"Are you ok? You look exhausted. " Paul asked.
I ignored him, not because I wanted to be rude but because I didn't know what to say. Today's match was rough, really rough. It left me demoralized and defeated. The only good part about the entire thing was that my HP had increased by two. We had met up at the new place I had found that was barely hanging together, not that I cared much at the moment.
"Did you constantly get killed by a group of minions in your match?" Paul spoke.
"How did you know?" I responded.
"Well, you don't exactly look happy, and I've heard about a group called The Murders. Their whole stick is that," Paul spoke.
"The Murders?" I asked.
"Yeah, a group of minions believe that the only way to become a hero is by reaching level one thousand. Instead of going at it your way of stealing monster Xp, they target a minion or a group of minions and kill them repeatedly in a match. It's easier with ally minions because they don't expect it and are easier to spawn camp. How many times did they kill you?" Paul spoke.
"Two hundred and seventy times," I spoke.
Paul froze for a minute, seemingly deciding on his following words.
"I'm sorry." he finally spoke.
"It's fine," I responded.
"But if you died two hundred and seventy times then that means that they got a total of twenty-seven experience in one match. Even split, that is more than you would get in twenty matches. Of course, doing this causes their reputation to plummet fast. So the only minions you'll meet at negative reputation that isn't a part of The Murders are anarchists and, well, insane minions like you, which means that you fall into their prey. " Paul spoke.
"Great, so basically, unless I manage to increase my reputation, I'm stuck with dying a lot every match," I said.
"Pretty much, although there is the off chance you get into a match with people more like you who aren't that minion-hungry. Although it's unlikely as The Murders easily have ten million members, so you're almost always going to get into a match with at least a few." Paul spoke.
If minions could frown, I would have a record for the most aggressive frown in minion history.
"You're frowning," Paul spoke.
"How?" I asked. as far as I knew minons masks couldn't change.
"Well, it's more of a feeling I was getting; after all, minions wear a mask twenty-four-seven," Paul spoke.
"What's even under the mask?" I asked.
"Let me show you," Paul said, removing his mask. Under his mask was......
Nothing.
I could see through to his back blue clothing.
"The System only created our outside appearance, as that was all Heros would see. There was no point in making the insides. " He spoke, his mask still off, yet his voice was still emanating from it.
Creepy.
He put his mask back on, and the sombre mood soon returned as we sat there in silence. I tried to think of anything to say when I suddenly remembered the message the System had sent me and how he had asked me if I had been messaged by 'it' before.
"When you said if 'it' had messaged me, did you mean the System? Because it did later that night." I spoke.
Now, it was Paul's turn to frown. He was right, though; his mask didn't physically move, but for some reason, I could tell he was unhappy.
"What did it say?" He asked.
"Well, it told me that it would give me ten System Favour as well as unlock the requirements for the Hero promotion, and I unlocked the System shop," I responded.
Now that I had thought about it, I didn't remember to check out my new stats after stealing the kill on that Skinwalker; after Paul left, that would be the first thing I did.
"I wish you had gone about it another way, but that doesn't matter; all that matters is that whatever you do, don't talk about this with anyone but me, alright? That is if you ever want to become a hero." Paul spoke.
"Why?" I asked.
"I assume you had already looked up stuff on Minion Media about this, right?" Paul spoke.
"Yeah, nothing came up. How come?" I spoke.
"The reason it's not online is to prevent too many people from becoming a hero. If people knew about System Favour, they would do wild and rash things to get it, as most minions dream of becoming a hero. Imagine if The Murders knew that was the way to become a hero. It would become much worse for the rest of the minion society. So if the System catches wind of you speaking about this or posting it on Minion Mania, and trust me, it will know, then your memory will be wiped and your level reset. It will be as if you had just arrived that day, completely forgetting any past experience of already being in Minion Society. Luckily I already know about this so it should be fine for you to talk about it with me. After all, if it weren't, both of our levels and memory would have been reset already." Paul spoke.
The thought of that sent chills down my spine. I had only been here for a month but couldn't imagine everything resetting. What if I didn't meet someone like Paul who was willing to help this much? I tried not to think about it.
"How come you know all of this?" I asked.
".... I'll tell you later. Right now, just be glad I'm helping this much." Paul spoke.
"I truly am grateful for everything," I spoke.
"Alright, I need to get back home. Richie should be back anytime now. If you need to ask any questions, ask me on Minion Messenger. Also, I know it's hard to find a place to stay with your reputation that low, but this place is awful. I'll look for something for you as well. I wish there were more I could help with in regards to your reputation problem, but-"
"It's fine. I appreciate all of the help that you have already given." I spoke, cutting him off.
With that, Paul left, leaving me alone to think. My thoughts instantly started spiralling, but I knew that wouldn't help, so I tried to turn my focus to other things.
However, before I did anything else, I thought now was a good time to finally look at my new and improved stats.
'stats'
--------------------------------
{Race: Minion}
{Level: 6}
{Xp: 0/640}
{HP: 1.08/1.08}
{STR: 0.36}
{DEX: 0.269}
{ATK SPD: 0.56}
{DEFENSE: 0.06}
{AGILITY: 0.16}
{MAGIC: 0.26}
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
{Gold: 171.8}
{Reputation: -992}
{System Favor: 10}
-----------------------------
"Wow," I couldn't help but mutter.
Maybe I was coping, but they were higher than I had thought. It was still a minuscule improvement, but an improvement nonetheless.
Manual stat training had caused my DEX to spike compared to my other Stats. I would also have to look into Manual stat training for my other stats.
The thing that stung, however, was how much the XP requirement had increased. It did seem like it was doubling every level up. I didn't even want to think about how high it would be by even level fifteen, let alone level thirty, for the cannon minion promotion. I also noticed that System Favor had now been added as a stat.
After I had finished looking at my stats, it was time for the other thing I had been excited to look at. That being the System shop. I wasn't sure what the actual word I had to say was, so I guessed.
'Shop'
I waited a moment, but nothing happened.
'System Shop'
----------------------------------
{System Shop}
Current System Favor: 10
{5} - Buy 1000 Xp
{5} - Buy 5000 gold
{10} - Buy an artifact
{20} - Gain access to the system auction
{30} - Reset required Xp
LIMITED TIME OFFER (ENDS TONIGHT):
{0} - Get advice from the System
{0} - Get advice from the System
{0} - Get advice from the System
Usual price
{5} - Get advice from the System
{Reach level 2 with System to increase options}
{Current Level 1: 0/100 System Xp required}
------------------------------------
This shop was crazy.
This was the first time I had seen something like this. It didn't have as many offers as the Minion Market, but what it did have seemed priceless.
The price of System Favor felt heavy, but if I got ten every time I killed a monster, it didn't seem that bad.
My mind wandered toward the artifact option; I had never heard about those before.
It would cost me all of my System Favor, which I was hesitant to get rid of.
My focus then moved to the limited-time offer.
Get advice from the System.
It sounded interesting. From the looks of it, I would get three opportunities to ask it something. This sounded priceless, if I was being honest. I could ask the one responsible for operating Minion Society anything. I would have loved to mull it over and come up with some good question ideas, but with it ending tonight, I didn't have time to.
The first question that came to mind was, 'What is the fastest way to level up.' After all, I would need it if I wanted to continue, especially with the prices getting this high.
'Buy: Get advice from the system.'
{Purchase complete!}
{Calling System Advisor....}
System Advisor? I thought I was getting advice from the System itself. Unless the System Advisor was somehow a part of the System. I didn't know and would have to wait patiently. All of a sudden, I heard the System again.
{Please wait while we connect you to your System Advisor}
That's when it started.
A song. The music was calm and slow, with a gentle female voice singing. The Lyrics were.
"Welcome to System Advisory"
"We hope you enjoy your stay."
"And hope you have a blast."
"We are sorry for the wait."
"But please enjoy our song."
It wasn't very long, but it kept repeating over and over.
A strange sense of Deja vu came over me. As if before I was a minion, I was forced to sit and wait in a queue for something. The words 'Customer Support' rang in my head—also, the feeling of frustration and exhaustion. I was unsure as to why. After a couple of minutes, I was finally connected.
{Hi, my name is Samantha, and this is the System Advisory!}
"Um, Hello?"
I was unsure if they could hear me talking or were just in my head.
{Don't worry; I can hear inside your head and what you're saying out loud!}
huh.
{Huh indeed! Now then, if I'm correct, you redeemed. Get advice from the System if I'm correct.}
"Yes," I spoke out loud, still unsure if speaking in my head was better or not.
[Please use whatever form of communication you like!}
"Right... So, anyways, can I ask my question?"
{I'm sorry, Sir? is it?}
"Sure," I responded. I hadn't thought about it since becoming a Minion. After all, I don't even remember what I was like in real life.
{Sir, it is then, but unfortunately, you redeemed get advice, not ask for advice, so I will give you advice based on what I think you need.}
"I didn't see an option to ask for advice, only get. Is there a way to switch?" I asked.
{Sorry, Sir, but no. The ask-for-advice option only comes at System level five and costs fifty System Favor, which you do not have yet. So, for now, this is it. Don't worry! I will try to give the best advice possible.}
It was annoying, but I moved on. Hopefully, Samantha was right, and her advice would help.
{It will indeed, Sir! The first piece of advice I would give is don't kill another monster expecting more System Favor. Instead, I would recommend dropping your reputation as far as you can take it.}
"What? Why won't killing another monster give more System Favor?"
{I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. Company policy.}
"Ok, then why drop my reputation? It's already making every match a nightmare, let alone my social life."
{Please open Minion Media and go to Other.}
'Minion Media'
'Other'
----------------------------------
{Minion Money}
{Minion Map}
{Minion Magazines}
{Minion Modes}
{Minions Most Monstorus}
-------------------------------------
{Good, now go to Minions Most Monstrous.}
'Minions Most Monstrous'
----------------------------------------------
RANKINGS
10. The Saint of Sins (Reputation -20000000)
9. Son of Revolution (Reputation -30000000)
8. Business Bandit (Reputation -60000000)
7. Warrior Minion (Reputation -200000000)
6. The Murders Left Hand (Reputation -10000000000)
5. The Murders Right Hand (Reputation -10000000000)
4. Mark (Reputation -20000000000000)
3. Father Of Revolution (Reputation -50000000000000000)
2. Master of The Murders (Reputation -170000000000000000000000)
1. The Hero Killer (Reputation -99999999999999999999999999999999999999999.....)
-----------------------------------------
All the names stood out, but the negative reputation stood out more, especially for the Hero Killer. The fact that a minion could manage to kill a Hero was a crazy thought.
"What is this?" I asked.
{This is the list of the Minions with the lowest reputation.}
"You don't want me to join this list, do you?"
{No, I want you to defeat everyone on this list. Which I guess means I do as getting into a match with them will require a similar Reputation}
That was even crazier than I thought.
{Each one defeated will give you more and more System Favor; it is currently the most reliable way for you to gain System Favor.}
This was the most reliable way? That can't be true.
{I promise it is.}
The whole mind-reading thing was starting to get annoying, I had to admit.
{I'm sorry, Sir, but it is not up to me whether or not I can read your mind.}
"Is there no other way?"
{I cannot tell you. But from all that I know, this is the most reliable way for SIr.}
I couldn't help but sigh.
"What's the next piece of advice?"
{Hmm. You were curious about Artifacts, no?}
"How did you know?"
{Again, I am not allowed to say}
"What are you allowed to say?"
{That it would be a good idea to purchase one. Especially if you are considering following my first bit of advice.}
"What does an Artifact do?"
{Now that I can tell you! An artifact is a powerful weapon or article of clothing that is created specifically for you by the System itself! You can also purchase as many as you like!}
"That seems useful, thank you."
{No problem, Sir! I was created to help!}
"Created?"
{Oops, I said too much. Anyways, are you ready for your last piece of advice?}
"Sure" I spoke, still curious about what she could have meant by created. Did the System make her?
{My last piece of advice, hmm....... I know! I'm not sure how constructive it is, but it's something that you would love to hear!}
"What is it?"
{Paul is hiding something from you}
"What?"
{Don't worry, I'll tell you. But don't be alarmed, it's nothing dangerous or bad. He just doesn't want to tell you, that's all.}
I was conflicted. I wanted to hear what it was but wanted to avoid hearing something that Paul didn't want to tell me himself. Especially if it wouldn't cause me harm.
{Don't worry! I'll tell you anyway, whether you want to or not. Problem solved!}
.....
{Pauls secret is-
---------------------------------------
"Minions have spawned." A female voice interrupted.
"{Bleep}" I couldn't help but mutter.
Fun fact: even if you don't sleep, you will still be teleported to the match. Instead of Samantha's voice, it was back to the dry System voice again.
{All three pieces of advice have been used. The System Advisor has been disconnected.}
I wouldn't get to know what Paul's secret was, after all.
It was a bummer, but at the same time, I was somewhat glad that I didn't get to hear it. It was enough knowing from Samantha that it wasn't anything dangerous or harmful.
What was more important was the sword flying towards my head. I tried to dodge it but couldn't react in time, and it hit.
{Critical hit! 0.7 damage dealt}
This minion was stronger than the previous ones.
The problem was the other three additonal melee minions following behind.
They all charged forward, stabbing me at the same time.
Then, of course, the world went black.
This was going to be a long match.