Chapter 3: Tutorial for the Classless.
Atkinson stood before a white void, its eternal depths knowing no bounds. It was eeriely quiet and unsettling.
He now wore a beige tunic hung loosely over his broad shoulders, and had brown leather pants and scuffed boots.
"(Where am I?)" Atkinson asked himself.
He reminisced on the past events, putting two and two together.
He said, "(Wait, am I in Aetherium?)"
Aetherium was the new VR game that his company had made and so far the best. So much so,it became a lifestyle of many people, spending their hours in the game. It was open world and only ran on one server, despite the billions of players that played.
"(If my hunch is correct and my memory serves me right, I should be facing a clone of myself.)" thought Atkinson.
Upon pondering those words , Atkinson found himself face-to-face with himself. A clone, identical in every way, stood before him, its eyes burning with an otherworldly intensity.
Atkinson's gaze locked onto the clone. "(Mirror Clone. That's the name of that thing.)"
"(It possesses the ability to Stat Swap, meaning that it can convert its largest attribute into something else. It also has adaptability, being able to increase it's attributes if their opponents is higher.)"
Atkinson was still in awe.
"(But how did I end up here?)" he inquired to himself.
"(Hmm.)"
Suddenly, the blue hologram popped up infront of him again.
[Status]
[Name: Atkinson Edwards.
Age: 27.
Level: 1 (0/100).
Class: None.
Job: None.
Titles: None.
Coins: 0.
Health Points: 100/100.
Mana Points: 100/100
Stamina Points: 340/340.]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 16.
Intelligence: 10.
Dexterity: 14.
Agility: 18.
Vitality: 10.
Unallocated Points: 0]
[Skills]
[Active Skills:
[None]
Passive Skills:
[Status Peek]
[Equipment]
[None]
[Items]
[None]
"(It's really like Aetherium.)" pondered Atkinson.
He then looked at the only skill he had in his arsenal.
"(Status Peek. It's a beginner skill for people that decide to be classless for a while. Just like how Mages get fireball and Swordmen get chop.)" Atkinson said in his head. "(It's just convenient. Any player can get this skill as it is extremely cheap on the market, only costing 2 coins.)"
Atkinson then gazed at back at the clone that was yet to move. The only thing it seems to do was stare into his soul.
[Level 1: Mirror Clone (Atkinson)]
"(It's name is white, meaning that it and me are on the same level.)" said Atkinson.
[Status Peak Has Been Activated]
[Name: Mirror Clone (Atkinson)
Grade: Wraith.
Health Points: 100/100.
Mana Points: 100/100
Stamina Points: 340/340.]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 16.
Intelligence: 10.
Dexterity: 14.
Agility: 18.
Vitality: 10.]
[Skills]
[Active Skills:
[Stat Swap]
Passive Skills:
[Adaption]
He began to approach the clone as he cracked his knuckles. "(The clone won't start to move until I hit, so I'll try to land a Fatal Strike.)"
A Fatal Strike is a mechanic in the game. If a Player head, heart or any other vital part of the body was dislocated, that would be a Fatal Strike. This being a one shot attack.
"(I'll go for the jaw!)" he yelled inwardly.
Atkinson charged forward, his fist clenched. Suddenly, the clone eyes glimmered.
"(Huh?)" Atkinson inquired.
It dodged Atkinson punch, and threw its own through the air with deadly precision. The blow landed with precision on Atkinson's stomach.
[-8 HP]
"Argh!" Atkinson grunted.
Atkinson staggered back.
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
Atkinson noticed the message that popped up.
"(It moved even though I didn't touch. Guess it works differently here.)" Atkinson said inwardly.
Atkinson realized that he had to move with haste and precision if he wanted to defeat this enemy.
He charged forward once again and tossed a jab. The clone dodged, but only to receive a low kick to the shin. Atkinson followed up with a deadly back kick.
[-8 HP]
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
"(What?)"
Atkinson turned around to realize that the clone had caught his back kick.
[Mirror Clone Agility Has Increased]
Atkinson pulled forth his leg and tossed a brazilian kick on the clones shoulder. After the attack, he retreated before the clone could get a hold of his foot.
[-8 HP]
"(How the hell did it's Agility increase? The mechanics work way different from how I planned them.)"
The rushed forward. It through a straight punch towards Atkinson. He placed up his guard, preparing to block. The punch landed.
[Critical Hit!]
"(What?!)"
When the clone landed the critical hit, his attack power spiked, sending Atkinson flying backwards into the white abyss.
[-24 HP]
The clone eyes flashed, and suddenly its strength soared to 20, but its Agility then reduced to 16.
[Mirror Clone Has Activated Stat Swap: Strength]
[-15 MP]
Atkinson was still flying in the air when he saw the clone sprinting towards him.
"(It became slower)" he noted.
He skid on the ground with his legs and right arm. Before the clone land a blow, Atkinson stepped on its foot. He then landed a uppercut and several right hooks to the face.
[-48 HP]
[Mirror Clone HP: 36/100]
[Atkinson HP: 68/100]
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
[Mirror Clone Strength Has Increased]
Atkinson retreated, but before he could, he was grabbing by the collar by the clone. The clone's newfound strength forced him to unleash it. He gathered all its energy in it right hand.
"(I need some space.)" Atkinson said without a hint of fear.
Just as the clone was about to land a hit, it was suddenly spiral in the air. When it released its energy for the powerful attack, Atkinson sweep its legs.
[-4 HP]
[Mirror Clone HP: 32/100]
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
[Mirror Clone Dexterity Has Increased]
[Mirror Clone Has Activated Stat Swap: Agility]
[-15 MP]
The clone suddenly shifted its center of gravity in mid-air and kneed Atkinson in the back of the head.
[Mirror Clone Has Activated Stat Swap: Strength]
[-15 MP]
[-10 HP]
[HP: 58/100]
It emphasize agility to get out of the sticky situation and then converted to strength to deal more damage to Atkinson.
Atkinson and the clone then landed blows on each other jaws, the two of them being but sent back.
[-10 HP]
[-6 HP]
"(Why does this feel like hell!?)" Atkinson yelled inwardly.
They then exchanged blows again, this time, it landed squarely on their faces. Blood spewed from their noses. This time, only the clone was sent flying back.
[-6 HP]
[-10 HP]
Atkinson said, "(This is my chance.)"
He a powerful flying knee to the clones face, after endlessly searching for openings to counterattack.
But the clone adapted, its agility rising to 25 to match his usage of it.
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
[Mirror Clone Agility Has Increased]
[Mirror Clone Has Activated Stat Swap: Agility]
[-15 MP]
The retaliated with a flying knee of its own, landing cleanly on Atkinson's nose.
[-10 HP]
[HP: 28/100]
"(Shit, I am about to lose.)"
Atkinson pulled back his fist and launched it into the clone gut. He then landed a another knee, this time it was on ground and it connected on the clones jaw.
[-16 HP]
[Mirror Clone HP: 4/100]
Atkinson grabbed the clone by the face was about to finish him but it then launched a elbow to Atkinson's chin.
[Mirror Clone Has Adapted To Your Attack]
[Mirror Clone Strength Has Increased To The Final Threshold Of 30]
[Mirror Clone Has Activated Stat Swap: Vitality]
[-15 MP]
[Mirror Clone HP: 24/100]
Atkinson pondered, "(This is good for me. If it doesn't want to die then it'll have to keep its Vitality the same and it Strength is now 10 due to the swap. However there is a chance that it just increase it Strength again. If that reaches 30, then that thing will be deal 22 damage.)"
Atkinson was also physical fatigue but his willpower and endurance was through the roof, so he went on.
[Stamina: 38/340]
[Status Peek Has Been Activated]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 10.
Intelligence: 10.
Dexterity: 16.
Agility: 22.
Vitality: 30.]
The clone dashed forward. Atkinson tossed a jab, but it dodged by front flipping in the air and landing a handstand on top of Atkinson's head. It then kneed him once again in the back of the head.
[-2 HP]
When Atkinson's head lowered because of the blow, it tossed another knee to the back of the head. This time more powerful.
[Critical Hit!]
[-6 HP]
[HP: 20/100]
Atkinson was now physical frustrated. His rage had finally surpassed a threshold that he couldn't contain in his thoughts.
"Damnit!" he yelled out loud.
He sprang up gripped the back of the clones head. He then slammed it in his own knee and followed with another knee.
[-22 HP]
[Mirror Clone HP: 2/100]
Atkinson then tossed the clone upwards. As it fell, he charged up his fist.
He shouted with rage. "Die!"
But his punch didn't land. Moreover, the clone landed a punch on him. The clone twisted itself in the air, and used it's knee to halt the progress of his punch. It then landed it's own, powerfully on Atkinson's face.
[Critical Hit!]
[-6 HP]
But that wasn't all. It dashed behind him and struck the back of his neck with a elbow.
[Critical Hit!]
[-6 HP]
Atkinson who was now staggering forward, pondered, "(This is insane. This thing has landed more then three critical hits in one battle. Right, now...)"
A little grin formed on Atkinson's face. The next second, it turned it a full on wide smile.
"(.. I'm excited!)"
[HP: 8/100]
"Argh!" Atkinson groaned in agony.
He fell to the white void invisible surface in pain.
[Stamina: 5/340]
"(God damnit.)" Atkinson cursed inwardly. "(I don't have anymore juice.)"
The clone slowly strided towards him. Atkinson was seemingly powerful now.
He was a mess. His face was filled bruises, cuts, blood and his nose seemed to be broken. Physical stress took over every still muscle in his body. To even move a inch would result in him feeling pain. But the clone was also battered, yet, it still was moving.
However, Atkinson's will was more greater than his fatigue.
He got up and swung a clumsy jab at the clone. It easily dodged. It then landed a solid uppercut in his chest and then a knee in abdomen.
[-4 HP]
[HP: 4/100]
Atkinson grit his teeth as he fell once more.
"(Am I going to lose.)"
The clone lifted it leg into the air, preparing the finishing blow with an axe kick.
[Mirror Clone HP: 2/100]
[Mirror Clone MP: 25/100]
[Mirror Clone Stamina: 205/320]
"(Nah.)"
Atkinson grabbed the clone and tossed it to the ground. He then began to pound in its face with all the remaining strength he had left in him.
Atkinson emerged victorious with a red, thick liquid covering his hands.
[You Killed x1 Mirror Clone, The Boss Monster!]
[You Have Gained x260 Experience Points!]
[You Have Leveled Up!]
[You Have Gained A New Skill!]
[Quest Completed!]
[Clear Condition: Kill 1 Clone (1/1)]
[Do You Accept Your Rewards?]
[Yes/No]
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Rewards.