Anomalies, always an anomaly that pollutes the pure and balanced ecosystem.
It quickly becomes an annoyance to rectify.
But anomalies attract other abnormalities, slowly converging in a single point and fueling its bright fire and becoming a beacon of light in the infinite darkness of the void, only to fizzle out and die.
The star which shines the brightest burns out burns the quickest.
It would at least provide some level of amusement.
After all, time is an irrelevant concept in the void.
[Deleting excess data…]
[Data partially deleted!]
[Installing new data…]
[Installation failed, overriding safety protocols…]
[Installation complete!]
[Your race is adapting and looking for a similar match...]
[Similar race found!]
[Host race: Feline Faunus.]
[Welcome to the broken world of Remnant.]
My eyes finally pry open after who knows how long and check my surroundings.
The very first thing that comes to mind is that I am surrounded by bags, lots of black plastic bags of inconsistent sizes, in a small confined space. A small line of light coming from a thin opening.
Instead of panicking, I push myself from my pseudo prison and throw open the top, a wave of fresh air invading my senses.
I use the edge to pull myself out of the container and drop to the ground, with my back resting on the cold metallic surface. My head is throbbing in pain. I welcome anything to help it cool down with open arms.
[Status Window]
Ma'iq Rakhan
Race–Feline Faunus
Age 17
Level–1 (0%)
Mentor–None
Apprentice–None
HP–360 [45 regen per minute]
MP–1000 [300 regen per minute]
SP–1700 [200 regen per minute]
STR–22
END–30
DEX–25
INT–19
WIS–19
CHA–25
LCK–10
Just what is that window in front of me?
It didn't leave my sight, no matter where I looked.
Instinctively, I tried to touch it, but my hand phased through it and remained unaffected. So I tried hitting it or swatting it like a fly, yet I got the same result.
That little blue window blocking part of my vision.
But it has similarities to the pop-up windows from my scroll, and you simply close them with a single click.
It might sound stupid, but it doesn't hurt to try.
"Close status window?"
And my vision returns to normal, but leaving me even more confused.
With no annoying blue window, I can see the very isolated alley where I am currently sitting. Next to me was a large metallic dumpster where I woke up moments prior. For some reason, it doesn't stink, and neither does my body. Maybe that odd occurrence comes from the fact that everything was tightly wrapped in plastic bags.
Pulling myself up with one hand, using the dumpster as support, I brush myself off. Looking at a pair of baggy beige pants and a tight fit dark blue sleeveless shirt I am dressed in.
The second thing to do was to check my belongings… which are missing.
All my pockets are empty.
I'm so close to panic, as that was everything I had to my name.
"Think Ma'iq, thin-'' Saying that strange name froze me on the spot, a chill running down all over my spine.
That is not my name, but I can only remember that name to identify myself with.
Yet Ma'iq Rakhan is my name. I know for sure because I have been using it for my entire life back in Vacuo, one of the four recognized kingdoms of Remmant.
So why am I doubting something so obvious?
My sudden existential crisis takes strength from my legs as they tremble to hold my weight, but thankfully, the dumpster becomes my support to prevent me from kissing the floor.
"Are you alright?" A high-pitched voice calls out to me.
Turning in the voice's direction, I see a woman with long black hair standing at the end of the alley, but she quickly approaches me and extends a helping hand after noticing my struggle to get up, which I do not hesitate to take.
"I don't think so, I think… I think I was attacked. My head is all fuzzy."
"Oh dear, quickly let me take you to the clinic." She gently grabs my arm and places it around her shoulder while her other hand moves around my waist, holding me close.
With her support, I do not have to worry about losing equilibrium and fall. With my balance partially restored, we head to the clinic she mentioned with little issue but at a slow pace. Though her nails feel a bit ticklish around my waist.
We walk for a couple of minutes until we reach a rustic wooden house with a large red cross painted on the door.
"Thank you for your help, madam." I thank her as she helps me to sit down on a chair.
"Don't mention it. Helping one another is a natural thing to do." She smiles and waves her goodbyes.
As I watch her leave, I notice a long brown tail coming out from her shorts, holding a small plastic bag of groceries.
I shake my head to cleanse my strange thoughts before the doctor arrives and helps me to her office.
The medic in charge is another woman, but older than the one who recently helped me. She quickly grabs my hand sits me down on a gray padded chair.
She performs all superficial tests a physician would or could do on a patient, taking my heartbeat, my blood pressure, checking my vision, and more. But it all ends after handing me a white pill, which I gulped down with a glass of water, courtesy of her.
In a matter of minutes, my head stops throbbing.
The wonders of modern medicine.
"You don't seem to have anything out of the ordinary besides minor bruises that will be gone in a few days." She declares. With my mind clear, my eyes are quick to pick up. Her fair skin had several dark spots, like enormous moles not only all over her face but her whole body, or I assume, since her white coat covered most of it.
But her neck and hands show the same pattern of big moles or spotted skin.
And that is perfectly normal for a faunus.
The realization makes me jump from my chair and run towards the nearest mirror inside the room as never once my actual appearance came to mind.
A handsome young man with light tanned skin, brunette eyes and straight black shoulder, length hair with cinnamon color highlights looked at me and no matter where I moved, he exactly mimicked my movements, even the stupid facial expression that would only humor a baby.
It was shocking to see myself, and have doubts if the person staring right back at me is actually me.
I fixated my eyes on the cat's cinnamon-colored ears flapping like it was the most natural thing to do when I become excited. And they are very ticklish whenever I touch them.
Closing in a finger to feel them again, my ear instinctively moved away, and the other followed suit when I sought to brush it. I kept messing with them for a few minutes before my awareness shifted to my mouth, where my fingers pulled my upper lip to reveal a pair of sharp fangs.
My tongue can attest to their sharpness.
At least they aren't large enough to peek out from my mouth or I would have looked like a cliche vampire.
But… what is a vampire? And why did I compare myself to one?
Then from the corner of my eyes I notice my long black tail swaying side to side like a dog's, a bit of news not less shocking as I my mind is more preoccupied with my not so new features. The discovery of a new limb on my body only makes said limb move more erratically, but I find it disturbing my lack of shock.
The doctor coughs loudly on purpose to catch my attention as she raises an eyebrow when I turn to glance at her with a panicked expression.
With someone aware of my plight, I quickly grab my tail and take deep breaths to calm myself and soon my tail followed suit. But that minor victory doesn't last as a pair of hands grab my head and forcefully turn me around to meet a pair of slit golden eyes carefully looking at every inch of my face.
"Losing control of your tail usually means a concussion, but I still don't find any sign of such."
"I had unpleasant experiences with doctors. I'm sorry for worrying you." I quickly lie.
She frowns for a moment and gives one last look before finally releasing me from her grip and head towards her wooden desk.
I sheepishly smile as tug the collar of my shirt, letting off some steam.
The doctor shuffles some papers on her desk and places her signature on a couple of them. "You mentioned you were attacked, right? You should go to the local guard station and report it. They will do their best to help you."
"I just arrived at Kuo Kuana. I'm clueless where to go." And a mess of a head trying to deal with an existential crisis.
She sighs as she leans on her chair with a pen on her hand poking her chin, "When you exit the clinic, turn to your right until you reach the main avenue, and then you go to your left and keep walking until you reach a big building similar to our chieftain's. You won't miss it since it has many guards patrolling the place. They are the only ones who carry spears and wear matching black uniforms."
"Thank you."
"No problem. If you feel nauseous or have trouble sleeping, please come back so I can prescribe you more medicine." She returns her attention to the paperwork on her desk.
There are more doubts and questions in my mind, but I don't want to make things more awkward than they already are. After leaving the small hospital, I follow her directions and arrive at the main avenue.
A really crowded road.
The busy streets with many people like me, or at least they shared animal traits. Some are more noticeable than others. A couple walking down the street is the perfect example of my statement; the man only has a tail while his partner has green scales covering most of her body, along with a tail that is pulling the man closer to her.
Another example I quickly notice is a running tanned kid with huge fluffy fox ears.
And all of them are a normal sight.
In a sense, I am right at home, a place where faunus can feel safe.
But all those wishful thoughts disappear the second I remember my grim situation, causing me to increase the pace of my steps and being mindful of my surroundings so I don't crash into anyone.
The doctor's directions worked like a charm as I am standing in front of what could be called their version of a police station. Though most faunus that I see moving in and out of the building have horns of all shapes and forms.
Once inside, the differences are glaringly obvious. The outside world has a serene tropical feeling, organic if it could serve as a description. But the station is more modern in appearance, with various office desks, each with their computers. Except some have a traditional computer, while others have a holographic one.
And it is a busy place if the amount of faunus walking around and handing files or shouting orders doesn't make it obvious.
However, my presence doesn't remain hidden as one woman with white bunny ears approaches me and guides me to an unfamiliar office. A quite empty room with a single metal table with two chairs facing each other where I am currently waiting as two other guards stare at me from their corners.
She comes back with a wooden chart and a pen and sits in the last chair. "Full Name?"
"Ma'iq Rakhan."
She peeks at me with a raised eyebrow. "Strange name."
"I'm not from here. This is my first day in Kuo Kuana." I clarify.
The woman nods and starts filling the report. "What a shame that your first experience is such a bad one. But please tell me everything you remember."
"After leaving the port, I was hungry, so I went for something to eat, but since I don't know the city layout, I was walking aimlessly until I walked close by an alley and everything became very fuzzy and I lost consciousness. After waking up, I was inside a dumpster with nothing except a terrible headache and an old lady helped me to reach the hospital."
"You didn't see your attackers, correct?"
"Nope."
She crossed out an entire section from her paper.
"We will investigate this case. Petty thieves are common, but this appears to be a thief with a unique semblance." She lifts her gaze to meet mine. "Do you know where it happened?"
"Not that far from the hospital, I think. My head was all fuzzy, so maybe I'm wrong."
The interrogation lady's soft features turn into a frown and points at the other two idle guards, "You two call for backup and go to the twelve block."
The two faunus with big spiral horns make a salute and leave the room.
She stands up and looks back at me. "We will take it from here. You should rest and eat a warm meal."
"With what money?"
She opens her mouth and quickly closes it before looking away in embarrassment for her mistake, rubbing the back of her neck. "You should go to one of the many shelters. They will gladly help you until you can get back on your feet. When we catch this criminal, we will notify you as soon as possible and return your belongings."
She pulls a blue plastic card and places it in front of me after finishing her promise.
Free money is free money, but it still is a critical hit against my pride.
"Better than nothing, I guess. So where is this shelter?"
"The city outskirts."
I sigh. It was a pointless question.
"Of course…" A shelter for the homeless. Of course, they would ditch it on the city outskirts so they don't bother the richer people with their hobo auras. The idealism of a haven dissipating as no matter the race, without money, you are equally worthless to everyone.
Leaving the guard station behind, I set my new destination to the homeless shelter since there is nowhere else I can go, unless I want to start a career in begging on the streets like a true vagrant.
The buzzing streets slowly become less crowded as I get closer to the outskirts and the wall, but still the people give me directions whenever I ask with some words of encouragement.
Things will get better. Don't give up.
Smile today and tomorrow will be a better day.
I wonder if they would say the same thing if they were in my shoes.
It is a huge bunkhouse.
The entire neighborhood is packed with them, but many of those have a large signpost with the words 'Full' written on them.
The darkening sky and the abstract beauty of the shattered moon coming into view were enough sign about how much time passed in a blink of an eye.
At least I arrived at my unplanned destination.
A bed with a roof to sleep in will always beat sleeping on the streets, but the tropical climate at least solved the issue with cold.
Taking deep breaths, I steel myself. I can endure the life of a vagrant until I can get back on my feet, even if it takes months to accomplish. Compared to the anarchy kingdom of Vacuo, I can expect some level of security, after all.
The very first thing to notice as I approach is the building isn't in the bad and forgotten state I was expecting from any sort of government welfare program since the building is well maintained from the outside and after stepping inside I could say the same for the interiors.
Multiple rows of beds evenly spread across the only large room, many of those beds already taken. But the residents don't look like the typical vagrants from the streets. Despite their less than favorable economic situation, they are looking fine.
And even some have a jovial attitude, which they share with others.
The tapping sound brings my attention elsewhere. A counter desk, to be exact, where a woman with a casual dress and short black hair is gesturing me to come closer.
From all the shapes and forms of the faunus I found on my first day in the infamous haven of Remnant, the lady working at the counter looked 'normal' for human standards, except her green eyes, which have rectangular pupils.
"Name and reason for stay?" She asks.
"Ma'iq Rakhan and I had all my things stolen. "
Her eyes widened for a moment before giving me an apologetic smile. "Oh, I'm sure things will look up for you soon enough, don't lose hope. I take by that name you aren't from around here, are you?"
Every single person said the same thing, just what kind of name everyone has on Menagerie or how different are they from Vacuo? Or possibly it is my appearance, yet I don't appear different or stand out compared to the other faunus I saw so far.
"Yes…" I sigh as I rub my temples to ease my growing frustration. "My plans to fit in and establish myself are down the gutter. I don't even know how to start."
The receptionist quickly writes my name and motive on her book, a book halfway filled with names, "You can always look for work at the docks loading and unloading crates. It might take a while, but you will build up enough funds to rent your own room. If you have more questions, you can always ask any of us. We will gladly answer them."
She points with her pen to another faunus who is handing bread to all the unfortunate souls like me with a kind smile.
"Will do."
After leaving the counter, I head to the beds in search of an empty one and far from other guests. For the time being, I want to be alone with my thoughts. So after picking a bed close to the corner, I drop on top of it with open arms and let them hang on the sides of my surprisingly well maintained bed. It was clean and comfy. My mind focused on the clusterfuck my day has been, and the influx of broken information permeating in my exhausted brain, resurfacing to make thing worse.
Conveniently, my plight finds a solution in the shape of a small notepad and a pen right under my bed. The perfect object for taking notes about the blue intangible windows from earlier, along with these incoherent images.
Memory is a fickle mistress, after all.
So I need to make that window appear again.
"Open… status window?"
AN: Considering that a race that has been oppressed for centuries and finally got land to build it as a haven for their entire race, even if it was a meager portion of land. The newly formed government would have made sure in heavily focusing on welfare programs to give what their people were reprieved for centuries.
Besides, starter zones in games are supposed to hold your hand, ha ha.
Gamer system simplifies a lot of things especially when it comes to plot since with just the endless grind you can become op really fast and bulldoze your way through everything and the endless list of perks and traits to the point the gamer ends up a literal untouchable god. To be fair, I do enjoy those stories but there is something I actually really dislike about the whole gamer stories is that the whole stats and explanation take up most of the chapter like thousands words of explanations and details about traits or abilities and just a couple hundred of actual story, something I will do my utmost best to avoid.
Also, I was kinda curious about the whole gamer system and how it would work, so the idea popped up and didn't want to leave me. Which was a bit of a problem since it interfered with writing the other stories, I had to write as much as possible to exhaust this sudden streak of ideas and in the coming days I will upload the rest of the chapters.
And you will get lemons.
When?
When the time is right.