Back in the business and not in time for 4/4/16!
4 times 4 is 16, if ya don't get it, if you're bad at math maybe, or just not too clever. Or it's just a terrible joke.
Either way, hopefully this gets out soon enough.
Anyways, let's start off with a bit of review response.
MEleeSmaster: it's whatever you want it to be, baby~... XDDD okay but for reals, I haven't reached that part of development yet. We're still in early March in terms of what we've gone through in the timeline, and have gone through just the weekend. Pyrrha will come in later and may or may not be wooed by our lovely blonde Gamer's charms.
The lovely people who voiced their enjoyment of the story: I love you all, especially you, HoboJoe, ALL the homo, :P
CircledSquare: Okay let me explain Run... it's free to ACTIVATE, but to MAINTAIN it costs the SP per second. It's that simple. Also my habit of putting minuses on the "Stamina Discount" thing is just, well, a habit... also yeah that would have been pretty weird for me to do for just a silly omake, XD
picnic990: because Jaune does not think his actions through. His INT and WIS usually only help if he he actually THINKS. He was mostly just like "Oh yeah, Luck? Damn, sounds like exactly what I need right now! I'm gonna do that." and then he did it.
Zyxis Ouroboros ReArchtypist: uh... y-yeah... I did... I used "the face"... *hides under my desk out of fear*
Smithrooks: I like you, I like you a lot, you're the kind of reader I wish I had more of, please continue reviewing my content. I'm going to reply to each of your reviews, just because I CAN! 1) I've been stewing over a more... unique... title for a little bit, but I'm gonna wait until maybe next chapter to change it. 2) Yeah, he might be The Gamer, but he's still a human with human desires and needs (and a thing for blondes and redheads *wink wink nudge nudge*) also food crafting is necessary, especially for Jaune, who is the "item spammer" type of gamer, since he's willing to do what would ruin a normal human's body and drink 10 protein shakes in 10 minutes while running full-tilt down the sidewalk, just because he wants to Run for as long as he can. 3) Yeah, I'm surprised I'm probably the first one to do that, but I guess given the nature of The Game in this story, it makes sense. Most modern games can be broken with the right combination of actions, no matter how complex, so why not The Gamer semblance? It just seemed like common sense. Also the other Elementals (yes he'll have more) will have their own little fancy poetic scenes as well. 4) Well, there are 5 different things he unlocked, so since they're all equally likely, NONE of them have a 50/50 chance. Also... not really predictions of the future, more like predictions of POSSIBLE futures (after a certain point of his INT and WIS) and also, one of them is special. That is all I have to respond to, please continue to provide your lovely and (for me, personally) heartwarming, lengthy, and upbeat reviews, good sir/madam.
ARSLOTHES: I will admit, I drew some inspiration from that story, and a few skills (mostly two of the ones that will come up in this chapter)
dragoon109: I hope your opinion of the story has improved since reading the first chapter, sir/madam.
JanusderLandstriecher: Thank you, sir/madam. You've refilled my heart with the will to continue writing as I have been, and strive to improve myself and my works. *takes a bow*
EDIT: I've gotten some complaints that I wrote Yang like an airhead and so I did some work to fix that. Not as much as I did in the previous chapter fixing up the shit with LUK that people were bitching about SO FUCKING MUCH, but I made an effort at it.
Alright, now that we have that settled out, let's start the chapter!
I don't own anything (except that kitten over there, I own that, ^w^)
Chapter 5: Getting a Big Update.
I petered off with my speed as I grew very near to the docks, reducing from a practical sprint to a run, then a jog, and finally I powerwalked the fuck out of the last twenty feet.
The naval docks had two main sections, passenger boats and trade ships. Passenger boats were what Yang and others would be coming in on, while trade ships would be carrying things like cloth from Mistral, or Dust from Atlas.
Looking over, I saw that a shipment of Dust had arrived and was waiting to be moved out. I hummed, my inner Gamer telling me to-
SYSTEM UPDATE: By contemplating the morality of your actions, you have unlocked "Morality"!
QUEST RECEIVED!
Quest: Cleaning up Ship
Description: The Dust shipment that has recently arrived at the naval docks is awaiting transport. Sneak past the guards and steal some of it!
Reward for success (depending on circumstance and degree of success): Unknown double-digit, triple-digit, quadruple-digit, or quintuple-digit number of Dust Crystals (colors unknown), 1-25 reduction in Morality.
Penalty for failure (depending on circumstance and degree of failure): Unknown number of years prison sentence, Death, Become even more of a social outcast than you already are, Lose all Respect from everyone who learns of your failure
Yeah~... I wasn't going to take that risk.
Nor was I going to waste time thinking through ways to make that WORK. I just walked closer to the smaller, higher-up docking area and waited while scrolling through my skills.
I had to develop my Magic-type skills. I HAD to. I needed them as a Huntsman.
I didn't have many goals right now, all I knew was 'Become a Huntsman', but that's not exactly a clear goal. I could try to sneak into one of the lower combat schools and train THERE, or I could possibly just train in the wild, given that I didn't need to worry about nutrition or injury, just give me a sufficient supply of time and reasonably-leveled enemies, and I could eventually surpass my parents.
I could go to Beacon, or Haven, or Shade, or Atlas. Four main Major Huntsman schools, with a few alternatives like...
Nevermind. I was going to Beacon, I knew that much. I'd join a team and be a good Huntsman with my abilities.
It was my duty, it was my destiny, it HAD to be.
I've come from a family of warriors, so I need to carry on the family name and do this!
I checked the time and saw a small flash of gold on top of a white boat heading towards the docks. I smiled and put my hands in my pockets, taking a deep breath.
Why was I nervous? I could feel Gamer's Mind suppressing a surge of nervousness from me. I had no reason to be nervous, I was just meeting my friend at the docks, that's all!
It's perfectly normal.
So why was I nervous?
I have no reason to be, so WHY?
...
After about half a minute of contemplation, I saw the boat dock and I stood up from the bench I'd sat down at to breathe, as well as... well, Breathe.
By channeling magic through your lungs and mouth, you've unlocked the skill "Ki Breathing"!
Ki Breathing (Active) Level: 2, EXP: 34.65%, Cost: 10 AP
A technique used to parallel the monks' Meditation skills in an active form, utilized by warriors needing to recover when the flow of battle has ebbed. As such, while not as powerful mentally, this technique is very useful if managed while in an active, but not strenuous mode of activity.
Increases APR by 15 AP/min.
Great external shock will break Ki Breathing and induce Aura Confusion
I'd done that by accident, just trying to channel my aura through my body, and THAT had come up, as well as Power Stomp and Load Bearer.
Power Stomp was exactly as it said, a powered-up stomp that caused a shockwave of aura to travel outwards from my feet. Load Bearer channeled into my shoulder and back muscles and increased my physical carrying capacity (not my inventory).
I smiled at Yang as she turned around to look towards the docks, "Sup, Sunshine?" I greeted coolly, a confident expression on my face.
She blinked in surprise and blushed a tiny bit, "Wha-? I told you to meet me at Stone Cold Creamery!" she moved over to another side of the boat, trying to hide her pink-tinted face from me, but I knew she was blushing, "Why'd you come here?"
She deserved it, making me think all those distracting things, "Well you said you were on a stupid boat ride, so I figured you'd be at the docks, and meeting you here gives us more time to talk about stuffs." I noticed that little speech tic during our conversation the previous day, she said 'stuffs' instead of 'stuff', which I found adorable.
She blushed a great bit more as she pulled her motorcycle from the small lot on the lower deck of the boat, "W-well... uh... good." she said hesitantly, getting on Bumblebee.
I saw something odd, just then.
Minigame Finished!
By performing a special action, you've revealed a new reward to the minigame "A Friendly Meetup (Yang)"!
Deluxe Reward: 250 EXP, +5 Closeness to Yang, awarded for meeting Yang at the docks when her boat from Patch arrives.
Due to your closeness, your relationship with Yang has upgraded from "Good Friend" to "Close Friend"
Huh... wow. Nice.
I smiled, looking at her with kind eyes, "Well, is it safe to assume that I get to ride on the badass motorcycle too?" I got closer, a playful smile on my face.
She let out a small, soft giggle and flashed me a joking smirk, "Nah, you gotta walk." she laughed for a second, then waved her hand, "DUH. Hop on Jaune." she patted the seat behind her and I climbed on, making sure there was a good few inches of clearance between where she ended and I began, for obvious reasons.
I didn't want her to think I was a creepy bastard, after all.
Of course, then she cranked it up, revved it, and put the pedal to the proverbial metal as I put my arms around her to make sure I didn't go flying off.
Huh... y'know, this helplessness reminds me of a game I once played...
UPDATE!
Pondering upon a special brand of games has unlocked a special game mode! You've unlocked "Tale Teller's Story" mode!
Wait what?
I switched to it quickly and blinked as the world became a little bit blurrier, then it cleared.
And then Yang spoke and I saw her words appear in subtitles, "So... you got a motorcycle helmet?" she asked me as turned her head back, one covering most of her face. Her INT and WIS scores were becoming more obvious as she said that, given that we'd already starting moving at an almost frighteningly fast speed... well, for being on a motorcycle.
Dammit, I forgot about a helmet... wait, what the-? I saw five choices for an answer appear.
'No, I didn't think I'd need one.'
'Do I LOOK like I have one?'
'Hehe, NOPE.'
'Don't you have another?'
'...'
In the corner of my vision, I saw a small note appear, Silence is also a viable option.
Damn... uh, well, the thought of needing one had crossed my mind since I wasn't sure how much damage grinding my face fifty feet along the asphalt would do. She possibly had another one, given that... wait of-fucking-COURSE she has another one! She lets her little sister ride with her a lot, so of COURSE she'd keep her safe. That's one thing I could respect about Yang, she cared for her little sister.
That was something I could relate to.
"Do I LOOK like I have one?" I asked with a small, joking chuckle, noticing her cheeks were flushed pink... was that from the hug?
Weird... "Okay smartass, I get it." she giggled back at me, "There's one in the hidden compartment behind you." she pointed her thumb over her shoulder, taking a turn.
Thankfully there weren't any police officers nearby. I saw an arrow directing me and turned my upper body, opening the compartment and finding a black and red motorcycle helmet inside. I picked it up and carefully started to put it on.
Tch, too small... but wait, she'd ignore the fact that I'd equip it due to being outside the game... of course! I equipped it and it appeared on my head as a perfect fit. I flipped up the visor and gave her a somewhat covered smile and a thumbs up.
Yang looked back at me, "Looks good on you, dude." she smiled and returned her eyes tot he road. I looked around for a bit, watching buildings go by, then Yang spoke again, "So... why are you hugging me?"
I knew what option I'd select the second I saw them, "Because you drive like a crazy woman and I don't wanna fly off the motorcycle."
"I do NOT, I am going at the perfectly safe speed of fifteen miles above the speed limit." she said proudly, pausing for a moment to let the words sink in, then laughed at the joking statement, "I just find it easier to go faster. Hehe... sometimes I envy Ruby for being able to enjoy the wind in her hair... of course my hair is way more fabulous than hers.
I turned back to my default Adventure RPG, then answered, "Hehe, yeah it is... anyways, so uh... how IS Ruby?"
I saw Teasing raise another level for whatever reason, "She's good, I made sure she got home okay and then I started contacting my friends... you were the only one who was available, by the way, the others were doing homework."
I hummed, "Shouldn't YOU be doing homework too?"
She waved her hand, laughing my statement off, "That shit's for nerds."
"As an expert nerd, I take offense to that." I said with a mock offended tone.
"What kind of nerd are you?"
"Mostly video games and comic books, sometimes some manga." I hummed, noticing that I'd somehow gotten a little closer to her.
Huh... how did that happen? "Well I'm not really much of a nerd, though I DO read the occasional manga. I'm usually too busy making sure Ruby is cared for. Our dad does a good job, but..." she sighed softly.
I carefully reached up and tickled her neck, "Don't be sad. I want my friends, all one of them, to be happy." I said resolutely as I made her giggle uncontrollably, only stopping when to motorcycle started to wobble, "So... where is this little sister now? I haven't seen her and I'm starting to think she might not exist."
She kicked me in the leg, cracking the bone inaudibly with her great Strength, "Don't fucking say that! Ruby is my precious and beloved sister, here, look at this. I took it this morning." she pulled out her scroll when we reached a red light and brought up a picture, handing me the device before starting off again.
It was a selfie (a term I found dumb as hell but, in concept, not as bad as some people claimed it to be) of Yang next to a far shorter girl with black hair that was crimson at the tips, shining silver eyes smiling even more brightly than her lips as she looked at the camera. The two of them were huddled up in front of a man with a gruff look on his aged face, stubble present.
Yang Xiao Long
Title: Hotter than the Summer Sun
Level: 36
Ruby Rose
Title: The Swift Red Rider
Level: 40
Qrow Branwen
Title: ?
Level: ?
Huh... odd. Ruby was higher level than Yang, and... who was that guy? "Who is that guy with you?" I knew who he was, but I didn't know who he was to Yang.
"That's my uncle." she replied simple, smiling as if having referenced something that I didn't get.
"Uh... care to elaborate?" I saw the store approaching rapidly as Yang began to slow down, stopping just in front of it, shutting off her bike after parking on top of one of the parallel parking lines.
I realized then and there that Yang Xiao Long did not get on well with Vale City's traffic laws. I unequipped the helmet and stored it back in the compartment, then removed her helmet, to her surprise, and put it away as well, "Uh... what?"
"What?"
"Why did you just do that?"
"You were being slow." I said with a chuckle, "So um... the weird gray-haired guy with red eyes?"
"He's not weird, he's my uncle! His name is Qrow Branwen, and... well... he's my dad's brother." she said awkwardly, and I got off of Bumblebee, lifting her off as well and setting her on her feet, smiling slightly as she blushed furiously, and Teasing raised a few more levels, as well as a notification for plus four closeness popping up.
"If he's your dad's brother, then why is he Branwen, you're Xiao Long, and Ruby is Rose?" I asked curiously, finding the explanation strange as I opened the door for her like a gentleman.
She tensed, and the sudden notification of -2 Closeness to Yang Xiao Long, as well as a previous minus one that I hadn't noticed before (probably from me joking that Ruby didn't exist) told me I'd fucked up pretty badly.
Then again, I guess my Luck was hard at work making sure nothing hit us with Yang's reckless driving habits.
"I don't want to talk about it... let's talk about YOUR family... how's your dad?"
I nodded, taking the opportunity the return to the happier moment before, when I'd gotten +4 Closeness, "He's good. He's going to be taking me out of civilian high school in order to give me time to train more for Beacon, but I gotta train, so I was hoping maybe we could do that on this outing?" I suggested with a soft smile as we walked up to the counter.
"Sounds good to me." she grinned, "Try not to let the icky civilian weakness slow you down in our training, okay?" she joked, giggling like it was a piece of comedy gold.
"Don't worry, I'm really strong." I said with a smirk, "Either that, or you're really light, because I was able to lift you pretty easily." I chuckled softly.
There was, of course, also the fact that my Aura was now passively increasing my Strength by 35% at level 12 now, I'd noticed it had changed when it reached level 10, so... maybe it went up based on increments of 10 levels?
It was worth a shot, to be honest.
"Well don't think that next time you lift me up, it'll be so easy, alright dude?" she warned, blushing despite herself.
I responded by grabbing her by the sides and lifting her up, "Eh, still pretty easy." I said with a smirk, setting her down, "Face it, Sunny... er, uh, can I call you Sunny?" I received a nod, "Well face it, Sunny, you're light when it comes to weight.
"Y'know... I should be happy about that, but for some reason I just can't find it in me." she turned from me to order her ice cream, as I did the same, mint chip with chocolate syrup, an old favorite.
We sat down and I spoke up as she took the first bite of orange sherbet, "It's probably because you're a huntress, and you don't want to think yourself fragile and weak, and weight attributes to that in some cases, especially when it comes to having dense, well-defined muscle tissue." I chuckled, "Still though, I do feel the need to remind you that Beacon trains Hunters, not supermodels."
I saw Teasing's level raise several times in the time it took her to respond, "Sh-shut UP, Beacon ALSO doesn't train... uh... casuals?" she didn't seem very confident in her answer, mainly because it was pretty hard to come up with an insult for me when she still knew relatively little. We'd mostly talked about what we wanted to do, rather than who we were, and that was something I wanted to fix.
As a good friend, of course.
So I talked to her.
Dexterity: 36 (+35%) = 48.6
Charisma: 47
-/\-
Teasing (Passive) Level: 64, EXP: 45.63%
The act of using your own charms and wits to bring other people to a state of being red-faced, stuttering, speechless fools who can hardly react. Effect increases with Skill Level and CHA
Teasing Effectiveness: +136%
Teasing Resistance: +42%
-/\-
By channeling aura to various parts of the body, you have gained the skills "Skull Bash", "Crushing Grip", "Heavy Hauler", "Hardened Chest", "Mana Shield", "Adamant Foil", and "Reinforced Bones".
Yang Xiao Long: +60, Close Friend
And so it was now, after straining to create those skills, that I found myself recharging my AP and waiting for Yang. I'd channeled aura into every muscle I could conceive, as well as my bones and skin, the latter of which had briefly escaped my skin and instead rested atop it, gaining Mana Shield.
Some of these were expensive, like the 2060 AP Reinforced Bones. Others, like Heavy Hauler, were closer to just a hundred or two. Crushing Grip was the cheapest at fifty, but all of them (except Mana Shield) were the same concept. You channel aura into your muscles to make them stronger, or you skin and bones to make them more durable. Aura was my best friend right now, and I'd learn to master it.
Thankfully, the process of doing all of this was both subtle enough to not be seen by even Yang, and EXP-worthy enough to raise Aura Channeling to level 18, even after only having some of them active for a few seconds.
Right now I had three personal objectives: 1) convince Yang to train with me, 2) activate all of those skills simultaneously, and 3) get the supplies necessary to try out elemental magic, which I was assuming was a thing, since I saw that Yang had a Fire Affinity of 50, and I myself had a Metal Affinity of 10 due to having Crocea the Elemental.
Something pierced my inner thoughts.
"I guess I've struck you speechless." Yang giggled as she stood a few feet from me, wearing a simple yellow sundress with a few flower patterns spotted about it.
I found it pretty cute, and thankfully it didn't show too much of her lovely cleavage... I REALLY need to stop that... "You look really cute. Modest in one way, beautiful in another, you're fashionably sound... then again, you could make a frog costume look good." I chuckled with a soft grin on my face.
Her cheeks turned bright pink, "What's THAT supposed to mean?" the smile on her face was only slightly shy.
Her blushing smile only made me grin wider, "It means whatever meaning keeps that pretty smile on your face."
I suddenly saw Teasing go up by a whole TEN FUCKING LEVELS just from that, and Yang muttered something under her breath which sounded like she was admonishing me for landing several strikes on her in our little ongoing teasing battle, before attempting to regain her composure and the metaphorical 'ground' in fight, "Well how about YOU get something, slick?" she smirked at me, brushing off the teases with ease, "Here I am trying stuff on and you're just acting like a... like a..." she stuttered a tad as she tried to think of something.
"Fashion magazine editor? I'd put you in a fashion magazine if I had the power." my grin lightened up into a gentle smile, "I'd make you a fashion model just so you don't get hurt being a Huntress." I blinked as I saw a broken Closeness notification pop up, as if it had done so while Yang was still making her mind up if she did or didn't like that statement, and to help out, I quickly added, "Because you're my friend and I don't like seeing my friends hurt, EVER." the notification shined and showed a +3, which was pretty good.
"You're a really great guy, you know that, Jaune?" she smiled even wider, so much that it probably hurt, but her joy was probably negating the pain.
I returned her smile in kind, "I try, Sunny." I stood up, "Well, I think I should probably go find something to try on, too. Be right back." I jogged off to find something while Yang changed into her street clothes.
I was feeling really good. I using a couple of my new muscle enhancing skills to just exercise my aura and increase the levels of the skills, and sought out something good to wear.
...
By optimizing your time training and working, your Wisdom has increased by 1!
Summon Elemental's level increased by 1!
Magic Hands's level increased by 3!
Skull Bash's level increased by 3!
Stampede's level increased by 1!
With my high INT and WIS, it was surprisingly easy to optimize my skill usage with my APR... I'm surprised I even managed to get that increase in Wisdom.
Of course, a few days ago I was violently refusing to even LOOK at those, but as my knowledge and understanding grew, I came to... well... know and understand that The Game was supposed to be rewarding me for doing well, and these free points from training were only going to become harder and harder to obtain.
It was weird, making that transition, but I got over it. With Gamer's Mind and Gamer's Body, I could 'get over' a frighteningly large amount of things.
I'd been stabbed in the leg and walked just fine moments later. I'd been SHOT through the fucking HEAD and recovered in SECONDS. I could probably get my arms blown off and they'd grow back.
I was more durable just by these simple and all-encompassing preserving skills than most Hunters could be. Of course Gamer's Body did nothing to PREVENT the damage, but it sure as hell FIXED it really quickly. Even Aura didn't stop it, only Mana Shield did.
I picked out a few things, thankful that this store catered to Hunters as well as civilians, and smiled when, in my luck (or possible Luck), I found a nice orange shirt and a new black hoodie that was reinforced with several layers of kevlar. Dark blue jeans, and new shoes. I needed something better to wear than what I currently had, in order to make fighting Grimm easier, even if only slightly.
Every little bit counts, right?
Right.
I returned to the changing room to see a... rather interesting sight.
Yang was dressed up in what I could only describe as a female version of my street clothes. A black hoodie with the sleeves rolled up, an orange a-shirt, faded denim shorts, and black sneaker boots.
"Heh, you could pass for my twin, almost, except for your eyes." I said with a chuckle, "Now then, I've got basically a tune-up version of my current outfit." I entered the changing room, quickly swapped out the clothes, then walked out, "I'm also REALLY fast at changing clothes, too." I chuckled and spun on one foot, seeing a tiny piece of EXP for Dancing appear in the menu. I smiled at her, "How do I look?"
"You look pretty great, 'bro'." she giggled a little, then sighed at the failed joke, "Nah, I'm not gonna play that card. It feels weird. I'm gonna change, okay?" I nodded as we both went back into our respective changing rooms.
...
A few minutes later I was pulling out lien to pay for her clothes, seeing a random boost in Closeness as I did so. I shrugged and took both our bags. "I'm glad she isn't the type of girl they portray in the TV shows." I mused internally.
"What do you mean?" she asked me suddenly, and I realized I must have been thinking out loud.
Shit... "I mean, like, uh... if this were a TV show or something, then you'd try on like a million different clothes and buy like five bags of them. Instead you tried on... what? Like five or six things? And your actual purchases only take up one bag. I'm glad I don't have to lug a bunch of bags around, and I'm even MORE glad that you don't waste money on clothes that you'd never wear." I chuckled, "You're almost like a guy in that regard, despite being one of the girliest girls I've met... minus the motorcycle driver thing, but that's just plain cool." I didn't really know what I was saying, but luckily my Charisma and Luck were helping enough that she didn't take it the wrong way.
"I... guess... makes sense, I just like to get what I like best, that way I'll always have clothes I like to wear." she smiled softly, "So... what do you want to do next?"
"Well, I can do some metal magic, so I was hoping to get some metal maybe, and try out my Wizard powers with Dust... so... get Dust." I said with a shrug, getting onto Bumblebee behind Yang and storing the bags in my inventory, "Don't worry about the bags, I've got them stored with... a storage spell." I excused, letting out an internal sigh of relief when Yang let out an intrigued sound.
"OoooooOOOooooh~." she drawled, smiling, "Sounds fancy, and pretty convenient too!" she started driving us to another location, and I activated Heavy Hauler as I held onto her to avoid flying off the harsh turns.
I saw another rise in Teasing's level, 'How in the hell is that skill getting all these levels? Am I SERIOUSLY making her feel THAT teased? That's a bit ridiculous...'
Regardless, I held her tightly in my arms as we rode off through the streets.
... why did that sound so romantic?
I... I don't like her like that, do I?
No, no of course not, I can't! I won't! She's WAY too good for me. We're just friends, is all.
If she was interested in me, I'd go for it, but I'm pretty sure she's not interested at ALL, given how silly and simple and friendly things are.
Love is complicated, after all.
"Thank you so much for putting up with me today." I said suddenly, surprising Yang as we rode towards the edge of town.
"It's not just 'putting up with you', dude, we're friends." she dismissed my statement, "I like hanging out with you, you're fucking hilarious." she grinned brightly and let out a soft, sweet laugh as I brushed my fingers over my inventory, or as she knew it, my 'storage spells'.
I'd gotten twenty of each color of Dust I could find in that store, Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Metal, and Lightning. I'd also gotten a few books from a random bookstore, as well as an ingot of blade steel and another of whitesteel. I was nearly out of money even after having fought all of those Grimm yesterday, but I'd replenish my wallet soon enough with loot after Yang went home.
"And you're fucking hilarious AND fucking awesome. I swear, the way you did that bunny hop that sent us through a shortcut through the park was cool as hell." I was mostly thankful that nobody had been on that pathway when we'd done that, because I'm sure there'd have been a LOT of complaints and probably more than a few calls to the police because of that. Again, I think that might have been my Luck running in the background, making sure our little trip through town didn't get interrupted.
Yang blushed as we continued towards the emerald forest. It was a straight shot eastward from my house, a path I'd convinced her to take, and just like the rest of our trip around town, it was going smoothly.
Eventually we reached the kingdom wall, and as I promised, I used Crocea to levitate Bumblebee, an act that wouldn't have been possible if he didn't have the power of four Basic Elementals within him, and took us over the massive structure, draining a little over half of my aura in the process.
Luckily, during our trip, as I'd thanked Yang for dragging her around town, I'd come across a few books.
Well... I wasn't proud of how I'd gotten them, but I had no money and they sounded REALLY cool!
By committing multiple thefts, you have lost 4 Morality!
Gained item "Skill Book: Qing Long's Azure Dragon Style"
Gained item "Skill Book: Soul of the World"
Gained item "Skill Book: Soulforge Restoration."
Gained item "Skill Book: Summon Elemental"
Okay, well admittedly I could have gone without the Summon Elemental book, but I'd taken it for a good reason! I wanted to test a theory of mine.
I'd consumed Summon Elemental, Stampede, Leadership, and Power Arm (which was destroyed and replaced with Heavy Hauler when I'd used that, as it turns out the book had been heavily damaged and the name had been lost temporarily). Each had been useful to me.
But, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I used a skill book for a skill I already had. Rereading a normal book would improve your memory of it, so would reading a copy of a previous skill book cause me to gain levels in the skill? It was certainly possible, but given how weird The Game is, I won't hold my breath.
I started at the beginning, taking out Qing Long's Azure Dragon Technique. I'd picked the book because Gamer's Sight told me it was a martial arts style. Martial arts were quite useful even in this day and age, since a well-rounded fighting style could make or break a Hunter, and being able to fight unarmed was a big part of that. Plus, I HAD to go for the one that sounded the strongest, and Azure Dragon? Not only was that BADASS, but it also matched my aura, "So, Yang, are you ready to see some wizardry? Because THIS spell lets me consume these books I bought the other day to gain their knowledge. It's pretty cool." I had to make a spin on the facts, not only to save face with her, but to make sure she still believed I was a Wizard.
She nodded, seeming excited, "This is gonna be SO fucking cool!" her grin warmed my heart, and I took a breath and secretly hit Yes to 'read' the book.
The 'read' window flashed red a few times and I sighed at the sub-window that popped up.
You do no meet the following requirements to use this skill book:
50 WIS
Dammit, skills had prerequisites? I had hoped that wasn't the case for The Game, but oh well. Repeating the attempt with the other two books, I found that they had the same requirement, which I felt was bullshit.
Does my game have bugs or something? Maybe glitches? Dammit, I don't even know, I just know that I don't like these prerequisites.
"Okay, I've used a bit of the spell, so I've consumed a little bit of the knowledge in this book, but I can't use the full extent of my power just yet, I need... more aura, so let's kill some time fighting Grimm while it recharges, okay?" I smiled at her and was pleased that she took the bait.
Yang unfolded Ember Celica, grinning from ear to ear, "Alright~! Getting to the action already, you're my kind of man." she winked at me and I couldn't help but blush and look away, "Come on, I bet there's like a TON of Grimms to fight that way." she pointed to the north as I turned my focus onto Sense Danger and Detect Bloodthirst.
Now that I had spent plenty of time near the bloodthirst and danger of apparently not only my classmates (nice to know I was as hated as I hated the school), but also, if my Wisdom and Intelligence from those that didn't like that I was with Yang (fuck them, Yang's MY friend, not theirs), both skills had raised to level 25 each, raising the base range to a staggering 150 meters, as well as making it sensitive enough to detect the exact number of meters away that something.
I sensed two things almost immediately, "Yeah, my sensing spell tells me there's some Grimm in that direction and some more in that direction. Be careful, they can probably knock trees over, and even you probably would have some trouble lifting one of THOSE." I chuckled, "So be careful, alright, Sunny?" the ingot of blade steel seemed to melt around Crocea Mors, filling in every little scratch, cut, and nick the surface had taken, as well as making it a little thicker and longer, and I did the same with whitesteel and Candidus Murus, fixing its weak points and making them both gleam in the light. I smiled at the almost mirror-like sheen on the blade, seeing Crocea the elemental smiling back at me with rejuvenated features.
I looked at Yang and smiled, "Metal manipulation spell." I said simply to her curious, almost kitten-like expression, unable to keep from smiling even wider at how cute she looked.
She grinned.
I grinned back.
Then we dashed off, flattening grass with our charge. I don't know how it happened, but we just seemed to understand it together.
Well... time to nut up or shut up.
...
We burst into the clearing like a pair of charging bulls, a pair of very large Ursa present as I quickly threw a Gamer's Sight at it while barreling into it shield-first.
Ursa Major
Title: Ravenous for Sweet Blood
Level: 28
Hit Points: 1470/1500
Stamina Points: 4000/4000
Strength: 75
Dexterity: 16
Vitality: 53
Intelligence: 3
Wisdom: 4
Luck: 7
The other one was pretty similar, a little lower STR, a little higher DEX. I grit my teeth, slashing off its head with a well-placed strike to its downed form, then I charged over to Yang, jumping in front of a massive claw strike shield-first, getting blown off my feet and sent into a tree.
"Jaune!" she cried out in shock, but I got up and gave her a thumbs up.
I saw her Aura flare up, which wasn't too surprising, given that Gamer's Sight told me that particular skill for her was level 54. Her semblance was only level 13, however, which was odd, because the way she'd described it, it was a major part of her personal fighting style. Well... I guess it just hadn't grown much in terms of its total power. That made sense.
However, I watched her gain the status effect "Ignited Strength", which had, as the name implied, increased her damage with Fire element magic and boosted her Strength by 20. The Ursa Major was blown across the clearing by a single punch. I whistled as I got up, seeing Physical Resistance had gone up a level from that. I quickly stuck Crocea Mors into the ground and raised a hand, firing an Energy Bolt at the Ursa Major, watching a small chunk of HP disappear from its bar.
I fired again, and again, and again, Magic Hands assisting me as Yang watched me pelt the foul beast with Energy Bolt after Energy Bolt. I saw it level up a few times during my assault, and grinned. I fired one last time before taking Crocea Mors and slicing its stomach apart, watching pale yellow ichor pour from the wound and dissolve into black smoke even as it poured out over the grass. I smiled as I saw the notification pop up.
Your level has increased by one!
I looked around, then darted back to Yang, "You okay, Sunny?" I asked with a bit of concern sprinkled over my expression.
"I didn't even get hit, meanwhile you got thrown clean across the clearing! I should be asking if YOU'RE okay!" she grabbed me surprisingly gently for the speed at which her arms moved, and looked me over, "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Only my pride, but I healed THAT by beating the shit out of that thing!" I chuckled and grinned confidently at her, "Don't worry about me getting hurt, okay, Sunny?" my expression softened, "All you need to worry about is not getting hurt yourself, alright? I care about you." I gave her a pat on the shoulder and an even softer, more genuine smile, then turned around, looking and darting to and fro to check what direction the next nearby Grimm was in.
+4 Closeness to Yang!
Yang's Respect for you greatly increased!
Huh... well, I guess she likes being cared about, at least a lot more than I've seen from my sisters, who would just blush and look away.
Oh right... my sisters.
I sighed, a wave of eviscerated sadness flying into my focus as I led the charge more slowly this time, a tear forming in my eye.
Dammit... my parents may be getting along with one another now, but that doesn't make up for almost SEVEN GODDAMN YEARS of regret and sadness. I haven't seen my sisters in so long, that I would forget their faces if I didn't have pictures of them on my scroll, ones that my dad took of them maybe... a week before he and mom split up? That's what he told me.
I wondered what they all were doing now, how they were faring under Juniper's care.
I threw an uppercut at my new foe as my mind wandered.
Name: Boarbatusk
Title: The hungry, bloody teeth
Level: 23
Hit Points: 1200/1200
Stamina Points: 3700/3700
Strength: 24
Dexterity: 30
Vitality: 40
Intelligence: 3
Wisdom: 3
Luck: 10
I stabbed its underside, wrenching my blade to and fro as I sliced and rearranged its vile internal organs, watching its HP drop like a rock.
Yang had stopped the charge of two of them with each hand, a third one knocked off its course by an exploding slug from Ember Celica. I didn't want to be outdone, so I focused heavily and tried to use my Metal element to enhance my Energy Bolt.
By channeling the magical element Metal into a normal spell, you have gained the skill "Cannonball"!
Cannonball (Active) Level: 1, Exp: 0.00%, Cost: 30 AP
An energy bolt infused with the element Metal. Attack power increases with INT and Metal Affinity. Penetrates target's defense.
Base Damage: 150%
10% defense penetration
Range: 10m
I grinned and watched as the now silver-gray bolt of energy shimmered and slammed into the underside of the downed Boarbatusk, smashing its belly inwards and wrenching away a LOT of its HP. However the bolt disappeared, and so I fired another one, watching it slam through the remainder of the Boarbatusk's belly, effectively putting a massive hole into it. I chuckled, flicking my sword to the side to rid it of most of the smoking gore that had stuck to it. I saw Yang throw another of the evil things into my range of influence, and I reached out a finger as if to touch it.
Instead, a line of energy flew from my fingertip.
Shaping your aura into special forms has created the skill "Energy Arrow"!
I read the description, and DAMN! This thing had some serious range! Too bad the damage was super low. At least I could probably spam it pretty easily, despite it costing twice as much as Energy Bolt.
So I spammed it, I fired another, and another, and more and more and more of them, earning a few levels for it while I assaulted the Boarbatusk, killing it after a few more shots.
And then a Longhorn decided to join us.
Name: Longhorn
Title: Snorting in search of Gore
Level: 29
Hit Points: 8000/8000
Stamina Points: 8200/8200
Strength: 69
Dexterity: 51
Vitality: 41
Intelligence: 2
Wisdom: 3
Luck: 11
I hit it in the side with five more arrows before swinging Crocea Mors like a silver lightning bolt, feeding off Yang's blow-away punch and slicing it down its thick, meaty side. I growled when I saw Yang had taken a stab wound from its horns, and reached a fierce hand up, grabbing its horn and using its neck as a fulcrum.
I pulled with all my might, activating Aura to give me more STR as I tore its horn off of its mask, spinning around and stabbing it into the thing's neck.
I growled, watching it die as its hateful eyes turned to me, and I focused on my hand again.
Shaping your aura into special forms has created the skill "Gleaming Dagger"!
I slammed the jagged, half-formed azure shape into its eye, then stood up with my teeth grit, looking at Yang.
Two wounds, one grazing her chest and the other stabbing her arm. I shook with guilt, then I saw the notification I'd been waiting for.
Your level has increased by two!
I opened my profile while brushing the area around Yang's wounds with my fingers, "Don't worry, okay? Even after casting those spells, I've got my aura back and I gonna use the book, absorb its knowledge, and heal you, okay?" I earned a shaky nod and a sharp intake as I quickly threw ten points into Wisdom and the other five into Intelligence to get a boost to my Max AP.
By raising Wisdom above 50, you have achieved new heights! You gained the skill "Nature Affinity"!
-/\-
Nature Affinity (Passive) Level: 1, Exp: 0.00% (achieved for raising Wisdom above 50)
Long ago, Man, who was born from dust, realized the power of nature and the light that shines within all life and turned its wrath against the soulless Grimm, burning away the darkness. This skill increases the users sensitivity and control over those forces, improving their affinity with the elements.
25% Increase in Mana Recovery Rate.
10% Increase to Elemental Attacks.
10% Increase to Elemental Defenses.
50% Increase to Element related skill effects and Dust use.
-/\-
I took out the books in order and quickly used them.
You used a skill book and learned "Qing Long's Azure Dragon Style"!
By using five skill books, you have proven yourself very literate and knowledgeable. You earned the title "Novice Scholar"!
Novice Scholar: You have learned by the ways of literature, taking up knowledge recorded from the past. By honing your skills, you can further recollect this knowledge from the vaguer wording and hints... Effect: Using Skill Books gives the skill at a starting level between 1 and 10
I equipped the title with a smile and used the other two books.
You used a skill book and learned "Soul of the World"! Your knowledge in literature and affinity for keen reading have earned you level (4) in this skill for learning it via a skill book!
You used a skill book and learned "Soulforge Restoration"! Your knowledge in literature and affinity for keen reading have earned you level (10) in this skill for learning it via a skill book!
I felt like my heart was being torn at the seams with a sudden swelling, and I saw that my AP had risen even further than I expected, now at a whopping 6000!
I checked Soulforge to confirm my suspicions.
-/\-
Soulforge Restoration (Active) Level: 10, Exp: 0.00%, Cost: 48 AP
In a world full of darkness, Man learned to create new light. They learned through study and experience that the soul is something infinite in distance and unbound by death. By releasing it, they found immortality even in their own passing. The old race of warriors know as the Spellwarriors created a technique to bestow their souls with the bounty of Nature's Might through the power of Dust, as well as mend their wounds and cure their ailments.
Used without Dust Crystal, 95 HP restored, low-ranking Illnesses removed.
Used with Dust Crystal, 95 HP restored, 75 AP restored, low-ranking Illnesses removed, variable effects dependent on type of dust.
Status Effect duration: 30s
I quickly drain my remaining AP casting a few of them on Yang, healing her bleeding wounds without leaving so much as a scratch, "Phew. Thank god that worked. PLEASE try to be more careful, Sunny, like I said I don't want you to get hurt. I don't mind playing medic, but I'd rather I didn't have to, okay?" my brotherly instincts were rising as I brushed away a couple of pained tears from her eyes and planted a small kiss on the top of her head, "Now then, how about we just relax for a little bit, okay? We'll head back to the wall, chill out, and I'll show you my new spells when my Aura is back up." I smiled tenderly at her.
+3 Closeness to Yang!
She nodded back and I took her hand, walking with her while making sure she didn't fall behind or get hit by any super-speed Grimm that might be lurking around here.
You can never be too careful, after all.
+1 Closeness to Yang!
Yang's Respect for you rose greatly!
I sighed softly in relief, glad that Yang was happy. I didn't want to upset her, "Now if you still feel hurt, I can cast the healing spell again, okay?" I'd noticed her HP had risen back up to full and the Bleeding debuff was gone, but that didn't mean she didn't feel anymore pain.
We reached a clear area near the wall and I changed into a blue hoodie and my blue shirt, just in case any guards came 'round and thought I was a Grimm for some reason, since... well.
Black flesh, white plates, it was possible.
But I was far from a Grimm, I have a powerful soul, even more powerful than Yang's!
Actually... that was concerning...
-/\-
Jaune Arc
Title: Novice Scholar
Level: 22
Class: Tank
Nickname: None
HP: 3350/3350
AP: 6000/6000
SP: 3450/3450
Strength: 40 (+40%) = 56
Dexterity: 36 (+40%) = 50.4
Vitality: 44 (+40%) = 61.6
Intelligence: 50 (+3) (+40%) = 74.2
Wisdom: 51 (+3) (+40%) = 75.6
Luck: 110
Charisma: 47
-/\-
Yang Xiao Long
Title: Hotter than the Summer Sun
Level: 36
Hit Points: 900/900
Aura Points: 1500/1500
Stamina Points: 1100/1100
Strength: 67 (+85%) = 123.95
Dexterity: 39 (+30%) = 50.7
Vitality: 52 (+65%) = 85.8
Intelligence: 17 (+30%) = 22.1
Wisdom: 22 (+30%) = 28.6
Luck: 18
Charisma: 69
-/\-
She was fourteen levels higher than me and had eight more VIT than I did. Not to mention her aura, which was level 54, and gave her THOSE boosts?
Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with her. Those numbers made no sense! She should have at least QUADRUPLE what she does right now! Damn... maybe it had to do with her Luck?
Luck was seriously fucking people over, now. I was quickly growing to hate Luck. I was going to become good enough to make my OWN luck, instead of relying on a stupid stat!
'Fate' my muscle-bound ASS!
...
A short fifteen minutes resting, Ki Breathing, and friendly chatting between us later and I stood up, "Alright, now then, I'm going to try to do something..." I did a pose and focused on my aura.
I channeled it throughout my body, through all of my muscles, bones, skin, and even my hair for good measure.
Channeling aura in a special way has created the skill "Radiant Mane"!
Simply put, it added a small armor boost to my hair, which was cool in a way.
Then I saw it.
You feel life force filling every cell in your body!
Your soul resonates with power, boosted by your physical condition!
You feel great energy fill you completely!
By channeling aura throughout your entire body, you have gained the skill "Ki Body"!
-/\-
Ki Body (Passive & Active) Level: 1, EXP: 16.34%, Cost: 5000 AP
The body of a true warrior enhanced by aura in every aspect. To bring the internal power outwards, the user has infused their entire body with Ki, the soul energy of Life Force and Vigor. Due to this connection, the user is vastly more powerful than a normal man.
Passively grants 50 AR to entire body.
Passively increases Attack Speed, Movement Speed, Movement Control, and Motor Control by 50%
Passively increases the ease of channeling aura throughout the body by 25%
Passively increases the effectiveness of Ki Techniques (now marked) by 10%
Passively boosts SPR by 100%
Additional +200% SPR when active
+50% STR when active
+50% DEX when active
+50% VIT when active
Adds the values of HPR and APR together when active, granting the total to both stats.
Maintaining costs additional 500 AP every 5 seconds.
-/\-
I whistled, "THIS spell is fucking AWESOME." it was like a different version of Aura, almost! I noticed the many skills I'd gained through channeling my aura throughout my body had now been marked with what looked like a soul fire ball with a vigorous glow and symbols of wisps of wind around it.
I deactivated the skill, mainly because having it active for even 10 seconds would drain the rest of my AP.
I grinned at Yang, "This spell is going to help me a LOT... so how did it look?"
Yang was wide-eyed, "Dude... it was like you went super saiyan!" she made a few wild gestures, "You were glowing bright, uh, cyan-kinda-color, and your hair was waving around and it was so fucking COOL!" she excitedly grinned, "You GOTTA teach me how to do that!"
I chuckled, panting lightly, "Well... I can't teach you THAT one, it's exhausting, even if it IS awesome... but I CAN teach you something else. First, let me get ready." I took out an Earth Dust Crystal and waited, ready to start focusing my aura onto it, "I'm going to make a symbol on the ground." I used Crocea Mors the sword to cut away some of the grass with swift swings, then focused on the Earth Dust Crystal with my restored aura, of which I got back a little over 6 per second.
ERROR! ERROR!
CORRECTING!
The summoning circle was there, but I felt the rest of my aura shudder from the errors I'd committed. I fell to my knees and coughed up an earthy dust.
By channeling the elements through your aura, you have gained the skill "Elemental Aura"!
I checked it, smirking lightly as the Element I'd used, Earth, gave me increased Strength and resistance to physical status effects, however it had the downside of increasing my Inertia, which if I wasn't mistaken, would reduce my movement speed, since it'd be harder to move my mass around.
I didn't know exactly how that worked, but I shrugged it off, just like I had that dream from last night.
After having thought on it for a while, I'd come to the conclusion that if something like that WERE to happen, Vale City had Beacon to supply them with a few hundred huntsmen and huntresses in training, as well as a few dozen full Hunters that would no-doubt have ridiculous stats like I'd seen on Calico.
So I was worried about nothing.
I got to my feet, "Okay, that spell didn't work out so well..." I excused, rubbing my head lightly and brushing dirt from my hair, "Now then, watch as I summon an elemental, a source of incredible magical power! First..." I took out some paper I'd stored in my inventory in case I came up with some sort of coherent short-term plan. I balled it up along with some grass and set it into the middle of the raised ground, "Now then, Yang, my dear friend, would you like to do the honors and light the fire?" I trusted her with this, at least.
She took in a deep breath, then focused like I'd shown her, and fire danced along her fingertips. She touched the small pile of kindling and it caught fire. Just to add good measure, I crushed part of a Fire Dust Crystal and threw it into the flame, then held out my hand, touching the fire as azure glowed around my body.
Yang watched me intently as I focused on using the fire as a catalyst to reach out to the magical element itself.
I'd already done this once, so hopefully it wouldn't happen again now that the process had been completed once before.
The flame was sucked into my aura and I opened my eyes...
... and then the world went dark.
Dark... it's so dark.
All I see is a plain of darkness.
It's so cold... so... so cold...
Then, I see it.
I see light.
Hot light.
Bright light.
Light that burns intensely.
I am that light, but... I am not.
I am a part of that light, I am so hot that I glow.
So hot.
I burn all throughout the world.
I am lava.
I am magma.
I am the hot blood of the earth.
I feel volcanoes erupting all around the world.
I feel forests consumed by massive swathes of flame.
I feel oil on the ocean burning despite its proximity to its antithesis.
I feel hot.
I feel corrupted.
I feel hateful.
I feel wrath.
I feel a hunger for revenge.
A hunger for...
A hunger for EVERYTHING.
I burn everything.
I feel...
I feel warm.
I feel purified.
I feel loving.
I feel mercy.
I feel a desire for gentleness...
I feel cleansing.
I feel myself cleansing EVERYTHING.
I feel fire and I am fire.
I am fire and I feel its power.
I am its power and I feel its light.
I am its light and I feel the fire.
I feel the bright fire of the sun.
I feel it shining down on the earth.
I feel it feeding the plants their energy.
I feel it promoting life.
I feel it.
I feel the sun rising.
I...
I shine brighter.
I...
I burn like the sun.
I keep Man safe from the darkness.
I keep them warm in the midst of this cold reality.
I rise like the sun over the western deserts and my name is Xiburichu.
I...
I rage.
I destroy.
I blind.
I...
I calm.
I heal.
I guide.
I am fire and fire is I.
I am a part of Nature's Might.
I am Dust.
I am Magic.
I am Elemental.
I know now my purpose.
My life is one of unending chaos, tempered only in the stability in that it is uniformly chaos.
I change as quickly as the minds of Man.
Different colors, different fuels.
All the same purpose.
Might.
I am the willpower of the earth.
I am fire.
I am... Xiburichu.
I feel myself break away from a whole.
But... I am merely a piece...
A piece of an even MORE glorious whole.
I am a splinter of a tree.
It is growing, it does not have much power.
But that will change, it shall grow strong.
As it grows strong, I too shall grow strong.
I am Xiburichu.
I am fire.
My might is infinite.
I am Jaune Arc.
I am human.
My soul is eternal.
I am... one.
I crack my eyes open, awakening in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room, under an unfamiliar ceiling. I close my eyes as a notification comes into my view despite being blind to the world.
Acquisition of a Basic Fire Elemental has permanently increased your Fire Affinity by 10!
I closed it with a thought and opened my eyes more fully, adjusting to the new brightness of the dim light of the room. I sit up and look around, "Dammit... not again." I mutter softly and quietly, rolling my neck and hearing it pop a little. I suddenly felt two arms hug me... wait... was it a hug or a heavy, but ridiculously comfortable blanket?
"Holy shit you're awake! Thank god~." I heard a familiar voice say, and I wiggled out of the hug to look at the female next to me, "Holy shit I was SOOOO worried~..." she had been crying a fair bit, "You've been out for about... like... 4 hours..."
She looked unfamiliar at first. Long blonde hair tied back into a cute ponytail, a beautiful face and adorable purple-rimmed glasses, a lovely neck, gently sloped shoulders, large breasts, a voluptuous and beautiful figure I could see was packed with muscle... She seemed familiar but something was off about her... She was wearing a white button-up shirt with a blue lapel, a beige shirt with a small string tying together two flaps of cloth that showed a little more cleavage on top of (or rather below) what it already showed, and a pair of blue denim short-shorts, ending mid-thigh.
I stared at her for several seconds before meeting her eyes, blushing a bit as she did too.
A beautiful shade of lilac purple.
It clicked and I mentally facepalmed at how I'd just STARED at her.
It was Yang.
Wow... "Cute..." I shook my head, "Uh, I mean... you, please don't cry." I gave her a gentle, brotherly hug, "Cute girls like you shouldn't ever cry, you shouldn't ever even think about crying." I said in a mock-stern tone full of concern, "I'm sorry, I didn't know I'd be passed out for that long." I looked around and realized this must have been some sort of bedroom, and it looked rather nice.
"I didn't know what to do!" she sniffled, "I used this dust-infused medicine shot that dad keeps in case one of us gets hurt while he's not here, and it didn't seem to do anything at all!" she pushed up her glasses, "I was just so fucking worried~!" she buried her head in my shoulder, wetting my skin with her moist cheeks.
Wait... my skin?
No time to think about that right now. Right now I needed to make sure that my surprisingly adorable friend stopped feeling sad.
Wow she looked adorable with those glasses on...
Prioritize, brain, cute pictures later, fixing tears NOW, "Well don't worry, Sunny, I'm fine, I'm a Wizard and unlike what you might hear about wizards in games, I'm tough as nails. No, I'm tougher than nails. I'm so much tougher than nails that nails look like paper compared to me!" I chuckled softly, slowly rubbing her back while I saw Teasing rise rapidly, as well as several more points in Closeness to Yang and her respect for me increasing drastically. Gamer's Mind allowed me to ignore the embarrassment associated with the warm and fuzzy sensations I was feeling, and I spoke up again, "So... where am I? Don't tell me you took us to a hotel..." I put on my 'what am I gonna do with you~?' tone and gave a similar sigh, showing I wasn't actually mad.
She calmed down, her body ceasing its faint shaking. She was a kind soul, I knew that, nobody could give the looks that she had to people who'd thrown a few jabs at her for some stupid bullshit (more than likely related to her looks, but I was looking more at her heart and mind). She took in a deep breath and spoke, "I took us to my house. My dad's out right now on a mission to get some more cash for us and I didn't want to show up to your house carrying your unconscious body. I'm pretty sure your dad would have a heart attack."
"Either that or crack some stupid joke about me getting a girlfriend." I laughed.
She laughed too, "Yeah, I mean, like, we haven't even gone on a date yet or anything."
I laughed harder, "Pffffft~, we don't need to go on a date." I pulled back and smirked at her, "I mean, raisins aren't even that good anyways!"
We both burst out into a new fit of laughter, I fell back in the bed and Yang fell forward, her head layig on my bare chest as we shook with mirth.
I was the first to speak, "So why am I shirtless?" I asked with a joking, but somewhat serious smile.
She blushed, "Well your hoodie and shirt started to catch fire, so I had to take them off of you."
I deadpanned, "What?" my clothes started to catch fire? Really?
"They started smoking, so I took them off of you, since I didn't want you to catch on fire." she said with a tinge of concern, "I gave more cold glares to people today than I have in the past six months." she sighed a bit... sadly?
"Wow... s-sorry about that." I rubbed the back of my neck while checking other notifications that had been backed up, "Damn... and that was my last good blue shirt that the cat hadn't claimed." I muttered lowly, sighing.
Teasing's level increased by 8!
+3 Closeness to Yang!
Metal Elemental "Crocea Mors" performed task "Routine Maintenance" (x4)
By exploring the world through the eyes of an elemental spirit, you have increased your understanding of the world and your Wisdom has increased by 2!
Sharpening your mind through expanding the range and clarity of your senses has increased your INT by 2!
By raising your Intelligence above 50, you have achieved new heights, earning the skill "Mana Affinity"!
"Oh, hey, uh... quick thing." she stood up and went over to something laying on another chair, "These must have fallen out of one of your storage spells." she showed me a pair of bracers.
I hummed, taking them from her and throwing a Gamer's Sight at them.
You gained the item "Ragrindus"!
Ragrindus
Description: A Boarbatusk hide shaped into a pair of leather bracers. They are infused with the speed and powers of the dark beast. It has two small plates conjoined plates on the front end, pointed towards the enemy.
Effects: +2 Armor, +2 DEX, induces status effect "Thieving Pig"
-/\-
Mana Affinity (Passive) Level: 1, Exp: 0.00%, (achieved by raising Intelligence above 50)
Long ago, Man, who was born from dust, learned to draw upon the light of their souls to survive in an unforgiving world. This skill increases the user's sensitivity and control over that power, improving their affinity with Aura.
10% Increase in APR.
5% Increase in total AP.
5% Increase to Magic Attack.
5% Increase to Magic Defense.
30% Increase to AP related skill effects.
-/\-
Thieving Pig induced a minor form of kleptomania, as well as increased my Attack Speed by 10%, which was pretty good, because that was a bargain for me, since the kleptomania wouldn't affect me.
On the other side of things, I felt my Aura link closer to me, more pliable to my will, and more powerful overall.
"Yeah, I dropped those." I took the bracers and put them on, smiling, "So~... like I said, I'm good."
Yang smiled, "Yeah, you are. I know I wouldn't have been able to shake off a hit like that. You're amazing, you know that?"
"Uhhh~... well, I don't know about being amazing, but I'm certainly unique." I shrugged, giving her an 'I dunno' face.
"Yeah, but you're a good kind of unique." she smiled softly at my humble statement.
Rejecting calls of pride has further strengthened Gamer's Mind!
"Hehe, maybe, maybe just maybe." I smiled dumbly, blinking, then I shook my head, "So um... I'm going to try t-"
Suddenly the door burst open, "SiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS!" a high-pitched, adorable voice drew the word out to its fullest, raising the volume until it was almost painful to listen to, "Holy crap it actually worked!" I looked to see the girl standing there in the doorway.
Name: Ruby Rose
Title: The Swift Red Rider
Level: 40
HP: 440/440
AP: 2000/2000
SP: 510/510
Strength: 30
Dexterity: 84
Vitality: 32
Intelligence: 42
Wisdom: 18
Luck: 15
Charisma: 55
Age: 15
Birthday: November 11th
Race: Human
Height: 5'1
Weight: 90
Build: Slim Adorable
Hair/Eyes/Skin: Black with Crimson Highlights / Silver / Pale
I blew out a breath, 'Damn... her bars are even more fucked up than Yang's! What is wrong with these two? I don't get it! I... I could use the cheat to find out...' I didn't want to, due to the fact that I didn't know what 'breaking the game' would cause. What would that even do?
How would that work? I didn't dare to find out.
Still... her level was higher than Yang's, and she had a massive DEX score. Her luck was pretty bad, her wisdom was lower than Yang's, her HP and SP were less than half of Yang's despite only being about 40% lower, and her build?
I had to agree, she was adorable.
But that was besides the point, "Uh, hello I'm assuming you're Ruby." I greeted with a slight smile, "Yang's told me a lot of good things about you, since you're her 'favoritest sister in the whole wide world~', as she told me." I threw out the tease just to buy some time to reorient, "You're just as cute as she said you were."
It was then that I knew I fucked up.
+3 Closeness to Yang!
Your relationship with Yang has upgraded from "Close Friend" to "Best Friend"!
+5 Closeness to Ruby!
Your relationship with Ruby has upgraded from "Stranger" to "Friend"!
By raising "Teasing" to level 99, you have gained the skill "Flirtation"!
By honing your skills in charming people with good looks and wits, your Charisma has increased by 3!
I blushed when I saw those last two, "Uh... y'know... j-just saying."
So... my skill had prestiged? How sensitive were these two that just two sentences had raised Teasing's level from the mid-70s to 99?
The answer was 'extremely sensitive', which made me feel bad, "So... my shirt?"
Yang nodded, "Er, right, of course!" my eye twitched when I saw Flirtation gain a level, "I put it in the washing machine, since it was perfectly fine other than a little bit of smoke damage."
I nodded and stood up, thankful that I hadn't suffered any status effects that would prevent me from walking. Having to get help with something as simple as walking would be outright emasculating. The thought alone made my crotch ache with phantom pains, "Urgh." I held up a hand to stop Ruby mere inches before she grabbed me, "I'm fine, really I am, my legs are just stiff is all." I stretched out lazily, feeling a bit of lazy exhaustion from the impromptu nap.
I hummed, feeling an odd presence downwards to my left.
'A... fireplace.' a voice that was low, yet audible, and calm, like... a large candle, I felt, 'I am Xiburichu.'
I hummed, using Gamer's Sight on the name as it appeared in my mind and I found that it was of chinese origin, like Yang's name.
Then I was suddenly very thankful that I'd turned away from both of them, a massive blush spreading across my face as I realized, through Gamer's Sight feeding information to Gamer's Mind, what that name meant. I focused on something else, "So right, luckily, storage spell." I equipped my yellow shirt, turning and smiling at the two sisters while my face's coloration had been reduced to a faint pink, "So... what time is it?"
Yang checked her scroll, "Uh... it's almost eleven at night." she said, pouting a bit, "You shouldn't head home in the dark."
"I'm not going to, dear friend o' mine, not unless I can stay here for the night. I'd like to keep hanging out with you two." I smiled at them both, and they both smiled back.
"I'll go get ready! We're gonna have an awesome sleepover~!" she sped out of the room, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
I whistled a bit, "Damn she's fast." I finished stretching and gained a small status effect, Limbered Up, which boosted most of my movement numbers by 25%, I dismissed it and turned to Yang, "So... Sunny... you never told me you wear adorable glasses." I smiled at her, sitting back down on the bed where I was facing her.
She blushed, turning away, "I usually wear contacts, but I can't wear those when I'm crying... I thought you'd dropped dead, or fell into a coma or something, I was so fucking worried." she hugged me again, "You know how my eyes turn red when I use my semblance?" her voice was a bit muffled from her head being buried in my chest, but I smiled softly, humming in affirmation while slowly, soothingly rubbing her back, "Well, the process that made that happen, the shifting in my aura, it made my eyesight go a bit bad. I can usually see pretty good without my glasses or contacts, but it's not ideal." she sighed softly, relaxing as I pulled her a bit closer.
"Well, it's good that you can still see fairly well." I looked around, "So um... yeah, I have sisters, and from what I remember, from all fiction stories with fathers that have daughters, I'm kinda expecting, like, a spear to fly by my head or something, just because I'm male." I just hoped Yang or Ruby hadn't contacted their father about what happened. Regardless, I chuckled at the (mostly) joking statement, "So how accurate is that?"
It was one thing to be a friendly guest, and a completely different thing to be barbecued chicken, however I felt that my status would shift drastically towards the latter if their father was anywhere near as fire-based as Yang is.
"Well, not very, because first thing's first, my dad doesn't use a spear. Two, I told him that you were a close friend of mine, and that we were doing a training exercise and you got knocked out, so I brought you back here so Rubes and I could keep an eye on you and make sure you were okay." she smiled at me and booped my nose, "And thankfully, you were."
"Hehe, of course I was okay, I'm a wizard, after all." I smirked, then let go of her, "Come on, I'm actually kind of excited to be having a sleepover, I've never been to one before." I admitted with a small chuckle, smiling sheepishly at her while rubbing the back of my neck, "So uh... yeah." I looked at the door, "I'll let you... y'know... uh... pajamas." I sighed softly as I did a little more stretching just to feel the satisfaction of it, letting Yang leave to get ready.
I took another look around, then heard some talking in the other room, before a quest window popped up.
QUEST RECEIVED!
Quest: Sleeping on the side.
Description: Ruby is excited that you'll be staying over, her bright enthusiasm is infectious and Yang agrees that it would be fun to liven this up to a little party!
Objective: Have a successful sleepover with the Rose/Xiao-Long sisters
Reward for success: +200 Max AP, +500 exp, a peaceful night's rest, +25 Closeness to Ruby, +5 Closeness to Yang
Penalty for failure: kicked out of the house, -30 Closeness to Ruby, -50 Closeness to Yang
Accept? Y/N
Damn... given the extreme penalties for failure, I was pretty sure that I had to intentionally be a jackass in order to fail, or fuck something up royally. My Luck would hopefully help with avoiding that, and I'd get to stay here and possibly read (not 'read', but a normal read) some of their father's old books, which may lead to some new skills being acquired.
Also, I wouldn't have one of those four nightmares, according to the quest's reward, so maybe I could have a Hopeful Dream instead.
I don't even understand what that meant in the context of the skill, but...
As I hit the Y to accept the quest, I knew one thing.
I was a lot stronger than I was yesterday, and if it came to the scenario of my last nightmare, I might have been able to make a difference.
I would make a difference.
I WOULD.
One sleepover, one friendship, and one smile at a time.
And y'know what? That's a promise.
And an Arc never goes back on his word.
And here we are, at the ending notes.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. If you didn't then... I dunno... riot in the streets, or something.
Favorite, follow, and review (especially review, I love those things)
Not much to say, my schedule may be getting a significant block of it cleared up, so that's good, that's more writing time to make awesome stories with! Woot woot!
And now, an Omake, because I can.
Omake: Show me your true colors.
I walked along Beacon's entrance with a broad, confident smile on my face. I exuded an air of confidence the likes of which couldn't be seen by any other.
I quickly checked through everything I had prepared for today.
Jaune Arc
Title: Master of Romance
Level: 86
Class: Stud v5
Nickname: Love Doctor
HP: 36,450/36,450
AP: 76,370/76,370
SP: 43,680/43,680
Strength: 105 (+100%) = 210
Dexterity: 101 (+100%) = 202
Vitality: 186 (+100%) = 372
Intelligence: 207 (+3) (+100%) = 420
Wisdom: 232 (+3) (+100%) = 470
Luck: 110
Charisma: 250
Stat Points: 0
Age: 17
Birthday: November 20th
Race: Human
Height: 6'4
Weight: 269
Build: Heavy Sexy Athletic
Hair/Eyes/Skin: Golden Blonde / Dazzling Azure / Sexy Tan
-/\-
By raising "Teasing" to level 99, you have gained the skill "Flirtation"!
By raising "Flirtation" to level 99, you have gained the skill "Romancing"!
By raising "Romancing" to level 99, you have gained the skill "Temptation"!
By raising "Temptation" to level 99, you have gained the skill "Seduction"!
By raising "Seduction" to level 99, you have proven yourself worthy of the title "Master of Romance" and your Charisma has increased to 250!
-/\-
Stud v5 (high CHA+VIT, multiple experiences, high level requisite skills): +500% SPR, +50% "size", +100% positive outcome chance to all interactions with females, +25% negative outcome chance to all interactions with males. Boosts effects of Charisma
-/\-
Love Doctor (given by Yang): By some miracle you've convinced both of the Rose/Xiao Long sisters to sleep with you. They both agree it was fucking awesome and awesome fucking. This nickname was a semi-serious joke from Yang regarding your seductive abilities.
-/\-
I grinned, ready to face the challenges Beacon had to offer. I mean, I'd somehow leveled up and prestiged all five of those interaction skills over the course of a few sleepovers and 'non-dates', and out of the blue, my relationship with both sisters upgraded to Madly in Love and they dragged me to the bedroom.
If I could do that, I could do anything.
Speaking of 'doing', Beacon's women all looked like supermodels.
Just walking down the way, I flashed a smile at a distant Ruby and she nearly fainted, tripping over her own feet and falling into a pile of luggage.
I jogged over to help her up, but someone had beaten me to it.
Weiss Schnee
Title: The Lonely Ice Princess
Level: 35
Huh... she was really beautiful, in the same way porcelain is. She was pretty small in all dimensions, but that didn't stop me. I'd been with Ruby, who was two years my junior, so age was not a problem for me.
I walked up, "Helloooo~ ladies." I drew out the word with a small flirty inflection in my voice, both my maximized skill level and my extremely high Charisma causing the words to have far more effect than they should have.
Weiss blushed furiously, "Um... c-c-can I help you?" I saw her eyes tracing over my muscular frame, admiring me as I smirked at her.
"I couldn't help but notice that you were harassing my dear, dear, CLOSE friend here. I think you should apologize.
I watched Weiss bow and immediately spew forth a string of desperate apologies, my sheer masculinity and sex appeal having torn her mental state into one of putty in my hands, "Now then, how about you two kiss and make up?"
Ruby blushed, but Weiss nodded, "An excellent idea, sir." she met Ruby's lips with her own, causing the poor girl to blush redder than either of her namesakes.
I whistled as I watched Weiss' title change to The Lovestruck Ice Princess, her kiss with Ruby becoming gentler, then I pulled her away, "Okay that's enough, girls. Don't want to cause a scene, after all."
Weiss nodded enthusiastically, "Right, of course, yes." she grinned and gave Ruby a cheerful smile, "Well, see you later then, girl." she skipped off cheerfully.
I looked at Ruby and brushed her off with tender, caring motions, smiling at her as she blushed even more, "You know, the amount of control you have over girls with your wizard spells is just ridiculous."
"That? That was hardly 40% power. I could have made her agree to public indecency because 'it sounds fun', if I wanted." I chuckled dangerously, smiling at my best friend.
Ruby was the only one I wouldn't cross lines for, she was just too likable, too endearing, and too... just... Ruby, to do that to her. I always asked kindly and made sure we were always well-concealed whenever we did 'things' together.
Thankfully, neither Taiyang Xiao Long or even Qrow Branwen had discovered the arrangements I'd made with their daughters/nieces, and with any luck it would stay that way.
I grinned and gave her a kiss on the forehead to help dispel her worries, "But don't worry, lil' Rosie, I'm not THAT kind of guy. I would never use my powers for revenge." well I would, but that revenge was for people who were so vile they didn't deserve the sweet mercy of death's embrace.
I had yet to find someone that terrible.
Speaking of finding... "So~... we're heading to the auditorium, right?" she asked me, having dropped her worries out of being convinced otherwise.
I nodded and picked her up, giving her a piggyback ride, "Yep, onwards~!" I chuckled and dashed forward on a burst of air and propelled stone and fire.
We had to get there on time, of course.
"These two are, like, the BEST girls you could make friends with, trust me." I attested with a proud and confident smile at the girl sitting in front of me.
Blake Belladonna
Title: The Beauty
Level: 37
She blushed, her eyes flicking between my studly body and the Rose/Xiao-Long sisters, "W-well... if you say so." she looked at the two and cleared her throat, "I'm sorry, um... my name's Blake." she offered once again, and I let the girls handle this.
I walked through the room, a stench of sex appeal clinging to my body and wafting out for all the women in the room to smell. I noticed one girl who didn't seem to be affected, which was odd.
I strode to the laying-down pair, using Gamer's Sight on them.
Lie Ren
Title: Blossom of the Wind
Level: 39
Nora Valkyrie
Title: Hammer of the Storm
Level: 41
I smiled at the two, "Hello there." I greeted cheerfully, noticing the trance the two had been in get broken as Ren shook his head and Nora stopped her animated monologue about something with scrolls in movie theaters, probably quite important to her, "I agree, people should leave their scrolls off or at least silent and put away during a movie, it just ruins the experience otherwise." I agreed with her, layering on my skills with a second line, "Of course for as pretty as, say, you for example? I don't think I could pay attention to anything but her."
I saw Nora's face turn more pink than the streak of pink in her friend's hair, and she looked at me, "Who are you?"
"The name's Jaune Arc, short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." and they had, and some had loved it so much they liked to repeat it.
Over, and over, and over again.
"What's yours, sweet thing?" I asked with a slick, cheerful grin.
She grinned back at me, answering with great enthusiasm, "My name is Nora! Nora Valkyrie! Long, bitter, but kicks like a bull!" that piqued my interest.
"Oh? Is that so~?" I chuckled flirtatiously at her, a desire for mischief clear in my dazzling azure eyes, which had brought her into focus.
Time to unleash the beast.
"Thank you for dealing with Nora last night." Ren greeted as he approached me at the breakfast table.
"I just did what I had to to safe a fellow man. Oh yeah... if Nora's still coherent, tell her that a bull doesn't even COMPARE to how hard she can kick." I winked and looked at the almost zombie-like Valkyrie curled up on the bench, fully asleep despite having apparently dressed herself beforehand and collected a tray of pancakes. Luckily, Gamer's Sight told me that she was just sleepwalking in those cases, or sleep-dressing, for the former case.
I stood up, "You going somewhere?" Ren asked me in a low tone, and I nodded to him. He let me go, gently rubbing Nora's head while I relocated.
I relocated myself across the cafeteria, where I saw a sight almost like Weiss yesterday, but replace her tsundere tendencies with just... sadness and exhaustion. I sat down across from the girl, smiling at her.
Pyrrha Nikos
Title: The Champion on the Pedestal
Level: 49
"Hey there." I smiled, using only a small dose of my power to reach through to her.
Champion of the Mistral Tournament four years running, placed on a pedestal far too high to get down from safely, and wanting not fame and recognition, but friendship and camaraderie.
This... would be a special case.
I carried the exhausted spartan out of the cave we'd found ourselves in, her lazy smile and whimsical expression would tell anyone all they needed to know.
I'd known Pyrrha Nikos, champion of Mistral for four years, for a total of about four hours.
And I banged her in that time frame.
If anyone didn't believe me, Pyrrha could attest to it without even saying anything.
All I had to do was show them her face.
I used my Elementals to casually slay the weak Grimm around us both, their attraction to me probably due to my slight sadistic nature. I knew it had to be me because Pyrrha didn't have a single bad feeling in her body, not after I was done with her. She was faintly giggling in bliss, snuggling me happily.
I just smiled, enjoying the feeling.
I smirked at Professor Ozpin as my teammates and I stood together. I thrown a few cursory glances at his assistant, Glynda Goodwitch, my eyes telling the story and his eyes swiftly responding with a firm 'No'
Bad news, slick, that would only delay the inevitable.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance, looking out over the crowd at all of the ripe and beautiful young women who were gazing at me longingly, wanting my Charisma-enhanced body.
I smiled back, giving a small wave, and half of the crowd swooned, the other half giving me jealous stares.
No matter, I was pretty far beyond them all anyways.
My Elementals tore the battlefield asunder as I beat a poor and practically helpless young man to the ground.
Cardin Winchester
Title: The 26th Cardinal Fledgling
Level: 28
I chuckled, "This is the part where you lose." I said to him mockingly, aiming a boulder at his head, only for it to be blown apart by a sudden burst of telekinesis, not only saving the bully, but also ending the fight decidedly.
I looked at Glynda Goodwitch, smiling seductively at her. I saw her professional shell crack instantly, and she told me to stay after class.
I did, smiling just as handsomely and seductively as I had before, and I said a few words to butter her up.
Turns out, girls with green eyes look pretty much like emeralds when you break them past a certain point, erasing their denial of the eventual event.
"Captain's Log: Day 30, Year 1 of Beacon.
First Day of Beacon: Arrived at Beacon and slept with two girls.
Second Day of Beacon: Slept with most of the rest of the girls at Beacon, even the upperclasswomen too, and several members of the staff.
Third Day of Beacon: Slept with the remaining girls in the school. The Game finally recognized my authority and gave me the title "King of Harems"
Fourth Day of Beacon: I've taken over the school with sheer ridiculous displays of Charisma and wits, I now run this shit.
Fifth Day of Beacon: Just for fun, replaced Goodwitch with Ruby, Port with Yang, Oobleck with Weiss, and Ozpin with myself. Also Blake is an assistant to all the other teachers now.
Twenty-Eighth Day of Beacon: Oh shit, I should have used protection. Now I have approximately 453 children in the school, including several dozen pairs of twins. I've single-handedly disabled pretty much every Huntress-in-training that was here. This was a bad idea, why did I do this?
Twenty-Ninth Day of Beacon: I feel that Luck is to blame, somehow, DAMN YOU, LUCK!
Thirtieth Day of Beacon: Arranging for a one-way trip to Vacuo, and not telling anyone that I'm leaving. Wish me luck! But not Luck, though, Luck can go eat my Ki-enhanced DICK.
Ridiculous?
Nonsensical?
Riddled with spelling errors?
This omake was brought to you by me at the hours of about 3 AM to 5:34 AM, already suffering some tiredness and minor bits of second-long passing-out sessions, typically going from 1-4 seconds. I've been dealing with this, as well as what are definitely sick-person coughs, on top of my body itself feeling like shit, JUST to finish this chapter, write the omake, and put it all up to be read.
So with that being said, I hope you've all enjoyed the chapter! Next chapter coming soon enough!
EDIT: Almost forgot this, thankfully one of you lovely reviewers pointed it out.
Xiburichu = Xībù rì chū, which is chinese for "Western Sunrise". It's named so because this fire elemental was summoned in the presence of Yang and her first name means "Sun", so... yeah, ^w^ I personally believe its clever
-/\/\/\/\/\-
Jaune Arc
Title: Novice Scholar
Level: 22
Class: Stud
Nickname: None
HP: 3350/3350
AP: 6300/6300
SP: 3450/3450
Strength: 40 (+40%) = 56
Dexterity: 36 (+40%) = 50.4
Vitality: 44 (+40%) = 61.6
Intelligence: 52 (+3) (+40%) = 77
Wisdom: 53 (+3) (+40%) = 78.4
Luck: 110
Charisma: 50
Stat Points: 0
-/\/\/\/\/\-
