"Who are you?!"
Flash yelled once more, unsure whether he should be cautious or not.
Truthfully, he didn't even know what he was looking at.
In the middle of the grassy plain, or what used to be a grassy plain, a single figure stood with an obsidian helmet adorned on his head, like the ones you'd see on medieval knights.
With the earth torn as if a herd of rhinos were let loose, craters filled the surroundings, and the Flash wondered what this figure had to do with it.
"Me? I'm just a regular bystander, Flash." The figure spoke in a low tone, shrugging.
"Cisco, are you sure this is the exact place?" Flash whispered, a voice speaking in his ear a second later.
"I'm positive. The satellite was picking up major energy signatures right where you're standing."
"And I'm talking major, dude. The kinda readings you'd expect from the sun."
The voice emphasised, confirming Flash's question.
"What happened here?" Flash asked once again.
"I don't know. I'm just as confused as you are. I was just taking a late-night stroll when I came across all this."
"Do you usually wear that helm and travel so far from the city?"
"Hm, what can I say? I was feeling energetic and it just so happens to be a chilly night."
It was obvious the mysterious figure was lying.
It was like he wasn't trying to hide it either, almost mocking the Flash as the latter clicked his teeth.
"Now, if you don't mind, it's gotten pretty late."
The figure turned, prepared to walk away.
"Wait, I'm not done. Joe…" Flash called out, whispering this last name as a different voice entered his ears.
"The CCPD can't help you, Barry. If you bring him in without probable cause it'll do us all more harm than good."
Flash didn't know whether the figure he was looking at was friend or foe.
However, something so devastating happening so close to Star Labs had him uneasy.
Therefore, digging his feet into the ground, all time slowed around him as orange lightning CRACKLED on his body.
Dashing to the figure and closing the distance between them quickly, he planned to circle him, blocking his path to squeeze out as much information as he could.
"!!!"
However, as he reached the figure, side by side, his eyes widened as his heart skipped a beat upon seeing the figure staring straight at him.
'That's…impossible.'
The figure's eyes were glued onto Flash's.
It was highly unlikely for his eyes to coincidently land on Flash without any warning, but for them to be so perfect, as if the figure were letting the former know he could see him was impossible.
Because of this, a shiver ran down Flash's spine as he halted in his steps, all time returning to normal.
"You have yourself a swell day, Mister Flash."
The figure, turning his head to look at the path he was walking, spoke one last time as Flash watched him leave the area, dazed as he stared in a trance.
"...Barry…Barry!"
"What…yeah, Caitlin, I hear you."
The Flash snapped out of his trance and pressed the emblem on his ear as he spoke.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
"I-I'm fine. I let him go."
"Were you able to see his face? Anything to indicate who he might be?"
The voice Flash referred to as Joe spoke, to which the Flash paused before speaking, seeing the figure walking away in the distance.
"No…I'm still wondering that myself."
***
"Holy shit…"
In a familiar alleyway, dark and gloomy as the city lights failed to illuminate it, a boy with messy black hair and bright green eyes spoke while staring into a blank space.
However, his lips soon curled upwards as he held back laughter due to excitement.
"I just met the Flash!"
Derek failed to contain his excitement as he held his head with both arms, burying his face into his knees.
"I haven't even been here a day and I've already checked off a dozen wishes on a bucket list."
Derek laughed, his chuckles being the only thing that echoed in the alleyway.
"Alright, let's calm down. If you're this excited about meeting him, how will you be able to contain yourself when you meet Barry Allen?"
Derek breathed rhythmically, calming himself as he spoke in the next second.
"Status."
[Name: Derek Bond]
[Age: 19]
[Character Status: Extra]
[Villain Status: D-rank]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 5]
[Fables:
"The one who utilised the Holy Grail"(Mythical)]
[Story Points: 25]
[Stats (Human): (12 unallocated stat points)
Strength: 4 (F)
Speed: 3 (F)
Endurance: 2 (F-)
Intelligence: 7 (D-)
Charm: 3 (F)
[Abilities:
Authority (Lvl. MAX)
Description: As the Philosopher's Stone, the burdens and past uses have fallen onto you. You have the Authority to summon and banish Savitar as you please.
Super Speed Perception (Lvl. MAX)
Description: You can observe and comprehend things at superhuman speeds. However, though your eyes can move freely in this state, your body is still that of a human.]
[Skills:
Martial Arts Lvl. 2
Description: You have the skills, in all basic forms of Martial Arts, and experience of a Pro fighter]
[Items:
Eclipse Lvl. 1
Description: Once the suit of Savitar, it has adapted to fit your needs.
Abilities of Eclipse:
Adaptability (Can mould itself into any form you please, though to a limit.)]
Derek read this all, slowly as it seemed his Status screen had been updated quite a lot.
However, the more he did, the more he contorted his face in confusion.
'Fable…Charm…I'm pretty sure I'm missing something.'
With this thought, the dozen screens he'd ignored before bombarded his line of sight to the point where he squinted his eyes.
[You have completed the S-Rank Quest, "Survive". Rewards will be allocated accordingly, determined by how you overcame this challenge]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[You have earned 12 Story Points]
[You have earned 12 unallocated Stat Points]
[You have earned 10 Story Points for the completion of an S-rank Quest]
'Sweet.' Derek nodded in satisfaction, continuing.
[Now one with the Philosopher's Stone, you will access all its abilities]
[However, as you are now, your body would explode, unable to handle the sheer power]
[The Philosopher's Stone's power will slowly be absorbed by you as you grow stronger]
Derek tried to retort, annoyed that he still had to wait despite what he had gone through.
However, upon seeing his laughable Stats, he couldn't help but grumble in defeat/
'I guess the only ability I get is Authority. And something tells me if I use that without thinking it through, it'll be the last time I do.'
'Nope, I am not Megumi to even consider that dumb shit.'
[With the combined factors of dawning a mask to hide from the Flash and the hostility directed toward you while doing so, you have created a new persona]
[Though this persona has been dubbed a "Villain" it is one of a lower class]
[So much so that you could flip to the Title "Civilian" or even "Hero" from something so menial as helping an old lady cross the street]
[This title is so low your persona doesn't even warrant a Name]
'Alright, alright, I get it.'
[Despite this, you have attained 3 Story Points for fooling the Flash]
[New Stat Created!]
[Charm: Whether it be personality, looks or a way with words, with this stat, you have the potential to perfect yourself as a human]
'Ah, I see. Since I have the persona of a villain, that'll allow me to better my lies and keep the two lives separate.'
Derek understood that much. Especially since every lie he's told since coming to this world was ineffective and seen through.
However, what he didn't understand was why the stat was an F-rank.
'How am I an F-rank even with my rare Emerald Green Eyes.'
[That's the reason your stat isn't an F-]
A vein bulged on Derek's forehead as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Well, why am I still an extra?"
Though Derek did have an idea of this, he waited for the system to answer.
[Though your feats were exceptional, those who know about it are either not on this plane of existence, weren't in their right mind at the time or currently have bigger problems on their hand]
[Your feats have gone unnoticed, thus, you remain an Extra]
[In light of this, your very first quest, "Become Known", has been updated]
[Updated Quest Initiated: Spread the name of Derek Bond]
'Can you finish listing the results of my last quest before initiating a new one please?'
[Of course.]
There was only one more thing left, but it was what had Derek the most confused.
[You have acquired a new Fable]
[Fable: "The one who summoned the Holy Grail" (Mythical)]
[Effect of Fable: Locked]
'Huh…'
This did nothing but raise more questions than it answered, causing Derek to scratch his head.
"What's the Holy Grail?"
[The Holy Grail, like the Philosopher's Stone, is an Ancient Artifact]
'The Philosopher's Stone…'
Despite watching the show countless times, Derek still didn't understand the full capabilities and backstory of the Stone. No one did.
It wasn't because it was hard to understand or confusing, but simply because it was written into the story as a plot device to give reason to Savitar roaming free despite being trapped in the SpeedForce.
After Savitar escaped his prison, it was disposed of.
One could call it lazy writing, which it was, but it didn't change the fact that these were some of the things that posed the biggest danger to Derek.
'Plot Holes.'
As weak as he was now, his knowledge was his biggest advantage.
When that was taken away, he was little to nothing.
'But it seems this world filled in its own blanks.'
There was a backstory to the Stone Derek wasn't privy to. Therefore, he asked.
"What do they have to do with each other? Why did it suddenly appear to me?"
[The Holy Grail and Philosopher's Stone were made by the same person.]
[They naturally have a connection because of this. This was one of the main reasons you could access the Holy Grail]
Derek, still confused, asked again.
"Who made it? And what suddenly triggered this connection?"
[You are not yet authorised to know.]
"What? Why not?"
[You are not yet authorised to know.]
Derek simply exhaled as he looked up once again.
'Either way, this Holy Grail is responsible for this.'
[Attribute Collection Lvl. MAX]
[Description: You can copy the Attributes of characters. The grade of the Attribute will depend on how well you "understand" the character]
And for that, knowing the only reason he was alive was because of this, he was grateful.
'I believe that's all. Now, how the hell should I allocate these stat points?'