I sat on the ground, my back on the wooden wall of the nearby building.

“Burping and cursing… what the hell kinda abilities are those?”

The text box said I had five open skill slots and I somehow already filled two of them with completely useless skills. With the ways things were going, I was going to stumble my way into an equally useless class. Like a… scoundrel? Actually, a scoundrel didn’t sound that bad. Well, name wise at least. I had no clue, what the class would be able to do. Though with my luck, I’d probably unlock something stupid like a drunk.

“Is Drunk even a class?”

I’d probably needed a skill that dealt with alcohol. So, I was probably going down the line of the… never mind, I was getting off track. Either way, things weren’t looking too great. I sighed, as I pushed myself off the ground to get up.

“Maybe an NPC can stir me to the right direction.”

I turned the corner of the property, entering the main road. I seemed to be on top of a small mountain. With the town located on the tip, tucked into a cavern. The town was pretty small, as I could see all the buildings from my position. It looked to be a mining town, with seven buildings in total. The building I was next to, faced up the only road. Five buildings aligned themselves, on each side, up the bottleneck. At the very end of the road stood a large building. It looked like a mansion as it dwarfed all the others. Maybe that was where most of the inhabitants stayed? The building seemed to even out stretch the walls of the cavern, as it looked to be three stories tall. The entrance of a cave peeked around the corner of the massive building. If this used to be a mining town, then it was possibly a mine shaft. After taking it all in, I couldn’t help but frown. As the town itself seemed to be devoid of life. Even the buildings were more run down than I originally assumed.

“There’s gotta be something?” I hoped.

Instead of walking down the main road. I turned toward the entrance of the house. Two windows faced outwards, one on each side of the entrance door. They were filthy, the dust blurring the view inside. The door was already slightly open, as I walked up to it. I grabbed the rusty doorknob. Though paused to open it, as I considered what to do next.

“Would looting the house unlock a skill?”

A looting skill didn’t sound horrible. Though rummaging through an abandoned house would technically be scavenging, right? Either way, I had to be careful on what skill I unlocked next. I didn’t even have a combat skill yet.

“Let’s go.” I sighed, pulling the door open.

An old refrigerator chest sat in the middle of the room. The building seemed to have been a store, going by the grocery shelves that prodded the walls. A display counter was positioned near the far wall. The counter, like the rest of the room, was extremely dusty. A cash register and two slightly filled jars sat on top of the counter. Dust blurred most of the contents in the display counter, but it looked undamaged besides that. There even looked to be some type of bag inside. A door, that probably led to the storage, stood behind the counter.

I let the front door hang open, as I entered. There was still an assortment of items scattered around the room. Mostly newspapers. My impatience wanted me to hurry and get the bag. So, I immediately headed behind the counter. As I passed the fridge in the middle of the room. I couldn’t help but notice all the dried-up bug carcasses littering the floor. I turned behind the counter, crouching after making my way there. The door to the display case was closed. I began to fiddle with the door. While it jiggled slightly, it was clearly locked.

“I could just break the glass?” I pondered.

I doubt there were any alarms. If there was then the power for it, and everything else, should have long died out. The main issue again was if I unlocked a skill. I could get something logical like thieving, stealing, or burglarizing. But my first few skills made me scared to get something nonsensical like glass breaking. I sighed, as I stood back up.

“Ugh… Maybe the key is around here.”

I picked up one of the jars off the counter. It looked to be a tip jar, as it held a few bills and coins. I picked out one of the bills to read. While the bill looked like an older version of a US dollar. My face scrunched trying to read the thing. The letters were an unfamiliar script. Even the numbers weren’t ringing any bells. If those even were numbers, I was looking at. Anyways, they clearly weren’t Latin letters. I would have said they were Cryllic. If I didn’t know Cryllic shared some letters with Latin.

“I mean the bill might just not be using any of those letters?” I said, second-guessing myself.

Though that would be convenient. I picked out more bills and some of the coins, to confirm my suspicion. Sorting through them didn’t reveal any familiar letters as well.

“Well, I’m like ninety percent sure these ain’t Cryllic.” I announced. I flinched as a familiar jingle rang out.

Skill Discovered! You have discovered a skill after doing a specific action.

-Investigating discovered

-Investigating rnk F lvl 1

Congratulations! For unlocking a skill and filling one of your five (5) empty skill slots. This skill automatically starts at lvl 5.

-Investigating +4

-Investigating rnk F lvl 5

“Huh. So, the skill does automatically levels to five.”

Though it might just be until I fill up all my skill slots. Investigating sounded like a good skill to have. At least compared to my other two. Though that meant I only had two more skill slots open. I was going to have to be careful about the next two I unlocked. I looked at the currency in my hand. Maybe they were still usable. So, I pocketed the contents of the tip jar.

Old World Banknote (7)

-Currency used by humans before the Great Relocation.

Old World Coin (4)

-Currency used by humans before the Great Relocation.

I couldn’t help but frown at the notifications. The assortment of bills and coins were clearly not all the same, but they were still grouped together. I guess it just couldn’t be helped. I set the tip jar down, as I glanced at the other jar. It seemed to have been filled with lollipops. Looking inside, I grimaced at the gunk that coated the bottom. A noticeable lump, also covered in gunk, was at the bottom as well. It was hard to make out what the lump was, maybe it was just a piece of candy. Though going by the two antennas looking things sticking out the top of it, I doubted it was. I placed the jar back down and looked over the register.

“Okay… how do I open you up?”

As I never fiddled with a register before. I began clicking a random assortment of buttons, hoping it would open. After a couple of minutes of it not opening. I noticed a key slot near the top. I glared at the hole before leaving the register alone. Deciding to try searching the backroom. I turned around toward the door. Grabbing the handle to turn the doorknob. As I let the door creak open, the smell of decay instantly hit me.

“Damn.” I complained, using my free hand to wave the smell off.

Before opening the door further, my hand stilled as recognition finally hit. If the town was truly abandoned. Which I really hoped it wasn’t. Then anything dead should have long been dust and bone, like the skeleton outside. I creaked the door slightly more and gazed inside. It looked to be more of a bedroom, than a storage room. A dirty twin bed, on a dark wooden frame, laid in the corner. Opening the door further, I saw where the smell was coming from. A skeleton and chair were laid sideways on the floor. The source of the rotting smell, coming from a dead animal inside its rib cage. The next sight made me ill. As a group of very large cockroaches surrounded the carcass. There had to be at least eight, but they were fortunately dead. I wore thirteen wide shoes. I could put both my feet on top of one of their corpses comfortably and use it as a skateboard.

“Let’s see what you are.”

Bone Mole (Dead) lvl 10

-These rodents only come up to snack on the bones of picked over carcasses. They’re the smaller more docile brethren of Butcher Moles.

“The hell’s a Butcher Mole?” I wondered.

It was a bit strange seeing a level ten, when all those monsters outside weren’t even viewable. The sight of a visible level was nice though, even if it was still nine levels higher than me… I think? I had to still be level one, as I haven’t done anything of note yet. It was probably easy to find out, but I wasn’t sure how to pull up the menu.

“Actually, I don’t think I’ve even tried… Huh.” I realized.

“Menu?”

Name: Dallas Savaii

Level: 1

Race: Human

Class: N/A

Health

100

Stamina

130

“Oh!” I exclaimed at the sudden pop up.

Everything seemed normal.

“That looks fine, I guess. Let’s see… pull up skills.”

Burping

Social

Rank: F

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Level: 10

Cursing (Speech)

Social

Rank: F

Level: 5

Investigating

Gathering

Rank: F

Level: 5

“Social, like social skills? What am I, Mister Congeniality?”

I didn’t really know if I was using congeniality right but I’m sure I’m not far off. Social skills didn’t sound that thrilling to level up. While I didn’t mind striking up a conversation. I never liked extending a conversation longer than I had too. I mean I usually had too, but it didn’t mean I liked to. I wonder how many levels, I needed to start unlocking abilities.

“Pull up abilities.”

Identify - Default

-Skill allows user to get the description of target.

Loud Burp - Burping (F10)

-Skill allows user to let out a loud burp that makes user noticeable to everyone in a five (5) foot radius. Those with heightened hearing will be affected if within their ear range.

So, the ability unlocked after level ten. Did an ability unlock for all skills at level ten and did that happen for each rank? While Loud Burp wasn’t any more than a party trick. It looked like it could eventually evolve into something useful. Though being able to burp louder wasn’t something I wanted to go for.

The sound of a loud skittering pulled me out of my thoughts. Looking at the source of the noise. One of the large roaches stood, very much alive. It poked its head out from under the bed. Hissing at me, as its body began to vibrate. I couldn’t help but scrunch my face in disgust, as I identified it.

Large Roach lvl 5

Health 50/50

-A common sight in the more irradiated lands. These are the largest of the passive roaches. Though they will attack first, if they feel threatened.

“Oh! Hey I’m friendly!”

The thing was level five, but I had double the amount of health than it did. Though I wasn’t sure how much damage me or it was able to dish out. Not wanting to get in a fight yet. I swung my hands upward, as a sign of nonaggression, but accidentally flung the door wide open when I hit it. I was hoping the roach understood the gesture. Though of course it didn’t, because it was a cockroach. Or maybe it did, and it just didn’t care. I shot a glance around the room as it continued hissing. The carcasses were near a wooden work desk, with an assortment of odds and ends. My eyes zeroed in on a small metal object on the desk. I slowly crept towards the desk, hoping the Large Roach would stay in place.

“I’m just going to get that key then leave.” I whispered to the roach.

I never looked away from the bug, as I continued my slow pace. I was at least halfway to the desk, until I made a mistake. My foot stepped on something that made a disgusting squishy crunch. I already knew what I stepped on. So, I immediately lifted my foot back up in hopes everything was fine. Unfortunately, that provoked the Large Roach, as it charged at me. Followed by two others that must have been hiding under the bed.

“Oh, fuck!”

I rushed toward the desk, grabbing for what I hoped was the key. With the item in hand, I turned to the door to leave. But I had to change course, as the bugs blocked my pathway to the door. I skipped over the skeleton, jumping onto the bed to get some space. The thought of the roaches being able to jump, never occurred to me. Until one of the thing’s wings fluttered, jumping directly at me. I panicked in surprise, accidentally dropping the object in my hand, as I jerked my body to get out of bug’s path. I jumped off the bed, landing back by the skeleton. I looked towards the area I had dropped the key. It had landed on the bed with the jumping roach. Annoyance kicked in, as I realized it wasn’t even a key. I wasn’t sure what it was but it sure wasn’t a damn key! The thought dropped as pain flared up in my leg, at the sensation of my calf being bitten.

“AGH!”

A visual of a negative ten popped up in my view. A whopping ten HP was lost from a measly bite. I refused to fall here. Not in my damn starting zone! The roach on the bed began to shake, as it readied itself to jump at me. New skills be damned. I quickly kicked the bug off my leg, before unleashing a punch at the incoming roach. My morale raising at the loud crunch from my fist impacting the thing’s head. The victory was short lived as my other calf was bitten in to.

“Damn it!” I cried, as a negative twelve popped up.

I tried to kick the new roach off. This one was more persistent and refused to let go. I glared downward, to look at the thing. Then grabbed the bug by its sides. It grossly tried to wiggle out of my grasp, legs moving chaotically. I took a quick look back at the roach I had kicked earlier. The bug was already skittering back towards me. So, I chucked its wiggling buddy at him. The jumping roach had skittered towards the door, still trying to compose itself. Unthinking I grabbed the closest thing I could use as a weapon. Which happened to be the carcass of the Bone Mole. The fur was a lot softer and firmer, than I thought it would be for a rotting animal. As I picked the body up, my eyes lit up at the unmistakable sight of a key laying among the bones. I would have to deal with the roaches first. I turned around, holding its body tight in my right hand. I swung at the two roaches approaching from the desk. One stumbled slightly back from the hit, but the other marched on towards me. It made me wonder why I just didn’t pick up the chair. I glanced back to scoop up the key before taking another swing at the roach I had missed. The hit had a lot more impact as the nearby roach flew into the other causing them to stumble.

“Thank God.” I whispered, before turning to the door. I immediately ducked right at the sight of the third roach flying towards my head. A negative two appeared, as its mandibles nipped at my cheek as it flew past me.

I pushed the gross sensation of its legs caressing my face away, as I ran out the room. Quickly shutting the door behind me. Throwing the carcass down. I held the door tight, in case the roaches were somehow able to open the door. When the sound of skittering and hissing died down. I finally let go and leaned on the counter to catch my breath from that serial experience. I can’t believe I almost got killed by some overgrown roaches.

“…Fuck.” I gasped.

I closed the notifications of how much damage I did. Swinging the animal corpse didn’t do to much, only five and nine respectively. Slight surprise, and pride, swelled in me for socking the roach’s face for thirteen damage. And it wasn’t even a critical hit! I waited for a pop up, to tell me about gaining any experience. After a minute, I realized nothing was going to show.

“Come on, man! Nothing!?” I complained.

Though I knew why. I didn’t get anything because I didn’t kill anything. So, of course I didn’t get any experience… or skills? I dodged some attacks and even got a few hits in. Though I only actually used my fist once. Even if there was supposed to be thousands of skills, I doubt a combat skill for dead body proficiency was available. Maybe I had to attack the same way a few times or did I need to kill the target to unlock the skill? I sighed, as I opened my hand holding the key. The key marked my hand from holding it so tight. But the imprint was already normalizing after I opened my hand.

“Please open the display.” I asked.

I crouched down to get a good look at the locked counter. Placing the key inside the lock, I twisted the key clockwise to unlock it.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me.” I muttered, as I met resistance.

I turned the key toward the right again, but the same outcome happened. Absolutely nothing. Taking the key out, I looked over the thing hoping to find something. The same unfamiliar script was written on it. Cursing, I placed the key back inside. Then tried turning it counterclockwise. Only to get the same outcome as before. Enraged I slammed both my hands into the counter, causing it to shake.

“God damn it!” I screamed.

I glared at the contents of the keyhole before remembering the register. Quickly pulling the key out, I stood back up to look at the device. I calmed myself, before I inserted the key into the register. I inwardly thanked whoever was listening as the key turned as I twisted it. Nothing happened, so I began randomly clicking buttons for a few minutes. I stopped at the sound of a metallic click. The money drawer must have been stuck, as it didn’t open all the way. With some resistance, I pulled the drawer open. The register was cleaned out for the most part besides a few coins. Which I pocketed, adding three more into the inventory. Remembering there was usually a second compartment. I lifted the compartment for cash, finding another key.

“Fina-”

Before I could finish, I was cut off by the jingle of a notification.

Congratulations! You have leveled up Investigating!

-Investigating +1

-Investigating rnk F lvl 6

“Oh, nice!”

It was my most recent skill and I already leveled it up. Which beg the question how long it would take to level up Cursing? While I didn’t really care to level it up. I was cussing a lot. Did it just take longer to level because it was easier to use? I set the thought aside, as I crouched back down to place the new key inside. This time it opened the display counter when I turned the key. I smiled as I slid the door open, to look at my findings. The counter seemed to have held all the merchandise too expensive to leave in the open. Unfortunately, it only had a few items that looked worth using. Though at least it was open now. I grabbed for the backpack.

Durable Old World Backpack

-A very durable backpack for something hundreds of years old. This bag is not enchanted.

“This bag is not enchanted?” I repeated.

Why did the text feel the need to say that? Were most bags enchanted? I reread the description before grabbing the other items of note.

Stainless Steel Carving Knife

Dagger

-A large Old World knife, that refused to rust over time. Used to carve into larger cooked meats.

Stainless Steel Meat Fork

Dagger

-A large Old World two-pronged fork, that refused to rust over time. Used to hold down larger cooked meats.

Aluminum Old World Sport Bat

Mace

-An aluminum bat used for an unknown Old World sport.

The bat had a weird appearance. It clearly wasn’t a baseball bat. While I wasn’t extremely familiar with the cricket, it looked too thin for that. Did cricket even use metal bats? I wasn’t sure if that was a dumb question or not. Honestly if I hadn’t read the description, I would have thought it was some type of table leg.

“Alright… what to equip?”

Dual wielding the Thanksgiving utensils could be cool. The dual wielding part more specifically. While I was pretty agile for a bigger guy, I don’t think I was agile enough to be fighting that close and personal. I was six foot one in height, and six foot two on a good day. I was naturally a stocky person and had always been the tallest kid in class. Well at least until my sophomore year of high school. For some reason, a bunch of people wanted to have these huge growth spurts in tenth grade.

“Hmm.”

With the rotting smell in my vicinity, looking at the blade gave me an idea. I still wanted to get a pet. So besides buying one from somewhere, I would have to hunt for one. With so many skills out there to discover. Taming animals had to be one of the unlockable skills. While I wasn’t completely sure how taming would work here. It didn’t hurt to think that bribing an animal with some food, was part of it. But I was conflicted. Cutting meat off the Bone Mole would definitely unlock a skill. Taming and meat collecting would fill the rest of my slots and I still didn’t have a combat skill.

“What to do? What to do?”

The image of me exploring the world with a giant beast and a legendary mace ran through my mind. But how long would it take to level taming if I didn’t have the material for it. Then again, I wouldn’t be able to defend myself without a combat skill. Though having taming and meat collecting would probably synergize really well. I drummed my stomach, contemplating the matter. It didn’t take long to come up with my decision. In the end it was just a game anyways, its not like I would actually die. Hopefully combat skills were in their own category but I highly doubted it.

“Alright buddy, lets get you up here.” I stated, as I went to pick up the Bone Mole.

Unfortunately, the mole was kind of cute. It felt like I was holding a large pile of smelly softness. The mole was covered in hair, only its nose and claws were hairless. I couldn’t even see its eyes. It didn’t have visible teeth like the moles I was familiar with, but I knew these kinds of mole existed. Good thing it was already dead, or I might have felt bad carving into it. I stared at the carcass, not sure where to start.

Every animal I ever cut into, was already prepared or cooked. I know people are supposed to skin the animal first before butchering it. But I couldn’t afford to gain a skinning skill. I positioned the carcass on its back, facing away from me. I raised the carving knife in the air preparing to swing it down at the body. Not wanting to just hack the body apart, I pulled on the mole’s bottom left limb. Accidentally pulling its body that way as well. I held the limb, taking a deep breath, as I brought the blade down. I couldn’t help but gag. I could handle, chopping off the mole’s limb. But if the smell was bad before, then it was even worse now. I covered my nose, trying to stop the new smell from entering it. After a few seconds of not hearing the jingle. I grabbed another one of the mole’s limbs. Then repeated the process. Nothing happened, after waiting another minute. Confused, I looked at the two mole legs on the counter. It was hard to think, with the new horrid smell. As even my head began to get woozy from the smell.

“... Maybe if I add them to my bag?” I questioned.

I wrapped the legs in some of the many papers, that were scattered around. Then tucked the meat into my bag

Rancid Rodent Meat (2)

-Rotten meat from some type of rodent.

“Yeah, yeah.” I dismissed.

I smiled as soon as I heard the jingle.

Skill Discovered! You have discovered a skill after doing a specific action.

-Butchering discovered

-Butchering rnk F lvl 1

Congratulations! For unlocking a skill and filling one of your five (5) empty skill slots. This skill automatically starts at lvl 5.

-Butchering +4

-Butchering rnk F lvl 5

“Now we’re in business.”

Now let’s go find a new friend.