A black, transparent screen appeared suddenly before him. Surprised, Ephraim stared at it. The words written on it were foreign but somehow readable, as if his mind could naturally interpret them.
[First Kill Achieved]
[Status Page Unlocked]
He blinked, a mix of curiosity and excitement stirring in him. "This feels like something straight out of a story," he thought, though he knew it was all too real. Hesitantly, he wondered how to bring it up again. The thought alone seemed to trigger it, and the words "Status Page" floated into his mind, like a subtle cue.
A dark, translucent screen materialized before him, catching Ephraim off guard. The words on it looked foreign, yet somehow he understood them with ease, as if the meaning was settling naturally into his mind.
[First Kill Achieved]
[Status Page Unlocked]
He blinked, a surge of curiosity and excitement stirring within. "This feels like something straight out of a story," he thought, though the weight of the situation reminded him how real this was. Tentatively, he considered how to bring it up again. The phrase "Status Page" floated unbidden into his mind, like an instinct waiting to be triggered.
At the thought, a detailed display unfolded, revealing his own strengths and limitations. A quiet sense of pride mingled with a sobering awareness: he'd need every bit of help he could get to survive in this world.
[Name: Ephraim]
[Level: 1]
[Class: None]
[Race: Human]
[Title: None]
HP: 100
MP: None
Strength: 3
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 4
Endurance: 3
Luck: 3
Skills: None
The stats were simple but revealing, a snapshot of his abilities as they were. He absorbed the information, knowing he'd have to build on these if he wanted to keep pace with the dangers he'd already encountered.
"Hmm... these stats are simple but easy to understand." Ephraim nodded, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes, but then his brows knitted together. "Though... my stats are pretty low."
He exhaled, scanning the page again. "If I'm going to survive in this world, I'll need to find ways to raise these stats—and gain some skills." The realization settled heavily, but determination sparked in him.
As if in response to his thoughts, Ephraim felt something stir deep within him—a presence awakening, a strange, almost familiar energy. It was the black book from Earth, the one he had taken from the bookstore. Somehow, he just knew it was the cause of this sensation, the possible reason he had been brought here in the first place.
Suddenly, his status page flickered, changing before his eyes. The once simple layout now bore an intricate, darker theme that mirrored the black book's mysterious design. As his eyes scanned the display, he noticed something new.
[Name: Ephraim]
[Level: 1]
[Class: None]
[Race: Human]
[Title: None]
HP: 100
MP: None
Sanity: 85% (Stable)
Strength: 3
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 4
Endurance: 3
Luck: 3
Skills: Original Sin (Incomplete)
After the changes appeared on his status page, Ephraim sensed the black book's presence receding. It felt like it had settled back into the depths of his consciousness, quietly gathering some unknown energy. He didn't know what kind of energy it was absorbing, nor did he understand how—but for now, it seemed to be resting.
"???" Ephraim blinked, momentarily at a loss. "What…? The new design does look cooler, but what's with this 'Sanity' stat? And what exactly is this 'Original Sin' skill?"
He frowned, trying to make sense of the additions. The Sanity stat felt unsettling; was this world so dangerous that he'd have to worry about his mind as much as his body? And the skill, Original Sin, felt even more ominous. Its name alone stirred an uneasy feeling, as if it hinted at powers he might not fully understand—or be able to control.
Curious about the potential effects of his Sanity stat, Ephraim focused on it. Almost instantly, his status page shifted, expanding to reveal a more detailed view of his current mental state.
Sanity: 85%
Current Status: Stable (Slight Anxiety)
Effects: Minor reduction in focus
Recent Influences:
First-time killing (-5%)
Disorientation from headache (-5%)
Not in a familiar place/world? (-5%)
Recovery Options Available: Rest
Ephraim raised an eyebrow as he studied the details. The breakdown was unexpectedly thorough, giving him a glimpse into the factors affecting his mental stability. He hadn't anticipated that something like his sense of place—or his first kill—would have such a quantifiable effect.
Despite the many questions racing through his mind, Ephraim realized he had no one to ask for answers. The only lead he had was the mysterious black book—if it held the secrets behind his strange situation. Otherwise, he'd be left to figure things out on his own, piece by piece.
After pondering for a while, Ephraim decided to check what his skill, Original Sin, could do. Now that he'd acquired a skill, it only made sense to understand it thoroughly and think of ways to use it effectively. After all, having a skill without knowing its purpose or potential would be a waste—maybe even dangerous..