Ah, I miss eating adobo.
I got startled when I realized that I just thought of that.
Huh, who am I?
Did I regain my consciousness?
As I was in a state of confusion, my memories keep gushing inside my mind like they're fresh ones.
Oh, yeah. My name's Jossaint. I remember now. How long was I sleeping?
I'm assuming that I slept for a year.
Did my uncle find a cure for my head?
"Change the language setting to Filipino."
Huh? Who said that?
Oh, is this another simulation?
My genius uncle puts me in a yearly game simulation to test my brain or to keep it from rusting. This must be one of those.
What was the last game again?
Ah, yeah. I forgot the name, but it's the one where I dominated my server on the first day.
"Mabuhay! Ako si Diwa, ang inyong tagapangasiwa para sa pangyayaring ito. Maligayang pagdalo sa unang yugto ng mga pagsubok."
I forcefully opened my eyes when I heard that announcement in my head. I found myself standing in the middle of darkness and in front of me was a floating tiny blue thing, that I assume is the stuff that welcomes players. It's kind of low quality, though. Where is the usual pretty AI?
Before my question can be answered, a transparent black-colored system window popped up in front of my face.
Napili ka bilang kalahok sa mga pangunahing pagsubok.
TANGGAPIN ANG IMBITASYON?
OO O HINDI?
This is, indeed, a game.
But using my own language in a game setting is kind of cringey. No offense to my ancestors who fought for my country, but it's just the way I feel.
"Hey, Diwa. Change the language to English." I commanded the floating artificial intelligence, hoping that I correctly remember its name, but I got surprised when I heard my own voice. Astonishing! Can this game imitate my voice? Even when my real body is unconscious?
Wow. That's some advanced tech. I think this game will be lit.
"Baguhin ang setting ng lenggwahe sa Inglis." I heard from the tiny blue thing and eventually, the writings in the system window changed to English.
You have been chosen as a participant in the premier trials.
Will you accept the invitation?
YES or NO?
Trials. Like tutorials? Tsk. The part I hate the most in games.
"Is there a skip option for this or what happens when I choose no?" I asked the AI. Usually, the simulation made by Uncle will last for a few hours only, that's why I don't like wasting time in tutorials.
"The premier trials cannot be skipped, unless you decline the system's invitation. Once you decline, it will serve as you're forfeiting the right to awakening." The AI answered using a robotic sound.
That's too bad. That's like abandoning the game.
I swiftly pressed yes, to immediately start the game. The system window vanished before me and a larger one appeared up front.
[Welcome to the premier trials!]
Written in the bigger transparent black-colored game window.
[The first trial will simultaneously begin in 10 minutes.]
Simultaneously? Woah. Is this another multiplayer game? And 10 minutes is super long!
"Can I see my player status?" I asked the AI as the countdown started. It's better to see how this system works and what its features are while waiting. I want to know how far the present tech has become.
"Player title has not yet been obtained. The administrator recommends showing your human data." the AI stated.
Oh, really?
"Show human status." I commanded.
"The administrator recommends using the command,
"Open human profile." I immediately followed. And a white-colored system window appeared in front of my face.
--
[Human Profile]
Name: Jossaint Leblanc
Affiliation: Earth's Humanity
Server: 139, Philippines
Sub-server: Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan
Rank: Unranked
Level: 0 [0/100 exp]
Advanced Class: Locked
Class: Human [Non-awakened]
Job: None
Title(s) Obtained: None
Main skill type: None
Skills obtained: None
[Human Status]
HP: 5/20
MP: -
Stamina: 10/40
Coins: 0
[Traits Web Chart]
Body Constitution: 1
Physical Strength: 1
Mental Strength: 10
Magic Power: 0
Defense: 0
Agility: 1
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 10
Luck: 1
--
What a shitty initial status! And my HP is at 25%! Is this game reading my body's current state? And who uses their complete name in games?
"Hey, Administrator, can't I change my in game name?"
"The Regula's system doesn't have the authority to change a human being's name."
What? That's ridiculous! But maybe, that's to make sure that there will be no bunco players in the game? Did they pass a law for that?
As I remember, there were a lot of crimes happening in capsule games because of some shitty players. Some use illegal microchipping or illegal trading, catfishing, or even proxies, which is not safe.
Maybe that's it? But where is the fun in that? You can't choose a cool name and there is not even an option to design your avatar?
Speaking of that, I raised my hands and saw how realistic this game's graphics are. It really feels and looks like my actual hands and my arms and my feet, too! And I can also feel my touch as I rummage my body.
That's cool. The tech really has improved that much, huh? How many years have passed already?
"Hey, Admin, what year is it now?"
"It's the year 2150 on Earth."
Oh, maybe that's the game setting?
"Can't you tell me the real year outside this game?"
"It's currently year 2150 on Earth and the administrator says that this is not a game."
I heaved a deep sigh. This AI must be programmed to stay in character and is only allowed to give details about the game.
Got it!
I looked at my profile, again. This is insane. There is too much data and too many traits to level up. And I can only play for a short time.
Do I even have a weapon?
"Admin, how do I see my inventory?"
"Use the command,
"Open inventory."
--
[Inventory 1/50]
Random Weapon Chest
--
Okay. That's a let down. But what did I expect? The game is just starting. But how could Uncle not give me an advantage? This is unfair for a comatose patient like me.
My train of thoughts was cut when I heard the system counting down the seconds to the trials.
[10 sec]
[9]
[8]
It's really starting. I guess, I should just enjoy whatever level I can reach before I sleep again.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[0]
[Welcome to the first trial!]
After that announcement, my surroundings transformed into a dirty room or more like a goddamn dirty sewer. Its awful stench immediately entered my nostrils that made me cough so hard, almost making me vomit. What a disgusting sight and a disgusting smell!
Did technology improve this much? Because whatever is stimulating my senses right now is making the scenario seem so freaking real, it's filthy! The graphics really are superb, though.
--
[FIRST TRIAL]
Kill 10 mutated earthling rats. (10 coins per monster)
Reward: 500 COINS, Title: AWAKENED
Penalty: DEATH
--
"The first trial will start in 200 seconds. The system is giving you a chance to prepare for it." The AI announced as the trial description appeared.
Damn. I need to get my shits together!
While the countdown started, 10 ridiculously huge filthy rats spawned randomly in the sewer waterways. I flinched in disgust.
"Damn. They chose this one? They really resemble the rats you see in public markets. But these are darned big and... the heck are those red eyes!" I mumbled to myself as I surveyed the positions of the rats and thankfully, I can see their description.
--
[Level 1. Mutated Earthling Rats]
HP: 10/10
Attack Power: 5
Attack Speed: 5
--
Hayup na 'yan. It has a bigger HP than me. And it can kill me with 1 hit. I'd be darned. They look so ready to end me!
I opened my inventory and grabbed the weapon chest.
"Open weapon chest." I commanded.
"The administrator recommends you to state the full name of the item." the tiny administrator declared as it floats beside me.
Tangina! Pati ba naman 'yan? You should have told me that earlier! Gusto kong magwala pero mamaya na lang.
"Open random weapon chest." I yelled with contempt.
After that, a bolo appeared in front of me.
"What the, itak?" I exclaimed in disbelief. I can't believe I am seeing a bolo as a weapon in a game.
Though surprised, I immediately grabbed the weapon and quickly scanned its description.
--
[WEAPON: BOLO]
Description: A long heavy single-edged knife of Philippine origin used to cut vegetation and as a weapon.
Type: Human Weapon [Only an earthling can wield this weapon]
Ranting: F
Classification: Common
Damage: 10 [Critical hit = 20]
Attack Speed: +10
Durability: 50/50
Special Effect: Critical hits can be triggered when the wielder runs amok.
--
Seeing the bolo's status, this is actually a good weapon for the first trial. It can 1-hit the monster. But it can also 1-hit me?! And the heck is that special effect?!
I laughed ridiculously when I read that last line. This is the first time that they made a very nationalistic game.
I remember how my old neighbor talked about their life in the province when he was a child. When someone, particularly, a drunkard, runs amok, him and his friends would run hastily towards their houses. And his loving mom would school him endlessly, as if she transformed into a dragon.
[3]
[2]
I formed a mastered stance when the trial was about to start. Thankfully, I also remember how I used to practice different martial arts before. It's the advantage that I need in this trial.
[1]
[0]
[The first trial will now simultaneously commense.]
The rats started to move up to the pathway of the sewer. They're inching slowly, as if they're trying to sense where their prey is. I held my breath and avoided making unnecessary noises as I prepared for the attack of the nearest rat.
I really thought they would gang up on me, but surprisingly, it seems like they haven't detected me yet.
One huge rat, at least a third of my height, is quickly coming towards my direction as it sniffs the ground to find a trail of its prey. As soon as it reached a step away from me, with great determination, I chopped it using the bolo.
It didn't even make a sound before it instantly vanished into the thin air and the system announced my first kill.
--
[You have successfully killed 1 mutated earthling rat.]
[You received 10 coins and 10 exp]
Level: 0 [10/100 exp]
[You were the first to kill a mutated earthling.]
[You received a skill, Pest Detector, as a reward.]
[PEST DETECTOR SKILL Lv. 1]
Description: It's a passive (miscellaneous) skill. You can detect a pest within 100 meter radius.
Mastery: 5% [Due to high intelligence traits.]
[You can easily detect level 1 pests.]
--