Completionist Points
Characters: Jaune A., Pyrrha N., Team JNPR
Summary: Jaune Arc has always been a gamer; his would-be Semblance only exemplified the fact. And now, with his undiagnosed schizophrenia (does it count when it's comes pre-packaged with his Semblance?), he must prepare to tackle Beacon head-on! Gamer!Jaune, but not like you think.
A/N: A bit of a side project I've been working on! Basically a twist on the usual Gamer!Jaune story, where things lean a little more to the gamer side of things than usual.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Opening – The Master Collection
16-year-old Jaune Arc woke up on the floor in his room, in his family's Ansel village home, sprawled over worn-out pillows and in front of a console-connected screen.
And paired with a massive case of sleep-deprivation hangover.
"Ugh…" Jaune rubbed his head and tried to regain his senses – he could hear the birds chirping out his window and guessed it must still be morning. His mind immediately went back to what he was doing just before he passed out; he had been playing video games since dinner right till the break of dawn, only remembering to take breaks every now and then.
He had loved to play ever since he was a child, that much was true. But alas, with his father refusing to train him to be a Huntsman, what else was a teenage boy supposed to do?
And besides, today was a going to be a holiday anyways, he had thought, so spending a night gaming wasn't supposed to be a problem – but here and now, the banging headache he was feeling was really suggesting otherwise.
In a flash, Jaune remembered that he had still yet to open his eyes; for some reason, it seemed to be harder than usual…
Jaune took a deep breath and opened his eyes, and was greeted with a dark, empty and endless void that certainly wasn't his room.
"What the hell?!" Jaune looked around – there wasn't anyone here, even if his ears could hear the birds that usually knocked at his window; he could even hear the faint sounds of his family downstairs, because this was his family's home after all. And yet he still couldn't see anything around him…
He tried moving around, and while his limbs moved, it hit nothing that was supposed to be in room. He tried to open his mouth, and yet even as he screamed, he couldn't hear his family react.
"What is this…" Jaune scratched his head; again not reaction from the world he was still hearing yet not seeing. And then, and only after that, a text shone before him, big and bright with seven simple words:
WHAT GAME WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY?
"Ah!" Of course, Jaune jumped back in surprise at the sudden stimuli. But after gathering his thoughts, Jaune began to think hard as he stood back up.
"What game I'd like to play…?" Jaune trailed off.
And then, the text had moved upwards, making space for what was supposed to be selections of games by its box art – but it seemed that, for now at least, it was only filled with one.
METAL GEAR SOLID THE MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1
Jaune's mind flashed back – that's right, that was the exact game he had been playing all night! He had just finished the last levels of the 3rd game Snake Eater, aiming to 100% it and therefore the rest of the collection.
The text and the box art glowed invitingly – almost oppressively. With seemingly no other choice, Jaune raised a tentative hand and tapped the games' box art.
SELECTED – WELCOME, JAUNE ARC
Fwoosh! And with that, he had (somehow?) returned to his room. Jaune shook his head. Gosh, what a strange dream-
Ping! A see-through screen popped up right in front of displayed a series of text that made all too much sense.
[Mission: Explore your Semblance!]
[Desc: Congratulations! You have just unlocked your Semblance. Now, it's time to figure out what it is and what it can do!]
[Time: Infinite]
[Reward: +1 INT, +1 DEX]
[Failure: Death]
So that was it, huh? Game-ify his life. And if Jaune's consumption of various media were to tell him anything, this sort of thing would affect his daily life in more ways that one could really predict. But still…!
'D-death?!' Jaune gulped and reflexively pushed the screen away; with his command, the screen disappeared, and yet he still felt a slight pull as if he could still pull it back up whenever he wanted.
Jaune sighed. No matter, it did say that the time was infinite. He could figure out the completion conditions later, as he had always did with any game he had played.
And if his Semblance, his life was to be a game, then so be it! He'll beat it like no tomorrow!
After a hearty breakfast courtesy of his mother, Jaune quickly excused himself and went for a walk. Walking through the crowded market of his village, Jaune tried his best to think it through.
So his life was now a game, huh? Jaune took a look around; he could see names and titles and levels above everyone's heads, just like what usually dominated the world in his screens. From shopping merchants to renowned Huntsmen, he could tell with a glance what they could possibly hold. And of course, that went with his own stats too, one he could look with the same swipe of his hand.
[Jaune Arc, The Completionist]
[Lvl. 1 Civilian]
[STAT:
INT: 0
STR: 0
VIT: 0
DEX: 0
CP: 0]
[NEXT C-Points GAIN: AT 3s]
Considering that he had only started this 'game' this morning, then he supposed it was only fair that he started out at rock bottom. And for most of the acronyms, Jaune could decipher them by himself: Intelligence, Strength, Vitality, and Dexterity. But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't figure out what CP meant – out of all the games he had touched in his lifetime, he had rarely ever heard of that concept. Maybe there was a connection with his usual genres, that he rarely played single-player games? The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection was his first one, and the only one he ever really wanted to 100%…
And that again! What did the Master Collection have to do with anything? Sure he had 'chosen' the game in whatever the hell that dream-like state was, but apart from general video-game lingo, nothing that's signature to it has popped up!
Growl! Jaune lowered his hand to his stomach and sighed. All this thinking was making him hungry, and he could use a light snack to relax…
Jaune spotted a bread stall off the side of the market and swiftly bought a croissant from the vendor. As Jaune walked away, he took a mouthy bite and quickly chewed it down.
Jaune licked his lips as he finished the rest, patting his stomach in satisfaction. "Ah, that was tasty-"
Ping!
[Eaten: Croissant!]
[Effect: +5 HP, +5 STAM. Excellent for on the go-meals.]
[Taste: Tastes like home. Naked Snake would approve!]
"S-Snake?!" Jaune quickly wiped off crumbs off his mouth and stared at the info pop-up a little longer. Was this the effect of selecting MGS as his game? But still, where the hell did HP and STAM come from-?
Another ping, and Jaune looked at the top-left of his vision. And there, clear as day, was MGS3's health and stamina system, an exact replica, except with the words 'JAUNE' instead of 'SNAKE'.
And then, it fully hit Jaune. 'Ooooooh! So my Semblance makes the world into a game, but I get to choose what game it is!' Jaune tapped his chin in interest, 'But why did I only get one choice…?'
Alas, histhoughtswereinterrupted when he heard a shrill scream from his left, "AHHHH! A ROBBERY!"
"Shut it, bitch!"
Jaune heard the voices and quickly turned to his left. Indeed, the market around him was quickly spreading out in terror as a vendor to his left was being held at gunpoint by a masked man and two other armed accomplices. Jaune felt himself backing away with the rest of the crowd, panic beating his heart faster and faster. To his dismay, he also found himself on the front-end of the massive crowd. 'Damn it…'
But the robber wasn't done with just getting the money. Once the register had been cleared, the man heaved the vendor over the table and held her in a hostage-grip.
"NOBODY MOVE! And don't you dare call the cops, or Huntsmen, or anyone!" He yelled, "Or I'll blow her brains out!"
Jaune paled. And here he was with his phone in his hand, just about to call Dad.
And apparently, the main robber recognized this as well. His eyes immediately turned to Jaune – to which Jaune's heart skipped several beats – and he motioned his accomplices with his head.
"Take him," Lead robber said, "He looks way too fishy!"
"S-shit!" Jaune struggled as his arms were each taken by robber A and B, leaving him no chance to escape. He was dragged back to the middle of the crowd, taken hostage just like the vendor from before.
Jaune tried to struggle, but the grips proved to be too strong. He watched on helplessly as the leader began to lead their escape, pointing his gun at the crowd and forcing them to make way for them. He himself was being dragged by the two accomplices, following right behind their leader.
Shit, what was he supposed to do now?! Jaune's eyes looked around in panic. He couldn't let them take him wherever they would – he wasn't a Huntsman, but even he knew that the more witnesses the better. He had to act now!
He cursed. But how could he do it without endangering the other civilians?! He had to think of something, anything!
In desperation, Jaune looked back to his captors. And to his surprise, it seemed that they too were in a panic – their eyes were flickering around the parting crowd, their grip on guns shaky and their steps unsure. It was only their leader that was calm; the two that held him seemed to be near to falling apart.
Jaune's mind raced –he could use this! - he had to fight back, he had to fight back!
And then, only after he gained his resolve. a ghostly, ethereal-like voice rang in his ear.
[Snake, Remember the basics of CQC.]
And immediately he felt his mind calm down, some form of foreign instinct sharpening his gaze and setting his mouth in a thin line.
And as if commanded by a force unknown, Jaune moved with reflexes that seemed natural to him; even when he never trained a day in his life.
"HYAH!" Jaune slipped his foot in between robber A's own, and by twisting his grip on him, Jaune lifted the robber up and threw him to the ground.
SLAM! "Agh!" robber A groaned as he was thrown on his back. His grip on his gun loosened and Jaune quickly kicked it away.
The crowd began to whisper and back away. Meanwhile, robber B turned around and aimed his gun at Jaune. "You little shit!"
Jaune quickly pushed him away and stepped back. With a calm expression and a determined gaze, Jaune sunk into the CQC stance he knew by heart; stance low, arms open and raised to intercept.
"Die!" robber b pressed the trigger and shot. Jaune ducked and used robber A's body as a human shield. Several thunks of bullets hitting the body later and Jaune heard the gun click empty.
"Shit!" robber B cursed as both his friend was killed and his gun had clicked empty. He quickly went for a reload, but Jaune swiftly threw the dead corpse at the robber, sending him stumbling back and the empty gun flying to the crowd.
"Gah! You fuck!" The robber pushed the corpse away and regained his senses; immediately, he saw Jaune rushing him head on. The robber pulled a knife of his own and rushed in too. "Come on!"
Jaune remained calm and let his instincts – or rather, his Semblance – guide him. He could hear the robber shout out and bring his knife in "GAHHH!"
"Hm." Jaune let out a breath and deftly blocked the strike by the robber's arm. The robber screamed again and went for a kick. Jaune lifted his own foot and blocked it before it could eve lash out. Jaune saw the robber become enraged and go in for a wild punch.
And with elegance, Jaune stepped to the side and let the punch sail right past his noise.
FWOOSH! The robber became stunned as his fist hit air "W-what?!"
Grab! Jaune snuck behind him and grabbed the robber from behind. And with another steady breath, Jaune kicked the helpless robber to a kneel and deftly choked him out.
"Hah…" Jaune let the robber go and looked up; it was now only the Lead robber, still holding the woman hostage.
"S-stay back!" And by now, the lead robber was shaking in his boots too. His gun – a revolver, Jaune recognized – was aimed straight at Jaune's head, and yet Jaune found that he didn't care. His calmness remained, his Semblance pumping him with experience he never truly gained.
"Alright," Jaune lifted his hand and made himself look as non-threatening as possible. "I'm not getting closer."
"G-good! Yeah, that's good…" The robber slowly took a step back, and then another, and then another as he kept his gun aimed straight at the perceived threat. The lead robber issued another command to Jaune, "N-now… you're gonna turn around and get on your knees. And hands behind your back! I don't want any funny business!"
Jaune shook his head slightly.
Outwardly, he was calm as a river. "Sorry, but I can't let you do that. You're gonna shoot me anyway, right? Then if I'm going to die then I'd rather stare the gun right in the face."
But inwardly? He was a mess. Equally, Jaune's thoughts were more scrambled than an egg.'What am I saying? What's happening?! Am I trying to die?!'
"You think you're in any position to argue?!" The robber screamed. "Ground, now! Or I'll killer her right now!"
Jaune stared at the robber's eyes. And then, Jaune shifted his eyes to the grip the robber had on his revolver.
"You're shaking," Jaune stated calmly. He kept his body still, but not compromising to the robber's demands, "This your first time?"
"Shut up and do it!" The robber screamed.
Jaune shook his head. "You've got all the signs of a rookie, man." He opened his palms to the side, "Are you really going to shoot me in front of all these people? There's plenty of witnesses, and the village's a small place. They'll find you sooner or later."
The lead robber began to shake even more. 'Perfect,' Jaune thought, even against the other side of his mind that kept panicking, 'And if we look at the grip at his revolver…. He's holding it more like a semi-auto.'
Never minding how he got the idea of knowing how to really hold a revolver when his father kept him far away from any sort of weapon in his lifetime, Jaune pushed forwards.
"I'm pretty sure someone must be on their way." The teenager stressed, "Huntsman, Police, guards, anyone, they probably won't be long. So you've got three options now. Shoot me and take the girl. Shoot the girl and face me. Or drop the gun and make this easier for all of us."
The robber's shaking ceased and Jaune saw a determined glint beneath the robber's fearful eyes. 'He's going to shoot me.'
And true to his prediction the robber screamed and pulled the trigger. "I'LL TAKE MY CHANCES!"
Bang!
Jaune ducked, the bullet whizzing past his hair and cutting the skin of his ear. Seizing the chance, Jaune leapt and rushed to the enemy right as he aimed for another shot.
And here, his Semblance's knowledge proved accurate, because as the robber fired-!
BANG!
Jaune smirked as the shot missed; like it told him, the robber didn't know how to hold a revolver, and the shot had missed entirely.
The robber's eyes widened in fear as Jaune came upon him, and the teenager smirked in victory.
"HYAH!" Jaune lashed out and slammed his fist to the robber's face, knocking him back and getting the hostage free. Before the lead robber could recover, Jaune followed it up by hooking the enemy's neck, pulling him down, and kneeing him in the stomach.
SLAM! "Agh!" The robber felt the wind being knocked out of him. He tried to grab Jaune's arm to regain some form of control, but it was in vain; Jaune quickly turned his grip again and slammed the lead robber down hard on the ground.
BAM! The force was enough to knock dirt to the air and crack several of the leader's bones. And extra measure, Jaune stepped back and broke the robber's arm, stealing his revolver away and letting the neutralized leader writhe in pain.
"A-agh….!" The leader could do nothing but stay uselessly limp on the ground. And as for Jaune…
"Hah- Hah…." Jaune stepped back and deftly inspected the revolver. It still had four out of six shots, and where one was enough to kill anyone here…
Click! With skilled hands he didn't knew he had, Jaune unloaded all the revolver's rounds and swiftly disassembled it to parts. With a huff, he scattered it down to the ground and made sure to keep them all far apart.
'It's over…' Jaune thought, looking around the crowd and seeing the result of his work; and of the sight of people sighing in relief as well as whispering in disbelief.
"Hey, isn't that Arc's kid…?"
"I thought he didn't want to train him…"
"Wow! …Didn't know the kid had it in him…"
And as Jaune's subconscious registered the threat disappearing, so did his Semblance erase his 'skills' with it.
"Ahhhhh!" Jaune let out a loud sigh as a sudden wave of exhaustion came crashing down on him, sending him down to the ground in a sprawling heap. He could feel his mind race of the implications, his heart racing from pent-up adrenaline, and his muscles ache from doing moves it had never been trained to do in his entire life.
By now,Jaune had figured out where he had gotten his 'skills'. That voice that told him to remember the basics, how he engaged the enemy with CQC, and how deftly he had handled a revolver of all things, it was all from the 'game' he had selected this morning.
Somehow, his Semblance had transferred his video game knowledge into practical applications – along with game-ifying his life. He had heard stories of Semblances not making sense, but this?!
And yet, this wave of exhaustion also showed him something else:
That he still had his actual physical and mental limits, limits outside of the 'skills' he had gained.
'So- so I can't handle it all yet, huh…?' Jaunerolled on the ground as his mind raced, 'Looks like I've still got to train myself…'
And of course, struggle wasn't with reward.
[Random Encounter: 3 Robbers defeated! You have gained: +1 STR x3, +1 VIT x3!]
[Mission: Explore your Semblance! COMPLETE! You have gained: +1 INT, +1 DEX]
[LVL UP! Lvl. 1 Lvl.3]
[Jaune Arc, The Completionist]
[Lvl. 3 Civilian]
[STAT:
INT: 1
STR: 3
VIT: 3
DEX: 1
CP: 0]
[NEXT CP GAIN: AT 3s]
Well, there was still the case of the C-Points, Jaune supposed, but he could guess what it meant – it meant –
"What is going on here?!" A loud voice interrupted his thoughts, parting through the crowd's whispers and accompanied by heavy footsteps he knew so well. And a voice that caused his face to pale.
"J-Jaune…!" The voice said again, closer than ever, and Jaune finally had the energy to look to the source, staring with concern right above him. A voice he knew so well and a voice that would definitely not be happy about him getting into any sort of danger.
Jaune whispered in both exhaustion and panic, "D-dad…"
He had some explaining to do… but how was he supposed to explain that he suddenly got a Semblance that made his life a game?
Not to mention he never unlocked his Aura in the first place! What kind of Huntsman had a Semblance before his Aura?!
[Mission: Survive the interrogation!]
[Desc: Due to reckless behaviour, your father has found out about your actions. Show him that you're not at fault, while keeping the truth about your Semblance hidden!]
[Time: 8 hours]
[Reward: +2 INT, +1 DEX]
[Failure: Increased suspicion, further restrictions on becoming a Huntsman, being grounded for an unspecified time and having less chances to develop your skills]
'Oh, shit…' Jaune thought.
Meanwhile, for Tanner Arc, he felt his heart stop and a growing headache form. This – Jaune standing over a group of defeated criminals, sweating like crazy with eyes still flicking back and forth - was exactly what he didn't want.
The Huntsman life was hard. Out of his generation of Beacon graduates, only 65% remained – and of his Team, only he managed to live on. Combat, the Huntsman life, Grimm, and criminals were never something to underestimate.
And so, he had shielded them all. He'd be damned if any of family was endangered.
But as he saw the talent that Jaune had displayed here, without even training a single second of his life? Even with his constant rejection and efforts to stop him from this path? He knew it was inevitable.
Only one thought rang in his head. Silent acceptance and exasperation.
'Ah, shit.'
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