"How did people find the hourglass?"
Both Faith and Nickoli gave me a confused look before peering above the shrubbery behind which we were hiding.
They also seemed to notice what I did—around six people, all snooping around the area where we had initially appeared near the hourglass. It was still dark out, making it difficult to discern any details about their figures or if there were more of them nearby.
"Fuck, why can't we catch a break?" Faith cursed quietly to herself.
"Don't make too much noise, especially considering our current condition," I remarked.
I felt my body beginning to ache all over. I assumed that the adrenaline, which had been numbing most of the pain, was starting to wear off. Additionally, I had a growing headache and was still exhausted from running and fighting the ore viper. With all these factors in mind, I wouldn't be able to hold my gun and fight anytime soon.
Faith wasn't any better off, still bleeding a little less than before but from both her arms. She was practically out of commission from the start. Then again, there wasn't much her little bi-plane could do, to begin with.
Nickoli was the only one among us who could still fight, but if they closed the distance, he would be in trouble. As demonstrated earlier when he almost passed out from being choked. Judging by the number of these people, it was almost guaranteed that we would get overwhelmed and either captured or killed.
In my train of thought, I noticed that both Faith and I were still in Tibus's party from before. I decided to touch the "Leave Party" button in my vision, leaving only the bars of various properties in the top left of my vision.
"Faith, be sure to leave Tibus's party," I whispered to her quietly, to which she promptly nodded before presumably leaving it as well.
Now, speaking of parties, I figured it wouldn't hurt to start one with these two. I wasn't sure if it came with any perks, but whatever. I quickly looked around until I found what appeared to be a party creation prompt on my menu. I created the party and sent both Faith and Nickoli an invite.
Faith immediately joined the party, and her name and corresponding bars appeared below mine. Nickoli seemed a bit taken aback atop his tankette, but he quickly regained his composure and accepted the invite as well. Looking at their bars, I could see that most of Nickoli's were full or near full, while my HP seemed to be around half. Faith, on the other hand, had a lower HP, hovering around a third.
"Faith, are you holding up alright?" I asked her with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Normally, I would suggest fighting, but considering our current state, I don't think it will end well," she groaned while gripping her left arm.
I guess the pain still hadn't subsided.
"I got some medicinal stuff from a shop. I would treat you now, but there's no telling if those guys will keep searching. I think we should probably relocate to somewhere more secure, especially considering Tibus and the others from before might still be searching for us in our general direction."
They both gave me a small nod as we headed back into the forest. Instead, we went in a different direction than before, hoping to find another clearing of some sort that we could use to rest temporarily. Surprisingly, very few monsters were around, and most scurried away into the shadows before I could see what they were.
This might be due to the people we saw near the hourglass making a commotion and attracting all the monsters before killing them all. Either way, I don't care. I just don't want to be in the vicinity of any more beast-like people. They are far stronger than us and very aggressive. I highly doubt we will have a chance of surviving another encounter unless we get stronger.
Still, though, we are heroes. There is no way we are that weak. I mean, I know I'm only level 9, but still. How are we supposed to save the world from an impending calamity in this state? Why should I even want to save this world, to begin with? These beast-people have been persecuting me and wanting to kill me. Who cares if their world dies? Not me. Well, then again, it will probably die along with me, but still.
Then again, don't they have their so-called Mythic Heroes? Why don't we just let them handle the waves if they are that strong? Either way, considering how positively the guard who locked us in the cell talked about them, I can assume they most likely won't be friendly.
Faith was riding in Nickoli's tankette, and I was following closely behind on foot. After a couple of minutes of walking, my body felt like it was shutting down almost. My legs began to ache even worse than before, and every step felt like a massive, painful slog. On top of this, my headache from earlier kept getting worse, which I figured was from an injury I got from the ore viper earlier.
"Do you have room for one more?" I asked Nickoli while holding my head with my hands.
"Sure... Just climb on the back. There aren't any more seats, so just make do," Nickoli responded, motioning to the back part of the tankette.
"Thanks," I said with a thankful smile as I hopped on the back and grabbed onto anything to avoid falling off.
We continued along the forest floor, with the gloomy yet relieving feeling of traversing the forest. No monsters attacked us. I'm not sure if it was luck or maybe the world looking kindly upon us. Either way, I'm grateful since I'm pretty sure even a yellow Ilumi can take us out in our current state.
While lost in my thoughts, I saw what looked like a glowing icon on my menu. It seemed to be the tech tree icon, so I clicked on it. My vision was then filled with a tech tree-like menu that I had seen many times before. However, this time there were a couple more names added, and I noticed the menu focused on one I didn't recall unlocking.
Small Medecine Pistol
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: Medicine Efficiency Up (Small)
Medicine Pistol, it's interesting. I wonder if it works anything like Shade Seven Assault, where one of the characters can heal people by shooting them with a pistol. Though, using proper judgment, medicine efficiency probably just increases the potency of the medicine I use. I think I unlocked it when I was borrowing the healing items from the store.
I probably got a pop-up for unlocking it, but I just moved it to the side to clear my vision. I can probably use it to treat Faith's wounds better whenever we finally settle down, so I'll be sure to keep that in mind.
However, it didn't stop there. Next, the tech tree focused on a new section, expanding and covering my view, just like before.
Small Poison Pistol
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: Poison Resistance (Weak)
Sweet, another pistol. Though I doubt how helpful weak poison resistance will be for now. It's good to know I have it, though.
There was mostly still silence as we traveled, with only the hum of the tracks moving over crunchy leaves and the occasional slight bump from tree roots. Nothing really disturbed us. Still, I could almost feel a sense of animosity, not sure from whom, but somewhere.
I'm not sure if it's directed at me or something else. At this point, my head is starting to feel like it's being thrown in a blender, so I couldn't care less. I assumed the feeling was mutual, since if it wasn't, someone (I said while squinting at Faith) would probably address it by now if she weren't near bleeding out.
While squinting at Faith, I noticed something behind her in the distance. It seemed to be a small cave—or rather, more of a big hole in a mound. I wasn't really sure, considering the moonlight barely gave any visibility.
"Hey Nickoli, I see what looks like a hole we could use as cover inside that mound," I said, pointing in its direction.
While normally any sane person would not even consider using a hole inside a mound as cover, at this point, we are at the end of our wits. Any cover is better than no cover, and we have already traveled a while away from the hourglass, so we should be safe from any patrols. Let's just hope there are no monsters or animals nearby.
We approached the hole in the mound before getting off once we reached it. My headache—it hurts horribly at this point. I really need to rest, and soon. I sat down and leaned my body against the dirt wall inside the mound. Then I remembered something.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot to take out the items I got," I quickly remarked before opening my menu.
I looked through and eventually found what looked like a submenu with many items, ranging from bandages to cloth and even some healing potions. I figured out how to take them out of my inventory and placed all the items in a pile. By the time I finished, I saw Faith lying down on the ground. However, I didn't see Nickoli.
"Where did Nickoli go?" I asked Faith with a puzzled look.
"He went to get some leaves and stuff to cover his tank in case a patrol comes. He should be back soon," she replied.
"I see. Anyways, absorb some of these potions and drink one or two. It unlocks two weapon forms, so why not? Apparently, they can heal you as well. Anyways, I'm going to pass out now. Tell Nickoli that I'm still alive and not dead."
As I finished my sentence, my stomach growled loudly.
"Oh shoot, I guess the fact that we were running around all over the place finally caught up to my stomach," I sheepishly remarked.
"I guess so. We don't have any food. I also doubt we will get the chance to find anything to eat considering what's going on," Faith replied with a sigh.
"Guess so. I'm sleeping. This time, actually wake me up if something happens, alright?"
"Fine," she replied with an annoyed tone before beginning to absorb the healing items.
I grabbed what I assumed to be a healing potion. Along with that, I changed my weapon from the small medicine pistol and quickly chugged it down. Luckily, I was able to avoid most of the taste, but I did sense a heavy smell of mint. Must be mint-flavored or something. I felt a little better, with the cut on my chest healing along with the multiple cuts and bruises on my body. This is a weird world, man.
With the pain eased a little and despite my headache, I was still able to sleep. My body was still aching from all the running around I did, so even with hunger, I should still be able to sleep. The moment I lay down, my body felt like it was melting as I drifted off into a much-needed sleep.
...
I opened my eyes to a bright, glaring light, almost blinding. I raised my right hand to block it, but I could only get halfway before my arm seemed to stop. I tugged but to no avail. I then noticed the IV line attached to my body, which was restricting my movement.
I looked around and realized I was in a hospital bed. I could recall being in one ever since I got hit by a car while riding my bike that one time. Some things you just never forget. My vision was still blurry, but I felt like I was forgetting something.
Wasn't I transported to another world? I swear I was. I think I fully remember now. I was transported to another world just to get beaten up by a bunch of guards. Then... Oh yeah, Faith and Nickoli got arrested or something. Then we ran away and hid, and I fell asleep from exhaustion.
"Was it all a dream?" I said to myself while holding my hands out in front of me.
I was lost in my thoughts when I saw a hand reach out and grab mine. It was my dad. I could recognize his tough-looking skin and strong grip anywhere.
"You're finally awake. You had your mom and me worried!" he said with relief.
"Wait, what happened? I remember being transported to another world after I clicked a button in a game," I asked him, puzzled.
"Transported to another world? Are you sure you didn't hit your head? Well, I guess you technically did," he said with a chuckle.
"No, I mean what happened? Why am I in a hospital bed?" I asked, wanting to know more.
"Well, when your mom called you down for dinner, you didn't respond. We just assumed you were being rude, so I went upstairs to get you. However, we found you collapsed on the ground next to your computer," he explained.
So I passed out or something? Maybe. But judging from his expression, there's more to the story that I need to hear.
"We rushed you to the hospital when you didn't respond for a while. You've been asleep for the last 12 hours," he said, now with a more remorseful voice.
"But I was in another world, I swear I was. I was traveling with two people named Nickoli and Faith. We were being hunted by animal-like people. I was hiding with them in a hole, and..."
My dad shushed me quietly by putting his finger over his lips.
"Listen, whatever you were imagining, it was in your head. Just worry about the now and be grateful to God that you are alive! The doctors should let you out soon once they find out you are awake again," he said with a cheerful smile and tone.
I rarely see my dad smile. Most of the time, he comes home all grumpy from work, which I won't blame him for. Seeing his smile really reminds me of how much he truly cares about me, even if we fight.
I guess this means that everything I thought was real was just in my head. Whatever, I mean it was cool for the first 10 seconds, then it became a shitshow. I'm kind of glad, even. I doubt I would be able to save, or even want to save, a world full of aggressive animal-looking assholes.
I was in the middle of my thoughts when my dad suddenly yelled, "Alex!"
"Yes, Dad?"
"Alex!"
"What?"
"Alex!"
"Hello? I already said what!"
Did he suddenly go deaf or become hard of hearing? What's up with him?
"Alex!"
After he said "Alex" again, his figure along with the surroundings around me began to distort. What the hell is going on?! It looks like reality is imploding on itself!
"DAD!"
The next thing I knew, the area around me turned back to where I was before, in a hole in a dirt mound. Instead of my dad's figure, Nickoli was there, grabbing and shaking my hand. I guess some things are too good to be true.
"Alex! Are you alright? You were mumbling about something in your sleep, so I came over," Nickoli asked, sounding worried.
"Ah... It's nothing, don't worry about it. Sorry, I just had a very realistic dream," I responded groggily.
"That's alright. Do you mind staying up and keeping watch while I sleep? It seems like daybreak is coming soon, so we should be able to see again," Nickoli asked in a tired voice while yawning.
"Yeah, sure. You already seem tired as it is. I'll wake you if anything comes up, alright?"
"Thanks," he said as he scooted back near the entrance of the hole, now covered with lots of leaves and shrubbery. He leaned back against his tank and began to doze off. I followed suit and decided to sit against the wall near the entrance as well.
I made sure not to disturb Faith, who was asleep lying in the dead center. Though I can't really blame her due to her condition. Then again, she seemed better now. The bleeding seems to have stopped, at least, and a couple of bruises on her face have now healed somewhat.
There wasn't much else to think about. The waves were still pretty far off, and we still had lots of time before the first one. Still, though I may not act like it, maybe subconsciously I'm still pretty homesick. I guess consciously too, considering how I literally did not mind if everything up to this point was just a bad dream, though I guess not.
Whatever, no time to dwell on it. I'd better use the time I have to its best extent. My wounds seem to have healed as well. My body doesn't ache as much, so I can at least run if need be. My headache has also gone away, so that's great. Better to have a clear head than an aching body. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh, right, food.
Almost comically, my stomach rumbled soon after I mentioned food. I guess in this world, you can't sleep hunger away, at least. I would try to go out and look for food, but then who will watch these two idiots? Besides, I'm not even sure if the patrols are still out there, so it's better to wait until we are all in fighting condition.
I decided to spend my time reading the help menu, hopefully finding something to help us get stronger this time.
"Alright, let's see here," I whispered as I began to scroll through the various sections.
Weapon forms, already read that. Though there's a subcategory below it named equip bonuses. Equip bonuses are those little extra stats I get whenever I equip a new weapon form, but I also see "abilities locked" next to it. Maybe this will help clear some things up.
I read through the section, and apparently, the equip bonus for weapon forms can become permanent as long as I use the weapon. Well, keep it equipped and use it less. So if this holds up, then this means...
I quickly opened up my menu and changed my weapon form to the small basic pistol I had at the start, and sure enough.
Small Basic Pistol
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +3 Attack
Sweet. So that means I now have a permanent +3 attack buff. If I remember correctly, this yellow Ilumi pistol has +4 attack, though it's most likely unlocked since I slept with it for a good bit. I also remember the color pistols having +2 and +3. Adding them all up, I should get a whopping +12 attack.
I'm not really sure if that's good or not, considering some RPGs have stats in the millions, so I'm not exactly in the clear yet. Either way, though, progress is progress. I decided to swap my weapon for the small blue pistol while I wait. This way, I can work towards getting that juicy attack buff.
I continued skimming through the categories. Some did catch my eye as interesting, though I was mostly looking for things to make me stronger at the moment. Eventually, I came across something called power-up methods. Power-up means getting stronger, so this should be good.
"Let's see here... the first method listed is something called 'Level Link.' It says that as I level up, all my weapon forms gain a boost. So this is just passive, then. Interesting. I guess once we all finally get in fighting condition, we can go out and level up. I'm pretty sure Faith is still level 1 since she doesn't get any kills at all.
The next method, Mastery, seems to work exactly the same as the equip bonus in how it powers up the weapon instead of me, though. Where do I see this mastery stat? Is it with the weapon stats or what? Let me double-check really quickly.
Small Basic Pistol
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +3 Attack
Mastery Level: 14
Hmm, well, I guess I still have a while to go before I master it. And if this thing isn't mastered, there's no way the yellow pistol is mastered either. Never hurts to check, though.
Yellow Pistol
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +4 Attack
Mastery Level: 26
Expected, I guess. Still, though, this is progress. I wonder what the other methods are now. Look at me, getting excited over game-like things in a real-world-like environment. I would be looked at as insane back home.
Weapon level-up seems pretty straightforward from how it's described. I just get EXP to level up weapon forms as well. Doesn't sound too complicated. Let me check it out.
Yellow Pistol LV 1
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +4 Attack
Mastery Level: 26
Wait, what? No levels? Is there something I'm missing here? I looked through the menu a little more until I found what I think was the weapon EXP.
Available Weapon EXP: 264
I assume I need to transfer the weapon EXP to the weapon form for it to unlock. How do I do that, then? I went to the weapon form I wanted to level up, which was the yellow pistol, and selected what looked like a transfer EXP button of some sort.
It then asked for the amount. I decided to only put half. I'm unlocking the Ore Viper submachine gun soon, so it would make sense to save some EXP. After all, I don't want my new non-pistol weapon to be absolute garbage, do I?
I was about to check my weapon form stats, but I saw a bit of light go through the holes in the shrubbery. For a split second, I thought that we were found out. However, after checking quietly, it was just the sun rising, illuminating the sky as daybreak started.
My goodness, I feel like those all-nighters who just sit at home and play video games non-stop. They just open their curtains to see sunlight blast their eyes and nearly blind them. Well, I can't exactly be a hypocrite now, though, so I'll shut up.
Once I did, the screen with the weapon stats changed, and the levels increased.
Yellow Pistol LV 6
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +4 Attack
Mastery Level: 26
It seems that the equip bonus never seems to change. Whatever, though, if the weapon is supposedly getting stronger, there is no point in not believing it. I mean, either way, it will show that it worked once we actually go out and fight monsters.
There was one final one listed, Weapon Synthesis. It seems pretty complicated but seems to be a way to transfer attributes from one weapon to another. Though, since my weapons don't have any cool ones yet, I see no point in doing so.
I decided to check my weapon form screen to see if anything changed as well.
Yellow Pistol LV 6
Abilities Unlocked Equip Bonus: +4 Attack
Mastery Level: 26
[O]
Seems like my weapon form screen is getting bigger. Whatever, though, as long as I get stronger, I don't care. I mean, I definitely don't feel stronger per se, but I have the confidence of being stronger.
I decided to check the status of my small blue pistol just to see if it was unlocked yet.
Small Blue Pistol LV 1
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: +2 Attack
Mastery Level: 0
[O]
Guess it doesn't unlock that fast. Though I'll probably give it another hour or so until it unlocks. Either way, judging by how those two are sleeping, it will probably be a little while longer until they wake up. I mean, I can't fully blame them, well maybe a little, but still.
I mean… I am a little away from level 10 from what my EXP bar says. I also unlock my first non-pistol weapon at level 10. I mean, it won't hurt if I were to leave for a quick bit to go out and level up, right? I mean, in the end, it benefits everyone. We have higher survival chances, especially for me.
I decided to take the opportunity to leave them alone for a bit so I can reach level 10. I moved past the shrubbery that Nickoli put in and finally was able to stand up fully. I stretched for a good minute, and my aching muscles seemed to have calmed finally.
I began to walk forward with my weapon now unholstered, mostly prowling for any sounds or indications of any nearby monsters I can hunt. Though I guess Ilumi is the only thing around this place considering red and blue ones just keep trying to attack. Once they gave up, I eventually gained a minuscule 16 EXP. Compared to the Ore Viper, this is kind of sad, to be honest.
However, one thing I noticed was how I was able to 1-2 tap all of them. A big improvement over having to shoot them multiple times. Wait did I just use gaming slang, I swear this world is breaking my reality on what is real, and what is not.
"At this rate, I might become stronger than I thought I was-,"
I cut my talking as I heard the sound of slithering near me. This can only mean one thing: Ore Vipers. I turned to the spot where the slithering was with my blue pistol drawn. I began to slowly approach the bush where I heard the sound, but right when I was about to get a good look, I heard the sound of rapid movement behind me.
I turned around quickly and shot a couple of rounds at the approaching enemy. Another Ore Viper. Shit, this is bad. I'm not even sure if there is one or ten of them. This can get nasty real quick.
The snake avoided the bullets but was scared away and attempted to slither into a bush. I quickly lunged and yanked it by the back of its head. Compared to the larger counterparts, these guys seem the same, if not slightly bigger than normal average snakes.
I held its head still as I fired two rounds into its small ore piece in the back, which made it shatter instantly in my hand. Guess it's also not as tanky as the big-boy version, or maybe I'm just that much stronger.
I think the other snake got the memo as I heard slithering moving away from me. However, I began to just unload my pistol in the general direction while I chased it. I guess lucky shots do exist, as I heard the movement stop after a while of chasing them.
EXP + 20
In my view, the EXP amount appeared, as it usually does after a battle, along with my EXP bar screen, which finally filled to the max. Now the large number at the top went from 9 to 10, finally reaching level 10. This also means I can finally use the Sub-Machine Gun! I quickly moved to the tech tree screen and selected it, and my gun began to morph. I wonder what it will look like? An MP5 or a variation? I'm getting a little too excited, more than I would like to admit.
The weapon transformed, and as I looked down, so did my spirits. This thing didn't even look like a submachine gun; it looked more like an ugly mix between a pistol and a submachine gun. Though the rocky design with the small snake design at its barrel did look nice. But still, this legendary weapon must be trolling me or something.
"Whatever, I mean, does it at least shoot faster?" I said with a sigh before aiming the gun straight forward with one hand.
I pulled the trigger, and my hand went straight up as the recoil launched it upward. I stopped shooting to regain my composure. Okay, maybe don't try to be cool and shoot with one hand using a rapid-fire weapon, fair enough. Though if I'm able to control the fire rate, I should be solid. This weapon already shoots faster than my other weapons.
I also opened my menu and transferred my remaining EXP to the machine pistol snake-looking gun.
Ore Viper Body Sub Machine Gun LV 6
Abilities Locked +3 Agility
Mastery Level: 0
[O]
Agility, huh? I assume that just makes me faster. That's cool. I guess I can also gain speed stats as well. I can probably also get defense or luck in different types of guns. I wonder when I'll unlock a machine gun prop-
"You done shooting up a storm?" I heard Faith mockingly say behind me.
I turned around, seeing both her and Nickoli on his tank behind me, with their arms crossed. Well, at first glance, she at least looked healthy again compared to before.
"Listen, I only went to level up really quickly. You seem to be okay. No harm, no foul?"
"..."
"Fine, whatever. I got lots of things to explain, so we can argue later. I found a way to get more powerful."
"Which is?" Nickoli angrily asked.
"Power-Up Methods should be in the help menu. We can use them to get stronger and also equip bonuses," I responded.
They both seemed to open their menus and check, and sure enough, they each seemed to be reading through it.
"I guess you weren't lying to save your skin. I only have one method. What about you, Nickoli?"
"One as well. I guess we each get one," Nickoli responded in an annoyed tone.
"Well, I actually got four."
"WHAT? THAT ISN'T FAIR!" They both yelled out.
"It is what it is. Not much we can do about it than just deal with it," I responded nonchalantly.
I could hear them both grumbling under their breath. It's not like I was able to choose how many I get!
"Alright, since we're all here, why don't we do some leveling up while we're at it? Well, that and also get food," I asked them both.
"Alright."
"Fine by me."
"Well then, let's get this show on the road!"
End of Chapter 4
[New World Info]
[Weapon Mastery]
Weapon Mastery Unlike weapon unlocking is not based on usage time. It's instead based on usage amount. In Alex's case that would be firing his weapon compared to just having it equipped. On another note, the user can't even begin to master a weapon until they unlock it.
Authors Note:
Hello everyone, again sorry for the late chapter, this one was a rather slow-paced info-based one. Now with weapon power-up methods figured out, Alex and Co will maybe be able to stand up against their pursuers. Find out next week in Locked and Loaded in Another World! (Not a DB reference)