A gentle green soon enveloped my entire body as I muttered.
"This sensation... it was when Ava…" I recalled the day when Ava's hands hovered over me, I felt the same sensation I felt that time. If I were to describe it, it'd be something that refreshes your body like a fan, but the cool and fresh air enters through your lungs.
The effects are top-notch!
"This is amazing." If the first reward was incredibly good, would the effects also apply the same with 'Stat Points'? Without a doubt, this would truly be incredible.
I confirmed the last two rewards, nothing seemed to change out of the ordinary, except that the random box seemed to appear on my mattress, as well as my own Stat Window screen floating in the air.
'Looks like that thing would be the random box.' The Stat Window simply displayed simple information about me.
Name: Alan Walker
Level: 1
Class: None
Title: None (0/100%)
HP: 100
MP: 10
Fatigue: 0
[Status]
Strength: 0
Stamina: 0
Agility: 0
Endurance: 0
Intelligence: 0
Perception: 0
(Available points to distribute: 3)
[Skills]
Passive Skill:
– (Unknown) Lv. Max
– Overcome Lv. 1
Active skills:
– Dash Lv. 1
Looks like my guess is correct. The Stat Window looks quite similar to a video game character when you first create your own. It's almost like that game I played back then when I was still a child. Well except upon having skills, that would be the least part of a starting character would have.
"So this is my stat window? It's terrible." I was expecting at least the stats to start at 10 in each category, heck even having at least 1 would make me at least a bit happy. My current level is 1 and all my stats are 0. I'm not surprised since I'm weak. But one thing that seems off about this, is that, what's with the percentage number?
Next to 'title', there seemed to be a percentage of a number. Could it represent for exp? I'll check on that later, I want to see the skills I got.
I carefully examine the 'Skills' column. Below there seem to be two types of skills, one being passive skills while the other being active skills. If I'm not wrong, 'Overcome' was the skill I gained when I was running from that giant shark when my stamina was low? 'And 'Dash', when did I obtain this skill? Ah, now I remember…' I recall the day when I again was running low on stamina after gaining the skill 'Overcome'. Because my mind was full of survival thoughts, I only wanted to run away as fast as possible only to be greeted by a new message.
['Skill: Dash Lv. 1' has been learned.]
Back then, I was busy thinking about running away. I probably haven't noticed, but now I found my answers for the explanations of the skills.
[Skill Dash Lv. 1]
Active skill.
Mana required to activate: 5
As constantly running your legs. When this skill is activated, your speed will increase by 30%. During its activation, 1 Mana will be cost each minute.
[Skill Overcome Lv. 1]
Passive skill.
Mana required to activate: None
When your stamina drops below 20%, this skill will automatically activate and reduce all damages received by 50%, as well as increase your attacks.
'Increases your attacks as well reduces damages that were received. Huh, not bad.' That seems about right. Did I gain these skills just by doing a certain action? Talk about luck!
Though, isn't this kinda overpowered? Wouldn't this give me the advantage of gaining more skills than heroes and villains could do?
If I remember correctly. For most heroes, it'd take at least months to create one single skill. I don't know about villains, the only thing I heard from someone is that they could gain skills just by killing heroes. Though I can't confirm if the information is true.
A skill that increases my movements fast, as well decreasing the amount of damage I receive, plus increases my attacks. Surely many heroes would love to gain skills like these. And I got them for free too!
My heart starts beating fast.
I may have these two skills, but for 'Dash' I'm required to have Mana which I don't have. Besides, the Overcome skill doesn't even require Mana to activate, so that's a plus.
Though, could the Mana represent my energy? If that's the case, I'll need to find another way to get attribute points. Although, there's one thing that's keeping me more curious…
'What could this unknown skill be anyway?'
[Skills]
Passive skills:
– (Unknown) Lv. Max
This is the only skill that occupied my full interest. It's in the passive skills, meaning it could be activated whenever, but there isn't any information or an explanation for it. Not even what needs to be activated. The information was limited.
'Now, Stat points…'
[Status]
Strength: 0
Stamina: 0
Agility: 0
Endurance: 0
Intelligence: 0
Perception: 0
(Available points to distribute: 3)
'I'm pretty sure that with these points, I could upgrade any of my stats.' There were six categories in my status. Each and every one of the categories had the number 0 on it. If it's possible adding one point on one of the attributes. Could there be something or something powerful enough to do this?
Without a doubt, strength would be about my physical strength, as endurance could represent my defense. 'Strength', 'Stamina', and 'Agility' could be defined as stats I would find in video games. The real question is, what are the last two stats intelligence and perception?
Surely if only the 'System' could give me some clues, but it didn't provide any answer whatsoever.
If I add one point to intelligence, would I get smarter? That can't be possible. Though what about 'Perception', if I add one point to that then would I become more sensitive to my whereabouts?
There's so much to learn, but whatever the case is, right now these two stats aren't useful for now. Right now, the most important stats are 'strength,' 'stamina', 'agility', and 'endurance'. But I need to simply think to make the right choice for this.
I simply only know about close combat. For example, being a melee-type fighter could be one of the best options as it gives the person the advantage in close combat. I don't remember having much information about other types of fighting.
To be a melee-type fighter, I need stamina, power and speed. Speed would probably be the best option, but for right now, I'll pick strength.
"All three points for the strength stat."
Tti-ring.
[Status]
Strength: 3
Stamina: 0
Agility: 0
Endurance: 0
Intelligence: 0
Perception: 0
(Available points to distribute: 0)
"Hmm, looks like that's it." I was expecting something more like a swoosh of a sparkle emerging from your body as you awaken, like from a cartoon or shows, but it looks like that wasn't the case. The only thing that changed was the Strength Stat above me going from 0 to 3.
There's one small problem, did it really change or not?
I looked at myself to see if anything changed in my muscles. Nothing. I didn't feel any stronger.
Wait, it's too early to give up hope, let's see if my strength really did go up. First I'll just try lifting something heavy. Let's try lifting the mattress. I stood by the side of the mattress and I tried lifting it. The weight of it was heavy, but it seems that I could lift it a bit, just a tiny bit. The Strength Stat really did improve myself, but not enough to lift up the whole thing. Man, if only I had gotten more points.
That's when I suddenly remember something, a certain memory then pops into my head.
"That's right, the Penalty rewards!"
Looks like that wasn't all I'd completed. Sure I nearly died back there out, but it looks like it was worth it! The image of clearing the rewards being available was vivid in my memory.
I hurriedly opened the mailbox.
[Rewards for completing the Penalty Quest are now available.]
[Would you like to confirm these rewards?] (Y/N)
"Alright!" I clenched my fists tight and let out a bright smile. Of course, I would like to get these rewards.
"Confirm!"
[The following rewards are now available.]
Reward 1. Three additional points.
Reward 2. One random box
Reward 3. One weapon of your choice.
[Would you like to confirm them all?]
Unlike before, the following rewards didn't have full recovery, though it seems there's been a new reward added to the list. Well I'm in need of some additional points.
"Add all three additional points to Strength Stat.
Tti-ring.
[Status]
Strength: 6
Stamina: 0
Agility: 0
Endurance: 0
Intelligence: 0
Perception: 0
(Available points to distribute: 0)
Soon, my strength again jumped from 3 to 6. I then stood by the bed and put some strength into my arms to lift up the mattress. Now it was a bit easier to lift it up, this was definitely different than before.
"Alright!" My physical strength really did improve. My face couldn't stop from smiling, this is just so unexpected. I've always been called weak, but now that can finally change. I… could be a hero!
My heart was beating like crazy, like a fire was burning with intense flames.
Ba-thump, ba-thump, Ba-thump.
Man, I'm getting goosebumps because of this. This truly was an opportunity for me to get stronger. I'd be able to live a completely different life to the one I had before.
Besides getting attribute points from quests, could I also get stronger by leveling? I mean, my current level is 1, so that must mean something right?
I shook my head. I'm getting carried away just from a bit of strength. That's impossible, leveling up? There's no ability like that in the world. A worthless normal looking human, surpassing heroes and villains? Heck even going far beyond hero Aurora is something I won't be able to do.
But seriously, is this how it feels like to other awakeners out on earth? Could they have gone through the same process like I did? That can't be possible, only those at the age of 14 or younger were able to awaken.
It hasn't been a decade, yet only five years have gone by since ability users awaken. If I remember correctly, the government confirm to the public that no older than 6 are able to awaken their powers. No older is not possible.
'Then, what does this make me?' Should I refer to this as an ability awakening? There hasn't been a case like this before which could be extremely rare. Well, let's find out.
I settle down in front of a computer located at the left side corner of the room as the t.v. was remotely beside the computer. I enter into different websites and articles about the process of anyone at least awakening like mine and let's not forget awakening through adult age.
I scrolled through articles and even if some are required to pay, I'll continue forward to rummage anything that I could find. However there wasn't any piece of evidence I could find, rather for some abilities users, each of their awaken were completely different.
'How weird…' It turns out not a single website I came across mentioned anything able awakening through adult age. Not even the slightest.
'That can't be.' I wanted to be 100% sure that even just the slightest, there were signs of awakening. I anonymously opened a live video with countless people on it. But I need to be careful from what I type, I can't simply say I just awakened at the age of 22.
Anon: [If by any chance, I like to ask a question, if ya'll don't mind. Has there been any rumors that there's a chance of more adults awakening?]
Below the comment posted, multiple people started responding and soon exploded.
Cupcake152: [Are you a f*cking dumbass? You must be joking right?]
MeggaDeez: [ What the f*ck?]
Wrath_500 ▸ Cupcake152: [They said if there were 'any' rumors you f*cking dumbass.]
GodDamn: [God dayum.]
AmazingMan: [Bro has been drinking too much…]
iluvPeanuts: [Sounds interesting. Tell me more.]
Itsjustme: [That's impossible, the government clearly stated you can't no longer awaken before the age of 6 or younger.]
Justhang: [Y'all know how to delete your history on computer?]
Dozens of comments respond to my comment, with some having normal responses while others were just plain rude.
I spat out a sign. Looks like I've created trouble in the live chat. Though I've confirmed that you clearly can't awaken before adulthood. Then my case really is unique. So far, as long as I don't reveal this to the Hero Association or the government, I'll be safe for now.
I typed another question in the live chat.
Anon: [When an ability user awakens, do they see numbers like from a video game's element with states or levels? Something maybe similar?]
The chat once again explored with numerous comments.
y0rbio: [Oh nah, someone get this man to the hospital.]
Moonlight: [I swear to god, more and more people like you are losing their freaking minds!]
Mavilock: [Someone kick this person out.]
Aaron:[Dude stop f*cking around, would ya.]
I took a look outside, night had already covered the sky in deep darkness. Has the day gone by so fast.
"Hah…" I groaned. Looks like my case is unique than most ability users. Well, that's fine. I still need some time to get used to this phenomenon and what the system can provide me could make me grow.
I took a look outside, night had already covered the sky in deep darkness. Has the day gone by so fast?
I messaged my forehead, my eyes were aching from staring at the computer screen for so long. My gaze instinctively looked around until I discovered the two random boxes.
'Ah, that's right, I almost forgot about these.' The two boxes were colored in bright red and were wrapped in monotone git wrappers with a ribbon on top– like a surprise birthday present.
'I can't believe I was about to leave these around.' I picked one that piqued my interest the most and unwrapped it.
"This… what is this?" I was dumbfounded from staring at this small pack. The size almost replicated a pack of cigarettes, though it was a big heavy to hold on.
[Item: You do not possess the requirements for this item.]
"F*ck, are you kidding me?" I need requirements just for the item description to show up?
I was hoping for something more useful, though in the end it seems I just wasn't lucky enough maybe.
"...I'll keep this just in case, maybe it can be handy once I get this 'requirement' when I get the chance." With that left in mind, I opened the remaining box. To my surprise I got new gloves. Black ones at that.
[Item: Medical Kit]
A medical kit to use for small or big injures. Not able to heal deep wounds. Can be stored inside your inventory.
"Not bad…" Looks like this is something I'll be able to use in a special case. Well, I've got to learn about the existence of 'Inventory'.
"Inventory." As I called out the single word, a graphical representation of a storage unit with dozens of empty slots appeared in the air. As expected, the slots were fully empty, well fitting for being a Lv 1 user. I don't mind.
I stretch my arms and yawm, it looks like I was able to learn a few new things today. Maybe some changes would start to happen around this time? Oh well, guess I'll leave it to fate.