Baffled by the situation unfolding before me, I stared at the screen in awe.
**[ Welcome to the Mana System. Could the Host please choose an element of his choice? ]**
**[ Fire ] [ Ice ] [ Light ] [ Blood ]**
**[ Water ] [ Lightning ] [ Dark ] [ Time ]**
**[ Earth ] [ Gravity ] [ Plant ] [ Space ]**
**[ Wind ] [ Shadow ] [ Sound ] [ Poison ]**
The list of elements hovered before me, each one offering untold potential. But before making a decision, I needed more information.
"System, can you explain the differences between these elements?" I asked, trying to grasp the enormity of the choice before me.
**[ Host, each element has its pros and cons, and all organisms on this planet have an elemental affinity. While some elements may seem stronger initially, all are essentially equal. It's up to the individual to develop their potential. ]**
"What's my elemental affinity?" I inquired, curious about my innate connection to these mysterious forces.
**[ The Host has an affinity with the space element. ]**
That piqued my interest. "If everyone has a specific element, they're compatible with, why can I choose any element I want?" I questioned, trying to understand the rules of this new reality.
**[ As a reward for being the first on your planet to move forward with courage, you have the option to choose any element, regardless of your natural affinity. The system will provide the necessary resources to support your choice. ]**
I felt a thrill of excitement at the possibilities. "That sounds promising. Can I acquire more than one element?"
**[ Under normal circumstances, no. However, there is a slim chance for five lucky organisms on this planet to gain a second element. The odds of this happening are one in a trillion. ]**
The rarity of such an opportunity made it all the more tantalizing. "So, if I were to get this chance, would I receive a random element or one of my choosing?"
**[ If the Host has unlocked an element, the additional element will be random. If not, the Host will receive their natural affinity element. ]**
After considering the possibilities, I made my decision. "I choose the element of time," I declared, the allure of manipulating time too great to resist.
**[ Very well! Now, please select a unique item tailored to your affinities. ]**
**[ Space Pendant - Contains a small independent space for storing living and non-living things ]**
**[ Time Stone – Allows limited time manipulation based on the amount of Mana provided ]**
**[ Spatial Ring – Stores non-living things within a 250x250 square feet space ]**
**[ Time Ring – Slows the time of an opponent by half, with duration depending on the Mana provided ]**
I furrowed my brow at the list. "If I'm using the time element, why are space-related items on the list?" I asked, puzzled.
**[ The Host retains an affinity for space; the time element is an additional reward. ]**
I weighed the choices carefully, knowing that this decision could have long-term implications for my survival and potential growth in this new, dangerous world. Each item had unique benefits, and the decision felt monumental.
"The Space Pendant is an attractive option," I thought. "Its ability to store both living and non-living objects could be incredibly versatile. I could use it to keep supplies, equipment, and maybe even other people or animals safe. It would be like having a pocket dimension at my disposal."
"The Time Stone, on the other hand, would greatly enhance my control over my time element. My recent awakening of time-related abilities would synergize perfectly with it, giving me powerful temporal manipulation capabilities in battles. Speeding up or slowing down time could be a game-changer."
"The Space Ring also caught my attention, boasting a storage capacity roughly the size of a football field. The idea of having such vast space available to store supplies, gear, and resources was tempting. It could hold everything I might need, from weapons to food to shelter materials."
"Lastly, the Time Ring, with its ability to debuff opponents, was an enticing choice. Weakening enemies before they could even reach me would make battles significantly easier. It would provide a strategic advantage, potentially tipping the scales in life-or-death situations."
After considering the advantages and potential downsides of each item, I made my decision. "In that case, I'll choose the Space Pendant," I said aloud, feeling a sense of resolve. The versatility and practicality of being able to store living beings and objects were too valuable to pass up. It offered both immediate utility and long-term potential, aligning with my need to adapt quickly in this chaotic new reality.
With a soft "ping," a glowing pendant materialized before me, hovering in mid-air. The pendant was a small but exquisitely crafted object, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and move, radiating a soft, ethereal glow. It was beautiful and mysterious, the kind of item you might see in a fantasy epic. Without conscious thought, I reached out, pricked my right index finger with a quick, deliberate motion, and let a few drops of blood fall onto the pendant. As the blood touched the surface, the glow intensified, and I felt a warm, tingling sensation spread through my hand. The pendant pulsed with light, sealing a bond between us, and suddenly, a wealth of information flowed into my mind, clear and concise. I understood how to use the pendant, how to access its storage, and even a sense of its limits.
The initial excitement of acquiring such a powerful tool was dampened when a new line of information appeared in my mind: **[ Item Status: Incomplete. 1/4 parts obtained. ]**
Confusion and frustration welled up inside me. "System, why does it say this item is incomplete and has three more parts? Why give me something unfinished? If I'd known you were this cheap, I'd have chosen the ring. Unless that would have been incomplete too." My tone was a mix of annoyance and curiosity. The thought of having chosen an incomplete item was disheartening, and the idea that the other choices might have been similarly unfinished was unsettling.
The silence was heavy, almost tangible, as I waited for the system's response. My eyes drifted back to the pendant, its soft glow casting a gentle light in the dimly lit room. The intricacies of its design seemed to pulse with an enigmatic energy, hinting at untapped potential. The thought of possessing something so powerful was thrilling, yet the idea of it being incomplete left a sour taste in my mouth. My frustration simmered, mingling with the curiosity and excitement of what this artifact could eventually become.
Finally, the system's voice broke the silence, its tone calm and mechanical, with a subtle undertone that felt almost defensive.
**[ This is a piece of a mythical item, far beyond ordinary understanding. The rings cannot compare. If you manage to complete it, you'll realize the true value of this early acquisition. ]**
The words hung in the air, carrying a weight that suggested the pendant's true worth far surpassed my initial impression. The system's response was unexpectedly reassuring, yet it also carried a slight edge, as if subtly chastising me for doubting my choice.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the system's seemingly defensive tone. "All you had to say was that it was good; no need to get snippy," I muttered with a smirk, half-amused by the system's insistence on the pendant's superiority. The idea of it being part of a mythical set was intriguing, promising untold power if I could ever assemble the remaining pieces.
As I contemplated the pendant's potential, I felt a strange sense of responsibility. This wasn't just a tool; it was a challenge, a quest in itself. The notion of seeking out the other pieces added an unexpected layer of adventure to the situation. It wasn't just about surviving anymore—it was about thriving, mastering new powers, and perhaps even unlocking mysteries beyond my wildest dreams.
With a sigh, I focused on the present. There was still much to learn and adapt to in this transformed world. The pendant's incomplete nature was a puzzle for another day, but its presence was a constant reminder of the journey ahead. As I secured it around my neck, feeling the gentle hum of its energy against my skin, I knew I had taken the first step on a long, uncertain path. The pendant was a promise of power, a beacon of hope in a world that had suddenly grown dark and dangerous.
"How do I see my stats? I assume I have those, right?"
**[ Status ]**
- **Name:** Dwayne Storm
- **Race:** Human
- **Bloodline:** N/A
- **Lvl:** 0 **Exp:** 20/100
- **Ability:** Time
- **Health:** 110 (Vit × 10)
- **Mana:** 110 (Int × 10)
- **Attack:** 115 (Str + Spd × 5)
- **Defense:** 110 [(Vit + Str) × 5]
- **Strength:** 11
- **Speed:** 12
- **Vitality:** 11
- **Intellect:** 11
- **Luck:** 20
- **Charm:** 11
I reviewed the stats projected before me, feeling a mix of pride and curiosity. "Not bad, if I do say so myself," I muttered, nodding approvingly at my own numbers. The stats were better than I had expected, considering the chaos and confusion that had unfolded so far.
**[ The average human male has a base of 10 in all stats, except for Luck and Charm, which are unique stats and can only be increased through special items or skills. ]**
The system's explanation tempered my enthusiasm. "So, I'm barely above average? And here I thought I was doing pretty good," I said, a slight edge of disappointment in my voice. It was sobering to realize that, despite everything, I was only marginally better than the average person, according to the system's metrics. The notion of "barely above average" stung a bit, especially given the extraordinary circumstances we were now facing.
Before I could dwell on it, a loud, insistent barking erupted from the other room, cutting through my thoughts like a knife.
"Woof woof woof!"
Startled, I spun towards the sound, my heart rate spiking with adrenaline. Crystal's urgent barks echoed through the apartment, resonating with a sense of urgency and alarm. My muscles tensed, and I felt a fresh wave of anxiety. "WHAT NOW!?" I exclaimed, my voice carrying a note of exasperation. The day's events were piling up relentlessly, each one more bizarre and unnerving than the last. The surreal situation seemed to be escalating by the minute, leaving me no time to catch my breath.
I rushed towards the source of the noise, bracing myself for whatever might come next. In this transformed world, where reality seemed to twist and shift unpredictably, I couldn't afford to let my guard down. As I approached the room where Crystal's barking originated, my mind raced with possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. I steeled myself for the unknown, aware that the world outside—and perhaps inside—my home was no longer as safe or predictable as it once was.