Beep!
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[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
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Welcome to Verenthia
Type: Planet
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Overview:
A realm where the arcane and mechanical intertwine, Verenthia is characterized by its floating islands and technological marvels powered by mana. Its inhabitants face the threat of a demon king while navigating complex alliances.
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Would you like to know more?
[Yes/No]
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"Eh?"
I paused for a few seconds, blinking twice before I reacted.
"W-what the heck?!"
I immediately stumbled backward, trying to escape the strange floating screen that had suddenly appeared in front of me.
My attempt failed, as the screen maintained the same distance no matter how I moved. It hovered persistently, positioned around chest level.
What the hell is this?
Seeing that the screen did nothing but float in front of me, I decided to inspect it more closely.
The screen was a light blue color, slightly transparent, with several straight lines running through it, constantly shifting. Some of the lines bent at odd angles for a moment before resuming their regular paths.
It was like the lines were flowing through the screen.
There were strange symbols written on it. I couldn't read them, but somehow, I could understand their meaning.
Urgh, my head feels weird. I can't make out the words, but they're instantly translated by a strange, feminine voice inside my head.
"But where did this screen come from?"
Suddenly the text on the screen changed.
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[Hello, Player Jay. You may refer to me as the System]
[I am tasked with assisting you in completing your missions]
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"The System?!"
So, this is the System? This is what's putting me through all this?! I wasn't expecting it to be a floating blue screen, though.
"Why are you doing this to me? What did I ever do to you?"
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[You have committed no offense, Player Jay. My purpose is to serve you]
[Would you like to view your status or receive information on your current mission?]
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I thought this thing was sentient, but it sounds so mechanical. Almost like a robot.
"Can you explain why you kidnapped me and made a 'player'?"
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[The entity referred to as [The Guide] has provided sufficient information]
[Further details require a higher authority level]
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"Okay, so what's my current authority level?"
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[Player Jay's current authority level is 2]
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"Two? And what's the highest?"
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[The maximum authority level within the System is 10]
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Ten?! Why am I stuck at just two? I wonder how high the guide's authority level is.
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[The entity known as [The Guide] possesses an authority level of ■■■]
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I guess the System can also read my mind— Wait, what?! Why is his authority level censored?
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[Restricted information. Player Jay's authority level is insufficient to access this data]
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Tch! Always being stingy with information.
"So, how come I didn't get a crazy headache even after being shown restricted information?"
When the Guide tried to share restricted information, it was also censored, but I still got a splitting headache.
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[Feedback occurs only when an entity other than the System attempts to provide restricted information]
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"I see..." The guide did mention something like that, I think.
"How do I increase my authority level then?"
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[Player Jay's authority level can be increased by consistently leveling up and completing missions]
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"Leveling up? What's that?"
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[Leveling up is the process of accumulating experience points to increase power]
[This is achieved through defeating monsters and completing specific tasks or conditions]
[By leveling up, Player Jay can gain strength, acquire abilities and skills, and raise authority level]
[Your current level is displayed on your status screen]
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Experience points? Abilities? Skills? Skills?!
The Guide did say he gave me a skill...
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[The skill granted to you by the entity known as [The Guide] is called [Appraisal]]
[For more details on this skill, it is recommended to check your status screen]
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It's been bringing up this status screen for a while now, what exactly is that?
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[View status screen?]
[Yes/No]
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"Yes"
Immediately, the screen extended in height, revealing a long list of symbols I couldn't read. Yet, somehow, I still understood their meaning.
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[PLAYER STATUS]
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Name: Jay Jay
Race: Human
Class: None
Level: 4
Experience (EXP): 3,210 / 8,000
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Health (HP): 80 / 80
Celestra (CP): 90 / 90
Stamina (SP): 43 / 43
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[Attributes]:
Strength: 6 Dexterity: 8 Endurance: 5 Intelligence: 6 Charisma: 4 Luck: 0
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[Skills]:
Active Skills:
[Appraisal] (Lv. MAX): Provides an overview of an object or entity's information. (Confirm to see more)
[Shadow Step] (Lv. 1): Increases Dexterity by 10 for 10 seconds, making it harder for enemies to spot the user. (Confirm to see more)
[Lockpick Mastery] (Lv. 1): Increases the success rate of lockpicking by 20% for 5 minutes. (Confirm to see more)
Passive Skills:
[Keen Eyes] (Lv. 1): Increases detection range by 15 meters and enhances critical hit chance against unaware enemies by 5%. (Confirm to see more)
[Silent Footsteps] (Lv. 1): Decreases noise level by 2%, improving stealth and evasion capabilities. (Confirm to see more)
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[Abilities]:
[Nimble Fingers]: Grants a 10% bonus to Dexterity when performing delicate or manual tasks. (Confirm to see more)
[Survivor's Instinct]: Increases ■■■■■■■■ by 5% when the user's health drops below 20%. (Confirm to see more)
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[Inventory]:
[Money Pouch] x [1]: A small leather pouch containing various forms of currency.
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[Titles]:
[Player]: ■■■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■■ (Permanent)
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[Status Effects]:
None
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Power Level: 15
Rank: E
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[Reputation/Faction Affiliations]:
None
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[Mission Log]:
Main Mission: Prevent the Demon King from achieving total dominion over Verenthia. (Confirm to see more)
Side Missions: None
Special Mission: None
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[System Note]: Why are you so weak?
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"That's… a lot of information, but for some reason, I understand everything written here. I know what class, experience, dexterity, and even intelligence mean in relation to the system and the rest on this panel."
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[This is due to System Support. It is an assistant designed to help Player Jay on his journey]
[System Support can also translate foreign languages into a language Player Jay can comprehend, along with performing various other functions to aid you]
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Hmm... my level is 4. That seems pretty low. I wonder how strong someone at level 10 would be compared to me. I thought as I scanned the information on the floating panel.
For some reason, though, I can't quite grasp the concept of 'Celestra.'
"What's Celestra?"
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[That is restricted information]
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I've probably heard that phrase a dozen times in the past hour. I thought, flashing an annoyed smile.
"Okay, so this [Appraisal] skill—what does it do exactly?
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[Appraisal] (Lv. MAX):
Allows the user to identify and gather detailed information about entities, items, or environments.
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Effect: Displays detailed information about the target object or entity.
Cooldown: None.
Cost: None.
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"Ohhh!! So how do I use it?"
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[Simply focus on the target you wish to use the skill on, and it will activate]
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"Alright then!"
Of course, the first thing I did was focus on the floating panel directly in front of me.
If the information about the [Appraisal] skill is accurate, I should be able to learn something about this System through it.
I concentrated with all my might, focusing intently until the words on the screen changed.
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[Skill Canceled]
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"W-What?! Why did it get canceled?!"
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[The skill was automatically canceled. Skills do not work on the System. You may use the skill on a different target]
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Tch! And here I thought I'd found a loophole.
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[Consider using the skill on the target behind you]
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"Behind me?" I questioned.
There hadn't been anything but forest and trees behind me the last time I checked.
As I turned around to see if the System was trying to make fun of me, the fear that gripped my heart at the sight of what loomed behind me froze me in place.
A seven-meter-tall bear—or what appeared to be a bear—stood on all fours, its dark green fur bristling and glowing red eyes fixed on me. Its breath, hot and heavy, rumbled through the air, brushing against the back of my neck.
I turned slowly, watching as its massive claws scraped the ground, and its snarl revealed rows of sharp teeth dripping with saliva. The forest itself seemed to bend away from the hulking beast, as if nature feared it.
Disregarding the fact that I had been sneaked up on a lot lately, I could only muster one response upon seeing that behemoth.
"ARRRGGHHHH!!!!!"
₪₪₪
Somewhere else within the forest.
"How far are we again?" A female with long blonde hair cascading like a waterfall of gold down her back asked.
Her charming voice matched her fair skin, which seemed to glow under the sunlight, and her sharp emerald eyes sparkled beautifully. She wore a fitted, forest-green tunic adorned with silver embroidery that hugged her slender form.
The tips of her pointed ears seemed to tingle, likely due to anticipation or annoyance.
She was an Elf.
"Patience, Hana, it's only been two days; Drakenfall is a five-day journey. We should be grateful nothing bad has happened so far." a man replied in a deep, resonant voice.
His chiseled features were framed by wavy brown hair that fell just past his shoulders. His deep-set amber eyes gleamed with intelligence and confidence, giving him a captivating, almost mysterious aura.
Dressed in a long dark blue robe adorned with intricate gold patterns and wielding a finely carved wooden staff, he looked every bit the powerful mage.
"Can't Kaelar drive any faster?" the elf asked, a hint of frustration in her tone.
"You know, Andre only let me drive because he knew I wouldn't be able to deal with your pesky attitude." Kaelar shot back.
Kaelar had a lithe, and muscular build, showcasing the agility of a wolf. His thick dark fur was patterned with silvery streaks, and sharp amber eyes gleamed with intelligence and alertness.
Pointed ears perk up atop his head, and his long, bushy tail sways gracefully behind him, reflecting his keen awareness as he drove.
"Oh, you wanna go?" Hana replied, her expression one of eagerness and mischief. It seemed she had been itching for a fight to alleviate the boredom.
"Hana!" Andre said sternly.
tch! Hana clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"Can't something exciting happen? Everything these past two days has been extremely boring."
Suddenly, they heard the distant sound of someone shouting.
"ARRRGGHHHH!!!!!"
A large smirk slowly appeared on Hana's face.
As if by a miracle, her wish was granted.