Making a Friend - Rishi’s Innate Skill
Alex, after exchanging contact information with the self-proclaimed seer, finally returns to his private room in the Fantasy Realm, genuinely confused!
He can't help but marvel at his new status and newfound riches. Just a few days ago, he wondered how he would ever manage to earn 100,000 FC, and now, he is hilariously close already! To get a clearer picture of his current stats, he includes the boosts from his current equipment. His "Spirit of Pluto" armor set enhances his HP by 50, increases his STR, AGI, and SNS by 1 each, and the set bonus boosts both his CHA and SPR by 5. Additionally, Alex gains 30 extra MP from his cherished [Sealion's Might] ring.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 2
HP: 158/158, MP: 138/138
STR: 9 (+1), AGI: 9 (+1), PHY: 9, SNS: 9 (+1), CHA: 9 (+5), MNA: 9, INT: 9 SPR: 9 (+5), LUK: 9
Available Stat Points: 1
Innate Skills: Genius Conjurer lvl 2, Statistical OCD lvl MAX
Free Skill Slots: 0/2, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8
Basic skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 2, Basic Footwork lvl 2, Basic Endurance lvl 2, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 2, Basic Eloquence lvl 2, Basic Concentration lvl 2, Basic Meditation lvl 2, Basic Mana Control lvl 2
Passive Skills: Pistol Proficiency lvl 2, Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 2
Active Skills: Annihilation Grenade lvl 2, Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2
Fantasy Coins: 75500 Soul Crystals: Small x3
Current Weapons: Mr. 5's Revolver (Deep Blue), Sword of Pluto (Deep Blue) Barbed Dagger (Light Green)
Current Equipment: Commander Shepard's Dog Tag (Deep Blue), Sealion's Might (Deep Blue), Shield of Pluto (Deep Blue), Armor of Pluto (Blue), Visor of Pluto (Blue), Cuisses of Pluto (Blue), Gauntlets of Pluto (Blue), Sabatons of Pluto (Blue)
Miscellaneous Items: Navalia Wolf Jerky x3 (Gray), Potion x3 (White), Antidote (White), Jack's Spare Silvery Mask (Light Green), Plant Essence x3 (Green), Frost Essence (Green)
Special Items: Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-line) (Blue), Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-line) (Purple), Pluto's Ceremonial Blessing (Deep Purple), Baroque Works Invitation (Purple)
He debates whether to spend some of that FC or save it for much-needed skill upgrades, and, of course, his long-term goal that will take some time to achieve: [Pluto's Ceremonial Blessing], which requires a whole 15 SPR. Even if he continues to achieve S ranks and earns 2 stat points per level, it would still take him three full worlds, and he seriously doubts he can maintain that trend. His performance in the world of Final Fantasy 9 was a special case, he essentially had a whole world to himself, allowed to join the main characters in the early part of the game, and given complete freedom to solve every problem.
Alex sleeps soundly, happy with his fortune, but still curious about Rishi, his strange new acquaintance.
Over the next few days, Alex slowly gets to know Rishi, chatting about the Fantasy Realm, their favorite fictional worlds, and other casual topics, not focusing on just "Fantasy Realm" business.
Occasionally, Alex visits the Realm, especially the Trading Hub, dressed in his mask, red suit, and wig. Surprisingly, one day he bumps into Rishi, who winks at him and whispers, "Nice outfit. It could use some improvement, though. You should add a few accessories to give it some unique symbols and make it more recognizable. I'll send you some links later today."
Later that day, Alex freaks out in his small apartment when he receives messages from Rishi through the system. Rishi sends him links to various jewelry and designer items to enhance his outfit.
"How the hell did he see through my disguise? Also is he dumb, it takes so much time to type out these links, wait that is not important right now! If he can do it, can others do the same?" Alex worries and decides to ask the culprit directly how he managed to figure him out.
"How did you find out?" Alex sends him a straightforward message.
"Didn't I already tell you that I can see your aura? You can disguise yourself all you want, and I admit that's a smart move, but your aura doesn't change over a few days. Don't worry. Let's meet up tomorrow, and I'll give you some reassurance."
"What the hell does he mean by that?" Alex wonders.
The next day, they meet up in the Realm, and Rishi hands him a contract. The contract is essentially a one-sided agreement, stating that Rishi will never expose, threaten, or even mention Alex to anyone else. The contract spans a few pages and states that Rishi won't take any action that could even be remotely construed as negative towards Alex, nor has he done so in the past. He isn't asking for anything in return. It's as one-sided as it gets. 1337 repeatedly assures Alex that there are no hidden traps or overlooked clauses.
"I don't get it... why? You essentially have me in a vulnerable position. I've already made enemies with my fake identity. Why are you offering a contract that will permanently stop you from doing anything against me? Even if I were to kill your family, this contract would forbid you from speaking badly about me!"
"You would never do that, my friend, so it's not a scenario I even want to consider."
Alex signs the contract, which is essentially just an acknowledgment for him and doesn't bind him in any way. "You're a weird guy. I don't get why you're focusing on me. There are plenty of other people out there, some of them part of larger guilds."
Rishi repeats, "My innate skill has never been wrong. I trust it, and therefore, I trust you. Why not take a look for yourself?"
Innate Skill: Aura Divination
Type: Boon
Level: 2
Effect: Allows you to read the aura of other people, deciphering their emotions, destiny, and unique characteristics. It also enables you to gain information about your own destiny if it is linked to the person whose aura you are reading. Upgrading this skill improves the quality and quantity of information you can obtain.
Upgrade Cost: 1 Soul Crystal and 2,000 FC + 1,000 FC per level.
Overall Rating: S
"1337! Is that information true, or can he fake it? It's the highest-ranked innate skill I've ever seen!" Alex asks his personal system.
[Host can be sure that this is his true ability. This is a sharing function directly from the system. The system cannot be used to create fake abilities and deceive other players.]
"I'm impressed, and I believe you, but I still don't understand why you're so open with me. You even used that contract to make yourself unable to harm me, not even indirectly, since you included a clause that forces you to warn me if you know anything bad is going to happen to me."
"Alex, it's purely out of self-interest, as I've already told you. Now you can trust me completely and not fear any kind of threat from me, since I've closed every possible loophole."
"..." Alex is stumped. He doesn't get this guy. What Rishi says is 100% true, but why go that far? What exactly did his innate skill reveal?
"Just one question," Alex asks, his expression serious. "What did your skill show you that made you willing to go this far? Remember, you can't use lies to dodge questions. Of course, you can refuse to answer, but you can't lie outright."
"Hehe, now you're asking the right questions. Well, I saw dozens of things, not all of them clear. One of them included a vision of us entering a high-level world together. I was even able to determine that world's level... it was level 20. Don't ask me how I know, but I just do. So, I'm 100% certain that as long as I stick with you, even if you go on most missions alone, our paths will eventually lead us into that world. Surviving until level 20 isn't something just anyone can do, so I've decided to put my trust in you. As far as I know, level 20 is considered near the endgame for most guilds."
"Won't telling me about this change the outcome?" Alex asks.
"I have no idea. These visions I get... they're vague and subjective. If we become overconfident, we could still die before it ever happens, and the vision will never come true. But just seeing that possibility is enough for me to stick with you. I also saw us entering the next world together, and your aura tells me I can trust you, whether we make it to the end or not. I've chosen to trust in my ability and, by extension, in you. Even if you end up betraying me someday, I won't blame anyone but myself, though I don't think that will happen. You're not the type to do that."
"There's one thing I can assure you, my friend: It's going to be a bloody good ride!" Rishi smiles and extends his hand, and Alex, with a smile of his own, shakes it firmly, feeling like he got closer to Rishi already.
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Link - www.pat reon.com/FRWriter (No space after pat)
Planning to offer up to 10 early chapters starting next week - already prewritten 3 more chapters that will me uploaded later today.