Yandere Simulator.
A game where you quite ruin rivals to get closer to your love.
And you ruin them via reputation or literal death.
That's the world I'm currently in...
"Yandere-dev... You're awesome, and great... but what the actual heck?"
Those were the first words I muttered under my breath as I paced around in [Living Quarters], deciding to put my 'front [Golems]' on break to do things manually when I get to it.
Going off the game that was STILL in development, it's supposed to simulate a high school along with real life.
...
And I'm supposed to recruit a Yandere that was formerly emotionless...
"Why? Just... Why?"
Adding in the factor that tutorials usually cannot be skipped...
Sighing, I warped to the basement to check in on the [Xenomorphs], only to blink as they all kept their distance from something.
It was a bright crystal, with flowing colors like a cartoon acid trip.
I asked out loud... and slightly directed at the [Alpha Queen Xenomorph] of mine, "What. The Fuck. Is that?"
"We don't know, Master. It appeared when we began to make a water reservoir."
A water reser- you know what? Never mind.
"System, what is this?"
I... have no clue.
Running diagnostics...
Great. Just... Great.
"Okay... Xenomorphs? Keep the fuck away from that, for the sake for not being a based-line human poking a sleeping eldritch god with a stick."
"Understood."
This... is something many Gamers lack... extreme caution.
Approaching an unknown is always something you should think about. Consider the conditions and current situation before attacking.
It's like a level 1 noob deciding to fight a level 100 boss: utterly foolish.
Time to see what the actual interior of the 'cover' is like.
When I appeared at the interior, I found myself in a Art Store.
Multiple mediums were neatly organized all over the place, with a few paint cans and paint drums located in the corner.
...
Grabbing all of the different sticks of [Chalk], I added them to the [Infinetory].
Rituals almost always involve chalk being used, with colors and shapes being involved.
Best to prepare, should I get into rituals.
...
Oh, right.
[Auction House]
Auction House:
Conversion Rate: N/A
... Explain.
Due to the [Shop Point] exploit you found, everything is now [Trade] based.
Your offered item will have offered items in return, allowing a 'trade' to occur.
Use this to get certain items you want or need.
Huh... In that case, rename [Auction House] as [Trading Center].
Done. And... it makes more sense, anyway.
Let's see... Offer up the [Xenomorph Egg], and time to see what kind of insanity people are going to get into for desperation.
Leaving it alone, I retrieved the [Emotional Core] from the [Storage].
Time to balance out a Yandere...
"System? Can you please 'highlight' her so I can easily find her? I want to get this over with..."
While I'm not one to question the mind of a Yandere, it does bring up an interesting question...
What are we willing to do in the name of 'love'?
A few weeks later...
It took some time, but... Things got complicated. Just not in the ways I expected.
Ayano Aishi, A.K.A. Yandere-chan, is... 'new' to emotions and logic.
Actually, let me give some background information.
See, on the first day here, I quite literally warped myself to her home and gave her emotions. Wasn't that quick to leave, though, as I was caught due to her turning the lights on.
The sad part is that my 'teleport' skill only works when I get into a shadow that I can 'fit' into.
Understandably, she thought I was her 'soulmate'... but I awkwardly shot that down and requested that I meet her parents, when they are in town.
Surprisingly... a phone call had them come over as soon as possible.
Then, things got awkward when I explained who I am.
Sitting down modestly at the table, the mother of Ayano questioned, "So... you aren't my baby's chosen one?"
I laughed awkwardly, "I mean... my higher-ups made me give her the emotions. It's complicated. Let's just say I don't know orders from guidelines, and merely fulfill my missions and tasks set before me to do."
The father sighed, "Well, at least you're not a murderer."
Everyone saw my wince, "That's... more complicated. See... the ones I work for confirmed the multiverse, along with omniverse, and are sort of... sending me wherever to help others. However, the way I help said 'others' is a bit... unorthodox."
He frowned, "How so?"
I thought for a moment, "Well... To make it easier to comprehend, I have my own business to run, and... well... it involves killing, at the moment. Not planning on killing anyone in this world, though, so don't worry that much."
The mother simply smiled... but it had a bit of an edge, "In that case, what is your profession?"
I answered honestly, "I work at a shop. My task is to make it have many useful items and creatures as possible. It's sometimes too much, though, so my higher ups saw it fitting to have someone join my 'business' as an employee. Namely, your daughter. I try not to ask questions that much."
After a moment of quiet conversations, the mother asked, "Can we see where you work at?"
A massive shock to their system followed by meeting the Xenomorphs later, and Ayano was working for me as an employee, helping me refill the products on the weekdays when school was over.
I've also been making slow progress on teaching her emotions via video games.
...
What? Say what you want, but being 'upset' on how things went could give me a good idea of how the 'negative' spectrum of emotions work. She wasn't an official [Employee], though.
And that's the final step...
Emotional Employee Tutorial: A tutorial for how to hire an employee, with emotional baggage included!
Tasks:
- Use [Emotional Core] on Ayano Aishi. (Completed)
- Hire Ayano Aishi, and recruit her as an [Employee]. (In Progress)
- Teach Ayano Aishi about emotions. (Completed).
Rewards: [Mechanic] Skill
The real problem, however, isn't in regards to freedom...
Employees:
Recruit whoever you want to the [Shop] as a worker! They can specialize in what they do, or help you out in your adventure!
On the plus side, they also gain the [Shop Perks] that apply to you.
However, once they move in, they cannot return to their 'home' dimension.
NOTE: Must willingly join you of their own free, non-manipulated will.
The part where it became complicated... was when Ayano offered ideas to advertise and bring in customers.
Seriously... I'm as perverted as the next anime protagonist, but Ayano's ideas...
"Look... We won't use Oka to bring in customers. This is a 'paint' shop, not an costume and prop store. While the cliche of 'quiet ones' seems to apply to her, it doesn't change the fact that putting her in body paint could ruin the school's reputation on how 'exposed' she is. What I do is anticipate the long-term results and figure out if current actions should be taken, if the end result could be that."
Ayano frowned, "I understand, Shop-kun..."
Yeah... that's her nickname for me.
Shaking my head, I offered, "How about we put a pin on this, and take a break? We can see what the [Xenomorphs] are up to, or check in on that chicken."
Ayano crossed her arms and pouted... before eagerly admitting, "Fine... I actually want to check in on the chicken, see what it laid."
Quickly grabbing her hand and leading her to the [Farm], we quickly looked at the different eggs like eager toddlers in Easter.
The [Familiar Eggs] were each in a separate next, enclosed in a glass box that was temperature controlled.
Something easily managed once I mixed in the [Runes] for Fire and Ice.
Add in a few nests made of hay in each chamber, and wha-la, incubation chamber that keeps the [Familiar Eggs] alive.
[Hell Hound Familiar Egg] - A doggo from the inferno itself. Loyal, fierce, and is immune to extreme heat and cold.
[Ice Phoenix Familiar Egg] - Fire? How about ice? A phoenix that freezes and manipulates the cold. Master of Ice Magic, and is reborn from its icy remains.
[Druid Familiar Egg] - A tree infused with massive amounts of mana, perfect for manipulating plant life.
[Kraken Familiar Egg] - Tentacles. Just... Tentacles. It's a giant squids that can breathe on land, fly, and grow to ginormous sizes. Just be sure to keep it wet.
[Evolution Lizard Familiar Egg] - The ultimate bodyguard, forever loyal to its master. Evolves and adapts at a rapid rate. However, must be fed to grow.
[Kitsune Familiar Egg] - A magical shape-shifting fox that can command fire. Now with extra fluff!
... The second to last one is pretty much SCP-682...
I'll take it.
Gently picking up the monochrome scaled egg, I looked at it as Ayano looked at me eagerly.
"This... is pretty much the swiss-army knife of all tanks."
She looked at me confused, "Tanks?"
I explained as I viewed the hatching requirements, "It's a gaming term. To make it simple, it can take tons of hits, and deal massive amounts of damage. However, like real ground tanks, they're slow as heck. That isn't to say that the familiar is slow, but the idea is that if a character goes for being a 'tank', they'll focus on Health, Defense, and Attack, but mainly the first two."
She slowly nodded along, "So... Tanks are the ones that protect their team?"
I nodded, "Correct. And this [Familiar], well... it's the 'ultimate' Tank."
Evolution Lizard Familiar Egg
Hatching Conditions: Complete Submersion in hydrochloric acid within an container composed of acid-resistant steel, for 1 week straight.
Since I have a maximum [Familiar] limit of two... I'm taking this as my loyal 'guard dog'.
As I made plans for obtaining the materials to make the container, Ayano asked hesitantly, "Can... Can I come with you?"
That made me freeze, before asking, "What...?"
"Can I join you? Be with you on your journey to travel to different worlds."
"Ayano... This... This job isn't pleasant. Joining me will not only take a toll on your morals for 'right' and 'wrong', but... you'll never come back here ever again. Not for a while, at least. And even then, I'm not in charge of where we'll end up. My higher-ups are."
"But-"
"Ayano, please listen to me. You will never see your parents ever again. You will never return to this school ever again. You will be giving up the life you could've lived in this world, and will always be traveling from place to place. This life was semi-forced onto me, but I'm making the best of it. You... You can simply walk away from all of this. If you do this, you'll be permanently moving out of your current home, and never see it ever again."
"..."
I questioned her, "Are you sure, you want to join me?"
This is the real thing all [Gamer] stories never, EVER, touch about. If they can travel to different worlds and bring people along for the ride... a way back to the 'party's' home [World] is included. From what I could tell, this is a permanent one-way trip for her, and even though it's a task for the [Quest], it isn't an easy choice to make.
After all... I don't have the [Gamer's Mind] or [Gamer's Body].
What I do have... is some common sense.
Everyone is their own person, and they make their own choices.
Even the bad guys...
And Ayano, despite her 'prime' version being a serial killer, deserves to make a choice.
The (still possible) Yandere looked conflicted, as I sighed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "Listen, give yourself a week before making this decision. If you refuse, I'll get to see what happens when I 'fail' to complete my tasks. But it isn't of major consequence. Just... know that your life is up to you."
She slowly looked at me, before hesitantly nodding as I sighed, "You had a long day... so you can head home early."
She hesitantly left as I closed up the 'front' of the store... and got planning for the future.
The next world that's officially after this is Resident Evil, but in it's chronological sequel. Resident Evil 4, to be exact. I recall on the wiki that Resident Evil 3 takes place just around Resident Evil 2. With 'me' already integrated into the history of Raccoon City before the nuke drop, along with Claire and Leon knowing about me, I'm concerned about whether or not the 'timeline' of events would be factored in. Would it be a 'sequel', or will it still count as an alternate universe from the original?
Regardless, first things first...
"[Trading Center]."
Trading Center
Object/Subject: Xenomorph Egg
Offers: [offer (point of interest)]
- 1 yacht (in disrepair)
- Green Kryptonyte (radioactive, fresh from Krypton's destruction)
- Genie Lamp (newly made/created)
- 1 [Minecraft] Crafting Table (has 'equations' for recipes)
... Yeah, I'm taking the [Minecraft Crafting Table] for the sake of making an easy amount of bread, along with seeing how much wheat is needed to make a Minecraft loaf of Bread.
Actually, now that I think about it... wasn't there a [Minecraft] mod that, when you turn the Wheat into Flour, then cook it, it turns into Bread?
Hm...
I'll worry about that, later.
[Minecraft] Crafting Table obtained.
Nodding as I sorted it into the [Farm] section of the shop, I frowned slightly as I saw something that popped up.
Trading Center:
Cooldown: 6 days, 23 hours, 54 minutes, 20 seconds
Seems like a 'patch note' for this... makes sense, with how Supply and Demand changes constantly.
Different people, different needs.
Shaking away the thoughts, I muttered, "It's going to be a long week... Maybe I can buy a Nintendo Switch?"
PING!
Just finished the catalog for [Shop Points]!
... Hey, where's the [Employee]?
Well, at least I have something to do... I'll get on that tomorrow.
Would you like to [Compound]?
Hm...
Compound: 'Condense' all of the powers of your bought perks into a single [Skill], greatly boosting its abilities and limits. Allows easier leveling to be done with a permanently exp multiplier towards that [Skill] that cannot be erased by [Compound].
WARNING: Resets the [Skill] chosen, when doing so. Also, any obtained [Perks] via [Perk Shop] that are 'condensed' cannot be re-bought for 28 days.
Well, yes I would, but... what should I 'prestige' it all into?
After all, in a game, prestige unlocks benefits and makes the next 'run' easier to do. It's pretty much a glorified 'VIP pass' towards easy street.
The problem is that, while it may seem useful, most of the [Perks] have different amounts of 'strength' behind them.
To quote the blonde vampire DIO from JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Part 6: Stone Ocean,
"No matter who you are, you have strengths and weaknesses based on your own character. A king has his own strengths. A chef has his unique ones, as well. Stands are the same. There's no concept for 'weak' or 'strong'."
In this case, the 'Stands' are the perks.
After all, anything can be used as a weapon.
So the question isn't 'what [Skill] I have is the strongest', but rather 'what [Skill] do I get the most use out of?'
And... the answer is quite simple.
[Telekinesis]
Quickly going to my room in the [Living Quarters], I laid down on my bed before commanding,
"System: [Compound] into [Telekinesis]."
Are you sure?
"Yes."
Activating [Compound]...
Wait, wasn't that [Sleep Combo] part of the [Perks] I bought?
Then...
You even know that feeling where you just want to drop into bed and sleep for a week?
Picture that, but happening instantly.
It felt like a massive amount of energy was leaving my body, and...
I felt...
Sleepy...
3 hours later...
Groaning a bit, I opened my eyes before yawning.
Ah, that's right...
System: Pull up the stats for [Telekinesis].
... And make it so on future uses for [Compound], you list what [Perks] I'll be giving up, but only the ones I use the most.
Telekinesis (Level: 1): Move stuff with your mind, and even create barriers to trap people. It's telekinesis, what did you expect? Level up by moving stuff around. The heavier and more objects you move, the more exp you gain.
Weight Capacity: X pounds = Level x 10
Til next level: 0%
Compound Multiplier: x10,000
Exp equation (gained after an object is released): (Every Whole Minute of use) x ((Weight (pounds) of Object 1 x #s of Object 1) + (Weight (pounds) of Object 2 x #s of Object 2) + ...)
Huh... this, is going to be a cakewalk.
With the multiplier and how much stuff I have laying around, this will be leveled up very quickly. And with the Weight Capacity function, it seems like there's a 'weight limit total' as to how much I can lift.
Right now, the limit is 10 pounds. That means that, if I'm already lifting a 5 pound object, I can life a separate 3 pound one with a 2 pound one. Or any other variation, just so long as the total objects I life with [Telekinesis] have their sum weight be less than or equal to 10 pounds.
So if I lift an object that weighs 10 pounds and keep it 'held' for 2 minutes, the total would've been 20 exp, but since it'll be multiplied by 10k... that would mean that I gain 200k exp. But... that's only if I 'release' my hold on the object.
And that's the key word: release.
This [Skill] will only level up after gaining exp, not during its use. I could be holding the object for 12 hours, but nothing will happen because I didn't release it. Another problem is the 'time' multiplier. If I hold it for 59 seconds before releasing it, I still gain 0 exp from it since it wasn't a whole minute.
Well... time to get training.
I muttered as I finished stretching, "Time to get cleaning..." Getting back to the 'front', I grabbed a mop and made it sweep the outside docks.
After all, it's around 8 pounds.
One hour later...
Telekinesis (Level: 100): Move stuff with your mind, and even create barriers to trap people. It's telekinesis, what did you expect? Level up by moving stuff around. The heavier and more objects you move, the more exp you gain.
Weight Capacity: X pounds = Level x 10
Til next level: 27%
Compound Multiplier: x10,000
Exp equation (gained after an object is released): (Every Whole Minute of use) x ((Weight (pounds) of Object 1 x #s of Object 1) + (Weight (pounds) of Object 2 x #s of Object 2) + ...)
[Compound] is the right kind of OP for this version of the [Game]. No need to nerf. After all, with the 'cooldown' effect, it's a hardcore punishment.
Like sacrificing all of your hard-earned gaming experience and progress to make it easier from square one, like Cookie Clicker.
Now that I think about it...
Nah, too much of a hassle, and not worth the effort, at the moment.
But it does provide protection from the OP loli dragons from Highschool DxD.
I'll come back to it, later.
Hey, just found out what that thing in the Xenomorph Hive was.
But you're not going to like it.
"Lay it on me. I'll try to spin it positive."
Well... It's a 'Dungeon Crawl', with a possible [Employee] at the entrance of it.
However, it's an de-powered ice queen pseudo Yandere.
... That's... only narrowing it down to the character of that one anime... that feels like Devil May Cry's [Devil Arms], but being the 'diet' version of it.
Don't worry, Esdeath is frozen solid, but can be literally thawed out.
She's weakened, though, so you need to build her up.
Am I... Is this becoming one of those dime-a-dozen harem animes and/or fanfictions?
Shaping up to it, but who knows...
Right...
At least I can have someone to take care of the 'loot' problem of [Crafting]...
Welp, I'm burning time, and I need to make up for it.
"Wonder what's on the [Kitchen Quest], this time?"
6 days before Ayano's decision...
Today, I was fiddling around with the [Shop Point Catalog], to see how it works.
And it was quite simple, in a sense... at least, it seems so.
It first demands a 'prompt' or 'subject' to center the products around.
Seeing as I will eventually (in the long term) have to steal quite possibly exclusive items from different worlds, I used the word Thief as the 'prompt' for the item.
I mean... the Marvel Comics Universe has the freaking [Infinity Stones], so might as well go for broke for the trades.
The results on the 'sales paper' quickly shined to show different items and perks that are related to [Thief Skills].
And it was some well-spent points.
Sneak Brace: This arm brace grants the user the ability to sneak around like a thief, allowing them to pickpocket or steal anything they want. However, this only works with people/sentient beings, and not with alarm systems or digital imaging.
Steal Glove (Level 1): A special glove that allows the wearer to use [Steal] without any mana cost. Higher the level, the better the result.
Cooldown between uses: 10 seconds
Note: Can only [Steal] one random item at a time, if two or more items are on/in the target. Exp gained depends on rarity, quality, and importance to the target of [Steal], at the moment of casting.
Til next level: 0%
The Magical Set Creator: By providing mana and textiles to this set of fashion/clothes making tools, you can infuse enchants that are applied when wearing the garments!
Note: The resulting garments will be influenced by skill, looks, intent, type of garment, and quality of material(s).
Those three were the ones that I started with as investments.
The [Sneak Brace] was purchased due to the idea of 'stealth'... And also the 'sneak system' in Skyrim. Say what you want... but Sneak 100 is an OP hiding spot, despite it being merely crouching down by 5 to 6 inches, maybe more with the crouch-walk.
The [Steal Glove] will be a good one, despite it being chance. It's like drawing numbers out of a box to determine something: as time goes on to pick them, the chances of the other numbers being picked would increase. If there are 5, then it's a 20% chance of getting what you want. After that, it becomes 4, with a 25% chance. 3 lots become 33.3%, 2 becomes 50%, and when there's only 1 item left, well... then it's an 100% chance of getting what you want. The only problem is whether or not if, in the case of the target being a sentient being, if garments and accessories they wear count as things that could be affected by [Steal].
KonoSuba, the incident between Kazuma and Chris/Eris is something that is humorous, but is now important with this.
I mean... say if, for the sake of a baseline human female that's of adult age, that they are wearing the following: a pair of socks, pants, undergarments, bra, shirt, a pair of shoes, earrings, eye contacts, jacket, necklace, and (for the heck of it and to further question things) a necklace with multiple claws/teeth strung through them. If I use [Steal] of her, would the increase in clothes greatly reduce my chances of getting what I want? With what I just listed, and not counting the necklace itself, that's just 12 items added to the possible results of [Steal], right? And if I manage to get her 'socks' or 'earrings', would I be stealing 1 of them, or both of them? And the necklace itself... If I use [Steal], would it count the necklace itself as 1 item, or count the tooth/claws separately, including the 'string'?
Something for me to get back to and work out.
As for [The Magical Set Creator], it's for the sake of having enchantments. Say what you want, but tons of players want to optimize their stats and buffs, making sure everything is alright.
Fire Resistance can easily be translated into Lava Proof, and Self-Repairing would rack in tons of adventurers that was durable or long-lasting clothes. And if done correctly, the garments could be custom tailored (heh) to boost certain types of magic, skills, or spells.
But there's also the question on variations. While I don't have a definite or 'canon' reference points to work off of, cotton and wool are vastly different from each other. In video games, unless a sheep or some other woolly creature is seen, cloth that isn't leather might as well be made from cotton or silk. Does material affect the outcome? What about quality of the final product? Amount of materials used? The colors they are dyed? And, (not to be sexist, but) what about the gender/sex for the one wearing it?
It's the little things that you don't notice, that truly makes a difference. And with me being the 'harvester' for some of the worlds I get to... it's a must to have protection.
I muttered to myself as I equipped the [Sneak Brace] on my left forearm and the [Steal Glove] on my right hand, "Time to make use of that [Zoo Resource World]."
Sending a quick mental command to the [Alpha Xenomorph Queen] about what I was planning to do, I looked over myself to make sure everything was prepared for what I had in mind...
Tomorrow, just for the sake of a 'clean slate'.
5 days before Ayano's decision...
Walking around the zoo, I began looking around. There was a map showing the location of where I am along with where everything was...
And I began wondering the 'requirements' for entering Hell. Like... if it was merely 'guilt', then a kid who felt guilty about stealing a cookie from a cookie jar would... what? I mean, if the said kid died, and felt guilty about it, would that minor thing actually count towards them going to Hell? And if a mass murderer felt no guilt as to what they did, what then?
Rationally, I knew that these 'Hell Souls' supposedly deserve it, and the System provided me with knowledge knowing that these souls are part of various overpopulated Hells. But thinking about it, it only makes me confused as to who actually reside in Hell itself. True, people do bad things, but there's the theme of them 'having no other choice'.
Wait... [Rituals]... cliches...
"System: Does this place provide bodies in which they count as 'virgins'?"
The ol' 'Virgin Sacrifice' cliche, eh?
Not all of the bodies, no.
It's pretty much hit and miss with these humans.
"Drat."
Well... maybe I'll find a nun group or something...
Exploring the zoo, I had a few snacks as I wandered around, noting that despite 'death counters' being visible in each animal exhibit, the reptiles and birds are both at 0 kills. Does that mean that any 'eggs' would fail to crossbreed with Xenomorphs? No, it couldn't be. Now that I think about it... insects are small. It's most likely that, considering the size of a 'chest burster', the living host must be of acceptable size in order to extract the DNA for the crossbreed. But if so... why isn't there any made from dolphins or sharks? Maybe that's why they're making a 'water reservoir', to contain the potential 'aquatic' Xenomorphs...
Maybe.
Wandering over towards the gift shop, I muttered as I focused on a nearby teenage girl, "[Steal]...!"
Obtained [Bra]!
...
*sighs* Of course...
I'm a pervert as much as the next sinner, but seriously... she isn't even reacting.
There's a time and place for everything, but now isn't the time.
Let's try this, again.
Heading over to a nearby staff member, I muttered, "[Steal]...!"
Obtained [Gold Wedding Band]!
... And he didn't even notice, too.
Looks like [Steal] truly takes something random. And while each item stolen narrows down the results... It's still a huge pool to choose from. But since this is including what is being worn... this just got more difficult.
Now that I think about... what about prosthetic limbs? Or even pacemakers? Wheelchairs?
Something to experiment with later.
For now, time to grind up the [Steal Glove].
4 days before Ayano's decision...
Going to the bookstore, I looked around the sections before finding the ones for crafts. Purchasing them, I mentally went over them: metal working, sewing, knitting, sharpening, even a few for carving.
All important for when you want to make stuff.
Actually... I might as well see if I can introduce an 'education system' into the [Living Quarters]. I don't want any knowledge to atrophy...
Will it be there, though?
Who knows?
Heading back to the crafting room, I quickly began to think about designs and stuff that will be useful in the long-run... before smacking myself at something blatantly obvious due to Esdeath joining the list of workers: a training dummy. How should I make it?
Hm...
Coming to a decision, I grabbed two planks of [Wood], a [Pillow], and some [Hay] in order to make the main body, followed by doing a bit of research to develop the [Mending Rune].
Mending Rune: With this, fix up any physical object that is destroyed using mana.
Warning: Only works if it is attached to an object.
Note: Repair speed = Number of Mana Runes / Number of Mending Runes
Recipe: Wind Rune + Earth Rune + Golem Rune + Mana Rune
A bit confusing, but it makes sense... and it a difficult balancing act.
As of right now, the [Runes] are the size of store-brand cookies, but weigh one pound each. With the area and volume I have to work with to put in the 'repair' function, it will weigh more as I add more [Runes] to it.
...
I might as well make some aerial targets, too.
PING!
[Genetic Mutations] - Unlocked for any species so long as they achieved at least 10 different variations from their 'base' counterparts. Allows one to 'update' the very genetic code of a species, within restrictions and conditions.
Think Plague Inc.
That will come in handy... and I'll tinker with it tomorrow.
For now, making the targets and training dummies able to move and fly about, all while dealing 1 damage.
And... that's actually a project I should think about.
After all, there is the shotgun... and then there's the machine gun.
3 days before Ayano's decision...
Going to the [Xenomorph Hive], I looked into what [Genetic Mutations] was all about.
There was tons of medical and magical mumbo-jumbo, but it boils down to the following: There are [Mutation Points], and they are gained via mutations to the 'base' DNA. By spending these points, I can directly modify all of the current species to gain any trait, provided that I can afford them. However, each choice is one out of three, meaning that as soon as I purchase one, it's 'shuffled' out and replaced with a different set of three.
As for what they had currently available...
[Genetic Mutations: Xenomorphs]
Mutation Points: 12
Informational Death: When one dies, their experiences involving the cause of their death will be transmitted throughout the others, allowing the entire Hive itself to adapt to the newly gained knowledge.
Cost: 3 Mutation Points
Acid Body: When a Xenomorph dies, their body dissolves into acid, leaving no trace of their DNA or even a scrap of their skin.
Cost: 6 Mutation Points
Rapid Adaptation: Allows the species to rapidly 'evolve' to obtain certain traits much easier, making the range of hosts to choose from much larger.
Cost: 10 Mutation Points
This... is something I actually need to think about, because all of them are good.
Informational Death will show what the Xenomorphs have to work with. Not only that, but it could allow them to make further strategies to approach a problem. However, the only downside is that it is upon death. It may sound easy, but when someone with a high IQ figures out the pattern, then it will become an 'arms race' for who can land the first blow first. Batman is smart, almost Joker smart. That means that the hero could figure out how the mutation functions. And that's just one media. There's always that one smart guy that could figure out things that others could not, and that guy is the natural enemy of this mutation in the future.
Acid Body is useful for leaving behind no evidence, and it could nearly answer the problem with people trying to turn any Xenomorph they create or spawn against me. However, Esdeath is a future [Employee], and if she's the one to farm the loot and drops... then she needs a good amount of protection against acid attacks. And in [Alien vs. Predator], the hard exoskeleton was immune to the acidic blood.
As for Rapid Adaptation, it's the one with the most potential. Any resulting species could specialize in any type of skill-set. It could allow me to make them survive in deep pressure or even adapt to different environments, depending on the host, of course. But the pricing is nearly all of my Mutation Points.
"Hm..."
It's a coin-toss between Informational Death and Rapid Adaptation.
What will net me more worth in the long run?
...
Best to go with 'variety' and pick Rapid Adaptation. While 'reptiles', 'fish', and 'birds' seem to be locked out of the evolution routes, those three general species typically lay eggs. With the said eggs typically hatching into genetic copies, they can 'graft' any traits they need to the resulting hatchling.
Purchasing the mutation, I decided to experiment and see what happens when two or more items are placed in an [Enchanting Lottery Crate].
One bow, a sticky-note with an 'infinity' symbol', and five minutes later...
Finishing up my instant ramen (one of the most unhealthy, yet flexible and delicious snack man-kind ever created), I opened up the crate... and dropped my jaw in genuine awe at what was there.
Rain Bow: A special type of bow that, while fires one arrow at a time, multiplies the shot depending on the number of kills executed by user with this weapon.
Arrow Multiplier: +1 arrow for every 10 kills
Total Kills: 0
Perks: 1 Kill - Mobile: Turns into a silver bracelet with a thought, and returns to 'bow' form in an instant.
25 Kills - Homing: The arrows home in on the nearest enemy within 8 feet. Homing range increases by 1 foot for every 5 kills.
50 Kills - Straight Shot: The arrows fired will fly a bit more straighter and farther.
100 Kills - Snipe: The arrows fly faster.
1,000,000 Kills - Treasure: By resetting the 'total kills' to zero, gain 1 random loot to use. The higher the total kills were, the more valuable the resulting loot will be.
... Yeah, this is something I'm keeping. I don't see Esdeath being one to fight at a distance. Plus, I can see the kills with this being racked up really quickly with the passing kill. I mean... if converted into 'rates', then after 10 kills, I'll be killing twice as fast. 20 kills, 3 times as fast. It'll soon become a question as to the limits of what is going to be killed in the first place.
But if this is what I get from a random combo, where I at least expected infinite durability as a result...
I wonder if I can re-roll [LSD]?
Whelp... time to work on a 'bargain' to pacify Esdeath, and get her into the business...
Maybe a few skill-books on crafting bladed weapons? Definitely tossing in an [Ice Magic Crystal], if she loss her ice powers... She's also a sadist, so maybe access of the [Zoo Resource World] to torture some of the humans from there. Would she accept biology books, just to understand the human body much easier?
Hm...
"System? Please make a list of things to make and gather before waking up Esdeath."
Roger that.
2 days before Ayano's decision...
Quickly making multiple [Enchantment Lottery Crates], I tossed a single [Rocket Launcher] (but all different makes and models) into each of the crates.
If Leon is going to save the President's daughter, he might as well go all out since the island will be destroyed.
Hopefully, one of the batch would meet the requirements...
Regardless, I looked at the list I ended up compiling for Esdeath.
To Get:
- 1 [Ice Magic Crystal]
- 'Bladed Weapon' Skill Book
- Clothes(?)
- At least 1 pet/Familiar
- Further [Crafting] Skills related to materials and armor
- Cue up 'Akame ga Kill' world?
Those were the bare basics... maybe I should include some [Mana Fruits]- wait... Nah, I shouldn't. Not unless there's a 'level' system with it.
Speaking of [Mana Fruit], actually...
I wonder if I can substitute it for any dishes, and the end result affects it? Well, only one way to find out.
Time to find a juicer.
A quick trip to the supermarket later...
Now in the [Living Quarters] and plugging the juicer in and placing a glass cup at the drain-valve, I looked at the [Mana Fruit], muttering, "Roughly the size of an apple..."
Taking out a few a apples from the fridge, I carefully cut them up before putting the pieces in the juicer, filling a cup up with apple juice.
Apple Juice: Juice from apples. Nothing more, nothing less.
Effect: +10 HP
Huh... That's something. And that was from two apples...
Nodding before carefully cleaning and cutting up two [Mana Fruits], I juiced them, noting how the juice had a light blue tint to them.
Mana Fruit Juice: Made from Mana Fruits, juiced by machine.
Effect: +30 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing
That's... interesting. Seems like the juicer 'multiplied' or 'added' 10 levels total to the 'level up' aspect of the [Mana Fruit].
I wonder... [Apple], then [Mana Fruit].
Mana Apple Juice: Made with 1 Apple and 1 Mana Fruit, juiced by machine.
Effect: +15 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing, +15 HP
This... is getting a bit complicated to understand.
"System? Is there a 'Culinary' skill I could unlock?"
Actually...
Mini-Quest: Culinary School!
Task: Cook/Make 10 different dishes in the 'Kitchen' of [Living Quarters]. (2/10)
Reward: [Cooking] Skill
...
Whelp, time to experiment.
Maybe I can crank the rest out by lunch...
A few hours later...
Mana Fruit Pie: Pretty much apple pie, but replacing the apples with Mana Fruit. Uses 3 Mana Fruits.
Effect: +20 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing, per slice
Slices per Pie: 8
Mana Infused Strawberry-Banana Smoothie: An ordinary Strawbery-Banana Smoothie, with added [Mana Fruit Juice].
Effect: +25 HP, +5 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing
Mana Salad: An ordinary salad, with diced Mana Fruit mixed in.
Effect: +25 MP, +2 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing
It was hard... Apparently, pre-existing dishes don't count, and so far, only using the [Mana Fruit] as a substitute or addition counts.
Maybe I can mix it in with yogurt or something... but I'm running out on ideas...
On the plus side, all of this will just be funneled into the [Cooking Skill], when it's unlocked and gained.
Investments for the win!
Purchasing a bento from a food-market, I wondered to myself as I ate my dinner for the day, "There has to be a way to make 'sword' blueprints... right?"
The [Mana Infused Strawberry-Banana Smoothie] will be my dessert for tonight.
RE4 Rocket Launcher: A rocket launcher from Resident Evil 4. While it has the same destructive output and reload time as its other makes and models, it has one thing that will make Solid Snake proud: Infinite Ammo.
Mana Fruit Yogurt: Vanilla Yogurt with Mana Fruit chunks mixed in.
Effect: +2 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing
Mana Fruit Pudding: It's pudding, but Mana Fruit flavored... That's it.
Effect: +3 Levels to [Skill] of your choosing
1 day before Ayano's decision...
Morning:
Yawning as I stretched, I got up and brushed my teeth, making myself some instant oatmeal. While waiting for the water to boil, I grabbed a [Mana Fruit] and diced it up before filling a bowl with it.
Looking at the remaining [Enchantment Lottery Crates], I muttered, "There has to be a way to recycle these things..."
Pouring the water into the bowl containing the oatmeal, I brushed in the diced [Mana Fruit] to not only have breakfast, but also knock out a 'dish' on the mini-quest.
Mini-Quest: Culinary School!
Task: Cook/Make 10 different dishes in the 'Kitchen' of [Living Quarters]. (9/10)
Reward: [Cooking] Skill
... I honestly did it as a joke, but I welcome the results. Sadly, it did nothing but make it taste better, but I'll take what I can get.
Maybe I can use some sort of caramel to coat a [Mana Fruit]...?
Shaking it off, I mentally wondered, 'Can [Ice Magic] level up?'
...
Merely making some more ordinary crates, I headed on over to the 'orchard' of [Mana Fruit Trees] and piled in the [Mana Fruits] into the crates using my [Telekinesis].
If [Ice Magic] can level up, then I'll give Esdeath a crate of [Mana Fruit]. If it doesn't... These are going into the [Trading Center].
Now, for the final bits of testing... just for fun.
Today, aside from preparing some things for Esdeath's recruitment, I'm going to goof off slightly, and begin investing in future endeavors.
First batch: Grab an illustration of a sword, a blue piece of paper, some basic handheld hardware tools, and book before dumping all items into an [Enchantment Lottery Crate].
After all, the test is to see if, in the case of multiple items fusing into one item, if adding more items together narrows down the result.
Second batch: Using the 'front' of the [Shop], string together 99 red beads with 1 blue bead.
The test is to see if the closer the 'model' of the input is to the desired result, if the 'result' would be the real deal. Mediums and near authentic replicas are to be tested for later.
Third batch: a chicken egg (provided by the kitchen from the [Living Quarters]), a worm, and a pile of sand.
The test for this one is merely to see how it interacts with organic and living creatures.
...
Fourth batch: 1 basic wheat seed, fertilizer, and leftover bone meal.
Test: Just to see what happens as something is already growing.
Evening:
I really need to find different 'mana' foods... maybe I can try the [Enchantment Lottery Crates], but that's pretty much 'Pandora's Box' when doing that. A potato could ether yield a potato that yields high quality crops... or SCP-1689.
Both are possible... but so are the other 'negative' results. If it's a near one-in-infinite of a chance for a result... then I need to make sure that probability is manipulated to get the desired result. After all... a 'vote' is a 'vote', and it makes all the difference in what the outcome will be.
That's why, when I was moving stuff around in the [Farm], a [Mana Rune] in my pocket accidentally slipped out and tumbled into an empty flowering pot. Following that was a bit of dirt and soil falling in due to the wind... and the result surprised me.
Magical Garden Plot: Flowers? Vegetables? Whatever flora planted in here gets a boost of mana to be infused in them. While the resulting 'adult' plant would be small, the effects are worth it. If already magical, then will grow much quicker.
Creation Recipe: 1 [Mana Rune] buried under dirt and/or soil
I muttered, grinning, "It's time like these us Gamers should thank the idea of slapping things together, and finding exploits on accident."
Quickly setting up a gardening plot, I first laid a grid of [Mana Runes] face-up at the bottom of the plot. Then filling it all up with [Fertilizer], I then planted some berries in the dirt.
Say what you want... but I'll be a chef, dammit!
Afternoon:
After making a sandwich for lunch, I checked in on the results for the batches.
Batch 1:
Sword Crafting Skill Book: Gain the [Skill] to [Craft] custom swords, each with their own strengths and abilities! Each sword created this way has their own set of skills that is unlocked as they level up.
Batch 2:
String of Beads: The weapon from Okami, but modified. Multiplies ATK by 10, and gives unlimited MP and HP. However, the user cannot use magical attacks, and can only use bladed weaponry. Not only that, but the user must be of a canine-variant or base, and must be born in the area of the Shinto Pantheon.
Batch 3:
Island Worm: A worm that, when released, can create an entire volcanic island. Will perish when island is finally formed.
Batch 4:
Farming Orb: Floats near user, when in use. At the steady cost of 100 MP per minute, can significantly boost the growth rate of any crops within a 1 mile radius of it. The boost can be increased, at the cost of an additional 100 MP drain depending on how much is required for the boost.
Formula: Growth Rate = MP Drain / 100
Okay... So Batch 1 was a success, but could also go wrong, now that I think about it. Regardless, I accept the result and will immediately hand it off to Esdeath, once she's thawed out.
Batch 2 worked out a bit okay for its intent... but the restrictions make it seem as if it wants a few 'constants' to be still present.
Batch 3 is something I'll be using if I want to go on vacation.
Batch 4... Completely out of left field. Not only I don't have any MP... but how does a seed, fertilizer, and bone meal turns into a floating magical orb that is only good for farming plant-based ingredients? Do [Employees] even have a use for this, let alone have access to MP?
Night:
After tons of farming and moving stuff around, I heated up another bento I purchased from the market, thinking about what I have to plan out, "Obviously Esdeath was romantically 'starved'... but since I haven't watched her anime or read the manga, I should start off with a lesson about types of love... Not only that, but also give her materials to begin with... Also a 'dungeon crawl', if only to see if her skills are up to par against my [Telekinesis]. But low leveled, if only to help her get the hang of her new powers."
I frowned to myself, adding, "As for Ayano... if she joins, then I'll first have to see what she excels in. While I definitely need a 'farmer', an 'enchanter' is a more pressing matter... Definitely need to make potions that recover health, because they heal people. And I might as well see how much is 'healed'... Then, I have to set-up some sort of gaming room, for the three of us to relax and have some downtime..."
Taking a deep breath, I looked around, and listed, "I need a hunter/fighter, a enchanter/potion-maker, a techie, maybe even a delivery person..." But portals will eventually take care of it... right?
Sighing, I went back to [Living Quarters] and flopped onto the couch in the living room, using the television as a giant computer monitor to surf the web.
"Huh... a new Death Battle came out... Black Canary vs. Sindel?"
Now that I think about it... should I expect Wiz and Boomstick to visit my [Shop]?
The day of Ayano's decision...
Stretching a bit, I swept the exterior entrance of the [Shop]. It was now a weekend, and I saw no harm in at least cleaning things up a bit.
Haven't had the chance to level up the [Rain Bow], but only because I have zero clue as to the damage output of it. Not to mention... do the arrows stay? I mean, sure, an arrow lodged in the target would harm it upon impact... but with enough arrows, would the 'pin cushion' end up becoming 'armor', due to having little to no surface to puncture? Normally, in video games, arrows fired will eventually 'fade away', but I'm not to sure about this. Energy constructs work, only because they are made of energy. But matter, it lingers and changes form over a duration of time.
And then there's the problem in regards to the arrows being fired themselves. What kind are they? What material are they made up of? Are there variations or effects for them? Where do they even come from? Do I have to physically have the arrows on my person?
Now that I think about it... are materials and their quality affected by Luck? If so, how does that work from a physical standpoint? What kind of genetic and selective breeding bullshit must have occurred in order to make the 'loot' quality the way it is when the 'rewards' drop out of the corpse?
"I need to experiment on that..." And with Esdeath being the 'hunter', and factoring in what she's going to receive, I'll definitely need to give her some RPG games involving the LUK stat... if she even has a 'character sheet'. Wait... if Ayano joins, what will she see? Will each [Employee] see the same thing as I do, or will their sight be 'custom made' to become a different interface with mechanics?
...
Would any future [Employees] actually lose their sense of morality? Right now, everyone is 'baseline', unaffected and unchanged by anything and everything. But I've interacted with Ayano... Even though this world is a [Side-World], humans are social creatures. We exchange information. But... information changes us. When I eventually hire [Employees], will their sense of 'right' and 'wrong' be warped? Will they still retain their ideals of not having to get their hands dirty?
At what point, do we get from 'killing is bad' to 'killing is a chore'? From 'torture' to 'motions'? From 'new'... to 'old'? Social and mental evolution is pretty much a 'Ship of Theseus'... with the growth being the 'planks' being replaced. But... what makes us... 'us'? How much could be replaced, before it becomes something different?
For instance, in the [Pokemon] games, you start out with your first 6 Pokemon as your original team. But as you journey on, your team changes so you can beat the game. When you have your 'optimal' team, and compare it to the first one from the beginning of the game, which team is the 'original team'?
It's something that keeps me up on some nights when reading those 'Gamer Fanfictions'...
Noticing Ayano approaching me, I finished up sweeping the area... nervous, for the sake of her future.
She greeted, "Hi, Shop-kun."
I nodded back, "Good morning, Ayano. Have you thought long and hard on your decision?"
She took a deep breath, "I did... and after thinking about it... I realized that being here... it will hold me back. I want to see what I can do, and actually help you. I... I also don't want you to be alone. You have helped me so much with trying to understand emotions, so please let me help you with your journey." She took a bow, "My parents understand, and agree that you leaving will only hold me back. Please let me join you."
I was silent, before sighing, "An important question: Can you handle working with people whose views can greatly contrast yours? You may be the first, but my Higher Ups gave me a second [Employee] to eventually work with. This person is a female that was starved in a romantic emotional sense, and is majorly violent, with a mindset for 'survival of the fittest'. Not only that, but working with me will make you gain powers and equipment, along with doing things that may be morally wrong with your ideals and morals."
She was taken aback as I asked her again, "So again, are you sure you want to work with me? Because when you do, there's no going back."
She merely blinked, before smiling at me... somehow making me feel relief as she answered, "I... made my decision the moment you showed me those aliens. It's a big reality out there, right? If so, I will not let you be the only one to experience them."
Smiling a bit, I held my hand out, "Then as the representative of this type of business... Ayano Aishi, Welcome to the [Shop]."
Shaking my hand, she became startled as a window appeared before her... and I.
On it, it read...
Welcome to the [Shop]!
Please select your role:
Enchantress
Potion Brewer
Hunter
Mage
Blinking, I muttered, "Well, that's interesting... Didn't expect that."
Ayano blankly stared at me, asking, "Eh...?"
Tutorial Arc: End.
Employee Arc: Start.
(Omake... or is it?)
System POV:
...
...
PING!
Huh? A [Message] from the Higher Ups?
...
...
...
What the heck is a [Story Starter]?
A/N: So, this is the main story-line of this 'Gamer' story. Instead of worlds, it revolves more around gaming mechanics and ideas. After all, this is a different 'Game', right? Makes sense that the underlying story arcs are different as well.
Also, I've been thinking of making some loosely connected one-shots under a separate 'story', just to give some trivial details on TGotS.
Let me continue to 'stew' on this for a while.
7/14/2020: ... With recent events, I would like a moment of silence for a bright mind that was a huge impact on my childhood. Grant Imahara, one of the key members of Mythbusters, died on 7/13/2020. He was a great person that, if not around, wouldn't make the world as bright as it is now. Rest easy, and know that your life wasn't in vain for the ones that were inspired by you.
Posted: 7/25/2020