The world had become a daze. All around him pleasure and pain mixed through this daze with only brief periods of clarity. The Systems constant pinging to alert him that he had leveled up dying down to a distant buzz. Glancing over he can only watch with immense guilt as Decay sat there cradling his leg. The flashing red on his belt illuminated his entire body with brief flashes red.
Then the roar of ambulances pulls me back into reality. A sharp intake of air helps me focus. My mouth feels so dry as I slowly stir and mutter, "Stats."
Strength: 8 Vit: 13
Endurance: 8 Int: 13
Wisdom: 11 CHA: 11
Dex: 8 Melee Skill: 8
Weapon Skill: 10 Ballistic Skill: 11
Race: Player
Name: Toby
HP- 180/180
EXP:
Level: 5
Mana- 110/110
Points to spend: 6
Prestige to spend: 1
PERKS:
GAMER MIND- PARTIALLY ACTIVATED.
I blink at that. Why was it only six points? The normal rate had been five per level unless- Level five had only given me one stat point and whatever this Prestige point had been. The system is silent as the Medics run out of the car and begin running at me and Decay. How had I not been outed yet?
I mutter a small prayer while slowly sitting up. Maybe the best pathway was death? Maybe. . .Maybe I just had to let one of these monsters kill me to prevent this System from ever fully gaining control of me and shaping me to its whim? The Medics reach me lift me up and begin talking to me. I only pay them half a mind as I give them nods and mutter, "I-Im fine. Im fine."
Could I have saved Decay's leg if I had acted earlier? It was a thought that haunted my mind only rivaled by the curiosity and uncertainty of what a prestige point was. My eyes turn to Decay and simply ponder. Perhaps, he could kill me quickly?
REMINDER: AVOID DOCTORS. . .DO YOU WANT YOUR SISTERS TO DIE?
I quickly gulp at that. The System screamed at me in bold as I pulled away from the doctors and raise my hands, "L-Look just let me call an Uber and go home I- I can't handle all this please."
One of the Medics pauses at that before glancing at the other who just shrugs, "You look fine enough pal. No consciousness or anything but we'd very much advise you come with us so we can observe you for any internal damages or-"
"I'm fine! I don't consent to be held- or examined just let me go home," He shouts somewhat loud. He hoped the Medics didn't count, he prayed the Medics didn't count. He quickly slips past them and begins walking to the ruins of his car… did his insurance even cover monster attacks? He'd have to check. He sits down inside and quickly digs around for his key and puts it in the ignition.
He waits in silence tense wondering if they had destroyed his car in the fight before- It roars to life the lights flickering on. Spending a few moments to stash all the loose papers, and items in his where they won't be blown out he finally relaxes unclenching his jaw. He lets loose a sigh and begins to quickly drive away before anyone else showed up to the scene. His mind lingers to trying to get Decay off him before letters in bright red appear in front of him blocking his view of the road for a few seconds.
SELF-TERMINATION WILL RESULT IN DEATH. COUNTS AS FAILURE TO ALL ACTIVATE QUESTS.
DEATH OF USER. DEATH OF SYSTEM. DEATH FOR FATE. DO YOU WISH TO FAIL ALL YOUR QUESTS?
TITLE GAINED: COWARD.
Anger stirred in his chest at the words. Long forgotten memories rising to the surface. Memories of his childhood as he clutched the steering wheel tighter than before and hissed, "I'm not a coward! I just- I know what Anger gets you in life."
COWARD.
The Systems words appear once more in his vision before fading away. He simply lets out a small breath reigning his anger in as he sighed softly before smiling, "Sounds like you're getting angry now. Mad? Good. Because I'm not gonna be your little killing addict. I already feel bad enough for killing those shadow things- I- Did not realize they mourned like that."
He lets his monologuing begin as he sighs, "So I have to endure. No other choice it seems. Fine with me. Better me than anyone else eh? It's not like anyone else has this power- or whatever you are."
NEW QUEST ISSUED:
HOMECOMING!
MEET THE OTHER HOSTS! 0/3
His eyes widened at that and he swerved. The cold air blows across his face as he shouts, "Fuck! Are you serious? OF CO- I. . ." He takes in another deep breath bringing himself under control as he just drove. Silent as he pondered the implications of three others with powers like his. Faint horror began to stir in his chest.
There were people out there being puppeted and addicted by the System. All it would take was one of them to crack- no. All it took was for one of them to be selfish or stupid! Or better yet, just a plain out bastard to give into the system. To seek out Murder to ensure they garnered as much power as possible.
He needed to seek them out and kill the- He blinks at that almost foreign idea. Brushing it aside as he sighs, "The Systems starting to jam thoughts in my head isn't it? Shit- I mean seeking out the other three might be the only course of action possible and. . .I might be the only one who knows of the risk."
"If I alert anyone? My family dies it seems. If I don't prepare odds are they'll find me and- Get whatever reward their System gives them for killing me and then what? They grow stronger and stronger until someone puts them down or- A very worst-case scenario they kill everything on Earth in order to milk every last piece of EXP out of the planet. Assuming the System takes the reward route it's taking with me than assume at worst I'm facing a strung-out drug addict with superpowers that seeks every last of exp it can grab so it can level up," He rants to himself as he pulls up to his house.
He just leans back and lets loose a very, very long whine of frustration and pain as he just sits there in the dark for a while.