This story's rated M +17 for the following:
Strong Suggestive Themes
Mild to Intense Violence
Crude Language
[x-x-x-x]
Talking: "Ha, tell you I didn't do it!"
Thinking: 'You're so full of it!'
Spirit/Spawn Talking: "Welcome, mortal."
Sprit/ Spawn Thinking: 'Curse you, Guardian.'
Gaming Elements: [Abilities & Notifications!]
[x-x-x-x]
Unstoppable Roleplaying
Act 2:
Awakened Friendships
9:45 p.m. Saturday, Stoppable Residence
Ron arrived home shortly after dinner, in a relatively great mood, despite Kim being a no-show. He had spent most of the night catching up with Mr. and Mrs. Possible and the twins as they went on exchanging stories about their recent activities going on in their lives.
Tim and Jim spoke animatedly about their newly invented contraption for a school science project coming up. They wouldn't let anyone see it until they ran several more tests to ensure all technical factors were considered. Tim happily boasted that this was an assured A+ in the bag, whereas Jim insisted their invention could be ready for a practical test run at a corporation's worksite or establishment if they pursued it.
James enlightened the absent teen about his current undertaking alongside his coworkers at the Space Center. They all gathered to form an impromptu collaborative study involving the inner workings of nanobot technology and were trying to calculate an authentic trial.
Another scientist named Drew, who happened to attend the same university as James, hadn't been too enthusiastic about the experiment. Instead, he abruptly brought forth an ingenious invention dating back to his college years to the group.
Drew believed his creation held more of a significant impact than any nano trinket and arrogantly proposed to the other scientists the privilege of switching projects and aiding him in his endeavor. James and his colleagues shared an awkward look before politely declining the conceited offer. No one really wanted to veer off their initial analysis toward something Drew put together in his dorm room before he was even an accredited scientist.
James noted that Drew was a decent guy to work with, though a bit boastful and often engrossed in other unrelated projects not meant for the Space Center's annual grant. Ron was a bit curious and asked what Drew's invention even was.
James explained Drew's vision of utilizing a sophisticated AI program that was based on myriad dating software that would be outfitted and installed within a specialized designed CPU inside a fully workable computerized android. Said android was modeled with a feminine appeal to attract the general male's interest, and once operational, it would calculate the proper response or actions concerning its designated host.
Drew had dubbed his contraption: The B.E.B.E Protocol.
"All men worldwide would finally succeed in apprehending the intricate mindset of the average female and achieve absolute courtship," the father of three quoted his colleague after asking the same question himself.
Ron had stared blankly at James before expressing his disbelief that this Drew fellow thought he would achieve some scientific greatness or acknowledgment by inventing a state-of-the-art girlfriend. The deadpan look he had received from the older male was enough for the teen to choke on his own abrupt laughter, finding the whole situation funny and a little sad.
After calming down, a teary-eyed Ron had turned to Mrs. Possible, eagerly awaiting to hear the tall tales or trials. Ann had humored him and detailed her ongoings at the Medical Center.
Ann was one of the leading neurosurgeons in her department who partook in delicate and complex procedures Ron couldn't even begin to spell. However, things had been slightly hectic for her and the staff due to the constant minor incidents caused by the hospital's newly enrolled interns.
The hospital had an apprenticeship program aligned with several partnered universities and schools, Upperton and Middleton High were among them, and any student curious about the medical field could take a practicum course to gain early perspicuity. There was a slim yet noticeable flux of young individuals on the first day of enrollment, and while some took to the intern job with glee, others had taken the whole experience at face value and coasted slothfully.
And in doing so, weren't too attentive to their duties and were the cause of small mundane tasks resulting in accidental mistakes popping up. Ann and everyone else on her shift pressed the issue, and the hospital now held an orientation to provide fledgling knowledge to help all interns understand the ins and outs of their responsibilities.
Ron beamed at the recollection. He always treasured the never-dull moments or countless rendezvous with the Possibles, finding them all informative and hilarious. They became his second family on day one after befriending Kim. They all loved him just as much as he did them, and Ron wouldn't change anything about that part of his life.
It still stung that Kim bailed for a concert with the rest of their respective teammates and Eric. Ron tried texting her after dinner but got no reply and thought about giving Monique a quick text to see how they were doing but decided against it.
Stepping through his front door and hitting the lights, an empty living room greeted Ron. He sighed; due to a mistake made by his parent's employers, their business trip had extended longer than initially planned. They arrived overseas in Paris for one of their business partner's conjoined conferences, only to discover that by the time their plane landed, both company directors had rescheduled for the following week instead.
They decided to stay in Paris and make the most of their trip, enjoying the sightseeing smack dap in the city of love. Within a week stuck in France, everyone else finally arrived, and their business conference proceeded without a hitch.
Sadly, Ron's parents saw a needless amount of back and forth from both company executives and watched as their unintentionally lengthy stay was prolonged again. However, they kept in touch with him with daily and weekly calls and texts to ensure they were okay and that their son was all right on his own.
Ron headed to the bathroom and swiftly returned, plopping down onto the living room sofa. Simultaneously switching on the TV and his gaming console, Ron grinned at one of his favorite titled loading screens as he prompted his feet up on the coffee table.
"Nothing like blasting some zombie heads to wrap up the day!" The gamer teen hit start, and with that, began a round of frantic shooting and mild cursing, courtesy of Zombie Mayhem.
After about an hour in and a couple of empty soda cans later, Ron passed another level while setting a new high score. While he was satisfied with beating his previous score, he felt a wave of discontent.
"Eh, I dunno, I'm kinda not feelin' the mayhem," Ron concluded he was rather bored with the game. Usually, wiping out a wave of space-hungry zombies and watching their horrid heads explode always put Ron in a great mood.
Perhaps was about time to change things up for once and play something else.
Ron went to eject the disc and searched the nearby TV stand's lower drawer, where he stashed his collection of video games. He rummaged around for a minute or two before spotting a few that caught his eye. There were obscured game titles he remembered receiving as Christmas gifts when he was around ten. One from his parents and the other from Mr. Possible.
"Dang, how long has it been since I played these?"
On second thought, did he even touch these when he got them on Christmas?
Ron admitted he overlooked all his other games in favor of playing Zombie Mayhem. It was the first game he ever got and was actually good at, so he tended to play it consistently, especially when Felix came over, for both teens were beloved Zombie Mayhem fans.
Ron took both forgotten titles out and inserted the first disc. He planned on playing, experiencing them back-to-back for about an hour of gameplay each, finding the whole unorthodox gaming approach exciting.
Firing up a new campaign, Ron found his character, a young, newly recruited hunter, accompanying a research team abroad on a vast ship. They were investigating a climate migration causing massive destructive tendencies throughout the environment that the guild's Research Commission subtly named the Ender Crossing and required multiple hunters of various ranks to ensure their protection during this venture was well-guarded.
After the first hour, Ron had undergone multiple quests across five diverse regions, slaying or capturing various-sized monsters and beasts.
Swapping titles, Ron now saw his character, in the first-person view, being towed by a rundown wooden carriage along a group of scruffy-looking individuals. The individuals revealed themselves as rebel soldiers ambushed by the country's Imperial guard patrol, and just as Ron's nameless avatar was passing through, by chance, was caught up in the hectic incident and detained as well.
Arriving in an impoverished-looking village a moment later, Ron saw the town's soldiers and inhabitants going about their day as they seemed to be preparing for the arrival of the bundle of ragtag scavengers; by staging a public execution.
Just as they killed one nameless rebel who tried to make a run for it, Ron watched his character stroll up to the chopping block. Of course, this being a video game, a massive black dragon came crashing down at that exact moment, causing an uproar (literally), and appeared to be set on annihilating everything in a path of scorching fire.
Surviving the encounter, Ron guided the now-equipped Nordic warrior he named after himself across the harsh, burdened motherlands. The country was amidst a civil war between rival capitals and factions, and Ron was left to partake in various quests from different NPCs across his journey, grappling with a mixture of deadly creatures set on ripping him apart along the way.
Momentarily, Ron let out a yawn and glanced up at the living room clock to see the time showed 12:54 a.m.
"Huh, guess that's a wrap," Ron gave the blaring TV a salute before turning every electronic off. His feet then ambled towards the stairs, carrying his exhausted body. Yanking his bedroom door open revealed a tidier room than most wouldn't believe a teenage boy harbored. Ron still had the poor habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor and his clean clothes in a pile at the edge of his bed.
'I gotta take care of that sometime tomorrow,'
Ron changed out of his clothes and into a pair of loose black shorts and a white undershirt that scarcely hung off his frame. Turning the lights off, he hopped into bed and prepared for sleep to come.
As he lay in bed awaiting sleep, Ron's thoughts soon drifted back to Kim's absence tonight. He could see his friendship with her slowly begin to fade and feared that soon she wouldn't want anything to do with him, becoming just like everyone else who ignored him.
No one tried to associate with him of their own accord and didn't find anything intriguing about the blond-haired teen to continue conversing with him once they had out of necessity.
Ron tried seeking help from his friends to help improve whatever it was he was socially lacking, but that had gotten him so far. He wasn't grasping academic achievements out of thin air, nor was he socially considered popular by his peers.
Ron was still being called a Loser last time he checked. It felt like no matter what he tried, despite his best, it wasn't good enough, and others mostly showered him with harsh or brash criticism that was more of a pending insult.
"Urgh, stupid brain. I. Need. To. Sleep."
Ron stressed as he repositioned his pillow before plopping his head back down again. He'd figure out his friendship and social problems later. Soon, the world's sounds slowly dissolved as the feeling of sleep finally overtook him, allowing Ron to join the somnolent populace of Middleton.
-XXXX-
Dreamscape
Ron wasn't sure what the sensation lambasting him was, but it grew to unbearable levels, like an aggressive phantom itch. It resonated and spread, inciting Ron, much to his dismay. Try as he might, he couldn't ignore the unpleasantness and shifted into a comfortable position, hoping to lessen the discomfort, only to remain idle.
Confused by the lack of movement, Ron attempted to move again but felt no change in his body.
Wait a second.
Ron focused his weary mind and discovered he lacked any and all physical senses. He couldn't move or feel jack squat. Not even the feel of his bed and covers; everything, besides his cognitive senses, was nonexistent.
'Huh?' A nervous tick ran through Ron as his vision became apparent; it was really unnatural, lacking the responsive feeling of opening your own eyes. Ron was treated to absolute darkness surrounding him, and it wasn't until the rationalized part of his brain kicked in that he somewhat soothed his building anxiety. 'Chill, Ron, chill. Your just a dream.'
It made the most sense to Ron l unless he blacked out and became a paraplegic; that was the only possibility.
Suddenly, a faint light materialized in front of Ron, attaining his attention. It was small at first, its size slowly expanding until it abruptly burst, showering Ron with its intense cerulean brilliance.
"WAAAAHH!"
Ron instinctively tried to shield himself but failed, apparently forgetting his incapable state. He was slightly taken aback by the sound of his voice, though he couldn't feel the movement of his own mouth. Frankly, Ron tried not to dwell on his dream-filled imagination. Trying to comprehend dream logic by utilizing actual logic was beyond meaningless.
When the dazzling glow began to recede, Ron could see a less luminous object in its place. Its radiance was the same cerulean hue, allowing Ron to study the item thoroughly. Its rectangle shape and evident transparency reminded Ron of the holographic presentation panels down at the Space Center. He was so captivated that Ron nearly missed the series of words mysteriously appearing in the screen's center.
"…Kay," the blond teen eyed the elucidated diction with a sense of uncertainty.
"Greetings, mortal."
"Apologies; for our time is of the essence."
"In brief, you've been chosen for this sacred ritual to help provide life to another."
"No repercussions shall fall upon you, regardless of your decision."
"So now, please, defy fate."
[Do You Accept?]
[Yes|No]
"What the hell did I drink last night?" Ron felt like his brain was struck by lightning and then dropped into quicksand.
He reread the message's short and modest phrasing, pushing down his confusion. Unable to find anything about this dubious ritual, just being asked to help out, Ron wanted to reject it but found himself at odds. The 'help' and 'please' really pulled at his heartstrings, and couldn't find it in himself to disregard them. So, in the end, he reluctantly accepted.
"Um, okay. I'll do this sacred, ritual thingy if you want."
The (Yes) button on the window quickly beamed; its wording disappeared and resurfaced with a renewed array of info in the blink of an eye. Ron was left in awe by the transition, though he chalked it up to another layout of dream logic before starting to reading aloud.
[Where Does One's Loyalty Stand?]
Corruption
Virtuous
Ron was slightly thrown off by the multiple-choice and didn't like what this was turning out to be. Nevertheless, he persuaded himself to stick to his guns; he'd be damned if he backed out now after giving his word."Ugh, this dream's gonna be a lot like a school quiz, isn't it?" Ron grumbled. Shifting back to the suggested choices, Ron rejected the first one.
"I'm all about being virtuous, not gonna lie," he replied matter-of-factly.
The hovering window screen reacted to his response, its text disappearing and reappearing, revealing a new question and a set of answers. Ron had a hunch this feat would repeat itself as he mentally shrugged.
"There's nothing I can do about that," the blond teen commented.
[What's One's True Intent of Aiding?]
Fortune
Compassion
"Hah, this one's too easy," though if he were being honest, throw in a free lifetime supply of nachos, and Ron would've had second thoughts. "Let's go with compassion." Again, he was treated to the recurring sight of the vanishing text, and Ron readied himself for the next series of strange, morally based questions.
While mystical and cool looking, the dream was repetitive and a bit dull for Ron's liking.
[Whom Would One Sacrifice?]
A Guilty Ally
An Innocent Adversary
"W-W-What the?!" Both the question and answers sucked! This was no way near what Ron would've expected at all. He deliberated briefly on why this question needed to be answered, then recalled the dream logic he was currently experiencing. "Uhm, god dang it, I get two easy questions, and then a tragic one comes barreling through."
Ron kept staring at the window screen in protest, not wanting to answer on a subject matter so dark. Unfit to see another way around not answering, Ron begrudgingly suppressed his uneasiness and began constructing a valid response. After some sincere reflection, he followed through with one.
"…I honestly wouldn't choose either one," he confessed. "I mean, say either this guilty ally or innocent adversary, whatever past or current actions they did, their still people. Using their lives in that manner for any reason is ultimately their decision, not mine."
It had been a while since Ron heard himself speak with such conviction and felt remotely confident with his ongoing retort. "Some would definitely kick the adversary to the wolves, believing the ends justify the means, but I don't see the need to sacrifice anyone for anything. So, I'm going rogue and not picking either." Ron ceremonially finished.
Pleased with his overall answer, Ron waited for the window screen to react in turn, which it did, though this time only a couple of lines of text appeared that simply stated:
- You've Obtained:
Exalted Essence (Lv.?) -
Take All:
[Yes|No]
...
Ron stared impassively at the item in question, unsure of what it implied. Perhaps this meant he somehow finally passed the ritual, and it was just a strange series of questions, nothing too complicated or difficult. This was a sliver of good news for Ron; he could hopefully wake up and forget all of this, all he needed to do was to accept or deny this supposed reward.
"God, who knew a dream could be so damn perplexed and uninteresting all at once?" Ron uncaringly replied. Looking back, he did agree to do this out of aiding; for what he aiding, he hadn't the slightest clue. The little amount of indecision Ron held onto faded, and he went to his pick. "Whatever, sure. I earned 'em, so might as well, right?"
Expecting the (Yes) button on the window to shine based on his decision, the entire window bursts into another explosion of intense brilliance instead, catching Ron entirely off guard and rendering him blind. Just as sudden, a prickling tremor flowed through Ron. It was a strange cooling sensation that appeared to set off all of Ron's senses.
The feeling of awareness became familiar as Ron felt his motor skills come to life. Twitching and jerking movements of his arms and legs told him could finally move. Dumbfounded, Ron fumbled his footing a bit as he gradually stood at full height for the first time, still being overwhelmed by the astonishing lightshow. When it did show signs of perishing, he was soon shrouded in darkness once again.
Ron frowned; what was the deal with this dream leaving him in complete darkness? "What…the hell...is happening?"
As Ron's vision adapted, he could make out a tender hue enlightening the aura surrounding him. He looked about curiously, and just as he peered at a downward angle at himself, any inward comment or thought in his mind died instantly at the sight of his hands and arms.
Ron's limbs were emitting a soft, radiant luster; a deep cerulean tint that ostensibly flowed endlessly in all directions off his arms. Ron was speechless and could only stare at the seamless energy gently weaving about. Curious, he glanced down at himself. "Holy crap," Ron's entire body was glowing the same indigo hue.
Beyond astounded, Ron returned to his hands and experimentally wiggled his fingers and observed small tendrils gust forth from his digits, which fascinated Ron, and provoked him to raise his right arm and unexpectedly thrust it forward. This induced the energy flow to launch fiercely, twisting and bending in a mimicking gesture.
"I swear, my dreams never made much sense." Ron decided, "Still, this is pretty badical." Ron flailed his arms and hands wildly, easily entertained by the makeshift splendor.
A sudden chime rang out just as multiple windows appeared out of nowhere, 'causing Ron to jolt out of his entertainment. He turned towards the transparent windows with a sense of disinterest.
"Oh god, please, no more surveys. Got enough of 'em at school waiting for me," he groaned as he closely examined the nearest window to him.
[Character Status!]
Ron Stoppable: [Lv.1] EXP 0/500
Gender: (M) 16
Profession: {None}
Core: [?]
HP: 350/350
MP: 100/100
STR: 3
END: 14
DEX: [11+2]
DEF: 1
INT: [7+2]
CHA: [6+3]
WIS: 7
AP: [00]
Gold: [$0.00]
Ron couldn't have been more bewildered and pleased at the unexpected change. His mind was clearly still running high from the late-night gaming session and subconsciously envisioned this part of the fantasized scenario. Going off that assumption, all of Ron's prior feelings of uncertainty and irritation quickly subsided and were replaced with a rush of enthusiasm.
"Alright! Finally, something I can apprehend that won't bore me." This outcome was undoubtedly better than the vague questions he encountered.
Ron eagerly analyzed his supposed status menu, and upon inspection, he was a little heartbroken that his STR and DEF were low compared to his other stats and his END and DEX were his only promising stats.
The money and attribute point indicators were adequately well-known for him to apprehend effortlessly. Finished reviewing everything, Ron's attention shifted to the other windows encircling him and moved about, checking the next closest window screen.
[Special Perks!]
*Limitless Growth {Active} [Lv. Max]
- +25% HP & MP Per Level, +5 Additional Attribute Points.
*Rapid Recuperation {Passive/Active} [Lv. Max]
- Resting Mends All Minor & Major Injuries, Removes All Previous Ailments.
"Kinda the standard buffs I've seen before," Ron was familiar with each special perk; they functioned or resembled an in-game mechanic or feature he experienced during gameplay. Ron was still generally amazed by the accurate descriptions and metaphors of everything listed and examined the remaining windows.
[Perk Traits!]
*Camaraderie: (Loyal & Trustworthy.)
- +1 STR When Partnered with an Ally.
*Unbiased: (Evenhandedly.)
- +10% Proficiency in All Martial Skills, Arts, & Arms.
*Misfit: ("Never Be Normal!")
- -10% to CHA When Attempting to Persuade or Bargain.
"Whoa, wait, what's this crap? I'm not a misfit!" Ron exaggeratedly discarded the window in incredulity, feeling it was slightly incorrect, and focused on the final window screen waiting in the wind.
[Titles!]
Chef-Ron: (Bon Appetit!)
- +2 INT & DEX, Increase the Effects of Crafted Food Items by 50%, +45% Effectiveness Towards Learning New Recipes.
Mad-Dog: (GO, Team!)
- +3 CHA, Stamina Depletion Reduced by 25% While Performing.
Loser: (Bottom of the Food Chain.)
- Enemy Attacks Deal an Extra 15% Bonus Damage, -10% to Passive Stats When Socializing with the Opposite Sex.
"Aww, seriously!? What's this bullshit!?"
Ron couldn't believe it. That unneeded nickname was taunting him even while he slept; the disrespect he felt was insulting on so many levels! He did feel some satisfaction with the Chef-Ron and Mad-Dog titles, though it did little to appease Ron's burning resentment.
"Urgh, goddamn man, I can't get a freakin' break, can-"
A sudden powerful sensation struck Ron's mind and body like a frat train, causing his eyes to clutch shut at the immense pain. He barely registered the constant throbbing growing all over his body by the second as he gripped his head in agony, and as he pondered what was hurting him, Ron slowly but surely lost consciousness, signaling the end of the most unusual fantasy he ever dreamt.
-XXXX-
Ron awoke with a pained moan escaping his lips. His head ached, and the morning sunlight that bled through his bedroom's curtains, basking his room in its warmth, wasn't helping ease his aching eyes. Grumbling incoherently under his covers, Ron unenthusiastically threw them off and sat up with a yawn and a deep stretch. He weakly made it out of bed while glancing at his bedroom window, admiring the incredible view.
Such a perfect morning for staying in bed and watching TV all day.
"Note to self: next time I request or am offered extra shifts, double check the forecast."
Ron snatched his phone off his nightstand with sluggish-like fineness and flipped it open to reveal it was slightly past ten. He could enjoy a quick shower and breakfast before heading out to work. Exiting his room and stepping into the hallway, Ron headed to the bathroom across the hall.
Upon entering, he grabbed a towel and a washcloth before turning on the hot water and beginning his morning routine. Ten minutes later, a refreshed, damp-looking Ron stood in front of the sink, brushing his teeth with a towel around his waist. He spat into the sink and checked himself in the mirror.
"Why, aren't you a handsome devil?" Ron winked at his wet-headed reflection.
He finished up and headed back to his room to change. Now sporting a long-sleeved black t-shirt, a light blue sports jersey, and a pair of tan baggy jeans, Ron made his way downstairs to the kitchen.
Grabbing an apron off the wall hanging on a hook next to the pantry, he exaggeratedly declared his presence.
"Ladies and gents, Chef Ron is in the house!" Ron happily started laying out plates and bowls, fetching his preferred skillet, and placing them on the kitchen counter before making his way to the fridge. Snatching up the milk, eggs, and cheese, Ron seized the nearby spices from the cupboards above the fridge and plopped them onto the side of the oven before turning on the burners.
He brought a box of oats and a jar of honey from another cupboard and placed them on the table before grabbing his skillet and a couple of eggs. Ron cracked them into the saucepan and began whisking away.
Fifteen minutes later, the young chief-to-be positioned a hot bowl of cinnamon-spiced oatmeal with honey in front of him. A decent-sized plate of cheesy scrambled eggs and a tall glass of milk made up the rest of his spread. He was about to dig in when the blond recalled an overlooked step.
"Oh, almost forgot." Ron rushed to the fridge and rummaged around until he found what he was looking for and returned to the table, placing an apple next to his bowl of oatmeal. "There, now, it's chow time." Picking up his silverware, Ron ecstatically dug in, savoring his handy work.
A loud belch escaped his mouth moments later as the blond moaned satisfactorily. "Aahhh, that hit the spot." Ron stood up from the chair and moved to put his dishes in the sink when a sudden flash obscured his vision, revealing a translucent box directly in front of his face.
"AAHH!" Ron instinctively jumped back, dropping the dishes in a panic. His heart pounded as he gawked at the obscure floating object. Ron unconsciously pinpointed the line of text noted in the center.
[You've Consumed a Well-Balanced Breakfast!]
- STR & END: +2 -
- Duration: 60min -
{Chef-Ron Triggered!}
"!" Ron's mind was dazed as he subconsciously picked up on the gaming idioms. The blond quickly diverted his gaze from the supposed illusion and was startled to see it follow his line of sight.
Great, on top of his everyday worries, Ron now had to fear the unanticipated loss of his sanity.
Suddenly, memories from the previous night came rushing back, flashing inside Ron's mind like a disoriented slideshow. Odd yet familiar images presented an unorthodox explanation of Ron's current state, which didn't relieve him. When the visions ceased, Ron was quiet for a moment before mirthlessly chuckling, the fear evident in his voice.
"Hehehe, goddamn it, why? I mean, of all times, why? I have enough problems to deal with, and now I gotta add seeing a shrink?" He could already predict telling a therapist he was hallucinating elements found in video games would've resulted in a psychiatrist telling him to quit gaming altogether and prescribe some bland medications as treatment.
Ron tentatively reached towards the worrisome illusion, mindlessly expecting to banish it, only for his hand to rest firmly on its warm surface. He froze, shocked, and observed wide-eyed as the window screen suddenly flared and vanished, disappearing entirely.
Ron stood there for about a minute or two, unable to move, before mustering up the willpower to try and convince himself of the crisis by slapping his cheeks. "Oi, get a grip, Ron; this isn't real." Ron motioned to where the mysterious image once coasted, "I mean, you're touching imaginary things all willy-nilly. That's a dang clear sign you're losing it."
It turned out Ron's brain had a way of functioning while under pressure or apprehension. While he continued convincing himself of the outcome, his mind recalled the window's contexts and brought forth another's in contrast. As both were inwardly interpreted, Ron's focus soon pulled into this weird cycle of unpredictability, which caused him to scoff briefly humorlessly.
"Hah, you know, I'll take munching makes me stronger than turning into a drooling idiot when talking to women." It was clear which specific title still stung his ego, and Ron wouldn't let that go any time soon. "Nice dream towards the end, but screw that debuff. Freakin' titles."
As the words left his mouth, another window quickly materialized out of the blue. Ron flinched and cautiously eyed the window wearily, only to instantly recognize it.
"You gotta be kiddin' me."
[Titles!]
Chef-Ron: (Bon Appetit!)
- +2 INT & DEX, Increase the Effects of Crafted Food Items by 50%, +45% Effectiveness Towards Learning New Recipes.
Mad-Dog: (GO, Team!)
- +3 CHA, Stamina Depletion Reduced by 25% While Performing.
Loser: (Bottom of the Food Chain.)
- Enemy Attacks Deal an Extra 15% Bonus Damage, -10% to Passive Stats When Socializing with the Opposite Sex.
Ron blinked; he had just summoned the same prompt he had envisioned the night before. The blond repeated his earlier actions and touched the window, compelling it to close. He clutched his hands, taking in this startling revelation.
Either Ron was indeed crazier than he thought, or if this was real, whatever that dream did, it clearly transformed him somehow.
Well, the young teen couldn't conclude whether to go for, so, with his inner wisdom, Ron sensibly went to pinch himself.
"Ow, ow-OUCH!"
It may not have been the best method, but Ron couldn't argue with the results.
Reflecting on the brief pain in his arm, Ron gathered he had been awake the entire time, and the possibility this was actually happening seemed more probable by the second.
"So, I'm awake, and this is all real."
...
"This... is all really happening."
...
"...I... am..."
As Ron fully accepted that his life was behaving like a game, whether out of hysteria or absurdity, his emotions got the better of him. "OH MY GOD! H-HOW?! THE FUC-AH! WHA-YOU, I-I'M A, BUT THIS IS JUST, B-B-BOOYA BABY, JUST FUCKIN' BOOYA!"
His joyous episode lasted for another ten seconds before Ron rationally came back down to earth, coming to his senses. He stood ablaze with excitement at the idea of rummaging through this extraordinary game power he now possessed.
Ron paused; that wouldn't do.
He needed a much better-sounding name, preferably one not so cringe-worthy or flat. Maybe just calling it the "system" would work.
"Hold on, let's pump the brakes." Ron steadied himself before he did anything and cupped his chin, "There's gotta be more to this thing besides notifying me that I powered up by eating."
Ron veered back to his knowledge of regular gaming statistics and decided it was best to start there. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try this one out, um, {Status}?" He was rewarded by another familiar window popping into view.
[Character Status!]
Ron Stoppable: [Lv.1] EXP 0/500
Gender: (M) 16
Profession: {None}
Core: [?]
HP: 350/350
MP: 100/100
STR: 3 (+3)
END: 14 (+3)
DEX: [11+2]
DEF: 1
INT: [7+2]
CHA: [6+3]
WIS: 7
AP: [00]
Gold: [$0.00]
Ron let loose a howl of excitement, "Man, this has to call for some kinda celebration!" It wasn't every day you became a walking, talking RPP. (role-playing-person)
That inner witticism intrigued Ron and got him thinking about something.
Games under the specific genre offered a distinct scheme or UI (user interface) designed for immersion and inclusive data tracking. Ron wondered if his system acted identically or in a similar fashion.
'I mean, face it, nothing about this shouldn't be possible, and I really can't keep going to games for references either.' Though that was Ron's only reliable source for the time being.
Unknowingly to him, the system reacted to his inner contemplation by suddenly dismissing his {Status} window and spawning another prompt in its place with a quick flash and a ping. Ron stood flabbergasted at the newly summoned {Attributes} window.
"...Uh huh...wasn't expecting that."
This revelation gave Ron the impression that he could direct a prompt or option to open and close with just his thoughts than physically opting to do so. He'd have to test that theory out later. Ron observed the new prompt and its contents.
[Attributes!]
Health: (HP)
Health represents your overall vitality and well-being. When your health depletes to zero, it'll result in your death.
Mana: (MP)
Mana represents your spiritual energy reserve. This allows for unique spells and skills that require a fluent strain of mana to be utilized successfully. None can be performed without the exact amount of mana points.
Strength: (STR)
Strength represents your physical potency. It determines how much force you can exert, influences the encumbrance of weight you can shoulder, and translates over to your combat prowess.
Endurance: (END)
Endurance represents your stamina and natural durability. It determines how well you withstand exhaustion, surpassing limitations, the speed at which you recuperate, and helps inhibit certain physical ailments. (poison, bleeding, paralyze, cursed.)
Dexterity: (DEX)
Dexterity represents your overall agility and finesse. It determines how fast you move about, strike, and evade, your gracefulness when trekking on rugged terrain, and benefits the use of precision-based weapons.
Defense: (DEF)
Defense represents all armored resistance that's been added to your person. This'll provide additional protection against physical and magical attacks alike.
Intelligence: (INT)
Intelligence represents your overall knowledge, critical thinking, and ability to grasp and utilize logic. It signifies how well you retain information, the rate at which you learn, and the ability to simplify and decipher elaborate spells and skills.
Charisma: (CHA)
Charisma represents your all-around presence, magnetism, and adequate social skills. It signifies your ability to influence others through persuasive dialogue or influential gestures: such as bargaining for a better agreement, charming the target of your affection, or inspiring others through a courageous act.
Wisdom: (WIS)
Wisdom represents your common sense, perception, and willpower. It defines your sense of awareness when intercepting unseen objects, traps, or individuals, how well you function under stress, distinguishes falsehoods, and resist mind-hampering spells and debuffs. (sleep, charmed, confused, feared.)
"Jeez, talk about overload," Ron winced as he steadily took in the massive influx of data. He was about to dismiss the {Attribute} window but opted instead to wield the window back and reopen his {Status} menu.
He noticed the shift occurred slower, but eventually, the window closed, and his {Status} menu beamed once again. Ron grinned; testing that was a hell of a lot of fun. Verifying the options that remained, Ron glanced at the {Core} and hurriedly selected it.
- Soul Assist -
[Would You Like to Enable This?]
[Yes|No]
Ron mentally assumed this "soul assist" was a tutorial guide of sorts meant to notify him about the available information he needed. "Heck yeah, it's not like I have a to-go guy for stuff like this." Ron wasted no time hitting the (Yes) button and promptly waited. Nothing happened immediately, leaving Ron scratching his head.
Wasn't this supposed to take this long?
Just as Ron began to feel discouragement, he was struck with a wave of awareness. After the sensation had passed, an unforeseen voice cut through the stillness of the kitchen.
"Why hello, young one."
"GEEZZZ!"
Ron frantically spun around, fearing the intruder that had snuck up on him. "W-Who's there? Where are you?!"
"Please, restrain yourself. It was I who'd spoken, and for where I am, I'm here with you."
"What?" Ron wrinkled his brow in distress before timidly replying, "Um, n-no offensive pal, but I don't see you or anyone else near me."
"Apologize, for I meant from within," the voice correctly stated.
Now THAT had stopped Ron's panicking on the spot but did little to cease the dreadful sinking feeling in his gut. "Wait, d-do you mean, like, you're inside of me?"
"Indeed."
A shudder ran up Ron's spine, urging him towards one of the kitchen's empty chairs, appalled. Given the surreal ordeal, calming himself in the process, Ron reflected on what had just occurred and surprisingly did so with little difficulty.
"I agreed to enable the soul assist, thinking it'll help me out; hence, now I'm paired with an actual spirit." Ron honestly had no idea what to expect would've happened when he enabled the option. He thought the name was just a really cool gimmick. Ron eventually went to address the intangible spirit. He never was one for being rude towards a guest, even if this guest was more or less a close representation of a ghost in a way.
"Uh, Hey, ah, my name's Ron, and it's nice to meet you, sort of."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ronald."
Ron felt rather unapprehensive. It was incredibly awkward to greet someone you couldn't see. "Um, yeah, same here. And uh, oh! If you're feeling tired, no sweat; make yourself comfy in my grand abode." Ron immediately facepalmed. 'Idiot, it's a voice of a soul.'
The disembodied guide started speaking, bringing Ron back to the present.
"Whilst I cannot situate thyself within other confinements, your generosity is appreciated."
"Oh, that's good. Well, just so you know, you're a guest in my house for as long as your here, my man. Er, no, sorry, I mean Mr. Guide. Wait, no, don't be stupid. That can't be your real name, can it? Argh, hold on." Ron ended his useless chatter and recollected himself. "Hey, listen. I had just finished eating when I got suddenly blasted in the face by a transparent floating box, so I'm more than a little lost on quite the number of details," he professed.
"Hm, I see. Then perhaps, if you are willing to convey your previous affairs, I could properly assess the situation for your convenience. Fill in the gaps, sort of speak."
Ron had to admit the guide's proposal sounded too good of an opportunity to uncover what was going on with him. Frankly, he had nothing else to go on besides what factual knowledge his gamer brain provided.
So, Ron began retelling his previous day, starting with the dinner with Kim's family while skimming over the useless parts. However, he went into greater detail when conveying what happened to him in his dream. It was definitely the cause behind his transformation. Ron ended his recapping with the last five minutes of his hectic morning.
"And after that, I selected the {Core} option, which gave me the option to enable you." Ron hoped this would be enough insight to help with the guide's assessment.
"I must say, that was a wise decision in seeking a fitting solution to an unfamiliar predicament before leaping to wild assumptions, though that's an understandable response."
Ron felt his freckled cheeks flush at the praise. He had undoubtedly done a bit of that before accepting his new reality.
"Hehe, I don't know about that. I was more worried before being excited that I started spazzin' out." Ron then peered back to the {Status} window on his right, "I'm kinda aware that this system can do to a point; I really want some answers. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me with that."
"Surely, for it is my intrinsic duty to assist you as Ronald."
"Great, thanks! Also, just call me Ron. I'm not one for full names."
"Oh, well, alright then, Ron."
"There, see? Much less boring." Ron sported a cocky grin and leaned against the kitchen counter, launching into his first question. "So, who or what exactly are you?"
"I am a spiritual entity that's been bound to you through divine means. I'm tasked with supporting you, my fated benefactor, and with my exhaustive knowledge, though admittedly fledging, will undoubtedly help you in all future endeavors."
Ron's face was a mixture of wonder and bewilderment. Grasping a fraction of what was just conveyed, he could only trust the guide's words and presume it was telling the truth. "Huh, you don't say."
A stray thought wormed into Ron's head, making him chuckle softly. "It's funny; I always wanted a pet growing up, but Dad's seriously allergic. But now, I have a badass core soul." Ron beamed, "Which is so freakin' rad."
"Well, it seems you approve of my stay."
"Oh, totally. This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me!"
Ron then went to ask the one question heavily weighing on his mind, "Did you figure out how all this happened anyway?"
"Based on your accounts, this is the probable result of an invocation."
"A what, an invocation?"
"A deity's bestowed blessing or prayer. It's an inherent ability of the highest caliber all recognized divinities obtain upon creation. It allows for their subconscious to withdraw from their physical forms and seek out an individual of their choosing. Once found, it'll unite both subconsciouses and commence the phases of its invocation. By doing this, the deity can safely intermingle with its targeted host without fear of harming them."
That clarification was so profoundly drastic that it made Ron feel rather small. Though the more he thought about it, Ron realized something was slightly unclear regarding the blessing he underwent.
"I don't remember seeing or hearing any god or mythical being. I just had some random questionnaire I agreed to take. Was that also due to the invocation?"
"In all likelihoods, yes."
"Then why didn't this deity talk to me instead? After everything you just said, that doesn't seem like it'll be too difficult for it to do." Ron enquired.
"The answer to that, unfortunately, relies on a number of unknown factors I don't have, like in regard to what compelled the deity to perform the invocation or why it sought you out."
"Why, is it like, too complicated or something only known by gods?"
"Not exactly. Any invocations of any kind are driven with a specific reason or purpose, and none are performed similarly. What you underwent was possibly the deity confiding its innermost beliefs and principles, and based on the questions, it perhaps wanted to appraise your own in introspection."
Ron frowned; he really wanted to know why he was given this power, but regrettably, understood that he and the guide were at a loss and probably would be forever besides knowing the deity wanting to get to know him, which was kinda flattering, to be honest.
"Damn, that kinda sucks, but I get it." Ron acknowledged solemnly and waited for the guide to continue.
"Furthermore, when you accepted the blessing and performed its ritual, the deity deemed you commendable and awarded you with its life essence. Thus, by accepting this, you became its awakened benefactor by its decree."
Ron raised an eyebrow at the guide's wording of benefactor. "And what's that supposed to mean for me, becoming a benefactor?"
"Try thinking of it as a symbolized role. A guardian; a grand protector of all world's unseen."
Ron didn't know when his mind would eventually shut down, but he knew his jaw had already hit the floor minutes ago.
An unknown god or goddess just so happened to drop a life-changing bomb on him that sounded so far-fetched and ridiculous that Ron would've called absolute bullshit had it not been for the earlier notifications. Gathering his thoughts, Ron resumed his questioning. "W-where did this system come from?"
"The system, as you call it, was the derivative of you thoroughly merging with the exalted essence you obtained that cultivated into a unique practice for your destined use. This power's anomaly and enigmatic nature will alter, influence, and evolve your life through your actions."
Ron had wondered about the game system's capabilities, "Does this system affect only me, or will it impact other people around me?" This was too much power for any individual, him included. God forbid someone else not like Ron gain the ability like a gaming UI.
"No, only you alone received the blessing. No one else can obtain or possess this power."
Ron really did hit the jackpot in terms of being blessed with a celestial gaming system. He really wanted to tell Felix so he could rub it in his face, if only for a bit.
"This outcome is also quite telling since you survived the invocation," the guide interjected.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. What do ya mean, I survived?" That was some alarming news.
"Any blessing, hex, gift, or curse, regardless of its metaphysical nature, bears a grave consequence. All are unpredictable in nature, and their requirements could be dangerous to all involved, even to the deities. Combined with the fact a mere mortal like yourself survived a blessing never seen of this magnitude is nothing short of amazing."
Ron went silent again, going over that incredible revel. Being in clear danger the entire time, he said yes to the deity's ritual had been a real kick to the damn teeth.
Some time had passed before Ron responded in an oddly stoic tone, "...You're saying the god that came and visited me in my sleep, that threw a bunch of moral questions my way, that gave me its essence as an award, which granted me these cool powers, that in the end, could've potentially killed me from the start?"
"Correct."
"...Kay, just double checking,"
Ron understandably held a bit of discontent towards the god for lying to him as he was still coming to grips with that tidbit of information but was nevertheless grateful for the guide's help. He couldn't imagine where he would've ended up trying to tackle this alone.
'I'd probably be thrown straight into a padded room, wrapped in a straitjacket, with nothing but prescribed meds and tasteless pudding to eat.'
"Well shit, next time I'm askin' for the fine point if this ever happens again, eh?" Ron got up, walked over to the broken dishes on the floor, and picked up the pieces. "Thanks for your help. Really appreciate it."
"I'm merely fulfilling my responsibilities."
"Yeah, I know, but you still deserve thanks."
After discarding the broken dishes and the trash and washing his hands, Ron grabbed the paper towel before asking another question. "Now, with all that settled, what am I supposed to do as a guardian anyway?"
"As a guardian, your primary objectives will involve locating any adjacent gateways among your world and safeguarding them. Your system should yield the necessary-"
"Sorry, I hate to interrupt you but um, a gateway; what's that?" Ron asked, his interest peaked.
"A gateway is essentially a portal, a rift within time. They're linked to manifold realms scattered throughout the pockets of the universes and are conjured by fluctuations of energies aligning with its irregular raw mana. When a gateway is left ignored for a prolonged period, its spawning rate will gradually rise among its affected regions."
That implication disturbed Ron, though he found himself fascinated by the idea of these gateways that led into another world. "That doesn't sound too good."
"No, it wouldn't be ideal."
"You've mentioned these realms too. Could you tell me a little more about them?" Ron had an intuition about these realms and what they represented, but he wanted the guide to verify his assumption.
"A realm can best be defined as another dimension or world accessible through its adjoined rift. As I said before, many realms exist, and while their qualities differ in various aspects, they do share parallel similarities." The guide paused before continuing. "For example, one world could yield a minor sublevel and harbor an abundance of life similar to your own kind, though they may live differently from yours. Whereas another could hold a specific organism in a vast topography that no soul has ever confronted."
Ron's mental aptitude continued to be blown away as he voluntarily absorbed every word as best he could. "When you say I'd have to safeguard them, it means I'd have to…" the blond teen trailed off.
"It means you'll venture inside, investigate, discover, or remove anyobstruction that implies a direct cause of dilemma to the realm. Achieving this will then stabilize the disruptive energy surge that provoked the rift to open and close it appropriately."
"Uhm, okay, I'll be the first to say this; that doesn't sound like the perfect job for someone like me," Ron flat-out admitted. Being told to go inside a magical portal, venture into a magical world, and close it singlehandedly wasn't something he simply had faith in himself to do with ease.
"Rest assured; the system will assign you the appropriate instruments for such a task. Also, by fulfilling this deed, you'll grow in strength and power to amply fit into your guardian role aptly."
'Kinda sounds like leveling up,' Ron cheekily mused. He internally put this information into a (save for later). While Ron was undoubtedly enticed and scared by the idea, he was smart enough to perceive this as a heavy responsibility being placed upon his shoulders. Ron contemplated if any of his friends would be willing to help him out with this, and that thought lasted for about a microsecond.
None of his friends would believe him, not even Kim, and would insist he quit joking around if Ron persisted the notion was indeed true. They'd presumably instruct him to seek professional help ASAP if that were the case.
"Okay, so all I'd have to do is look for these gateways, go inside 'em, enter into its realms, and find out what's going on while in there, then leave, right?" Ron bluntly summarized.
"You are correct, in a way. These otter dimensions have undetermined habitations so take caution into consideration when exploring their depths."
"Hey, no worries, I ain't lookin' for a gateway straight this second." The newly appointed guardian expressed candidly. With the conversation ending, Ron's mind was filled with numerous game theories he wanted to run by the guide. His gaze eventually found the wall clock near the fridge in introspect and saw the time.
It was 10:45 a.m; he had less than fifteen minutes to get to work.
"Damn, I'm gonna be late!"
Ron bolted out of the kitchen and into the living room, grabbing his backpack from the floor and retrieving his house keys. He hastily put on his shoes while apologizing profusely. "Sorry about bailing like this. We can talk more later after I get back." Ron made a beeline towards the front door before stopping in his tracks.
"You know, I never did get your name during all that."
"I do not have a moniker. I imagine it's up to you, my benefactor, to anoint me."
Ron's eyebrows rose, "Oh, well, would you mind it if I named you then? It's kinda odd addressing you and not knowing what to call you by."
"Again, it's your choice whether you feel the need to."
Ron frowned at the guide's lack of self-awareness.
It seemed content offering its knowledgable expertise when the occasion arose but didn't want to be at the forefront of making any decisions that could ultimately affect Ron. That line of thinking didn't sit well with him, and Ron decided to rectify that.
"Okay, first off, I'm not your master, or leader, or own you in any way. I want you to be just as involved as I am with every decision or problem we'll face from here on out. You're helping me with this guardian thing, so I'll try my best not to fail by considering whatever you suggest. You know, see what works best for us." The guide was muted for a moment, and Ron tersely thought he may have offended it.
"I do not see how this would be fruitful in hindsight. It would be best-"
"You're expecting me to take on a tremendous responsibility without any knowledge or experience. I'm willing to go through with this and help, but I can't do this unless you're willing to go further than giving important information. You've been a great help, no doubt, but you don't have to comply with letting me do whatever or anything without question. We're both new to this; one can't do it without the other." Ron professed in a breath, "Starting today, we're a team."
Ron waited again for the guide to hopefully come it its senses. The stillness of the living room wasn't making him any less anxious to see what it would choose to do next.
"…Perhaps, if it's required of me, I suppose I could reassess my role go-"
"Our role, mister," Ron interjected.
"Our role, going forwards."
"Sweet!" Ron knew he had accomplished something extraordinary but couldn't pinpoint where to categorize it as. "Now, gotta think of a name." Ron weighed on a name that could serve an intangible soul that was a permanent part of him.
"How 'bout, Rufus? It's original and has its own level of coolness." Ron suggested with pride.
"It does sound like an adequate name."
"That's cool and all, but do you like it? You don't have to accept it if you don't want to." A brief pause from the guide told Ron it was considering the name.
"I…suppose, no, I do like the name, Rufus. Yes, Rufus, my given name is now Rufus." Rufus announced with a faint hum of gratitude.
Ron's smile grew from ear to ear. "Glad you like it! Now, I gotta get moving. I'll see you later, Rufus!" Ron pocketed his house keys and once again headed towards the door.
"You are aware that I'm still with you, yes?" Rufus inquired.
Ron was slightly taken aback by the question that he almost missed a step. "Huh, n-no, I didn't mean it like that. My bad, sorry." Ron sheepishly explained.
He realized then that saying goodbye to Rufus essentially was pointless. "But now that I think about it, it'll be pretty awkward for us to talk with other people around."
"That certainly would be problematic," Rufus noted. "Though astral casting my thoughts is my main methodology of colloquy, I do happen to know of another manner of communication."
A second later, Ron felt a light pressure as Rufus spoke again, only this time his words now reverberated inside his head.
'This way, we can telepathically converse and not have to worry about being overheard.'
"Wow, that's awesome!" Ron then tried mentally responding back, 'Can you hear me too?'
'Yes, I can.'
Ron beamed with childish glee. 'This is WAY cooler than just plain old talking. Man, I could do this all day!' It would've just been Ron and Rufus talking back and forth, but that was fine by the blond teen.
'I'm pleased this method appeals to your preferred level of coolness.'
Ron's grin began to hurt; Rufus was definitely more impressive than any lame old house pet. He resumed getting ready, and after double-checking everything, Ron walked towards his front door. Just as he reached for the handle, he abruptly froze as a powerful aura slammed into him, causing all the hair on his arms and neck to stand on end.
Ron barely had time to register the sudden shift in the atmosphere before being compelled to turn around, catching the extremely noticeable light ripple behind him. A white miasma cast detectable tendrils that began to extend and intertwine. The scene left Ron speechless as he stood befuddled, watching as the alien display took the figure of a fully sphere-shaped doorway. "Rufus, what the fuck is that?"
'It's the rift I informed you about previously,' Rufus conveyed.
Ron acutely examined the recently generated gateway. Nothing restricted its center, permitting an opened, infinite depth. This allowed warm air to pass through unhindered and lightly caress Ron's face.
"So, this is a gateway, a portal to another world." Ron was soon met with a notification popping into view, drawing his curiosity away from the arcane portal.
(!)
QUEST ALERT:
[Trials of a Guardian!]
- The hardships that a guardian must endure will demand the utmost strength and perseverance. As a novice benefactor, you must train and thrive into a prestige protector of one's exalted decree. Go forth and take the first steps toward excellence. Good luck! -
Sidenote:
- Upon entering a realm's domain, you cannot withdraw from it until all primary objectives are met. -
Main Quest Objective:
- Uncover the Realm's Disturbance -
Sub Quest Objective:
- None -
Quest Difficulty:
- Rank E -
Quest Rewards:
- +200 EXP, +100G -
[Do You Accept?]
[Yes|No]
Ron eyed his first-ever quest log and inwardly cursed. He just had to jinx himself. Ron annoyingly fixed his gaze away from the portal before calling out to Rufus. "So, whatcha think, bud? Do you think I'm ready to take on this quest, or should I try leaving out the back door?"
'It's up to you whether to take the quest. Just remember, the longer the portal remains, the greater the chances of another forming nearby."
Ron considered Rufus's advice, though slightly bugged by the fact the portal would remain inside his house until he did something about it and its given quest. He was torn between excited and frightened, but he determined this wasn't something he could put off forever; even after his shift, and Ron didn't linger on the decision.
"I'm really hoping there's a realistic checkpoint system; I think I'm gonna need it with this guardian gig." Ron hesitantly hit (Yes), accepting the quest, and watched as the gateway's tendrils stretched outwards, engulfing him whole. Ron perceived himself becoming weightless as he sailed inside the portal and the feeling of free-falling assaulted his senses, provoking Ron to scream his lungs out.
-XXXX-
End of Act 2: Awakened Friendships