[Inventory II
Increase inventory slots by 5.
May equip items directly from inventory.]
My first new Talent was straightforward enough. Instead of a 2 by 5 block in my Inventory tab, I now had a 3 by 5 block. I tapped on my first track suit, and instead of just appearing in my hand, a new menu came up with two options, [Take] and [Equip]. I pressed 'equip', and instantly I was decked out like silver age All Might. More or less. And the shirt and pants I had been wearing were each taking up a block in the inventory grid.
Next I tried the weight gear. The bracelets appeared on my wrists, and I could feel the anklets on my legs. I could also feel the vest, but it was under the tracksuit. They were somewhat heavy on their own, enough for a weaker guy like me to start with. But just to test, I equipped one of the weight sets, watching as the metal bars appeared clipped to my bracelets. While I could still move around like that, it was slow and draining. So I took them back off. Then I switched back to my original outfit. But I kept the bracelets, anklets, and vest in place.
The simpler Talent tested, I went back to the tab to read over and think over the other one again.
[Reflective Dungeon
Transports you and your party to an alternate dimension dungeon* representing the essence of a single selected "source" person or item. Defeat enemies (and complete quests when offered) in the dungeon to enhance the source in some fashion. As well as reap the benefits you would expect from defeating foes in a dungeon crawl. But be careful, the better the source, the more dangerous the reflection.
*Despite the terminology, a Reflective Dungeon is not necessarily a maze or cavern. It could just as easily be an open field or an ethereal wonderland.]
It sounded like an old game series my grandpa had described to me. You could go inside your equipment to improve its stats, and sometimes get special abilities. Or go inside your characters, to improve their growth rates or unlock unique skills. Was such a thing really possible?
'Asks the guy who just got Telekinesis by pressing a button on a virtual RPG display,' I reminded myself, 'And it doesn't actually say it does anything like those games. 'Enhance the source in some fashion' seems deliberately vague.'
I also wondered about the 'benefits from defeating foes in a dungeon' part. I guessed at least it meant XP. But could it also mean that the enemies would drop items? Or even gold?
I sighed and closed the window. There wasn't much I could do with it now. I wasn't ready to test it, especially if I would drag my mom along with me. I would definitely have to talk about it with her first. And she would definitely worry.
Plus I needed to get my homework done today, so I could focus on training tomorrow.
I got off the bus. Before me there was a small parking lot, an even smaller restroom building, a picnic bench, a moderately impressive sign, and then a forest. Though the word didn't do it justice.
Endoru Forest Park had been an industrial park about forty years ago. A seven story office building, a trio of factories, a huge parking lot. The lake near the center had been kept clean, if only so the executives looking over it had a nice view. The stream coming out the lake had been far less pristine.
Until the day a group of eco-terrorist Villains decided to destroy it. The Heroes back then had fought back, and captured the Villains. But in the end, the Villains won. The buildings had been damaged beyond repair. In the end, another group bought the land. They removed all traces of industry, and brought in people with plant Quirks and similar abilities. Today it looked like a section of the old California Redwood Forest had been transplanted to Japan. And it was unspoiled, cleaner than almost any other Japanese park. Though given its history and who managed it, Endoru did not get a lot of visitors, and the ones who did were more respectful than average.
In short, it was a great place to start training. Almost eighty square kilometers of woods, and I was probably going to be the only one here.
Checking to make sure no-one was around to see, I switched over to my training gear.
"Okay, first things first," I mumbled. I locked onto the sign, and proclaimed, "Analyze."
[Endoru Forest Park Sign
Age: 22 Years
Material: Black Oak and Redwood
A simple yet high quality park sign]
I shifted my gaze, and repeated, "Analyze."
[Endoru Park Public Restrooms
Five individual, unisex, 3/4 bath restrooms.
Cleanliness: A-]
"Analyze."
[Lockers
Sixteen lockers. 100 Yen for the day.]
"Analyze."
[Picnic Bench
Standard table with built in bench seats. Seats eight, ten if they are small or willing to squeeze in.]
"Analyze."
[Redwood Tree
Grown from a seed recovered from the US national park destroyed during the unrest caused by the Quirk phenomenon. Actual age is 31 years, but due to a plant growth manipulation Quirk, its effective age is 214 years.]
"Analyze."
[A patch of dirt
Were you maybe trying to look at something else?]
[Your curiosity and vigilance have paid off. Analyze skill improved (lvl 2).]
"Analyze."
[Tracksuit
A tracksuit of above average quality, patterned after All Might's "Bronze Age" costume.
Durability: 35/35]
"That's new, I think," I muttered, as I started walking across the parking lot. I looked at the same tree again.
"I wonder if... Analyze?"
[Redwood Tree
Grown from a seed from the US national park destroyed during the unrest caused by the Quirk phenomenon. Actual age is 31 years, but due to Quirk growth acceleration, its effective age is 214 years.
Health: 2340/2349]
"Wow."
I wondered what would happen if I used Analyze on other people, but I hadn't done it yet. A combination of fear and politeness had stopped me.
"If I raise the skill level, if seems to provide more information," I mused, "Maybe I should try it on another person as a baseline... But that's for later."
I headed into the forest. Not too deep, I didn't want to get lost. I mean, I still had my phone, safely stored in my Inventory. But I wasn't sure how good the reception was here.
And my mom also knew I was here. She suggested it, Endoru being only about a half-hour bus ride from our apartment. And a relatively secluded place, where I wasn't likely to be discovered.
I walked through the trees and brush until I couldn't see the rest area. Then I went another ten meters deeper, just to be safe. I picked one of the larger redwoods and Analyzed it, to make sure it wasn't actually rotten and liable to fall over on me if I hit it. Then I looked around, and found a broken off branch from one of the smaller trees that occasionally managed to grow between the giants.
"Okay," I went over my plan again, "Step one, Analyze everything. Trees, brush, hopefully some birds or squirrels will pass by. Goal: raise the level of Analyze and hopefully my Wit, too. Step two, Telekinesis. Pick up that branch, hold it twenty five centimeters above the ground. Goal: grind my TK skill level, and probably my Intuition, too. Also work on multitasking, so that simple uses of TK become almost second nature. Step three, shadow boxing. Attack the tree as hard as I can, but stopping just short of hitting it. Goal: grind my combat skill levels, and hopefully all of my physical attributes, too. I'll keep doing all three at the same time, until it is lunch time, or I am too tired to continue. But I doubt my Energy will last that long, so I may have to stop using TK sooner."
I nodded to myself, fairly confident in my plan for the morning. In the afternoon, depending on how much energy (rather than Energy) I had left, I was hoping to do some free running through the forest. Try to self unlock the skills 'Climbing', 'Running', and 'Acrobatics' to go with my 'Parkour'. Otherwise, I might just end up doing yoga.
"Here we go," I exhaled. I looked at the branch, focused my power, and lifted. It started hovering just above the soil.
"Now, Analyze."
[Japanese Cedar Branch
A limb broken off of a Japanese Cedar during a recent storm. Currently floating 22 cm above the ground. It's not supposed to be doing that.
Durability: 8/8]
"Good," I said. Then stopped looking at the branch, while trying not to let it slip. I dropped into a boxing stance. I started to pepper the trunk with punches, occasionally ducking around imaginary counters. Most of my strikes stopped well short of the tree. In fact, further back than I wanted. But not all of them...
[-1 Health]
It hurt for just a moment when I made contact with the bark. But there were no marks on my skin, and the pain was gone before I had finished checking my knuckles.
"Active HUD," I said, not wanting to let my Health drop too far, "Analyze."
[Redwood Tree
Another one. Actual age is 31 years, but due to Quirk growth acceleration, its effective age is 188 years.
Health: 1849/1928]
[-1 Health]
If I couldn't control myself better, than I might have to quit for the day earlier than I wanted or expected.
[You have maintained your Telekinesis for an extended period and through multiple distractions. Telekinesis skill improved (lvl 4).]
Okay, so far, so good.
[-2 Health]
"Oww," I groaned. This time my Health was low enough that I did scrape my knuckles. But I had a different reason to hit the tree this time.
After Analyze reached level 5, it had stopped improving. I decided there were only so many times I could scan the same trees. I kept up with the martial arts and psychic powers. My attributes had all gone up at least one point, except for Charisma and Luck. And so had Boxing, Karate, and Telekinesis.
I let myself get complacent, and so I was surprised when bright flash of white shot through the trees maybe fifty meters away from me and ten meters up. It was probably some sort of bird, but it was gone before I could scan or even properly see it. In the meantime, the distracion made me drop the stick, and punch the tree far harder than any of my previous accidents.
[You have taken multiple impacts from something far sturdier than you are. Skill Physical Resistance (lvl 1) unlocked.]
I checked out the new skill, and blinked. It hadn't been on the visible, available list of skills before, so it must have had a secret activation. Whatever the case, Physical Resistance was a passive skill that literally and simply reduced damage I took from physical attacks, including self-inflicted ones. Damage reduction was 0.5% per level of the skill. Which meant if I could grind or buy the skill up to maximum level, any physical damage I took would be automatically halved.
After I finished ogling my new ability, I took stock. The stick was on the ground. My Health was just below half, and my Energy was at about ten percent. Plus it was only forty three minutes to noon.
"Lunch time," I decided. I couldn't sleep, but hoped some food and rest would help restore me for the afternoon. Despite the damage and lack of Energy, I wasn't tired and was only moderately sweating.
I jogged back to the rest area, Analyzing the non-redwood trees I occasionally saw.
When I got back, I had this odd feeling. So I walked over to the lockers, opened one that was not in use. I took the towel and lunch my mom had given me out of Inventory, using the locker for cover. As I closed it, I heard the squeak of a door pull in need of oil.
[Your insight serves you well. Intuition +1.]
A girl turned the corner from the bathrooms to the outside wall with the lockers, and we both froze in surprise.
She was about my height. She had really long green hair, a shade darker than mine. And her hair was tied in a bow. Not tied up with a bow, her actual hair was drawn into a bow shape and knotted.
She had large eyes and a wide mouth with a slightly protruding upper lip. Her nose and ears were both small. All in all, she looked kind of like a frog. Normally that would have been an insult, but somehow on her it looked really cute.
She was wearing green sweat pants and a white tank top. She was fairly slender, except (very obviously at the moment) in the chest. The tank was plastered with sweat, accentuating the shape of her breasts and showing her bra through it.
"Excuse me," I bowed slightly, shifted so she could get past me. She opened up another locker, and took out a brown bag.
"Would you like to use this?" I held out my towel towards her.
"Thanks, but I don't mind being wet, ribbit," she said flatly.
"Okay," I bowed again, and then hurried over to the picnic table. I sat down and unpacked my lunch. A few seconds later, she joined me, sitting on the opposite side and opposite end of the table. It wasn't really surprising.
"I think I saw you out in the forest earlier," I said, "Are you here training, too?"
She looked at me for a moment, as if sizing me up. Then she slid a little closer.
"I am," she answered, "What are you training for?"
"I'm trying to get into UA," I said, "In the Hero course."
She glanced at me again, her lips pursed dubiously. That wasn't a surprise either, given my height and build at that point.
"So am I," she admitted, "I guess that makes us rivals."
I just nodded, thinking that meant the conversation was done. Then, feeling a bit guilty, I whispered, "Analyze."
[Name: Tsuyu Asui
Race: Human (Quirk metagene positive)
Age: 14
Level: 4
Active Title: Frog Girl
Health: 192/194
Stamina: 70/95]
Wow, she had even more Health than my mom, and my mom was level 16. And yes, I had looked at the Party page, which showed my party member's levels, Health, and any of the gauges that Gamer's Body rolled into Energy. I hadn't seen anyone besides the three of us, so Asui-san either had really high Attributes for her level or some Talents that increased her Health. Or my mom and I were both well below the curve. Or maybe a little of each.
We ate in silence, Asui-san finishing well before me, and vanishing back into the trees. I still went through the motions of pretending to put my stuff back in the locker.
"Woohoo," I yelled softly in delight.
I was running through the forest as quickly as I could. Jumping over, or off, roots. Bounding off the trees. Sometimes scrambling up them a few steps before flipping backwards. I fell a few times, apparently enough to level up Physical Resistance. I also unlocked 'Running' and 'Climbing', but they were different attributes, so no bonuses there. Still, all physical stats had gone up further. But none of that was the reason I was softly celebrating.
[Level Up!
Level: 3
Attribute points: +7
Skill points: +3
Talent points: +1]
Unlike a game, my Health and Energy did not completely refill. However, the current values went up by the same amount as the maximum values; I guess new Health and Energy points were full by default. The scrapes on my hand literally vanished as my HP went back over half full.
I put an attribute point into Luck, which I had decided to do at every level. But I decided to save my Talent for now. No matter how inviting 'Ki Initiate' looked.
CRACK!
I heard the sound of wood snapping. I looked up and saw Asui-san dropping out of the sky. A tongue, longer than an SUV was running from her mouth up to the broken branch.
I scrambled, figuring where she would hit. I wasn't confident I could catch her. But I was a softer landing than the hard pack dirt, and I hoped my new resistance and Health would let me survive.
I also pushed her back with my TK. Her momentum and mass were too much for me to stop, but I was able to slow her down, giving me an extra moment to get into place. And also reducing the force of our impact. She let go of the branch, and her tongue shot out for another one. It further helped put on the brakes, but her new tongue-hold was too low and she was moving too fast. She was still definitely going to hit.
She did. She hit me square in the chest. I tried to brace myself, and even skidded back and stayed upright. At first. Then physics kicked in, and we both tumbled. I managed, somehow, to keep both myself under her, and keep my head from hitting anything.
After a second collecting herself, she hopped off of me. And then helped me up.
"Are you okay?" I asked her anxiously.
"Yes," she nodded, "I've had worse falls, but thanks to you I'm pretty much fine."
But something about the way she shivered made me think she was not being entirely honest. Still, I didn't press.
"Thank goodness," I smiled.
"What about you?" she countered. I glanced at the HUD. Health was now 15/35, down 10. I had probably had a damage alert, but missed it in the moment.
"I might have a bruise, but I'll be okay," I told her.
"Why did you do that?" she asked.
"I couldn't let you get hurt," I said, with a hint of sadness, "Not if I could help. I wouldn't be much of a Hero, otherwise."
"But I'm your rival, ribbit," she looked confused.
"Well," I grinned sheepishly and shrugged, "It's not like they only let one or two people into UA. And even if it were somehow down to you or me, I still wouldn't want to win that way. Would you?"
"I guess not," she agreed. Then she smiled, and she was a lot more than just cute, "Thank you... ummm..."
"Sorry," I said quickly, "I'm Midoriya Izuku. And you are welcome..."
I knew her name of course, but couldn't very well say it.
"Asui Tsuyu," she supplied.
"Nice to meet you, Asui-san," I held out my hand.
"Please take care of me, Midoriya-kun," she gave the customary response and shook my hand.
"You know," she tilted her head and brought a finger up to her lips, "If we are both going to be training here, maybe we should work out together. There might be things we can learn from each other. Like you can teach me some of those fighting moves, and I could show you how to better control your body when hopping around."
"Oh, you saw that," I was embarrassed, but also wondered if she had seen the hovering branch.
"Bits and pieces," she confirmed, "I was moving pretty quickly and the trees were in the way."
"Well, I'd be very happy to work with you, Asui-san."
"Why don't you call me Tsuyu?" she smiled again.
[Congratulations! You made a new friend. And a girl no less. Charisma +1.]
Current Status:
Name: Izuku Midoriya
Age: 14
Level: 3
Active Title: The Gamer
Health: 15/35
Energy: 12/76
Attributes:
(S)trength: 6
(A)gility: 6
(E)ndurance: 8
(Q)uickness: 7
(W)it: 20
(I)ntuition: 18
(C)harisma: 6
(D)etermination: 10
(L)uck: 3
Unused Points:
Attribute: 14
Skill: 3
Talent: 1
Skills:
Modern Tech (W): 13
Computer Gaming (W/A): 14
Japanese Language (W/C): 12
English Language (W/C): 5
Scientific Method (W/I): 6
Oral Hygiene (C): 3
Analyze (W): 5
Mathematics, Basic (W): 3
Dodge (A): 2
Chemistry, Basic (I): 2
Creative Writing (C): 1
Software Methodology (W): 1
JavaScript ES11 (W): 1
Telekinesis (I/D): 6
Strength Training (S): 1
Basic Karate (A): 3
Boxing (S): 3
Parkour (A/Q): 4
Yoga (A/E): 1
Physical Resistance (E/D): 3
Running (Q/E): 4
Climbing (S): 2
Talents:
Studious
Gamer's Body
Gamer's Mind
Telekinesis, Basic
Inventory II
Reflective Dungeon
