A/N: This is where our story starts. Emjoy. Oh, and I also have the same story uploaded on another website, under the same name. So don't worry.
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When Toya saw himself getting engulfed by the sea, he thought that this was the end. But life had other plans for him. Call it a miracle or something else, but he just couldn't bring himself to believe what he was seeing right now.
It was hard to breathe, or do anything right now, seeing himself in a bed, attached to multiple layers of medical equipment. But it was more harder to believe that he had a floating blue screen in front of him.
He had a guess what it was, as it showed a few information about himself, but he couldn't believe it.
'Did I hit my head fighting Overhaul?' He thought. He would have mumbled, but he had an oxygen mask strapped to his face, multiple tubes going into his nose, so he couldn't. 'No that's a stupid question. Did I hit my head tooo hard fighting Overhaul.'
Even though Toya knew what it was, he just couldn't wrap his head around it. The floating blue screen had few words and it said.
[Status:
Name: Toya Todoroki (LV. 1)
Vitality: 18/155 (Warning!)
Ether: 220/220
Strength: 12/54
Agility: 17/74
Stamina: 19/69
Intellect: 83
Willpower: 74
Balance: 00
Balance: 00
Special Skills: Appraisal(LV. 1), Recovery(LV. 1), Heat Resistance(LV.1){*}
Abilities: Quirk (Cremation), Cold Resistance{*}, Strong Will]
'What the heck is this?' Toya said in his mind, but looking at himself wrapped in bandages laying in bed he just sighed, 'Well, at least I am alive.' He would think about the whole 'System' thing later. He tried to swipe it away, but even his hands were to weak to move. Yet the screen disappeared. 'So it can be controlled with mind, nice.'
He heard a small click coming from the door, and it opened. A nurse got in for a regular check up, but seeing Toya look at her. She became wide-eyed, and called the rest of the medical staff. Soon, the doctors started pouring into the chamber and doing a full check-up on him.
While this was happening. Toya started remembering what happened. He couldn't save Eri. But did the heroes catch up to the Yakuza? He did manage to damage the boat as far as he remembered. But he wasn't sure. Several thoughts started popping into his mind.
His mind was still heavy so, he could only rest in bed. Whatever the whole system was real or not, he would look into it later.
After maybe an hour or so, two members from the Hero-association came to his room, questioning about his last mission. But with how fast they came, Toya knew that something was off. But he didn't say anything. He did ask, how he got help, however.
It just so happened that Gang Orca found his body and brought him to the emergency, Toya made a mental note to personally thank him.
"I have to thank Gang Orca, personally," Toya muttered. "Oh, sorry I didn't get your name."
"You can call me Naka Riyo. So, Mr. Toya could you tell us about what happened that day." A raven-haired thin man said as he took a seat near his bed. He had tanned skin with sharp eyes.
The agency knew him by Toya, not his real name. It was a thing that wanted to hide until he became a full-fledged hero.
Before he could answer a blue transparent window popped up in front of him.
[Appraisal (Active)
Name: Naka Riyo
Vitality: 125
Ether: 85
Quirk: Lie Detector(Active)]
Toya was a bit shocked when he saw the information. But seeing no reaction from the man opposite sitting, Toya guessed that only he could see the system screen.
'My life is messed up already, and now I have a 'gaming system.' Just great.'
But looking at the information if it was true, then came the obvious question. Why was the agency using a lie detector on him? So, those bastards didn't trust him, even after all he did. He was beyond angry. No, no, Toya, calm yourself, this just might be some illusion. Still, he felt frustrated with how the two men looking at him. There was suspension in their eyes.
But Toya didn't let any of his emotions show on his face, and start to explain what happened. After the explanation was over, then came the obvious question.
"…even though it might be not the right time to ask, but how did your cover blow up. Even though taking out that many members of the Yakuza is admirable." Naka said, his voice staying even. "Still, you were only tasked to gather information. Not to play a hero." There was stern in his voice, but Toya was used it.
"Well, one of the hero intern of UA was caught in the Yakuza area. The kid made a fuss when he saw some of them carrying Drugs on them, and tried to be a hero." Toya said, he wasn't lying. There was a kid that almost got himself killed, so Toya had to step in and save him. The only reason he knew that the kid was an intern, cause he started threatening the yakuza member with his reputation.
There was no question in mind, that the kid would be a great 'fake' hero, just like his father. But he just couldn't let the kid die.
Which blew his cover, luckily he knew where Eri was kept at the time, so he brought her with him when leaving. "So, I had to step in. Is he alive though?"
Naka raised an eyebrow. "A UA student? Hmm, maybe he was interning under Gang Orca. That would explain why he was there in the first place. I have to look into it."
After Toya was done, Naka stood up ready to leave. Even his associate got ready to open the door.
"I have a question," Toya said making both men stop. "Could you tell me what happened to Eri, the small girl? After I was out, did you guys find her?"
"Sorry to say we didn't have enough information regarding her." Naka said, "When Gang Orca brought you here six months ago, we had little information to work with. Sorry, we…"
"Wait! What do you mean six months?" Toya asked, blood running cold. He just couldn't believe what he was hearing. So he was in a coma.
Naka's professional face broke for a second, "I am sorry. But you were in a coma for the last six months. With those severe burns and injuries of yours, it's a miracle that you are alive." He said. "And we did receive an SOS from your location, but when the local heroes got there it was too late. We couldn't save her. The only reason why Gang Orca could save you was because you were out in the open sea, floating. A mile away from the port."
"So, you are saying that the Yakuza is still out there. But I uploaded all the info I collected before the incident…" Toya mumbled.
"Still, it wasn't enough for us to track them down." He said with a stern voice.
Hearing that made Toya regret his weakness, they were hiding something from him. But it was his fault that Eri wasn't saved. He was weak, that's why he couldn't save her. He would have balled up his fist, if he was in that condition. Even after six months, he didn't look very good. He still had severe burns and injuries that would need time to get fixed.
"Oh, before I forget. You have finished your contract with the association. So, when you are back up and running contact the Association, you will get your end of the bergen."
Toya just nodded, his mind was thinking about something else. He was here for six months. That means Eri was there somewhere still being a test subject of the Yakuza. But that wasn't right, with how much he damaged the Yakuza they would have been easy to scrape off for the heroes. So how the heck were they still out there.
The information was uploaded before he tried to save Eri. And that should have been enough info for them to search and put an end to the Yakuza. Toya felt frustrated. Something wasn't right.
Suddenly the blue screen popped up yet again.
[Quest Notice: The Hidden Secrets
Due to insignificant information, the Hero Association couldn't take down Yakuza. Find the hidden secret behind the inner workings of the Hero Public Safety Commission/Hero Association.
Hint: The Hero Association has a hard data safe in Tokyo City. Find the main building and crack into the servers to get the information.
Quest Reward:
3,000 EXP and ?
Do you want to accept the quest? (Y/N)]
Toya frowned. Heck, now he was getting mission quest. Suicidal ones at that.
Cracking into the Hero Association main Headquarters was as good as calling All-Might to bust your ass. Forget about being a hero, he would have to watch out from every corner from both heroes and villains. Having that high-class info on you would make anyone with a knife come after you.
When the men left, he was left alone. He had lots of regrets, but not being able to save her is his biggest one.
He shook his head. He would think about this later. 'Hey, system. Can you like, talk?' Toya asked in his mind. He had nothing else to, might as well, talk to himself.
[Affirmative Host.]
Came an echoing childish voice. So it had a built-in AI, nice. What else did it have?
[For now, you have:
STATUS Function
QUEST Function
MAP Function
SHOP Function
INVENTORY Function]
Toya nodded, 'Does that mean, when I level up, I can unlock new functions?' he smiled, this was getting funny. This couldn't just be real.
[Negative. These are all the functions, but some of the inner workings or sub-categories are locked. As you have already explored the STATUS function, I would recommend checking out the rest of the functions.]
So he did, he thought about pressing the QUEST Function.
[QUEST Function.]
[Main Quests:
1st Quest The Hidden Secrets—(Yet be accepted)
Sub Quests:
Daily Quests—X
Weekly Quests—X]
Toya found that the Daily Quests and Weekly Quests were grayed out. 'So they will be green like the rest when I level up?'
[Affirmative.]
He then started asking a few questions regarding the Quest Function. The AI was very good at answering all of them. One thing he found out was that some of the quests the hard ones would have an option of declining. While some sub-quests would be mandatory.
Toya had a smile thinking about that. He wasn't expecting to be the next shadow monarch or anything, but the system felt weirdly familiar to that novel. He read that novel once, it's almost been years, he couldn't even remember the name. But it was a good one, but the system in front of him now was no fiction.
Then another question popped in his head. 'Hey, system. Can I become strong by…'
[Can you get strong by using me?]
'Using you seems to be a bad choice of words. So, I was going to say leveling up. But yeah, that as well.'
[Affirmative, the system has chosen 'Toya Todoroki' to be his host. And one of the goals of the system is to make the host the strongest in this current world. Or I would be disgraced in the system community…]
'What?' Toya couldn't hear the last part.
[Nothing.]
[As I was saying if the host is willing. And chooses a certain path. The system could give out quests to make the host's life easy and make him strong.]
'Chose a path?'
[Yes, like if you want to be a hero or a villain. If a villain, then which flavor, a sadistic one, or a cool head one, one with a familia or a gang or a solo one. Too many choices…]
'Okay, okay, you'r getting off tracked.' Toya said frowning. 'Why would I want to be a villain?' He shook his head. That wouldn't be possible, right?
[…]
[Host, I would recommend that you first finish your main quest : The Hidden Secrets. Before choosing a path.]
Toya frowned again. The system was serious about making him commit a crime. Even though he wanted to save Eri, doing that undetected would tough.
[Host if you are worried about that, why don't you use a mask to infiltrate the headquarters.]
'Do you think it's that easy?' He shook his head. This was delusional. What would he say after getting captured? A voice in my head said so.
[Before that host, please check the rest of the functions. You would understand my suggestion after it.]
Toya shrugged he had nothing else to do. So, he looked at the MAP function. It's almost like a video game map, it would stay in the bottom part of the screen in a circular icon. Once he is in an area. The MAP would record it and also show how many people were there. It even tells you if some of them have hostility towards you or not.
This could be really useful. If Toya could be hero, this could help him infiltrate villain hideouts…
[Or the Hero Public Safety Commission.]
Oh, the system could read his mind. 'Can you not suggest me that.' He rolled his eyes.
Carrying on he looked at the SHOP Function.
[SHOP
Ability Store
Skill Store
Equipment Store]
'System, what's the difference between Ability and Skill?'
[Skills are things that you can gain by doing something repeatably. While Abilities are inherent in nature.]
[Some skills after leveling up to a certain point can even evolve to become an Ability.]
Then Toya remembered something that he noticed in the Status window. So he brought it out, while still keeping the SHOP window open. He could actually use multiple windows at the same time. Pretty neat trick.
'Is that why I have Heat Resistance in Skill and Cold Resistance is in the Ability section.'
[Ding! Correct.]
[You should also notice the (*) sign. It's actually an error in your status.]
[You see you even though you have a pretty high-level Heat Resistance at LV. 4. Your blue flames are stronger than your resistance to heat. That's the reason why you get burned. Also with the added ability of Cold Resistance, it is unbalanced, giving you heat issues as well. So, even your Cold Resistance is affected.]
[In lay-gamers terms, your Heat Resistance is pretty low and your Cold Resistance is maxed out. Meaning you have an uneven status.]
'Hmm, so that why I didn't feel cold in the winters. I just thought it was my fire quirk. But it was actually from my mother's side.'
[Ding! Side Quest Alert!]
[Side Quest: Fix your heat.
You have a problem with your uneven skills. Fix it. No time limit.
Rewards:
100 Exp
Would you like to accept the quest? (Y/N)]
Toya shrugged before accepting it. The window went away after that.
It was pretty useful to know why he couldn't handle his flames. So could he finally use his flames without drawbacks if he used the system?
A smile crept up on his face. But to do that, he was sure he needed to move first. But seeing the bandages wrapped around his body, he was pretty sure that it would take a while to get out from here. And then again, all this could just be his imagination.
[Host, I assure all this is real.]
'Yeah, but…' Toya thought, 'How can I be sure?'
Right at the moment, a nurse came in. She was a woman of her early thirties. She came to take a routine check on him.
[Host, this is just for your reassurance.]
A window popped up, that showed the girl's status.
[Appraisal:
Name: ?
Vitality: 80
Ether: 55
Quirk: Light nails]
Toya looked at the nurse. Wait, so the system wanted him to recheck the info. He looked at the nurse.
"Ahem…" he said gaining her attention. "Is it true that I have been in a coma for six months?"
The nurse looked at him with sympathy before answering. "I-I am sorry to say, but it's true." She said before returning her attention to the clipboard in hand, writing stuff down.
Toya sadly nodded, "Thank you for looking out for me, then."
"Oh, it's just my duty." She said with a smile while she took her attention off the clipboard.
"Is it just my imagination or did your nails just glow?" He said, lying.
The nurse smiled a little. "Ah, yes. It is my quirk, Light Nails." She said. "But it's actually the first time someone noticed it. Most of the time they just think it's nail polish." She said the last part, while her nails shone blue, before dimming down.
After a bit of talk the nurse left. The moment he left Toya looked at his system. So it was real. This wasn't an illusion. Sorry for doubting, I guess.
[Apology accepted.]
'Hey, system. The reason I am alive, it's because of you right?'
[Actually host. I didn't help that much, at the time the system was still synchronizing with you. It was actually your will to live that kept you alive.]
Toya nodded before he looked at his status once again, there was a question he had, 'So vitality is like my HP and Ether is like my MP.'
[Affirmative.]
'System, does everyone use Ether?' Toya asked. Even Naka's status had Ether in it. 'Or is it just me?'
[Ether is basically world energy. Everyone has stamina, but when one awakens his quirk, he awakens his Ether. It helps him using his super-powered ability. Or better known as a quirk.]
'So, is there something exclusive that I have?'
[There is, unlike everyone you can level up. But you are in no condition to go through a task or Quest. The host is advised to finish exploring the system.]
He nodded then started exploring the SHOP function.
[Ability Store:
Empty]
But the first option was empty. The system said that after getting to a higher level he could buy Abilities. So he opened the skill store next.
[Skill Store:
1. Combat Skills
2. House-hold Skills
3. Ability Skills]
[The last one obviously are the skills that can become Ability later.]
Toya nodded before pressing the first one.
[Combat Skills:
1. Basic Swords-shipman — 1000$
2. Advance Swords-shipman — 3000$
3. Basic Hand to hand Combat — 1000$
4. Advance Hand to hand Combat — 3000$
.
.
.]
The list went on. But Toya had a few questions.
'System, what type of skill would I get if I buy Basic Hand to hand Combat or the Advance one.' Toya asked. 'You didn't specify what style I will be learning.'
[The System will scan the Host's body and figure out a costume-made skill for you. It's better than being a master at Karate or Kung fu. Because the fighting style would be specifically made out for you. You can even gift skills to people, by directly buying from the system. But it would take a bit more price.]
'Anther question.' Toya said narrowing his eyes. 'Why the heck is it so pricey.' If he applied the standard Dollar to Yen ratio. The price was outrageous.
[What do you mean?]
[The Price are pretty balanced. You are getting your custom-made skills remember. One has to spend years of training to get skills that you can just buy for money. And you will find it much easier to gather money once you taste the power of my skills.]
The system said the last part proudly.
'With that price tag, I would need to rob a bank.' Toya bitterly laughed.
[Hmm… not a bad idea.]
'…' Toya was speechless. This system really wanted him to be a criminal.
[Yes, come to the dark side.] The system made a snorting sound at the end.
Seems like the AI had a personality. Oh well, it's a good thing that the voice in his head wasn't robotic.
There wasn't much to explore in the Household skill part so he went back to the SHOP function. Lastly, he opened the Equipment Store.
But the moment he saw the prices he felt his pockets burning. This was broad daylight stealing. 'System can't you give me discount coupons. Or some starting customer offer. I am not that up on the money you know.'
[Hm…]
[Calculating.]
[If you go level up, I will give you a 10% discount code. But it's a one-time offer.
[But if you level up. You can expect such offers on special occasions.]
'Really?' Toya felt a bit happy. 'But how do I level up. Dungeon? Quests? Or is there any easy way?'
[By killing.]
The fuck was wrong with the system. Who would have known that the system had a sadistic personality? 'You know, I can't do it.'
[Host you have a misunderstanding. You wanted to know the easy way. But saving people, doing things to gain fame also helps you get exp and level up. Even though it's a bit slower.]
[The system isn't heartless or immoral. By killing I mean bad guys and monsters. And even if you do choose the path of villainy you would be punished for killing civilians for no reason.]
'Well, that's a relief, for a second I thought that you had a twisted personality.'
[…]
'Right? So you have a dungeon thing as well.'
[Affirmative.]
Hearing that Toya couldn't help but smile, "well, you should have started with that."
[But you will have to buy a dungeon key.]
Oh…
[Equipment Store:
C ranked Dungeon key — 1,000$
B ranked Dungeon key — 3,000$
A ranked Dungeon key — 5,000$
S ranked Dungeon key — 10,000$]
Toya felt very weak suddenly seeing the price. So he wanted to take some rest. But the system intervened.
[Host, please don't be lazy. Check all the System functions.]
Now, he wished all this was a bad dream. And if turned out to be one, he wouldn't be surprised.
But he complied with the request, opening up the INVENTORY Function.
There were five empty slots in it. But one of them had a box in it. A mystery box.
Toya wasn't even surprised now. But he would be surprised if he opened the said 'mystery box' and found cultivation pills in it. He snorted a laugh. Before tapping to open it.
[Mystery Box Opening!]
[Surprise]
[This is a starter pack for the host. You have gained.
1 full recovery card and a shinigami mask.]
Okay, the first one wasn't a cultivition pill that was nice. But the second one scared him to hell. He didn't want to cut open his belly and trap a fox inside it. That would be absurd.
Toya could swear he heard a snorting sound from the system.
[…You have a vivid imagination. But for your sake you should stop seeing animes.]
'Stop being a smart ass, and explain it to me.'
The shinigami mask looked like a plain white mask that would cover the upper part of someone's face, leaving his mouth exposed.
[Ahem… the shinigami mask will make it hard for people to recognize you. You can adjust your looks after wearing it. Even the mask appearance can be adjusted. For now, it's a rank A item.]
Wait, the system is serious about making him infiltrate the Association. Heck!
But wait, Toya looked at the first item. Was it for his condition?
[The Host is correct. You will fully recover your vitality and all your status after taking it. With zero drawbacks]
If that was the case. He could start searching for Eri right away. He smiled, 'you should have started with that.'
He wanted to take out the card right away. But the system stopped him.
[Host wait.]
[You will bring unwanted attention if you suddenly recover and go out. If you take the main quest It will help you with the attention problem and in finding Eri. As they know the location of the Yakuza hideout.]
Toya frowned deeply, 'How do you know that?'
[I have my sources.]
'Then tell me the location so that I can save the kid, damn it.'
[I am not God. I just a pitiful system. So I know that the association has the info but it's for you to find out where it is.]
Was the damn system playing with him?
[Also, don't you want to know what dirt the Association collected on your dear old father.]
Now that was a info that was worth the risk. 'But even if I get in, how the heck will I know which server has the dumb info. It should be highly classified. And how the heck will I be able to get it.'
[Host, please figure it out yourself. But for your first question, you have a map. When doing the main quest, the map has the location and things marked for ease of use.]
Toya sighed. He didn't like the Association, even he was sure that they were doing some shady business under the table. But they held the society together and at the end of the day, he wanted to be a hero… no, he owned Eri, that time if she didn't use her powers to reverse his damage he would have died to Chiska.
He owned her, and he was going to repay it. And with that mask, if the system was right, he would be able to do it under their nose. But there were still some hesitation.
'What the heck? A hero would never second guess his image to saving someone.' He said with determined eyes he accepted the system. Not knowing how deep of rabbit hole he would be stepping on.
But first things first. He could barely move his weak hands, but he took the recovery card.
[Do you want to use:
Recovery Card | Grade A
Y/N]
'Yes.'
The moment he thought out his answers the card started glowing and it disappeared into particles before getting absorbed into his body.
And something magical happened. He could feel his strength returning, the pain started lifting off his body. And in seconds he found himself a new. The first thing he did was sit upon his bed, he felt better than ever.
But when he looked down at his hands he was shocked by what he saw. 'S-System, where are my burning marks?'
