Although my previous life revolved around fetch quests, I'd never seen a monster spawn. The ones I sent Heroes to dispatch make their home much farther away than my role let me travel. Those lucky enough to encounter them described the act of spawning as 'simply fading into reality'. Now that I've witnessed this phenomenon myself, I have to agree.
"Oh, my~ He's a big one~ I admire your bravery, Mr. Quinn!"
Valeria claps her approval at the massive creature solidifying before us. Its blue, gelatinous body wobbles in place as though breathing, and a little golden crown sits half-sunken into its 'head'.
I flash a bashful grin. "Go big or go home, I guess. Don't praise me too much. It's not like I can die here... right?"
"Die, no; get hurt, yes. Your [Health Points] will drop some when you're struck. After all, the tutorial wouldn't be worth much without risks."
"Oh. That's right, isn't it."
I regard the jiggling 「Slime」 with newfound trepidation. My hands move to my belt, though my weapons slots are emptier than my EXP bar.
"Maybe I should've picked something smaller."
Valeria offers a comforting smile. "Size and strength don't correlate here. When the Heroes were still around, there were only three monsters to choose from: 「Slimes」, 「Imps」, and 「Mimics」." She performs the /PLAYFUL emote, and a winking emoji twinkles over her head. "I just imagined including [Bosses] might boost morale."
So, this was her idea...? She imagined right. Even if this creature's stats match mine, I feel kinda cool squaring off against something thrice my size. Maybe I'll do it legit someday.
"Ah! Too much exposition. Let's continue, Mr. Quinn."
With a flick of her wrist, the selection window vanishes. She drags my [Skill Tree] back into focus.
"The [Skills] I'm about to lend you are common to all [Drifters]. They're basic, but you'll need them to survive the dungeon. If you do survive, they won't expire, and you can enjoy them indefinitely with your [Promotion]~"
My eyes widen. The mere thought of a fleshed-out move set, however simple, restores my dwindling enthusiasm. I straighten my posture and jerk my chin towards the 「Slime」.
"Go for it."
"Very good, sir! This might tickle."
Valeria's hand passes over my [Skill Tree]. Grayed-out icons burst into color, and both my body and mind burn with an influx of information. Memories of flashy maneuvers I've never performed sink into my consciousness. A sleek HUD hovers at the fringe of my vision. The laws of physics become trivial.
I stagger back a step, overwhelmed, and stare at my hands in wonderment. Nothing's changed, and yet...
A notification window pops up in front of my with a satisfying 'ding'.
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"Wha-!"
~NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED~
Observation I (Active): Enables you to view basic information of monsters up to 1 level above you.
SP Cost: 0%
Cooldown: 1sec
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Evasion I (Passive): You have a 5% chance of avoiding physical damage from monsters up to 1 level above you.
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Concentrated Strike (Active): Inflict +20% physical damage with your next attack.
SP Cost: 10%
Cooldown: 5sec
~ATTRIBUTE POINTS ACQUIRED~ ATTACK ..... +5
DEFENSE ... +5
SPEED ....... +5
The windows dissolve after a few seconds. Who knew improving oneself involved so much fanfare? Even though Ihaven't earned it proper, my chest warms with pride.
"Did you catch all that, Mr. Quinn?"
"Y-yeah, somehow." I don't recall having such a quick mind, either. Any more of this and I might have another existential crisis. "So, all these bonus are just automatically applied?
"Indeed! That's the magic of [Skills] and [Attributes]. The universe will bend itself to your abilities." She beams, sharing my delight. "Feel free to dismiss your screens. We'll arm you, now."
I follow Valeria's instructions, and another dropdown menu appears at her command. The header reads:
CHOOSE A WEAPON
"... Oh, wow."
I scroll through the options like a millionaire at the [Cash Shop], skimming descriptions and thumbnails with starstruck eyes. My weapons slots have never been anything but vacant. A proper Hero might laugh at my bewilderment, but for me, these newbie weapons are as stunning as legendary drops.
I take my sweet time with the catalogue. On one hand, I don't want to keep everyone in the foyer waiting on me. On the other hand...
So... many... weapons...
Valeria clears her throat, interrupting my window shopping. I murmur a sheepish apology and quit ogling sword-whips to browse the [Ranged] section. Generika's open world model doesn't restrict equipment to specific [Classes]. As a [Drifter], I'd be 'vaguely competent' with everything until I earn a specialized [Class] with matching bonuses.
If I want to be a [Marksman] someday, shouldn't I have some kind of gun?
I press the 'Basic Pistol' icon. A chiming sound confirms my selection, and a smart 「Wyvern」-leather holster materializes at my hip.
“Congratulations on your first weapon, Mr. Quinn!”
“T-thank you.” A little giddy, I slide it free and test its weight. Lighter than air. “I guess... I guess I'm ready, then.”
“Remember, this is your opportunity to play around! Experiment with your newfound abilities.”
Valeria snaps her fingers and every window vanishes. A dome of glittering polygons assembles itself around me and the vacuously swaying 「Slime」. Valeria must be watching from some omniscient perspective known only to named NPCs... or something. I hope she hasn't completely abandoned me.
“You have five minutes.” Valeria's disembodied voice reverberates through the dome. The illusion of a clear, blue sky and an open field spread over its surface. “Ready?”
A countdown timer appears in the upper-right corner of my HUD. The 「Slime」 wobbles forth, emanating ill intent.
I swallow hard and fight to quiet my pounding heart. Feeling melodramatic, I use my newfound mastery over physics to spin my pistol by the trigger and level it at my opponent.
I can't believe that worked—the weapon feels like an extension of my arm. Am I cool now or what? Ehehe...
The ground shakes at the 「Slime」's bouncing. With eyes narrowed, I dig in my heels.
“Let's roll.”