It's a beautiful day outside, flowers are blooming, birds are singing... On days like these, you wouldn't expect a system in your face.
That's right. There's a literal system, or so it calls itself, floating right in front of my face. You may be wondering: How did it get there? Well, to answer your question, I apparently died, and it randomly appeared after that.
[Hello Player! I'm your personal system! You died recently, and since you were such a nice person in your past life, God gifted me to you! Isn't that great!]
"I'm not sure on how I should feel about that... where even am I?" As I'm speaking to the system, I realize something. "How am I so calm also?"
I'm in a bedroom currently, sitting on what I'm assuming is a king-sized bed. It has a white blanket on it with black pillows. It's really comfortable, if I do say so myself.
To the left of me, there's a window, letting me view the outside world. I must be in an apartment of sorts, because I'm pretty high in the air. To the right of me, there's a small closet and a nightstand with a lamp on it.
In front of me, there's a big TV. There's a bookshelf beside the TV, filled with all sorts of books
[To answer your first question, welcome to Highschool DxD! For your second question, just look at the screen. It should display an ability I gave you.]
Gamers Mind (Passive) (Lv. Max)
- This ability makes the holder calm in most situations.
"Highschool DxD? I swear I've heard that before..." I try to recall my memories of... wait a second... "Wait... do you mean that one perverted anime? Please don't say you mean that..."
[Bingo! Right on the dot! And don't worry, it's not always about... "fanservice"]
"Out of everything... you chose that?"
[Hey, I'm not the one who chose it. Blame God.]
"Is God a pervert or something?" I ask, somewhat annoyed at what I'm hearing.
[I guess so. But anyways, lets next take a look at your stats! Also, you have a new name now, not your past one.]
Name: Fuguri Reiji
Title(s): None
Race: Human
Sacred Gear: None
Level: 1 (0/100)
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Strength: 5
Speed: 5
Durability: 5
Intelligence: 5
Charm: 5
Stat Points: 0
(Durability x 20 = HP, Intelligence x 20 = MP)
"So, I'm guessing that there's dungeons, and I get stronger by completing them?"
[Correct! I'm going to give you a starter pack, then I'll explain dungeons.]
Starter Pack Received!
You got:
+ 40 Stat Points
+ New Ability: Observation
I did not expect the system to give me a starter gift, but I am not complaining at all. I'm first going to relocate these stat points, and I have a feeling I should put 10 each in durability, speed, strength, and intelligence. Durability and intelligence should be something I focus on, since that's what improves my HP and MP.
I already have a good idea on what observation can do, but I'll check anyway. I could always use some extra info.
Observation (Passive) (Level. Max)
- Lets you observe the level of any monster or person, no matter how strong they are.
[Alright, dungeons. Let's make the explanation quick. Dungeons basically can make you stronger. Each monster you defeat will give you experience, and every time you level up, you will get 2 stat points. There will be a boss after you progress through the dungeon enough, and when you defeat the boss, it can either give you a new ability or item. To get out of a dungeon, just say "dungeon exit", and you will return back to the place you originally were when you went into the dungeon. Keep in mind you can't exit the dungeon when fighting a boss. I'll display the available dungeons below.]
[Beginner Dungeon] - [Level Range: 1-5]
"So, what do I do to start the dungeon?" I ask, my voice full of confusion.
[Just close your eyes and think of entering the dungeon. It'll take care of the rest!]
I can't help but stare at the system in front of me, the entire situation still making zero sense. But I do as it says and close my eyes.
When I open my eyes, I'm not in my bedroom anymore.
[Welcome to your first dungeon, Player! I'll leave the rest to you!]
I look at my surroundings, but all I see is the outline of rocks and a path ahead. It feels too quiet in here, and I have a feeling that something is watching me.
Then, I hear it.
Crawling.
And it's coming closer.
Ahead of me, something small lunges at me, a spider-like creature with six eyes and eight legs. It screeches at me and tries to attack onto me with its legs.
"Seriously? I'm fighting a spider?" I grumble and take step back to dodge the attack. I decide to use observation, to see what I'm actually dealing with.
[Observation]
Giant Cave Spider
Level: 2
Difficulty: Extremely Easy
"At least it's not too tough," I mutter to myself. Time to test out how strong I really am. The spider lunges at me once more.
The weird calmness the system gave me is still there. I'd probably be freaking out, but I'm standing here, not screaming.
I sidestep the creature's lunges, and it barely misses my arm. My heart's pounding, but my movements are coordinated. I guess that's thanks to the Gamers Mind ability. I've never been as focused as I am before.
"Alright, let's see what I got." I pull out every ounce of strength I have and throw a punch straight at the spider's head.
It's not dead, but it's injured, having trouble keeping balance.
I don't wait for it to regain balance as I dash towards the spider, and punch it once more, with more force this time from the momentum I have. My punch connects with the spider, killing it.
"Well, that was easy."
[Congratulations! You've defeated your first monster!]
[Level Up!]
[Acquired Item: Posion Sac]
I blink at the screen. "A poison sac? What do I even do with that?"
[It can be used in crafting potions or other things! You can check your inventory by saying "Inventory."]
I glance down at my hands. "Alright, let's just keep moving."
The dungeon is eerie, the air thick and tense. My senses are on the max, and each stone creak or slight scratching sound triggers them.
[The next monsters are near.]
Then I see it.
Two glowing red eyes, shining from the path ahead. It's larger than the spider. Much larger.
Rock Gargoyle
Level: 4
Difficulty: Moderate
I use [Observation] just so I can learn more about the monster. A gargoyle. Wonderful.
It consists of broken rock and these massive club-like wings that would destroy anything and all things they would hit.
"Time to make these stat points worth it," I tell myself.
I scan over my stats briefly. I put my two stat points into strength and focus back onto the monster.
I cannot help but suspect that the system reads minds, but as it is not able to respond, I take it as good news.
The gargoyle swings at me, its agility taking me by surprise. I jump sideways out of its way by mere inches. My heart is pounding. It's faster, faster than I expected, but I don't panic.
I observe the gargoyle more intently now, watching how it shifts its weight before attacking. It's a pattern. I can avoid it more easily and even strike back, assuming I can learn when it does.
I expect its next strike before it arrives: the slash of its claws through the flesh of my torso. I step around this one, rolling to the side and jumping up onto its feet. The gargoyle seems to be running out of patience, its own growl growing louder as it moves around me, looking for the next opening.
My body is not accustomed to this movement as yet, but I'm sticking at it regardless. With every stroke, I'm one step closer to understanding its rhythm.
Suddenly, the gargoyle makes a quick lunge toward me, attempting to push me back down to the floor. I dodge beneath it, having clenched my fist, and strike as hard as I can, landing good hit right on its stomach.
It cries out in pain and staggers backwards. I don't give it the opportunity. I rush at it, landing another hit to the head and another kick to the ribs.
It tripped. It's hurt. And then I recall I am doing it. I'm really fighting the monster. The realization of the situation sets in, but the serenity the system offered never does. I don't get scared. I become focused.
Summoning all of the last strength that I possess, I strike at the gargoyle, leaping up and thrusting the blow right between its eyes. I strike and I shatter the stone, and the monster falls, dead.
Level Up!
[Acquired Item: Gargoyle Stone Shard]
I stand there, panting slightly, looking at the shattered pieces of the gargoyle. The sliver of stone that remains in my grasp hums with energy. I glance at my stats quickly again: I'm now level 3.
[You're progressing quickly, I'm surprised.]
"Thanks, I guess," I reply indifferently, eyeing the rock.
Ahead, the path seems to branch off into an even larger chamber. I sense that I am being watched, and I can't help but get the feeling that something very important is going to happen.
And the earth shakes again. A roar echoes through the cavern, shaking the walls. The distant obscurity seems to ripple and from it I sense something large advancing on me.
[Boss incoming!]
My heart skips a beat. There's no turning back at this point, and I know I can't lose.
-----
Authors Note: This is the end of Chapter 1! Here are the stats of Reiji so far below:
Name: Fuguri Reiji
Title(s): None
Race: Human
Sacred Gear: None
Level: 3 (60/200)
HP: 340/340
MP: 340/340
Strength: 19
Speed: 17
Durability: 17
Intelligence: 17
Charm: 7
Stat Points: 2
(Durability x 20 = HP, Intelligence x 20 = MP)
I'm expecting the next chapter to come out between April 4th and April 6th.