RWBY: The D'arc Game of Life

by ThePlayer1Company

Jaune Arc has lived a quite normal life, sans his parents splitting up when he was 10. Regardless, he wants to be a Huntsman, a hero like his father! One day, he messes up in the best way possible, and a tiny splinter grows into a grand adventure, in which the blonde must play a dark game of life. Only time will tell the truth. RWBY/Gamer crossover

10. Burning Daylight

8/18 at 1 AM: Well I should get started on a new chapter again. Should try to keep the ball rolling as much as possible.

8/19 at a quarter-til 7AM: Well I'm resuming after a brief delay, I fixed some stuff in chapter 9, which incidentally padded it to almost 17k words with the sheer amount of my editing

I'm gonna keep doing this fanfic a few steps at a time, now. This way, I can get more content out to you, the people, and we can all have a good time.

Please note that things are subject to change. Not just my writing schedule, but things in the story too. I can (with logic) do anything. I WON'T just do anything, because not having a plan will, with mathematical certainty, end with me writing myself into a corner. I don't want that, so I'll try to keep things going along a plan. I already have plans for a few chapters down the road, hehehe.

Some reviewer responses:

(the new takes on the prospective harem): alright... I suppose I should be a bit more transparent: This story is not going to be a harem... YET. Depending on where I decide to take things, Jaune will end up with a whole gaggle of girlfriends, or at least two or three. Who will these two or three be? Well Yang is one of them, so that narrows things down slightly. No matter who comes and goes, Yang is staying.

Ryo no Kitsune: Well there was a reason for that, and that reason is that they were not too necessary at the moment. I'll show them now.

MysticSpider: Because of you, that is now in my search history. I did not get it from that, I didn't even know (and now wish to forget) that that exists. Nooootttttt my style.

Alright, that's the reviews for now. Let's get to the chapter!

Story Arc 2: Playing Prometheus

Chapter 9: Burning Daylight.

---

I smiled up at the ceiling, using Roimontagne to slowly carve artwork into it, clearing stone and increasing the strength of the structure below us, so that it didn't collapse. I hadn't made sure to build it to regulation standards, of course.

I'd had other things on my mind at the time.

+1 Closeness with Yang Xiao Long! (Total: +100)

Your relationship with Yang has upgraded from "Oddly Comfortable Friends (?)" to "Soulmates"

That pretty much confirmed it. She was in as much, maybe even more in love with me than I was with her, if that possible.

It was, given Gamer's Mind dulled my emotions, even love too. It wasn't enough to stop me from feeling it, no of course not, but it let me think things over.

Love was a sweet fruit, but in order to let that grow, you had to tend to its bitter roots.

I was used to putting others before myself, in fact I'd come to accept it as just my lot in life, but I knew to care for myself as well.

The thing was, now I had someone who gave more credence to my previous thoughts than anyone I knew, even my family. I knew she wouldn't make me choose, of course not, Yang wasn't like that.

She was bold and brash, I saw it when we had fought. She was confident, and broke many hearts to be with me.

For that, I was infinitely thankful.

The thing of focus, however, was that she held family close to her heart. Under that bold, brash, boisterous brawler was a girl who was a daughter, a sister, a mother (but only to Ruby, given the lack of either's mother being present, though thoughts of the future and what it would hold had danced through my mind more than a little bit), and more importantly, a friend and a girlfriend.

Even if I hadn't gone for this approach, then we could have gotten together under different circumstances and still been just as secure. I could have complained that I was alone for Valentine's Day or something, and she would step in to give me something, as a friend.

As a girlfriend.

"Girlfriend..." the word was soft as it came out of my mouth, "Heh... I have a girlfriend now."

"Did the kiss not convince you? Do I have to show you some leg to get you to realize it?" she giggled at my side, resting next to me as we cuddled on the warm stone floor, heated by Xiburichu.

Still laughing, she raised one leg into view, showing that her knee-high boots had been replaced with shorter versions, which allowed more of her smooth, sun-kissed skin to be seen.

I laughed too, but both of our sounds were soft and gentle, as a loud sound might ruin the mood, "Heh, you were already showing some leg, Sunflower. I noticed, trust me."

She blushed a bit, but smiled, "Well I'm glad, I wanted you to."

Heh, that was another thing. Like anyone else, Yang had issues, of course. Years of being force-fed bullshit about relationships and what kind of man she should go for, that was a part of it.

She'd experienced maternal abandonment twice, once by death, and once by choice. Raven Branwen had chosen to leave her family for one reason or another. Whatever reason it was, I hoped it was a damn good one, or I was going to have words when I found her eventually.

The point was that Yang wanted someone who would stick by her and be attracted her personality and her mind, but she also wanted someone who would appreciate her physical beauty as well, and want to be with her. She also wanted someone who would keep her happy, and she thought that the previous two things would not inherently guarantee the third.

She wanted attraction from all angles, and I fit the bill firmly.

I loved her humor, puns were underappreciated in society, but she favored them above all other forms of comedy.

I loved her smile and her laugh, they were so infectious and addicting, I wanted to keep her smiling for the rest of her life.

I loved her looks. Maybe it was psychological, I associated blonde hair with love, affection, and care, since for the longest time, and during crucial developmental years, my dad, who was as blonde as he was a strong man, was my main source of stability in a chaotic sea of teenage development. Oh yeah, and she had curves for days and legs that went on as long as you wanted.

Most importantly, I just plain loved HER. She was everything I could want.

Convincing someone to fall in love with you, and seal your love with a kiss, has increased your CHA by 10!

Kissing someone has created the skill "Kissing"!

Giving your first kiss to a girl who gave you hers has granted you the title "Innocent Vanilla Romance"!

By coming to understand your place in life as a Lover and creator of romance, heartfelt relations, and friendships, you have increased your metaphysical understanding of life and your purpose in the grand scheme of things!

This increase in understanding has granted you 9 WIS, as well as 3 CHA!

I hummed softly, making it a tune as I took in the information on the windows. I smiled and turned my head, giving Yang a brief, soft, but sweet kiss, breaking it after a few seconds.

Pink stained her cheeks even more, "What was that for?"

"Just because. Do I need a reason to kiss my beautiful girlfriend?" I grinned with as much of a playful confidence as I could, "Plus I need to grind EXP for my new skill, Kissing." I added with a brief smirk, before going back to the grin.

Yang giggled a little, "Well... in THAT case, how about we get EXP together?" she rolled on top of me, meeting my lips with her own.

Heh... it was just as good as the first time.

---

(The next day, late morning, Jaune POV)

I'd taken some time to grind up more levels for Summon Elemental by building up the gazebo, keeping flames lit around it throughout the night, circulating air through The Cave (which had been added as a Point of Interest on my World Map) as I built up the wall covering it, and making stairs up to the gazebo in the stone face of the mountain. I'd also tested how much I could focus my elementals' power with a pretty cool idea.

I wished I could have had it recorded, the way the land opened up and the grass moved to the side to create a packed dirt road in front of Yang's motorcycle as we rode along, making at least a rough pathway from Vale to Eagle Mountain.

I'd informed Marbel of what she'd need to do as I split off from Yang, taking the Rogue's Highway to get to a blacksmith shop.

I had money to spare, so I spared no expense on getting materials. Redsteel, whitesteel, blacksteel, and yellowsteel. Four materials of four different colors, as well as just some normal steel for the chaff, and bluesteel for kicks.

I needed blacksteel because I'd managed to get Blake to join us. It was kinda easy, as I was not only giving her an excuse to not only get to meet Yang and Marbel, but also to get away from that damn camp.

I smiled as I looked at the three gathered before me.

Yang looked ready for action. She was wearing a pair of simple shoulderguards that cut off right at the curve of her shoulder, basically just giving her biceps and triceps some covering, as well as metal-covered boots. I wasn't taking any chances with her getting hurt, neither for the other two. I'd upgraded Ember Celica as well, refining the metal to illogically good readings, making it stronger and a bit lighter, balanced slightly more and protecting her better. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, as well, to protect it a bit better.

Marbel was wearing a long sleeved leather jacket. I'd considered giving her one of the Canishigek jackets, but I didn't want her going crazy with Bloodlust. She had a dagger that was just shy of the length of her forearm, made of redsteel that I'd modified with Crocea Mors to be a flowery pink, with a layer of whitesteel acting as a strong, sharp blade. She was also wearing full-length jeans instead of shorts like she usually did, and had a pair of brown biker boots like Yang wears covering up to her knees.

Blake looked at Gambol Shroud, feeling the new unfamiliar weight to them. I'd made both pieces a bit heavier, just enough to balance the stamina cost to an even multiple of ten, to help her with her STR. I'd given her gloves with black claws on the fingers, and metal plates on her shoes that would give her more grip on some materials, and increase the impact power of any kicks she might wish to do.

For myself, I'd revamped my whole armor set, upgraded Crocea Mors with materials worthy of its name, and added more mass to Candidus Murus. My higher level had revealed some new information as to Crocea Mors' background, letting me know about some previous wielder.

-/\-

Whitesteel Halfplate Armor
Description: Whitesteel plates made to protect most of the forearms and upper arms, half of the shoulders, most of the chest and stomach, a large portion of the back, the outer thighs, and all but the back of the shins. As halfplate armor would suggest by its name, it's only half as effective as full platemail. These plates are built more heavily than most armors.
Defense: 650
Toughness: 21

-/\-

Crocea Mors
Description: An ancient sword forged in hellfires and tempered in the blood of angels. It is Mastercraft Quality, and it has been restored to hold an awesome power with your adjustments. It has seen countless battles over its long life. During the adventures of Jacques Arc, it was christened and immortalized as Crocea Mors, The Yellow Death. However, despite this, it was said that its most famous kill, in a previous life, was in the hands of ?, who had been sainted for his nobility, honor, and bravery, and ? a ? with its gleaming blade. ?

Type: One-handed Heavy Longsword
Damage: 1000 (+40% from Sword Skill, totaling 1400)
Stamina Cost: 60 (-20% from Sword Skill, totaling 48)
Toughness: 12 (+3) (Tougher than titans)

Functions;
-Grimm's Bane: This sword has been bathed in so much Grimm blood that it has seemed to grow an affinity for it, drawing it more easily. Effect: +100% Damage vs. Grimm (This function seems to be only partially active)
-Runic Formulae: The blade is inscribed with subtle runes now made visible by your adjustments. Effects: Allows Crocea Mors to be used as a conduit for some magic attacks
-?

-/\-

Candidus Murus
Description: A very old shield forged in the strength-granting flames of a volcano and enhanced with the care of a thousand day's precise work. It is Mastercraft Quality, and it has been restored to Great Power in its current state. It has seen many battles over its long life, and during the adventures of Jacques Arc, it was christened as Candidus Murus, The White Wall. However, its legacy doesn't stop there. It was wielded by Alexander Arc during his personal adventures throughout the world in search of ?, and then later by his son Matthias Arc in the Faunus Rights Revolution, where he fought to free the faunus from their damnation to Mantle and lives spent in slavery. ?

Type: Large Heater Shield
Defense: 600 (+36% from skills and class, totaling 524)
Stamina Cost: 100 (-18% from skills and class, totaling 82)
Toughness: 17 (+3) (Tougher than Gemstones)

Functions;
-Mechashift: This shield can transform.
-?
-?

-/\-

I was a little more excited about Crocea Mors' past now, knowing it had, in a previous form, been wielded by a Saint. I don't know which, but they must have been a cool one if they got a famous kill with it. Regardless, I set aside those thoughts for now and focused on the task ahead.

I was glad Yang would have her new higher numbers. I'd explained to her that I'd been in denial because I didn't think a girl as amazing as her could love a guy like me, and that was what that resonance from her soul must have been, her love for me that I didn't understand. No matter what it was during the efforts, in the end I'd fixed her aching soul and made her healthier and happier. That was more than enough for her.

Marbel was eager to grind her level up. She'd had dreams of becoming a huntress after years of being friends with me, and her aunt had taught her a lot about Hunters, so that was a big plus.

Blake just looked eager for a change of pace, and I didn't blame her. This was a whole new game to her, and not just in the literal way with The Game. Going from being forced to attack people and locations, to taking down the creatures of darkness, it was certainly going to be different.

"Alright ladies, listen up!" I tried my best to do a drill instructor voice, like I'd seen in some movies. It certainly got their attention, which was good, "Today, we're going to be clearing a one HUNDRED yard radius around Eagle Road, and we're going to be clearing it of Grimm, comPLETEly. No exceptions, do NOT hesitate to attack them immediately, but be careful. Remember to not take needless risks, keep an eye on your HP and AP, run if you're in danger and message me, okay?" I got three nodding heads, "Good to see you understand. Now remember this is a game but in this game there are no respawns, so please don't, don't, seriously don't, do NOT under ANY circumstances let yourself get close to death. Please, I'd never be able to live with the guilt." I looked at them all with pleading eyes.

Their expressions softened a bit, and we all shared a moment of understanding. This was for training, they didn't need to do anything big or try to impress me with dangerous moves, they just needed to kill Grimm for a quest.

Suddenly, I saw windows appear in front of each of them, to their surprises. I read the words backwards off of one of them and was surprised.

(To Yang, Blake, and Marbel) QUEST RECEIVED!

Quest: The Vision of Eagles pt.1

Description: Jaune has tasked you and your two new friends with clearing an area around Eagle Road to give some safety for travel. Do as he says to ensure that the future of his plans can proceed as speculated.

Objective: Clear all Grimm from a 100 yard radius of the whole length of Eagle Road

Rewards: +15 Closeness to Jaune, ensure the safety of Eagle Road, +10,000 EXP, +1000 Lien, any drops you find.

Penalty: Jaune is disappointed, do not ensure the safety of Eagle Road, +1000 EXP, +10 Lien, any drops you find, possibly injury or death.

Time Limit: Until nightfall

They each accepted by the time I'd finished looking to see what skills I wanted to grind in the upcoming gauntlet run. I'd developed a large amount of them just by using different combinations of mental shapes and elements, and nearly had whole 'sets' for both the Bolts folder and the Shots folder, lacking only the Lightning equivalent in the latter due to not being able to manipulate the lightning in the needed way. Even with my boosts to 'Ease of Casting', there were some things I simply could not force.

Even WITH the boost I got from the oh-so-interesting skill of Battlemage, which I was looking to level up.

Battlemage (Passive) Level: 1, Exp: 0.00% (achieved by raising Intelligence above 100)
Legends tell of a chosen wizard who will fight with the strength of a warrior, the speed of a rogue, the vigor of a barbarian, and with the magical power of ten men. Sadly you are not such a wizard... but you could be one day.

+25% Magic Attack damage
+10% Ease of Casting.
+10% AP Regen

It gave a boost to my oh-so-craved APR, which I wanted to be as high as possible, given my strong build to be a Caster-type fighter, despite my armor and weapons. Whatever was running the system, it clearly favored magic users.

However, that didn't mean that a warrior didn't have its own advantages...

You have unlocked more information about Candidus Murus!

Manipulation of metal-augmented Aura has created the skill "Sunbeam Zweihander"!

I grinned, gripping the massive blade in my massive hand, the one I'd created.

It had taken a while to figure it out, but I'd found, through the eyes of Crocea the Elemental, that there were more parts to Candidus Murus than what met the eye. It took a degree of control over Metal, which I was able to see was an affinity shared by a number of past Arcs thanks to the new information in its description. The exact structure of the shield was more akin to a fabric than solid metal plates, allowing it to transform like it was right now.

It felt connected to my hand in a way that was hard to describe almost like using a motion controller, but one that was articulated for the entire hand and all of its motions. The 'plates' ran up my entire arm to flare out at the shoulder. They seemed to be connected by translucent sheets of my azure Aura, and clasped in the fist of it was the Sunbeam Zweihander I'd formed, which crackled and jittered before solidifying as as the guidance flowed in, "Well... let's get started." I smiled at them all, we had work to do, of course.

Three faces smiled back, and I turned and led the way.

---

(A couple of hours later, Yang's POV)

It had taken a while to adjust to things, not just getting used to the new equipment, but getting used to Jaune.

We'd taken a big step in our relationship, and I was glad. Gladder than I was with the thrill and beating up Grimm with my fists. I still didn't fully understand it, but what Jaune did, those buffs he'd applied to me, and kept applying to me every half an hour or so, the first time it happened...

I'd always struggled with Aura control, at least the more complex parts than just 'channel it into my arms to make myself punch harder', and such, it was just weird. I'd tried for years, but progress was tough. Was I really that affected by my mother's abandonment that much? After what happened that one time, and I'd nearly gotten Ruby killed, I had always decided to not let it control me. I wouldn't make that mistake again.

Yet my soul was wracked by chaos, apparently. It wasn't a very nice implication.

"We're taking a break, come on, Sunflower, you look exhausted." Jaune's voice spoke, and I looked over my shoulder for him.

No Jaune, just a screen, which was a little bit disappointing. I thought he'd get me himself, but from the brown hair I could see in his camera frame, he must have been carrying an exhausted Marbel. I wish he'd carry ME, but I could walk on my own.

Still, it would have been nice.

I jogged back towards the road, where I could see the others gathered in the distance measuring thing. As the treeline broke, I smiled at them all.

Marbel was a cool kid, to my surprise. She knew more about this game than I did, given her previous experience with the genre. I was happy that she was here, and even more happy that she wasn't trying to steal Jaune away from me. I'd only just gotten him, I would fight to keep him. I'd use every dirty trick in the book.

It had taken a while, but first impressions had colored my opinion of him well. He was kind, funny, and determined. I only grew to see more of him, and of his virtues, as time went on.

He liked to think that he was stoic, but I noticed all those blushes he had when he was looking at me. I didn't mind the looks, in fact I encouraged them. I told Jaune outright this morning, if he wanted to look at me, he was welcome to.

He's my boyfriend, it was basically his unique privilege. I didn't mind in the slightest, because to me it felt good to be admired.

But... speaking of admiration...

I saw her arrive with a flying jump, landing like a superhero, of all things.

Blake.

Jaune had let her join The Game after knowing her for all of a couple of hours. He told me that it was a snap judgment, and while I didn't condone killing, she DID seem dangerous, especially with her being from the White Fang. I'd looked over her profile, however, and I could take her out if I had to, Jaune could too, with all his fancy spells and stuffs. I didn't like seeing people in such strict pairs of labels, like friends or threats, but she was an exception.

She was a girl.

She was mine and Jaune's age.

She was hot, I could see that I was straight as an arrow.

Jaune had trusted her faster than he had come to trust me. Even if it WAS a snap judgment, his Gamer's Mind should have kept him from just DOING it, he should have thought things through.

So there had to be other reasons, and either he saw potential in her as a combatant, or as a potential... potential...

No, no no no no no no no no NO!

Jaune wasn't that kind of man, he wouldn't replace me because of one bad date, no!

Goddammit brain, why do you have to make me think things like that?!

*poke poke*

What the? "What?" I saw Jaune's grinning, chuckling face as he poked a sandwich against my lips, "Jaune, I can feed myself."

"Apparently not, baby girl." oh fuck... mmmmmmmmmmm~, I really liked the way he said that, "I've been trying to give you your sandwich for a good minute now and you wouldn't take it, so I figured I'd have to feed you."

I couldn't help but giggle at the thought, "Well fine then." I opened my mouth wider as Jaune scooted closer, and I took a bite of the sandwich, smiling. Whatever Jaune had put in this, it was REALLY good, and had a good spiciness to it, too.

He knew me too well.

---

(Blake's POV)

He knows me too well.

Or he's just trying to be a terrible comedian.

Or he's raci-...no, he couldn't be that.

He was just bad at jokes.

I sighed as I bit into my tuna melt sandwich. I wasn't complaining, I got free food, and really good food at that, for killing Grimm. It was a much better deal that what I had in the White Fang.

I can't help but think that Jaune's timing had been critical, what with all of this. I knew I was more than a little bit emotionally compromised, and my judgment would be hampered by that. He'd caught me at the perfect time.

I guess that 110 Luck of his was good for something.

If he'd caught me at any other time, either before two days ago, or yesterday, or especially today, I'd be too frazzled to react in the way that would let him get close. If it was after I left the Fang, I'd more than likely be too rushed, too panicked, too distancing to get close at all, and any time after that?

Don't even think about it.

But no, he'd caught me off-guard, wooed me with tricks, and convinced me to let him help. The only reason why I was even doing this was that, beyond my social anxiety, I knew the value of having an ally in the right place. He was strong, I could tell just from the presence of his Aura and the cut of his muscles.

The sexy, sexy cut of his muscles...

Snap out of it, Blake! You're better than that, you can't just go gaga over the first guy who's shown you true kindness since... ever.

I'd reasoned every single thing I could out, and my only conclusion was that the only reason Jaune was being so nice to me... it was just who he was as a person. Trusting, kind, noble, he wanted to help me turn my life around, and that was something for which I would not stop being thankful. It was odd, but... he just had an odd charm to him, I suppose.

This... no, it wasn't love. It was a simple attraction, that was it. I'd read about love, and what it should feel like, and this wasn't it. This was more fizzy, and almost grating compared to the invigorating warmth love was supposed to give. I was going along with this all because I didn't have any more preferable option.

He had caught me before I could find any path that could lead to being blissfully alone and in as much peace as I could get. Of course, being an ex-terrorist on the run would mean that peace would be faint and thinly spread.

... now that I think about it, I think I prefer dealing with a few people over the constant threat of exposure and death.

"For a cat, you don't seem to have much tongue, Blake." huh? I looked over to see Yang's giggling face. I didn't particularly enjoy the puns, but the laughter was a little infectious, if I had to be honest.

"I'm sorry, I was in some deep thought. I'm making a huge leap in my path in life, I need time to adjust." I excused myself bluntly, returning to my previous thoughts.

Still, that laughter, the combined laughter of Jaune and Yang... it seeped into my veins, warming me to the core.

Maybe things would work out well.

---

(Marbel's POV)

I smiled as we all tucked into our meals. Jaune might have just been a waiter on paper, but in reality he'd done more work for The Angel Garden than half the staff combined, partially due to how they mostly pushed him around and made him do half their jobs. He still did it, never complaining from what I'd seen. I used to like going around the restaurant looking at everything, it was kinda fun, and the artwork mom and dad put up was really cool. I saw it all happen, though, and it hurt my heart that my friend, so full of laughs, would let himself get pushed around like that.

Jaune... I don't know what had happened with him. It was a couple of summers ago, he had suddenly started ignoring me after a trip to the beach. It had gone on for nearly two whole years, him acting like I was a total stranger, until suddenly he randomly 'remembered' me, and he had this power in addition.

It was an incredible power, don't get me wrong, but it was clearly doing things to Jaune's head. It had already done things to his body. I liked Jaune... n-n-n-no it wasn't like that but I was mature enough to know that I was attracted to him... at one point! I wasn't now! That attraction was... okay I couldn't deny, that attraction was coming back. Not only were we super close (we'd even gone swimming together in one of the pools of water up on the mountain) but he just... got me.

Of course, I could tell that Blake was eyeing him up with a less innocent hunger than what she looked at her sandwich with, and Yang was already his girlfriend.

I sighed internally, pulling up our three profiles and comparing the stats I'd need to attract him.

Strength: 7
Dexterity: 17
Vitality: 12
Intelligence: 24
Wisdom: 25
Luck: 43
Charisma: 20

Height: 5'4
Weight: 100
Build: Growing Young Girl
Bra Size: AA

Compared to Yang and Blake, I was pathetic. Yang had ten times my STR, Blake had about four and a half times my DEX, so I was beaten in what would affect my build. Yang had 53 VIT and Blake had 27, which the tutorial said would affect my height, and my CHA was over fifty below both of theirs, and that would affect my... size.

Dammit, I don't like playing into tropes, but why do I have to suffer from this A-cup angst? I wanted to just... just dump all seventy-five points I had from leveling up into my CHA and out-bust them both! Unfortunately, as Jaune had explained to me before I could even spend my first set of points, increasing my stats would change my body in potentially dangerous ways. His power of Gamer's Body made those changes happen automatically with no repercussions, but if I, say, dumped my points into Strength, even just twenty of them...

Suddenly becoming four times stronger? My muscles might explode. I had to adjust slowly, though Jaune said he had the perfect exercise for me to do.

He also explained that he once did a dump of seventy-five points into a stat and he had regretted it. I don't know which but I'd have to guess it might be INT, since spending all your points on increasing your intelligence might reveal that it was not such a good idea to spend all your points on increasing your intelligence when you're trying to be a strong, agile, super-tough knight. I'm pretty sure his LUK is part of the fact that he has such a life-changing and OP semblance.

I don't know how he did it, but my King Dork did it. He somehow became unarguably the biggest nerd in existence.

Still... nerd or not, I could see why Yang was attracted to him, and Yang was the kind of girl who could be on the cover of beauty magazines, or 'other' magazines. I don't read that bullshit, so I don't care what she does in her spare time, but if she hurt Jaune... I'd find a way to hurt her back, to avenge his honor. We were friends and whatever amnesia or other mental disorders he had wouldn't change that, I'd do what I could to have his back. He was like a cooler older brother that I was denied, instead getting Onyx, who was alright, but he was kind of an edgelord. Jaune was pretty much the opposite, a paladin who would do good and combat evil, and all that. I appreciated that a lot more than I appreciated Onyx hoarding his stuff and spouting nihilistic sayings. Honestly I was glad when mom and dad made him go off to college. Hopefully he'd come back a changed man, for the better.

Still, I'm glad I hid his knife collection from him, now I could practice all I wanted!

I sighed as I looked over my stats. I wanted to increase SOMETHING but Jaune told me to wait, because he had training he wanted to put me through to help me adjust to the huntress lifestyle. I needed it, as I'd missed out on a lot. With his help, however, I could catch up sooner, rather than later.

I looked over my options. It... it couldn't hurt TOO badly to put a few points into CHA, right?

While Jaune had turned to Yang, wiping her mouth clean and kissing her cheek, I quickly dumped twenty points into Charisma, feeling energy flowing through my body and focusing along my torso. It began to ache, and I quickly closed my profile as Jaune turned to look at me.

"You alright, Marbs? You just lost some HP." dammit, of course he was keeping track of our bars.

"Uh, yeah. I think I pulled something. Heal please?" I asked kindly, receiving five of them in quick succession. I felt a soothing warmth, but also a sensation like a hot fizzing in my chest. It was starting to work!

Increasing your Charisma to greater heights in a sudden surge has created a backlog of physical development! During the next occurrence of the status effect "Natural Growth", you will develop more than you normally would!

It took all my effort to keep from squealing in joy. I was going to grow more! Now I couldn't wait for Jaune's training, no matter what it might be. I don't care if it ends up being chopping logs all day, I would stand a chance to be attractive and not trail behind these two like a pitiful imouto.

Now I just had to wait.

---

(Jaune's POV)

I sighed, noticing Marbel's increased Max HP, I checked her stats quickly and found she'd spent twenty points into CHA. Why CHA of all things? Why not VIT or DEX? She's going for a Rogue build, it just doesn't make sense! I looked through CHA's effects and found the culprit.

CHA also increases one's physical developments, altering their body to be more masculine or feminine (respective to gender).

She was trying to grow more. Looking at all three girls, I figured she was jealous of Yang's and Blake's looks. I sighed internally.

Women.

At least Yang wasn't the jealous sort, my kisses and a few cuddles had swiftly exiled those thoughts from her head. She was confident in the fact that she'd captured my heart, and I wasn't going to try to prove her wrong, since I felt the same with her.

Now then, the biggest issue I was facing at the moment...

AP: 26000/26000

My theory hadn't been correct in assuming Aura would prestige when my Max AP reached 25k, or I was missing a piece of the puzzle. I felt the power inside me building up, reaching a threshold, but it couldn't break through.

That threshold, that would be the point where I'd get that prestige. I was curious beyond belief, what could the power that every great warrior and mage in history have to improve to?

I didn't know what it was, but I'm sure it would be obvious in hindsight.

I finished my sandwich and licked my fingers clean, smiling, "Mmmm~, that was great. How about you girls?" I got a few hums of agreement, which was more than enough for me. I stood up and walked over to the nearest tree. After adjusting to make sure I wouldn't end up making it fall on top of them all in case I accidentally cut all the way through it.

I'd fought a lot more Grimm with Sunbeam Zweihander than I had with Vorpal Sword, and I needed to change that. Vorpal Sword would be my main magical skill, and I needed it to be my focus.

Summoning the blade into my hand, I began doing the most basic training I could think of.

Smacking a tree with a sword. Though it was made of aura, it was the same thing and I couldn't argue that. I made swift strikes, easily carving several inches into the wood with the strength of my arm and the defense penetration of Vorpal Sword. With my other hand, I fired off dozens of Soulforges in seconds, healing the damage I'd caused. I sighed and stopped after a minute or two, realizing that the heals hadn't done jack diddly squat to fix the damage I caused.

I leaned against the tree, pressing my forehead and my left hand against the bark. When I'd reached level thirty in Mana Barrage, the skill had altered, now only requiring one free hand to use, or a conduit like Crocea Mors the sword. I focused and dumped Regeneration and Soulforge Restoration into the tree. I had to prove it could be done.

I kept my eyes on its HP bar, which slowly went up with the power of both skills. I knew re-upping the elemental effect buffs wasn't the most efficient way of getting EXP, but it was better than nothing. I straightened up as an idea popped into my head, and I began walking up the road, dropping the buff Regeneration on every tree I passed. When I'd gotten about three hundred feet away from the other three, I walked back down the road and dropped it on every tree on the other side of the road. When I reached the group again, they had finished their sandwiches and had recovered fully thanks to Regeneration, "We've made half the distance, if I'm not mistaken, so if we keep it up like this, we can at least reach the base of the mountain. I'm not expecting us to finish this today, but it should be done tomorrow, I'd think." I smiled at them, hearing sighs of relief. With a new plan set, I led them forwards, ready to take on the task at hand.

After all, we just had to keep moving forwards.

---

(A few hours later, as the sun is starting to in the sky, Jaune's POV)

I smiled at the three, watching as Yang lay in the grass, taking a nap, Blake sat with her back to the Great Tree, and Marbel stood off to the side, chopping logs with a metal axe I'd crafted with Crocea, which made it quite heavy. Of course, I'd given her Regeneration to allow her to keep working, and she'd been sweating up a storm.

All in all, today's work had been good.

Jaune Arc
Title: Intermediate Hero
Level: 41

Yang Xiao Long
Title: Hotter and Brighter than the Summer Sun
Level: 39

Marbel Mayston
Title: The Flowering Rook
Level: 25

Blake Belladonna
Title: The Nighttime Beauty
Level: 37

I smiled, meditating with my eyes open (which I could do thanks to my massive INT and WIS). Soul of the World's boosts to my APR had quickly fallen by the wayside, but it increased my Max AP, which meant not only would I regenerate to a higher maximum, but I also would be able to get more AP per minute, which I'd been using to gauge my skill usage. I sighed softly, giving the girls all the buffs I had, except for Marbel getting the strength boost from Boulder's Strength, since she was training that right now. I felt a presence next to me and turned, seeing Blake's concerned face, "What's up, Blakerino?" I chuckled a bit, trying to ease her obvious tension.

She didn't budge, "Jaune, the mission is tomorrow morning. I need to go tonight."

I sighed, then engaged my Serious Mode, "Alright. Think I should come with? Do I need to be disguised?"

Blake nodded, "That would be best. Try to use that invisibility spell you showed me too, and use a different disguise if possible."

I focused, feeling out with my senses, then suddenly a volley of Energy Arrows fired into the forest, followed by a brief cry of pain. I lunged in that direction, finding a downed dear, its brain punctured several times.

Energy Arrow (Active) Level: 26, Exp: 20.00% Cost: 5 AP (10)
A skill that attacks by emitting Aura as a concentrated line of energy. Attack power increases with INT and Mana Affinity. Pierces targets.

Base Power: 53% (40)
Range: 100m (50)
Maximum Number of Arrows per Cast: 11 (1)

I smiled and used Gleaming Dagger to gather leather and meat from the body. After a few minutes of gathering resources, I used Alchemical Aura and sure enough, Beast's Blood leveled up and I grew a small pair of antlers and a second set of ears, my race becoming Deer Faunus.

I lunged back, now wearing a new set of clothing and smiling, "Call me... Ringo." I shrugged, smiling, "Come on, let's get going." I jogged over to Marbel, patting her on the shoulder, "Marbs, I gotta go help Blake with some stuff involving her getting out of the White Fang. If something happens, here." I quickly gave her re-upped her buffs, as well as gave her Boulder's Strength, "Wake Yang up and use anything in the inventory to fight off whatever it is, okay? And don't hesitate to tell me, in fact tell me first, so I can come help."

Marbel wiped her sweat away with the back of her hand, "I got it, I got it, King Dorkthurius. Before you go, remind me how long am I supposed to do this for again?"

I looked at the pile of un-chopped logs left, "If you think you can still go for more after you finish this pile, then there's a good couple hundred more logs in the inventory. Just keep going until you feel you've done enough. Make sure that you have enough energy to get home, though, and hide your equipment from your parents to be safe. I'll be back n a bit, and Yang should wake up soon, she said she's only going to sleep for an hour."

"Right, I'll keep an eye on your sleeping beauty while you help the ninja to escape." she said with a slightly irritated tone, which I frowned at.

"Be safe, Princess." I gave her a quick side-hug and turned to Blake, my hair a rich brown, "Let's get going."

Blake nodded and began to lead the way, and I followed suit.

This... was going to be interesting.

---

(Half an hour later, Forever Fall Forest, near the White Fang Alpha Camp)

I let out a low sigh, hating how this had to end.

I watched with morbid curiosity.

Sanson Bhalmy
Title: Wearing Tides and Flags
Level: 8

*BRRZZT*

*brrrring ring~*

I watched as the information window over the man shifted, his level draining and hitting 0 with that ringing sound. The window changed, no longer displaying a stat-block but rather Corpse of Sanson Bhalny followed by some basic information. His age, a bit of background info, his occupation as a White Fang troop, his highest level reached in life, and his method of death. I quickly removed his oufit and mask and donned it for myself, using Roimontagne to bury the body several feet down, even as Magic Eyes showed me... something.

A wisp of energy floated out of the corpse before it sank beneath the dirt, coalescing into a small ball above the puddle of blood that blended seamlessly with the crimson grass.

I examined it with curious, Magical eyes.

Unshining Soul Wisp (light brown)

Description: A weak soul that has been freed from its mortal coil. It is small and fragile, captured in infancy. Its corona is colored faintly brown, different from its greenish core. It is completely intact, but unstable and still locked within itself. The owner, Sanson Bhalmy, did not have his Aura unlocked, and died easily. It is unknown what power this soul may have manifested, given time and nurturing, but it may have been related to the element of Earth.

Effects: Consuming this soul wisp will grant +80 Max AP and +1 Earth Affinity.

I stared as I put it into my inventory, then looked at Blake, "I did what I had to. He would have called back to base and exposed us. I'm sorry, Blake. If it makes you feel better, I felt sick having to do it."

Blake's grim expression softened, "I'm sorry, Jaune. You're quite innocent, all things considered, and I didn't want to bring you into a lifestyle where you'd have to murder people."

I shook my head, "It's alright, I promise, no needless deaths, Blake. I'm a hero, y'know, it says it in my title, I'm here to do good and beat the bad guys." I chuckled at the almost childish statement, but smiled meaningfully at her.

Blake smiled back slightly, reassured for the most part. I put on Sanson's mask and began walking back to camp with her.

...

In the distance, as we approached, I noticed a trio of humans approaching from the other side. I frowned, as did Blake, telling me that this wasn't expected. Muttering a couple of choice words, I hit them all with Gamer's Sight and was surprised by the results.

Cinder Fall
Title: A Demon of Bravery
Level: 89

Mercury Black
Title: The Quicksilver Butcher
Level: 68

Emerald Sustrai
Title: The Jade Thief
Level: 67

Blake tensed a bit, and I gestured for her to stop. I approached slowly towards the tent, seeing an angry Adam, "Sir, I've returned from the patrol. The cat is back, and it appears we have visitors." I imitated Sanson's voice the best I could with my boost from Singing.

Adam snorted, "Send them in, I'll just have to make due." I saw him grip the handle of a katana and stick it into a rifle-like sheathe. It wasn't the fine craftsmanship I'd seen in Wilt and Blush, but it was functional. He'd have to do plenty of work to make sure his new weapon was up to snuff for his fighting style.

Blake entered just as I exited, Jaune W: Be careful. The black-haired woman is nearly level 90 and her title literally calls her a demon :W

Blake W: I noticed. Your leadership skill showed me. :W

I blinked, Leadership? I checked my skills with a few brief thoughts and found it.

Leadership (Passive) Level: 20, Exp: 43.62%
The power, authority, and responsibility of those who go beyond the norm to lead others to victory.

Increases effects of Charisma.
Increases followers stats by 20%
Level 10: Allows Followers to receive part of Gamer's Sight's findings
Level 20: Share EXP with followers regardless of level difference

Ah, that made sense, Jaune W: Right, proceed with caution. :W

Blake W: I already was. :W

"Come on, don't cause any trouble." I warned the three.

Cinder narrowed her eyes at me, but behind my mask, mine practically shined with suspicion. Her race was listed as Human (Grimm-tainted) and she had a patchy, almost completely unseeable backstory. I couldn't gather anything from it other than a typical child abuse story. It pained me to be so apathetic, but nobody who was good had 'demon' in their title.

I opened the tent for them, my eyes peeled for anything from the other two.

I could see scars on Emerald's exposed arms, some old, but some relatively fresh, no doubt caused by Cinder's abusive rule. She definitely had the look and attitude of a leader. I held my rifle steady, but relaxed, like the soldier across from me. We didn't aim at them.

Yet.

I was internally panicking, this was a case where my Luck had crafted an unlucky situation. This Cinder woman was dangerous, not only did she have high-level skills, high-one-hundreds for physical stats, she also had quintuple-digit HP, AP, and SP bars that were far above my own, even above Adam's, but her lowest was clearly in Aura. Even so, I could see that the first digit was 4, meaning she had forty-something THOUSAND AP.

Yowch.

I had skills, but none of them had the DPS to take her down before she'd tear me apart.

So I didn't attack, I waited like a good little soldier.

Luckily, while fortune favors the bold, fate favors the patient. Cinder explained her plan to arrange for organized attacks that would utilize the Grimm to sow chaos in Vale, weakening its defenses. Blood would have to be shed on both sides, but they would be able to seize power in droves where the kingdom's forces would be unable to grasp.

Adam grit his teeth, "So... let me get this straight." he began pacing back and forth, "You could have gone to anyone for help. You could have made a deal with a gang leader, paid of some huntsman that had strayed from their... righteous path." he seemed to pause briefly, then took in a breath. What was that about? Before I could think on it, he continued, "But instead... you choose to seek an audience with me."

Cinder waited a second for Adam to continue, but it was clear he was demanding an explanation, so she provided, "You're the one we need. Your skill. Your ability to lead those beneath you. You're an exceptionally valuable man, Adam, and we have put a lot of thought into-"

"Then you're clearly not thinking straight!" Adam interrupted aggressively, "If you truly understood me, then you would know that coming here was a mistake. The White Fang is not an organization for hire. We are a force, of revolution!"

I saw Mercury and Emerald share a look, Emerald raising her eyebrows and Mercury giving an 'I'm not impressed' expression. It seemed that Adam wouldn't budge, stubborn as a bull, which fit for hilarious reasons.

Cinder was not so quick to show judgement, or give up, "I believe that our plan will be beneficial for all parties involved." when Adam didn't respond with anything but just more pacing, she continued, "I have... an associate in Vale. He and I are working on a revolution of our own, but we can't do it without your forces. We need-"

Adam had had enough, "What you need, is to leave." he picked up his new rifle-ninjato and lifted it into view, the parts clacking slightly as he bolted the rifle, "You are asking my men to die for your cause. A human cause." he grabbed the handle of his sword, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

"Boss, I think maybe-" I was cut off by Adam's snap anger.

"Do NOT speak out of line, Sans." I internally roared with laughter. Oh if this guy only knew, "Ignore him. My men dying for a human cause... that is not a thought that I am willing to entertain." his tone and angered expression gave no room for argument.

It was clear to both me and Cinder that the conversation was over with, and she submitted, "Very well." she bowed respectfully, then she turned to leave, Mercury and Emerald standing up and leaving behind her.

I followed Adam as he watched them go, anger and a smirk covering his expression, "Boss, I think we should have-"

"What you think is of no concern, Sanson. Now unless you found anything else on your patrol, then get out of my sight.

Blake approached, having been shooed from the tent before the meeting began, "What was that about?"

Adam clicked his tongue, "Nothing. We need to finish preparing." he began to walk towards another tent, "The train will be here at dawn."

Jaune W: Cinder wanted to make a deal with Adam that would turn the White Fang into full-blown terrorists, sending Grimm at the kingdom to weaken their defenses and grab up power and resources. :W

Blake W: I... I can't believe it. Did he accept? :W

Jaune W: No, but from his wording, tone, and expression, he was heavily tempted by it. He disagreed because it was a cause led by humans. :W

Blake W: I can't believe he... he fucking... :W Blake suddenly grabbed me and pulled me close, glaring at me, W: Jaune... kill him. I want you to kill him. :W

Jaune W: I can't just-:W

Blake W: If you want Yang, her sister, Marbel, her parents, and everyone else in Vale to be safe, then you need to kill him before those three return and convince him to join their cause. :W

I stared at Blake long and hard, and realized she was right. Adam would come around after one or two more attempts, especially if Cinder came back with more resources and more to offer him, sweetening up the deal. I lifted my mask and returned her determined look, Jaune W: Alright, I'll do it. :W

Blake let me go and I lowered my mask, Blake W: Come on, and follow my lead. :W

I followed her to the supply tent, which was made of a different material and had some forging equipment in it. A burly man with bear ears was working on Adam's sword. Blake glared at me and slapped my arm, "Go on, tell him idiot." Blake W: Tell him you found a vien of Dust :W

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly, "Uh, boss, I forgot to mention earlier because of that woman visiting, but I found a rocky thing in the forest and I swear there's a ton of Dust inside it!" I sounded like an excited, but slow-minded idiot.

Adam snorted, "And you're telling me this NOW? Why didn't you try to collect it?"

I gestured to my sweater-covered arms, "I'm too weak, boss. But you're the strongest one here, so I figured you could get it."

The taller man sounded frustrated, "Fucking hell Sanson just show me. I'll get it myself if you're going to be a pansy about it. We're trying to enact revolution and you're too weak to break some rocks?" he pushed me, gesturing for me to lead the way.

I got up, suppressed the urge to kill with willpower and Gamer's Mind, and made to lead the way.

God I just hoped this worked.

---

(About ten minutes later, a quarter-mile into the forest, Jaune POV)

"Sanson how far did you walk?" Adam demanded, his hand on his sword and his head on a swivel, looking for any Grimm. I could see his HP dropping from the pain caused by Olmadonrun, but it was very slow due to his own HPR, which assuming it worked the same for everyone else as it did for me, would have a base of 17%. His HPR however, was reduced by his current level of exhaustion, though his skills were skill very sharp. He had endured hard training for a long time, that much was certain.

I only had one shot at this.

Gaster Blaster (Active) Level: 12, EXP: 20.00%, Cost: 8800 MP
A spell used by an ancient wizard who had transcended the shackles of death, binding his soul to his dead body even after it withered away into a skeleton. This power was one of his greatest spells, a mighty beam of incinerating power projected from the mouth of a terrifying floating skull. It was regarded as one of the most dangerous and powerful magical abilities of its time.

Base Damage: 5000%
Range: 130m
Radius of Beam: Up to 1 ft
Number of Gaster Blasters: 3

Don't fail me now, "It's just up ahead, I think." I made Roi and take some Fire Dust Crystals from my Inventory and pull it through the ground, forming a patch of brown, dirty stone up ahead, "Ah, I see it now."

Luckily, clever though he was, Adam was not the sharpest tool in the shed, "Move." he pushed past me and I pretended to stumble into a tree, walking faster until he knelt in front of the raised earth. He touched the red crystal, pushing down and running his finger over it, "Fire Dust, and it's legitimate." he rubbed his finger and his thumb together, watching tiny wisps of flame rise from the particles.

I took in a breath, summoned three groups of Gaster Blasters, then two Vorpal Swords, and spoke, "Sorry boss."

"What the-" the Dust detonated as he turned, sending an explosion of fire at his face. I had already changed into my combat gear via Outfits. To Adam's credit, he survived the explosion of fire, but it was just in time to see nine faces of death staring him down.

They had already breathed in, air turning to plasma within their hollow maws as the blasts had charged up. I grinned and aimed directly at his face, "Get dunked on."

He had a lot of aura, yes, and a lot of HP too, for sure.

Sadly, HP doesn't matter when you don't have a head.

QUESTS COMPLETE!

You have succeeded the quest "Causing some cavities"!

You have gained +20 Morality!

Stealth's level increased by 4!

You have gained the item "Remnant Arsenals 5.6mm Rifle (x75)"

You have gained the item "Tent Spike (x2)"

You have gained the item "Wilt and Blush"

You have succeeded the quest "Violent Dentistry"!

You have gained the Grimm Mask "Olmadonrun (Damaged)"

You have gained the item "Withering Flames Longcoat"

You have gained the item "Withering Flames Gloves"

You have gained the item "Withering Flames Shirt"

You have gained the item "Withering Flames Pants"

You have gained the item "Withering Flames Shoes"

You have gained the item "Burning Soul (infernal red)"

You have gained the item "Skillbook: Charging Shine"

Your level has increased by seven!

Skillbook? The item my Sight identified it was was more akin to a relic. A bright red medallion with a whitish emboss of a man with a sun-like corona of Aura around him. Magic Eyes showed me a bit more information.

The medallion-like appearance of this item is due to its origins as a semblance harvested from a fallen soul.

Well, that was certainly interesting. I equipped the Experienced Scholar title and used it.

You cannot normally use this skillbook! However, due to your high INT and WIS, as well as your boosts to Aura Channeling and Ease of Casting, you are able to use this skill despite not meeting the normal requirements.

You have learned the skill "Charging Shine"! Due to being a Experienced Scholar, you learned enough of this skill from the book to achieve level 8!

-/\-

Charging Shine (Active) Level: 8, Exp: 52.13%, Cost: 100 AP
An ability held by those with the power to channel large amounts of Aura into single actions. By channeling a large amount of Aura into a weapon or spell, you can increase its effects.

Overcharge Limit: +34% (20)
This spell also costs an additional amount of Aura based on the Overcharge percentage and the cost of the skill it is used with.

-/\-

I stared at the headless body, then examined the effects of the Burning Soul. Increasing STR, DEX, and VIT, a sizable little boost to my Max AP, and a +5 to Fire Affinity. I stood up and began crafting a new outfit, guided by a theory. With a wire brush, I cleaned the ash off the surprisingly intact mask Olmadonrun and donned the items left behind. After a minute or so, I used Alchemical Aura and claimed the race Bull Faunus, changing into that and equipping Wilt and Blush.

Sure enough, I was right.

Equipping the armor set "Withering Flames Clothes", changing your race to Bull Faunus, and equipping "Olmadonrun (Damaged)" and "Wilt and Blush" has granted you a Set Bonus!

Set Bonus: Height altered to 6'5, hair color changed to Red and Brown, eye color changed to Bright Red, +30% effective STR, +15% mastery of "Charging Shine", +5 Fire Affinity.

I felt the changes take place, then hummed in curiosity, Jaune W: Blake, I've done it. Adam is dead. What's surprised me is that I have his equipment. Equipping it all has granted me a Set Bonus that makes me look more like Adam. I think I could sneakily take over the White Fang with this, all things considered. I could do good for the world by leading the White Fang back to the path of good. :W

Jaune C: Yang, Marbel, I've killed the evil leader of the White Fang and took his stuff. :C

Yang C: WHAT? :C

Marbel C: Isn't he like super tough? :C

Jaune C: Being super tough didn't stop me from obliterating his face with nine Gaster Blasters. :C

Yang C: Wait hold on you took his stuff? Like... Jaune I can agree that the guy was a douchebag, Blake's been telling us all about the shit he does daily, but you freaking KILLED HIM? :C

Jaune C: I know you probably don't agree, but Yang... I'm sorry but I don't think he'd listen to reason. He had a Grimm Mask on, one that reduced his Moral Sensitivity by 90%. That's a gigantic number, especially when we're talking about reductions. I'm immune to it, however, and a few other effects it imposes on the wearer. I promise, I can potentially do good with this outfit on. It's the clothes that make the man, as they say. :C

I sighed, feeling the air turn to plasma in my mouth, saliva boiling on my tongue as I breathed in and snorted fire.

Blake C: Jaune... I don't think... no, I KNOW this is a bad idea. The White Fang will not hesitate to turn on you if they find out what you did. I don't want you to take that risk. :C

I snorted fire again, turning on my camera and looking at Blake, then removing Olmadonrun from my face, showing my bright azure eyes as they changed back in an instant, though my hair didn't comply so easily. I looked at her as I forced her camera to turn on and her to look at me, seeing her nervous expression, Jaune C: I'm sorry, but then I'll have to kill them too. I don't like having to kill, it sickens me. These people are sick and tired of the life they've been given, and were turned onto a dark path by Adam's influence. :C Vile bastard though he might have been, from what Blake had told me, he still managed to rally his people together for a single cause. I felt like in another time, in another life, things could have gone differently. We could have been allies.

Even friends.

But the headless corpse in front of me had damned that path forever. I snapped my fingers and a spark flew from them, dropping onto his corpse, Jaune C: I hate that I had to do this, but he was a villain. As a hero, I have to defeat the villains, whether that means reforming them, or killing them. :C

Marbel C: I guess that's alright, then. Hunters have to make tough choices sometimes, I understand, Jaune. :C

Jaune C: I knew you would, Marbs, you're a smart cookie. Yang? :C I turned her camera on to look at me.

My be-... my girlfriend, girlfriend, I had to remind myself. She was my girlfriend now, that was a fact I still had to assure myself was true. I digress, my girlfriend's expression was a tad uncomfortable, but accepting, Yang C: I understand. Killing might be wrong, but sometimes it's the least wrong thing you can do. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean I can't agree with it. :C she gave me a small smile, C: Just... keep the killing thing in the bad side. :C

I thanked Charisma that I'd turned them to my side so easily, though maybe it had to do with the fact that my eyes stayed the same.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul, that's why Hunters had such beautiful, yet dangerous ones.

And why the Grimms' were cold, dark, and empty.

I smiled at her, putting the mask back on, Jaune C: I'm glad I could get you all on my side for this. I'm going to go try to administrate things for the White Fang, learn and stifle their plans. It'll be tough, but together, Blake, you and I can make this movement peaceful again. :C

I was about to bury the body when I noticed something. It was hard to see among the flames, but Magic Eyes gave me the visual clarity for it.

I turned off the cameras and grabbed it, hitting it with Gamer's Sight as I put it in my inventory.

Unknown Soul Shard (red): A shard of a soul that calls to you with a strange, indescribable power frequency.

I could agree with the brief, unhelpful description. I could sense it when I had gotten closer, and was confused at what it was.

QUEST RECEIVED!

Quest: A Hero's fallen light.
Description: You have found a piece of a red-colored soul that holds a strange, indescribably power inside it. It's unknown what this power is, but you feel it is important.
Objective: Collect all the shards of the shattered red soul and put them back together.

Rewards: "Reconstructed Strange Red Soul", +100,000 EXP, +10% mastery of Mana Affinity, increase your knowledge of souls.

Penalties: The "Strange Red Soul" is forever broken, Varying EXP for each shard collected, Varying boost to mastery of Mana Affinity, slightly increase your knowledge of souls.

I accepted it, curious if nothing else. I tucked the soul shard into my inventory next to the other two souls. I'd look into crafting some sort of phylactery for them, but for now I had work to do.

Or more specifically, Adam had work to do.

---

(The next day, early morning, Jaune POV)

I groaned internally. Having to conform to a schedule was boring~. Sadly, Adam didn't have a super-endurance that would allow him to go all night without sleeping, so I had to pretend to be asleep as I meditated and worked my Elementals underground, feeling the chamber with my Aura's perceptions. I didn't show any physical signs that I was awake until nearly dawn. It gave me plenty of time to meditate and improve Summon Elemental, as well as fire off a Gaster Blaster every couple of minutes. My level in Nature Affinity had grown enough that its boost to my APR had increased, which meant more AP per minute to use.

One volley of Gaster Blasters every two minutes, for a little over eight hours, while meditating and using my elementals? Compounded by the 25% EXP boost from the Intermediate Hero title?

EXP, EXP, gimme gimme EXP.

... okay that sounded fucking dumb. I would apologize to anyone who had to hear that.

Sighing and sitting up, I walked out of the tent, leaving a hastily scrawled note that I'd left with Blake on the mission. I followed my Party Tracking to her place of sleeping, opening the lone tent and seeing her packing a few extra magazines for the mission.

I smiled, "Hey Blake. You ready to go 'rob a train'?" I chuckled a bit, but she didn't respond in kind.

Instead, she turned to me with a serious look, "'Adam'... you know what will happen if they find out. Are you prepared to deal with that?"

I sighed and shook my head, "Honestly no. I'll have to shed the blood of people I could save. I'll do my best, but I think it's time 'Adam' started thinking with his head instead of his bloodlust." I smiled at her, "Come on, we need to at least stop the train."

Blake nodded. We had to craft layers of disguise, and for that we needed to act our parts until it was time for the curtain call.

It was only a matter of time, anyways, before we'd be able to do as we pleased.

...

It was just a few minutes after sunrise, and I could see the train's smoke in the distance.

Such powerful technology, able to take only a dozen or so pounds of Fire Dust and turn it into such motion. I was almost tempted to test my STR in stopping the train.

Sadly for my plans, my judgment told me that I'd most-likely end up as a nice big bull pancake if I tried that. I tended to listen to my judgment more. Blake and I looked over the cliff, planning to take the slope as a ramp down to the behemoth machine, hopefully ending up on top of the thing and not underneath it.

As I said before, being underneath it would most-likely mean death.

We quickly slid down the slope with expert balance, leaping into the air at the critical moment.

*BANG-skrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeee~*

Wilt sung like a metallic banshee as I anchored myself into place with it, sliding to a halt atop the train.

SDC Cargo Train: Currently transporting 300 crates of public-grade Dust Powder and Crystals, 50 AK-130 Security Droids, 1 AK Spider Droid, 65 staff members, and 100 passengers.

The order of the cars of this train goes as such...

I read the list of the cars and counted down the line, "We need to move ahead, there are a LOT of cars we don't need to mess with." I instructed, running against the screaming winds.

Then again... when it came to winds, I could scream back.

Blake was surprised when suddenly, the air around us calmed, azure energy tinting the air as I led the charge down a few cars. The going was easy, even if we'd initially landed near the car containing the security bots. We reached the first car full of Dust and I performed an iaido slash on the roof-mounted hatch. I'd learned the style while meditating, using Adam's soul as a focus as I fed it some Aura to keep it going. From what I'd seen, the style was quite simple, with a basic does-it-all attack, the Quickdraw Strike, a defensive parrying move called Inchuyo, and a crouching and standing posture respectively called Iai-Goshi and Tachi-Ai for its stances. Four basic moves, but it could be a deadly art if mastered, especially with the boosts it had.

I lifted the hatch and let Blake enter, then jumped down myself and let the hatch close on its own. We landed in a crouch, but when Gamer's Sight came up negative for anything with a level, I stood up again, "It's clear." I assured her, then sighed, looking at her, "I don't want to do this, but... the White Fang have expectations."

Blake sighed, "The White Fang is misguided, you can guide them back onto the right path, but first you have to sate their cries for blood. I hate that it has to be this way, but it's a little bad for a lot of good later... I hope."

I smiled reassuringly and patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, when this is all over you'll be a powerful huntress who'll set things right. Just do right by Faunus kind, I'll always have your back, Blake." I slid my mask up, revealing my eyes, which changed back to Azure when the mask no longer counted as being 'equipped'.

We stared into each other's eyes for several seconds, then we both nodded, I slid my mask back down, and opened a crate.

Oh... wow.

Dust storage canisters full of the stuff, crystals of a few different cuts, several in the six types I used, but I noticed another one present.

Energy Dust

Description: A bright yellow-white Dust tinged with a green or blue hue depending on the angle it's viewed from. It is Tier 1 Commonness and some even consider these trashy for their sheer abundance and vague. However, Hunters know the great value in them. The powder form of this dust is most-often used as a replacement for gunpowder in basic Dust Rounds, due to its explosive capabilities and release of large amounts of energy when detonated.

Effects: Restores 500 AP per crystal, unknown effect when used with Soulforge Restoration.

Huh. That was certainly interesting. I collected up a few dozen of them from the boxes, as well as more of my usual six elements. I turned to look at Blake, who was leaning back against a stack of crates, reading a book. I deadpanned, "Really?"

Blake didn't even look towards me, "Yes really. I have nothing to do but wait. We have to stop this portion of the train from reaching Vale or the mission is a failure. We can't steal the cars of Dust if they're still attached.

I nodded, then turned to face the door, only to see a massive robot positioned there, chittering as if through a speaker.

AK-Spyder, Artillery Security Droid
Title: No Spout too Great
Level: 45

It had thick plating, more than I could cut through with just Wilt, even after my enhancements. But... maybe...

Another idea, but first, "Blake get out of here, I'll hold it off." there's a saying I like.

When life gives you poison, use a Poison of Weakness to Poison on your target first, then do it again, THEN poison them, just to be sure.

So I charged up Charging Shine, using it to charge itself several times over as I dodged and flipped out of the way of its energy blasts. When I felt I'd done enough, I smirked and charged forward as the droid took a few moments to recharge its cannons. Those few moments were going to be its downfall.

I roared out as I slashed with Vorpal Sword around Wilt, slicing through two of the massive legs of the Spyder. I jumped on top of it, unloading almost a dozen Energy Arrows directly, almost inside, into its torso with one cast, creating a burst of light. With Crocea the Elemental, I grasped the armor and plunged my fist through it, tearing the behemoth to pieces.

When I'd 'killed' the bot, I took a few moments to feel out for any security cameras. I located two and simply fried their circuitry with Xibu. I had to take perspective into account. From the perspective of the security directors reviewing the footage, it would appear that Adam had torn through the steel with his bare hands, then the cameras had stopped working because they randomly caught on fire.

When all of that was finished, I looked at the loot I'd gotten.

Your level has increased by one!

You gained the item "Spyder Artillery Energy Cannon (x2)"

You gained the item "Blacksteel Bar (x9)"

You gained the item "Dust-powered Circuitry (x14)"

You gained 1000 Lien.

Huh... I had been pretty close to level 49, so I guess this kill pushed me over. It was really good for my purposes. I got more materials, a level, some money, and a new weapon.

It was a good haul.

As I left the car and stepped out onto a flatbed, I saw Blake in the distance. I rushed closer, only to see her hold her hand out before I could jump over, "This is the opportunity I needed. Tell them I disappeared." she draw Gambol Shroud and, with a basic Far Strike, severed the tow cables. As the rest of the train continued chugging along, pulled ahead by the engine, the rearwards cars began grinding to a slow halt.

I sighed for the fifth time that day, but heard trucks in the far distance, so I did what I'd been doing since last night.

Faking it until I made it.

I collapsed to my knees, staring ahead as Blake became only a speck of white in the distance. I pinched my arm, as if in disbelief that I was even awake. The first thing the White Fang saw when they came to collect the loot was their leader checking to see if he was even still alive.

"Sir." Lieutenant Banesaw said as he approached, "Are you alright? We're here. Where is the cat?"

I stood up and shoved him back, "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" I collapsed to my knees and proceeded to bang my fists on the floor of the flatbed, screaming inarticulately. In my faint peripheral vision, I noticed that the soldiers looked at each other, then at me, then back at each other, then back at me. They were clearly unused to their leader having an emotional fit. I spent a good minute or so just banging a hole into the steel floor, just for effect. With my chest heaving, I stood up, gritting my teeth and snorting, growling, "GET TO WORK!" I barked in command, then jumped down off the train, turning to the now-standing-again Banesaw, "She disappeared. I looked down, looked back up and she was gone. Next thing I knew, one of their droids had come out, severed the connection to the rest of the train, and we fought. I killed it, and now I'm going to kill all of them. I'm going after her." I had my hand held firmly on Wilt's handle, getting ready.

As I did a quick mental calculation, I realized that I was at a level where Sprint's minutely cost was now under my minutely SPR. I growled as Banesaw spoke, "Sir, I know she was dear to you, but you could compromise us with this. She might be on this part of the train."

I looked at him, "Rally the troops and send search parties, I'm going after that part." it would be relatively easy, all things considered, "Don't try to stop me." with that, I tore off at high speed, forging ahead with determination and anger.

Nobody did try to stop me, they were too busy following their boss' orders.

---

(A few hours later, Eagle Mountain Road, Jaune POV)

Marbel looked miserable, but I reassured her about today's activities. She didn't have to fight if she didn't feel up to it, I wouldn't force her to do something she wasn't capable of.

However, with about twelve-hundred Soulforges in just five minutes, she was feeling much better, and looked considerably more fit. No wait, scratch that, she WAS considerably more fit now, lots of healing and vigorous exercises had done her wonders.

Level: 25 - 27

Max HP: 570 - 900
Max AP: 1100 - 1230
Max SP: 440 - 1150

Strength: 7 - 15
Dexterity: 17 - 25
Vitality: 12 - 20

She had cut down on some useless fat she'd had, increased her muscle tone, and after not only Soulforges, but my other healing skill I'd discovered, she was ready for more training.

Rejuvenating Breath (Active) Level: 5, Exp: 26.35%, Cost: 100 AP
Men have offered to die for the honor of a warrior's life, but true Men have lived through their wars with the determination to survive. Compressing the determination into a burst of healing-type Aura has proven to invigorate and rejuvenate nearly fallen allies with only a few breaths.

Restores 10 AP to the target.
Invigorates the target, temporarily clearing debuffs to their VIT and giving them +25% effective VIT
Rejuvenates 10 HP per second for 10 seconds.
Rejuvenates 25 SP per second for 10 seconds.

It was a Ki-based skill, since I'd figured that the Elements tab had had a healing spell, why not Ki, literally the soul energy empowered and driven by lifeforce? The 'Warrior's Mana' as one of the skills described it. Well I'd been right, and it seemed to be great for in a pinch, but the 'rejuvenating' part was what made it ineffective compared to Soulforge or activating Aura. It didn't fully 'restore' the HP and SP, it just sort of temporarily boosted them with Ki, which was hard to describe but the points didn't fully 'feel' restored. Still, for the lack of strength for those restored health and stamina points, and the fact it relied on your ability to keep breathing, it was effective at helping you feel recovered even if you weren't.

That placebo effect was what let me help Marbel train. I smiled as I helped her position things right to adjust for the newer, slightly larger axe I'd given her. There were things to do if I was to move ahead with my plan of making a base of operations on this mountain, and whether Marbel realized it or not, her labors would help build our mutual dream of a kingdom of our own.

Just very small.

And on a mountain.

And with my girlfriend.

I still had to get used to that, just as I had to get used to using Iaijutsu. I'd decided to practice on the trees, not only with the new style, since Adam was expected to be proficient in it, but also with Soulforge, to restore the damage dealt. I blunted the blade to minimize how much I destroyed, but that also reduced the EXP I gained for the techniques, since they were hardly doing anything, even if I was getting good practice.

I came to one tree when I paused, staring at it long and hard.

Or more specifically, the ripe orbs hanging from it.

Oranges.

I felt memories coming back to me.

---

Orange juice, the taste made me feel better, even with my stuffy nose and scratchy throat.

I was sick, but dad came in with a scarlet drink he claimed would heal me right up. I drank it too, since my mother had told me to drink plenty of fluids.

After a nap, I felt right as rain, remembering the taste of strawberries and oranges.

When my mother had deemed I was healthy, I went to hang out with my friends, or rather the friends of Kira's brother.

There was her brother, Darek. He was strong, but afflicted with asthma.

The girl of the group, Lytare. She was aloof and didn't care about much.

And the smart guy, Viridios. He had a lab and gave us all cool stuff, he even gave me my first Scroll.

They were older than me, but accepted me as one of their own without issue, since I had been 'cool' enough.

We had been friends, once. I wondered what they thought now, about everything.

Darek couldn't be a Huntsman, his asthma alone took that opportunity away.

Lytare was good in a fight, but she...

Ah, there's more of the memory.

I had been trying to train with my father, and Lytare had joined us. There was a huge Grimm that attacked, it was almost like a dragon, but snakier and breathing ice. Lytare had done her best to try to help my dad kill it, her short staff blowing plumes of flame at it, but it was all for naught.

The dragon batted my father away, froze Lytare's arm, and grabbed her with its teeth. My father had become so, SO angry, I had nearly gone blind when he began glowing like a blue star, and cut off the beast's head with what I now recognized to almost look like Sunbeam Zweihander. The beast had died, but it had taken Lytare's left shin with it.

Her arm had been amputated due to the ice killing the tissues, she'd lost the function of two limbs and yet, it seemed almost like she didn't even care. She didn't grow despaired or hateful, her odd apathy seemed to have done well in making her not care that she was crippled for life. Or maybe she understood something that nobody else did during that time.

I remembered a huge fight between my mom and dad that night, so bad and so loud that, as a distressed youth, I cried and ran from the house, seeking Viridios' home and, within it, him and his intelligence. I'd hoped he would know what to do in this situation.

He hadn't known what to do, but he'd done some exploring that day and, thinking on it, Lytare probably had a lot of Luck, because he had found some sort of 'ancient remains', which to me had looked like an arm of a robot made of something that looked like steel and coal, and clasped in its hand was a broken sword. He studied them day and night and had apparently come to a breakthrough, because before I'd left at 10 and a quarter, he'd outfitted Lytare with some sort of orange robot arm and leg. I don't know about the sword, but he must have done something with it.

My friends... I needed to know what had gone on with them, if they were even still alive.

I needed to know.

---

RECOVERED MEMORY CHUNK (5/7)

+25 Closeness to Lytare Charon! (Total: +80)

+80 Closeness to Darek Nyanter! (Total: +80)

+80 Closeness to Viridios Libertas (Total: +80)

You learned the alchemical crafting recipe "Healing Potion"!

QUEST RECEIVED!

Quest: Return of the King.
Description: You have recalled a large amount of your past in the town of Coldwater, but you need to know about the present. You should return there and see what has happened in your absence.
Objective: Return to Coldwater and check on your friends and family.

Rewards: Assurance that your friends and family are alive and well. Possible discovery of any problems they have. Progress in the quest "This Over'arc'ing drama must be stopped!"

Penalties: Haunted by not knowing what is going on there. Possible discovery of the results of unsolved problems. Possibly reversed progress in the quest "This Over'arc'ing drama must be stopped!"

I sighed as I accepted the quest, also remembering a few other pieces of information, like how this tree was the only one that grew here, or anywhere that wasn't a farm within the nearest hundred miles. How it had gotten here, I nor Marbel, my dad, or either of her parents knew. All I knew was that it grew healthy, juicy, edible oranges. I focused Aura and charges into Roimontagne, shifting the tree's position gently. It wouldn't do to have it all the way out here, so I carefully began moving it.

...

It had taken about an hour, making the current time noon, but I'd done it. I not only had gathered up all the rocks in the area and put them into a huge pile, I'd also moved the orange tree to the massive clearing that sanctioned the Great Tree.

I looked at Marbel, who was chopping logs, then out to the treeline, Jaune C: Blake, Yang, I need you to watch over Marbel and me for a while. I'm going to summon another elemental. Also Yang, there are oranges. There's been an orange tree on this mountain for god-knows-how-long, and it has good oranges. Marbel and I have eaten them before. :C

Yang C: Holy crap why haven't you told me this before? Jaune as your girlfriend I demand to know when you discover orange delights. :C

I chuckled softly, Jaune C: Of course, babe. Of course, I've already discovered a golden delight... oh wait, that's just you. :C

Blake C: You two are adorable. :C I could practically hear Blake laughing at Yang and me.

Wait, no I wasn't practically hearing it, I was literally hearing it. I snapped my glance to the treeline to see Blake walking over, "I knew you were close, but I wasn't sure how much. I should pay more attention to my party tracker."

Blake smiled just a little bit, "Well given how I'm supposed to be a ninja, I suppose it's good that I was able to sneak up on you. I've been trying to enjoy the time I have now, but... I need you to promise you won't lead them to me."

I blinked, "The thought hadn't even crossed my mind, Blake. I've been trying to keep you as far away from them as possible. I'm not going to try to pull you back, I want you on MY side, not theirs." I had changed back to my normal outfit, and piled a bunch of peeled oranges into the summoning circle, just out of curiosity to see if the high-water fruit would count as a worthy sacrifice to create a Water Elemental.

It was worth a shot, after all, "You're sacrificing oranges? Is there a fruit elemental?" she was joking at my expense, and I had the humor to laugh. Honestly the thought was pretty comical.

After we'd had a little laugh, I kindly corrected her, "Oranges have a high water content. I figured it's worth a shot. If not, I'll use a Water Dust crystal. Now then, I think I'll start now. Don't worry, before you know it, Yang will show up to help." I looked around the clearing, then knelt on my summoning circle. About fifty oranges were being used, which should have been enough.

I focused on the oranges and the summoning circle, calling upon the same feeling I'd used for the last four elementals.

Soon enough, I felt that same sensation. I'd been pulling on the energy and it felt like something on the other side pulled back.

Then, the world went dark.

---

I felt myself come apart, melting into a puddle.

I soaked into the ground, drunk greedily by the grass and trees.

I flowed through them, giving them life and energy.

I felt myself expand from the sunlight, vaporized.

I leaked from holes in the leaves of trees, flying into the sky.

That's when I started to see it, more of the truth.

I fly through the sky, carried by wind and the air.

I'm brought to my brethren water vapors.

We reunite, turning into droplets.

We feed each other, giving life more and more to each other.

Suddenly, gravity takes its hold.

We're ripped from the sky as rain

I thought I had seen more when I entered the sky.

I saw far more when I left it.

The rivers and streams that flow through the land.

The ponds and lakes that dot the land, havens for water.

The blue seas and oceans that cover a large portion of the world.

The frozen wastelands to the far north.

The icy caps of mountains.

The snow falling in the winter chill.

All of it is water.

All plants and animals rely on it.

All life relies on water.

Rain provides cover from the hot sunlight.

It slakes the thirst of plants and animals.

It fills them all.

The juice of fruits and vegetables.

The blood of animals and Man.

It all flows because of my power.

Because of my support.

All of my support has the same purpose.

Blood.

I am the blood of the sky and the ground.

I am the blood of plants.

I am the blood of animals.

I am life.

I am the rain and my name is Pluviteus.

I am... Pluviteus.

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 close to its full strength, and I will give it further life.

As it grows strong, I too shall grow even strong.

I am Pluviteus.

I am water.

My life is infinite.

I am Jaune Arc.

I am human

My soul is eternal.

I am... one.

---

Acquisition of a Basic Water Elemental has increased your Water Affinity by 10!

Increasing your understanding of the world by gazing through the eyes of the elements has increased your WIS by 2!

~LUCKY SPARK~! You gained 320% EXP for the action of summoning a Basic Water Elemental!

Summon Elemental's level increased by 6!

I slowly stirred, realizing that I could hear several things nearby.

The first I noticed was the sound of rainfall, followed by the sound of a fire crackling and then hushed conversation entered my ears.

"I'm not happy with this decision, but I'm glad you at least have conviction. It proves you're taking this seriously." the voice was familiar.

"When he wakes up, THEN I'll let you decide that I can leave. Not before, not after." that was Yang.

"Sir, I'm glad you were reasonable about this." Marbel's voice spoke next.

"And thank you for not being too judgmental. Jaune is a good man, I think he can do good for the world. He's done good for me." wow... that was really sweet of Blake to say. I'm glad I've inspired that opinion from her.

"Heh, I'm sure Jaune will appreciate you saying that, Blake." that voice... I knew it from somewhere.

"I won't be repeating myself, sadly." aw, Blake, why do you have to be so rude?

"Oh come ON Blake, don't act like that. If I can love him then you can at least act like you like him as a good friend." Yang apparently was quoting Blake's own words.

"It's not like he's going to know I said anything, he's unconscious summoning his elemental."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, kitkat." that snark. Holy shit, it came to me.

"Qrow." I said as I sat up fluidly, turning my head to the others and smiling, "It's nice to see you've come to visit."

Marbel gasped lightly, clenching her chest, "Goddamn, Jaune, warn a girl next time! With how little light there is that almost looked like an animation straight out of a horror game."

I chuckled a bit, "You're currently stronger than most average gym-goers and even faster to boot, AND you have three big tough fighters with you, AND you have everything in my Inventory to work with... and you're scared of what looked like something from a horror game? I think I need to give you some mental training, Marbs, help you deal with monsters that sit up." my tone was nothing but jokes and teasing.

Marbel blushed an angry, embarrassed red, spluttering out some minorly indignant response before just turning around.

I stood up and stretched out, "So Qrow, like I said, it's nice of you to come visit. Why are you visiting, though?"

Qrow chuckled and shrugged, "Just felt like seeing your ugly mug before I head out on a mission to Mistral. Basic extermination mission, hardly even worth my time with how easy it will be." he gave a carefree smirk to us all, "I should be back not too long after that."

"Good, good. I still wanted to ask about you giving me some training." I looked him up and down, "You're incredibly strong and even tougher and faster than that. I may not favor speed, but I'd like to increase my STR and VIT more with you, if possible."

Qrow looked me up and down, "You've got a decent physique, kid, but you could definitely use more work. I'll see what I can do, but don't expect anything regular or guaranteed."

"It's more than I could ask for anyways, I'm sure." I chuckled a bit, having picked up that this sort of thing wouldn't be a very certain prospect, but it was one worth investing some effort into. I couldn't help but smile, though, at the thought.

Training from a Huntsman who had earned a whopping level of 183, it was bound to teach me a lot, or at least train my skills up. Simply put, I needed more DPS, I already had enough defense with my skills, I needed some attack power.

I needed my skills to level up.

I smiled a little bit, knowing I had time to do that, it was nearly the end of March, soon to be April, which would mean that I had four months soon. Then three, then two, then one. Then I would be at Beacon, and thanks to my preparations, I'd be ready to take on all of its challenges. For now, though, "So it's raining outside, I'm assuming that's why you brought me in here?"

"Well we weren't going to let you get soaked in the rain!" Marbel said quickly, almost incredulously, "You might get sick. We don't want you to get sick, that's not what friends do."

"Or girlfriends, for that matter." Yang added firmly, "Are you alright, by the way? Summoning the elemental didn't do anything bad, did it?"

I shook my head, "No, no it didn't. I'm fine, thank you."

Qrow looked at me long and hard, then spoke up, "If you're fine, then I'd like to say something, a request if you would. In return for me taking my valuable time training up a runt like you." he channeled a bit of Aura into his foot and scuffed a mark on the floor, "Right here, make a summoning circle."

I raised one eyebrow, "I don't think it'll be such a good idea for me to summon a new elemental so soon. It involves splintering my so-"

The older man ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah yeah I know soul splinters and all that jazz, you told me this already, dumbass. I'm not requesting the summoning circle for you so I can watch you nap and suck your thumb for four hours." he chuckled teasingly.

"I do not suck my thumb, I haven't since I was five years old, and yes I remember what I did when I was five years old, my INT improves memory recollection." I countered promptly.

"Well whatever." he waved off my statement, "Point is it's not for you, it's for me. I want to summon an elemental."

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head, and the other three turned to him shocked. All four of us had operated on the unspoken rule that summoning elementals was just a thing that I did, completely unique. Qrow, however, had taken that silence and shattered it like glass, making us all realize that the rule wasn't actually in place, we had just assumed it was.

Thinking back to the books I'd read about summoning elementals, it had once been a technique for powerful fighters, and nothing implied they had any sort of Game-like semblance.

So in theory, I could do this. I considered my elementals my friends, their ignorance of the world born of their limited perception had allowed insight that I wouldn't have had, due to my human experiences and perceptions. They gave me power and reassurance, helped me feel stronger.

Thinking on it more now, I knew my friends would appreciate that strength. I snapped my fingers and Roi carved a summoning circle into the floor, "You need a sacrifice, and to focus your Aura on the element in question. I think since my soul is so malleable, I'm able to summon any elemental, but with you, Qrow..." I grit my teeth, knowing this would end poorly if I didn't go quickly, but I needed to know.

Fear of pain was no excuse for me anymore, especially since I knew that pain was weakness leaving me. I invited him to a new party, The Elemental Test

He accepted it and I used Gamer's Sight on him, Magic Eyes focused tightly on his Aura and bringing up new information.

"So I need an affinity, I'm assuming? I'm guessing you're checking that now." he said, scratching his cheek.

I nodded, "Yes, and it appears you have a strong Air Affinity, so you'll be summoning an Air Elemental." I kicked him from the party, which disbanded automatically since it had no members, and tossed him an Air Dust crystal.

He caught it and pulled out a feather, "This should make things work just fine."

I gave him a quick rundown, and after a minute or so of focusing on the summoning circle, I got to see what happened from an outside view. The summoning circle shined with red energy, then seemed to obliterate itself and the sacrifices as Qrow suddenly collapsed. Gamer's Sight told me he was in a state of deep meditation.

I gave a hum, "Huh, so that's what it looks like. Alright, that explains some things. Now then, girls, I think that since I'm sharing my soul secrets, I should share this one too. I'm going to teach you three how to meditate with the Soul of the World."

The three shared looks then stared at me, expectations in their eyes.

I happily obliged.

---

(Hours later, still in the cave, Jaune POV)

The four of us stirred from meditation as I sent a message that Qrow was waking up. It invaded their perceptions and removed them from their meditative state.

During the four hours, Qrow had shifted to lay on his back, supine with his face up. He opened his eyes and they flicked around before he must have remembered where he was, at which point he sat up and groaned, clutching his head with one hand while fetching his flask with the other, "Fucking hell~." he groaned lowly, "At least it worked."

"I'm glad it worked. Care to show us your elemental?" I was curious, and lit several small, but bright fires around the cave to provide proper illumination.

The girls held their reactions to the meditation until Qrow performed his display.

He held out his hand, smoke and silver-red Aura rising from it. The smoke seemed to coalesce as we heard a crow's caw, and a bird began forming in his hand. Smoke curled into feathers and the red energy formed two beady eyes of the same wine-red color as Qrow's own. The silvery energy dimmed as the smoke was sucked into the shapes needed. It seemed hollow, just as Mystral was, its head and beak formed, as well as its wings, tail, and feet, but little more than tiny wisps filled the space of its torso, breast, and shoulders, yet your mind easily connected the nearly disembodied parts to form a bird.

It opened its beak, speaking with a voice that was heavy and husky like smoke, "I am Huginn, Air Elemental."

"Huginn, crow of legend in North Mistralian mythology, I think it fits you well, Qrow. Though, I have to say, it's a bit odd how it seems to be based on something pre-existing, instead of the random names I get. Like this one, Pluviteus. A portmanteau of Pluvia and Luteus, latin for Orange Rain." I opened the cave's door and summoned him... her... it?

It was hard to tell the gender of the creature that appeared from the water being sucked into the cave. Its body fluctuated, looking almost like whitewater from a hose. It formed a thin, river-like torso and two buff arms, with thick forearms and huge fingers. Its lower body simply turned into a dripping rivulet. It floated almost like a ghost, I realized, body hovering in the air, not touching the ground. Azure energy glowed atop it as its head formed, a slicked-back head of 'hair' made of orange seaweed. Its eyes opened up like two concave holes scooped out of its face, tiny stars of azure like glittering moonlight on the ocean waves. It opened its mouth, another concave hole that was wide like the maw of a beast. Overall, it looked about exactly like what I'd imagine a Water Elemental to look like.

"I am Pluviteus." she said, the voice feminine and fluctuating massively, sometimes sounding like waves crashing together, sometimes like the babbling of a calm brook, sometimes like the roar of a waterfall, and sometimes like the pattering of rain, "You and I... that is okay?"

I smiled, "That's fine, friend." I summoned the others with the resources I had available, letting Qrow and Huginn meet them, "And the same with the rest of you. I've always felt it but I don't think I've ever said it except to you, Crocea." my mirror gave me a smile, "Soon I'll get that last elemental, maybe tomorrow. Right now, I think it's time for Pluviteus and I to explore this new fact of power." I looked at the others, "It's rather late, nearly sunset, and Yang and Marbel both have class tomorrow. I'll be making more buildings tomorrow, and Blake, I think helping keep them clean is a fair price for having your own home." I smiled at her, "I might make new friends, have them join us, but know that you three are the best RPG party I've ever had." I smiled at them brightly and honestly.

All three of them smiled warmly, various shades of pink dusting their cheeks. I saw my Closeness to Marbel and Blake increased slightly. I smiled and opened the door wider, a bubble forming in the air where the rain didn't fall, merely slid off an invisible surface. I made a gesture to beckon Yang and Marbel over, "It'll be much dryer and faster riding in the Invisible Jet." I chuckled as azure energy coalesced into an almost torpedo-like shape. The two waved goodbye to Blake and Qrow and stepped out with me. I climbed into the car, Yang and Marbel sitting behind me, and I chuckled, "Krrshhh~. this is your captain speaking, please fasten your seatbelts and keep your arms and legs inside the invisible jet for the duration of the flight, thank you. Krrshhh~."

We all shared a hearty round of laughter as we flew through the sky on condensed winds.

...

I expanded the rainless bubble to cover the front door of the Mayston household, Yang and I waving goodbye to her.

When the door closed, we moved on, both smiling as Yang shifted closer to me, "I like Marbel, she's a good girl. Reminds me of Ruby." she rested her head on my shoulder, "Jaune... I think maybe..."

"I know what you're going to say, and there just isn't any way..." I let a pause take hold, before suddenly adding, "That I could leave Ruby out of this. She's a good girl too, and a good friend. I think I can trust her to do the right thing, and to treat this power responsibly." I didn't let my high of joy take away the fact that I was hesitant to approach the Rose/Xiao Long household. It was supposed to be the Rose/Xiao Long/Branwen household, but sadly there were no Branwens living there. I felt with my senses for life, danger, and bloodlust.

Only two life readings. No danger or bloodlust. Taiyang wasn't home.

I breathed a sigh I didn't realize I'd been holding in, my heart calming from its rapid pounding. It had been what, three or four days? I was sure that he would more than likely kill me outright if he found out about how Yang had gone against his wishes and came back to me, and that I'd gone ahead despite his threats and moved forwards in my relationship with her. He would blame me and probably beat me within an inch of my life, if not just kill me outright. I sighed softly, landing down, "Your father isn't here. You mind if I come in? I'd like to talk to Ruby personally about this." Yang gave me a soft nod, and I walked up to the door, knocking firmly three times as Yang stood next to me.

I heard a gasp behind the door, followed by Ruby opening it quickly, "Jaune, you're here! Is it true? Yang did he try to make you do dirty stuffs?"

I felt my teeth grating. The bastard had lied to Ruby about me? "No Ruby, we only went on a date, it was nice but then your dad ruined it and tried to burn me." I said, trying my best to keep the hate out of my words, but Taiyang had made me quite salty.

Yang nodded, "Nothing bad happened, sis. Dad was being a butt about me love life AGAIN." she sighed exasperated.

Ruby pouted, "Dangit dad. I guess you want to get in out of the rain?"

I chuckled, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something. For being so cool, I have a present for you." my laughter increased as she gasped adorably, squealing in excitement. I patted her on the head, "In a minute, first we need to talk." I walked into the house and Ruby practically skipped after me, anxious to see her present. I sat on the loveseat and Yang sat next to me, and I gestured for Ruby to sit on the couch, "You're going to want to be sitting down for this."

Ruby nodded and plopped down on the couch, looking at me expectantly, "So where's the present?"

"First, I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone about this, not even your dad, okay?" I looked at her seriously.

The petite girl, for all of her childish energy and excitement, nodded in agreement, her expression turning serious, "Alright... I understand. This is pretty serious, huh?"

I nodded to her, "It will change your world." I began making the message, "Just read the tutorial, and be responsible." I sent the invite.

---

(Ruby's POV)

I got serious. It was clear this wasn't just some early birthday gift or a 'hey thanks for being a cool friend' present like Cherry gave me sometimes, this was serious, as serious as things got, "Alright... I understand. This is pretty serious, huh?

Jaune nodded at me, "It will change your world... just read the tutorial, and be responsible." wait what? Change my world?

Tutorial?

Be responsible?

Suddenly, I saw blue rectangle floating in front of my face.

PARTY INVITE!

You have been invited to Jaune Arc's party "Team Celeste"!

You will be brought into The Game with this action.

[Accept] [Decline]

I stared at it, "Is this like final fantasy?"

Jaune made a 'so-so' gesture, "Kinda. It's like a lot of RPG games, all wrapped up into a big adventure, except the adventure is life itself." I smiled at that.

I accepted the invite. After several seconds of waiting, I realized that I felt like something was pressing down on my chest. I could hardly breath, struggling to take in a bit of air, like I was choking. The floor caught me as the room was suddenly spun around, though the soft carpet didn't alleviate the feeling in my core, which honestly felt like my soul was getting torn apart.

My Aura flared around me, glowing brightly as I heard screaming in the distance. I covered my ears but still heard it, which is when I realized that the screaming was ME. I felt like my heart was an orange, and it was suddenly and brutally peeled, then molten steel was poured into the cavity. I felt my Aura catch on fire.

No, literally, my Aura caught on fire.

I heard new screams, and Jaune and Yang picked me up and threw me into the sky. I felt like I was flying when I saw the messages.

It's time now.

NO!

You can't stop it.

You have received the status effect "Bloodstained Grin"!

NO NO NO NO NO!

YOU CAN'T RESIST THIS YOU B-

I WON'T LET YOU!

You have received the status effect "Safe Haven"!

Nothing can stop me. Don't even try.

You have received the status effect "Crimson Devil"!

YOU'RE AS EMPTY AND SOULLESS AS THE OTHERS! DIE CRETIN!

You're as weak and pitiful as the others. I-ARGH!

Your status effect "Crimson Devil" has been removed!

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Your status effect "Bloodstained Grin" has been removed!

STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP

STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

You have received the status effect "Goodnight, sweet princess."

I felt my consciousness snap like a twig and everything went dark.

---

(Jaune's POV)

I stood shocked. Something... something wasn't right.

This was far more than just a Soul Wracked by Chaos.

This was like chaos itself. I'd seen red windows, each with different text, arguing with each other, as if two different entities were trying to get into The Game. Yang and I had gotten Ruby to the kitchen, and I felt myself nearly get sick when Ruby's mostly unconscious body heaved itself. Yang aimed her sister's face into the sink, but neither of us were prepared for what came out.

A mushy paste, like partially digested cookies...

... and pure blood.

I saw Ruby's HP drop in chunks and hit her with all the Soulforges I could make. I didn't stop healing her for ten minutes straight, maybe longer.

I lost track of the time, I was distraught and angry at whatever the fuck had just happened. I was thankful I'd turned off inter-member messages or else Blake and Marbel would have seen all that too.

I focused as hard as I could, using every trick I had and even trying to break the game to force it to DO SOMETHING. Ruby was like a new little sister and I wasn't going to let her get hurt.

Suddenly, I saw a notification.

ERROR! ERROR ERROR ERROR!

Ruby has received the permanent status effect "Blessed with Joy"

ERROR!

ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOORRRRRRRR!

WARNING!

DANGER!

Keystone Fragment Compatibility has been compromised!

Game shutdown imminent.

Reboot timer value unknown.

Darkness has set in.

Alchemical Aura's interaction with blood has added a new race to "Beast's Blood"!

You have unlocked the race "Dark Warrior"!

I felt my own consciousness start to fade away.

In the distance, I heard Yang shouting, "Jaune! Jaune! Jaune please! Not you too!"

I smiled at her, I think, I wasn't sure.

Everything went dark.

One last message caught my eye before I was fully gone.

You shouldn't have done that.

---

Well, that's the chapter, then. I suppose we got a nice look into things, as well as hints towards something more sinister afoot.

What is the mysterious italic entity? Why was it trying to give Ruby evil status effects? Who was the underlined entity? Why are they trying to protect Ruby? Are they even protecting Ruby or just trying to keep her alive for something? More will be revealed later.

For now, this'll be it for now, I literally start college in an hour or so, and this chapter is probably way over my set limit, but it didn't seem to want to end.

Well, now it has, all that's left is the omake.

---

Omake: Deliver me unto evil, lead me into temptation.

---

Salem stared at the twitching form of Cinder Fall, then looked at her associate, "She's braindead, isn't she."

The woman stood under a shadowed overhang labeled 'plot identity protection', but she stared at the fallen villainess' form, "I'm pretty sure she's not brain ALIVE, and judging by the puddle she's making, she's still locked in that continuous orgasm."

"STILL?" the evil queen said, surprised, "We recovered her three days ago."

The shadowed woman shrugged, which was somehow perceived despite her complete shrouding in shadows, "I'm surprised she's still alive, given that she should have dehydrated by now, and you don't exactly have life support or IVs here. What kind of base is this? I'm pretty sure it's a fucking volcano."

"Shut up, you don't understand my artistic vision." Salem pouted and crossed her arms.

The hidden woman rolled her one visible eye, "Burning to death, it's pretty easy to understand, anyways what was she trying to do?"

Salem sighed, "Sexually dominate and mind control Jaune Arc, who is a major threat to our plans for... some reason."

"Looks like Cinder got the tables turned the fuck around on her, she's still making a blowjob face." the shadowed woman giggled in a sinister way, pointing out the lewd expression of the evil agent.

The evil queen facepalmed, "I'll deal with this, Jaune Arc will be no more when I am done with him."

"His balls will be no more, because if you follow the same pattern, they'll fall off from overexertion."

Salem rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to do THAT to him, he would never satisfy me."

The shadowed woman giggled, "I have never felt happiness since I was dumped at prom a thousand years ago~! I gave Ozzy my virginity and he gave me humiliation~!" she said in an imitation of the Grimm Queen, mocking her.

"I've never been to prom and I was NOT in a relationship with Ozpin! Why does everyone I kidnap say that?" she looked at a group of people who were bound, scared shitless, and malnourished, "You all don't think I was in a relationship with Ozpin, do you?"

The reactions of the group were mixed. Most of them had, rather than answer, release tortured screams and shrieks. The remainder seemed to answer in that tone that gave away they'd thought the opposite of the answer they were givin, "N-noooo~, of course not, y-you're too g-g-g-g-good f-f-for him." one man said.

Salem smirked, not catching the nervousness of the people, and looked at her hidden companion smugly.

A deadpan was perceivable, "Just go get your brains fucked out by, and I quote Cinder, 'the cock of the gods', and when you come back, don't tell me how it was. I don't want to be tempted. Being forced to stay in the dark is bad enough, being unable to go out and get some good sex while being forced to stay in the dark is worse."

Salem sighed, "Fine, I'll break him with my superior sexual skills, and then I'll kill him." she snapped her fingers and teleported.

The shadowed woman sighed, "Of course she can teleport. Every villain can teleport if they're important enough." she rolled her visible eye.

Cinder let out a low moan.

...

Salem appeared outside of Beacon, luckily out of anyone's view. She focused her evil equivalent of Aura and transformed herself, turning into a beautiful young woman with a voluptuous body that practically glowed with health, sexily tanned and smooth skin, and black hair. She walked towards the school and saw several students in the distance. She pretended to smile as she approached, but then saw the students drop their jaws and everything they were carrying. She was curious what their problem was, she'd transformed perfectly and there was nothing about her that resembled her original form except her red irises.

A draft suddenly informed her of the problem. She'd transformed away her dress.

She would not blush so easily, but dammit how was she so careless? She wasn't looking forward to having sex with the Arc THAT badly.

She jogged ahead, her large, heavy breasts bouncing around with every step. She just had to find the blonde hero wannabe and dominate him.

She would win this game of chess.

...

(Jaune POV)

I was surprised at this development. This mysterious woman had approached me with an aroused expression, not wearing a single stitch of clothing, and had pulled me into the nearest broom closet, practically tearing my clothes off.

Now, granted, I didn't oppose this too much, but I wish these stupid notifications would stop appearing every goddamn time.

EROGE MODE ACTIVATED!

Sex begin!

I was given a list of options, which would compel my partner to do certain things or let me do certain things.

However, I saw a strange set of options in the 'special' section.

I'd seen a lot of strange options, Cat in the cradle when I was with Blake, What the doctor ordered when I was with the nurse, and of course my favorite, Golden Sunrise when I was with Yang.

Who knew Lightning Dust could do THAT?!

However, THESE options were just plain WEIRD.

Special:

Let me see those pearly blacks.
Fuck the magic outta you.
In the asshole of hell.
Stop hiding that pretty face.
Devil May Cry
Win The Game.

I began with a normal pace, seeing her own Pleasure Bar quickly rising. I pressed the first button.

The woman screamed as black energy flashed around her, and when she opened her eyes again, they were red, but the whites were now black!

I pressed the second one and saw her hair fade to white and her skin start getting paler.

The third one came and she bent over, begging me to take her from behind. I'd lost track of how much time had passed, and pressed myself into her rear, which was dark, but clean. Her pleasure bar flashed several times as I worked up the focus to hit the fourth button.

Suddenly, her skin turned pale white, a bit gray, and she looked back at me with a face I almost couldn't stand, dark crimson veins glowing around her eyes. I hid my distaste because DAMN the pleasure had already filled my pleasure bar, and the Orgasm button was now able to be pressed.

I pressed the fifth button and found myself choking her, and it was clearing she was into erotic asphyxiation. I roared and let myself release inside her, my bar emptying like my balls.

We both collapsed, panting, and out of curiosity, I pressed the final button, which had me more curious than anything.

My body's motions were uncontrolled as I grabbed her neck and head, and then with a move I swear was straight out of a Mortal Kombat game, I ripped her head and a decent length of her spine off.

*BEEP BEEP*

CONGRATULATIONS! You have defeated the final boss and won The Game!

Your level has increased by one-hundred twenty-two!

You have gained the Grimm Mask "The Queen of Darkness"!

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!

Yes I fucked the devil in the ass: Defeated Salem, Queen of Darkness, with an Erotic Victory!

I stared at the messages for a long time, then slowly removed my dick from Salem's rear. I stood up, using Pluviteus to clean the fluids off my crotch, and put my clothes back on.

I used Roimontagne to lift the closet into the air and fly it away from the school.

Hours upon hours later, we landed in the backwoods behind the mountain range that Eagle Mountain rested in. I touched down on the peak of a mountain, floating on the winds.

And I set the closet on fire. I set it more on fire than I'd ever set anything on fire before. I actually nearly ran out of AP with the fire I was maintaining.

I burned the closet and, consequently, Salen's body for three days and three nights, leaving only ashes and dust behind.

When I was done, I flew back to Beacon and found the nurse from the infirmary.

We ran some tests.

"I'm sorry." Nurse Sakura said sadly, "You have Grimm AIDS."

I cursed my Luck, which clearly wasn't working like it should have.

"Well, I heal all ailments with a sleep, so... I'm going to sleep, please keep everyone off my dick while I'm out cold, I don't want to give them Grimm AIDS."

"How'd you even get Grimm AIDS?" Sakura asked.

I sighed, "I fucked a woman in the ass and it turned out she was a Grimm in disguise. She wasn't the Loch Ness monster, though, so she didn't ask for tree fiddy, but it was good up until I killed her for being a Grimm."

The nurse winced, "Ouch... was it at least good?"

I chuckled, "Yeah, but I got Grimm AIDS from it, so that's not so fun. I'm going to sleep now, goodnight."

Sakura giggled, "Goodnight."

...

(Back at the wasteland)

The shadowed woman waited, "She should have been back by now. Why isn't she back? How long has it been? Hey tortured people, how long has it been?"

She didn't get a response, they had died of malnourishment and dehydration, "Well shit. Cinder, you any closer to being conscious?"

Cinder stirred, "Urgh... ugh... my head... what happened?"

The woman chuckled, "You were out for a full week after Arc fucked your brains out. I think he literally fucked Salem to death, she hasn't come back in three days."

Cinder shook her head, "Goddammit, well that's just fucking great. So much for literally all of our plans."

The hidden woman smiled, "So can I come out from the shadows now?"

Cinder went wide-eyed, "NO! It'll destroy everything!"

The woman scoffed, crossing her arms, "Are you calling me ugly?"

Cinder stood up, shaking her head, "No, no you don't understand it the way I do, you can't come out for a good reason. Just trust me."

The woman rolled her eye, shaking her head, "Fine, now what?"

The amber-eyed villainess looked around, "Wait and recover?"

The shadowed woman sighed, "I've been waiting all this time, and I don't even have anything to recover from."

Cinder sat in the dark throne, drinking from a bottle of wine that had been hiding behind it, "Whatever. Wanna drink?" she tossed a bottle over.

The shadowed woman smiled, "FINALLY something to do." she took the bottle.

With nothing to do, no queen to serve, the two women did what everyone did when their life had gone down the shitter.

Drank until they forgot everything.

---

Cutting it awfully close with that scene with the Eroge Mode. Oh well, hehe, it's just an Omake, it doesn't hold any real significance except for being entertaining.

I'm rushing in this last little bit, so I'll just post Jaune's stats and end the chapter here.

-/\-

Jaune Arc
Title: Intermediate Hero
Level: 49
Class: Wizard v2
Nickname: Mr. Player Man

HP: 12,500/12,500
AP: 35,150/35,150
SP: 16,800/16,800

Strength: 60 (+100%) = 120
Dexterity: 53 (+100%) = 106
Vitality: 70 (+100%) = 140
Intelligence: 101 (+3) (+100%) = 208
Wisdom: 98 (+3) (+100%) = 202
Luck: 110
Charisma: 77

Stat Points: 108

Age: 17
Birthday: November 20th
Race: Human
Height: 5'11.5
Weight: 195
Build: Medium Athletic
Hair/Eyes/Skin: Bright Blonde / Bright Azure / Fair

-/\-

Alright, that's everything for now. I'll probably come back and edit this soon enough, for now I'm shoving it out the door!

See you all next time~!

^w^