Five was grinning as she returned back to the mansion, feeling better for a change. Emotionally.
"Nice cut," One complimented as she walked into the kitchen for a can of Coke.
"Thanks," she had based her hair cut off Gwen Stacy from the spider-verse movie. Long on her left side and short on the other. Her head had never felt lighter.
"Good trip?" One asked as Two entered the room. He grumbled a response before vanishing off.
He was the only one available to give her and Billy a ride and getting a hold of firearms with an alarming amount of ease. But she decided not to question it at the moment.
While she and Billy could drive, they only knew how to drive in the UK. Different rules and side of the road. Though Billy was going to look into learning soon. His inventory had the newly acquired weaponry. Even a few swords and plenty of daggers. She settled for the long Machete, swinging it a few time had unlocked a skill line.
She knew how to shoot. Her Dad had taken her to a shooting range when on holiday a few times. A few pointers then they would grind up their skills.
Kayden had slowly been coming round the idea of the superhero gig but she wouldn't jump head first into it.
The instant dungeon would be a huge help. Knowing that times paused when they were in there was a boon. If they brought camping gear with them they could live in the dungeon for a while. Perhaps for months. Learn survival skill, crafting, building. Fighting.
It created a bubble of excitement.
After her trip to the salon and went to the outdoors place and bought a crap ton camping equipment and survival gear, if not to use, then better to have. Just in case.
She bunked up her 'observe' by two levels going round that shop. Making sure to buy the good stuff and surprisingly enough most of it wasn't as pricy when buying non-branded stuff. Half the branded stuff were made to look cool and feel sturdy but the durability was utter shit. The goods were nestled in her inventory.
Billy on the other hand had gone to every book shops he could go and bought anything or everything that may acquire to skill leaning. History, science, math, English. Whole range of Crafts. To survival to-engineering- medical. Piles of collage books on everything. Useful or not.
Almost every copy of dictionary in other languages to start a grind in those skills along with audio tapes. He bought two copies of each. One for her, one for him.
He could absorb books. But it also destroyed them at the same time. One had been so mad that he destroyed her favourite cookbook, she put him on washing up duty for the next month.
Joke was on her. It added to his maintenance skills. But in compensation he was manually rewriting out her book as it was not an easy book to buy.
Five hadn't even attempted to try that skill yet. She had Gamer mind but not body. Not properly. She was uncertain what absorbing books would do to her.
On the other hand, her Sharingan was just as cheaty. She could memories it by just reading it. Perhaps a comparison would do. Absorption vs memorization.
Inwardly shrugging she settled down on her bed and began to flick through the English dictionary. Hoping to get it to a level of 100%. She always was a complestionist when it came quest and missions. Skills were no different.
Now, she still had to place her skill points down. Hmmm?
Pausing her book, she leaned back in her seat.
'Skill list' she thought. The familiar blue of the text box aprears in her line of vision.
Name: Five. Kayden Jones.
Age: Physically-17, Mentally- 26, Currently- 5 Days.
Race: Human
Title: Bunny Killer(+15% Speed during ID)
Level: 7
Exp: 750/1000
HP: 700/700
Allegiance: Self/Billy/Zero's crew.
CHK: 250/250
CHK-CNTRL- 20%
STR: 12
VIT: 15
DEX: 17
INT: 16
WIS: 14
END:14
CHR:16
LUC: 10
Skill Points: 120
Status: None
Money: $500
Skill list: [CLICK TO EXPAND]
She had to be careful to place them. Most of them could be grinded barring LUC.
Her mind drifted to Slider, his CHR was twice the lower skill points he had but then again, his appetite was blood so he would need to draw in people for feeding.
He was naturally physical strong and his Vitality kept his body in shape and quick to heal up. He was fast but not fast as vampiric movies would portray. He could get faster and stronger, he just needed to apply himself. But there wasn't much challenge when it comes to stalking and biting his prey on the streets.
Mulling her options, she put ten in each one, not putting anything in CHK just yet. Best she actually learn how to use it before she adds to it. She moved fifty points into LUC.
In this world, LUC is something she was gonna need.
Five groaned as she confirmed the points. Her body immediately felt the changes, ache started in her bones before her muscles began to cramp up painfully, instantly she flopped onto the bed, trying to stretch it out but to no avail. After a few long minutes the pain subsided.
Five groaned with relief when it was over. Groping for her blanket she cured up for a nap. Sleep it off for a few hours.
After dinner was when they were gonna dungeon dive. Which was a few hours away. Seven said it may take a while to complete.
Xx
"Ready?"
Billy said as they did the final checks. One nodded along with herself. She wasn't in the party, One grasped her wrist and she grabbed Billy's.
" .(Lvl 3-Lvl 8 selected)(time:defult:none)" Billy commanded, there was an immediate feel as the air staled around them, the room around them shifted to empty dark streets and abandoned and burnt out cars. Looked like a China town district. The smell of stale air was strong with rotten flesh.
"Huh?" One said glancing around, letting go of her wrist to shine a light against the grey of the air.
"Creepy."
Kayden nodded to that statement, her grip tightening on her machete. She opted for a blade than a firearm as her primly weapon of choice. It was clipped into her belt holster to grab when necessary but zombies may be drawn to the sound of a gun, perhaps on the boss later.
[Quest alert]
Kill Zombies that Have infested New York.
Rewards
+5 stat points
+1 Skill scrolls
+500 Exp
+$200]
Failure
Locked out from dungeon participating permanently.
Do you accept?
Y/N]
With an inward sigh she accepted. Like hell she wasn't gonna participate. Dungeon was a goldmine of opportunity that she wasn't gonna squander.
"Alright, let's go." Billy said heading forwards, One was on his right as she took his left in a triangular position to cover all angles as they walked.
It wasn't long before they came across the hunched over and shuffling corps mulling around. It groaned loudly, regurgitating blackened blood from its mouth. Blank blind eyes but it seemed to sense that they were here.
'Observe' she thought.
Zombie-Level 3
HP 250/250
A reanimated corps with a longing for flesh, it has a high sense of smell and it wants to eat you.
Okay, that explains why it knew that they were here.
It hobbled forwards, arms out to grab anything that moves.
Five held her ground and raised her blade, bringing it down hard into the neck of the Zombie.
-250 HP [Critical Hit]
The head of the zombie rolled to the floor as the body thudded loudly.
[Enemy Killed]
+75XP
+$25
She stared at it for a moment, half shocked before that was brushed away from the GM.
"Well, that was anticlimactic," Five said dryly. It took about ten seconds before the body degraded to a few small red bottles, bones and rags, to be picked up by the players. Seven picked them out without a word and handed her and One a single bottle of ... oh it was a healing potion. She would have to kill three more zombies to level up.
Then again, they were level three while she was level seven.
Last time they had been in the dungeon together the mobs had been level one. All of them were slow. Even the wolfs. Sure the boss was level four and had gotten lucky strikes on them for their carelessness but it was easy. With more experience they can bunk up a few levels. Perhaps if they travelled and explored the country and world they could find natural dungeons. That would be cool.
"More ahead, let's go." Seven said quietly, One grinned with anticipation a long white blade of light shone in her hand. Then they charged towards the mob of undead at the far end of the street.
-150 HP [Crippling Hit]
-250 HP [Critical Hit]
[Enemy Killed]
+75XP
+$25
The three of them worked in unison as the cut down Zombie after Zombie.
Bones, flesh and article of clothing began to litter the floor around them. But were soon collected, along with small vials of potions that came along with it. The corpses that One had killed had mainly dropped cash, so she split it and gave the each of them half saying that she didn't need the money. Their winning money went straight into the Gamer Bank. Makes sense for cash to drop for her, she wasn't in the 'party' like they were.
Five called time out as the wave of zombie's came to an end. Her arms ached from the constant swinging of the blade, pulling water bottles from inventory, she handed them out, drinking deeply at the relief of cold water and dismissing the spamming alerts of messages.
- You Have Level Up- Level 8
+50 To HP
+5 To All Stats.
+5 Status Points
+ Skill Book
+$800
-250 HP [Critical Hit]
[Enemy Killed]
+75XP
+$25
-250 HP [Critical Hit]
[Enemy Killed]
+75XP
+$25
-250 HP [Critical Hit]
[Enemy Killed]
+75XP
+$25
Dismissing of the half dozen more of the same Zombie messages she paused at her Level up, groaning as she felt that... achy pain as her stats was altered. A Book was added to her inventory. That was something to look at later.
"You okay?"
She waved off Billy's question with a smile. The area now free of loot, half on hers as well as his.
"All fine. The next horde should be around that corner right?" She asked. Sooner they were dealt with, the quickest she could bathe. She was most covered in dirt and blood spatter from splash back of the undead.
"Just a few strays, we need to pace ourselves. We have to clear New York before we can leave?"
"The whole city?" One asked surprised.
Huh?
How big was the dungeon?
"Well, yes. I did input for the dungeon to be New York city. So, it covers the city, 300 square-miles."
One didn't look so pleased at that. She must have assumed it was a few blocks in size like she did. Then best hope one of the buildings has running water.
"Don't worry, we packed with tents and all that stuff." Five sighed, One nodded before turning her attention to their surroundings, just in case.
"There are five Burroughs. You said level 3-8. Then that means each Burrough is a higher level further we go?"
Seven nodded at her assessment.
"Sounds fun. Where are we?"
"Were currently in Manhattan."
"Really?" Kayden said looking around for any pointers. There was the grey waters a at the end from where they had come from.
"Yeah, my mini map had us in at the edge-"
"Wait- you have a map?" Five interrupted.
Seven jaw clips shut, his eyebrows denting.
"Yeah. I absorbed a city map. Why? You haven't tried it, I did get you a copy?"
"I...didn't realise maps were ... absorbable. I thought that worked on books." Five said bewildered, inwardly kicking herself for not thinking of that. Of course, books of road maps!
Feeling like an idiot she shook her head. She assumed that wasn't included as she was just a party member. Well, she would have to try the map later at camp.
"Right, well back at the topic at hand. From what i can gather there are at least five more hordes in Manhattan. We've taken out the Souths horde. North, East, West, the centre on ground level and below in the sewers or subway are the last horde, probably a boss level before we can pass to Bronx then South through Queens, then into Brooklyn and to lastly Staten Island."
One grimaces at how many hordes they had to pass but she nodded at the plan.
"Then its best we establish a camp, top of one of those building, away from any strays. A rotation of a watchers too." One musses, looking up at the tallest building around.
"I don't need to sleep, so I will stay up to guard the group." Billy volunteers.
"How about the empire state building? Near any hordes." One indicated to the building peeping over from the distance.
"There are strays of zombies, but the nearest horde would be in Central Park, we take this main road, it's just over two miles and an hour walk." He calculated, his eyes looking off into the distance, indicating he was reading his map.
"Alright, lets go." Kayden said adjusting her grip on the blade, the tiredness in her arms going as she was eager to get going.
X
"My bed, how much I missed you," Five cooed as she curled up into her bedroll. Eager for sleep but wanted some down time before bed.
They had secured the Empire state building not too long ago, barricaded the doors and any entrances.
Thankfully the lift was functional, and it was smooth sailing up to the top. All the way to the 102nd floor. The observatory level with 360° vision all around.
Well, they did make a pit stop to the 86th floor to use the bathroom. Thankfully the water pipes were functioning and had cracked open a pack of new wash clothes. Blocking up the sink with thankfully hot water as they wiped the dried blood and grime off their bodies as Seven did the same in the other bathroom. It made them feel better to not have that crap on them and was able to refill up the empty water bottles. Observe had cleared up any uncertainty of the qualities. It was clean. Just tasted... stale.
One settled a few feet from her, in her own sleeping bag. Flicking though a book with a mini book light for reading
Sitting up from her roll, she pulled out a leaf from her pocket she had taken before their arrival. A book that had dropped from one of the corpses she had killed had been a blessing.
Those 50 point definitely was worth putting in LUC. Her loot had been significantly higher than what dropped from Billy's and One's kills.
This one was on Chakra theories. How to use it, grow the Chakra pools and methods for control for beginners.
Her Sharingan spun as she read through the book, committing it to memory.
Chakra.
Now was the best time to learn. It would tire her but just before bed so she could recuperate as she slept.
She had to stop every ten minutes, to let her small chakra reserves fill back up again, the Sharingan was a quick consumer of Chakra. Then again, she was burning out 80% of wasted energy. Her control was at 20%. Hopefully the leaf exercise and tree walking could improve all that.
Finally closing the book shut, she could feel a greater understanding pounding though her mind on chakra and how it flowed throughout the body. Far more detailed than what the shinobi described from the show. At least she knew where to start. Hopefully there would be more drops to learn actual Justus.
Immediately notifications began to pop over her vision.
Due to understanding this information, you have gained +3 INT points.
You have understood the basics of Chakra and have gained [Chakra manipulation] skill.
Chakra Manipulation- (Active/Passive) (Lvl 1) This skill allows the user to manipulate their Chakra depending on their CHK-CNTRL.
A small headache emerged from the plus INT points but the Gamer mind pushed that away very quickly.
At least the book provided information on all the hand signs, she would just need to practise them before attempting anything, get her fingers use to moving in those ways. She did remember a few from the show like Substitution, clone and Shadow clone Jutsu and a few others but that latter one would have to wait until she has got good control over she chakra before she would even attempt that. It was forbidden for a reason, and she wasn't wading in those waters just yet.
[Quest alert]
-Learn three Ninjutsu Jutsu
Rewards
+180 Exp
+10 Skill Points
+Random Jutsu scroll
+$500]
This quest thankfully had no downside. It was something she was gonna try anyway but she wasn't gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. She appreciated the extra.
With this in mind, she shifted to a better seating position and began to focus on her body, closing her eyes. She found it more easily this time, like slippery soap, it took a lot of coaxing to grasp and gently push up her chakra pathways to her forehead.
It took a few tries to get the leaf to stick, not enough chakra to stick but eventually she managed it.
Skill Created- Leaf Concentrated Exercise (Lvl 1) (1%)
By keeping a leaf stuck to your head with you Chakra, it not only helps with CHK-CNTRL but also improves concentration.
+1 INT when active.
She grinned to herself as she concentrated more on the leaf, accidently blowing it off a few times when she pushed too much but fatigue taking root after ten minutes.
She went to sleep feeling better that progress was on its way.
X
[Would you like to learn Arts of Fūinjutsu beginner's guide, level 1-5?
Y/N]
Five bit her lip in contemplation. This was the book bestowed in her inventory after her level up. Just now she had time to see what was gifted to her. It was intriguing.
They had about an hour before they were gonna move on from the empire state building. Sure, why not.
Her fingers tap the Y.
Pain immediately rammed into her skull as images were pushed into her mind. Her muscles in her hands and arms cramp as if she had done too much writing all at once.
"Five?!" A voice called out, hands grabbing her shoulder.
Skill learnt- Fūinjutsu (Novice) (Lvl 5) (32%) The art of is type of Jutsu that seal objects, living beings, chakra, along with a wide variety of other things within another object. Fūinjutsu can also be used to restrict movement or unseal objects either from within something or someone. Many other uses could be made from such an art.
She groaned at the pain finally came to an end, dismissing the alert. Cracking open her eyes, One was leaning over her worried. Warm liquid was trickling from her nose.
"I'm alright. I'm alight, just absorbed a book" she grunted, sitting up from her pounding head.
"Five! You keeled backwards and was flopping on the floor. I thought you were haveing a seizure." One said pulling her into a tight hug.
"Sorry I worried you," Kayden apologised, pulling back to stuff a rag under her nose.
"As long as you are okay? The book you had. It glowed up like when Seven busted my book but he didn't flop on the floor like a carp?"
"He... uh. He has a gamer body, I don't. I suppose having all that in putted information at once just overloaded my body with muscle memory and knowledge crammed in. His body can manage all that with no issues." She explained, pulling a bottle of water out and sipping it slowly.
Seven entered the deck from his journey down to use the bathrooms.
"Everything okay?" He asked, his gaze shifting to the bloody rag to her face.
"Yeah, all good. Absorbing books was just ...overwhelming."
One snorted at the understatement.
The three of them packed up camp after having a quick breakfast. Made from heating water on a small gas hob and dried food in pouches. Military grade meals. Not that bad either.
The goal today was to clear the remaining hordes in Manhattan then get to Bronx by the bridge into Riverdale. Take out the western horde before making camp at the Arbor apartments.
So not a bad plan, should take five to seven days to complete.
'Skill list'
Name: Five. Kayden Jones.
Age: Physically-17, Mentally- 26, Currently- 6 Days.
Race: Human
Title: Bunny Killer(+15% Speed during ID)
Level: 8
Exp: 1130/1500
HP: 800/800
Allegiance: Self/Billy/Zero's crew.
CHK: 300/300
CHK-CNTRL- 20%
STR: 27
VIT: 30
DEX: 32
INT: 34
WIS: 29
END: 29
CHR: 31
LUC: 60
Skill Points:10
Status: 5 Points
Money: $2,425
Skill list [CLICK TO EXPAND]
She was close for another level up. But she was saving her Skill points for later. Her Status points would also take time to build up for any perks to be added.
Zombie hordes ranged from twenty to sixty bodies, with the three of them they cut though the easily, One was enjoying herself with letting loose her powers, the downside was that she burnt out more frequently and required a few hours break before continuing. But One's Stats has jumped in improvement in which she was pleased about.
They were getting better. It was a milestone in her book.
X
The bathroom was the best and first place they went to after claiming the Abor Apartments. She and Billy stayed in one while One took the apartment across the hall. They sealed the main sections of the complex and could travel freely without risking running into strays.
Each of them took a long relaxing baths and changing into clean clothes.
After dinner they separate for down time.
"-N OF A BITCH" Billy snapped up from his seat at Kayden shouting voice followed by something delicate smashing against a wall.
Oh, she was awake. And royally pissed off.
His book tumbled from his hands as he wrenched himself from the chair, ripping the door open as he charged to the living room.
"FUCKING BASTARD! SHIT FUCK-" Billy tumbled into the room to see Kayden in blistering rage. Her book were strewn across the floor, a broken cup also joined in on the mess.
Her Sharingan was spinning fast as she was breathing hard, her jaw clenched and in her hand, she held the half-crumbed paper of her file. She brought that with her?
From the distance, he could only read the first bit.
A name.
Stephanie Brown.
XXXX
I'm sure you all guested who she really was.
Here we go my first dungeon track for you all.
Their all learning from their mistakes and progress. Thank you for you rime my lovely readers.
I have never been to NY or America and relying on web searches and maps so I do apologise if there are mistakes on locations.