Chapter 1: I Use My Cheat Ability from the Game Even in Real Life!
The fluorescent lights of the convenience store hummed, casting a sterile glow on the shelves overflowing with instant ramen and energy drinks. Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Hiroki. He clutched the crumpled receipt in his fist, the numbers blurring through the angry tears welling up in his eyes.
"Unemployment... again," he muttered, the word tasting like bitter ash in his mouth. Another dead end. Another rejection. Another crushing blow to his already fragile self-esteem.
Hiroki had always been a bit of a dreamer, a daydreamer to be precise. He'd spend hours lost in the fantastical worlds of his favorite video games, where he was the hero, the chosen one, wielding legendary swords and casting devastating spells. In these digital realms, he was invincible, a force of nature, capable of overcoming any obstacle.
But reality, as it often does, had a cruel sense of humor. In the real world, Hiroki was a nobody, a shadow clinging to the edges of society. His resume, a pathetic document filled with short-term jobs and failed ventures, was a testament to his chronic inability to succeed.
Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him. A tingling sensation, starting from his fingertips and spreading through his entire body. He looked down at his hands, bewildered. They seemed to shimmer, pulsating with an ethereal light.
Then, a voice, cold and mechanical, echoed in his mind.
"[System Activated]"
Hiroki blinked, disoriented. "System?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
"[User: Hiroki Fujita]"
"[Status: Weak]"
"[Available Skills: None]"
A holographic interface materialized before his eyes, a translucent screen shimmering into existence above his hands. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen, a blend of futuristic technology and medieval aesthetics.
"[Welcome, User. This is the 'Game Master' System. You have been granted access to a unique gaming experience: 'Real Life'."]
Hiroki stared at the interface, his mind reeling.
"Game Master System? Real Life? What in the world...?"
"[This world is now your game. You will face challenges, overcome obstacles, and level up. Collect experience points, acquire skills, and become the ultimate champion of existence.]"
The voice, though robotic, held a strange sense of excitement, a predatory gleam that sent shivers down Hiroki's spine.
"[Initial Quest: 'Survive.' Reward: 10 Experience Points]"
Hiroki felt a surge of adrenaline. Survive? Was that all? He was already barely surviving. But the mention of "experience points" and "skills" sparked a flicker of hope within him. Could this be... real? Could he finally turn his life around?
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. If this was a game, then he would play it. He would become the hero of his own story. He would prove to himself, and to the world, that he was more than just a loser.
"[Quest Accepted]"
The interface vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Hiroki alone with his thoughts. He looked around the convenience store, the mundane objects suddenly imbued with a new significance. The overflowing shelves, the flickering lights, the indifferent gaze of the cashier – everything seemed to whisper with hidden possibilities.
This was his chance. His second chance.
With a newfound determination, Hiroki stepped out of the convenience store and into the pouring rain. He didn't know where he was going, or what he was going to do. But he knew one thing for sure: he was no longer just Hiroki Fujita, the unemployed loser. He was the player, the champion, ready to conquer the challenges that awaited him.
The rain continued to fall, a relentless torrent that seemed determined to drown out all sound.
Hiroki, shivering and soaked to the bone, trudged down the deserted street, his stomach growling with hunger. He had no money, no food, and no shelter. But he had the Game Master System.
He activated the interface, his fingers tracing the invisible screen.
"[User: Hiroki Fujita]"
"[Status: Weak]"
"[Available Skills: None]"
"No skills yet?" he muttered, disappointment creeping back in. He had expected something more, some instant gratification, some divine intervention that would magically solve all his problems.
"[Skill Acquisition: Observe]"
A new entry appeared on the interface. Hiroki's eyes widened. "Observe?"
"[Analyze any object or individual to gain valuable information. Initial Level: 1]"
He focused on a rusty old vending machine, its paint peeling and its contents long gone.
"[Vending Machine: Made of recycled steel. Internal mechanisms severely damaged. Potential for salvage: Low. Possible uses: Scrap metal, makeshift shelter (with modifications).]"
Hiroki was stunned. The vending machine, a piece of forgotten junk, now held a glimmer of potential. He could use the steel for repairs, maybe even build a temporary shelter.
He moved on, observing the surrounding environment.
"[Abandoned Building: Structure compromised. Potential for collapse: High. Possible uses: Shelter (with extreme caution), scavenging for resources (if safe).]"
"[Stray Cat: Malnourished, injured. Potential for taming: Moderate. Possible rewards: Companionship, potential hunting assistant (with training).]"
The world, once a monotonous blur, was now a tapestry of possibilities. Every object, every creature, held a hidden value, a potential use.
He felt a surge of excitement, a thrill he hadn't experienced in years.
He spent the rest of the day exploring the abandoned buildings, scavenging for anything useful. He found a tattered tarp, a half-empty can of beans, and a surprisingly sturdy flashlight. As the sun began to set, he found a small, dilapidated shed, its roof leaking but offering some protection from the elements.
Using the tarp and some scavenged wood, he managed to create a makeshift shelter within the shed. It was far from comfortable, but it was dry, and it would have to do for the night.
As he lay down on the cold, damp ground, he activated the Game Master System.
"[Experience Points: 15]"
"[Level Up!]"
A wave of euphoria washed over him. He had leveled up!
"[Status: Weak]"
"[Available Skills: Observe (Level 2), Foraging]"
"[Foraging: Gather edible plants and fungi. Initial Level: 1]"
Hiroki grinned. He was getting stronger. He was evolving. He was no longer just surviving; he was thriving.
He closed his eyes, the sound of the rain a comforting lullaby. He had a long way to go, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope. He had a purpose, a goal. He would become the strongest, the most skilled, the ultimate champion of this "Real Life" game.
The morning dawned, bringing with it a new set of challenges. Hiroki's stomach rumbled, a constant reminder of his hunger. He activated the Foraging skill, focusing on the surrounding area.
"[Dandelion: Edible leaves and roots. Nutritional value: Low. Potential for medicinal uses: Moderate.]"
"[Wild Berries: Ripe and plentiful. Nutritional value: Moderate. Potential for food poisoning: Low.]"
He spent the morning gathering dandelions and berries, carefully identifying and avoiding any poisonous plants. The berries, though small and tart, filled his stomach and gave him the energy he needed to continue.
He decided to head towards the city, a sprawling metropolis that loomed on the horizon. He had heard rumors of abandoned supermarkets and warehouses, potential treasure troves of supplies.
The journey was arduous. He had to navigate through overgrown fields, dodge packs of feral dogs, and avoid the watchful eyes of the city's inhabitants, a shadowy group known as the
"Scavengers."
As he neared the city limits, he encountered his first encounter with the Scavengers. A group of three, clad in tattered clothes and armed with makeshift weapons, emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger.
Hiroki activated the Observe skill.
"[Scavenger 1: Malnourished, aggressive. Weaknesses: Right leg injury, poor eyesight.]"
"[Scavenger 2: Experienced, cunning. Weaknesses: Overconfident, relies heavily on his knife.]"
"[Scavenger 3: Young, inexperienced. Weaknesses: Easily intimidated, low stamina.]"
He assessed the situation. He was outnumbered, outgunned, and outmatched. But he had an advantage: information.
He feigned weakness, limping slightly and clutching his side. "Please," he croaked, his voice trembling, "I'm just looking for food. I haven't eaten in days."
The Scavengers exchanged glances, their leader, the one with the knife, a sneer playing on his lips.
"Well, well," he sneered. "Looks like we have a stray dog here."
"Please," Hiroki pleaded again, "I'll do anything. I can scavenge for you, I can... I can sing!"
The Scavenger leader.