Arise
"Good luck Damien"
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POV Damien
'Damn it, what happened? How did I get here? All I can remember is talking to someone and now I'm here. Suddenly waking up in the forest without anything but some rags I don't even want to call clothes, guess I can tick that off my bucket list. I swear if I got blackout drunk and this is the consequence I won't touch alcohol for the rest of my life, and I won't talk to any old men either. He probably robbed me of everything I had, he even took my clothes.'
'Hold on, he didn't drug and r*pe me did he? Oh god now I can't even get married.'
'Now that I think about it what happened before he said those words? Come on Damien you can do this, all you have to do is remember, even children can manage that.'
Suddenly I get a massive headache, feels like my head and even my brain is trying to tear itself apart. Clutching my head all I can do to relieve the pain is scream
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH F*CKING F*CK, IT HURTS SO FUCKING MUCH."
After 5 minutes that felt like hours the pain goes away and I lay on the ground in a fetal position panting and crying.
'Why me? What did I do to deserve this? I can't even remember if I did something wrong'
I stay there on the ground shivering whenever the wind blows over me, waiting for another round of torture that never comes. It's only after 15 more minutes do I attempt to stand up, supporting myself on a tree. I look around my surroundings since if someone was sick enough to put someone through that kind of pain they probably want to watch me suffer as well. But alas, all I can see around me are trees and more trees, no sadistic old man that rob innocent young men and torture them in the forest.
'Guess he just left me here knowing I would go through this, guess my only option now is to find my way back. But back to where? I can't even remember where I live, but for some fucked up reason I remember reading a ton of novels and fanfics.'
*sigh* "Me and my damn priorities"
Then suddenly I hear a masculine and robotic voice
-Oh, it seems you finally calmed down-
I jump away from the tree and turn around looking for the source of the voice, but can't see anyone.
"Who said that? Where are you?"
I feel my heart pounding in my chest, scared of going through more pain.
-Ok first, calm down I'm not here to hurt you-
-secondly, I'm not even close to you. I'm literally speaking to your mind-
"Don't tell me to calm down! You f*cking drugged me and tortured me after you dropped me in the woods! Don't act like this is a normal thing"
-Haha! Well you'd be surprised how normal this actually is but I will admit that you are panicking much more than the others-
"Other?! Oh my god I'm gonna f*cking die to a serial killer that can kill me with his mind"
-note to self, jokes are a bad idea, you know what why don't I just show you something you're familiar with-
Suddenly a slightly translucent blue box appears in front of me with some words.
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[Status]
[Training]
[Crafting]
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"What is this? Status? Training? Crafting? Did you put me in a VR game? But then why did I feel so much pain? And how can I feel the wind and feel the texture of the trees?"
-Will you let me explain now?-
"Now that I know I'm just in a VR game it's alright. Why didn't you just start off with that?"
-You little shit, you know what now I'm just going to explain it fast and then you can figure it out yourself later-
-I'll start off by telling you that all of this was your own choice, even the removal of memories that could hinder you in you new life-
"Hold on, new life?"
-I'm getting to it relax. Basic summary is you died, my boss wanted some entertainment, you got the offer to life a new life, you took said offer, my boss gave you some wishes to spice up you future story and you asked for a bunch of stuff including the removal of your memories-
"Why would I ever want to remove my memories? This makes no sense"
-Well in your own words you said that you'd miss your old life too much so you wanted the ones that could make you miss your old world removed-
"Well shit, probably would have done the same so I guess I can believe that. But this doesn't explain anything about this game interface I can see."
-Is that seriously what you want to ask now? Not "How did I die?", "Where am I?" or "Why am I suddenly sixteen again?"-
"Huh, didn't know I was sixteen, now that you mention it I don't even know how old I was before I died. Well doesn't really matter, what I do want to know however is how this screen works"
-Alright, I guess a little bit of variation among you guys isn't too bad. You know what i like you after all so i'll explain a bit more-
-I'll start from the basics, first of all you don't have to actually say anything aloud all you need to do really is talk with your thoughts kinda-
'You mean like this?'
-Yes exactly like that, now if you say "Menu" it should disappear. Just remember to say it as a form of command or an order rather than a normal word it should work-
'Menu'
So I attempted to command the screen to disappear and as I said that command, or rather thought it, the screen disappeared and I could make it reappear with same command.
'oh wow, neat. Now I won't seem like a crazy person having to say it aloud everytime'
-Yeah there are some really rude reincarnators that don't have that function, it's hilarious to see them word out every single thing in their system. Now look at your system or screen as you called it and I'll start explaining-
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[Status:]
Name: Damien
Age: 16 years
Condition: Healthy
Level: 1 (0/100%)
Title: None
Affiliation: None
Class: Shadow Monarch
HP: 80/80
MP: 120/120
[Stats:]
Strength: 2
Perception: 3
Agility: 4
Endurance: 3 (+1)
Vitality: 4
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 4
Luck: 9
[Skills:]
Passive: Black Heart lvl 0, Language comprehension lvl MAX
Active: Shadow extraction lvl 1, Shadow save lvl 1
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-This is basically an overview of your body and mind, when you learn something new it will show up as a new skill only with lvl 0 until you have achieved enough mastery over it to achieve lvl 1. Additionally if you ever wonder what each stat improves the status screen includes an explanation-
'Makes sense, so I can check that later then since I assume you won't always be here, but what happened with my Endurance stat? What's up with the parentheses?'
-Thanks for your concern and no I won't be here after I've explained the functions to you. Now about the parentheses, it's to make it easier to see changes, it displays what's changed since the last time you checked your status-
'Ok that's pretty handy, does that mean I have 4 endurance? And how did I get that one point?'
-No it has already been added, and you got that from experiencing the pain of system integration-
'Ok I think I understand it now, but what is training and crafting?'
-Training is a sort of quest system where you get a daily workout and once completed grants you 1 stat point that you can freely distribute. This is limited to only once per day, but you can increase the intensity later for more stat points, you won't be able to handle the load right now so don't even think about it.-
'Well there goes that plan, but is it possible for me to increase my stats through working out? Like strength training?'
-Yes but you will realize that it gets harder and harder, eventually you will probably reach a level where you won't see any significant results.-
'Ok atleast I can do that now at the start and save points until I reach the threshold'
-Enough about that I believe you're smart enough to figure out how it works. When it comes to crafting on the other hand it gets a little bit complicated. This function allows you to craft almost everything from items to even skills-
'Hold on I can craft skills? Isn't that a little bit broken?'
-Yes and no, the ability itself is too good to be honest but you got a restriction. You can basically change a ratio in the menu where some of your experience gained will transfer there, through this you get points that you wanted to name skill points.-
'So if I understand it correctly I can create weapons from those points? That makes no sense'
-That's because it doesn't work that way, for physical objects you need materials like wood, leather, metals and such. But you can use the points to grant skills and enchantments to the equipment-
'Oh okay that makes much more sense, but I think I'll leave that for later as right now I need all the experience for myself to survive. Anything else I need to know?'
-I'm finished with the explanation but if you have any more questions nows the time, I won't return after this-
'Well then I guess this is farewell, thank you for your time'
-Alright then I'm off. And from the boss, "Arise Damien, and grasp your destiny"-
After those words nothing happened, I just stood there wondering if anything was going to happen but after a few seconds I abandoned that thought. Then it hit me, something really essential that I forgot to ask.
'Not gonna lie that last bit was kinda cringe. Ahh f*ck I forgot to ask where I was! Well better start walking somewhere then'
Since i had no idea where i was or which direction the nearest civilization was i could only rely on my luck. I balanced the stick vertically on the ground, and left it to whatever gods exist to decide where i would go. As i let go of the stick it fell and pointed straight ahead.
'That way then i guess, just hope this world has normal physics. Judging by the sun on my left i assume that way is east, i guess i'm heading south.'
Excited to explore a new world i begin my journey bringing the stick with me. Considering i didn't ask that guy anything about this world i might as well just bring it for a little protection.
I don't know how long this little walkabout of mine is gonna take, but i should be able to scout my surroundings easier if i get out of the forest. Need to find some freshwater and food or else this little adventure will quickly reach it's end.
After what felt like an hour i reached a large river, and could finally have a drink of water. There isn't any way for me to purify this without the proper tools so i just have to gamble that it is drinkable. I tried to look at my own reflection in the water, but the river is moving too much to see anything clearly.
'The smartest thing to do now is probably follow along the river, might stumble upon a town or city along the way.'
A few hours later i finally reach a clearing, but it seems i'm not the only one. Hidden behind some bushes and trees i look out to the clearing, in the middle there was a small lake. But that isn't why i'm hiding, no that would be the creatures fighting next to it. What i see is a group of 8 small and green creatures attempting to surround a small pack of 4 wolves, i say attempt because from what i can see the wolves are outnumbered 2:1, but the wolves look stronger individually so they might come out victorious here. While inspecting i squint my eyes, and unconciously focus my mana into them. All i feel is a slightly warm sensation on my eyes before i get a message.
[-5 MP]
[Skill created through continuous effort: Inspect]
'What? I thought i needed to use skill points to create skills. Ahh nevermind i'm just stupid, that guy literally said i can get skills this way'
[Inspect lvl 0]
[Allows the user to identify what his eyes are observing]
'Well that was a really short description, guess it gets longer as the skill progresses. Might as well take this chance to train it a bit'
I try to do exactly what i was doing before, squinting my eyes and staring at the two groups fighting. Only problem is i just look like an idiot sitting in the bush squinting my eyes, no warm sensation over mye eyes and no new message. Not achieving anything i stop trying and continue observing the fight.
Over at the lake the fight has escalated with losses on both sider, the small and greeb humanoids seem to be wielding stone weapons and wearing a nasty looking loincloth. The weapons seem to be basic spears with a stone tip and daggers made of stone. They have managed to eliminate 2 of the wolves while only losing 3 of their own members, one of the humanoids can be seen with a big wound on it's arm pumping out black blood.
Suddenly one of the wolves lunge at the wounded humanoid, biting over the uninjured arm which it used to wield a dagger. After a loud shriek it's followed by a howl as two other humanoids took advantage of the wolf hanging onto the humanoids arm and stabbed with their spears.
'They seem intelligent consideribg they have placed spear wielders on each side of the dagger wielders, but the opening they left to the wolves will probably cost them'
As i finished that thought all hell broke loose, the wolves seeing their own get stabbed by the humanoids got into a frenzy. Lunging at the nearest target using their claws, jaws and even body slamming their opponents.
'Now that i think about it the green guys kinda look like those goblins from that manga i remember, guess i'll call them goblins now. But they look kinda weak, can't understand how they survive with those small numbers'
As i continue observing i thought about what my guide told me about using my system commands. 'Alright let's try this, Inspect'
The warm sensation returns to my eyes and suddenly i can see something.
[Skill: Inspect has reached lvl 1]
[Goblin lvl 2]
[Condition: Healthy]
[Goblin lvl 3]
[Condition: Wounded]
[Goblin lvl 2]
[Condition: Healthy]
[Goblin lvl 2]
[Condition: Wounded]
[Goblin lvl 1]
[Condition: Gravely wounded]
'Well i can't say i'm not dissapointed by the lack of information but i guess this isn't too bad for a lvl 1 skill. It looks like this might end in a draw og victory for the goblins'
I continue observing the battlefield as the wolves put up a valiant effort to eliminate the goblins, but the advantage in numbers seems to be a hurdle they can't overcome. As the last wolf collapses and succumbs to it's wounds the remaining Goblin falls to it's knees in utter exhaustion.
'I have to take advantage of this, if i can manage to grab one of the spears or daggers that lay spread out on the field and take out the goblin i can reap the benefits of both the exp and the meat from the wolves.'
I slowly stand up from my position, and attempt to sneak over to the closest weapon which is a dagger 15m from the last goblin. I manage to get the dagger unnoticed thanks to the loud breathing of the exhausted goblin, but now i arrived at a predicament.
'I have no clue how to wield this thing, all i can do is some stabs and maybe some slices. He has a dagger as well so atleast it's safer than if he was wielding a spear. Before i do anything i better do a quick check on his condition, Inspect'
[Goblin lvl 3]
[Status: Gravely wounded, exhausted, dying]
'Oh well ain't that convenient, i could probably just throw a rock and get the last hit but i have to temper myself if i am to live in this world'
I slowly approach the goblin who is now laying on the ground unmoving, if i didn't inspect it i would have assumed it to be dead. It makes no movement other than it's chest as i approach, but when i stand 2m from it and prepare myself to launch the sneak attack it suddenly snaps it head in my direction.
'F*ck gotta do it now.' I lunge at the goblin, raising the dagger above my head to stab downward into it's chest. The goblin widens it's eyes when it sees med going for the attack and rolls out of the way, but because of it's injuries i manage to cut it on it's back.
The goblin slowly pushes itself off the ground, i do the same and get into a stance i remember from a movie called The Raid. Having observed the goblins battle for a while i know they don't have any technique, and only flail the weapons around on pure instinct. I also noticed they have a tendency to rush their enemies and go for a stab first, i assume the goblin is faster than me since it's 2 levels higher but the wounds it has sustained seems to be evening the playing field.
I wait for it to rush, ready to attempt a sidestep and stab when it does. I can feel my heart pounding, i feel so nervous and scared that it feels almost like it's choking me. 'Why did i have to take this risk? I could've just gone around the clearing and i would have been safe. No Damien this is necessary, i need to adapt.
Suddenly the goblin lunges towards me, and becaus of my fear i reacted a little too late, and barely managed to dodge a vital injury to my heart. Instead the stone knife pierced my shoulder.
[-20 HP]
"F*cking hell that hurts! You f*cking bastard, i'll kill you" Feeling the knife go through my shoulder i felt the pain assault my body, but along with the pain i also felt the adrenaline and rage.
I got so mad i didn't care about the injury but rather only thought about hurting the goblin just as much. Before it could pull the dagger back i thrust my own forward, not caring where it hit as long as the goblin felt the same pain. But alas my reaction speed is no match for a goblin 2 levels higher, but while thrusting i trip over one of the spears falling in the direction the goblin was dodging. I try to catch my fall realizing a mistake here would cost me my life, that reaction led to me moving both hands to my front and falling over the small goblin.
*thud**Exhale* That's all i heard before i pushed myself off the goblin, looking down i can see that i dropped my dagger. I begin frantically looking for it or another weapon when i suddenly stop.
[Goblin lvl 3 slain]
[100% EXP gained]
[Level up!]
I turn my gaze towards the goblin and there i see where my dagger ended up, buried deep in the chest of the goblin. I inspect it just to be sure and nothing shows up, assuring me that the creature is dead.
I slump to my knees and suddenly i feel refreshed and stronger, i look to my shoulder to see that my wound has healed completely. There isn't even a scar, the only indication of having been wounded is the hole in my shirt and the blood surrounding it.
[Disease resistance lvl 1 aquired]
'Huh, where did that come from? Wait they didn't coat their weapons with anything i hope.'
I grab the dagger from the goblins handa and inspect it.
[Skill: Inspect has reached lvl 2]
[Stone dagger]
[Quality: Normal]
[Durability: 67%]
[Attack: 2]
[Contaminated]
[Dagger used previously by goblins and coated with their feces to infect targets with disease]
I freeze and drop the dagger, that dagger was in my should, inside my body, i just got goblin feces in my body. I suddenly vomit at the thought of actually getting a disease from this.
'Better check my own condition before i do anything else, need to treat it if i suddenly got infected with the shit disease. Menu, Status'
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[Status:]
Name: Damien
Age: 16 years
Condition: Healthy
Level: 2 (0/100%)
Title: None
Affiliation: None
Class: Shadow Monarch
HP: 100/100
MP: 140/140
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'Thank god nothings wrong with me, the level up must have restored me to peak condition. Now i guess it's time to check my loot' Thinking that i slowly stand up and look over the battlefield.
[Targets for shadow extraction found: 12]
'Huh? oh right i had this skill, if i remember correctly all i have to is think the command. Arise' Nothing happened, no shadow soldiers ready to aid me, no messages from the system.
"Damn guess i actually have to say this one, Arise" Saying that i start to see the shadows of the fallen moving before 6 of them return to the ground.
[Detected 6 targets exceeding the user's current level, unable to extract shadow]
[Shadow soldier: Goblin lvl 1 aquired]
[Shadow soldier: Goblin lvl 2 aquired]
[Shadow soldier: Goblin lvl 2 aquired]
[Shadow soldier: Goblin lvl 2 aquired]
[Shadow soldier: Wolf lvl 2 aquired]
[Shadow soldier: Wolf lvl 2 aquired]
Suddenly i can see 6 shadows approaching me before they kneel in front of me, they don't say anything but i can feel that they are greeting their king. Or should i say Monarch.