Opening my eyes, I’m faced with a strange ceiling, and mixed feelings. So, it wasn’t a dream, huh? Even if it wasn’t really a dream, somewhere inside me, I had a sliver of hope that it would be.
“No point in overthinking this.”
I glance at my left, where a drawer was, and right above it, is my bag. I take it, open it, and see my notebook, my phone, and my laptop.
“I wonder. Maybe it has some utility?”
Grabbing my laptop, I start to wonder what to do with it. Selling would be a good thing, but also a no go. Maybe the people wouldn’t even know what to do with it. And it isn’t beautiful either. It wouldn’t fetch much anyway. Opening my laptop causes something to happen. A strange beam comes out of my left eye, and starts to absorb the laptop.
“AH!”
I couldn’t move. I tried to move my eye away from it, or just turn my head, but to no avail. It hurts! Once again, my left eye started to burn. And it wasn’t from the same pain as before, it was far worse. I could feel my entire body aching. This isn’t the same!
After a few seconds, the entire laptop was gone, and I fell on the bed, while panting heavily, and feeling a pulsating pain around my body. Then, something appeared in my field of vision once again.
► Attention! ◄
Sub-Skill {Data Generation} has Scanned the following thing: Laptop From Another World. Due to its characteristics, Future Skill [Techno-Magic Evolution] has been activated.
► Warning! ◄
The Current body doesn’t have the capability of enduring Evolution. Due to the user’s weak body, Skills and Sub-Skills were impossible to acquire.
Due to the Future Skill [Techno-Magic Evolution], Skill [Other World Archive] has been acquired.
Due to the Skill [Other World Archive] being acquired, the Class [Researcher] is now Lvl 3.
Due to the absorption of Laptop From Another World and acquisition of [Other World Archive], Sub-Skill {Scanner Vision} has been augmented with Sub-Skill {Heads-Up Display} (Unknown).
“Was… this supposed to be good? Ungh! I don’t think so. Shit… My head looks like it’s gonna explode. Wait, Heads-Up Display?”
And just as those words were out of my mouth, a display, like those of RPG games appeared on my field of vision.
On the left bottom corner, was a Red bar and on top of it, a blue one. In the middle bottom part of my field of vision, another bar, but light-green in color. It's zero. Is that a map? Right on the top right corner, was a map.
“O-kay. That’s… Cool I guess?”
My reaction wasn’t very ooh like, but it was because I was confused with the situation.
“Let’s recap. Oh, I can move again.” I couldn’t move a finger because of the pain before. “I tried to take a look at my laptop, and suddenly, my future skill -whatever- kicked in, without my consent, and absorbed the laptop. Causing my entire body to hurt. Check! Two new skills because of the laptop absorption. Check! And, what else? Oh yeah.”
I closed my left eye to check if this {Heads-Up Display} worked with my other eye, and sure enough, it works.
“In the first place, why did my eye start to hurt so much when I arrived in this world?”
Since I had this [Technomagic] Skill, it did have Sub-Skills. Focusing on the [Technomagic] skill explanation, the Sub-Skills appeared, together with their own explanation.
► Skill: Technomagic (0/100) ◄
Users can combine magic and technology in various ways and to various extents. Beginners can create and mimic technology via magic. Advanced users can infuse technology with magic, granting it considerable edge and versatility. True masters can fuse magic and technology entirely, retaining all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses.
► Sub-Skills of Technomagic ◄
Cyber Mind; Technology Generation; Technology Imitation
Cyber Mind Included Sub-Skills
Computer Interaction: The user is able to interface with computers and IT Networks, allowing them to download and gather information.
Electronic Communication: The user can perceive, understand, control and generate electronic, digital, and radio transmissions with/without accessing any standard source of communication, they can generate signals through one electronic device to another or be in essence, a living wireless HUB/Computer.
Hacking Intuition: The user knows instinctively how to hack through difficult mainframes of information and bypass intensively difficult levels of online security. The user can also hack systems of incredibly complex devices and weapons to aid them in various situations.
Mechanical Intuition: The user can intuitively understand the operation of any mechanical device and subconsciously/effortlessly create a schematic in their mind. Many users are able to make complex devices or weapons out of mere scrap and garbage.
Scanner Vision: The user can perform complex visual scans on their environment or creatures around them and determine their intimate properties or detect their presence. They can also diagnose the condition of what they observe and find inconsistencies or errors.
Heads-Up Display: Users can create or see a heads-up display containing information about the world around them, allowing them to perceive data without requiring the user to look away from their usual viewpoints. This includes the user's own and others health gauges, magic gauges, stamina gauges, power gauges, mini-maps, etc.
Technological Possession: Users can transcend the physical form and exist within technology(such as computers and robots). If one should possess this ability, they may be able to switch robotic avatars at will or be immortal so long as there is a technological host to control.
Technology Generation Included Sub-Skills
Data Generation: The user can create/generate various types of Data/Digital Energy. The user can surround themselves with data, so long as it has a source, or even produce a shock wave with said data, capable of destroying anything.
Mechanical Constructs; Technological Constructs; Technomagical Constructs: User can create various kinds of Mechanical/Technological/Technomagic Constructs: weapons, armors, structures, devices, drones, vehicles, robots, air-crafts, spacecrafts, and so on. They possess advanced knowledge and intuitive understanding of technology, being able to analyze and replicate any Mechanical/Technology/Technomagical device, improvise their own technology, and combine/hybridize various brands of technology for even more powerful constructs.
“‘Hey. You have a unique skill. So, how does it work?’ Oh, it’s cool. I just can build lots of things without any problem! LIKE HELL I CAN! What am I? A construction company?!”
I’m not discarding my skill, or anything of the sort. It’s just that this skill has a massive reach. I literally can transform this world into a cyberpunk. Or is it Steampunk? And then, there’s the other skill [Other World Archive].
“Excuse me?”
I wasn’t believing what I read in the description of the skill. After all, it wasn’t an archive with information or history of my original world. But rather, about all technology from it.
► Skill [Other World Archive] ◄
A Skill acquired after Scanning and Absorbing The Laptop From Another World.
This skill allows the user access to any kind of technology from another world. That means the user has schematics, blueprints, 3D Models, and all details to build any kind of technological construct from another world.
“Great. I’m a walking encyclopedia about things of my original world. Sigh... Wait. That basically makes me a target too.”
If things of my world would appear on this world, it could create problems. A lot of problems.
“Let’s just not think about it. What? Problems? What are you talking about?”
Getting my things and getting out of the inn was a big point right now, so I did exactly that. Go to hell trash food. Food is important, but if you're gonna make it, please, make it good. Don’t make food that tastes and has the same aspects of rubber.
----------------------------------------
Taking another stroll around the Rat District, I was searching for a Blacksmith. Why? Because you can’t be an adventurer without having a weapon.
“I’m rather surprised. They have guns in this world. Hunh.”
Looking around, I couldn’t hold my curiosity. There were shops selling guns. Pistols, Revolvers, Assault Rifles. It doesn’t have cannons, or rifles. What? Is it bad? All shops that were selling these guns, didn’t have the long range ones. Like a cannon, or a sniper rifle. I can only think of two reasons as to why.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Firstly, it isn’t Cost/Effective. Maybe making them isn’t easy, or it's very hard to get material. The second, being too ineffective of a weapon. And that was…
“They don’t use solid bullets.”
The guns had, in the place of the cylinder or clip, crystals. The Revolvers had a blue crystal on the place of the cylinder, while pistols had, believe it or not, transparent grips, as to show the people the crystals inside there.
“That is plain stupid. It could break easily. Unless they have a hard glass material.”
Just by looking around, there were a lot of shops, but no blacksmith to see. Since I was hungry and needed information, food stalls were my helping hand. I once again bought skewers, this time was Black Boar meat. What’s the difference between this and the other? They both taste the saaame, no. My god! This! Is! Marvelous!
The meat simply melted in my mouth, and the way it was made, although simple, blended nicely. It actually combines itself! Reminds me of the skewers on that trip with the orphanage. Huh?
“Hey, lad. You’re okay?”
The woman and her husband selling the skewers were looking surprised at me. Just then I noticed why. I was crying.
“What? Hehe. The food was the best! It’s been sometime I found meat like this! Thanks!”
“Uh… Sure.”
With that, I excused myself from the stall. What happened to me? Why’s that? I got some info with the man preparing the skewers. Apparently there’s a very good Blacksmith on some alley. He wasn’t the best of the best, but he was good enough in providing things, especially to newbie adventurers.
“For what the man said, it’s just around here.”
There was a section of the Rat District where Blacksmiths, Alchemists, and Clothing shops were located. They sold lots of things.
“He said that the name is awkward and makes you laaaaugh. I see.”
The name of the shop was basically: Blacksmiiiiith! What are you? A rock singer? Brushing that awkward name, I entered the shop, all while ignoring the stares of the people at me while I entered the shop.
Inside though, it was pretty neat. Everything was organized. Swords and spears to my left, with other kinds of weapons at my right. But of course, the ones at the back of the shop, behind the counter, were what got my attention.
“There’s a lot of variety.”
“Ya here to buy, or just take an eye?”
Right at the counter, a man, probably around mid forties, was glaring at me. He gave the vibe of a nice old man. Maybe a tsundere?
“To buy. A weapon for a newbie, please.”
“Ya sure? There’s better shops than mine.”
“Just give something to me, alright.”
“Pretty demanding, brat.”
Although his actions weren’t the best. He came off the counter, looked at me, grabbed my hands and looked at my face. Uhm, sorry. I don’t swing that side. Like noticing my face, he let go of my hands, and started looking at the wall of swords.
“Budget?”
“5 Silver.”
“I ain’t gonna sell something so cheap to ya.”
“Fine. 15.”
“Much better.”
He chose five swords. Three short swords, and two longswords.
“Ya gonna use a shield?”
“Nope. It’ll make me slower.”
“So, hit and run, basically, eh? How low.”
He then put one of the long swords back, and took another. He glanced at me again, and put the sword back. Would you please get this over with already?
“Choosing a sword ta someone that is an adventurer, it’s like making the choice of his life. So ya better be patient. Else I’m not gonna sell anything to ya.”
“Are you an esper?”
“Whatta hell is that supposed to be?”
He’s actually good at reading people’s emotions. He got on this sword, putting back the sword, for about 30 minutes. Just then, he grabbed a curved sword, with a black blade and a copper color hilt.
“This is da best. Don’t even think of choosing another.”
The sword was a saber. It looked like those used in the 18th century. Curved blade, one handed, not so long, yet not so short.
“It’s fairly light. But this is steel.” I looked at the man, and he was grinning.
“Ya have a good eye. Ya didn’t appraise did ya?” I shake my head. “Good. That blade is one silver up. Ya have it right?”
“Yeah, I do. Here.”
Taking the 16 silver coins, I put it on the counter. He looks at me and grins widely.
“Thanks for the Rasz chump!”
He gave me a scabbard too, which surprised me. Hm?
“The tip is double-edged.”
“Of course it is. Sabers need that thing to pierce.”
He said that as a matter of fact. The scabbard was brown, made out of leather on the outside.
“Oh, and remember to clear it from any blood. Else the blade will chip away. And it’ll cost extra to sharpen it.”
I kept looking around the shop just a little more. As if noticing my intention, the owner talked to me.
“If ya want any kind of clothes, here’s not the right place. Go to the Alchemist’s lair. I think it’ll be better.”
“Alchemist’s Lair?”
“A place for things that combine with your skill.”
“How did you know?”
“Experience. Ya ain’t a warrior. Nor a monk or fighter. Ya can fight like them, but an Alchemist is the best for ya. Less ya like to mix things up.”
Experience, huh? Don’t think so. Taking the sword with me, I got out, and set to the shop he mentioned.
----------------------------------------
The shop was a bit harder to find, since most of the shops had the Alchemist’s name on them. And for most people, Alchemists were all the same.
“Why do they think that way?”
The shop had a Mortar and pestle at the sign, making it easier to find. Opening the door, I’m instantly surprised by a strong scent. What is this? It smells like herbs, different from the cold air of the capital.
“Hello?”
“Comin’!”
While the owner or whatever said that, I took a look around the shop.
There was a large bookshelf on my left, while the right side of the shop had some robes, cloaks, and even some very nice looking clothes.
The clothes I was looking at were sets. It was a strange outfit to say the least. It doesn’t fit this kind of time.
“Oh, you liked it?”
While I was thinking about the outfit style, the owner was at the counter, grinning widely at me. She was a voluptuous woman with a strange witch outfit. She’s 320 years old. Yep. Let’s keep shut about it.
“Yeah. I don’t see much of it around.”
“Uhum. That was left at this shop around 300 years ago. The guy said that he was quitting the life of an adventurer, since he was more of a creator than an adventurer.” She breathed a sigh, and kept talking. “Unfortunately, though, no one can wear this set of clothes.”
“Why so?”
“Boy, if you have an appraisal which I’m sure you do, you’ll know.”
After she said that, I used my {Scanner Vision}. And sure enough, I understand why no one could use this outfit.
► Odyssey Set ◄
A set of Outfit made by a fine weaver. It is made out of Adamantite, Reglite and Mythril. It has a built-in system of mana absorption, and when dressed with the whole set and wearing the hood, it gives the Cloaking effect to the wearer, making him undetectable and invisible to any kind of magic.
The boots are enchanted with Flash Step, and the gloves are made out of monster leather. The left has plates made out of Wufril ore, having a High Heat conductivity, while the right one has plates made out of Krelium Ore, having a High Electricity conductivity.
The Overcoat was black outside, with the borders having a gold tint to it, and the inside was a golden red. There was a black Long Sleeve Shirt, and on the chest, was a Mythril plate.
The pants were also black, with a red stripe coming up from the legs. The boots were black at the foot, but there was a red plate at the calf, and they reached knee height. The gloves were the color of usual leather, but the left one had a Dark Red plate on it, while the right was a Grey-ish plate. This thing is out of place. But it’s utilities are insane. Cloaking, Fire and Electricity conductivity, as well as Flash Step. Wow. Just wow.
“Wait. You can read the things on it?”
Oops. Forgot that she was here. “Hm? Is that a problem?”
“I can’t read a thing that is in that description. Tell me! Please! I need to sell this outfit as fast as I can!”
She came off from the counter, and started to shake me furiously. I made her stop, but I was a bit wobbly because of her. After the effect passed, I explained to her the functions of the outfit. She was very happy, with a giant grin on her face at the beginning, but as I kept explaining, there was no sign of her happiness anymore.
“Aw. That’s a shame. And has a nice name on it too. I wonder what is made out of? It must be made of very expensive materials to do that.”
“It is made out of some ores I have never heard before. There’s Adamantite, Reglite, Mythril, Wufril and Krelium metals on it. Uhm, lady?”
When I looked back at the woman, she was slack jawed. I waved my hand in front of her face, but to no avail. Did she break?
“Uh… Lady? Is anybody home?”
“Ah! I-I’m sorry. It’s just that… this piece of equipment is… Too expensive. No one would be able to buy it, let alone use it.”
“Well, if I had the money, I would buy it, though.” Not because of the effects, but because of the ores. Especially the ones that I don’t know what they are. But I can feel something from it. “But I don’t have the money at the moment.”
“I see. Hmmm…”
She put a hand on her chin, and started to walk back to the counter. Sitting down, she stared at the distance, like looking for something. Maybe she wants to find a utility to it? Hm? And she stared right at me, and I felt a strange sensation. Come to think of it, at the Blacksmith I felt it too.
“Oh sorry. I just appraised you. My, you have an Unknown unique skill. But for some reason, my Intuition is making me want to sell this to you. That unique skill of yours might make full use of this entire outfit.”
She glanced between the Odyssey Outfit and me. And as if reaching a conclusion, she grinned and spoke.
“Very well! How about it boy? Reach at least Level 10, and D-rank, and I’ll sell this thing for you at 1 gold coin!”
“Problem.”
“Hm? Already? Oh, wait.” She appraises me again. “Ah, I see. You have a Level cap, right?” I nod. “Okay. So, I’ll put in 75 Gold Coins. It’s the best I can do for you.”
“What would the price be?” I asked, with my left eye twitching.
“For the capabilities the entire outfit has, together with Adamantite, Mythril and these 3 other ores? Exactly 2 Platinum and 75 Gold.”
If I had water in my mouth right now, I would be spilling it. 2 Platinum and 75 Gold?! When I was reading at the library, a normal person can survive, per day, with 5 Silver. Making the math in my mind…
“That would be 27'500 silver coins.”
“You’re fast at math.”
27500 Silver coins. A farmer working everyday inside of the city walls gains only 5 silver. In a month, he would win 150. In a year, 1800.For him to reach 27500, he would need 184 months. 15 years and 4 months of working. And if it was outside of the city walls, it would need 62 months, exactly 5 years and 2 months.
“You made the calculations right? For what I can see, you’re a newbie. If you risk yourself, you might get a lot of money, but you might die as well, so it’s not worth… too… much. You’re grinning.”
“Eh?” I touch my face, and sure enough, I’m really grinning.
“Oh no. A battle junkie.”
Ignoring her remark, I stare at the Outfit. I can feel a bit of technology on it. Is it worth trying to try and get it? Of course it is. And I can still have some fun while doing it.
“75 gold coins. I need to complete at least 1500 quests with 5 silver as rewards, or, cut as half of it to 10 silver. Or I can cut even more.”
“You forgot about the costs of equipment and anything related to that.”
“Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me.”
“Did you seriously forget?! It’s your life that we’re talking about!”
“Hahaha!”
“Being an adventurer is no joke. If you don't take things seriously, your life will be the price.”
“Yeah, but if you don’t search for a good challenge, you're never gonna climb the ladder.”
I look at her while grinning, and she just looks away. See? Even you agree with my opinion. With that as a bookmark for myself, an objective for the future, I buy a few things.
Clothes that don’t waste my speed, but still give me good protection. Gloves with transmutation circles, since I want to make my things in the future, without relying on others. And also because no one would understand whatever I ask them to do.
“Oh, and can you do something with this sword?”
I received a total of 80 Silver coins from that shady emperor. I spent more than 50 just today, and that’s just my first day in this other world. I only have 25 silver coins left. How much doing something on this sword will cost?
“This sword doesn’t need anything. You can cut lots of things with it. Just be careful to not cut yourself.”
I nod, and walk away from the shop. My next stop? The Adventurer's Guild.