"Holy shit isn't this the infamous leveling system?!" I remarked in awe.
While looking at the holographic screen right in front of my eyes.
===
LV:[Leveling will be unlocked once the kill is confirmed]
NAME: KHIEROM SOULSHEARTH.
AGE: 12y 0m 2d
ROLE: CANNON VILLAIN
TITLE: SIN BEARER
STRENGTH| 11 [+F]
ENDURANCE| 47 [-B]
DEXTERITY| 24 [D]
STAMINA| 40 [C]
AGILITY| 18 [-D]
INTELLIGENCE| 83 [S]
CONTROL| 41 [+C]
SENSES| 68 [A]
PYROSITES: ĶÀÌ
PYRO-CLASS/ PAWN
ABILITIES: [Abilities will be unlocked once the kill is confirmed]
===
Wow, so this is my ability, huh? It's kind of awesome.
"…?!"
But hold on... why is my strength so weak, as if I'm a kid??!!
…Well, basically, I am a kid.
However, that doesn't justify why my strength is just 11[+F], while the rest of my stats are somehow decent!
Also, what's up with my intelligence? Why is it so high at 83[S]? Is that a glitch, or what?
"Ugh… this is just a glitch," I mumbled under my breath.
While wondering why my intelligence is so high, my thoughts are interrupted as the black ball begins to speak.
{Hohohoho!} The black ball laughed loudly, like Santa Claus, before speaking.
{Your strength and stamina are weak; however, your other stats were compensated by your senses and intelligence, creating a somewhat balanced profile for someone as feeble as you.} The ball said in a sarcastic tone.
'Did this ball just call me feeble?' I thought to myself as I continued to listen.
{Well, now that you've seen my capabilities, I guess it's time for me to explain the other thing about your abilities.} The ball added.
"Abilities? Wait, before that, I'm kinda confused about one specific thing," I asked, pausing for a while as I stared at the holographic screen to check if I was mistaken before speaking.
"Isn't AGILITY the same as DEXTERITY? And the same goes for STAMINA and ENDURANCE, right?" I questioned the ball.
Yeah… That's all I wanted to clarify, just about my stats and nothing more.
Anyway, as a passionate writer of novels in my past life, I'm already familiar with various types of systems in this genre.
Basically, I already knew about various types of systems, such as the Dao system, IQ system, and, lastly, the leveling system, and so on.
However, that's not the problem. It's just that, what the heck? Aren't AGILITY and DEXTERITY essentially the same thing? And the same applies to STAMINA and ENDURANCE, right?
"…"
After saying those words, the black ball remained quiet for a while as it adjusted itself.
I wasn't sure where it was looking, but the black ball was definitely rotating.
{Are you an idiot?} The black ball mocked before continuing.
{You have an 83[A] intelligence, but you don't know the difference between those stats?!} the black ball taunted, mocking my intelligence.
"Huh?! What did you say?" I murmured.
"How did my intelligence get into this topic? I was simply stating that some of my stats seemed to be similar!" I explained.
{Fine, let me explain it to you and drill it into your head, okay?} the black ball said.
"Yeah, sure," I replied, but deep down, I had other thoughts.'Yeah, yeah, so where are the screws so I can literally drill it into my head?'
And so, the black ball began its explanation.
{So basically, the difference between AGILITY and DEXTERITY is…"} the black ball said but stopped for some reason.
"Huh, why did you stop? I thought you were going to explain it," I questioned.
{Wait, I am just thinking about what reference I need to use to explain this,} the black ball replied.
"Ha! I knew it; you really don't know the difference," I taunted, wearing a smug look on my face.
"Just use any reference," I added.
{Any reference, huh…} the black ball replied before continuing its explanations.
{So, the difference between those stats is that AGILITY has seven letters, while DEXTERITY has more letters than AGILITY, specifically nine letters.} The black ball said in a robotic tone before continuing.
{Just following your advice. So, do I need to explain the difference between STAMINA and ENDURANCE?"} the black ball asked.
Hearing that long and rather stupid explanation, my blood began to boil for some reason, but let me make it clear: I'm not angry, okay? I'm not freaking angry!
"Are you kidding me?" I said in an imitating tone with a blank expression on my face.
Like, what the fuck? I just want to know why they're the same, and I'm hoping this ball will explain the differences!
However, all I got was this completely nonsensical and absurdly long explanation.
Anyway, after saying that, the black ball immediately replied, {Bruuh, I'm just kidding, kidding, can't take a joke seriously?}
"…" Hearing that, I remained silent.
"…" and, so, the black stayed quiet for a while.
Seconds later, the black ball broke the silence.
{Fine, alright. You win. So, how about I just tell you how those stats work individually? Is that alright?} The black ball said with a more agreeable tone.
"Ahh, yeah, sure," I replied.
'Heh, you're still thousands away from cracking me!' I thought, giving myself a mental pat on the back.
Anyway, after that, the black ball began to explain the uses of those stats and how they work individually.
{First, let's start with your Lv. As you can see, it's still at zero, which means you need to unlock it.} The black ball said.
"Okay, then how can I unlock it?" I inquired.
{Are you blind or what? Ha... nevermind}
{First, you need to secure your first kill and absorb their core, and there you go!}" The black ball replied.
'What the heck?' I thought first before speaking in a cautious tone. "Are you asking me to murder someone?"
{Idiot, I didn't say you had to murder someone; all I said was that you need to kill. I didn't specifically say you need to commit murder." The black ball retorted, mocking me.
Huh?! You're saying that I didn't need to murder someone, but isn't killing and murdering essentially the same thing?!
Are you high or something?
"Fu…" I let out a sigh of frustration before speaking.
"Fine, I already understand," I said in a calm tone.
{If you understand, then I'll move on to the next topic.} The black ball said but paused.
{Wait, before that, why is your name Soulshearth? It sounds like two words that have been forcibly combined,} the black ball curiously asked.
Hearing that, I slightly smirked as I remembered something.
'Wow, this is the exact same question I asked to myself the moment I heard it. 'Why is my last name Soulshearth?' 'I thought to myself before speaking.
"I dunno," I replied.
{What do you mean by 'dunno'? Are you an idiot or what?} The black ball taunted me again.
"Look, as far as I know, all I can tell you is that my ancestors gave me that name, and I don't know anything else," I replied in an annoyed tone.
{…} Hearing my response, the black ball remained silent for a while.
"Seriously, I really don't know. All I know is that it's just a surname that has been passed down since before ARK was built. And nothing else." I added.
{Ehh, okay. By the way, I will seriously start now, so no more interruptions, okay? You're just disturbing the flow of my explanation}, the black ball said in a serious tone before continuing.
What the heck?! It was you, damn ball, who started it first. I'm completely innocent.
{As you can see from the screen, my name is Kai, so call me Kai or Master Kai from now on}, Kai ordered, sounding like a boss.
"??!"
Hold up! I just noticed it now, but why is this ball's name the same as my past life name?!
Well, for those who may have forgotten, my name in my past life was Hazuki Kai, which sounds super Japanese.
However, my parents didn't have a single drop of Japanese blood in their veins; they simply named me that because they thought it sounded cool.
Well, it does...
And so, while I was lost in thought, I was abruptly interrupted when Kai materialized in front of my face. {Hey, are you listening or what?} it demanded.
"Huh?! Ahh, yes, yes, I'm sorry. Please continue," I replied immediately.
{Tsk, idiot. Anyway, like I said, my name is Kai, and your role in this world was that of a cannon villain}, Kai explained, delving into the topic of my villainous role.
"Huh? Why did I become a cannon villain? What did I do?" I asked, my confusion mounting.
I know I have a rotten personality, but that doesn't explain why I was fated to be a cannon fodder villain!
"Argh, damnit! I'm screwed," I mumbled.
For those who may not be familiar with the concept of a cannon villain, let me elaborate. A cannon villain refers to a specific type of antagonist that the main character (MC) often defeats.
In essence, a cannon villain is an expendable character with a villainous persona, serving as a stepping stone for the MC's growth and development.
To put it simply, cannon villains are essentially disposable foes that the MC overcomes in order to become stronger.
Their sole purpose is to provide challenges, conflicts, and opportunities for the MC to showcase their abilities and advance in their journey.
So, understanding the nature of being a cannon villain, it's become painfully clear—I'm as good as dead!
{Listen here, I didn't know how you got this role or anything else; it was simply assigned the moment you were born}, Kai replied before continuing.
{However, don't worry, because as long as you have me, your ass won't be beaten—unless you're an idiot}, Kai added.
Why does Kai always call me an idiot? What did I do? I merely asked about my role!
{Anyway, can you please shut up and not say a single word? Can you?} Kai requested in a serious tone.
"Yea—" but before I could finish my sentence, my mouth zipped shut again.
"Mmmph?! (Damnit, you)" I desperately tried to say, even though my mouth was tightly closed.