System Reboot Successful!

I blinked slowly as my consciousness started up. The golden light emitting from the screen was the first thing I noticed. As I read the words written in black, my mind was filled with questions but I couldn't answer any of them. My brain was groggy, and that made thinking a chore.

I blinked again and this time noticed that I was in a black void. Perhaps I shouldn't call it a void, I could have just been inside a dark box, but the golden screen had inclined my train of thoughts to follow a more fantastical track. Regardless I didn't know where I was, this wasn't my bed and I could've sworn I had just laid down to sleep. Well that's not entirely true, I was in bed but I wasn't tired, so I started browsing fanfics based on the anime Highschool DxD.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the actual show, it had way too much gratuitous nudity for my taste, but the mythological aspects did intrigue me enough to keep watching. Similarly in the case of DxD fanfic I had trouble enjoying the majority of it because of the smut. I did enjoy reading… Huh? I couldn't remember. I racked my brain but I couldn't remember the names of the fanfics I enjoyed reading, I couldn't even remember the names of the ones I actually hated.

I blinked. I couldn't remember anything about my personal life. Everything was gone, I couldn't even be sure of what I was forgetting, I didn't know if I had family or friends that I would miss. 'Why can't I remember my life? Why could can I only remember DxD?'

The System has Provided the Minimum Information Required to Comprehend this World.

Another golden screen popped up. As I read the words, everything clicked together and I finally understood.

"Am I a Gamer?" I tried to ask, but my lips wouldn't move. I quickly surmised that I didn't have a physical form.

The Currently Installed System isn't an Exact Replica of The Gamer's System.

Yeah, yeah, each System experience is personalized. In the end I have a System, correct?

Correct.

"For real?" I tried to ask myself. By now I was pretty sure I passed out while reading a fanfic and was currently dreaming, but I've never had such a vivid dream before, and the fact that it was a Gamer dream was nice. It probably wouldn't last long and it was bound to go off the rails as it progressed, but in the end I was just hoping for a fun experience.

Form Generation Stabilized! Proceeding to Transfer Substitute Consciousness!

Before I could process what that meant, it felt like my brain was shredded into countless pieces and I lost consciousness.

My head pounded like I had a hangover, sights and sounds were too much for me to handle at the moment, then my body adjusted to the sensations. My vision cleared up and I saw chunks of broken stone and wood inside a large room. I saw broken windows and a large door left ajar. A ray of warm sunlight pierced through a gaping hole in the roof and landed on my skin. I didn't move for a moment, lightly howling wind echoed inside this abandoned and dilapidated building, while a chorus of chirping morning birds played in the background.

As I got my bearings, I stood up from the ground. I took a moment to dust myself off before taking in my appearance, black shoes, blue pants and a white button up shirt, I was dressed pretty formally. My skin was a little paler than normal, but my height was about the same and the only other significant difference was how well built I was.

"System!" I called out and four windows popped up.

Status:

Level: 1. Name: Arthur Pendragon. Title: N/A. Class: N/A. Species: Human. Age: 15.

HP: 100/100. MP: 100/100. STR: 10. AGI: 10. END: 10. MGI: 10. CHA: 10. LUK: 10.

'Pendragon? Well that was a surprise.' For a moment I was confused when I imagined King Arthur from the Fate franchise instead of the DxD Arthur, then my brain explained why it had thought so. Right before passing out, the last thing I could remember was reading a fanfic about a person with Fate Arthur's body being isekai'd into DxD. The story had little substance and was overall lacking, but he was still interested to see where it was going to go.

Back to my Stats, I was surprised to find them at a flat beginning, if I was a Pendragon then shouldn't I have the abilities of one of them. Instead I had an evenly distributed amount of points filling out stats.

Skills:

Dragon's Heart (E): Generates 5% Max MP per second.

Mana Replenishment (D): Generates 5% Max MP per second.

Twisted Soul: Generates 5% Max MP per second.

Revenge (D): Increase Mana Generation Skills by 5% when below 50% Max HP.

Avalon's Blessing (E): Heals 5% Max HP per second, Resist 5% of All Damage.

Blade Works (E): Replicates Weapons in a Reality Marble.

'That's more like it.' I thought to himself, satisfied with this starting bonus. 'So it's a 15% Mana Production Rate, but when I'm injured it'll jump to 30% MPR, sweet.'

As I read the actual names of the skills I possessed, I was surprised to read Twisted Soul, Revenge and Blade Works. The last one was clearly meant to be a version of Unlimited Blade Works, and that had nothing to do with Arthur Pendragon, the only thing I could think was about how in the last fanfic I read the MC had somehow gained the ability. I guess my mind was surprisingly lazy enough to just copy that.

The other two were a different subject, I couldn't recall anything relevant related to their names, but they didn't sound great, I could only hope my mind wasn't giving me edgy sounding skills for no reason. I wanted this dream to make sense and feel realistic.

Magic:

Mystic Eyes of Madness (E): Cause others to be unsettled by eyesight.

Blade Works Healing (E): Knits wounds shut.

'That's all?' I asked myself, wondering where my Magic attacks were. I could easily come up with magic bullshit, but for some reason my brain only gave me two. I didn't even understand why I had the first one, maybe it was a subconscious manifestation of my fear of making eye contact with people, or maybe I just thought it would be cool to stare down people until they gave up. I understood the second one pretty well and I hoped he wouldn't have to use it anytime soon, not only would it hurt but the imaginary pain would likely wake me up.

Traits:

Sword Affinity (E): 5% Increase in Sword Based Magic. 5% Decrease in Non Sword Based Magic.

Sword Origin (E): 5% Increase in Sword Based Magic. 5% Decrease in Non Sword Based Magic.

Sword Factor (E): Grants Skills 'Blade Works' and the 'Blade Works Healing' Spell, 5% Increase in Sword Based Magic. 5% Decrease in Non Sword Based Magic.

Dragon Factor (E): Grants Skill 'Dragon's Heart', 5% Increase in Dragon Magic.

King's Aura (E): 5% Increase in King Magic.

Outer Existence (E): Grants Skills 'Twisted Soul' and the 'Mystic Eyes of Madness'.

Divinity (E): 5% Increase in Divine Magic.

Fae Blessed (E): Grants Skill 'Avalon's Blessing', 5% Increase in Fairy Magic.

Stained Soul: Grants Skills 'Mana Replenishment' and 'Revenge'.

'Oh wow, so a 15% Buff to Sword Magic and 15% Debuff for all other fields, or just a 10% Debuff for Dragon, King, Divine and Fairy Magic. Fuck man, now I have to be a Sword Mage.'

Overall I wasn't happy with myself, sure he wanted realism but I didn't want to be limited by unnecessary things, I didn't need to have the sword traits just because I had Blade Works. I wouldn't have complained if my brain forgot that part of the lore. Dragon Factor, King's Aura, Fae Blessed and maybe Divinity were all probably from King Arthur. Outer Existence and Stained Soul, I had no idea from whence my mind pulled those edgy things from.

The instant I was done thinking about my traits, another window popped up.

Account Balance: 150p.

Skill Shop:

Magic Resistance (E): Resist 5% of the effects of Magic and Magic Damage is reduced by 5%. [Cost: 50p.]

Battle Continuation (E): Resist 5% of the effects of Mortal Wounds and Damage caused by injuries. [Cost: 50p.]

Riding (E): Use vehicles and creatures as mounts. [Cost: 50p.]

Presence Concealment (E): Prevents 5% of spiritual energy from leaking out the body. [Cost: 50p.]

Instinct (E): Sense danger that would leave you at 5% Max HP, and read the trajectory of Weapons. [Cost: 50p.]

Mad Enhancement (E): Increase STR and END by 5% at the cost of articulation and complex thinking. [Cost: 50p.]

Territory Creation (E): Build a special area for the purpose of Magecraft. [Cost: 50p.]

Item Construction (E): Manufacture Magical Items. [Cost: 50p.]

Weapon Proficiency (E): Wield Weapons to fight. [Cost: 50p.]

Weapon Shop:

Brass Knuckles Rings: Magical rings that can change into brass knuckles. [Cost: 20p.]

Holy Dagger: A small dagger imbued with Holy Light. [Cost: 10p.]

Magic Shop:

Mana Burst (E): Infuse objects with Mana and instantly release it. [Cost: 20p.]

Manifest Armor (E): Forge armor out of magical energy. [Cost: 20p.]

Cthulhu Fhtagn (E): Call forth Horrors from the depths. [Cost: 10p.]

Wind Slash (E): Fire a blade of wind. [Cost: 10p.]

Structural Grasp (E): Understand an object. [Cost: 10p.]

Reinforcement (E): Reinforce an object. [Cost: 10p.]

Projection (E): Project an object. [Cost: 10p.]

Mystic Codes Shop:

Mystic Eye Killers (E): Dampens the effect of Mystic Eyes by 5%. [Cost: 10p.]

Holy Cross Necklace (E): A Holy Cross imbued with Holy Energy. [Cost: 10p.]

After reading everything, I was at least sure I knew where my mind was putting all its processing power. "Did it seriously expect me to keep track of number percentages?" I thought I already had enough on my plate earlier, but now I didn't think it was possible to have a coherent dream, I was definitely going to forgot something. Putting all that aside for now, I did have 150p to spend.

After a few minutes of contemplating, I made my final decision.

Purchase: Battle Continuation (E), Instinct (E), Holy Dagger (E), Cthulhu Fhtagn (E),

Structural Grasp (E), Reinforcement (E) and Projection (E) for 150p?

I wanted the first two because I didn't want to wake up if I felt phantom pain, if it hurt less and if I knew when I was about to be hurt then I could stay dreaming for a while. The dagger was because I needed a starting weapon, no matter how weak it will be late game, it would probably be useful for now. The last three were because I was stuck as a Sword Mage and would need these spells to be a viable build. And I had chosen Cthulhu Fhtagn because it was unique and I had left over points after my selection.

After confirming my purchase, I felt knowledge unravel in my brain and a dagger manifest in my hand. I tried out my new spells, I Grasped the dagger in my hand and then Projected a copy of it, they were functionally identical. I Reinforced both daggers and flailed my arms about in stabbing and slashing motions. I had spent 20 MP per use of a spell, a total of 80 MP used by just four spells.

"I'll probably just stick to goblins, zombies or whatever else my grinding monster was." Otherwise I might run into trouble and end my dream prematurely. "What else do I have, System?"

Servant Card System:

Include: ]

Install: ]

Summon: ]

Servant Compendium:

"Oh. Cool. So how can I get Cards?"

Around the world are Dimensional Distortions, and at the center of those are Servant Cards.

After Locating a Dimension Distortion, use the System to Cross Over into the Mirror World.

Defeat and Collect the Servant Card.

Use the System to Cross Over back into the Real World.

It mildly surprised me that my brain had created this sort of story, I didn't expect that I would get this explanation. I would've been fine with it just saying that I could get them after completing dungeons or something along those lines.

Dimension Distortion Located!

Cross Over into Mirror World (1 Star)?

It seemed like my brain was rushing me through, but I wasn't upset. And even though I hadn't recovered my MP, I confirmed my entry. In my opinion my dream was taking too long and I wanted to see some action before I woke up.

Space twisted and bent around me, colors and shapes blurred together. Then I had entered the Mirror World, everything appeared to be the same although there wasn't any sunlight and a gray mist wafting about.

Mission: Defeat Spartacus.

Reward: Servant Card Spartacus.

'What?'

The thundering crack of stone echoed from behind me. Fear began coursing my veins. In this dark dilapidated building, I felt someone's steaming hot breath wash over the back of my neck. Slowly, I turned around. I saw a wall of pale skin covered with countless scars, I looked up at a being of pure muscle who was towering over me. He stared down at me with his blank white eyes, and a large toothy grin wide enough to show off his pink gums.

"Ooo," his raspy voice moaned, "ppprrreeesss," he hissed, "ooorrr." He sang and his smile widened as he raised his left arm.

Transfixed, I could only stare at the sharp Gladius in his hand as it pointed at the roof. Then electricity ran through my nerves as he swung his sword down and sliced my body in half from my head to my groin, I nearly vomited and passed out from the vision my Instinct gave me. And finally my surging adrenaline overcame my innate fear of death and pushed my body to move.

Even though I threw my body to the left with all my might, the sword was faster still. It cleaved through the right side of my body, slicing through everything from my shoulder to my thigh. Again electricity ran through my nerves as he swung his sword, this time it was a horizontal arc from right to left, and removed my torso from my waist. Again I nearly passed out from the vision my Instinct gave me.

This time I wouldn't be able to dodge. I knew this down to my bones, I would die, it didn't matter if this was a dream or not, I'll die when I'm killed.

Adrenaline abandoned trying to use my body as my life flashed before my eyes. It was non-surprisingly short. I woke up in the void, then in the abandoned building, I read my status and skills, bought some things, discovered the card system and got card lore. My mind stopped flashing when I found my way to survive.

'Cross Over!' I exclaimed in my mind.

As a sword was about to cut my life short, space twisted.

When adrenaline left my brain, time resumed at a normal pace. And my body flopped down to the ground, next to my severed right arm, half of my lung and rib cage, whatever organs resided in the right side of my stomach and my leg.

I was slowly bleeding to death, even with my skills I was losing too much blood.

I… couldn't think anymore. My body was shutting off, it was a miracle I didn't die from shock and was able to hold on this long.

I didn't want to die.

I didn't want to die.

With the last of my conscious effort I used my Blade Works Healing to stanch the bleeding wounds shut.

"Cth… ul… hu… Fhta… gn." My mouth spoke.

That was one of the spells I bought, and I had forgotten to test it out.

Through my fading vision I saw a swirl of magical energy transform into something similar to a blue starfish.

I felt my consciousness slip as it approached me.

My final thought was a surge of intense hatred toward Spartacus. He had ruined my dream.

'I won't die until I kill you.' I swore vengeance.