This fictional world worked in mysterious ways.
But what I remembered about the magic system wasn't as deep as my brother, Pal. I only knew people and the reason certain 'functions' of the world affected them. To me, this was enough for me.
I looked at a certain Skill in my status screen.
[Intrinsic Skill: 'Genre Mastery (Special)']
From what Pal told me, rare or special Skills like these were considered to be in the 'unique' category.
They were much more influential than normal Skills.
And their evolution was dependent on the user.
It was part of the rare 'Skill Learning' category similar to the power given to Pal as Player 2.
But I, Player 1, had a different way to learn Skills.
I didn't need to kill anyone to attain power. All I needed to do was work hard and sharpen myself.
Something I learnt from Pal.
Although I wasn't sure how the Power System worked exactly, I inferred some of it using the plot.
From what I knew, the youthful main characters were at the level of being 'Average' worldwide.
They weren't exactly special at this point.
However, their future had the potential for them to reach at least the Deity level of power if treated right.
Going from E Rank (Average) to SS Rank (Deity).
Even S Rank (Inhuman) was fine for me.
But since I wasn't sure how to 'raise' them, the only thing I could do was prepare their hearts and minds.
All while improving their technology.
Faustus City wasn't controlled by anyone, but there was one establishment that had universal control.
Almost like a government.
This being the Exorcist Academy. A educational institute that taught students how to slay demons.
The creatures constantly attacking and trying to infiltrate Old Faustus Border City... no matter how peaceful it looked outwardly. From what I remember about this time: Things were supposed to be quiet.
But this was only a ruse by the worst people.
There used to be final boss monsters that would appear regularly called 'Disasters', 'Archdemons', 'Calamities', etc. Each time they appeared, a city of humanity would instantly be wiped off the map.
Except the current hidden calamities.
After my ancient hero, Calamity Crusher, had slaughtered the first round of calamities and beat up the true Final Boss, the second round of Calamities had hidden themselves to gather power in secret.
Waiting for the era they were sure he died of old age.
And that era was exactly the present.
Although they didn't have the means to figure out that was now, things would turn tense once they did.
And Pandora's box would be opened to the world.
The only thing I could do now was form connections using a mix of Genre Mastery and a certain Job.
[Name: George Radcliffe
Job: Bard (Changeable)
Personal Skills: Auto Aim, Hitbox, Word Choice, Mood Meter
Intrinsic Skills:: Infectious Mood, Lyrical Manifest (Passive Dark/Active Water), Genre Mastery (Special)
Innate Gift: Miracle Gamer (Divine), Unshakable Tranquillity (Ornate Star)
Imaginary Glyph: Travelling Wolf (Compliant Star)
Power: E (Common)
Agility: A (Legendary)
Speed: D (Average)
Defence: D (Average)
Magic: E (Dark/Water)]
It looked like my stats were pretty high.
Maybe not even on all sides like my actual main character, but was talented enough to keep up.
I looked at gun by my side. A so-called 'Imaginary Engine' that gave an extension ability to my Gift.
Attaching to it similar to the Bard's Skills.
'Compliant Stars'... Right, I remembered them now.
The first time I saw my own status screen, I was surprised by there being TWO innate gifts on it.
After all, it was an extremely rare occurrence in life.
There were many types of Gifts in this world. Some born through insight, and others were innate.
Regardless, having only one Gift was the norm.
But I had two, likely because 'Miracle Gamer' was an ability that changed the rules my system worked on.
At least, that was my current hypothesis.
Regardless, it looked like in exchange for being unable to evolve my Class, I could change it out.
A perfect fit for me.
The first since I did using these abilities was convince Mordred Bison to become my follower.
I remembered back to that incident in the mall.
.....
....
...
..
.
It was a tense situation. Pal had just overused the might of his Miasma Core to take out the villain.
My novel's main character, Harold Driftwood, and his first opponent, Mordred, had just about arrived.
The latter simply revealing his hidden presence.
After the main characters subdued the followers, I made sure to stop things from escalating further.
Because the current 'plot' had no meaning here.
Mordred and Harold were to get in a petty fight over who would be Janette's fiancé. It was a bad premise.
Something that wouldn't help them later on.
In fact, this incident would lead to Modred's descent into becoming a Demon. One that'd be annoying.
Mostly because of his family.
And so, I approached him first and whispered into his ear. Not tempting, but starting with a threat.
"Do you want people to find out what you did to the Wolfhearts?" With my icy words, his face had frozen.
Stiffening when we made proper eye-contact.
Ironwork Industry was once on the brink of bankruptcy because of the Wolfheart family business. No one would buy weapons or enlist mercenaries they hired due to the Wolfhearts.
Their clan had full monopoly over that business.
The trust given to them by the people coming from the fact that Harold's grandfather was a 'War Hero'.
Having brought down an invasion of Demons and a crime syndicate that was recklessly committing sins.
Their people were also strong and trustworthy.
With prices many could afford.
On the other hand, Ironwork Industry was a newcomer in the trade that had little customers.
Only when the Wolfhearts fell did they rise high enough to contend with people on Janette's level.
One of the 'Five Families' that protected the city.
The mention of 'that incident' made him pale. Before he could say anything, I shushed him to stay silent.
Two down. Several more of them left.
Janette's search for her friend. Her vengeance towards the 'Grace Religion' was necessary to further my plans. After all, they were a fallen organisation that would end up helping the Dragon Cult in future.
I hope Pal stayed the hell away from them.
Nothing related to them has ever been written to be nice and compassionate. It's an organisation of evil.
Filled with scum deserving death.
In comparison, the first few villains in my- No, 'our' novel were just nepo-babies on the wrong path.
Set them straight and they can even be friends.
That's what the Skill 'Word Choice' was for.
[You have chosen a response that imbues fear.]
I watched as the mood of the young man shifted to better suite my needs. Then looked at Harold.
Wasn't sure what he needed to grow, but the biggest problem right now was more on the social side.
The apocalypse will be triggered in 10 years from now. If I don't do anything, they will fight like this.
Unprepared and unable to do anything at all.
Only able to run in fear and hide as 'Faustus City' became a thing of the past. Swallowed up by flames.
I'm sorry for making this tragedy you all go through.
If I was still an 'author' able to weave fate, I'd cut that part out and make your lives fortunate.
Now that I'm here, I'll make things right.
I promise.
…..
….
…
..
.
A year had passed since I was abandoned by George and took shelter in a church. It was a slow life.
The nun and only worker of this place was guarded against me. She had never changed all this time.
Staying true to herself.
Maybe that's what attracted me to her. She was so cold and distant, but was always looking pure.
Like she was mature beyond her age.
I'd expect this kind of composure from an old woman who'd seen some messed things in life. Not a young woman who apparently owned a church. To think she even lived here instead of owning a house.
Was there too little space in Faustus?
That shouldn't be right…
Faustus City as a whole had been expanding thanks to our Border City taking in the surrounding lands.
From what I saw on the news in the more leisurely rooms of this area pace, Old Faustus Border City kept its name because the real 'Old Faustus' city was being run by residents that had been ousted out.
So long as they were still there, the real Old Faustus city would always be ruled by the 'scary' Beastkin.
Or simply the 'Kin' as they called them.
Not that it mattered much to me.
I turned off the TV and looked to see Talia going about her chores. Looking incredible to look at.
Hmm, maybe I should look less in case she hated it.
"Do you mind if I stare at you?" She turned from wiping the statue in the main hall to where I sat.
Giving me a frigid expression filled with disgust.
"Please keep your dignity." Her answer wasn't exactly a 'No', so I kept on looking at dat ass.
So round and plump I just wanted to knead it.
I wonder how it'd feel in my hands…
Maybe my thoughts were too obvious as she shivered, turned to look at me, then moved away.
Covering her shapely rear.
I had no problem there, as her very conservative nun habit couldn't really hide her outlines whatsoever.
"Are you doing that because you're dying?" Finally, it looked like Talia was starting to speak to me for real.
Not some polite remark I felt was scripted.
"So you knew already, huh?" I'm surprised. There wasn't many ways to tell my life was ending.
Not unless she figured out I had a Miasma Core.
"I did." She didn't deny that accusation.
"Could you help me?" I asked just to try it out.
"…I'm sorry. I've decided to stay away from problems of the mundane. Reach out to the Graces if you'd like Their blessings." Talia referred the pantheon even though she knew they were quiet.
Basically saying she won't deal with me for long.
How cold. And yet, I still felt physical attraction.
Maybe this was what they meant when they said that good looks eases a bad personality. 'I can fix them'?
No, she didn't need that. Especially not from me.
I wonder how she'd react when I turn into an Undead. Hopefully her first thought isn't to purify.
Maybe I can guilt trip her into letting me live if I told her that the reason my soul stayed was out of pain.
The pain of rejection.
Oh how tragic I'd be.
Just as I thought that, two people entered the church after slamming open the door. Talia held her head.
Covering the ears under her nun habit's headdress.
By reflex, I turned to look at the people who entered and scanned them. To analyse if they were a threat.
Surprisingly, I saw a woman with black bunny ears popping out of her head despite having normal ones.
Humans ears on each side.
Didn't that mean she had four ears in total?
Maybe that meant she had double the hearing. Or maybe two pairs wasn't really important here.
Anyway, behind her was a man that looked… creepy.
"Hey~~ Who said you can run, wench~?" Even though he was dressed like a member of a Knight Order, the man looked wicked. At least, that expression seemed to belong to a molester at least.
"S-stop! I've done nothing wrong." At a closer inspection on the girl, I saw she was in a dress.
Not the classy kind, but the type you'd see at a…
"You dared harm a MagiKnight!" The man claimed while cornering her with a whip. It wrapped her leg.
Tripping the girl over.
When they noticed me, the bunny girl's face went pale… and the MagiKnight smiled brightly at me.
"Father, I'm glad to have found a filthy beast that needs enlightening. Please be gracious and turn a blind eye." With a confident expression, the MagiKnight tossed over a bag holding a few coins.
Five silvers weren't that much, but it wasn't nothing either. I felt a bit confused, but only for a moment.
Realising I sold my clothes and had been wearing an extra priest clothes that had been kept in the back.
Making me look like a strange priest.
I didn't cut my afro, so I did stand out.
A part of me expected Talia to step in, but she could only make an ugly expression at the current event.
Looking like she was powerless.
Not even able to say a word as the MagiKnight was violating the laws and trying to capture that woman.
Moving slow and methodically.
"S-stop! STOP!" The woman threw and unusually strong fist once he was close enough to strike.
The speed and sound of impact was far beyond anything I could throw. Remembering what she is.
Oh right… Kins had a reinforced physique.
He was too careless. One punch to the face by a Kin was normally enough to knock anyone out cold.
But it looked like he was 'special'.
BOOM.
The sound of metal clanging, and the whimper of pain from the Kin woman after retracting her hand.
Showing it turn red as if she hit metal.
This couldn't be a technique.
The way the MagiKnight's face turned metallic wasn't normal. There was only one answer.
"Did you think evil can pierce my skin?" He laughed at her. Using his advantage to fearlessly pin her.
"Stop… I didn't do anything-" Slap. Her words were cut off when the MagiKnight used violence on her.
"Keep quiet. The fact you're even in our city is already a mercy to your kind. And you dare refuse an upstanding member of society? Do you think I care about your club rules?" The knight's words said it.
Looked like he was the type to visit shady businesses and pick on those lacking people to protect them.
Quite normal in my world.
Minorities were the best in being manipulated.
A part of me felt so tired that I'd rather not move. It was a pain to do anything when my body was dying.
The end was near…
I wouldn't be able to throw a punch. Much less fight in this poor condition. I was too close to the edge.
The strength of 'Riot Hysteria' was my life support.
Just barely keeping me alive.
My eyes turned to Talia, I whispered: "Should I…?"
She knew from my expression what I meant.
I wanted her to WANT me to help. Not simply say nothing as something unspeakable was happening.
MagiKnights being corrupt was a first for me.
From what I remember, they were described as bastions of righteousness that protected citizens.
But it looked like all trees had bad apples.
This didn't even seem like the first time the iron skinned knight was taking advantage of a girl.
He started tearing her clothes.
"Please…" Talia couldn't watch anymore and pleaded for me to stop him. It made my eyes light up a little.
Gaining an opportunity like this was something I'd been waiting for. A method to get close to her.
"Right on!" The feeling of excitement overrode the hysteria clouding my mind. A smile on my face.
Smack!
I struck the wooden seats and got his attention.
"Father…?" He seemed confused when my weak-looking body started to get up. I moved close to him.
My happiness clear to see.