-Skill Tab-
Observe(Passive) Lv1
Physical Fitness(Passive) Lv2
Power Sprint(Active) Lv1
Lying(Passive) Lv1
Gamer's Mind(Passive) LvMAX
Gamer's Body(Passive) LvMAX
I called up my skill list the moment I was finished with the 10 kilometer run, pulling up a description for each of them.
Observe(Active) Lv1
-This skill tells the target's information. More information is revealed at a higher level.
Cost: 0 MP
Physical Fitness(Passive) Lv2
-All physical stats raised by 2.
Cost: 0 MP
Power Sprint(Active) Lv1
-Increases running speed by 10%
Cost: 10 SP/sec
Lying(Passive) Lv1
-Increases the chance of target believing a lie.
Cost: 0 MP
Gamer's Mind(Passive) LvMAX
-Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Allows peaceful state of mind and immunity to psychological status effects.
Gamer's Body(Passive) LvMAX
-Grants a body that allows the user to live life like a video game. After sleeping in bed, it restores HP, MP, SP, and cures all status effects. Receive no physical damage.
After I had begun doing the daily quest, the physical fitness skill immediately popped up, a minute after staring at the ground and observe followed. The former leveled right as I was about to finish, and I got a point in Agility and Endurance along the way. So far, I was liking this.
Except, you know, I would like some answers. But I felt like I wouldn't be getting any.
Deciding not to dwell on that thought, I turned my sights to the green crystal in front of me.
Mutant Rat Dungeon
Lv 1-9
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Enter?
Yes/No
I had actually passed by this spot multiple times on my run across town, and as luck would have it, on my last lap I finally noticed the strange crystal embedded in the wall.
I was worried that there wouldn't be anything like this to gain experience from. If I wanted to be a part of the big leagues, simply doing daily quests wouldn't suffice. And I wasn't so dense as to not realize that I was already going to get involved in a ton of shit thanks to my new power. Call it a gut feeling.
The thought of ditching Kuoh Town and going to another city crossed my mind multiple times, but, to be honest, I wasn't confident in surviving in another place. Not yet at least.
There were too many creatures that were part of the supernatural just hiding in the shadows, and this town was under the protection of Gremory, so it was relatively safe. I'll leave moving out until the plot starts, and then, bye bye Kuoh. By then I would be strong enough to survive on my own. Thank god I have a whole year and a half before the freight train known as plot even comes close to me.
Having realized that I was stuck in my own thoughts again, I shook my head and focused back on the dungeon. I contemplated entering, but in the end chose to return when I was a bit more prepared. Maybe after I got a baseball bat.
That said, I was quick to return to my humble abode. If it could even be called that. The place only had three rooms, the living room, which only had space for the couch and TV, also a small fridge next to the TV.
There was the bedroom, with only a bed and two drawers, and the bathroom, which...we won't speak about.
One part of me was glad that there were no parents here, I would be uncomfortable as hell having to call some strangers mom and dad. The novel didn't really touch much upon Matsuda's character, him being an extra and all…so the other side of me was curious how Matsuda survived, and if he even had parents.
In the end, it didn't matter. I only needed a way to get my hands on some money so I could buy myself a bat. I was thinking about getting a part-time job, but if that didn't work out…robbery was always an option. I'll leave that as a last resort for now.
That's when a thought hit me, I had a broken skill that gave me the body of a game character, and I received no physical damage, so, in theory, I could infinitely sell my kidney and other precious body parts!
"Ha." A smirk tugged at my lips as I began to wonder when such stupid thoughts even started forming in my head. I blamed it on the sucker who put me in this body.
I spent the rest of my time flipping my flip phone open and closing it, doing nothing. Eventually I got bored and turned on the news. Not finding anything of particular interest I dozed off.
HP, MP, SP fully restored!
When I came to, it was 1 PM, the whole day still ahead of me.
Swiping away the screen, I decided to be productive and went to take a look at Matsuda's wardrobe. I was severely disappointed when I found only 2 pairs of pants, and 3 t-shirts for casual wear. Still, I dressed and went out of the house, asking for directions to the nearest store.
After asking 5 more strangers for directions, I found myself seated in the office of a Store Manager.
Kazuya Ito LV3
"So, you want to work part time here?" He asked, as if I hadn't told him just that a second ago.
"Yeah, are you hiring?" I repeated my question again.
Kazuya stared at me for a couple of seconds while humming, as if looking for something. I kept patient and waited for him to speak up.
Finally, he did so, "We pay 800 Yen per hour, your shift will start from 4 PM and end at 10 PM, you'll be working from Monday to Thursday, is that fair?"
I honestly didn't know how much 800 Yen was worth, but it was a decent deal. School ended at 2 PM at Kuoh, so I had 2 hours to get to the store. I liked those odds. "Fair enough, do I start today or tomorrow?"
Kazuya, the skinny twig of a manager, checked his watch, "You can start today, but after 4 PM." Kazuya muttered something under his breath before waving a hand for me to follow him. Apparently I didn't have to wear a uniform, so he just sat me down behind the counter next to another guy.
Eiji Sato Lv5
"This is Eiji Sato, he works the counter in the morning shift. After he's done you'll take over. Eiji," The blonde-haired very much adult man blinked owlishly when his name was called out, "Teach the kid the basics." And then Kazuya left.
As I half-heartedly listened to Eiji's instructions, I contemplated if I should use 'Observe' on him. But seeing as that would be invading his privacy I decided against it. As for not really listening to him, I already knew everything about the job. The skinny twig didn't even ask me if I had any prior experience with the job.
Eventually, the time for my shift came. And eventually it ended. The whole 6 hours I spammed Observe on the products, getting the skill to level 5. There's not much you can do on a flip phone I tell you…
After saying goodbye to Kazuya, I walked back home. It was…uneventful.
Having set the alarm for school, I jumped into bed.
Due to attentively paying attention to the lecture, you have gained 1 point in Intelligence!
'Neat.' I thought as I closed the window.
The morning went the same as yesterday, spent killing my time at school, the only difference being that I spammed the shit out of Observe. By the time school was out it went up to level 8. It was painfully slow.
…
Yawning, more out of boredom than any need for sleep, I finished sharpening the last wooden stick I broke.
I was deep inside the forest, and the reason for that?
Why I was getting ready for battle of course!
Using observe on it told me the makeshift spear's capabilities, and I hummed in appreciation at what I saw.
Wooden Spear
-A poor attempt at making a spear made by Matsuda Inoue.
Attack: 10
Durability: 110/124
I had made around five dozen of these spears, gaining a Crafting skill along the way, which increased the quality of the product by 5% each level.
This spear was the best of the bunch, almost twice better than the first spear I made.
I looked at the dozens of makeshift spears in front of me, and with a thought they all disappeared into my inventory.
The inventory window automatically moved towards my right, so it was easier to access.
Plunging my hand inside, I withdrew one of the many spears – hurling my arm back, I threw the spear at one of the trees.
Ding!
Due to succesfully hitting a designated target with a spear, the skill Spear ThrowingLv1 has been learned!
Spear Throwing(Passive) Lv1
-5% Increase in Attack Damage when throwing Spears
-5% Increase in Accuracy when throwing Spears
Ding!
Due to the using a spear, the skill Spear MasteryLv1 has been learned!
Spear Mastery(Passive) Lv1
-5% Increase in Attack Damage with Spears
-5% Increase in Attack Speed with Spears
Neat!
I spent a bit of time on leveling these skills, getting spear throwing to level 3.
Left with an hour and a half before I had to go to work, I still had plenty of time to get my ass to where the entrance of the dungeon was.
Mutant Rat Dungeon
Lv 1-9
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Enter?
Yes/No
*Time will be stopped in the real world while inside!
Time would be stopped inside…that's just freaking broken. Nonetheless, I wasn't planning on staying inside for more than an hour.
That said, the scenery around changed as soon as I pressed the Yes button. The plain white wall was suddenly replaced by a…pipe wall?
Turning around, I was met with the sight of pipes lining every wall in what looked to be a sewer. I focused the best I could on ignoring the smell, but my eyes still got watery. Whether the smell was coming from the yellow water or the skinned dead rats, I wasn't sure.
Mutant Rat Lv2
"Oh no, don't stop your meal because of me!" I yelled at the skinned abomination as it rose it's head from the body of It's dead brethren, Its snout covered in blood. Disgusting. Why couldn't it have been slimes?
I readied my spear as it mindlessly charged me, its skinless body acting as inspiration for me to hit it so it doesn't get close to touching me.
Right as it started getting close to me, I threw my spear...having it miss by a wide margin.
So I repeated the action three more times, withdrawing spears out of my inventory in less than a second.
On the third and final shot, I managed to hit my mark, the spear hit the rat in It's left shoulder, making it stagger.
"Screee!"
The rat let out a loud scream before once again charging at me.
I brought out my strongest spear and experimentally stabbed at it, my form awkward.
*Thwack!*
-29 HP
Skill Power Strike Lv1 Learned!
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed as the rat went flying back to where it came from. The sight was quite weird, had I swung at it with a bat I would understand if it went flying back, but that was the result of a spear stab.
The rat shook Its head, It's eyes expressing what I felt was pure rage.
Your opponent has been {ENRAGED}! +2 to Physical stats, -5 to Intelligence!
Well, that wasn't nice…
The rat charged at me again, this time It's movements were clearly faster, yet…
"Power Strike!" Deciding to test out the effects of my new skill, I watched as a yellow glow enveloped the tip of my spear.
*Thwack!*
Critical Hit!
-84 HP
There was an audible crunch as it met the rat's face, sending it flying back for a second time, except this time it wasn't getting up.
Slowly, I approached the unmoving body, only to regret that action when I saw the rat's caved in head. How was it still alive?
"Observe,"
Mutant Rat(Dazed, Bleeding)
Lv2
HP: 2/120
SP: 28/40
MP: 20/20
-What used to be a common rat affected by radiation, now It's turned into a skinless abomination. Doesn't pose much of a threat.
Not even a second after I finished reading the info, I got another pop up.
You've killed Mutant Rat Lv2
10 Exp received!
"Damn…" My voice trailed off as I looked at the dead rat's exposed brain. It's whole body had puss leaking from it…freaking disgusting.
Having remembered something, I quickly said "Exit dungeon." And in an instant, I was once again staring at the green crystal.
Having confirmed that I could leave at any point, I went back in and continued my venture into the sewers.
Power Strike(Active) Lv1
-15% Increase in Critical Rate
-50% Increase in Attack Damage
-5% Chance to cause Knock Back
Cost: 100 SP
I whistled while reading over my new skill's info. It was just straight up bullshit. A 50% increase in damage? And an increase in Critical Rate? What happens when I level it to 20 or something? Half of the time I would be hitting crits.
And only a 5% chance to cause a knock back? Both times I had hit the rat it went flying.
A thought struck as I was thinking this.
Luck's Chosen(Title)
-You have won a multiversal lottery, the one and only chosen to receive The Gamer system – Luck shines above you!
+100% increase in effect of Luck stat.
"Woah…" My voice trailed off as I waved the screens away from my face. I almost ran straight into the center of a sausage fest.
While the title sure as hell sounded really broken, I had to focus on the sight in front of me.
Mutant Rat Lv4
Mutant Rat Lv3
Mutant Rat Lv3
Mutant Rat Lv3
Mutant Rat Lv6
Mutant Rat Lv3
Absent-mindedly, I checked my SP.
493/520 SP
Out of the six rats, the one with the highest level was humongous - If it were to stand up on it's legs it would reach my chest. Oh, yeah, and it was disgusting.
"Observe,"
Mutant Rat Lv6
Health: 376/420
SP: 243/280
MP: 180/180
-What used to be a common rat affected by radiation, now It's turned into a skinless abomination. It's weakness is that It's really frail.
In theory, having such a big body to lug around should have made it slower, yet judging by its Agility stat of 18 it was anything but slow. It was hideous too.
A clawed hand slashed at one of the rats that were half Its size, said rat quickly meeting It's doom. Strange, why would they fights against each other?
Seeing this as an opportunity to take down the bigger, obviously more dangerous rat, I charged at it, two words leaving my mouth.
"Power Strike!"
*Thwack*
-40 HP
Power Strike leveled up!
The rat's head jerked to the right as my spear's tip made contact with it. Not letting it get It's bearings back together, I struck once more.
"Power Strike!"
*Thwack!*
-40 HP
That's when I felt pain in my right shoulder.
-3 HP
-3 HP
-3 HP
Pain Resistance Lv1 Learned!
Piercing Damage Resistance Lv1 Learned!
"Agh..!" I grunted in pain as a rat bit into my shoulder.
{Bleeding – Minor} effect caused by Mutant Rat Lv3
My hand quickly found purchase on the rat's neck, so I yanked it off and threw it at Big Rat. It shrieked as Big Rat stomped on it. Serves it right.
"I think I bit off more than I could chew on this one," I began to back off when Big Rat leveled It's glare towards me. I took a look at It's health as I realized that I only had three more uses of Power Strike.
But once I did the math I realized that if all my strikes hit, it would only be left with 190 something health. And I could work with that.
But first…
-25HP
The level 3 rat hit the ground as I hit it with a downward impaling motion, the whole tip of my spear going through it's right shoulder, pinning it to the floor.
I held the spear pinning it down with my left hand, while getting another spear with my right.
The events that followed after…weren't meant for the younger audience.
-25HP
-25HP
-25HP
-25HP
Four stabs to the head and it was finished, its health completely depleted.
You've killed Mutant Rat Lv3
20 Exp received!
"That was…easy?" I asked with wonder, the roots of a plan forming inside my mind, "Oh, this will be easy!"
"Power Strike!" I yelled out after seeing the two remaining rats charge at me. I stepped to the side of the bigger threat's lunge, my spear flying and zeroing in on It's jaw.
Critical Hit!
-82HP
{DAZED} status inflicted on Mutant Rat Lv6!
"Power Strike!"
My next target was the level 4, like It's brethren from before, I gave it a good hit on the head.
Critical Hit!
-90HP
It dropped on the floor like a sack of potatoes, leaving me to stab at It's head until it died.
You've killed Mutant Rat Lv4
40 Exp received!
Waving away the window, and also swapping my broken spear, I was just in time to see the Big Rat try It's lunging tactic once more. It almost got me too.
Thank god for it being stupid…
Dodging Lv1 Learned!
"Power Strike!"
Using up my last Power Strike, I hit it square in the head.
-41HP
Since the stupid thing to do would be to let it recover from getting It's brains scrambled, I did the smart thing and started jabbing at it with regular spear stabs, even switching out my spear when it broke against it's tough hide.
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
-20HP
Spear Mastery leveled up!
"Holy shit!" I recoiled at the smell that suddenly came out of it, and let's not even talk about the sight!
You've killed Mutant Rat Lv6
160 Exp gained
I stood there for a second, just taking in what I did-
Gamer's Mind Activated!
Before I realized that I was covered in rat blood. Green rat blood.
"Will this even get washed…?" I asked myself as I fingered the white T-shirt, "I needed a change in wardrobe anyway." In the end I shrugged and went on to another matter.
I needed a knife.
My main fear in that slugfest was getting pinned down by Big Rat, if that happened then I would be in trouble. And I doubt puking in it's face would have much of an effect.
Now if I had a knife, even if I get pinned down I can retaliate by stabbing away at it.
"Exit Dungeon." Saying the magic words, I found myself back in Kuoh.
Putting the broken remains of my spear into my inventory, I strolled back to my house to get ready for work.
I guess this is how I spend my days now…
Fighting mutated rats…