The Deadly Adventure Begins
Unknown Location
Ren Fujimura, a young man, to the naked eye, he is completely ordinary, there was nothing noticeably interesting about him. All of this being true, the life he was leading was normal, nothing different from any other person.
His physical appearance? His black hair in a messy style, he'd never try to fix it. He wasn't the tallest person in the world, but he sure as hell wasn't short, standing at a proud six foot three, or 1.88-ish meters. Not necessarily a bodybuilder but not overweight either, he was just average, his only defining feature being his above
average looks, and that was only slightly. But if someone were to ask about him, they would be answered with "Who?" He lived a life of solitude, so he never bothered making any meaningful relationships.
So then why is he here? In a completely dark room, the darkness is almost blinding. The energy surrounding this place makes it hard to breathe. Waking up, Ren notices the strange environment. 'This isn't my room, where the hell am I?' Despite his thoughts, his face was completely blank. Not soon after, an orb of light appears in front of the still very calm looking Ren.
"I see you have awoken. I hope you've slept well." If the air was hard to breathe before, then it was practically suffocating now. Of course Ren tried to stop the feeling from showing on his face.
"Who are you? Where am I?" Ren's confusion being justified, it's not every day you wake up somewhere you don't recognize.
"Ah, yes. We are currently in the Ethereal Plane, a sub-dimension created personally by me. And I am…You may call me Lide." The Ethereal Plane is an empty sub-dimension made to withstand beings as powerful as Lide, as others would not suffice and crumble under the pressure. Literally.
"Ethereal Plane? Sub-Dimension?" Most of these subjects are completely impossible to Ren. 'Have I finally lost it?'
"I can assure you that you have not gone crazy. Aside from the stress you are hiding, you are completely sane."
'Did he just-'
"Read your mind? Yes, I did. Now, I'd like to explain to you what has happened."
"Well could you stop reading my mind?"
"I will, My apologies, but can we move on? We won't get anywhere if you just worry about every little thing."
'Every little thing he says.' Ren's sarcastic thought humoring Lide. "Uh-huh, sure…what exactly did you want to say?"
"You Died."
"Right…" Seemingly unaffected by the news, Ren continues staring at the orb in boredom. "How about instead of just conveniently bringing that up now, you tell me that before."
"To talk to the concept of Life and Death like that, you truly are something else." This doesn't surprise Ren, in his eyes Lide's overall behavior was of someone who was strong enough to not care for formalities and or the consequences. Which would be an accurate assessment. "I have brought you here for your assistance, you are the one destined to be a great hero." Lide starts to explain Ren's new job. "Allow me to start from the beginning, your death was a planned assassination. The one responsible for this is unknown."
"Even you don't know who it is?"
"I do, but that's for me to know and for you to find out. After all, you will be the one to stop them and bring peace to the multiverse…Ok now that that's out of the way, onto the next world you go!" The sudden announcement surprises Ren, who already had a hard time keeping up with the eccentric concept.
"Next world? Can't I just go to the afterlife? I'd rather not have to fight." Spoken like a true shut-in.
"Huh? What? Heaven sucks! You are to be a legend! You will get revenge, and be surrounded by powerful comrades and hot babes! What's not to like?"
'How about the fact that I've never fought anything once in my life?' The boy's patience was nearly out. "Why me?"
"You're perfect for me, that's why."
"…I don't swing that way."
"Bah! Must you be so serious? What I meant was that you're perfectly qualified to be my field operator!"
"Why not just say that instead? Also, what does that mean?"
"Why do you question everything? All you're going to be doing is growing strong enough to beat the ones who killed you. Buuut in order to do that, you must first explore the multiverse."
"Why can't you just do this? Aren't you supposed to be Life and Death?"
"Now where would be the fun in that?"
"Is this all a game to you?" In Ren's honest opinion, he'd prefer a nice long eternal sleep about now.
"I have long since existed from the very beginning of time. Once you see everything, things start to get less entertaining after a while."
"So? Am I just supposed to be entertainment for you?"
"I mean…In a way?"
"It may not seem like it but I'm starting to hate you."
"Yes, yes, whatever you say. Now! As I was saying, you will explore the multiverse growing stronger with each world you travel. You can do anything a great hero does! Save a burning orphanage, Orchestrate a situation where you are seen as a hero. In the end, all that matters is that you grow stronger."
"Why can't you just make me strong enough? You're the very concept of Life and Death, shouldn't you be able to make me stronger?"
"I could, but as I said before. Where is the fun in that?"
'This situation isn't all that great, and I'm going in blind with nothing. However, I don't think I have a choice in the matter.'
"Fine, I'll do it, but on one condition; You give me a special ability."
"Of course, of course. I was planning on doing so anyway. All you have to do is spin this wheel, and whatever it lands on will be your special ability." A wheel of fortune appears as soon as he says that. On the wheel are things such as; Chakra, Ki, Devil fruit, SoulsBorne, Mana Circuits, etc. Some of these phrases are completely foreign to Ren.
'Why can't I just choose one? Is everything a game with this guy?' Having no other choice, Ren spins the wheel with a moderate amount of force.
*Clack, Clack, Clack, Clack…* The sound of the wheel spinning sounds out throughout the empty dimension.
*.Clack, ..Clack, …Clack, …Clack, …..* The silence indicates the wheel having finally stopped. 'What did it land on?' Ren looks on at the wheel with recognition.
[Gamer System]
"My, you're quite lucky. This ability will definitely keep you alive in the long run. Now! It is unfortunate, but I do believe it is time for you to go!" With this announcement, Ren's body starts to fade away.
"What!? Hold on! Where are you taking me?!"
"Good Luck!"
"You didn-" And just like that, the boy is gone.
Lugnica
Ren
'…What am I supposed to do now?' Seeing a large, blue, semi-transparent screen in front of me, I quickly get off the street I'm in.
[Notice]
[Congratulations on becoming a Player!]
Open Unread Messages?
[Y] - N
Trying to click it only leads to my hand phasing through the screen. 'So what? Do I just think "Yes"?'
*Ding*
[Messages]
Welcome Player, Normally Lide would be the System Moderator, but due to his Laziness, a new Moderator has been chosen.
My Name is No. 2 Type B or if you prefer 2B, and I will be the new Moderator.
The text now sounds out in a female voice, instead of an AI generated voice. "You can't be serious. Hah…There has to be some type of inter-dimensional copyright law, right?" Sighing in exasperation, I wait for 2B to say something else.
No such thing exists. Now, to open your status menu, just say or think [Status]. The same could be said about your [Inventory] and [Shop]
"Right. 'Status'."
[Status]
Name: Ren Fujimura
Level: 1 [0/5]
Job: World Wanderer (Locked)
Title: None
Hp: 100/100
Mp: 50/50
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Endurance: 1
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 1
Luck: 1
Available Stat Points: 0
[Skills]
Passive
Lide's Blessing of Literacy - Lvl Max
You can understand, speak, and read any language.
Gamer's Body - Lvl Max
Any damage done to the player's body does not last, and is quickly regenerated back to its original state. (DOES NOT RECOVER HP)
Immunity to poison, curses, and many other status effects.
Gamer's Mind - Lvl Max
Allows the player to calmly and logically think things through.
Immunity to mental disorders, and possession.
Active
None
Alll of my stats are level one, Is the system trying to say I'm weak? What's with the Job? Why is it locked?" My attempts at getting more information are unable to bear fruit, unfortunately. "Haah…At least the skills are good." Sighing at my misfortune, I look over the other message.
[Daily Quest]
Objectives:
-Push ups: 0/100
-Sit ups: 0/100
-Squats: 0/100
-Run: 0/10km
Time limit: 23 Hours, 45 Minutes, 20 seconds Left.
"Why is this a thing…Well, no time like the present." No shame whatsoever, I start working on the Daily Quest in an alley I find.
3rd person Pov Change
"This guy looks like an idiot, let's get him." The three thugs Ton, Chin, and Kan notice Ren doing his workout.
"Are you sure? The guy doesn't look right in the head, just look at his strange movements." The big one, Ton, points out.
"Yeah, let's try someone else." Kan, the short one, also puts his two cents in.
"Tch, we're never gonna get out of the slums if we just let our meal tickets get away." Chin, the leader, convinces the other two to follow his lead.
Just as they were going to call out to Ren, Ren suddenly stops his workout, and stands up. Putting himself in a running position, Ren suddenly bolts, straight at the thug trio.
The trio, not expecting Ren to suddenly run at them, start to run away from Ren. Running back to the slums with their tails between their legs.
'What was up with those guys?'
Slums
[Daily Quest Complete]
Rewards: 3 Stat Points, Status Recovery, Random Loot Box.
Claim?
Y - N
Deciding to just accept the reward now, I choose yes. 'Woah…All my tiredness disappeared. That's dope…Now, Where am I?'
Looking at my surroundings, I notice the change in architectural quality from the city from before. 'What the hell? Wasn't I just in some big city? There were merchants and everything, but most of this place just seems to be run down.' And it was true. Adults and children alike would just stare at me as I walked by. They were all in rags, their clothes could barely be considered to be called clothes.
Too busy looking at my surroundings, I don't notice what's right in front of me. Bumping right into somebody. "Oof. I'm sorry, I wasn't payin-"
Once I get a good look at the person I bumped into, I'm left speechless. A black haired beauty dressed in scandalous clothing, a seductive aura around her. The purple flower brochure in her hair made her look even more beautiful.
"Oh my, if you stare so intensely, you'll go and make me blush." Even her voice sounds seductive, not even accounting for the sultry smile on her face. "I didn't bump into you too hard, did I? Fufufufu."
I can feel my face heat up like the sun, only for it to cool down after I shake my head a bit. "No, I'm fine. Thank you." 'She looks like one of those Nee-san girls in hen-Anime.'
"I must be going now, take care of yourself, wouldn't want to see you getting hurt." She says smiling that same smile at me.
"Wait!...Can I ask your name?" Oh God, what am I doing? "I mean, I'm Ren, Ren Fujimura, and you are?" Ren?! Stop thinking with your dick, Please?!
"Fufufu, Elsa, it is very nice to meet you Ren."
"Yeah, it was nice meeting you too Elsa. Um, See you."
Whispering, she says something I don't quite catch. "It is in your best interests that we don't meet again. Yes, Goodbye Ren."
Waving goodbye to her, I stop once she's out of range. 'See you? What the hell am I thinking? I just met her and I'm already trying to get in her pants. Not that she was wearing any…Ok focus Ren, we gotta figure out where the hell we are.'
"2B? Do you know where I am?"
No, but it doesn't matter too much.
"Why's that?"
Lide has informed me that your actions have no true consequences. Despite how real this world may be, it is only a replica of an already existing world.
"So what? Does that mean if this world were to be destroyed, it wouldn't matter?"
I do not know the specifics, but Lide has the power to fix or destroy a world with ease. The point of this journey is for you to reach that level of power.
"That's easier said than done."
That may be so, but I have faith that you can do it.
"Good to know that the voice in my head believes in me." Sighing at the unfortunate situation I now find myself in, I head back to where I started.
Alley
'Alright I'm back here, now what am I supposed to do? I can read and speak the language so there won't be any issues with that, but I'm in an unknown location with no documentation of my own identity or money to use. If we're following the whole gamer trope, I should be getting a quest right about…now.' Just as I predicted, a quest screen appears.
Tutorial Quest 1/3!
Where Am I?!?!
Find Out Where You Are - 0/1
Gain National Currency - 0/10
Get a Map (Optional) - 0/1
Rewards - Unlock Shop, Unknown Skill, 5 Sp
Optional Rewards - ???
Quest has been automatically accepted.
"Yeesh…I'm not looking forward to asking someone where I am. Who knows what they'll think?" I'd rather not be labeled as a lunatic. 'Or actually…' Going deep into thought, I don't notice someone approaching from behind, until their hand grabs onto my shoulder.
"Excuse me? Is something the matter? You seem rather deep in thought." A literal red-headed young man dressed in a formal white outfit asks me. 'No consequences right?'
"I'm fine, um…I know this may sound strange but what city are we in?"
The red-head only gives me a strange look before answering. "This is the Capital of Lugnica, the fact you don't know this is concerning. Are you perhaps a foreigner?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that. I'm Ren Fujimura." 'Even with an answer to my question, I'm still lost. I need a world map. At least that's one down.'
"Ah, I am Reinhard Van Astrea, a Knight. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Same here." 'A knight, huh? So this really is a medieval city, not that it wasn't obvious before.'
"I'm off duty right now, but is there something wrong?"
"No. Everything's fine." Giving him a dismissive denial, I open up my status menu.
"I do not understand. Just a second ago, you were pacing around deep in thought."
"If you could just forget that. So Reinhard, do you know where-" I'm suddenly interrupted by a subdued and feminine voice.
"Excuse me." Looking behind me, I see a very cute looking (elf?) girl. Very different from the Femme Fatale I met earlier but still very good looking.
"Ah, Emilia-sama, How can I help?" He answers in recognition.
"Eh? Reinhard? Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering if you've seen a thief come through here?" Recognition also seems to shine through her amethyst eyes.
'Thief? Now that I think about it, I was in a pretty dangerous area earlier. I could have been mugged.' I let out a quiet sigh of relief. 'Wait mugged for what? I don't have any money…'
"A thief?" Reinhard's confusion was evident on his face. "My apologies, but I have not seen anyone like that. Ren? Do you perhaps know anything of the sort?"
"Sorry, No I don't." I absent-mindedly apologize to the girl, I look back to my status menu putting all available SP(3) into endurance.
"It's fine, thank you anyways."
"I could help if you'd like Emilia-sama."
"Thank you Reinhard, but I'll be fine with Puck." Excusing herself, she leaves us as fast as she came.
"Huh. Who was that? By your tone of voice she was probably someone important." I ask my new red-headed acquaintance.
"Yes, she is. I can not reveal as to why, so please forgive me."
"Don't worry, I'm not one to pry." Noticing his unease, I don't bother questioning him further and allow him to do his job. "I can only assume you have places to be, so…until then Reinhard." Extending my hand out for a shake, he reciprocates in kind.
"Yes of course, may we meet again, Ren-san." We both go our separate ways, and now I'm even more lost. 'Maybe there's a library around here.'
'Go figure.' It didn't take long for me to find a library, especially with the help of some knight that was kind enough to direct me. Unfortunately however, without any identification on me, I am not allowed to read any books. 'So now I'm back at square one…hm?'
A large commotion in front of me snaps me out of my thoughts, a fat but nicely dressed man chasing after a blonde scandalously dressed girl. The fat guy doesn't make it any further as the girl jumps up on the roofs. 'If I were to catch her then that guy would probably compensate me…It's worth a shot.'
Tutorial Quest 2/3!
Stealing is Wrong!
Catch the Thief - 0/1
Return the Loot(Optional) - 0/1
Keep the Loot (Optional) - 0/1
Thief Keeps Loot (Optional) - 0/1
Quest Rewards - New Skill, Unlock Relationships, 100 EXP
Optional Return Rewards - 1 Holy Dragon Coin
Optional Keep Loot - 20 Holy Dragon Coins
Optional Thief Keeps Loot - New Title
Quest has been Automatically Accepted
'The Optional Keep Loot sure looks mighty appealing…' Ignoring the cries of the man, I take to the chase, following the girl from the road. Losing sight of her, thankfully I can still tell where she is by the waypoint that is now marked on her.
I continue running after her, making sure not to bump into anyone. Putting my reaction time to the test as I speed past everyone else. 'One hell of an image I'm making for myself. Guess that lunatic label is probably going to stick.' Using my unrefined strength, I climb up to a roof as I reach a dead end on the road. Now jumping from roof to roof, I slowly start to lag behind. Despite my best efforts, I end up losing sight of her again.
One misstep is enough for me to fall down tumbling into an alley, smashing boxes as I land on my ass.
-13 HP
Despite the notice, I don't feel any pain, already numbed by my thoughts. 'What am I doing? Chasing after a child who is probably half my age. She probably needs that money and here I am trying to stop her…What has my life come to?...Even now…'
Sitting there for a while longer, I pick myself up once I can actually feel any drive to do anything. 'Just do the tutorial…If I can't even do that, then why even try to get revenge?' Looking up to the roofs, I notice their height that even I can't reach.
Walking out of the alley, I take back to the run, behind the long gone thief. 'Revenge? I don't know if I want that…I can't deny that I'm not annoyed that I died, but I'm still alive aren't I?' There are lots of things wrong with that statement, but I don't care. 'Maybe I'll live the life of a hermit…That sounds nice.'
Slums
'Here again…I guess it makes sense that a thief would live in an area like this.' My surroundings are covered in the orange hue from the setting sun, the time it took to get here was longer than I expected. The thief kept on changing directions…talk about bothersome.
Contract!
A Minor Yin Spirit has proposed a Contract
Contract Terms
-The Player Cannot Contract any other Spirits
-The Spirit must only use Mana(MP) provided by The Player
Time - Indefinitely
Do you Accept?
Y/N
'Huh? Where did this come from?' Looking around in confusion, my eyes land on a dim orb of black light. Looking at it and back to the screen, I only grow less confused the more I read. 'It wants to be partners? Huh…I mean, what's there to lose?' Demihumans, wingless dragons, and now this? Total fantasy world, just waiting on the introduction to magic.
Contract Accepted
New Skill Learned - Shamak(Spirit)
Shamak - Lvl 1/10
Upon Activation, The User emits a large amount of black smoke. Those that are hit by the Fog lose their senses, effectively stunning them. The User is not affected by Shamak. Mostly effective against mindless beasts and those with low magic resistance.
Costs 25 MP
'There it is, not really much to look at though…It's just a debuff spell. It doesn't really specify how long it lasts either. Guess I'll have to field test it.'
New Skill Learned - Magic Shield(Spirit)
Magic Shield - Lvl 1/10
Upon Activation, The User summons a protective circular shield wherever The User wishes. The Shield can block both Magical and Physical attacks. The Durability of the shield is 100.
Cost 5 MP per second
'Nice, This should come in handy and at least I'm not a one trick pony.' Continuing my trek to the waypoint with the spirit now following in toe, I try to communicate with the little orb. "So? Why choose me?" It just stops at my question, not saying a word back, just stillness. "Can't speak?" This time it answers with a quick bobbing of its entire body.
"That's going to be…annoying." Crestfallen by my words, it almost seems human in a sense. I don't bother comforting it, as my words hold weight to them, so I find it justified. "So just yes or no questions from now on? Then, do you have a name?" This time it just swings its body side to side slowly. "That is also annoying, but can be easily solved. Do you want a name?" Overjoyed at the suggestion, it jumps around in happiness, like a dog when offered food.
"Alright, I'll give you one…later. I need some time to think about it, you'd want the name to be special right?" It seems to take a moment, possibly thinking? But otherwise agrees.
I stop walking as we arrive at the place, a few lights inside. The sudden sound of something crashing and breaking surprises me a little. 'What's going on?' Peeking in from the front door that was slightly open, I find myself staring at quite the unpleasant sight.
On the ground bleeding out is a large man, who is probably dead. The thief I had chased around was also on the ground, with a knife in her stomach.
A knot in my stomach was formed immediately after laying my eyes on them. The sickness in my stomach caused me to bump into the door, gaining the attention of two, two I hadn't noticed.
Elsa. "My, well isn't this a surprise?"
And Emilia. "...It's the boy from before…No, wait!"
"Huh?" That's a kni-
'I shouldn't have come here. Giving up wouldn't have been so bad.'
Tutorial Quest 3/3
Survive - 0/1
To Be Continued..?
I am beginning once more, with a more thought out plot line. That's it.
Oh, and if you think Ren is going to enjoy his stay in Re:Zero, he's not.
Bye.