After a good night's sleep or afternoon nap, Tetsu stretched, meditated, and went to retrieve his pants. He still had two more attempts. So, why waste them?
No more fighting, though.
Only self-defense, if running doesn't work.
Although Tetsu was proud of the no-kill policy, one does wonder about the gains of said path, and boy were there some massive gains.
[Ding! System command available: Very few probes their system enough to manage or control its hidden aspects. While bonds do much of the due diligence, there are still many tiny factors that can turn the tide of battle. One step in, you can command your system to your will. Command, adjust, organize, and power away. Godspeed.]
"The first skill with no tags. How powerful is this?"
Many questions swirled in Tetsu's mind.
Unique tags had many indications. Based on certain factors, they can either be overpowered or completely useless.
At times, they can perform greater than an epic skill, and at the same time, they can complement your opponent's skill, killing you faster. While skills tagged with levels and rarity, work the same in any scenario.
Fire is still weak against water, but it doesn't magnify your opponent's flames. They even work underwater, burning more of your mana. But unique skills, again, based on what kind of skill, they simply sized to function.
Take Tetsu's RR skill, for example. Any other resource skill will send out a hint about known or unknown resources in the users' vicinity. While Tetsu requires a detailed database with accurate information before the skill even works.
A rock is still a rock until he deems it otherwise.
Even after the database is created, he has to rely on his senses to register the first trace. Only then did the skill activate. The range is the same as a low-tier radar skill.
Yet Tetsu turned the tables and took this as a challenge. He didn't have a choice, but still.
There's always the option to ditch the skill and get another. With the obvious risk of never attaining such a unique skill again.
Undesirable traits aside, 'RR' skill was one key factor in surviving the dungeon.
Distinct color ethereal compasses point at different aspects of the cave, helping him navigate, fight, and keep track of the cave imps.
Also, the meticulous Artificer class told him he upgraded his unique skill. Back during the fight, RR gave a vague distance between him and his resource bubbles.
Point one for perception and his OT mind.
A sharp pain courses through Tetsu's jaw, making him curse and grunt. "I'm coming to you."
[Ding! Congratulations Vampiric Fangs has reached level 15. Progress to level 16: 9.4%]
"Vampires ruled." Tetsu cheers in pain.
He didn't understand or even try to figure out the backlash of the fangs. Hell, he didn't even know how they leveled up so fast, yet still, they were the only goddamn thing that did level and that's all that mattered.
And what happens when Tetsu is happy? His luck guides him. No, knock him back to reality.
[Ding! Congratulations, an offer for a forced bond...]
"Let me stop you there." Tetsu raises his hand. "How does one force an offer?" He imagines spam calls and people shoving flyers into one's hand. "That does it. Okay... continue."
To hate what he read next is an understatement. Maybe even despise wouldn't fit the emotion that dwelled within him.
A part of Tetsu wished he picked a bond before entering this hell hole. Things might have been super easy or an even bigger hell hole. A childish desire for what-ifs or his lazy ass not wanting to work hard enough. Those still don't change his decision to have free will.
Die on his terms and whatnot.
Tetsu wanted to dismiss the slave contract, but then he remembered his newest, strongest skill. System command.
"So the system creates all of this? Ha," Tetsu lets a fake chuckle. "Clear name for the all-powerful." He focuses on the notification. "Here is my first command to you." He orders the system, his system, with all the hate he can muster.
"Shred this crap to kingdom come and never... ever... dare to show such bullshit to me again." He dismisses the notification.
As soon as the notification window disappears, several 'Dings!' pop into his mind. As if his system was deleting, declining, or fighting off an incredible source.
[Ding!... Ding!... Ding!... Ding!]
It took several minutes before the sound subsided. Until it did, Tetsu rapped alongside the dings, entertaining himself.
Music is going to become rare, or a boon lost forever. Someone should keep it alive.
"Ding, ding, ding. I'm not Bing. Be my friend, I ain't surrendering. Foe, show, be my hoe, 'cause when I'm done reincarnating, you'll be doing the bowing."
Let's hope it isn't Tetsu who does.
[Ding! A gift requires your attention to master...]
Tetsu's system turns into a high-class butler.
"Ooh! I like my system now. Remove the master though, it will inflate my ego too much."
[Ding! A gift requires your attention. Racial Gift: Karmic bond: Crimsonfae Fangs: Dread, horror, fear, terror. These are but a few words created by the enlightened races during the first ræ. None of them could capture the true horror of a Crimsonfae. Various tales spun by a myriad of races, yet none forget the dread after seeing the crimson fang. Tapping into the deepest records of the affinity, you have unlocked and transformed your fangs into the deadliest weapon known to the system. Be warned, for they still roam within the lost multiverse, waiting to repeat their sins. Many claimed their blessing, yet no one ever lives long enough to fulfill its destiny.]
[Would you be gracious and accept the humble gift? Y/N]
"From terrifying to would you!" Tetsu shivers by the description. "I don't know why I attract such a clientele, trust me," Tetsu tells himself. "But the notification prompt is much better now." He smirks. "I shall accept."
[Crimsonfae fangs: Level: Initiate > (01) < Rarity: Unique. Progress to level 02: --< 00% >--]
Tetsu's mom taught him refusing gifts is bad and disrespectful, so he accepted it, without thinking twice.
[Ding! Your racial gift helped...]
"Wait! Let's go with sarcastic. A normal description is boring. Also, important notifications can be as they are. I don't want to miss out on any juice info."
[Congratulations! Your mere luck helped you gain another hack. Not that you can do anything about it, but still. Racial skill, 'Fear Fea,' has been unlocked. Fear Fea: Strike fear into the very being of your foe with a simple hiss. The Crimsonfae's hiss has etched as a terrifying memory into the very fibre of everything that lived, lived, and shall ever live. A sound of terror. A sound that devours all in its presence. Level; Warrior. Rarity: Epic.]
"My love for meat is getting out of hand."
Tetsu didn't have any other explanation for these ridiculous gifts or skills, wanting to eliminate all signs of life from the goddamn multiverse.
"Sure I imagine, want, and lately only think of meat.... oh, wait, okay." He nods, understanding that he is the problem.
The vampires and Crimsonfae had this warning sound in common. With his latest sound obviously being more awesome, but this made him wonder. Did the vampires come later and steal the skill from the Crimsonfae or were they of the same race different order situation?
So many more doubts.
His sudden carving for meat also skyrocketed. Which only meant the vampire fangs influenced his emotions and appetite.
"Told ya bonds were bad." He schools the saint, having no one else to blame.
Making it to one of his safety meat pits. Courtesy of RR skill. Tetsu stops for a quick snack, rubs more booger slime on him, and heads out again.
With his current speed, he should go, get his pants, and get back to the cave within four hours.
No, make that six. Better to take more rations for the trip, just in case. All in all, Tetsu should be done before he checks and makes comments about the missed notifications.
Speaking of which.
[Ding! Skill: Expert Deceit has been upgraded to Assassins step: With every step, may you disappear into the shadow. Out of sight and out of your enemy's sphere. Level: Initiate. Rarity: epic.]
"How did I get this again? Oh, yes... I had one more thing I wanted to try out. Hmm... next time. It's not much, but I think I can bump up the rarity."
Tetsu forms more theories before moving on to the next notification.
[Ding! Ding! Ding! Congrats on creating your unique brand of fighting style and skill. With a new kind of invention, you have earned an Exemplary token. Submit the token at the end to optimize your gains and double your rewards.]
[Ding! You earned the title: Prodigy Visionary: You have proven your grit, intellect, perception, and willpower to overcome a situation even under the worst luck. Very few defy every odd and live to tell the tale. One step ahead of the curve, you find innovative ways to optimize every aspect of life to do your bidding. When luck gets you down, you sheer yourself up by creating better odds for yourself.]
"Title and token." Tetsu tries and fails to summon the token. "It's for the best, otherwise I will lose it... but betting on me surviving... eh? Not a good bet either."
With an option to name his new skill, Tetsu does another naming ceremony and gives himself a thumbs-up for completing one childhood dream.
"Self-made fighting style done, or shall I say Tenco Ten done."
[Skill: Tenco Ten. Level: Initiate. Rarity: Unique.]
No fuss, no mess. Just the way Tetsu likes it.
Kile and Tetsu bickered over the many fighting styles, mixing in their imagination and making them more flashy. Kile being Kile, won by making a unique hardcore magic fighting system. They were seven and Tetsu was a bit soft in the head to understand that he lost big time.
Years later, Tetsu made up a semi-baked fighting style which Kile shot down, saying, "Want me to beat your ass now or when you get the skill?"
Being a good friend, he also told Tetsu what a unique technique meant. He had to cover his weakness by adding something he created or by using someone else's technique.
A two-hour lecture and three years of taunts later, Tetsu implemented Kile's lecture, fueled by his taunts, and scored another victory over Kile.
Don't worry, Kile made up another system based on Tetsu's technique within the hour and reclaimed the title.
All of it was imaginary until Tetsu conquered Mana and turned his imagination into reality.
Maybe conquer is a strong word, but you get the point.
[Ding! Your title Novice Craftsmen has upgraded to Rushmore: While parts of you need perfection, it's not always possible for a busy worker. Some jobs need speed more than perfection. With Rushmore, you can speed up the process of crafting with the chances of crafting a failed product for every three attempts. Don't get your hopes down though, the other two are enough to get you by. May speed keep increasing as you bulldozer ahead. Godspeed.]
"When did I leave my perfectionist behind?"
Tetsu remembers Kile's taunts and his experiments, forcing him to create rather than perfect.
"Ah... then!" Tetsu giggles with a peal of nervous laughter. "Come to think of it, I did rush my last four artifacts and the runes during the fight."
[Ding! Skill: Tag-along has been upgraded to Command Touch; May distance never be a burden in your path. Extend your reach while extending your command across your mana to reach the impossible. Cost: Based on factors. Level: Initiate. Rarity: epic.]
"Love the upgrade to epic. It's where it should be, but if factors mean more math, I don't wanna fucking know." Tetsu pushes away the notification.
[Ding! Wishes, luck, and karma have been bestowed upon the woven threads of fate.]
"Huh!" Tetsu puzzles over the cryptic message. "Fuck! You!" He exclaims, understanding. "I always knew this was a damn stimulation. Don't just watch, help me." Tetsu held his screen and shook it frantically. "Wait! Is this because of the token?"
This gets a nod from Saint.
"OH! I don't fucking trust you..."
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