Still reeling from the fall Eli dismisses acknowledging the weird floating text in favor of regaining his faculties, employing his nonchalant attitude “Alright well, things could be worse, my hearts still ticking after all" Shrugging stiffly, Eli steadily brushes bits and pieces of rubble of his jacket and legs and begins warily standing. Looking up most of the ceiling of the building had collapsed inwards but hardly any light was penetrating the room “Where the fuck are we, this can't be real”. A singular ray of light pierces the room showing a spectacle of dancing dust particles throughout the air casting a hazy glow lighting up the destruction of his once peaceful lecture hall, almost admiring the sight Eli slowly looks around toward the edges of the cavern the room was swallowed in, jagged black rocks surround the walls of the almost 20ft drop they fell making it impossible to scramble back to the exit up above, After slowly scanning the perimeter of the room Eli spots something, allowing for the grim truth to reveal itself.
A large tunnel almost 4 meters in height puncturing into the hard rock walls loomed over the surroundings, splinting off in different directions after a couple meters in, realization washed over Eli as he knew this wasn't the same lecture theatre he grew to love. The walls of the entrance were much the same as the surroundings, thick and jagged with what looked like dark granite like stone, moist to the touch with small patches of moss like greenery growing along the sides, definitely cave like in nature. Stood in shock Eli mutters to himself "This can't of been under here this entire time, there's no way!" shaking his head to get rid of the residual grogginess from the fall he glances over his shoulder surveying the destruction of the room he loved. With a twinge of sadness he looks back at the entrance, before using both hands to clap his cheeks to wake himself up before saying resoundingly "What's done is done, it doesn’t matter I've just got to find a way out of here”
Turing around and observing from afar Eli makes out figures shrouded by the dust and dim light, he makes out around 6 of them which is a far cry from the 2-dozen students gathered previously. “Well, now I’m sure where all the blood came from, poor bastards” Eli solemnly mutters glancing at the ground. Disembodied students lay scattered around the room as much of the debris had fallen into the middle of the theater where most of the students had chosen to listen to today lecture. seeing such a sight for the first time in his life one thought came to mind that Eli was slightly shameful of “Well, better you than me” Eli remarks with a dark and gloomy expression plastered on his face. Whilst he never made friends with any of his class mates he certainly didn't wish death upon them and this wasn't a pleasant way of going out!
Taking momentary respite from the madness that has just occurred, Eli takes the time to go over the weird box that formed in his sight the moment he awoke in this god-forsaken hole, feeling a tug on the back of his mind Eli tries to focus on the pull trying to bring it forth like a fish from the sea and then suddenly a screen pops into existence right in front of his face. Looking like something off a RPG, Eli knew what it was “Did I hit my head on the way down, there’s no way this is real!” checking his head for any lumps or blood from any open wounds and then looking at his hands to see them just caked in dust and dirt but no blood he finds his answer, attributing it to his hardy physique. “Ha" Eli Scoffs "At least I’ve got one thing going for me” with a fox like smirk he starts to go over his stats.
Name: Eli Kaiser Level: 1 Age:22 Strength: 12 Luck: 15 HP: 150/200 Endurance: 12 Mental Fortitude: 20 Stamina: 50/120 Constitution: 10 Resistance: 10 Mana: 50/50 Dexterity:6 HP regen: 10 per hour Current Pathway: Perception:8 Mana regen: 5 per hour Affliction: N/A Wisdom:5 Stamina regen: 24 per hour Innate class: ? Intelligence:5 EXP: 0/50 Chosen Class: ?
Tapping a finger on his chin in contemplation whilst perusing the screen Eli ponders “Hmmmm doesn’t look too bad not that I have anything to go on, my health took a bit of a hit though" Grimacing whilst feeling his bruised ribs, looking back at where he fell a couple more meters left and it would of been game over as a large roof rafter lays cracked over a rock like a broken egg, bringing his mind back from what could of been he snaps his focus back to reality "Ha should be fine" he says giving himself false reassurance "I just need a comparison to see if my stats are high or not, this still doesn't feel real”.
The low moans of survivors that had regained consciousness suddenly turn to screams as they realize the situation that they're in, Eli taking it somewhat better then most. Hazy figures shrouded in darkness lurk in the dust that cloaks a large portion of the room still, they seem to have all gathered in a singular spot close to the center of the room near the rubble, upon closer inspection it seems to be survivors. Panic stricken they cry and sob as any normal human would, but Eli wasn’t normal in any sense of the word. Getting closer, the woman Eli had argued earlier seemed to be sat on the floor with tears in her eyes, she was wearing a knee length black skirt matched with a red cardigan and white blouse looking rather professional for a Monday morning lecture, her braided hair and glasses now thick with dirt and grime giving her a disheveled look "Seems she survived then huh" Eli says with slight surprise, feeling slightly sorry for the survivors seeing their friends strewn about. Eli steadily walks forward with a slight limp as the fall was more painful then he let on “Not getting involved in that mess” Eli mutters brows furrowed looking at the rest of the survivors arguing amongst them selves about what to do.
" What's your name? I never did ask" Eli states, too nonchalant for their current situation. "Clair" was the reply, though barely audible due to the sobbing and trembling lips, she had seen enough viscera for a lifetime! " Alright Clair, I'm Eli. I'd say its a pleasure to meet you but in this situation nothings pleasurable" Eli grimaces glancing around at the bodily organs and blood the arguing students were moving away from in abject horror. Looking back at the sobbing woman he decides to ask some much needed questions, "So... Did you see the blue screen? or is this entire thing a nightmare and I've died in my sleep!" Eli remarks trying to lift Clair's spirit "Yeah, i did" she mutters now looking directly at Eli. " Well, do you mind telling me what numbers you've got and I'll tell you mine? only seems fair." Eli asks quietly, now crouching down too meet her at eye level. "Yeah.. okay" Clair then through instructions by Eli tried tugging at a sensation at the back of her mind, bringing the screen before her eyes, she began listing off her stats which all seemed to be between 5 and 10 range with a higher intelligence stat of 13. 'sounds about right, only ever see her studying around campus' Eli thought. With expectation in her eyes Clair asks "So Eli, what's yours?" With a now brighter face from the welcome distraction having had her mind taken off the slaughter surrounding her of half her class. With a cheeky smile Eli says self-satisfied "Well that's for me to know, and for you to find out! I'll come back if i find a way out but don't expect much yeh?" without a moment's hesitation Eli stands. "wha-what that's not fair! you said you'd tell me!" Clair half shouts through raspy breaths, the dust still hanging in the air clogging her throat.
With a wink of his eye and without giving a response he turns and heads towards the divergence in which the tunnels split, Clair's eyes trace after him leading a way to the foreboding tunnels, now realizing what lies ahead her eyes grow wide in shock. “Which one, which one” Eli contemplates with staggered steps, after heading inwards a few meters he plods off towards the divergence furthest on the left, the tunnel interior is much like the entrance but funnels inwards slightly, around 3m in height, arching with more of the moss and the thick slimy substance covering the wall, looking like mucus from a slug or snail " eww" Eli cringes after a momentary stagger placing his hand on the wall, backing away from the substance, slowly and cautiously Eli decides to head further in to the darkness.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Striking a match Eli remarks with a slight grin on his face "I knew smoking would come in handy" giving himself a satisfied chuckle at the end. Taking each step with hesitation as he knows that wherever this tunnel leads it surely didn’t exist before but with the promise of escape out of this hole he was determined, still he knew deep down whatever’s if anything is at the end wouldn't be welcoming him with open arms, still he marches on.
Gazing around the dimly lit tunnel, shadows dance on the walls cast from the small stalactites. Eli suddenly spots a small cavern like hole off to the left side of the mucus covered wall, big enough to fit in if someone were to crouch low enough. Deciding to humor his adventurous side he hunches down and slips through the gap, upon entering the other side he stands 'thank god I don't have to stay crouched!' Eli thought before he sighs. Sparking another match, the room seems to be 3 m in height but from what he could see was only big enough to fit around 10 people shoulder to shoulder. After a cursory gaze around the small space Eli notices something oddly illuminating the far back wall of the small inconspicuous cavern casting an ethereal glow. What lay there may be something that could be a life line, a trickling stream flows from a gap under the wall glowing mystically which seemed something in which water shouldn’t do or be capable of!
Deciding not to touch the glowing water thinking of the repercussions if it be harmful, Eli figures that now he’s alone and after an hour or so of walking a bit of his health had regenerated. His bruising had subsided and welts had turned into small red marks, Eli felt good enough to do a few exercises and in a space isolated from any apparent danger he should find out what his new RPG like body could achieve. Eli never really took classes in any martial arts but having a punching bag and an overbearing father who did martial arts pushing him to keep fit, he didn't lack strength and knew proper form. His instincts have always been sharp as he would always know when to evade and when to shatter a chunk of bone with a well placed hook, gaining experience with fighting his bullies and the odd drunken brawl in the streets growing up. To spectators his innate talent for physical violence would be deemed unfair, but then so is life. In a textbook whilst anatomically he was human watching him fight he was probably something closer to the definition of a monster than one of the numerous horrors that may or may not lie in the darkness, ready to take life like a clap of lightning, quick, brutal and efficient.
Getting into a stance bringing his club like fists close to his body and balling up with elbows tucked in he throws a left hand jab rotating his body like a spring. Pouncing forward, he unleashes his fist like a piston and it cuts through the air whistling, using the forward momentum he twists flowing straight into a spinning elbow mimicking some dodges in-between to stay moving, then with a flash Eli does a move he'd attempted before but with never much finesse, flowing from a spinning elbow Eli's right leg launches vertically seeming too never stop reaching it apex and with a swift and decisive movement bring his leg down far harder, far faster then he could have anticipated smashing into the ground like a stomp from a god.
"Haaaaaa, think I might have overdone it with the practice" Eli huffed while gasping for air with sweat streaming down his face "Didn't Think some light exercise would wipe me out like this" Eli chuckled still not quite healed from the fall he took earlier. Still breathing heavily and slightly shaken by what this system had done to him and the changes that brings to his body he falls back against the wall taking a seated position.
After a brief rest he feels a tugging sensation in the back of his mind, curiosity takes over " Status" and like all the manga and anime he's enjoyed through the years, a screen pops up. "Is this really real or was i just killed in the earthquake" Sighing loudly "May as well go with the flow as they say" Eli mutters through panting breaths.
Innate Skill Gained: Vicious Battle Instincts (passive) Level 1(0/100) Innate instincts woken by the arrival of the system, +2 all physical stats each level and increases bare handed attacks and reactions by 1% each level
A Beast Dwells Within
Before Eli could comprehend what the system had said and what he had gained he felt a change take place deep inside, like a lock had been opened, he shudders suddenly and a power almost like electricity flows through him, starting from his heart and emanating outward towards his extremity's. It feels like his body has been filled with T.V static and is constantly buzzing with vibrations, pressure builds inside Eli making him feel like a boiler about to explode, with the T.V static like energy reaching a pinnacle a change occurs suddenly. With no prior warning and with what feels like a chain being snapped, the feeling suddenly vanishes, left feeling rather euphoric although confused about the whole ordeal, he stops and looks at his status.
Name: Eli Kaiser Level: 1 Age: 22 Strength: 14 Luck: 15 HP: 160/240 Endurance: 14 Mental Fortitude: 20 Stamina: 62/140 Constitution: 12 Resistance: 10 Mana: 50/50 Dexterity:8 HP regen: 12 per hour Current Pathway: Perception:8 Mana regen: 5 per hour Afflictions: N/A Wisdom:5 Stamina regen: 28 per hour Innate class: ? Intelligence:5 EXP: 0/50 Chosen Class: ?
“Hahaha looks like I gained something useful!” Eli smiles baring his teeth “Guess I can gain shit from doing different actions" clapping his face with thick hands like that of a lumberjack, Eli screams in his minds 'Time to get to work!'
Like a steam engine starting to pick up speed, Eli goes through rigorous exercises that he'd gleamed from multiple self exercise videos given to him by his uncle, he was reluctant at first but found them surprisingly effective. a lot more to do with body weight exercises then what his father had taught him, doing press ups over open flames and bench pressing car axles when he was a child he found these less mentally exhausting which was nice for a change. For the next hour Eli repeated various activities from push ups and sit ups to jumping as high as he could from a squatted position, even throwing some yoga in to mix things up balancing as best he could on one leg stretching out as far as possible. By the end he was sweating and haggard, thirsting for water but still reluctant to be a Guinea pig by drinking the glowing water. Through the actions he'd managed to gain 1 skill.
Physical Fitness (passive) Level 1(0/100) +1 Endurance, +1 Constitution, increases +1 per level, Jumping height and running speed increase by 1%
Regular Old Gym Teacher
“Yes! Success!!” Eli fist pumps the air before collapsing onto the floor in a pile of sweat. Not much time had past but the exercise was intense to say the least. After waiting another hour after his session he decided that his stamina was at an acceptable level for heading out back into the cold abyss that is the tunnel, taking a mental note of the location so he could come back and try this water another time " Wish I had a container, would've liked to take some with me!" Eli sighs. Squeezing through the small gap back into the tunnel the screams that were once echoing had stopped presumably they’d calmed down or something had stopped them from screaming, “No longer my problem, I'll think about it if I find a way out I'll bring back help” Eli faces towards the darkness of the tunnel, lighting a match, with steps now brimming with life continues forward towards the ever-stretching darkness.
After around 200 or so meters into the gloom an abrupt change occurred, it was a sharp turn in the pathway, walking around the corner with caution a small glimpse of light can be seen and surprise set in, further down there seemed to be pre-lit torches hung on the walls flickering slowly giving the cavern a eerie feeling, walking slowly to avoid startling anything or anyone that could of lit the torches, Eli presses on.