Chapter 1: a humble beginning
I died, and I don't remember how it happened. All I know is that it happened. As a matter of fact, I am weirdly certain of it. Its like the knowledge has been burned deep into my brain.
Looking around I see nothing just pure darkness. I try to move but I can't. After a few moments I realize it's because I don't seem to have a body here.
Having nothing to do I just float for a while, waiting for something to happen.
Welcome! You have been chosen as host for the gamer system!
For a few moments I just stare at the blue textbox that suddenly appeared in front of me.
Wait does this mean what I think it means? Am I gonna be reincarnated into some fictional universe with the overpowered gamer power?
Yes you will be reborn into a world that you may remember as fictional.
So can you tell me what world I will be born into?
The world of remnant.
Okay that's rwby's world isn't it? I'm actually happy with that. Lots of monsters to kill so levelling up won't be too much of a problem.
Remnant may be a bit of a death world but since the game called it my starter world I can probably just leave when I get tired of it.
Also going to a world where catgirls really exists excites me more then I care to admit.
Please choose your race: [Human], [Faunus], [Grimm]
I barely need to think before I choose human. I don't want to deal with racism or being a pawn of an insane ancient witch.
Select a starting class: [warrior], [engineer], [mage], [marksman]
As much as I want to pick mage that probably wouldn't be a good idea, there is very little magic in remnant so it would bring far to much attention to me. And in most games mages start out very weak, so I won't be able to properly defend myself.
I also rule out marksmen, I like guns but I don't want to pick a class that revolves around them. It just doesn't really appeal to me.
This feels like an incredibly basic choice but I pick warrior. Mainly because being an engineer requires money, materials and time. None of which I will probably have.
Also being able to fight immediately would be very useful for levelling.
You gained the [warrior] class.
Gain 2 STR, 2 VIT, 1 DEX and 2 stat points each level
Skills gained:
[basic weapon mastery] (lv 1/100)
Gives basic skill in and knowledge of ordinary weapons.
Increases weapon damage by 1%
[basic armour mastery] (lv 1/100)
Gives basic knowledge on armour, how to equip it and how to move using it.
Increases armour effectiveness by 1%
Reduces armour movement penalty by 1%
So 7 stat points each level and 2 useful skills with potential for growth, I'm feeling pretty good about my choices so far. Hey game could you show me my status.
Name: ?
Age: 16
Race: human
Class: Warrior
Level: 1 (0%)
MP: 0
AP: locked
STR: 10
DEX: 10
VIT: 10
INT: 10
WIS: 10
CHA: 10
LUK: 10
Stat points: 0
Perk points: 0
It's only now that I realize that I don't remember my own name. As a matter of fact, I can't remember anything about who I used to be.
I know I should feel something about that, but I can't bring myself to really care. Its hard to miss something you do not remember.
As I read the rest of my status, I notice that I don't have HP, that my aura isn't unlocked and that I don't have any MP.
Okay so I vaguely remember that aura automatically unlocks in a life or dead situation, so either I do that or I have to convince some hunter to unlock it for me. That doesn't seem too hard.
Hey game how can I get MP?
You can increase your MP by picking a class that uses it, convincing someone to give you some of their magic or by taking some specific perks.
How can I take perks? And how can I pick some other class?
You get 1 perk point every 5 levels and you can switch class every 50 levels.
So if I want to do magic I'll have to wait.
Are you ready to start your game?
Yes I think I am, I can't wait to get out of this creepy void and have a body again.
As soon as that thought left my head I feel an enormous pressure on all sides for about two seconds. Then as suddenly as it came it the pressure was gone and I was no longer surrounded by darkness.
The first thing that hit me was the sound of a city, I had gotten used to the complete silence of the void so it took me a few moments to adjust.
Looking around I find that I am sitting on a bench somewhere in on the side of a busy street. Looking across the street I see myself reflected in the window of a small clothing store.
I don't recognize myself; I don't remember what I used to look like so that was pretty much what I expected.
But what I didn't expect was that I now look like a generic background character. I have short brown hair; a medium height and I am somewhat skinny. I wouldn't call my face attractive, but it also isn't unattractive it just looks boring, forgettable.
Well, it's not like it matters, I can always just increase my charm stat to become more attractive.
I check my pockets; they're empty. Game do I have an identity in this world or was I just sort of dropped in?
You have been dropped in. Though there is a perk that can retroactively generate a background for you.
Fantastic, that means I'm homeless and broke. Is there a instant dungeon feature where I can farm money?
Yes, but you do not currently possess the necessary skill. That skill can be gained by either getting the skill book as loot or by buying it as a perk.
I'm starting to sense a pattern. Taking a quick look trough the list of perks I see that an inventory, observe, gamer's mind and body, gacha and a reputation system are all perks.
Is this some attempt to nerf me? Locking all the cool things behind perks?
Thinking my options over I decide that It's probably best if I pick up ID create first. Because that seems to be the best way to level quickly. I don't know how many grimm are in close proximity of Vale, except in that forest next to beacon. But Ozpin is there and I really don't want to attract his attention this early.
Wait am I even in Vale? I try to figure it out by looking at the architecture. Before deciding that just asking someone would be easier.
"Excuse me ma'am, could you tell me which way beacon is?" I say trying my hardest to sound polite. To the first passer-by I see.
"It's that way, just follow the river" she says in a slightly annoyed tone before continuing on her journey.
I sit back down and try to come up with a plan. I need levels and quickly. It's starting to get dark so leaving the city right now isn't a good idea.
I decide to just walk towards the city walls for now and find some place to sleep there.
-later-
It seems I've made a mistake; I probably should have realized that the neighbourhoods right next to the wall would be shitty. Since if the grimm ever break through they would be the first to die.
And now it's far too late to ask for shelter somewhere. Seeing as it's in the middle of the night.
Sighing I pick an alley that doesn't seem too cold and lie down behind a dumpster. It's only one night I can handle this. It's not even that cold.
Sleep doesn't come easy but after what feels like hours I finally drift off.
I suddenly bolt awake as I feel something touching my leg. I look up and see some old homeless man going through my pockets.
Without thinking I try and kick him. But since I'm lying on the ground there is no real power behind my kick.
The man now aware that I'm awake clumsily takes a knife out of his pocket and points it at me.
"Give me your money!" he yells, somewhat slurring the words.
"If I had any money I wouldn't be sleeping in an alley" I shout hoping someone would hear me.
The man thinks for a moment before suddenly thrusting his knife forwards towards me.
I try to grab his hand, but the knife slices my palm open, before I grab his wrist.
I quickly pull the man down, he stumbles and falls over. Immediately I crawl on top of him and punch him in the face. And then again, and again. Until he is no longer moving.
Panicking I stand up, I get a notification from the game, but I ignore it. I take a few moments to take a few breaths and calm down before I check up on the man. Now that I am not in danger I recognize the smell of alcohol on him.
I put my uninjured hand on his neck to check whether he is still alive.
Thank god he is. Even though he attacked me he probably didn't deserve to die.
I take his knife and leave. While I'm walking I check out my injured hand. The cut is shallow but it is bleeding a lot. Having nothing to bandage it with I decide to ignore it for now.
I should probably read those notifications I got.
+150 EXP
Level up: you gained 2 STR, 2 VIT, 1 DEX and 2 stat points.
Skill gained:
[unarmed combat mastery] (lv 1/100)
Gives basic skill in and knowledge of unarmed combat.
Increases unarmed damage by 1%
That's good, I check my hand again and see that it now looks a lot better. It's still bleeding somewhat but it seems a lot less serious now. Probably because my vitality was raised by two.
Should I save my stat points or use them? Right now I'm the weakest I'll ever be. But I have no idea if I'll need them in the future. Thinking back on my embarrassing fight with the old drunk I decide to use them right now.
After a few moment of contemplation I put both points into dexterity, since strength won't be that useful if I'm gonna be fighting with the knife I stole.
The sun has come up so I head towards the city's gate, It's time to hunt some grimm!
-later-
I've been walking for about three hours now and I still haven't come across any grimm. I guess it's good that the hunters can keep the land around the city this safe but right now it's really inconvenient for me.
I pull up my status screen to distract me while I walk.
Name: ?
Age: 16
Race: human
Class: Warrior
Level: 2 (25%)
MP: 0
AP: locked
STR: 12
DEX: 13
VIT: 12
INT: 10
WIS: 10
CHA: 10
LUK: 10
Stat points: 0
Perk points: 0
So I gained 150 exp and that levelled me up and put me 25% to level 3, so the exp requirement to get to level 1 was probably 100, that would mean that the necessary exp to level doubled. I really hope that's just a one time thing, otherwise the cost to level would get completely insane really quickly.
As I'm thinking about my status I suddenly hear a howl in the distance. It seems I've finally found some grimm.
I slowly sneak towards where I've heard the sound. And I manage to catch sight of my target.
The grimm looks like a pitch black wolf standing on its hind legs. Its muscles are far bigger then any normal animal could have and there are many bone like spikes coming out of its skin. It's a beowolf I think.
Looking down at my small knife I feel like I have somewhat underestimated the threat of the grimm.
Okay I need to work smart not hard, I obviously can't just run over there to try and stab it.
I look around me but the only thing here are trees and some rocks on the ground. I briefly consider climbing up a tree and just keep throwing rocks at it until it dies, but I doubt that would actually work.
As I try to think of a better plan, the beowolf suddenly perks and looks in my direction. It sniffs a few time and abruptly starts running towards me.
Having no more time to think I do the first thing that comes to my mind and pick up a rock. I wait until the beowolf start to jump at me, and then I throw the rock at its eyes. Surprisingly I actually manage to hit them.
The beowolf reflexively closes its eyes and that is my time to strike. I dodge under it and stab my knife up into its torso as it flies over me. For a moment I feel like I'm on top of the world for pulling that move off.
but I can't let myself get distracted. The beowolf isn't dead yet. Luckily my stab has hit an artery or whatever passes for an artery in a grimm because the beowolf is bleeding a lot.
Letting out a truly terrifying roar It rushes me again. I throw myself to the side as fast as I can.
The beowolf barely misses me. Rolling unto my feet I immediately run towards the nearest tree. Intending to climb it and wait for the beowolf to bleed out.
But the grimm is too fast for that to happen it catches up with me as I reach the tree. And jumps at me again.
I duck, the beowolf crashes into the tree above me stunning it for a few seconds.
A few seconds is all I need as I stab it in the neck, finally killing it.
For a minute I just lie there covered in grimm blood and breathing heavily. The remains of the grimm begin to dissolve into nothing. And I get a few notifications.
+500 exp
Level up: you gained 2 STR, 2 VIT, 1 DEX and 2 stat points.
Level up: you gained 2 STR, 2 VIT, 1 DEX and 2 stat points.
skill [basic weapon mastery] has reached level 3
skill gained:
[basic throwing weapon mastery] (lv 1/100)
Gives basic skill in and knowledge of throwing weapons.
Thrown weapons do 1% more damage.
Thrown weapons gain 1% more accuracy.
Huh, apparently a rock counts as a weapon. That's pretty convenient.
Only one more level and I can get out of this forest. And back to civilization.
My fight with the beowolf really highlighted the importance of speed so I put 2 of my stat points into dexterity. I'll save the rest for when I need them.
After cleaning my knife with some leaves I decide to keep walking in search of another fight.
While I'm walking I practice my throwing skill by picking up rocks and throwing them at whatever I see.
By the time I've found another grimm another two hours have passed and I've raised the skill up too level 4.
The grimm is another beowolf and I repeat the rock throwing tactic I used earlier. Only this time it goes way smoother, and my first hit is enough to kill it. Guess four more points in dexterity and strength really make a difference.
luckily the experience is enough to push me to level 5.
+500 exp
Level up: you gained 2 STR, 2 VIT, 1 DEX, 2 stat points and 1 perk point.
skill [basic weapon mastery] has reached level 4
I immediately buy the id create perk.
Skill gained [ID create] (active) (lv 1/20)
Creates a pocket dimension where you can fight enemies and find loot.
Available instant dungeons:
[vermin]
Quest gained:
[exterminator]
Objective: kill the boss of the vermin dungeon.
Reward: ?, ?
Sitting down I debate in my head whether I should immediately go inside the dungeon. I am getting tired, my hand is still injured and I haven't eaten or drank anything all day. But I have no money to buy anything and I doubt that I could go unnoticed enough to steal with my clothes as bloody as they are.
So I guess I have no choice but to take a risk and go immediately.
I close my eyes and activate the skill.
