“Is your planet integrated into the system?”

“N-no, maybe? Like there are a lot of systems, that’s like asking if you like fruit. What sort of system are you talking about?”

“No, The System.” The spirit said, enunciating the importance of the words

“Then no, I don’t think we have this ‘System’ as you call it. What is that supposed to prove though?”

The spirit seemed to be getting annoyed by Sammy’s constant questions as it rubbed its spectral head in consternation. “Look, just focus on seeing your status and say or think status.”

Sammy gave the spirit an irritated look in kind since it seemed to only be wasting his time though curiosity got the better of him as it usually did and he did. Deciding to speak it, he focused his thoughts on seeing his status and said “Status.” The shock that came with the surprise yellow screen appearing before his eyes almost caused him to stagger and without hesitation he began to read.

Name - Sammy White

Age - 22

Level - 1

Class - N/A

Stats

Strength - 4

Endurance - 7

Agility - 6

Dexterity - 8

Intelligence - 4

Wisdom - 3

Bonus stat- Luck (5)

Skills

N/A

Perks

Wanderlost - Most of those that wander, do really end up lost. Receive bonus stat, luck. Plus 5 luck

Sammy’s jaw dropped as he combed over the contents of his status screen. His highest stat showed itself to be dexterity which didn’t surprise him all that much due to his many years working with his hands. Endurance being second highest also made sense due to the long and often exhausting hours he worked each day, often pushing himself to the limit in both his mind and body with the always helpful assistance of probably too much coffee on a daily basis. Reading on however, two things didn’t make sense to him in the slightest.

“Why on earth are my wisdom and intelligence stats so bloody low? I’m smart as hell!” He exclaimed, throwing both hands up in the air in exasperation, modesty forgotten.

“So do you understand now?” The spirit urged. “You’re on an entirely different world.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Sammy had gotten caught up in the injustice that was his apparent stat screen and took a moment to really work over what the spirit had been trying to make him understand. Earth didn’t have stat screens, games on earth did however.

“Samsang you piece of shit!” Sammy exclaimed as he pointed an accusatory finger skyward. “I demand to be let out of your psuedo reality this instant. I will not be a guinea pig in this corporate grab at godlyhood and I do not consent to being in this hyper realistic virtual world!!”

The moment stretched as Sammy waited expectantly for a response while the spirit just stared at him dumbfounded.

The spirit coughed. “Well I can see you know your stuff, umm Sammy.” It looked uncomfortable as it gestured behind him. “Some clothes, since you went through the proper rituals and as for the necessary payment, well, just having you on your way should be plenty.” Sammy turned to find a neat stack of clothing folded in a pile behind him just as the spirit had said.

“Ahah!” Sammy cried pointing a finger at the spirit. “I thought you might be working for them. Tell the higher ups I want out, you got that?”

“Umm yeah, sure. I’ll be leaving now, just head that way and it will lead you out of the forest and towards civilisation. alright?”

Before Sammy could stop the spirit, it dissipated into the air as if caught on a breeze and once again, Sammy was left all alone with information he had no idea what to do with.

He swore and took a moment to see if the spirit really had disappeared though he found no trace of the thing. He turned and properly took in the clothes that had been left for him. They were green much to his dismay. Not his choice of colour though he really didn’t want to be running around naked. Game or not this place was just far too real.

Bending down, he picked up the shirt and felt a sense of something in his senses at the touch of the strange fabric which felt soft as cotton though looked to be made of some sort of leaves. Acting on impulse he pulled at the sensation with his mind. Nothing happened. Okay that didn’t work he thought as he pulled up some of his past knowledge surrounding video games. If status made his status pull up and this was a game, then maybe?

“Identify” he said, choosing to speak the command instead of internalise it.

Identify (Basic)

Item - Leaf Touched Shirt Of The Woods Watchers (Uncommon)

Effects - + agility, + wisdom, + stealth

“Identify basic? Maybe that’s just the basic sort of identifying ability a player gets at the start? That’s kind of cool, well at least it would be if I wasn’t trapped in here against my will!”

Sammy sighed, he knew he was just working himself up and that any more raging against the machine would get him nowhere, best to just see where this ride took him for now. He went through the rest of the clothes finding a pair of pants, shoes and socks, all of which barring the socks had a similar description to the shirt with corresponding stat bonuses. Without the usual fanfare he got dressed, finding comfort in the feel of clothes upon his skin once more. The shoes fit him perfectly though he imagined that had to be just some sort of video game fuckery going on.

Fully dressed, he turned this way and that, looking himself over before nodding in approval. He was clothed now, he had a direction to travel in and with far more confidence than before, he strode ahead and towards whatever this game had waiting for him.