Not much to say here. Longer wait this time, but creating a stat sheet and ensuring you don't mess anything up takes a pretty long time. Enjoy the chapter!
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Dialog Cheat Sheet
Emphasis
Game Text
[Activating game ability]
SHOUTING
Cutting someone o- short
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Oh man, I'm late for school! Do Gi-Hyun's class, no less! I am so dead!
Calm.
Whoa, freaky. I should probably get that forceful calming thing looked at. Wait, why am I running? I'm already late, so why show up covered in sweat? Hah, genius!
I slowed my pace, sticking my hands in my pockets. Man, that encounter was weird. At least I proved that this game stuff is real, for better or worse. My life is a game, or has game-like elements. Guys wearing tacky suits summon giant bugs to attack rude redheads who burn their souls. The sky can crack and shatter but remain perfectly fine. I arrived to class without walking into the door. Wait, what?
Oh, right… Do's class. Just have to face the music, I suppose. Judging by the clock hanging in the school's hallway, I'm not that late. Eh, blame traffic. Just enter with head bowed and say,
"Ah, teacher, I apologize for being late. You see, my mother needed help cleaning up the dishes."
I drifted off when I realized what I said. What happened to the plan, idiot!? At least that sounded better than traffic.
"Han Jee-Han, I expected better of you. You haven't caused much trouble in my class, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Tell us the truth, if you please."
Ah, scary, scary teacher-man, I was late because of traffic?
"I doubt that."
Holy shit, he read my mind! Or I talked to myself again. Dammit, I have to get that habit under control.
I looked up at him contemplatively. He's 42 and single, as I've heard from the small following he's gathered on campus due to his "majestically-ruffled chocolate hair" and "ruggedly-handsome features." A stern believer in tough love and corporal punishment, he has managed to cut delinquency in his classes down to almost nothing. I don't think he'll accept the real reason for my delay, but he'll also detect any believable lies I tell him. Stay silent? That will tell him it's important and private, while also avoiding punishment for lying! Score!
"Cat got your tongue, I see. Well, you know what happens to troublemakers. Five times."
Shit.
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I discretely rubbed my sore bottom after gingerly standing up for lunch. I suppressed a hiss; that Rod of Love hurts, even hours afterwards!
For once, I didn't jump when I was poked from behind. I suppose I'm too tired to react. I threw an irritated glare behind me to see Shin Sun-Il, the only guy whose hair defies the laws of inheritance and biology! Human hair follicles are tinted using three different colors: black, brown, and yellow. So how does green factor into that!? Wait, something's bothering me about Sun-Il's identifier.
On the walk over here, I got abnormally used to seeing the blue words hovering over everyone's heads. I'm not too worried, since I've always been good at repressing and adapting. But something about this idiot's identifier intrigues me.
Chunbumoon's Heir
LVL: 22
Shin Sun-Il
Hey, how's he 20 LVLs ahead of me! And what is Chunbumoon? Is that his martial art's name? He says it's a secret, family-only style and he can only use the lowest techniques in competitions, so I've never heard its name. The highest LVL I observed on the way here was 11. The only people I've seen past 20… the MiB, the redhead. Are they connected to Sun-Il?
He poked me again. Fortunately, he's used to this by now and repeated himself without my prompting.
"Care to join me for lunch?"
I don't know, I was planning on figuring out how to access my LVL UP, or if LVL Ups even give some kind of point to allocate. That redhead could become a threat to me or mom; it's best to figure this out as soon as possible. Lunch with Sun-Il can wait.
"Sorry, have to do some work for next class. Join you next time?"
His grin just widened before he nodded and walked off. Thank god, sometimes he makes a big show about my ritualistic abandonment of him. His words, not mine.
So, just find a secluded corner in the library and use a book to disguise my actions. This Calculus textbook will do nicely. Now, how to open the menu.
Well, [Observe] and [Rip] rely on vocal commands, so maybe it's the same principle? What's the menu title, though?
"Menu"
No? Alright, then.
"LVL UP"
Damn, not that either.
"Status"
That's the ticket! Ugh, I'm not British. I'm not even really a Korean, come to think of it. Gah, need to focus.
Name: Han Jee-Han
Class: The Gamer
LVL: 2
XP: 290/2000
HP: 115/115
MP: 165/165
STR: 4
DEX: 4
VIT: 2
INT: 12
WIS: 8
LUK: 5
Points: 5
Money: 0W
As much as I hate to say it, these stats seem accurate. I'm not what would call "physically-inclined," "outdoorsy," or "possessing a standard level of fitness."
What's with the class, though? Eh, whatever. I have stat points to spend!
Hmm, what to boost, though? My physical stats are crap, and they're my only source of damage for the moment. If I had a magic attack, boosting INT or WIS would be more useful. LUK probably wouldn't affect me much at the moment. I mean, I haven't noticed any particular unluckiness, so LUK won't affect anything drastically until a lot of points are put into it.
Wait, do these stats actually boost my body? If it put all 5 points in VIT, would my stamina get better? And would my mind be improved with INT or WIS? Choices, choices.
Increasing my mental attributes, if they actually improve my mind, will help me succeed in life, unless I go into professional sports or martial arts. Unfortunately, I'm now the Player Character of an RPG, so a normal life will only occur if I make the right choices and beat the game. And to do that, I need combat skill. Right now, I don't have magical attacks, so upgrading physical stats is the way to go.
I think I'll go with a 3/2 spread of DEX and VIT. With my fight against the Black Slime, I relied primarily on dodging, so DEX is an obvious choice. And VIT, while not normally my style, will boost my HP and general stamina, hopefully. Survivability is a pretty big concern right now, what with not knowing if there's a Save/Load function in this game. Next, unless I get a magic attack or nothing attacks me, I'll go for STR and DEX to boost damage and accuracy.
Wait, is there a skills screen? I have skills, and this is turning out like a pretty typical MMORPG in style.
"Skills"
Holy shit, there is. Now I can actually look at what these skills mean and what they do! The screen is pretty simple, with the title displayed along the top and multiple columns of darker-colored boxes, four of which are filled in with colorful icons, down below. There's [Rip], [Observe]…wait…what are those two skills?
I pushed the closest icon.
A Gamer's Mind (Passive)
LVL: MAX
Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Grants peaceful state of mind. Resistance to psychological status effects.
…Hot damn, is that an overpowered skill! Now I know why I wasn't breaking down in tears earlier. What's the other one?
A Gamer's Body (Passive)
LVL: MAX
Grants a body that allows the user to live the real world like a game.
That's… confusing. I guess this gives me the typical RPG characteristics, healing from food, taking absurd damage, falling heights easily… On, that's how I fell from the Black Slime without breaking something. Good to know this game doesn't feature limb damage. Or maybe, since I fell on my back, it figured that my limb couldn't be damaged. Or some other third thing, I don't know.
Back on topic, this is awesome. If I ever get seriously ill, I can just grab a pizza and be healed!
Now, to prepare for the possible arrival of fiery martial artists.
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I was caught in the horns of a dilemma. Yesterday, I decided, since yesterday's tomorrow, today, is Saturday, to use today, then, yesterday, tomorrow, to train, since tomorrow's tomorrow, or yesterday's three-days-from-now, would be a school day.
Ow, just thinking that made my head hurt.
Put simple, today is Saturday, and I can't decide what weapon to bring along to my chosen training spot, an abandoned park near the city limits. There was no sports equipment in the house, damn my bookish younger self. Thus, I had to choose between taking one of mom's larger knives, buying a bat or knife, or trying to using my fists. I wasn't keen on any of these options, since I dread mom's wrath, have no job, and fear harming my fists by punching things. Call me a pussy, get it out of your system.
Geh, I'll just buy something, I suppose. Then I can choose what I can find, rather than relying on the kitchen. I wonder if Korea has Army Surplus stores?
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As it turns out, Korea does not, in fact, have Army Surplus stores. Or, if it does, I can't find them. Thus, I am at the next best place: a Camping Outlet store!
Currently, I am browsing through their rather poor selection of axes. Yes, axes. Apparently, they're used to chop wood as well as necks. As I gently knocked the tools around on their racks, my thoughts began to wander.
Do I really have what it takes to cut another human being? Monsters are no problem, so long as they don't speak. But hitting a person with one of these things, seeing the flash of red before the hot liquid covers my eyes, the smell of copper overpowering the stench of fear from the frightened…
I felt [A Gamer's Mind] activate and chase those horrifying thoughts away. I'm never playing a horror game again… this week.
But would I do it? Could I do it? I think… yes, given enough provocation. I or my mother being in mortal danger would probably be enough motivation to do so.
I shook my head and continued examining the axes. I almost jumped into the other shelf when a voice surprised me.
"You 18?"
Eh? Oh god, is this somewhat pudgy store employee coming on to me?! If he was a she, I would still probably say no!
"No, I'm not."
My response betrayed none of my inner terror. Good job, Jee-Han! You kick ass!
"Well, I'm sorry, but you need to be 18 to purchase an ax. Sorry, store policy."
He didn't seem sorry at all before ambling away. Damn, there go my plans. Where would I even put this, anyway?
...
Holy shit am I stupid.
"Inventory"
A screen popped up, to the left showing an accurate picture of myself with various boxes superimposed over my form. On the right was another large collection of boxes, presumably my "backpack." Currently, I am wearing a Blue Dress Shirt, Black Dress Pants, and Black Dress Shoes.
Hey wait, if I can change my equipment with this thing… then I never have to waste time dressing again! I can just equip my uniform! Muahahaha!
I indulged myself in a quiet cackle before focusing again. How do I put stuff in or take stuff out of my inventory? I tapped a box, noting it felt firmer that the rest of the panel. Maybe I just put stuff on the box?
Grabbing an ax with a reinforced metal handle, I looked around for security cameras gently pressed the tip of the head against the box. To my amazement, it actually went in. Holy fuck, that is useful. Now I never have to carry anything again!
Wait, I'm stealing this ax right now. I should probably leg it before that guy comes around again.
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Haa, haa. I gasped for air, leaning against a tree.
My stamina still sucks. At least those points in VIT seem to have done something. Also, I might have just been hallucinating because of exhaustion, but I think I was running slightly faster.
I glanced around the clearing, ringed on all sides by largish trees and a small dirt path leading down to the actual trail. This place used to be a nature park, where you could see the woodland in all its natural beauty. It was almost never used, so now it's now pretty much deserted. Thus, perfect for training or booty call.
Unfortunately, I was here for the first one.
I pulled up the Inventory and pulled out my new, creatively-acquired ax, giving it a few practice swings. The weight almost caused me to fall over a few times, but a two-handed grip and points in STR should remedy that. I spied a tree and charged it, holding my ax up high.
"Yah!"
My ax stuck about a millimeter into the trunk. Go go, gadget super strength. Huh, what's that?
A skill has been created through a special action.
Kickass. What is it?
A skill to unleash a powerful blow, [Power Strike], has been created.
Ooh, with a name like that, it must be badass. Let's see what it can do.
"Skills"
I tapped the skill box for [Power Strike] and read the window that popped up.
Power Strike (ACTIVE)
LVL: 1
Strikes the target with a strong force.
+15% Critical Rate
+50% Damage
Whoa, pretty powerful. Does it not require MP or something? I suppose I'll just need to test it out.
I closed the page and prepared to try out [Power Strike] when a flash of blue caught my eye.
A skill has been created through a special action.
Another? For what?
A skill to utilize axes freely, [Ax Mastery], has been created.
Oh, must have gotten two skills for chopping at the tree. Sweet.
Ax Mastery (PASSIVE)
Allows the user to freely use axes.
+10% Damage
+5% Attack Speed
Wow, that's a pretty overpowered skill. I'm getting a lot of those, aren't I? Ah, need to focus.
I faced the tree, ax held firmly in both hands and feet planted shoulder-width apart.
"[Power Strike]"
This time, the ax was stuck a half inch in the wood. Wow, that's a pretty big improvement on what it was previously. Let's check my MP to see how much it used.
"Status"
The window appeared and I took a moment to check my stats before looking at the MP.
Name: Han Jee-Han
Class: The Gamer
LVL: 2
XP: 290/2000
HP: 125/125
MP: 167/170
STR: 4
DEX: 7
VIT: 4
INT: 12
WIS: 8
LUK: 5
Points: 0
Money: 0W
So that took about 3 MP per use, eh? Well, I probably won't have to worry about running out of MP mid-battle, will I? Still, it's probably best to increase the efficiency of [Power Strike] through leveling. Will that increase the cost and effects, just reduce the cost, or just improve the effects? Meh, I'll figure it out.
Time to grind!
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Well, 56 uses of [Power Strike], one level of [Power Strike], and one level of [Ax Mastery] later, my MP's run out. My arms feel like molten lead, and I'm surprised I haven't had a heart attack with how hard it's pumping. Let's just go toward the nice, shady, hacked up tree and-
Or the ground. The ground's good too, especially here, right in the baking hot sun.
Ah, how long have I been at it?
I reached in my pocket to pull out a small, serviceable wristwatch I found before leaving. It's… 2:30!? I only left on the hour-long trip here around 1:00! Oh man, only half an hour?
I slipped it back into my pocket before dragging myself upright. I am getting to that shade, dammit!
Oh god, that's sooo much better. Ah. Right, so what other skills do I think I can get? Well, the Mastery skills seem easiest. Improvised Weapon Mastery or Gun Mastery seem like the best Mastery skills to acquire. But how would I get a gun? And Improvised Weapons, while everywhere, are rather hard to obtain while out in a forest. Maybe there is no Improvised Weapon Mastery. Godammit.
How would I go about acquiring magic skills? I mean, magic seems OP in this game. Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards, neh? But how to go about acquiring a basic magic attack skill, preferably long range? I got no idea. Godammit.
How would I go about protecting myself and mom from those fire fist guys? I subscribe the "Best defense is a good offense" school of thought, but I don't think that applies here. I have no idea where they are, and they know where I am. If I try to find them, it's within their power to "silence" me. By intimidation or homicide. Godammit.
Oh, I feel better. Let's check my MP….
…
Only 13!? What the regen!?
I furiously tapped (punched) the MP bar, letting the details of it appear in a window.
MP
The source of mystic, demonic, and angelic power. Allows the user to perform supernatural feats.
Capacity: 170
Regen: 1 per minute
Only one per minute! That's bullshit! Is there any way to improve the regen rate?
WIS. Definitely WIS. That usually governs MP regen. But why's it so low? Maybe WIS doesn't increase the regen at all, only items do? That's… pretty fair, actually. Since MP also powers melee combat skills, it's impossible to build a dumb fighter. So now, you only need INT for MP, which can probably be increased in other ways. But maybe the extra stat points from not investing in INT would increase Damage and defense so much it would make up for the lack of skills? Gah, screw it.
How do buffs stack in this game, anyway? Do they add or stack on each other in a specific order? Gah, I was never good at this. I'll just assume adding so the math's less intensive.
Alright, enough thinking, back to grinding!
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Like I said before, not much to say here. This is the first time stats come up, so if you notice any irregularities, please drop a review.
Also, for fans of the manhwa, I'll be changing more game mechanics at some point. While I'll try to stay true to the original work, there is a lot of confusion about the mechanics. Understandable, considering the artist and writer aren't the same person, and dialog is snipped to fit the picture. I'll be applying logic about why various skills, like [Mana Rope]'s LVL affecting the strength of [Bind].
Anyway, R&R!