[Name:] Alex
[Title:]???
[Level:] 3
[EXP:] 3/100
[Skills:] Oversaturation, Memory Palace, Echolocation, Art of Learning, Ambidexterity, Battle Arts, Anti-Lip Sync, Invisibility, Manipulation, Technical Knowledge (depreciated), Pickpocket, Panoramic Vision, Dexterity, Resistance, Fear Inducement
[Aliases:] The Mastermind, The Fool, Skeleton Horror
[Debuffs:] Partial Hearing, Myopic Vision, Anti-Lip Sync, Rizzless
[HP:] 100/100
[Achievements:] Flash of Power, Combat Novice, Beat the Odds
Level 3...am as strong as the Lost Skeleton...now.
I smiled at the interface but then my eyes wandered to a different place.
[Skills:] Oversaturation, Memory Palace, Echolocation, Art of Learning, Ambidexterity, Battle Arts, Anti-Lip Sync, Invisibility, Manipulation, Technical Knowledge (depreciated), Pickpocket, Panoramic Vision, Dexterity, Resistance, Fear Inducement
[Aliases:] The Mastermind, The Fool, Skeleton Horror
Resistance...Fear Inducement and Skeleton Horror
[Skill:] Resistance: Born of harrowing trials, it is a silent force that doesn't merely defend but endures, standing firm long after others would fall. This skill strengthens all stats and all skills that have to do with defense.
[Skill:] Fear Inducement: Fear Inducement strikes terror in others, unraveling their courage and clouding judgment. With a mere glance, it draws out hidden fears, leaving foes vulnerable and desperate to flee. It is the mastery of unease, a silent weapon that conquers before the first blow is struck. This skill invokes the Effect of 'Fear' into all entities in range, when activated.
[Alias:] Skeleton Horror: They emerged to sow fear in the hearts of their victims but came to know fear instead. This alias causes the entity, 'Skeleton' to be completely vulnerable to Fear Inducement.
I see...
Resistance protects my mind and body...Fear Inducement gives me an aura of terror...and Skeleton Horror strengthens its effects on skeletons...
"They're good...I guess..."
Sitting in the grass in a lotus position, I looked up.
"I fought that endless mass and survived but most importantly..."
"I achieved clarity."
It was evident in how my thoughts flowed effortlessly; no fog barred my mind and I could think freely. This was something that I had been yearning to achieve for a long time, but now I've finally gotten it.
Took a broken ribcage but all that ends well is well...that's the saying right?
I sighed as a light gale caressed my skin and fluttered my hair.
I got stronger...
I took a look at the strange cavern in the distance, "Should I go now?"
I stared a little longer and then just as I was about to make a decision, the wind blew.
SWOOSH!
Causing a hanging seam of the hunter's attire I was wearing to peck my face and with it came the unmistakable stench of blood.
"Fuck!"
I covered my nose in revulsion, then I looked down. My clothes were pretty much rags, in fact, they were in far worse shape than my uniform. The attire was now hanging down in loose seams barely covering my nether regions, much less my body.
Worst of all, the cloth was heavily stained with blood.
Too much blood.
I bled this much? Just how in the world did I survive?
Once again, I was amazed at myself.
Hehehe, I guess am stronger than I look...
Says the homeless man.
What? Am not homeless!
Dude is legit wearing rags and literally doesn't have a house.
I was speechless, because my inner voice had a point.
Tsk...now I know why clothing is a basic need...
"I can't wear this...", I looked down at my clothes with a complicated expression.
"Couldn't this game reward me with an armor or something?", I said with a grimace.
With a sigh and one glance around, I reluctantly started stripping.
A couple of minutes later, I was now donning an improved version of my school uniform which was 'reinforced' from the remnants of the hunter's attire.
It was still rags but wearable rags, nonetheless.
Whatever...beggars can't be choosers...
I clicked my tongue and glanced at the sun; it was still morning.
"How long was I asleep?"
I lingered on the question for a moment but then shook my head. I couldn't figure that out, at least not without clues.
Speaking about figuring stuff out...
Inventory Open.
Following a weave of sparks and an outline came a strange book with a quill attached to the side.
[Equipped Item:] Quill-Book
Once it rested on my hand, I stared at it.
"You aren't fumbling me this time.", I said with a grin.
I plopped down on the grass once again and began studying the book's lock mechanism.
...
[Name:] Small David
[True Name:]???
[Level:] 1
[EXP:] 0/100
[Skills:] Saturation, Ease of Learning, Nigh-Invisibility, Persuasion, Artistic Sense, Flame Affinity
[Aliases:] Giant, Okoro
[Debuffs:] Stroke of Unluck, Ease of Learning, Misfortunate, Ersatz Pas
I was momentarily distracted from my stats by a certain someone.
"Eliza..."
"Yes.", a delighted voice responded.
"Eliza."
"Yes.", the voice responded again.
"Eliza!"
"Yes, David?", she asked.
I gritted my teeth and then screamed, "Why am I the only guy getting little spooned?!"
She giggled softly from behind me and then said, "It's because your Lil David."
I growled as I turned to look at my infuriating girlfriend, Eliza, who was holding me in a little spoon position above the lake. I would have tweaked out if not for her perky breasts that were grinding against my back but...
She's obviously making fun of me.
"I thought I said not to call me that!"
"Oh...am sorry, but...what about that other lady? Am sure you'll have begged her to...", she trailed off as her smile slowly turned sadistic and her grip around me tightened.
"Wouldn't you?", she spoke, a hint of malice in her voice.
I paled and then immediately spoke, stuttering slightly, "O-oh...w-what? O-of course not..."
I coughed and looked away; she was referring to the Asian woman we saw before plopping into this game.
Damnit, she didn't have to remind me of that...so embarrassing...
A furious red blush spread across my cheeks as the memories of that incident resurfaced.
"Don't worry, I forgive you.", I heard Eliza speak in a peppy voice. She then pressed her chests against my back, causing me to jolt.
"H-hey w-what are y-you doing?", I asked in a panicked voice.
"Come on...don't be so stuck up...we're literally on a vacation.", she said as she leaned in before whispering into my ear and saying in a seductive tone, "So...do you want to..."
BOOM!
Suddenly, something rose from the depths.
The moment of reckoning!
The time I leave the nest!
The day I become a man!
Without even letting her finish, I turned and said, "Yes let's do it."
She blinked a couple of times and then spoke, a red blush forming on her face, "Ok..."
She looked around, glancing at the rest of our classmates, and said, "We need somewhere private..."
"Understood.", I nodded and then led her to a secluded spot in the lake, it was behind a smooth rock.
Once we were behind it, I began to strip.
"W-wait! David what are you doing?!", she exclaimed in bewilderment.
"What do you mean, am getting naked?"
"W-why?"
Is she shy?
"...", I stared at her for a second and then said, "So... we can have sex? Isn't that what you meant?"
"No. It was so that we could share each other's debuffs...", she yelled.
Instantly, that thing that rose, fell back gracelessly to the depths.