Nothing is free in life. You've all been living privileged lives, but starting today… you'll have to start paying up.
Things were more or less progressing as I remembered. The only difference was that no one was idiotic enough to get themselves killed. There was one problem though. This place was too clean. I couldn't find a single spec of dust, dirt, or grime anywhere on the subway. Nor could I locate any other signs of life. Stupid advance, high tech Terra technology. If the Prove Your Value scenario were to start, I'd actually have to kill someone.
The thought of taking someone else's life…
[Notice: Unique Skill, 'Survival of the Fittest', has been activated. All forms of doubt, guilt, pain, and second-guessing have been removed.]
Well isn't that convenient.
Without further ado, let's start, shall we?
[Prove Your Value: Kill one or more living organisms.]
[Category: Main]
[Difficulty: F-]
[Time Limit: 30 minutes]
[Reward: 300 Gold, one Sponsorship from a Constellation]
[Penalty For Failure: Death]
Good luck everyone. I'm expecting an interesting story to play out.
I felt the creature's eyes land on me as he spoke those words. It was a different Dokkaebi from earlier, but its aura was just as unnerving.
Don't disappoint me.
And off he went with those parting words.
What followed wasn't pandemonium. The subway didn't devolve into a free for all fight to the death. Instead, everyone stood still, gauging the situation. No doubt more than a couple people were skeptical about the whole thing while the others were waiting for someone to make the first move—the move that'll open the floodgates and release hell within the confines of these walls.
So, who's it gonna be… Texas?
Scrolling through the popular news channels confirmed things for the worse.
A quick text to the group chat also showed Texas that what just happened wasn't just a one-off occurrence. The other Penguin Logistic employees were experiencing the same event, each with varying levels of progress.
Texas: Stay safe everyone.
[Alert: Message failed to send]
"Hm? So that's how it is…"
[Time Remaining: 8 minutes 32 seconds]
There was a palpable tension in the air. Many were still hesitant, but Texas could eye a few people ready to spring into action. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a glint of steel.
Pocketknife? No, the blade was larger. A dagger?
No time for hesitation then. Eliminate the most dangerous person here. Before the man could make a move, he had his throat slit in the blink of an eye.
Schink
He didn't see his death coming.
[First Blood! You will receive additional rewards for being the first to kill.]
[Congratulations! You have completed the Main Scenario. Rewards will be distributed later.]
[Achievements Completed:]
[The Taste of Blood: Kill another human being for the first time.]
[Don't Blink: End someone's life in the blink of an eye (less than a second).]
[You will be able to claim all your rewards once the Main Scenario is finished.]
Sheathing her blade, Texas ignored the text, opting to take a quick look around her. There was a brief pause—a moment of peace, the calm before the storm—before all hell broke loose. The true, ugly and selfish side of people come out in desperate times like this. People are willing to do anything for survival.
"Mommy! H-Help me!"
It didn't take long for the elderly and children on the subway to get targeted. They were weak—easy prey. At least no one targeted her—they likely knew after that display she wasn't one to be messed with. She was the apex predator here, and they were all prey to her.
[Notice: Sufficient requirements met. Intrinsic Skill, 'The Scent of Prey', has been acquired.]
A new skill?
"Don't take it personally, kid. I-It's my life or yours…!"
The child's screams were abruptly put to an end when his skull caved in from the blunt force of another man's suitcase.
"Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!" The man laughed. It was a laugh of someone who has just been broken, with no sanity left inside him. "I killed someone! I-I… killed someone…!"
"Hm." The numbers were dwindling around her. 16 people became 12. 12 became 10. 10 soon turned into eight.
"No, please…!"
Another death and the subway's passenger count fell to seven. Six males, and her, the sole female. By now, every occupant had taken a life and completed the scenario. That is, everyone except him.
The mysterious boy with white hair who managed to evade her senses. She made eye contact with him, to which he replied with a faint smile.
"...Hm?" His expression revealed that he wasn't panicked in the slightest. Death was looming over his head, inching closer and closer. She could sense it. Whoever he was, he had her interested.
Whatever his next move may be, Texas would be watching him with sharp eyes, blade at the ready.
[Time Remaining: 3 minutes 55 seconds]
With the time running out, I was left as the only one who hadn't completed the Scenario yet. Out of the seven remaining people here, I had to pick someone to kill. Obviously not myself. That would be counterintuitive.
Obviously not Texas as well. Maybe it was fate that I ended up on the same subway cart as her or just a coincidence. Either way, befriending her would probably be wise, especially considering her skills.
Which left the other five middle aged men on the train.
"Hey kid, just accept your fate," one of them reasoned upon noticing me move. He looked like a stereotypical jock who peaked in highschool—a bully who terrorized the halls and always ditched class. "Whatever you choose to do, you're gonna end up dying anyways."
Okay, reason was probably the wrong word. It was more like taunt. The man cracked his knuckles and flexed his muscles, as if trying to say: 'this isn't a fight you wanna pick.'
"He's right, you know!" Another man spoke. He was the one who killed a child in cold blood. "I-I have no qualms killing another human being…!"
"So just stand down if you know what's good for you—die a painful, bloody death hopeless trying to kill one of us, or enjoy the last three minutes of your pitiful life in peace."
On second thought, was it a taunt? Now, it felt more like he was trying to intimidate me.
"That's it. Stay where you are." You could say there was an edge of steel to his voice. But to me, it didn't seem all that sharp.
[Time Remaining: 2 minutes 15 seconds]
Taunt or intimidation, whatever he was trying to do, it wasn't working.
[Notice: Unique Skill, 'Survival of the Fittest', has been activated. Effects of Intrinsic Skill, 'High School Menace,' have been nullified.]
So I was right. Sweet. Now it's time to kill these guys.
"Huh? What are you—"
WHAM!
My punch connected with his face head on. Perhaps he wasn't used to people fighting back, because this was too easy. I threw one punch after another, each fist connecting resoundly with his face. All bark, no bite, it seems.
[Achievement Completed:]
[One Hit K.O: Knock out someone in one hit.]
[You will be able to claim all your rewards once the first Main Scenario is finished.]
Ignoring the text that popped up, I continued my onslaught. Blood splattered, teeth were broken, eyes blackened, until finally…
[Congratulations! You have completed the Main Scenario. Rewards will be distributed later.]
[Achievements Completed:]
[The Taste of Blood: Kill another human being for the first time.]
[Cutting it Close: Complete the Scenario requirements with less than 10% of the total time remaining.]
Huh, I guess I was taking my time.
[Time Remaining: 0 minutes 48 seconds]
[Alert: Unique Skill, 'Survival of the Fittest,' has been activated. Assimilating Intrinsic Skill, 'High School Menace.' Assimilation successful. Extra Skill, 'Withering Glare,' has been learnt.]
Now that's a kick ass ability.
Well would you look at that!
The Dokkaebi appeared with an amused grin on its face, interrupting my celebration.
Look at you guys, clearing the Scenario with time to spare. And with more people successfully finishing as well! I'm so proud of you guys! I'm sure the Constellations are taking notice as well!
Not going to lie, the creature was starting to get on my nerves.
In the other cabins, everything was down to the wire. And a lot less people survived too. So…
The Dokkaebi looked at me again. I don't like where this is going.
How about we add an additional, Bonus Scenario?
[Teamfight To the Death: Each player in the cabin will draw from a box to determine their team. Only the last team standing will be able to proceed.]
[Category: Bonus]
[Difficulty: F-]
[Time Limit: None]
[Reward: Mysterious Gift Box]
[Penalty for Failure: Death]
The only chance I'm making it out alive is if I get paired with Texas. Please, RNGesus, Gacha Gods, and whatever other gambling being out there, bless me just this once.
[Notice: Ultimate Skill, Gacha Gamer, has been activated.]
Ultimate skill, huh? That sounds overpowered. And it was different from my other skill, 'Survival of the Fittest.' Instead of me obtaining the skill, it seems I already had this one to begin with.
So, who's feeling lucky today?
If this skill is what I think it is…
Stepping forward, I volunteered myself. "I am. I'd like to draw first."
A four on two. They certainly didn't have the numbers advantage. But that didn't matter. Even if it was her against the rest of the occupants on the train, Texas doubted she'd have trouble taking everyone out.
"W-Wait, stop…! Ah—!"
It was nice having him on her side though. Had they wounded up on opposing teams, things might not have progressed as smoothly as they have now.
[Notice: A member of the Red Team has been eliminated. Three players remain.]
Now then, time to clean out the rest of the trash.
"P-Please have mercy! No—!"
"Weaklings."
[Congratulations! You have completed the Bonus Scenario! All rewards will be distributed now.]
[You have received 300 Gold.]
[You have received an additional 4,000 Gold for killing four players.]
[You have received an additional 500 Gold as a bonus]
[Mysterious Gift Box has been added to your inventory.]
[Multiple Constellations would like to form a contract with you.]
[You have unlocked the main menu. Would you like to view your Attribute?]
"This feels like a game," Texas muttered to herself as she navigated things. Judging by how he was also staring off into space, she wasn't the only one seeing this.
[Attribute: Lupo (Standard)]
Tinkering around the screen in front of her, Texas found the achievement page.
[Claim all rewards? Y/N]
"Yes."
[You have received 500 Gold.]
Well, time was of the essence. She could organize things and pool together information once she met up with the rest of Penguin Logistics. No point staying here any longer.
"What the hell!?" His exclamation halted Texas in her tracks.
On second thought, maybe she should talk to him. They were teammates, even if only temporarily.
Turns out Mr. I Killed A Child In Cold Blood wasn't too strong after all. Who would've thought. I've avenged you, nameless child.
[Alert: Unique Skill, Survival of the Fittest, has been activated. Assimilating Skill, Honorless Coward. Assimilation successful. Extra Skill, Merciless, has been learnt.]
I'm starting to think this ability is a bit broken.
[Congratulations! You have completed the Bonus Scenario! All rewards will be distributed now.]
[You have received 300 Gold.]
[You have received an additional 2,000 Gold for killing two players.]
[Mysterious Gift Box has been added to your inventory.]
[Multiple Constellations would like to form a contract with you.]
[You have unlocked the main menu. Would you like to view your Attribute?]
Attribute? I wonder what mine's gonna be. "Sure."
[Attribute: Cursed Existence (Mythical)]
…Cursed Existence, huh? I expected something like 'Human' or 'Otherwolder,' but this? And Mythical rating as well. Let's… how about some more info?
[Cursed Existence (Mythical): You do not belong in this world.]
[Skills aligned with Attribute: Ultimate Skill, Gacha Gamer; Unique Skill, Forbidden Knowledge; Intrinsic Skill, Night Owl]
Wow, that's a lot of skill. So how exactly do I use them…?
[Notice: Ultimate Skill, Gacha Gamer, has been activated.]
Oh, that was easy.
[Welcome, New Player! Please input your name!]
Name, huh? Since I'm in a new world, I might as well go with a new name as well. And what more fitting name to use then the one I use for all my Gacha Games.
[Name: Hellastic. Are you sure? You cannot change your name later.]
Yes. I'm sure.
[Welcome Hellastic! Please claim your daily login rewards!]
My life has really become a Gacha Game, hasn't it? Here's hoping that this one's a generous one. Maybe all those sleepless nights grinding Gacha Games would prove to be useful after all.
[New Player Login! Day 1/7]
[Monthly Login! Day 1/30]
[Rewards: 10 Pull Ticket, 10,000 Gold]
"What the hell!?" I couldn't help but exclaim. I thought Survival of the Fittest was a broken skill, but this just takes things onto a whole new level. The amount of Gold I received dwarfed the miniscule amount I got from completing the Scenario. And a 10 pull as well? Wonder what the Gacha is and if the rates are good or not.
[Consume 10 Pull Ticket?]
Taking a deep breath, I answered, "Yes." Lady Luck was on my side before. Hopefully, she'll be by my side once more.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Dull Blade (F)]
Dull Blade? Well, can't expect to get anything amazing on my first pull.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Small Pack of Medicine (F)]
Or second for that matter.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Hunter's Blade (E)]
There we go. Something better. It's all gonna go up from here.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: 5 000 Gold]
I mean, everyone needs gold. You can never go wrong with more Gold. Right?
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Suspicious Pile of Trash (?)]
What…?
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Broken Pistol (E)]
Not bad. But not good enough. Come one Gacha Gods, I know you're watching me.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Dull Blade (F)]
Fuck sake! Next one. Next pull is going to be something good.
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Useless Blank Scroll (F)]
Oh for fuck—can I reroll my life?
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Dull Dagger (F+)]
…
Apart from one item, everything was E or below. Absolutely tragic. Though the rarity of 'Pile of Trash' interested me. You know the saying, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Not to mention, the Broken Pistol could prove to be useful if I could somehow manage to fix it. Apart from that, it was a pretty disappointing 10 pull.
…Wait a second.
Counting the things I pulled again on both hands, I ended up with one finger left over. Was it just me being a terrible counter or…
[Congratulations! You have pulled: Texas (S+)]
No fucking way!? I—What!?
And as if right on cue, someone appeared right behind me. "Hey."
That someone being Texas herself.
I have two potential routes to go with this fic. One horny, where mc is a support and helps buff his teammates by well... doing various... things. The other is more or less normal power fantasy. I'm on the fence about what to choose, and am willing to take input. That or to use a random number generator.
Anyways, thanks to all those who favorited, followed, and reviewed!