[Recovery completed.]
[Skill has gained EXP.]
[Total EXP for: Painful Recovery...]
[1/10]
'Damn, I gotta do that 10 more times.' Mark thought to himself, clutching his head from the major headache he was having. 'What even happens when it reaches 10?'
"Well there are many possibilities."
A masculine voice sounded from the other side of the alleyway. Turning his face to see who spoke, Mark could see a man wearing a suit, with combed over hair. He appeared to be smoking a cigar and leaning against the alley wall, looking into the distance.
"Who are you? And how did you know what I was thinking." Mark knew that he didn't speak his thoughts out loud, and there has never been any human to have a telepathy ability, so the man must have used another means to read his mind.
"Well you see, I came along with the 'mark' that gave you your powers." The man in the suit explained. "I won't be able to stay long though. I have other clients to get to."
"What do you mean 'Mark'? And you didn't say who you are." Still confused as to what is happening, Mark stood up and prepared himself to make a run.
"Where are my manners? You may call me Azrael, the Grim Reaper and Angel of Death." Azrael announced with a prominent bow.
Hearing those words, Mark started sweating bullets. He had heard stories of the Grim Reaper appearing before people who were about to die, telling them that he would always be able to find them.
"Relax, if I wanted you dead, you would be. I came here to give the newest Marked a gift and some advice." Moving towards the terrified and shaking boy, Azrael held his hand out and placed it on top of Mark's head.
[Received: Angel of Death's blessing.]
[System has been upgraded.]
[To view changes, please say 'Status', 'Quests', 'Shop']
Now with Widened eyes and a smile on his face, Mark looked up to see his benefactor.
"Thank you so much. I am sorry for the earlier spectacle, but when someone says they are an 'Angel of Death' people tend to be cautious." He said now bowing his head.
"No problem kid, happens all the time. Now before I go, the piece of advice. Give the world hell, show them not to mess with you. You can start by taking it to school." Azrael brushed aside the apology, giving Mark a plan for the future.
"Are you referring to military school sir?" Mark asked with a confused look.
"Yes, I am. Now if I am correct, they do not allow humans into military school in this dimension." With his hand on his chin, the Grim Reaper contemplated for a while before looking back towards Mark. "I have an idea, go to one of the Animen families and make a bet, that if you beat their child in combat they will let you go in their place as their representative."
"But sir, how am I meant to beat an Animen? I barely beat these rats." Mark asked, concerned he could be killed if he went up against an Animen.
"That is where the upgrade to your system comes in. Well, I have people to kill and send to hell. Good luck to you and I wish you the best in your endeavors." With a bow, Azrael snapped his fingers and vanished, as if he was never there in the first place.
'So, the upgrade to the system can help me. Good to know.'
"Status."
{Name: Mark Spain}
{Race: Human}
{Level: 2}
{Total EXP: 0/200}
{Health: 100/100}
{Strength: 11}
{Agility: 11}
{Intelligence: 11}
{Recovery: 2}
{Stat Points:}
{Available: 1}
{Skills:}
{Sacrifice Strength}
{Painful Recovery: LVL1}
'So there was a change. I can see my health and my available stat points. Let's see what the other changes are before doing anything.'
"Quests"
{Daily quests:}
{Break an arm}
{Break a leg}
{Lifetime quests:}
{Get into military school}
{Show the world hell}
'Well, I can see what the system wants from me now, but what can I get from doing this?'
[Quest: Break an arm]
[Rewards: Injury recovery after 30 mins, 20 EXP, 100 Pain Coins]
[Quest: Break a leg]
[Rewards: Injury recovery after 30 mins, 20 EXP, 100 Pain Coins]
[Quest: Get into military school]
[Rewards: ???]
[Quest: Show the world hell]
[Rewards: ???]
'So, I have to inflict some amount of pain on myself to get EXP. At least it will be healed in half an hour. And what is with these 'Pain Coins'? Will they be useful in the shop?'
"Shop."
{New Skills:}
{Sacrifice Agility, 1000 Pain Coins}
{Sacrifice Summon, 10000 Pain Coins}
{Pain Swap, 20000 Pain Coins}
{Items:}
{Barbed Gauntlets, 1000 Pain Coins}
{Barbed Chest plate, 2000 Pain Coins}
{Barbed Leggings, 2000 Pain Coins}
{Barbed Shoes, 2000 Pain Coins}
{Barbed Helmet, 3000 Pain Coins}
'What the hell is with all these things, sounding like they want to hurt me?' Confused and irritated Mark looked over all of the new things he could do and buy.
[Sacrifice Agility: Destroys organ/s in your body to the point where they barely works to increase Agility stats. Damage caused by this skill will not be counted towards EXP gains. Increase Agility by: +2 for every organ damaged.]
[Sacrifice Summon: Destroy a finger (Disintegration) in order to summon a small bird. User can see through the eyes of the bird and give it simple commands. If bird is destroyed, destroyed finger will be restored. Destroyed finger cannot be restored otherwise. Max limit: 1]
[Pain Swap: Any damage that has been inflicted onto the user, self harm or otherwise, can be transferred over to an enemy. User will receive any damage done to target. Health shall not be restored on transfer.]
'Pain Swap sounds like a useful ability. I remember, I was offered Sacrifice Agility as a reward for killing the rats. Good to know that it wasn't lost forever. Now let's see what is with these 'Barbed' Armor pieces.'
[Barbed armor: All Barbed armor is equipped with barb wires to attach to the wearers body. Damage caused by this armor increases Strength stat over time. +1 Permanent Strength increase for every 5/hrs wear time. Full set must be worn to get boost.]
'So, I hurt myself with 'Barb Wire' to increase my stats. People definitely won't see me as a masochist wearing that armor.'