Chapter 4 - Random Encounter

Jake was in a huge dilemma. Dave explained some mechanics before class started, but there was so much more to that game.If he thought Dungeons and Monsters was difficult Magicus Adeptus was way worse.But then in the lunch break when they had the chance to continue, he saw the fiery little ginger walk out of class. Most of his classmates would eat here, or head for the cafeteria.She left the opposite way, and his brain went into overdrive with guessing. Rebecca—as the interface reminded him of her name—was the main character of his dream.Or at least the friendlier of the two, and someone easier to approach than that Ice Queen President. Her nickname got a new meaning now, after his vision.But he knew nothing about her. About either of the girls. It was a split-second decision, but ditching his friend, he followed the redhead.She was quick on her feet but only four feet nine and Jake needed half as many steps. With spy fantasies flashing through his mind, he tried to act normal but failed.[You are now eligible for the percentile skill: Stealth. Would you like to spend a skill point?]"Fuck." The popup scared him, and he had to wrap a hand over his mouth. The girl didn't react, the corridor was busy enough to go unnoticed, but his heart rate was through the roof.Right. Percentile skills. Dave told him about them. The entire game revolved around the hundred-sided die, or rather, two ten-sided together. A skill check would need a roll of them.If the roll was below his percentage in that skill—adjusted with the modifiers—he succeeded. Stealth was dexterity-based, so he had a 16 percent chance by default. Not great.Each skill point gave him another three, and he had eleven. Spending three would give him 25 percent, which seemed enough on a busy corridor like this one.The skill went to the bottom of his character sheet. He sighed, only to realize that Rebecca disappeared. He reached the staircase, and couldn't see the copper mane in either direction.This was the top floor, only the roof above them, but if he learned anything from anime, heroines loved to eat there. Of course, anime wasn't real, and he found the door locked.He rushed as fast as he could to go downstairs, getting winded halfway through.[You are now eligible for the skill: Running. Would you like to spend a skill point on the first level?]"Fine." Jake accepted and dismissed the window detailing the skill. He could read it later, but it helped him catch his breath and reach the ground floor.He was in luck. The long orange hair floated in the distance as Rebecca turned a corner. That's where the school's gym was, and of course, the gym storage, another favorite location in anime.Reality was a bit different though. He remembered halfway there, that's where the school's bullies would gather to smoke. Was she smoking too? Or was she a delinquent?He couldn't imagine either and continued without thinking. Turning the same corner, he came face to face with the tiny ginger, her hands resting on her hips, an eyebrow raised."Why are ya following me?" She asked, her voice challenging, and Jake started sweating. Twenty-five percent on the stealth check wasn't enough after all."I uh, no. I was—" Jake could think of many things to say, but nothing came out. He cursed his single-digit charisma, an even lower number once Dave told him the average was 12.[You are now eligible for the skill: Bluff. Would you like to spend a skill point on the first level?]That offer was godsent, but he didn't have time to click it. As he expected, but ignored, the school's delinquents poured out the door behind the girl.The smell of tobacco flooded the place, forcing him to cough. That was enough to get their attention. And thanks to his foresight, he was avoiding them for so long."Look at that, if it isn't Jake." It was telling how they noticed him before the redhead. He was popular with the bullies for whatever reason."Who? I thought he was John." Even then, Rebecca still demanded their attention with her comment. Now the delinquents surrounded her, half a dozen of them, all smelling of smoke."And who are you? Did you get lost? The kindergarten is on the next road, sweety." The biggest one teased her, and Jake couldn't believe they hadn't seen her before. His hand curled into a fist."Look at him, Boss, Jakie-Jake is about to beat us up to save his Loli friend." Another commented, and the boys switched their attention back to him."Oh no, watch out, guys. He might run to Daddy and tell on us." A third one chimed in, only to laugh. "Ah, wait he has no Daddy. We're fine. Come here, little orphan boy."The situation escalated fast, and still out of breath, he couldn't run away now, even if he wanted to.He got away without a beating for the last month, but nothing lasted forever.At least he wanted to play it cool, finally finding his voice."Leave her alone. I know you have a beef with me, but she has nothing to do with it." Jake said, clicking on the bluff skill, and puffing his chest out. He hoped Rebecca would take the hint.If these guys beat him up after she left he'd take it as a win.The girl had other plans though. Before the bullies surrounded him, she cleared her throat."I do now." That was all she said, and the delinquents had no time to turn around. Her tiny body only needed a split second to gather momentum. If he blinked, he'd miss it.She dealt a right hook, an elbow shove, and a dropkick in one continuous motion, sending three to the floor. The other three raised their hands in disbelief but it didn't matter.The heat shimmering around her shape, she kicked one in the nuts and punched the other in the face. The last one got the worst treatment. He was the one answering the 'Boss'."Nobody. Calls. Me. A. Loli." Rebecca yelled, punctuating each word with a punch or a stomp. The first one already sent the guy to the floor, but she continued his abuse even after.If Jake hadn't stopped her, she might have killed him too, her body feverish, reminding him of that strange cat. The other bullies were quick on their feet but knew better than to stay.They dragged away their unfortunate friend too, before Rebecca shook Jake's hold off. She adjusted her hair and clothes, reverting to the cute ginger schoolgirl she was.Then she took a deep breath, turning around to face him again."Sorry 'bout that. That word triggers me, ya know." She explained, with the face of someone caught stealing candy."Um, yeah, understandable." Jake was happy to leave it at that, knowing how much more she could do. But as if nothing had happened, Rebecca repeated her first question."So why were ya following me?"