Shinji Matou POV
[Ding! A Quest has been made survive the horde of goblins and rats that have formed a temporary alliance in order to take you down]
[Objective: Survive Until All Enemies are Dead]
[Rewards: 4,000 EXP and 7 Stat Points]
[Failure: Get Torn Apart by the Monsters]
"So you've all formed an alliance aye?" I muttered with a malicious gleam in my eyes "well that's to be expected what can a bunch of weaklings do against me Shinji Matou!" I roared charging at them with both swords in hand.
[BGM: Bye, Bye, Bye (NSYNC)]
Huh this was actually kind of a catchy song I Shinji Matou approve of this music!
[Sprinting LV2 Activated!]
The closest goblin barely had time to react before my Mana Blade carved through its chest, glowing with raw magical energy. A burst of blue light exploded from the impact, launching its broken corpse into the horde.
[Critical Hit! – 120 DMG][Goblin (LV6) Defeated!]
The horde screeched in fury. The rats leapt forward, their yellowed fangs gleaming in the dim light. I twisted my body, dodging one mid-air before slashing my Iron Short Sword downward in a single, decisive motion.
[Rat (LV4) Defeated!]
Another rat lunged at my exposed side.
[TIME ALTER: SINGLE ACCEL]
The world slowed to a crawl I sidestepped the attack in an instant appearing behind the rat before burying my blade into its spine.
I exhaled sharply as the strain of returning back to normal time caused my heart to skip a few beats.
The goblins seeing a slight hesitation tried to attack but I activated the Presence Concealment skill dimming my presence just enough to disrupt their aim.
Their attacks fell just inches off-target giving me ample time to counter.
I shifted my stance my body moved instinctively.
[BREAKING DANCE LV1 ACTIVATED!]
I spun low to the ground, sweeping the legs out from under a goblin before flipping back up and delivering a brutal axe kick to another's head. Bones cracked beneath my heel.
[Double Kill!]
A goblin behind me shrieked, raising a rusty dagger but before it could strike, I ducked under its arm and rammed my knee into its gut it folded in half gasping for air.
[Martial Arts has increased by a Level!]
[Martial Arts LV2]
This felt good....to crush those who were weaker than me their superior.
[Madness Enhancement LV2 Activated!]
A wicked grin stretched across my face as I plunged my blade into another goblin's throat, reveling in the crimson spray.
[Critical Hit!][Goblin (LV5) Defeated!]
The remaining goblins hesitated fear flickered in their beady eyes.
Good they should be afraid because I wasn't done.
I pivoted, summoning my Kyudo Bow from my Inventory Gate.
[Kyudo Archery LV36 Activated!]
I loosed three arrows in quick succession each one found its mark striking a goblin in the chest, throat, and eye.
[Triple Kill!]
[Kyudo Archery has increased by a Level!]
[Kyudo Archery LV37]
The system chimed in my head but I barely registered it.
My world had shrunk to the sight of the dead monsters, blood being tossed in the air, and their pained screams.
I was winning like I should have been from the start! Not Sakura or Tohsaka!
[BGM HAS BEEN PAUSED]
Suddenly the ground trembled as the remaining monsters suddenly merging into something else.
A giant monster resembling the troll I fought the first time around appeared but it the only difference was that the skin was browner in color and it had a horn, tusks, and sharp finger nails.
[WARNING! The Monsters Have All Fused To Take Down The User]
[Quest Parameters and Objectives Changing...]
[Defeat the Earth-Tusk Troll!]
[Reward: 15 Stat Points, High Quality Potions Set, x2 Mana Replenishing Potions, x2 Full Healing Potions, Dungeon Mystery Key Rank C Fuyuki Park]
[Faliure: DEATH]
I froze upon seeing the monster's stats, level, and skills with my observation skill.
[Boss Level: 25]
[Name: Earth Troll]
[HP: 5,500][STR: 50][AGI: 20][DEF: 65][VIT: 75][Skills: Regeneration (Advanced), Earth Manipulation, Berserker Mode, Pain Resistance]
I took a step back.
Then another.
Then another.
The monstrous troll exhaled heavily, its breath carrying the rancid stench of death and decay. Its massive hands flexed claws scraping against the stone producing a sound that sent ice-cold shivers down my spine.
I clenched my fists. No—No, this isn't—!
"This isn't fair!" I screamed my voice cracking in panic.
I wasn't supposed to be in this situation! I was winning! I was supposed to be the one crushing my enemies, reveling in my strength.
Not—not this!
My breath came in ragged gasps.
My hands trembled as my weapons suddenly felt too heavy.
Then everything went white.
Memories played before me all of them.
The sneering face of Zouken Matou his thin withered lips curling into a derisive smirk.
"You are nothing, boy just a pathetic, talentless waste trying to play pretend hahaha,"
Sakura the one who took everything from me, my replacement.
That stupid, stupid girl who was gifted everything I was denied power and the crest.
"Why was it you?!"
"Why wasn't it me?!"
Then Byakuya Matou my father a washed-up drunkard who barely acknowledged my existence, drowning himself in alcohol and failure.
"You'll never amount to anything, Shinji," his slurred words echoed in my head "so why bother trying?"
My mother who I never even had the chance to know.
Zouken made sure of that but I knew that he had killed her she was nothing but a forgotten casualty in his grand design.
And then—
Tohsaka!
The perfect and untouchable Tohsaka Rin.
She had everything talent, magic, a life of admiration she had never suffered never had to scrape and claw for recognition like I had.
"Why is it always you?"
"Why do you get to be the chosen one?"
I gritted my teeth my nails dug into my palms and then, finally—
Him.
Emiya That bastard Emiya Shirou.
That self-righteous insufferable prick who secretly kept looking down on me like I was nothing, who chose Sakura over our friendship.
"You think you're better than me, don't you?!"
"You're just a fraud!"
"You're nothing without your hero act!"
My nails dug into my palms no...no! I refused to accept that.
The air around me suddenly felt heavy suffocating the desert winds howled—wait desert?
I looked around my mind snapping back into focus.
The dungeon was gone.
I stood in an endless wasteland a land of steel and ash swords of all shapes and sizes lay embedded in the scorched earth stretching endlessly toward the twilight sky. The wind howled not like air but like heavy metal that kept trying to sweep me away.
A familiar figure stood a few distances away from me walking forward despite the heavy wind.
His back was turned to me but I knew who it was.
Emiya.
His white and black gym jacket billowed in the relentless storm step by step he advanced through the wasteland, unwavering, untouchable.
Then he stopped.
Ever so slowly he turned his head to the side just enough for me to see his face.
His amber eyes burned with an intensity I had never seen before.
He looked at me, as if staring into my very soul.
"Can you keep up with me?" he questioned.
My breath hitched and my body froze because I knew the answer.
I knew I couldn't, I wasn't like him, I wasn't strong.
I was—No. No, no, NO!
I refuse to accept that! I refuse to be left behind!
The wind howled, pushing against me like a tidal wave of steel but I pushed forward.
My legs moved on their own I started running, then sprinting, and before long I was tearing through the wasteland like my life depended on it.
"It's not about whether I can keep up with you, bastard!" I shouted my voice raw my body burning with effort.
The weight of the storm crushed down on me but I kept pushing forward.
"It's whether or not you can keep up with me!"
The wind roared in protest slamming into me like an unrelenting force trying to crush me but I kept running. The ground blurred beneath me, the storm howling in my ears I saw his back getting closer and closer.
I reached out my fingers almost brushed against his jacket and then I was back in the dungeon in front of the Earth Troll boss.
The Earth troll let out a monstrous roar its voice shaking the very walls of the dungeon. The cavern trembled beneath its weight as it charged, each step sending cracks spiderwebbing across the stone floor.
[BGM RESUMES-NEW SONG UNLOCKED! – Dark Aria by Hiroyuki Sawano.]
The grip on the mana blade mystic code tightened.
I didn't flinch.
I didn't step back.
I moved forward.
[Sprinting LV2 Activated!]
[Sprinting LV2 Leveled Up! Sprinting LV3]
[Survival Instinct LV 2 Activated!]
My body exploded into motion my feet barely touching the ground as I rushed toward the towering beast. The weight of the storm from before still burned inside me fueling my every step pushing me faster harder, stronger.
This bastard thought it could intimidate me?
No more.
With a fierce snarl, I threw my Iron Short Sword straight at its eye.
The blade whistled through the air, aimed for the monster's ugly face—
CLANG!
The troll swiped it out of the air with unnatural reflexes sending my sword clattering uselessly across the cavern.
"Tch!" I clicked my tongue but I didn't stop.
I couldn't stop.
I gripped the Mana Blade in both hands my breath coming in short bursts as I focused everything I had into my next move.
[Reinforcement LV1 Activated!]
Mana surged through my veins, raw and unstable my awakened circuits were still below average only capable of handling even this low-level spell. My body screamed in protest, my nerves felt like they were being set on fire but I forced it to work.
I had to make it work.
The power surged into my muscles making my grip tighten, my legs feel lighter, my whole body move with unnatural sharpness.
The pain was unbearable, but I grit my teeth and endured it because the weak died while the strongest survived!
I pushed forward.
The troll swung its massive arm trying to crush me like bug.
[Time Alter Magecraft LV1 Activated!]
[DOUBLE ACCEL!] I used the double accel despite the palpatation and preassure it would put on my heart
The world slowed.
The troll's arm was moving, but now it felt sluggish in my eyes like it was wading through thick molasses.
I ducked under its massive swipe pivoted on my heel and launched myself upward
[Break Dance LV1 Activated! Leveled Up! Break Dance LV2]
Using the momentum from my spin, I twisted my body mid-air slamming my foot into the side of the troll's head with everything I had "TAKE THIS YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!"
[Critical Hit! – 150 DMG]
The impact made the troll stumble not enough though not even close to enough.
As I landed my circuits screamed but I ignored the pain I raised my left hand fingers twitching.
I knew it wouldn't work I knew my magic circuits were basically dogshit but I didn't care.
I forced the mana into my hand gathering it as best as I could even as my vision blurred from the effort.
[Spell Activation Attempt Detected…]
[Mana Bullet Spell Skill Obtained! LV1] -User gathers mana from the circuit shaping the energy at the tip of their finger before shooting it like a bullet]
[Mana Bullet (Unstable) Initiated]
A small glowing blue orb of magical energy flickered at the tip of my finger it sputtered barely stable but I didn't hesitate.
I shot it straight at the troll's chest the spell barely connecting before it detonated.
[Partial Hit – 30 DMG]
My circuits burned even worse blood dripped from my nose.
[Stasis Attained! Burnt Circuits]
I staggered my head spinning but I clenched my jaw and forced myself to stay standing.
The troll roared in fury shaking off the minor damage like it was nothing but I wasn't done not yet.
Using [Sigurd's Glasses] I could now see the troll's weak points its joints were thick but not invulnerable. Its horn had a core of magic probably amplifying its powers, its stomach right beneath its ribcage was less reinforced than the rest of its body.
There I had an opening.
I sprinted forward getting another level up notification for it but I ignored it.
The troll roared, raising both arms to crush me.
Too slow.
I twisted my body at the last second sliding between the monster's legs dragging my Mana Blade across its inner thigh as I moved.
[Severed Tendon! – 250 DMG]
The beast howled stumbling as one of its legs nearly buckled.
Good keep going.
I turned sharply raising my free hand once more.
I didn't have enough mana left for another spell my circuits were burned out even trying would probably kill me.
I still had one option though something that didn't rely on my own worthless circuits.
I reached into my Inventory Gate, and pulled out the [Azoth Dagger] which connected towards my mana reserves directly instead of my circuits.
[Rune Craft Basics LV1 Activated!]
I carved the rune ᚦ Thurisaz into the ground beneath the troll.
The rune flared to life just as the monster stepped on it.
[Basic Lightning Rune Activated!]
Electricity surged up its leg, forcing a pained snarl from the massive beast.
[Shock Damage! – 180 DMG]
It worked!
I let out a breathless, almost crazed laugh unfortunately the troll snapped its head toward me, its eyes burning with rage.
It moved fast.
I raised my sword just in time—
BOOM!
Its claw slammed into me sending me flying like a ragdoll.
I crashed into the cavern wall with a sickening crunch, pain exploding through my entire body.
[Bloodlust LV1 Activated]
[Severe Damage Taken! – HP: 9/112]
I could feel tears flowing down my cheeks from the sheer pain alone I channeled as much mana I could muster through the [Azoth Dagger] and threw it at the troll's chest.
The [Azoth Dagger] whistled through the air, a streak of glowing blue light. The moment it embedded itself into the Earth-Tusk Troll's thick hide the overloaded mana erupted in a violent explosion.
A deafening BOOM echoed through the cavern, sending a shockwave rippling outward.
[Azoth Dagger Overload Activated!][Critical Hit! – 500 DMG][Status Effect Inflicted: Mana Disruption (30s)]
The troll let out a guttural roar, staggering backward as blue arcs of unstable energy danced across its body. Its Earth Manipulation ability faltered jagged stones it had been preparing to launch crumbled uselessly to the ground.
I gasped, barely able to stay conscious. My HP was dangerously low every breath felt like fire in my lungs, my ribs screamed in protest, and blood dripped from my temple, blurring my vision.
[Burnt Circuits Status: 3 minutes remaining. Mana regeneration disabled.]
[Minor Regeneration Activated!]
[HP: 25/112]
I could feel the wound on my temple head seal up stopping the blood flow.
Thank God I managed to threshold break my vitality when I did but I needed a plan and fast otherwise that thing will kill me.
The [Glasses of Sigurd] was still revealing the troll's weak points the horn core that was my best shot. It pulsed with a faint magical glow, likely the source of its enhanced Earth Manipulation abilities.
I tightened my grip on the Mana Blade, my body was broken, my circuits were fried but I wasn't out of the fight yet.
I took a deep breath and forced my body to move.
[Sprinting LV3 Activated!]
I pushed through the pain, my legs burning as I zigzagged between the troll's attacks. Its massive hands slammed down, barely missing me as I closed the distance.
[Time Alter Magecraft LV1 Activated!]
[DOUBLE ACCEL]
[Time Alter Magecraft Leveled Up!]
[Time Alter Magecraft LV2]
Time slowed.
My heartbeat echoed in my ears.
I kicked off the ground leaping onto the troll's arm my shoes barely found purchase on its rough hide as I sprinted up its forearm using its own massive size against it.
The troll roared in fury, trying to shake me off, but I remained undeterred and climbed higher.
The horn core pulsed just ahead almost there.
I raised the Mana Blade channeling the last dregs of my mana into it.
[Reinforcement LV1 Activated! Leveled Up!]
[Reinforcement LV2]
[Below Quality Magic Circuit Leveled Up!]
[Magic Circuits LV 3 Average Quality]
[Sword Combat Leveled Up! Sword Combat LV5]
[Bloodlust Leveled Up! Bloodlust LV2]
The blade vibrated in my hands crackling with unstable energy.
I reached the troll's head and let out a furious battle cry.
"JUST DIEEEEEEEE ALREADY!!!!!"
With all the strength I could muster, I plunged the Mana Blade straight into the core of its horn.
The cavern exploded with light.
[CRITICAL HIT!]
[Earth-Tusk Troll (LV25) Defeated!]
[EXP Gained: 12,000]
[Rewards Obtained! Automatically Sent to Inventory Gate!]
[10 Stat Points, High Quality Potions Set, x2 Mana Replenishing Potions, x2 Full Healing Potions, Dungeon Mystery Key Rank C Fuyuki Park]
[Titles Gained! Goblin Slayer! Troll Conqueror! Rat Exterminator!]
[x5 LEVEL UP!]
[Threshold Breaker - Strength LV2!]: Reaching Strength 10 has unlocked a minor physical reinforcement. Your muscle efficiency improves slightly increasing raw power output and reducing stamina drain for physical exertion +10 to STR.
- [Threshold Breaker - Intelligence LV2]: Cognitive efficiency improves slightly, increasing focus and reducing mental fatigue during intense thought or magic use. +10 to INT
-[Threshold Breaker-Agility LV2!]: Your agility has reached a new threshold. Your movements are now swifter and more fluid, allowing you to react with heightened precision (+10 Agility).
-[Threshold Breaker-Wisdom LV2!]: Your wisdom has reached a new threshold. You gain enhanced strategic awareness, allowing you to anticipate enemy movements and make better decisions in the heat of battle. (+10 WIS)
-[Threshold Breaker-Vitality LV2!]: Your Vitality has reached a new threshold, You have now been granted a Passive Regeneration Skill (+10 VIT).
-[Threshold Breaker-LUC LV2!]: Your LUC has reached a new threshold granting you a boost in your chance to land critical hits, discover hidden items, and trigger favorable outcomes in random events. (+5 LUC).
Name: Shinji Matou
Title: Mad Berserker [Effect: Increases combat effectiveness when HP is below 50%]
Petty Instigator [Effect +10 success towards provoking, manipulating, or disrupting enemies]
Level: 10
XP Bar: 800/3000
HP: 132/132
STR: 11 + 5 + 10 (Threshold breaker-STR LV1) = 26
AGI: 10 + 5 + 10 (threshold breaker-AGI LV1) = 25
VIT: 10 + 5 + 10(threshold breaker-VIT LV1) = 25
INT: 21 + 5 + 10(threshold breaker-INT LV2)= 36
WIS: 10 + 5 + 10 (threshold breaker-LUC LV1) = 25
LUC: 10 + 5 + 10 (threshold breaker-LUC LV1) = 25
Stat Points: 15
The troll's body convulsed violently, its massive frame seizing up before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash. Dust and debris filled the cavern, choking the air.
I tumbled off the troll's corpse landing hard on my back my entire body was screaming in agony while my limbs refusing to move.
But… I did it I won.
I let out a breathless delirious laugh before dropping my head into unconsciousness.
-end of chapter four-
Shinji's New Look Once He wakes up tomorrow will be his Stage #2 Self please look at chapter one for reference.
Well that was sure something....I am really hoping I am getting Shinji's character down so far let me know your thoughts so far!
Character Sheet:
Name: Shinji Matou
Title: Mad Berserker [Effect: Increases combat effectiveness when HP is below 50%], Petty Instigator [Effect +10 success towards provoking, manipulating, or disrupting enemies], Goblin Slayer [+5 Effectiveness in Damage Towards Goblins], Rat Exterminator [+5 Effectiveness in Damage Towards Rat Monster], Troll Conqueror [+20 Effectiveness in Damage Towards Trolls]
Level: 10
XP Bar: 800/3000
HP: 130/130
STR: 11 + 5 + 10 (Threshold breaker-STR LV1) = 26
AGI: 10 + 5+ 10 (threshold breaker-AGI LV1) = 25
VIT: 10 + 5+ 10(threshold breaker-VIT LV1) = 25
INT: 21 + 5 + 10(threshold breaker-INT LV2)= 36
WIS: 10 + 5 + 10 (threshold breaker-LUC LV1) = 25
LUC: 10 + 5 + 10 (threshold breaker-LUC LV1) = 25
Stat Points: 15
[Skill List/Abilities]:
- Observe [Automatic MAX]
-Sword Combat LV5
-Martial Arts LV 2- The art of fighting with one's fist or body
-Psychological Warfare LV 1 - the ability to manipulate emotions, provoke reactions, and control social dynamics to gain an advantage. Increases effectiveness of intimidation, persuasion, and deception checks when targeting emotional vulnerabilities.]
-Presence Concealment LV1 - Reduces noise and presence detection when sneaking. (Boost: +5% to Stealth and Perception while undetected)
-Bloodlust LV1: The more damage inflicted, the stronger the user becomes temporarily (Current Boost: +5% Strength)]
-Time Alter Magecraft LV2
-Reinforcement LV3 – Enhances physical objects or the user's body by temporarily strengthening their structure. Higher levels reduce mana cost and risk of backlash.
-Structural Analysis LV1 – Grants insight into the composition and function of objects. Higher levels increase detail,efficiency, history, and blueprints.
-Beginner's Magecraft Theory MAX (Due to prior reading of the book this skill has been Maxed)– Provides complete fundamental understanding of spellcasting and magical theory.
-Magic Crest Theory LV MAX (Due to prior reading of the book this skill has been Maxed)– Grants complete knowledge of how Magic Crests function, their structure, and their hereditary nature.
-Rune Craft Basics LV1– Understanding of Nordic runes and their magical applications.
-Familiar Craft LV1 – Allows for the binding and creation of familiars.
-Bounded Field Basics LV1 – Grants understanding into basic fields and how to deploy them.
-Eastern Mysticism and Spiritualism (Lv1) – Grants insight into the spiritual practices and supernatural arts of the East.
-Madness Enhancement LV2
-Sprinting LV4 - Enhances running speed and stamina consumption. (Boost: +20% running speed)
-Killing Intent LV1- The user excludes pure killing intention and having it affect their opponent and others around them up to the point of paralysing them with fear (Currently Enemies at LV 1 to 10 will be super effective by this)
-Survival Instinct LV 2 - When in life-threatening situations, reaction speed and awareness slightly increase. (Boost: +2% to Agilitywhen activated)
-Strategic Planning LV 10 - The art of planning things through various stages in order to your objective
-Kyudo Archery LV 37 - The art of shooting with a long bow and arrow through various meditative steps.
-Breaking Dancing LV1- Is an energetic form of street dance it incorporates stylized footwork, acrobatic moves, and athletic spins such as back spins or head spins
-Average Quality Magic Circuits LV 3 (10 circuits)]
-Mana Bullet Spell LV1-User gathers mana from their circuits= pipe shaping the energy at the tip of their finger before shooting it like a bullet]
Inventory Gate/Equpment: [Hidden Blades Mystic Code: Capable of Concealing Itself in Invisible Air] [Mystic Code: Mana Blade: A Nameless Mystic Code that can use the mana from the air to perform attacks],[Glasses of Sigurd], [Steel Fang Gauntlets],[Troll's Blood (Rare)], [Cracked Troll Fang (Uncommon)], [Troll Hide Scrap (Common)], [Troll Club (Common)], [9x Gold Coins], [81 Silver Coins] [Goblin Club], [+22 Leather Jacket],[Kyudo Archery Bow], and [Common Arrows]
[Automatically Retrieved Back Into Inventory Gate! Short Iron Sword Damaged].
Perks:
- [Threshold Breaker - Strength LV2]; Reaching Strength 10 has unlocked a minor physical reinforcement. Your muscle efficiency improves slightly increasing raw power output and reducing stamina drain for physical exertion +10 to STR.
-[Threshold Breaker-Agility LV2]: Your agility has reached a new threshold. Your movements are now swifter and more fluid, allowing you to react with heightened precision (+10 Agility).
-[Threshold Breaker-Wisdom LV3]: Your wisdom has reached a new threshold. You gain enhanced strategic awareness, allowing you to anticipate enemy movements and make better decisions in the heat of battle. (+15 WIS)
-[Threshold Breaker-Vitality LV2]: Your Vitality has reached a new threshold, You have now been granted a Minor Passive Regeneration Skill (+5 VIT).
-[Threshold Breaker-LUC LV2]: Your LUC has reached a new threshold granting you a boost in your chance to land critical hits, discover hidden items, and trigger favorable outcomes in random events. (+10 LUC).