When I woke up, my face was covered in ash, which was pretty unpleasant. Well, I suppose it was my fault for sleeping outdoors by a giant fire. Thankfully I had stored a couple of bottles of water in my Inventory, so I took one out, pouring it on my face and hands. My inventory didn't have too many items, but it did have a lot of corn, a lighter, cash, Drachma, several metres worth of rope which I found in the garage, and a couple of other things like the quest rewards.
Thoroughly refreshed, I walk to… Matthew's car, opening the door to the driver's seat with the car key I had stolen from the body. I opened the glove box, and was very happy with what I found. A gun, which wasn't very surprising since this is America, but more importantly, a map. And thank fucking god, Matthew had marked where his house was on the map, or rather which state. Ohio.
That explains the corn. The fucking corn.
Before I went on the road, I had a bit of house cleaning to do. Firstly, Stat Points. 30 was a shit ton, and I could be pretty strong if I put it all into Strength. But no. I was gonna play smarter than that. I decided to put 10 into Agility, 15 into Luck, and 5 into Intelligence. Now why did I put so many points into Luck? Well, it's because yesterday, yours truly got a Mystery Box from the System. But what exactly is a mystery box though?
A Mystery Box is a box containing a randomised item or skill from anywhere in the multiverse.
That sentence alone gave me new vigour. Fucking hell, it could be beyond useful. As I tried to take it out of my inventory, a screen popped up from the System.
Do you wish to open the Mystery Box?
Yes System. What else would I do with it?
Don't be annoying Gilgamesh. I can make all your stats into the negatives.
Geez, okay! I was just playing about, System!
Mystery Gift opened!
You have received: Needle, Familiar Egg, $1000, 10 Drachma
Oh crap. That's better than I expected. Especially the money. Who doesn't love money? I opened my Inventory, taking Needle out of my inventory. It was one of the biggest wishes for any Game of Thrones fan. To hold any of the swords from the show. Needle had a thin blade, long and sharp. Its ornate hilt was curved and smooth, and the handle was soft and I could easily grip it. It was the perfect blade for me right now, until I become taller and stronger.
Except… It was kinda useless right? It couldn't hurt any monsters, who were my biggest threat right now.
Don't worry about that. Any weapon that has an origin from outside this universe will be able to kill monsters and mythological entities, along with mortals. However, this doesn't qualify for weapons that are designed to hurt one type of entity.
Oh, that's very good. It essentially made all blades into a weapon like Backbiter, Luke's sword. Honestly, this was pretty huge! Imagine me slaying a hydra with a giant sword like Dragonslayer, or me kicking the Minotaur's ass with the Excalibur.
Before I forgot to do so, I used Observe on Needle.
Name: Needle
Type: Smallsword
Rank: E
Item Effects: +10% Damage on Unarmoured Opponents
Item Description: Needle is a smallsword wielded by Arya Stark. It was given to her by Jon Snow, who had it made by Mikken, the blacksmith of Winterfell. The sword is best used with the "water dance" style of fencing popular in Braavos and other Free Cities, which emphasises speed and agility with a thin, light smallsword used in quick thrusting attacks.
Interesting that it's only E-Rank, but I suppose there are millions of more powerful weapons and items out there. I mean, Needle doesn't really have any special abilities or enhancements. It's simply a normal sword that's meant for a child. But still, it's pretty cool, and that item effect is pretty decent.
I put the blade back into my inventory and took out the Familiar Egg, using Observe on it.
Name: Familiar Egg
Type: Animal
Rank: ?
Item Description: An Egg containing a random creature from somewhere in the Universe. Upon Hatching, the creature will develop a bond with the player, and the responsibility falls upon the player to care for it and further develop the familiar bond.
This Egg will hatch in 365 Days.
That's cool I suppose. Shame I can't use it until next year.
Anyway, now I should look at the Guardian Shield, which could be an outstanding item if it's what I think it is. Taking it out of my Inventory, it seemed very small, but I knew it wouldn't be for long as I attached it onto my wrist. It felt light like a cloud, and even in its retracted form, I could feel its protection.
Name: Guardian Shield
Type: Shield
Rank: B
Item Effect: +15% Damage on the next attack and +50% Endurance (For 10 Seconds) after a last second block
Item Description: This shield was gifted to Kratos, the God of War, by his wife Faye on the anniversary of when they first met. A shield which is tough enough to protect the wielder from the might of Mjolnir, it will always do its best to help its wielder. It can be retracted and extracted by simply willing it to do so.
Ah, this is so cool! I have one of Kratos's items, and I don't know whether it's the godly blood in my veins, but I really want to use it in a fight. The fact that it was only B-Rank was insane to me. Doing what the Item Description said, I willed the Shield to open, and by the gods, it fucking did.
Still retaining its lightweight, the shield was out in its full glory. With its golden frame shining in the sunlight, and its ebony body creating a sense of regality. On two opposite ends were draconic-like horns that omitted a sense of power. This… This was a god's shield. And in an instant it went back to its retracted form. I decided to let it stay on my left arm. Its retracted form wasn't big, and was also light. It would be useful if I get ambushed.
Now, it's time to hit the road!
I threw a rock on top of the accelerator pedal and moved the key. I could feel the rev of the engine, and immediately the car began moving. As I left the ranch, I could feel some sort of weight being removed from my shoulders, as if chains were breaking. I think I'll have nightmares about the farmhouse for a long time.
I turned to the steering wheel left, and soon the car was going down an empty road. With the windows open, and the radio on, blaring music, I felt free. "NEW YORK, HERE I COME!" I laughed, as the car was going faster and faster.
You have received the Driving Skill!
Driving Levelled up (1 - 2)!
Quest added!
Off to Camp We Go!
It's time to go to the safe haven for the Greek Demigods, Camp Halfblood! Unfortunately, you're in Ohio and there's thousands of monsters looking for Demigod flesh!
Objective: Get to Camp Halfblood
Rewards: EXP, 50 Drachma, $10,000, 75 Stat Points, ?, ?, ?, ?
As if this couldn't get any better.
3 Hours Later…
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I shout, looking at my rear view mirror. About three… no four police vehicles were behind me, sirens on and and right on my tail. Sure, I had speeded right past several officers, but that was the brick's fault! Not mine! Sure, I was driving at almost 100 mph but if I stopped to get the brick off, then the car would spin out of control. To be honest, I didn't really think this through.
"Hey listeners!" The radio host shouted through the car's radio, annoyingly interrupting the song that was playing. "To anyone heading down I-64 E towards Virginia, be sure to avoid the police chasing a Honda Accord! And oh boy, that driver is going as fast as possible! He's gonna cause a big crash at some point!" Fuck you man. I'm doing my best.
More and more police were joining in on the chase, and I could hear a cop shouting at me to stop from a megaphone. At this point, even if I do get to New York City, I'll have half the police in America chasing after me!
After a couple of minutes of driving, it seemed that there was a bridge up ahead, and naturally, a river. This could possibly be my last chance to escape the pigs. But fucking hell, I might genuinely die from the fall.
As I go over the bridge, I see the large fall that I'd have to endure as I make contact with the water. I'd probably die right?
You know what? FUCK IT! If Percy Jackson can do it, so can I! In what I'd say is a brave show of daredevilry, I drove the constantly accelerating car towards the railing of the bridge, and opened the door of the driver's seat. I'm pretty sure the cops knew what I was about to do, since the one with the loudspeaker was becoming very distressed.
As soon as I was ready, I jumped out of the car with all my strength, glad that the points in Agility I put earlier were for doing good work. I wonder what the reaction of the police was when they saw an 8 year old.
And as I fell down to the river, a thought came to my head. See, the only reason Percy survived the fall from Gateway Arch, was because he was the son of Poseidon. And I am probably not. Therefore, I am fucked.
Wanna know something about rivers? They're fucking cold. And cold water is harder to attempt to breathe in. And an 8-year-old's lungs can't hold much air. By the gods, I'm a bloody idiot.
Naturally, everything fades to black.
I woke up violently, sputtering out water, and taking deep breaths of air. Looking at my notifications, I had taken about 70 damage whilst unconscious, which was annoying, but it explained why I felt like shit. I think I also levelled up somehow.
"Hey, kid! You okay?" I looked up, noticing that I was sitting next to a river, my jeans muddy. I really need to get a change of clothes. Anyway, I found where the voice came from. Two kids, teens rather, both looked the exact opposite to one another. A boy, tall for his age, blonde with blue eyes. He had short, cropped hair, and the makings of an athletic build. But something caught my eyes. A slightly crooked nose.
His friend, on the other hand, was completely different. Black, raven hair which was short and spiky. Her eyes were an electric blue, and accentuated by the black eye shadow. Much of her aesthetic seemed to be based off of the colour black, shown by the black lipstick, black jeans, and her black leather jacket which was complimented with her dark grey shirt. Very 2000's of her. And naturally she had skull earrings.
I already knew who they were. Plus the fact they didn't have a third addition to the party, and they were in Virginia, told me exactly what was going to happen soon. And frankly, it'd be something useful for me.
"Yes, I am." I answered, standing up. I had thought if I should pretend to be a scared little kid, but there was no way I could do it, at the risk of my own sanity. "Are you demigods?"
They both looked stunned, and I could see one of the boy's hands inching towards his sword. Before I could get clobbered or struck by lightning, I explained myself to them, "Hold up! I'm not a monster! I'm a demigod like you!" That seemed to make them pause, which was pretty good. I was in no way able to take the two on in a fight. Especially Thalia.
Name: Thalia Grace
Age: 12
Title: Daughter of a Broken Oath
HP: 2500/2500
MP: 3100/3100
Stats
Strength: 130
Agility: 123
Endurance: 135
Charisma: 116
Intelligence: 118
Willpower: 149
Description: Thalia Grace, the daughter of Zeus, and the first child to come from one of the Eldest Gods. Upon her shoulders, she unknowingly carries the weight of the Great Prophecy, even if in the end, she is not the one the prophecy talks of. She escaped her drunk and broken mother after she had lost her little brother, Jason Grace, and on the road she met Luke Castellan, one of her first friends.
She is unsure of what to think of you. Apprehension? Nervousness? Curiosity? Could be one, or all of them.
Those stats are fucking insane. I know she's the child of Zeus, and also several years older than me, but her stats made even Luke's look like negative numbers. I mean, Luke's stats averaged out at about 75, which was impressive in its own right, but Thalia could probably blink, and the guy would be dead as hell.
"Look, I know about you two… I've seen you guys in my dreams" I lied, "Thalia and Luke right?" Yup. That got them. They eased their positions, taking a more relaxed stance. Pretty dumb, but they were kids.
Lying Skill levelled up (2 - 3)!
"Yeah I hate when that happens" Luke replied, clearly relating to my lie. "They can be useful, but most of the time they're really annoying."
"Well, it's good to see that we've finally met someone who wasn't after our heads" Thalia sighed in relief. Both her and Luke sounded exactly what I thought they would. Luke with the deep, jock voice you'd find in the popular clique, whilst Thalia had a rough voice that was slightly deeper than something you'd hear from a girl her age. "Now, since you seem to know our names, why don't you tell us yours, kid?"
I really want to tell them to not call me kid, but I honestly doubt they'd listen. "My name is Gilgamesh Ashford, but just call me Gill." The two other demigods looked at me with incredulity, before looking at one another. Then they burst out laughing.
Come on! It wasn't that bad! Right? Maybe it was sucking me off a little bit, but it wasn't something too edgy! System! Defend me here, please!
Sorry Gill… But it is a little ridiculous.
Screw you! At least I have a name.
"Holy shit!" Thalia cackled, "Was your mortal parent a hippie or rich asshole?" It was a bit disorientating. Watching one of your favourite fictional characters laughing at you. God damn that's both weird and annoying. And a little cool I suppose.
"Yeah, I suppose your mortal parent was a Hot Topic worker" I lamely retorted, rolling my eyes. I felt a little bad after seeing Thalia flinch at the thought of her mother, so I changed the topic. "Anyway, you're both off to Camp Halfblood, right?" It'd be good to journey with them, since I'd much rather not die at 8-years-old.
"Yeah, we were planning to, but-" However Luke was cut off by a guttural roar that almost shook the earth, "but we're being chased by a monster. Again. C'mon kid, we gotta run" And without notice, Luke grabs my arm, and runs from where we were, following Thalia. I was thankful that Luke was dragging me, since there was no way I could keep up with them. You know, this really wasn't what I was thinking when I said I knew what would be happening next.
As the two looked forward with a slight fear in their face, I looked back, and nearly dropped my mouth as I saw it. A monster. Something that went against all known laws of nature. A real mythological entity.
The monster was larger than a house, with scales blacker than night. Each of its heads opened their mouths, baring sharp fangs that dripped a neon green poison. Their crimson eyes all stared at us hungrily, as its giant, quadrupedal body rushed towards us. I decided to use Observe on it, out of curiosity even though we were running for our life.
Name: Child of the Hydra
HP: 2100/2100
MP: 3400/3400
Stats
Strength: 190
Agility: 102
Endurance: 185
Charisma: 0
Intelligence: 5
Willpower: 125
Description: The third and youngest child of the Hydra. Whilst not as strong as its progenitor, it has killed several demigods. Its scaly armour is as tough as steel, and each of its snake-like heads are equipped with fangs as sharp as swords and a corrosive poison strong enough to bring down an elephant with a single dose.
Holy crap. This monster is all brawn with no brains. And strangely enough, it has less HP than Thalia, but considering her father, it was understandable though unfair.
"Quick! Through the river and into the woods!" Thalia shouted, as she rushed into the large stream. Thankfully the river was shallow, and only went just above my knees. Naturally the Hydra also went into the river as well. We went through the woodlands, and we could hear behind the sound of trees crashing down to the earth.
Then, from the corner of my eye, I see our chance to escape. "To the left!" I shout, getting Thalia and Luke's attention, "There's a cave we can use to hide." The two looked at each other and nodded, as if they somehow doubted my idea. I didn't hear them offering anything.
We managed to dive into the cave at the least second, as the Hydra stomped past the cave, losing our trail. That… That was close. I am not ready to fight head on against a Hydra.
"Hey… What was your name again?" Thalia asks, as I look out of the cave to see if the Hydra had decided to backtrack.
"You forgot? After I just told you?" I replied, quite annoyed, "Just call me Gill".
"Well, Gill, your little idea kinda fucked us up" Thalia retorted, with equal annoyance.
"What do you mea-" I start to ask before turning around and seeing about 25 pairs of feral eyes staring back at me. They all stared at us hungrily, with one being clearly larger than the others, taking the lead.
It seemed that we had traded the Hydra for a pack of wolves.
Authors Notes: Hello everyone! I'd like to thank you all for the love you've showing this fic! It's been ages since I last felt passionate about fic, and I'm happy to see it get such a good response
I'd also like to answer a review that was left by a user named TrumpasaurusRex, since they don't have their DM's open.
Your review for Chapter 1 said that picking 'Random' was a big mistake for the parent option. Well, the MC acknowledges. He is fully aware that it was a stupid decision. But it's also a human one. He doesn't want to live out a power fantasy. He wants a life which he can truly enjoy and also have earned, and the power is a bi-product of it. And as for your second point, where you say it's stupid to use his points right away he could increase them through activity, well you are looking at this through the perspective of a reader. Gill doesn't know whether he can actually do that, nor do you know whether the system has that option! It's smart to use the stat points, because he had no clue what situation he'd have faced in this new world.
As for your review for Chapter 2, your point is that praying to Hades is foolish. Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. It's Gill's choice, and at the moment he wanted what was best for the tortured souls of the victims. You say that he's drawing attention to himself, but that doesn't matter unless he's the son of Poseidon or Zeus, and he already somewhat established that he wasn't the son of Poseidon. And as for Zeus, well he doubted it, since there was many other gods who he likely could've been a child of. You also say "You have no idea how long those people were dead. Their souls likely already passed on." and "You're homeless. And you're literally burning money." Well, the reason Gill gave them the money was because they didn't have a burial, nor did they have money for Charon so they'd still be waiting to go onto his boat. It's a reasonable theory that should Gill give the bodies a Greek-Style funeral, which is a cremation with money inside the mouth, then the money should appear with the spirits of the victims.
But something that annoys me with your Chapter 2 review is "Only people who believe in the Greek gods go to their underworld. What's the likelihood those people worshipped the Greek gods?" My Brother in Christ, did you not read the same book series as I did? At least do a little research before writing that point. The other points I understand, as they were reasonable arguments and points, however it is very canon, and very pointed out in the books, that belief of Greek Gods is not required to go to the underworld. Bloody hell, Thomas Jefferson and William Shakespeare are two of the three judges of the underworld, both of whom were devout Christians. Even in the first book, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, talk about a pastor of a Mega Church. It is very clear and apparent that you do not need to believe in the gods to go to the Greek Afterlife. Hell even vague knowledge of an afterlife influences which pantheon you go to, as shown by the Kane Chronicles.
Also, sorry if that came off as harsh... I think I got a bit overheated lol.
Anyway, you end the review "The MC is an idiot." I'd argue he's average. An average guy like anyone else, who has aspirations for something greater than himself. If you remember, in the second paragraph of this entire fic, the MC says he's a university dropout. Unfortunately he isn't Einstein. However that'll change all thanks to Intelligence stat.
AND SPEAKING OF STATS:
Name: Gilgamesh Ashford
Age: 8
Level: 5
Title: None
HP: 250/280
MP: 370/370
Stats
Strength: 12
Agility: 22
Endurance: 8
Charisma: 8
Intelligence: 10
Willpower: 5
Luck: 25
Stat Points: 5