James woke up and got out of bed ready to drag himself through another day as a production worker at the plastic factory. As he dragged himself to the bathroom and began to brush his teeth, he tried not to think about the frustration of the impending workday. Exiting the bathroom, he went to make some breakfast but was abruptly stopped when a blue window appeared in his vision.
Greetings. Your planet, Planet AX9314-216, has been chosen by the System to be merged with the Multiverse. As such, you will gain new abilities and receive new opportunities. While there will be a greater risk to your health and well-being, endless chances will await those who are willing to seize them. Good luck!
To James, it read like a cheesy advertisement. Vague wording, talking about opportunities without labelling what those opportunities were, the promise of distant rewards? Just reading it made James remember why he had gotten out of sales.
"And I suppose next they will be telling me I have amazing abilities and a status screen as I-"
In an instant the screen changed, and James looked at a new screen.
Name: James Horvak
Race: [Not Set]
Age: 32
Profession: [Not Set]
Level: 1
Strength: 4 (+)
Agility: 3 (+)
Intelligence: 2 (+)
Wisdom: 4 (+)
Charisma: 2 (+)
Luck: 1 (+)
Points Remaining: 10
Abilities: None
Curious about what he saw, James selected the bold text, starting with his race.
Please choose your race:
Air Elemental
Amazon (Restricted to Females)
Angel
Arachne (Restricted to Females)
Beastfolk
Blood Elf
Cecaelia
Centaur
Dark Elf
Deer Woman (Restricted to Females)
Devil
Dryad
Dwarf
Earth Elemental
Elf
Fairy
Fire Elemental
Gargoyle
Genie
Giant
Gnome
Goblin
Golem (Lose Reproductive Capacity)
Gorgon
Harpy (Restricted to Females)
Hobgoblin
Human
Imp
Incubus (Restricted to Males)
Kobold
Lizardfolk
Mermaid (Restricted to Females)
Merman (Restricted to Males)
Minotaur
Naga
Ogre
Orc
Saytr
Skeleton (Lose Reproductive Capacity)
Succubus (Restricted to Females)
Troll
Valkyrie (Restricted to Females)
Vampire
Water Elemental
Wraith
Zombie
Wow. James was impressed as he looked at the last, though he frowned when he saw how many were restricted to females and not the other way around. But it was a minor grumbling on his part, as he had no desire to be, as he saw it, some sexualized pinup race like a succubus. Some did have some appeal, as he could see the possibility of constructs like golems and undead races like skeletons not needing to rest. But would they even be able to speak? And what were their weaknesses? Would a simple campfire prove deadly to one of these races?
He also skipped over the water races. Who would want that if you needed to buy a simple loaf of bread? You couldn't walk to a bakery or drive a car without something to push the gas pedal.
As he debated the merits of all the races, from size to how it might affect his profession, he ended up just shrugging his shoulders and making his choice. He still had no idea what was happening, but he might as well roll with it.
As he watched his status screen changed, showing his race as human with the same attributes. He didn't feel any different, but whatever.
Next, he looked at his profession. When he selected that, a new list showed itself.
Air Mage
Alchemist
Apothecary
Archer
Assassin
Barbarian
Bard
Berserker
Black Mage
Blacksmith
Carpenter
Cartographer
Cleric
Commander
Dancer
Defender
Doctor
Druid
Earth Mage
Explorer
Farmer
Fisher
Fire Mage
Gladiator
Healer
Hunter
Illusionist
Knight
Leech
Mercenary
Merchant
Monk
Necromancer
Ninja
Paladin
Pugilist
Rogue
Samurai
Scout
Spearman/Spearwoman
Spy
Summoner
Supporter
Swashbuckler
Swordsman/Swordswoman
Tailor
Tamer
Thief
Warrior
Water Mage
White Mage
James hummed to himself, impressed by the professions. Most were combat oriented, but there was also a selection of non-combat oriented classes. He didn't even consider the healing professions like white mage and cleric, because while they were helpful they often needed help levelling up or even just staying alive. Hard to kill monsters when all you have is a healing spell.
Weapon related professions were good, but what about if something happened to his weapon? Normal wear and tear, a broken sword, and even if none of that happened it would probably still take time, effort, and perhaps money to maintain gear. Perhaps the tamer class?
James pondered how his profession would play with his stats and race. He was no longer convinced he was being scammed, nor was this a dream. If this was real, than he had to get it right, because he probably wouldn't get a second chance.
There was one class that really stood out to him. Call it a hunch, but he wondered if it could perhaps be a hidden gem; a gamechanger. But were skills relevant to your class? Or could anyone collect them, and if so how?
James' finger inched out, hesitating. Then with a firm conviction he made his choice and looked at his screen.
Name: James Horvak
Race: Human
Age: 32
Profession: Leech
Level: 1
HP: 40
MP: 20
Strength: 4 (+)
Agility: 3 (+)
Constitution: 4 (+)
Intelligence: 2 (+)
Wisdom: 4 (+)
Charisma: 2 (+)
Luck: 1 (+)
Points Remaining: 10
Abilities: Drain (Level 1)
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It worked! James was ecstatic when he read his new skill. It may not have sounded like much, but if he levelled up, perhaps he could even use his new ability to become the most powerful. After thinking for a moment, he put five points in agility and another five into luck. Maybe it wouldn't help him, but who didn't want to be lucky? Having made his selections, James took a look outside the house just to make sure. Sure enough, he saw what looked like goblins and kobolds roaming the streets, and there were also different flora and fauna that he didn't recognize.
Looking down at his regular work clothes, James realized that he needed a serious upgrade. Going to the kitchen he set out several knives. He then went to the garage and grabbed a hunting knife, along with a hiking knapsack. Acknowledging the fact that it might be a long time before he came back, or even if he came back at all, he filled his knapsack with a little water and some jerky. He thought about a map, but decided against it since it wouldn't tell him much about any changes in the landscape or topography, and he mostly had the area in his mental map anyway. As he moved he already found himself moving at least half again as fast as he used to, and he wondered how fast and how far he could run now.
He grabbed a few more things. A sleeping bag, a lighter, a skillet, along with a few other items. Choosing what to take made him wish he had an inventory system but he couldn't be too picky and would just have to suck it up and make do with what he had. The last thing that he brought with him almost on impulse was a copy of the complete works of William Shakespeare.
Finally he left the house, and was greeted with not one but two suns rising in the east. Feeling a bit like Owen Wilson in a Jackie Chan movie, James placed his hunting knife on his hip and walked forward down the driveway. The street was there, but across the street all the houses were gone and in their place was an empty field with a few bits of brush and trees.
Then he heard it.
"Help! Someone! Is anyone there?"
Realizing for the first time that the streets were absolutely deserted, James made his way cautiously across the street. Following the old saying of looking both ways before crossing, he hurriedly made his way towards the voice. Passing through a group of trees, James stopped short when he saw a sight that was both unexpected and slightly comical. For in front of him was an open glade between the trees, and there lying on the grass was a mermaid. She had white skin, long black hair and a bright pink tail and top, but she was currently being harassed by a group of slimes that were bouncing all over her. He couldn't help himself and laughed, doubling over at the sight of the mermaid flopping around on the grass while desperately trying to escape the squishy creatures that seemed to be on a mission to attack her like fluffy marshmallows.
"Well don't just stand there! Help me!"
Chuckling, James set aside his mirth and stepped forward. Wondering how to use his new skill, he reached out and grabbed one of the slimes.
Drain he thought, wondering if there was some sort of mental command to activate the skill. When nothing happened, he tried again.
"Drain!"
The slime popped and disappeared in a wisp of light. He heard a ping and the blue message window popped up again.
Experience Gain +5!
Level Up!
Drain is Level 2!
He checked his status and saw that his level, both his personal level and the level of his Drain skill had both levelled up. Quickly dismissing the notification, he turned his attention to the other slimes. He quickly and efficiently dispatched them, leaving them to disappear into thin air with a wisp of fading light. As the last one faded into nothingness, he saw that some of them had dropped what looked like pennies but upon closer examination he saw were what looked like bronze coins. He didn't pay much attention to them though and instead focused on the woman lying on the grass.
That she was beautiful was unquestioned, although James privately wondered if it was a result of her natural beauty or a change from shifting races. Her long black hair that fell to her waist, and her apparent youth only added to her gorgeous face. All of this though was ruined by her tank top, which had the word 'BITCH' emblazoned on it. And as soon as she opened her mouth, James realized the universal truth that physical beauty was only skin deep.
"Finally! What took you so long? Hurry up and help me up!"
James bit back a bout of frustration and tried to shrug it off. Bending down, he collected the coins that disappeared as soon as he touched them, only without the fading light like when he killed the slimes. Curious, he opened his status screen and found a new line of text.
32 Copper
He wanted to check the coins, but the woman's cries were beginning to wear on him.
"Alright, alright, just give me a second."
He hurriedly scooped up the woman, feeling her hair under his chin as he lifted her off the ground in a princess carry.
"Be gentle! Normally you wouldn't even get to touch me!"
James felt a momentary impulse to drop the woman like a hot potato. Or perhaps a whole sack of potatoes. He shook his head, amused for a second that she had the gall to criticize him when he was there to help her.
He settled her in his arms, then without a word he set out back the way he had come through the group of trees to the roadside. In his arms the woman kept complaining about not having a decent hairstylist, what her skin looked like without proper care, and basically annoying him to death.
You're a mermaid! Who CARES what kind of shoes would look best on you?!?
"But I think I should have gone for a beige colour; it would have matched me more, don't you think?"
He stopped.
"Lady...I don't know who you are, or where you come from considering I used to live here and I've never seen you before. But I'm trying to get us to safety and avoid any dangerous monsters, all while carrying you. So with all due respect, please don't bother me with your vanity about the colour of your tail."
She was stunned into silence. James on the other hand felt ashamed for his rudeness, but suddenly stopped when he saw a kobold looking at him, it's back hunched over threateningly. Slowly, never taking his eyes off it, he put the woman down and drew his knife. Seeing his actions the woman followed his gaze and cried out in shock. James quickly shushed her.
"Hello? We want no trouble."
The kobold snarled and got down on all fours as if it were the most natural thing for it to do. James realized then that this was a monster and not another player. Stepping in front of the woman, he readied himself.