"You must be kidding me..." Zeid stared incredulously against his notification.
"Failing to do one quest would result in me dying? This is absurd!"
Zeid furled his hands and threw them into the sky.
"World! Is this what you want me to do! To make me suffer!" He claimed with a strong voice.
"I don't think you should be thinking negatively. My master, you should know that suffering is not what hinders you but it is what that strengthens you. As long as you keep moving forward, the world will bow down to you."
His eyes suddenly gleamed after hearing what Altair had just said. After all these years, all Zeid needed was someone to tell him these words.
Zeid realized to himself that he had survived long enough on his own. At least, he was able to do all he can to feed himself back at home.
"It is given that I will be treated poorly because I am weak. But no more. Only I can survive on my own."
"I'm happy to see you accept your fate, master. Truly, I am." Spoke Altair.
"Show me my stats."
Suddenly, Zeid's eyes widened as sweat dripped from his forehead. He gnashed his teeth and cracked his teeth.
"So the Main Quest penalty is just the introduction to my suffering, huh? And this I guess is the big fish."
[Stats]
Name: Zeid
Level: 1
Title: None
Class: None
[Attributes]
Vitality: 1
Charisma: 1
<<>>
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Dexterity: 1
Intelligence: 1
Acuity: 1
Flow: 1
Available Points: 0
[End]
"All in a single digit. And worse, it's all one."
"Do not worry, master. As my creator, Lilie had said, she could not give you the ultimate power but the gift to grow.
Do not be dispirited. All these stats are common and that would only mean your no different than an average person in your age. If you want to be convinced, a single improvement in a single stat is already above average in the heights of human capabilities."
"You just know the right words, Altair. But geez, something keeps bothering me still." Zeid stifled a chuckle as a memory flashed in him.
"What is it, master? Though we are one in body, we do not share the same conscience as I am only an addendum to your soul."
Zeid smiled subtly.
"It's just my browser history. I just hope the helicopter destroyed my computer when it crashed into my home."
Zeid then studied the functions of each attribute.
He realized that somehow his Vitality and Charisma are both independent stats. Which means, he could not meddle with it.
(Major Info Dump. You can skip it.)
Strength covers the overall physical capability of the user. It measures how much weight one can carry and how strong they can exert their attack.
Agility covers the user's speed and how agile their movements are. The more agile one is, the faster they move and attack.
Dexterity covers the user's accuracy and ability to deploy actions with finesse and mastery. The higher the dexterity is, the faster one can learn in basic skills such as; swimming, climbing, dancing, etc.
Intelligence holds the user's mental prowess. The stronger the user's mind is, the wider their mana foundation will be. Intelligence also holds the ability of the user to recall spells and how vast their insight can be.
Acuity covers the user's five senses. The stronger their acuity is, the better their perception and senses will be.
Flow is the attribute that provides mana regeneration and is the pillar of one's soul. They regulated the flow of mana in the body and controls the consumption of mana in spells and skills.
Vitality holds the constitution of the user. The stronger the vitality is, the higher it's resistance to debuffs. Improves the well-being and health of the user.
Charisma improves persuasion, charm, deception, and intimidation. Charisma also strengthens the bonds, loyalty, trust, and intimacy of the user's allies and lovers.
Altair spoke in Zeid's mind.
"I've got my eyes on Strength, Agility, and Dexterity. I know that since I excelled in physical education."
"You know what, master?"
"That strength plus agility equals power. Strength focuses on force and force with speed produces power. In short, I can break bones the stronger and faster I strike.
But the problem is, how do I level up?"
Zeid props himself down. He sat on the grassy bed as he viewed the green mountains. The valley he is in sure looks peaceful and cool.
The wind wafted towards him with a leafy ambiance reminding him of spring. He gladly bathed under the benign rays of the sun.
"The same way as others do. Killing monsters or doing some type of work. The more experience you gain, the higher chances you level up."
"You mean that there are people that have leveling systems as well?"
"Leveling magic, not systems. And yes, they are customary and people use it in their daily lives. But most of them remain with one number of attributes since they are just commoners. Those who can level up are called Arcane Users.
Only a few can meddle with their stats, and most of them register as adventurers or knights. Any of the two has better pay that any lower nobles earn. That is why your main quest is to register as an adventurer in order to blend in and delay the onslaught of the Witch Hunters."
Zeid stretched his arms and laid on his back. His head resting on the palm of his hands.
"And there's that. Witch Hunters. I guess these are the guys that would hunt me since I am to save their prey."
"You catch up quickly, master." Altair praised. She sounded seemingly impressed.
Zeid pictured Altair like a highschool girl, since she sounded like one. He imagined her with a youthful pretty face in a dress of school uniform and skirt. Zeid couldn't stop imagining what she would look like in a swimsuit. Although, he knows himself that whatever face he might imagine Altair would have, it would only be inaccurate.
"Wait, returning back to the stats, you've said that I flow maintains mana for both skill and spell? Show me my spells and skills."
[Skills]
Soul Transfusion: Souls devoured by the user will be absorbed and unique stats and skills will be learned immediately.
Weaklings: Aggro lower level hostiles in a 300-meter diameter range.
Bloodlust: When the health of the user hits a critical limit, greatly boost stats for 5 minutes.
[Spells]
None.
[End]
Zeid seemed impressed. He composed himself and sat cross-legged.
"You expect me to become a beast and devour anyone's soul?"
"Umm." Altair seemed to be troubled on this one.
"I will devour anyone and anything who opposes me. There's no reason for me to deny what I own, this is my existence and my power is my own. Altair, as long as I'm alive, I'll keep you safe."
Altair remained silent.
"Now it's time for me to start doing my quest. I have a few days left before I fail it. Can you guide me?"
"To the west is Capital City and south is Rose Town. Through the Freedom Forest, you can reach Capital City in five days on foot from here. Rose town is a bit farther away and will take you a week and a half to reach there in your current state."
"To Capital City it is."
Zeid stood up and began walking towards the vast forest. After dozens of minutes, he reached the entrance to the forest. Beside him seemed to be a wonderful array of daisies. It seemed like someone had been taking care of them.
As soon as his foot touched the forest floor, a warning sign appeared.
[Warning: Monsters]
The forest is vast and flourishing with faunas and floras. The canopy is generous enough to let the rays of the sun to pass through and illuminate the dense forest, giving Zeid the sense of a sanctum. The grass dappled by the sun glistened with dews.
"This place is vast and deep. I don't think I can reach Capital City in five days." Zeid spoke as he entered a glade and found a path of dirt. Typically used by wagons and people in order to reach the city as well.
"Hmm. I really want to know what my skill [Weaklings] can do. Well, there are monsters here and it won't hurt a bit to try."
"Master, I don't think you s..." Altair tried to warn him but she was too late.
[WEAKLINGS!]
Zeid roared on the top of his lungs.
"...hould do it here. Sigh, there are too many monsters here, master." Altair could've facepalm when she had a body. She couldn't believe that the master she is serving is going to meet his demise very soon and not in a pleasant way.
Soon, the ground began to tremble as if there was a violent earthquake. Zeid desperately tried to maintain his balance but failed to do so and stumbled upon his butt.
His eyes widened upon realization.
"S-SLIMES!" He recognized.
"Sigh... Here we. Good luck, master." Altair could have slapped Zeid if she had the chance.
"And three hundred of them!"
[Sub-Quest!]
Survival
Kill 300 hostile enemies.
Reward: 300 High-Grade HP Potion
[End]
[Main Quest!]
Daily Quest Appeared!
Finish one quest and receive a reward!
Reward: Stat Point +3
Failure to do so will result in system removal, or otherwise as death.
[End]
"Shit. I messed up. But I can do this!"
Zeid took on a battle stance with both fists up. His eyes gleaming with determination as color takes on vividly. Red slowly gleamed as he gazed upon his 300 foes.
"I gave you a second life. And a part of your body is my own, and my own is yours." Spoke Altair although he knew it was a message coming from the witch.
"COME!" Zeid roared as he taunted the slimes further.