women shown. Though I would like to journey with the Straw Hats as a crew mate.
So RWBY it is.
A popular choice.
Although neither of us had a physical body I could feel that TARI was nodding her head. Whether it was because she expected the choice or because she personally liked my decision I didn't know.
Though being a living consciousness of memories and emotions, I could feel something from her that I would almost call…positive? Something that I would CONSIDER positive.
Although I always thought that choosing the world was supposed to be one of the last things a gamer does.
The process is up to whatever system is assigned to you.
However, do not worry. World travel is available after a certain point.
Now your class has already been selected along with your first job.
I'm guessing that this is another of the special benefits that I chose?
Indeed. However, your personal memories were not enough to earn these classes.
Restrictions were put in place regarding what is available to you.
Class Selected
[Weapons Master] LVL 1/? (Locked)
"Why master one weapon when you master them all?"
Mastery Gained
[Short Sword Mastery] – (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
[Spear Mastery] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
[Dagger Mastery] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
[Club Mastery] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
[Gauntlet Mastery] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
[Long Bow Mastery] (LVL 1/25) (Novice)
…
Etc.
[■■■■ Resistance]
You are 10% resistant to all damage
Class Perks Gained
[■■■■ Damage] (Locked)
You are able to convert ■■■■ into ■■■■
Job Selected
[Celestial Craftsman] LVL 1/? (Locked)
Skills Gained
[Armor Crafting] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Weapon Crafting] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Gunsmithing] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Woodworking] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Clothes Crafting] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Engineering] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Programming] (Novice) (LVL 1/25)
[Artificing] (Novice) (Locked) (LVL 1/25)
[Enchantment] (Novice) (Locked) (LVL 1/25)
[Runesmithing] (Novice) (Locked) (LVL 1/25)
...
Etc.
Job Perk Gained
[No Maintenance Needed]
You need only focus and any maintenance is done
Restores Durability to max
[True Craftsman]
Anything made by your hands is a step above the rest
Items crafted by you have an increase in effectiveness of 1% per level
Items crafted by you have a chance of raising their value based on 1% per job level
Items created by you have a chance of ■■■■ when
What's with the question marks and blocks? Is there a glitch in the system? And why does it say locked?
Negative User. The level cap has been removed for your class and all masteries included.
You are not restricted to any one weapon or style and can even mix them together.
As for the 'locked' and 'blocks' you are unable to use these features due to requirements
So, what you're saying is, I have access to all these masteries and skills that are available to other classes and using them accumulates experience to the overall amount. And some of this is even restricted until I find a way to unlock it?
Correct.
But in return I can't learn some of the more class specific skills or perks.
Correct. However, you can learn skills through books, teachers or special events.
Perks can also be gained through leveling masteries or special events.
So, it's basically like I have all the physical classes and jobs on at all times.
It actually seems like a variation of the original Gamer. Just do a bunch of stuff and earn a mastery, just that its all applied to a class. The only problem I have is the fact that I can't choose any of the other jobs or classes if I need them.
The possibility of a second job or class is always possible.
However, a restriction was put in place that bars you from benefiting from most mage classes or applying early on.
Fuck that's one hell of a restriction.
So, I can't use any magic?
Negative.
Magic is still available through books, teachers, and special events.
However, benefits applied to the mage classes are no longer available.
I'll have to find a work around for that but I guess in the mean time I'll be sticking to good old-fashioned up-close violence.
Or guns.
Whichever kills faster.
Though it feels weird having all this knowledge put into my mind. I can see all of the things that I can make, every sword, spear, shield, and armor are just sitting there in the back of my mind waiting for me to make and use them, but still just far enough that I have no idea what they are.
From what I remember most Gamer's go for the mage classes so that they can spam from a distance, and while magic is indeed cool, I've always been more fascinated by the legendary weapons and techniques that characters of myth and fiction use.
The Tsubame Gaeshi, Three Sword Style, Flowing Water and Smashing Rock Fist, the Kamehameha, Excalibur, the Gae Bolg and Vasavi Shakti.
The Sword of Rupture, Ea.
If you are finished User we should continue.
Sorry. I lost myself day dreaming.
Understandable. Such awe and wonder is a common emotional response for Gamers.
Now proceeding forward.
Perks gained
[What's Mine is Mine!]
What belongs to you is considered yours and no one else's. Nullifies all Gluttony, Devour, Drain, Steal, Copy, Mimic, and related abilities, skills, and perks.
Attempts to copy or recreate or steal any items, techniques, styles, moves, memories and so on that are yours will result in automatic failure.
Attempts to permanently Drain, Steal, or Leech or use any other such related abilities to absorb HP, MP, SP, memories, skills, levels, experience or other such prospects results in an automatic failure.
*Warning* Gluttony, Devour, Greed, and all stat draining abilities are now restricted.
*Warning* Draining type attacks can still damage.
[Rule of Cool]
What's the point of doing anything if you can't look good while doing it?
Potential increase in Rep during certain actions.
Special effects can be added to your skills and abilities to look more impressive.
You radiate an aura around you that reflects your mentality and charisma making you a beacon that others look to during certain situations.
*Warning* You radiate Charisma naturally. Expect some unforeseen consequences.
Boon Gained
[Starter Kit]
It's a starter set with benefits. It would be horrible if you died too quickly.
*Warning* Random temporary debuff for upgrading your starter set.
Name: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Race - ?/?
Level – 1 (0%)
Class – Weapons Master – LVL 1/?
HP: 1000/1000 [Regens 10 per second]
MP: 250/250 [Regens 10 per second]
SP: 1000/1000 [Regens 10 per second]
AP: 250/250 [Regens 25 per minute]
STR – 20
VIT – 20
AGI – 10
INT – 10
WIS – 10
CHA – 20
LUK – 10
Points: 0
HP/SP = VITx50 (Racial Bonus)
HP/SP regen = VITx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
MP = INTx25 (Racial Bonus)
MP Regen = WISx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
AP = 250 AP per level
AP Regen = 10% of AP
*Due to Racial Bonus upon leveling gain 2 stat points in STR, 3 stat points in VIT, and 1 point in remaining stats with 5 universal stat points*
*Due to Racial Bonus start out with 20 STR, VIT, and CHA*
Holy shit that's a lot of stuff. Those perks seem pretty over powered. I mean the first one is basically nullifying an entire type of attack while the second seems situational.
Before memory extraction User was worried about the dangers of other Gamers.
User believed that if such abilities were nullified User would be left alone.
User will offer 0 rewards except a large middle finger to malicious Gamers.
Screwing over some assholes. Definitely sounds like something I would do.
And the second one is probably something that I would want. Although the random debuff is something that I'm a little worried about.
It is temporary.
Yeah, but does a requirement need to be filled or something? Or is it on a time limit?
It is temporary.
You're not gonna tell me, are you?
Negative.
And here I thought we were becoming such good friends.
Reputation with TARI [5/100]
Alright, alright I get it.
What's next on our ever-expanding list of things to do my beloved and ever wonderful companion?
Reputation with TARI [5/100]
It was worth a shot. But seriously what's next on our list of things.
A body has already been created based on your preferences and choices.
You have seen your class, perks, stats, Rep system, and their explanations.
All that is left is your name.
My name huh? Honestly, I can't even remember my previous name. Not a hint if I was American, European, Asian, or any nationality in any capacity.
Though I guess if I am going to Remnant than I'm going to have to choose something symbolic or colorful.
I think I'll go with…Kane, Kane Brandt
Any particular reason?
I don't know. It just feels right.
Hmm…
If that is all then there is no reason to keep you here.
Yeah! Let's get a move on! I can't wait to start my adventure!
Initializing reincarnation process…
All systems optimal…
Beginning process…10
9
User.
8
Yeah TARI?
7
…What is your goal for this new life?
6
Goal?
5
What is your dream? What drives you in this new life?
4
…
3
User?
2
I don't want to live as a nobody.
1
I want to burn bright enough…so no one forgets me.
0
A worthy dream Kane.
X
I slowly open my eyes for the first time in my newly created life. The harsh sunlight offered no mercy, irritating the sensitive orbs in my skull as I turn to my side so that I can wake up without having to stare into the sun.
The first thing that I notice is that I didn't wake up in a bed in a room but rather on some lush grass next to a large tree.
All around me the trees spread in all directions, each one towering above me like large monoliths. Even the lowest branches on these trees were far out of reach unless i tried to climb.
The bushes were also pretty big, reaching up to the upper part of my chest.
Wherever I am in Remnant it must be pretty out in the wilderness if the plants are able to grow this high.
Quest Alert!
[Tutorial]
Objective: Learn how to use your new abilities.
Reward: Starter + kit, 1000 Lien, 100 credits, 200 Exp.
Failure: Impossible
Yay! My first quest. I'm not going to say no to free rewards even if I think the tutorial is unnecessary. I mean shouldn't it be the same set up as other systems?
Tutorials are there for a reason User.
Oh TARI! You came along with me!
This unit is your personal assistant and guide through the System.
However, note that this unit cannot help with any objectives outside the System.
Outside available assistance is minimum.
That's fine. It's actually just nice knowing that I'm not alone in all. I look forward with sharing this adventure with you TARI.
Likewise, User.
Beginning Tutorial.
Say 'Status'.
"Status."
Name: Kane Brandt
Age: 13
Race - ?/?
Level – 1 (0%)
Class – Weapons Master – LVL 1/?
HP: 1000/1000 [Regens 10 per second]
MP: 250/250 [Regens 5 per second] (Locked)
SP: 1000/1000 [Regens 10 per second]
AP: 250/250 [Regens 25 per minute] (Locked)
STR – 20 (10)
VIT – 20
AGI – 10 (5)
INT – 10
WIS – 10
CHA – 20 (10)
LUK – 10
Points: 0
HP/SP = VITx50 (Racial Bonus)
HP/SP regen = VITx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
MP = INTx25 (Racial Bonus)
MP Regen = WISx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
AP = 250 AP per level
AP Regen = 10% of AP
Debuff: Child Start
You have been de-aged and thrown years before canon.
STR, AGI, and CHA are reduced by 50% until you come of age.
Exp is reduced by 20%.
Damage recieved is increased by 10%
I look at the simple blue screen in disbelief before trying to turn away only to have the screen follow me. I close my eyes instead, hoping that the screen is just a lie and that when I open my eyes I will either be looking at a completely different screen or one with the words PUNK'D scrolling across it in big bold letters.
Sadly, the power of innocent childhood wishes is a huge lie because I'm still a child. Seriously! "Why am I a child!?"
In order to upgrade your starter kit, you took a temporary debuff.
The randomizer chose the 'child' debuff.
Screw you past me! Screw you for putting me in this situation. What made me think that taking a guaranteed debuff was a good idea?!
Bargaining on your race, class, and job successfully improved your confidence.
User believed the additions to the starter kit were worth the potential debuff.
"Better be a prize worth their weight in unobtanium." I grumbled as I looked through my stats once more. In reality it wasn't all that bad of a debuff all things considered. Sure, my physical stats were basically cut in half, my exp was reduced, the damage was slightly increased and I was a purely physical class with no access to my aura or mana and…
Dammit! Now I'm bumming myself out.
I wait for a moment for [Gamer's Mind] to fix the minor amount of resignation and depression that I'm feeling but nothing happens. Wasn't it supposed to deal with any kinds of negative emotions?
No?
I click on the perks button to check and see why. While it does give a peaceful state of mind its not like those emotion killing versions that other Gamers might have, but rather one that activates in accordance with strong stress related detrimental emotions, meaning that something temporary and slightly exagerated like the disappointment I feel at being a child do not count.
Whatever, I'm over it.
Looking at the next item on my list I turn and look around before spotting a rock. It was a small thing that barely fit in the palm of my child sized hand.
"Inventory." I vocalize and the rock disappears with what must be [Rule of Cool] activating as the rock disappears in golden and blue motes of light. "[Rule of Cool] is right! That was awesome!" I can't help the giddy feeling that welled up in my chest at the sight. It was a simple thing that like its name implied did nothing but look cool but I could already picture its applications.
Combat was just as much psychological as it was physical for both allies and enemies alike. If I ever find myself in a large scale conflict with large amounts of people, this perk could turn the tide of an entire battle if used right.
I go to dispose of the rock in my inventory but stop when i have a sudden idea. I hold out my hand towards the tree that I was sleeping under.
"Open!" I shout as I visualize the image of humanities first and most powerful king in my mind. "Gate of Babylon!"
A golden portal of rippling arcane light winks into existence and my heart soars at the sight! I will the portal to eject the stone like a projectile towards the tree! As fast as possible! As powerfully as possible! This was my answer to being stuck as a child! Destroying my enemies by not even fighting them and with the majesty and abilities of one of my favorite characters in fiction!
'plop'
The sound of a soft thud douses my excitement like a bucket of cold water. Right in front of me, just below the portal was the rock.
+1 INT for discovering how to manipulate your perk.
"The system is mocking me; I can practically feel it laughing at me." I grumble as I kicked the rock at the stupid tree.
Finding another rock, I try again to shoot it into the tree only to be met with failure once again. I try a few more times; imagining different ways or feelings I would use to fire the stone like Gilgamesh but it only ends in failure time and again.
On the plus side I learned that [Rule of Cool] did give me a bit of freedom with how I could manipulate my inventory. From the standard summoning of the stone, changing its color, to a nonsensical magic circle that literally meant nothing to anyone and even having the rock slowly emerge halfway out of the portal for me to grab.
It was the closest I could get to the legendary Noble Phantasm as I could.
Another thing I learned was that the portals could barely be more than a foot away from me, meaning I can't just inventory a boulder and drop it on people without potentially dropping it on myself. Living things were also a no according to TARI.
Wait. Wasn't I doing something before?
You were in the middle of the Tutorial User.
Next would be 'Menu'
Ah right. "Menu."
The screen in front of me shifts and elongates just a bit. A list of different options appears in front of me and I could only raise my brow in disbelief and confusion.
Status
Map
Inventory
Quests
Bounties
Reputation
Property
Store (Locked)
World Travel (Locked)
Friends (Locked)
Options
Feeling curious I click on the map feature and a side box fills in next to the options. The entire square was pitch black with a single golden dot at the center. There was no key for distances or any numbers for longitude or latitude so I had no idea how far this map scaled. It could scale from 500 meters around my general person or encompass the entire planet and I would still have no way to know.
It's something I'll have to figure out as I fill it out.
Exiting out of the map I quickly go in and out of the other features because they were pretty self-explanatory. Quests, bounties and reputation were a no brainer. Property was pretty useless at the moment since I was a child and thus probably couldn't own any property never mind that I was actually broke. The store did catch my interest but like the other options I just quickly entered and exited since I must emphasize that I am broke.
World travel and Friends were locked so I didn't bother.
The options feature however had my attention.
Clicking on it the screen opens up to reveal more features.
Visual
Sound
Special Effects
BGM
Intro's
Cheat Codes
"The fuck?" I press the visual option and once again my screen changes. There are numerous bars and options meant to customize my experience. I try moving one of them and immediately regret it.
I without thinking I quickly lowered the bar and the world itself immediately radically shifts into a blocky texture. Everything becomes pixilated like the original Doom or Metroid games. The trees look like a stalk of hastily set up squares and a nearby bird seems to fly off in a weirdly blocky and smooth fashion. Its wings flickering in and out of existence in the up and down position of each flap, like reality can't handle the extra movements.
I look at my hands and once again regret touching the bar. My new appendages went from small and child like to blocky and uneven stumps with slightly darker lines that were supposed to indicate where my fingers separated.
"Nope! Nopenopenopenopenope!" As cool as this is, there is no way I am going through this life looking at the pixilated censors that would be known as people.
I returned the visuals back to their glorious high definition, refusing to bring it up further in fear of what THAT might bring, and cautiously move the next bars.
I plunged the world into darkness and light messing with the brightness meter, tried out third person view which was really weird, tried subtitles which didn't work since I had no one to talk too, and also managed to stylize my menu screen.
It now has a stylized gold, red and blue design.
The sound feature didn't really offer much other than a moment of deafness when I reduced the background sound.
Special Effects was basically my perk in a displayable setting and there wasn't anything worth looking at that I couldn't do on my own.
BGM was cool as there were a ton of options for music to play. Turning it on the automated function I was pleasantly surprised when a melodic tone slowly filled my surroundings, as if the melody was carried in on the wind itself.
Which was pretty amusing since it was the main theme from Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Turning it off I ignore the intro button and look at the Cheat Codes.
"Hey TARI? What is all this?" I ask as I click the cheat codes button. Everything was either blotted out or locked away. Aimbot, infinite lives, unlock all item, auto leveling, and a plethora of other cheat codes that would let me steam roll through the world were all restricted with no hint as to how to access them.
There was even an instant harem cheat. Oh my.
The 'Menu' is a help function available to all known Gamers.
"Really?"
Affirmative User.
All Gamers have the Menu option at their disposal to change the game to their preference.
Sadly 99% of all Gamers never explore the menu option, leaving it unfulfilled.
The System has updated the tutorials of the more helpful aligned programs to include this.
I wonder how many Gamers rage at themselves when they realize how much they actually missed?
Quest Complete!
[Tutorial]
Objective: Learn how to use your new abilities.
Reward: Starter + kit, 1000 Lien, 100 credits, 200 Exp.
I immediately check my Status and see my rewards filling their places. It brings me a small amount of satisfaction watching the previous zero in both my Lien and Credits tick upwards, and en even bigger amount of satisfaction when I see what looks like a gift basket sitting in my inventory.
Accept Starter+ kit
Y/N
I mentally select the yes button and the screen flickers out as what can only be described as a moderately sized gift basket gently floats down from the sky. It was purple with green trim around the basket and wrapped with a metallic purple sheet.
All right past me, whatever you asked for better be worth turning into a child.
Acquired
1x Scroll (phone)
1x Headphones
1x Portable Tent
1x Sleeping Bag
1x Iron Club
Deals 50 damage + STRx1.5 physical damage
1x Multiversal Music Account
1x Complete One Piece Manga and Anime Collection
1x Complete Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works and Heavens Feel set
2x premium Gatcha Tokens
5x Emergency Rations
10x Water bottles
"Yeah…Yeah this is all totally worth being a child." I sigh with dejection as I pulled the Scroll from my inventory. It was a small white rectangle with a single gold diamond shaped button and a black line running through the middle. There was a slit on one of the sides that was far to large for a charger but no other openings what so ever. It was far too thin to have a screen built in but I remember them looking like IPhones when I watched the show.
"Well, when in doubt press the button." I touch the golden diamond shaped button and the thing flares to life. I must have been holding it wrong though because the Scroll opened against my palm rather than outwards and launched it into the air where I had to fumble to catch it, nearly giving me a heart attack in the process because I have no idea how durable these things are.
"Safe." I declare with a sigh as I flip it over to look at it. It was a pretty basic display all things considered. It obviously wasn't the main display as it was lacking a lot of functions right off the bat. There was a camera however and I took the chance to actually see what I looked like.
The first thing I noticed was that I was very easy on the eyes. I was definetly still an adorable child but it looked like I would grow into someone very handosme. My skin was pretty fair all things considered, leaning more towards pale than tanned and having surprisingly no blemishes or the like despite being on the beginnings of puberty.
My ears were oddly pointed compared to a normal person but they weren't much bigger than average. Was I maybe an elf? No, they were too short so maybe a half elf? There was no indication from the system or TARI so that probably meant that I wasn't an elf at all.
My eyes made me pause and blink for a brief moment as they were a startling golden yellow. I know that oddly colored eyes are a feature in anime and places like Remnant but I doubt that it was like this. It was almost like someone turned gold into a gemstone and placed them in my eyes with how they seemed to glow and catch the light in certain ways. That isn't even mentioning the fact that they looked like they could narrow into slits as opposed to the circular of human eyes.
The next oddity about my new body was that on top of my head I had a mess of bright red hair. It wasn't blood colored; it was too bright for that but maybe a shade lighter like electric red or some such. It was shockingly vibrant.
The last thing I noticed, which was just as weird of a change as my ears, was my teeth.
At first glance they looked pretty normal but it was when I was making faces in the camera and I smiled that I noticed that two somethings were poking out of my mouth from my top lip. Baring my teeth at the screen the camera showed that a majority of them were normal except for my canines, which were unnaturally pointed, yet still sat comfortably I'm my mouth.
"What the hell am I?" The question was rhetorical but I would be lying if I didn't wish for an answer.
Deciding that that train of thought lead to no where I continued to fiddle with the scroll. While the thing was made of metal it was pleasant to discover that the screen was actual made of hard light as opposed to glass which meant that broken screens were a non issue.
A few more minutes of fiddling revealed that the scroll had two forms. The first was a basic function used for quick applications and probably used by huntsman in the field, while the second form was basically all the functions, which you activate by pulling the metal block apart.
It was actually a pretty nifty feature meant to—
Danger!
A niggling feeling in the back of my head tells me to move and my body reacts by leaping out of the way as something slams into the space I was just sitting in.
Its body was pitch black and had an assortment of bone like plates all along its body. It looked like a black version of one of those skull crawlers from that monster island movie except stocky and with shorter limbs and maw. It was pretty big compared to me, reaching up to my chest but that didn't really mean much since I had no idea how tall I was or any real references of other creatures to compare.
Observe
Young Creep
LVL – 5
HP: 500/500
STR – 12
VIT – 10
AGI – 7
INT – 1
WIS – 0
CHA – 0
LUK – 0
It was…weaker than I was, or at least far less sturdy.
I reach out and a golden portal appears just out of reach of my hand. I smirk as the gold arcane energy seems to hum as it extends the handle of the iron club into my awaiting hand, where I pull it out. The act settles my nerves and I could feel my heart beat with anticipation of my first fight in this new world.
1%
The club was basically a glorified metal baseball bat. It reached to where my heart is if I rested the top on the ground and was most definitely larger than a child should wield, but it didn't feel unwieldy at all in my hands.
Probably because of my class.
Iron Club (Common) [Rank – B]
50 + STRx1.5 as physical damage
A sturdy iron club. Other than its decent durability there's nothing special about it.
Durability 300/300
The Creep lets out some kind of squawk/hiss as it stamps its foot like a bull before it shrieks and charges at me in a bull rush with its head down.
I smirk as I raise the club and swing it like a bat once it was close enpugh. The sound of the bone plate on its skull cracking was very satisfying but only for the moment. My body instinctively dodges once I see it isn't stopping but it's too late and the little bastard clipped me in the side as it charged past before crashing to the ground.
"Fuck that stings!" I hiss as I stand up, holding my aching side, and check my health as well as the creep.
Kane Brandt
HP: 936/1000
Young Creep
HP: 435/500
The good news is that my health regen is absolute bullshit as I was already up by forty points of health as the Creep got back up after the head injury I gave it. I could heal and it couldn't.
The bad news is that this thing is still stronger than me so I'm going to have to be smart in how I beat it to fucking death.
2%
It was a stupid mistake to try and over power it when my stats are halved so I'll have to try something else. I don't bother to wait as I charge with a rather obvious swing, not that it mattered because this thing had the intelligence barely above a brick, and struck it once more upside the head, further breaking the skull plate.
CRIT!
Ha! Eat that you little—Whoa! The Creep trashes violently in response and nearly hits me with its short but thick tail.
I doubt it even knows where I am and its just hitting anything it can.
I swing again right where the joint of its leg is and hear a crack as whatever made up its internal structure snaps from the force, sending it to the ground where it continued to thrash in an honestly pathetic display.
1%
I was hoping that my first fight would be more exciting than this. Either killing it quickly in a display of skill or at least having something that didn't have the intelligence of a brick.
Now I just feel robbed.
0%
I bring my club up for an overhead swing and pull as much strength as I can from my muscles to end this as quickly as possible.
Skill Created!
[Power Swing] (LVL 1/10)
Deals 110% of current weapon damage.
Costs 20 SP
CRIT!
The club comes down on the Creep's skull much faster than before and practically crushes it to a liquid black pulp.
+20 EXP
Level Up!
[Club Mastery] leveled up!
[Club Mastery] (LVL 2/25) (Novice)
Increases damage of club by 4%
Rewards!
1x Creep claw
My heart lulls to a steady beat as the fight ends and I can only look at the slowly disintegrating Creep with disappointment. The only thing that even makes up for this is the fact that I had managed to level up in the process.
Maybe it would have been better if my first fight was with a Beowulf?
No, what's happened has already happened. No reason to tempt the fate at the beginning. That's how you die early.
+1 WIS
"Haha very funny." I say dryly. "Status."
Name: Kane Brandt
Age: 13
Race - ?/?
Level – 2 (5%)
Class – Weapons Master – LVL 1/?
HP: 1150/1150 [Regens 11 per second]
MP: 300/300 [Regens 6 per second] (Locked)
SP: 1150/1150 [Regens 11 per second]
AP: 500/500 [Regens 50 per minute] (Locked)
STR – 22 (11)
VIT – 23
AGI – 11 (5)
INT – 12
WIS – 12
CHA – 21 (10)
LUK – 11
Points: 5
HP/SP = VITx50 (Racial Bonus)
HP/SP regen = VITx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
MP = INTx25 (Racial Bonus)
MP Regen = WISx.5 per second (Racial Bonus)
AP = 250 AP per level
AP Regen = 10% of AP
*Due to Racial Bonus upon leveling gain 2 stat points in STR, 3 stat points in VIT, and 1 point in remaining stats with 5 distributable stat points*
*Due to Racial Bonus start out with 20 STR, VIT, and CHA*
Debuff: Child Start
You have been de-aged and thrown years before canon.
STR, AGI, and CHA are reduced by 50% until you come of age.
Exp is reduced by 20%.
Damage recieved is increased by 10%
I smile a little bit as I see the increase in my numbers along with my already full health. Whatever race I was had an absolutely broken regen bonus. Of course, I would have to be careful since I have no idea the kind of damage I can take. I mean that Creep was just pretty young and it did a decent amount of damage with just one attack. I mean it wasn't really much to me but a normal child would have been severely injured if not outright dead…I think.
I still don't have a basis to reference. Any ways I'll have to play it safe with the enemies. Just because I heal faster than any normal person doesn't mean my healing is particularly strong. It could just only work on small injuries meaning anything gruesome won't be fixed so easily and i'm not really keen on testing out if this hypothesis is true.
+1 WIS for knowing not to maim yourself like an idiot.
…I am feeling a strange mix of feelings right now. On one hand I'm making good decisions and the system is rewarding me…but on the other hand its rewarding me with a currently useless stat and for such obvious decisions anyone with common sense could figure out.
I wonder what this says about all the other Gamers?
Whatever. I need to find a way to civilization before I eat all my rations and starve to death.
I look around and only see more and more trees around me with no sign of a trail. It was the middle of the day so that meant there was no north star to guide me anywhere and even if it was night time this was a different planet so the entire sky would most likely be different.
Just as I was about to pick a direction and start walking, I see a peak of stone reaching over the tops of the trees.
A mountain that didn't look too far away.
"…I bet I could see a lot if I climbed to the top of it." If I was that high up, I would have a view of everything and I might be able to find a trail or a settlement of something. People like building things but don't like being surrounded by trees so if there's an empty patch of forest that probably means a village is there!
…
…
What? No +1 WIS for that?
…
Fine be like that.
Quest Alert!
[Where the F#$k am I?]
Objective: Find your way to civilization so you can be the hero you dream of being.
Reward: 500 Credits, 500 Lien, 500 EXP, the possibility of sleeping on a bed.
Failure: Die in the forest alone.
"That's more like it TARI. Thank you."
Putting on my headphones and looking through my new scroll I find the Multiversal Music app and hit play. The first song was The Wanderer by Dion and as the first note hit my ears, I couldn't help but sing along as I swung my club back and forth. My legs moved with a bit of extra kick in their step as I walked off towards the mountain that would definitely help me find civilization.
X
As Kane walks away from his starting point in the forest, he never notices the small changes to the area around him. Unnoticeable to all, but still happening the area looks just the tiniest bit more alive. And as the Creep corpse disintegrates entirely, a small crack appears in the small rock he was using to test his inventory.
A small crack lined with, while minuscule and insignificant in its amount, undoubtedly the crystalized mana known as Dust, a substance used to power everything on this planet.