- 32 years ago (Age 6) -
"I would like to have the power of super-strength!"
"Nice, Rin! Okay, next is Emon. What superpower would you like to have if you were a superhero?"
"Yes, Ma'am! I want the power of programming. I call the superpower, World's Programming!"
"Interesting. Please explain this... World's Programming?."
"Yes! This power would allow me to create programs in the world. I wouldn't need a computer as I would be the source. I could..."
"Haha!"
"Mark! Stop laughing. It's insulting towards Emon."
"Sorry, teach. It's just... that is the lamest power ever!"
(The entire class, including the teacher, giggles or laughs after Mark's statement...)
...
- Present -
I remember it as if it happened yesterday, the day where all the bullying started. It was the first day of elementary school. I didn't attend nursery school, so it was my first meeting with other children who were the same age as me.
On the first day, the teacher introduced herself and wanted us to get to know each other. Therefore, she went around and ask for everyone's name and their hobbies. Afterward, she went around again and asked each person an icebreaker question. She went for a common one: What superpower would you like to have if you were a superhero.
Some of my classmates immediately gave their answers, while others had to think about it. I was on the side where I immediately gave my answer. The problem was, my response was so unique that no one liked it. The teacher didn't show it, but I could tell by her face that she didn't want to hear that. She wanted an answer like the rest of the class—the ordinary and average powers.
The person who laughed first was Mark. Before coming to class, I could tell that he was a popular one. Even though we were all six years old, he was so sociable that he could clearly talk with the teachers. Everyone was on his side, so when he laughed at me, everyone else followed upon him.
I did have some peace. The only thing that happens during my elementary schooling was being laughed at and being reminded of my first day. I got called names near the end, so it was on the line of bullying.
The real bullying started in middle school. Those three years were hell. Teachers and my classmates would bully me to no end. The teachers always gave me nasty comments on my paper. Even if I tried to show it to my parents or the principal, they would laugh and say that the words were right.
The bullying didn't stop there. In high school, the bully got worst to the point of harming me to near death. I guess half of the reason was each year; we were asked that same question. Even in high school, we were asked what power we would want. And each year, I gave the same answer, knowing that I would get bullied by saying it. I didn't want to lie to myself. That is the power I would want if I were a superhero.
Wait a minute, why am I thinking about this all of a sudden? Man, all that dying, meeting a divine being, and reincarnating into another world is getting to me... Ah!
I slowly open my eyes to see ample sunlight. The rays were so bright that I have to blink to get used to the light rapidly. I sat in a dark void of blackness before having that dream, so seeing everything white and full of light is somewhat blinding.
I breathe in the new fresh air. I could smell nature and wildlife. Unlike Japan, the atmosphere here is clean and unpolluted, which's refreshing. Not only the smell but the green scenery around me is breathtaking.
Everywhere around me is green or blue. The grass is plentiful. I remove one of my shoes and touch the grass with my bare feet. The many pricks that the grass creates tickle my foot. Planting my foot down, I could feel how soft the grass is.
I put my shoe back on and take a look around me. It looks as if I was in the middle of nowhere, but I'm actually near a castle-like structure. North of me is where that structure is located. Although it only looks like a gigantic stone wall. The walls look fresh and clean, so the other side must have some populous.
The south of me is nothing but trees. It is an enormous forest with very tall trees. Because the trees are lavished in greenery and leaves, they cast large shadows, leaving the underbrush dark and dreary. For no apparent reason, I can sense evil within that forest...
To the east, there is nothing. It is mostly a stone pavement going along with the hills and grass. In other words, it shows nothing but the plains. I can see some large animals (?) out in the plains.
To the west, I can see the start of a large body of water. The water seems to be going along with the forest, with a river from the dark forest.
Anyway, the only real places I can go is either the plains or to check out the stone wall. But before those...
"I want to check out my power!"
That's right; I finally got the power that I dreamed of. The power that allows me to create programs within this world. Now, it may sound dumb or pointless at first, but this power is the best out there. If you know how to program at master levels, like me, then with this tool, you can create anything you want! If I want a teleportation power, all I have to do is to make it. It's simple as that.
The only problem is that you have to create the code to do anything. It might take hours to create simple programs, but they will be worth it! Ooh! I can't hold it anymore. I have to start testing with it immediately!
"So... How do I use this power?"
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Uhh... Right. I never asked how it works. No, he didn't give much to it. He said he'll create the power with what little power he has and of what I imagined. Hmm... Maybe all I have to do is to think about a console or editor?
I tried but to no avail. I thought of an editor I was used to and some consoles, but nothing happened... Now what?
As if giving up, I fall and land on my butt onto the soft grass.
"Maybe I should find the basic necessaries instead... Food, water, and a place to sleep."
No! I waited to get this power for my entire life, and now I have it. It time to prove how useful and powerful this power is... Okay, let's try saying some incantation or something similar like they do in anime or light novels.
I said aloud many different words, but none of them works until...
"Program..."
Pop!
Apon saying program, an editor, and console-like GUI appeared before my eyes. On the top, there are three tabs: Editor, Console, Help.
Besides the tabs, on the top right of my eyes, I could see a variable...
MP: 0 / 0
Mana? As in the source of magic and sorcery? Why is that on my screen? Hmm... I might get some answers if I read the HELP tab...
I mentally thought of the tab, and it opened up. Upon opening, a screen appeared with many different sub-tabs with various names. I decide to look under the first sub-tab named Main.
Hello? I hope this works as planned. Welcome, Emon, to my world. You must have disliked that non-emotional bugger, but they are the only things able to transfer souls. I'm the main God of this world and who helped create your extraordinary power.
I must say, this is a unique power, and I love it! Although it could cause conflicts depending on how used, I already gave in and created it. I do hope you be wary of how you used it. I don't want another demon lord destroying the lands because of it. Not like I could take power away or do something about it if you do...
Anyway, since you are new to this world and since your power is complicated, I decided to create these helpful pages and inform you how to use your power and some standard information.
Oh, and let me say that I'm sorry that I could not bear you as an infant. There were some complaints from the other Gods and that it was a troublesome thing to do. That said, I think you'll be fine even if you are alone. I mean... You're used to it.
Anyway, please open the other sub-tabs to learn more about your power and the world.
We'll be watching!
Hmm... This is odd. Wait, are you telling me that the divine person who I met when I died wasn't a God? Eh, that doesn't really matter. Okay, time to read the next sub-tab!
Magic and Ability:
This world contains magic, unlike in your old world. All beings can use magic, but the amount and power of their magic differentiate between each other. For example, the race known as Elves are beings with tremendous magical power. However, there is a race known as beast folk whose magic power is like nothing. That said, they have extraordinary physical prowess. Elves, on the other hand, have weak physical abilities.
Humans are known as the race of average. They are known that because even if they specialize in physical or magical abilities, they can never master them. Though, they are the ability to become somewhat good at both, which makes them formidable foes. They are also good at economics and other things. Mostly, humans don't specialize in warfare, but they still have some firepower.
As you'll learn in the next sub-tab, this world uses a level system. That said, your system is different and customize to fit your ability.
Interesting... So there's a level system like those in games? I always thought it would be impossible for a world to have game-like mechanics, but I guess it's true.
Moving on...
Leveling System:
This world uses a level system to display one's abilities. There are things like statuses that showcases one's health, mana, magical power, strength, agility, etc. Different races excel at other stats. Apart from that, there is also a level that beings can get. Everyone starts at level 1. To level up, you must earn experience from slaying monsters.
No one can see their experience, but there are some theories out there and some estimates. Monsters, beings that harm others with many types of forms, also have levels. Slaying higher level monsters give more experience than lower-level monsters.
All beings have a max level of 100. The real reason for this is because it becomes more challenging to raise one's abilities after so much time. Also, the rarity of extremely high-level monsters makes it hard for one to take them on. Nevertheless, in the demonic realm, demons exceed the 100 level limit; however, when they descend to the mortal realm, their level gets fixed to one under 100. It's proportional to their level cap, 666. For instance, a level 266 demon is only a 40 in this realm. Their status is kept the same, though.
Unlike those games that you know, there are no skills in this world. Swordsmanship and magic are obtained by studying and training yourself. There are no easy guides to help beings with their power or whatnot.
Anyway, your level is unique to suit your ability. I'll explain more in the next tab, but your limit is 1000.
Wait, I can level up to 1000? Doesn't that seem like a cheat within itself? I mean, if leveling increases your status, then I could be strong enough to destroy the world without the programming power...
Being more interested, I continued.
Your Ability:
You might have already recognized it, but you have something called MP in the top right corner. Due to your special power, I had to create two new elements within the world. That said, you are the only one who possesses them.
Remember when I told you about your level and level cap? Let me finish. Your leveling system is different than the norm. Leveling up does not increase a being's status, but their status might increase since they are fighting. You, on the other hand, can not increase your status normally. Even if you run 1000 miles each day, your SPEED will not increase. You also don't have any mana, which is the power to use magic. Instead, you have an MP or magical power. This magical power is different than the ones displayed in your status. That is why I named it MP.
Your MP is your power to use your ability. If you have no MP, you can not startup programs and the like. To increase your MP, you must defeat monsters. The higher the level of a monster, the higher amount of MP you can get. There is no cap to your MP's limits, but you might want a lot of it because it requires lots of MP to change or make some things...
Sadly, I had to fix your power to be more civil... The other Gods disliked your ability, saying that you should have picked an ability like the norm. Don't mind them... Anyway, you have another power called WP or world power. To make it simple, your WP is equal to your level, meaning you can get 1000 WP in your lifetime.
The higher your WP, the more you can affect the world to your desire. Once you get to 1000 WP, you will have no limits. The other Gods don't know that, so if you ever meet them, don't tell them... Again, since it becomes hard to level up, especially for you since you can go farther than 100 if you want more power to play with the world, you'll have to train hard.
That said, with 100 WP, you should have enough power to make time accelerate or something similar. I created a table at the end of the sub-tabs with each WP level and what you can do with it. You have 1 WP meaning all you can basically do is change your own being to some extent.
Lastly, I made it somewhat easy for you when you code. I made custom packets so that you can interfere with the world with ease. I also made your editor autofill so that you can find them easier. There are some sub-tabs to explain each one, but some are locked until you get enough WP.
Hmm... Okay, I think that's enough. I won't have enough time to play if I keep reading. If I get lost or need more help, I'll look into it some more.
The new problem is that I have no MP. Without MP, I can't make anything. Well, I can make things, but I won't know if they work without any MP.
...
Then, as if on cue, I notice something in the corner of my eyes...
Plop!
"That's... a slime!"