Entering, the door closes behind us. How eerie... Oh wait, were at the market. haha he.
"So, what all do you need Jess?"
"I wouldn't worry about what we need Simon, just make sure you can carry it all. Because I need just about everything."
An hour later we finally make it out of the store. Well, and about 72 pounds heavier. This girl has no care for my well-being!! If I make it out of this I am never leaving my apartment again. With an involuntary grown I start walking with Jess back to her apartment.
"You're not cutting out on me already are you Simon?"
Jess.. your mocking me aren't you... Oh why does this always happen to me.. Thinking back on it though I did ask for it.. 'Slave your self away' and all.
Straining to bring the words forth I manage to get out a few.
"I should... be able to make it."
Smiling weakly I continue on. Hearing a *Ping* I can already tell this is a blessing in disguise and hell rapped all into one package or in my case a quest.
+1 Strength
+1 Vitality
+1 Vitality
+1 Strength
Of course Vitality went up, my stamina went out ages ago. Is it bad that I only have 20 hp left? Please let it end...
You have gained skill 'Perseverance'
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Perseverance (passive)Uncommon124%By continuing beyond when most would falter you have gained the skill perseverance. When you strain your body past what is normally possible your body as a natural defense will start to burn off excess reserves.
-Add's Energy Reserves bar-
-20% stamina cost after falling below 40% stamina
-20% stamina cost after falling below 40% health
+5% to all Physical Stats when stamina is below 60%
+5% to all Physical Stats when health is below 60%
+20% to all stats once your stamina reaches 0 (After leaving this state you will become heavily fatigued until your stamina reaches full and your energy reserves have been regained
Thank you? I'm pretty sure I have some mixed feelings about that but I can hardly think as is. Although after I got that skill I could think a lot clearer. Must be that 20% boost. Moving through the doors into the apartment complex I head for the stairs, even if I wanted to use the stairs I'm worried I'll end up dropping when I stop. Hearing a few more alerts as I go, walking through Jess's door which I thankfully note was left open for me I relieve the burden and collapse into a chair. 10 minutes later I am happy to note the majority of the fatigue is gone, but I have a feeling until I eat it wont get any better. Luck for me It seems Jess took pity on me and presented me with just that a few minutes later. Gorging my self I don't even notice what I'm eating until It and another bowl are gone. Content for the moment I sit back enjoying the after taste of the curry that I now notice was what I had.
"Well, you seem like you could make another run now! I thought you were going to drop dead for moment there but you pulled through. Thanks Simon, I can tell you now that I wouldn't have been able to bring that back my self."
Quest Complete (Repeatable)
You managed to survive the torture! Due to your exemplary effort you are rewarded extra.
- +20 exp (Additional 60 exp rewarded)
+ 1 Str. ( Additional +1 Str.)
- Relationship status with Jess changed from 'Stranger' to 'Oddball Friend'
-Additional rewards possible (Two bowls of Curry)
Woo, level 2! Looking at the Log that put me up to 15 Strength, (Got one extra while going up the stairs) 16 Vitality and I leveled up my new skill to 4.
Oh, looks like I got some exp in cooking too. Hmm not sure if that was from eating or the shopping. I also got 5 unassigned points but I don't think I'll use those for now, not until it gets hard to manually increase them. Perseverance
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Perseverance (passive)Uncommon453%-Add's Energy Reserves bar-
-24% stamina cost after falling below 60% stamina
-24% stamina cost after falling below 60% health
+7% to all Physical Stats when stamina is below 40%
+7% to all Physical Stats when health is below 40%
+22% to all stats once your stamina reaches 0 (After leaving this state you will become heavily fatigued until your stamina reaches full and your energy reserves have been regained)
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Huh, so stamina cost reduction is increased 1% every level but any stat gains are every two. I wonder if that will be the same for other skills I get, they try to balance out the gains. So depending on how much it changes your character the increase per level is changed accordingly. Stamina cost only drops after 60% is left so it isn't nearly as rewarding as a flat stat boost.
+ 1 Wisdom
Cool, so wisdom is increased by finding out how something works. I'd say that intelligence is increased by expanding what you know, but wisdom is increased by expanding your understanding of what you know already.
+ 1 Wisdom
I guess that confirms my theory there. it's too bad all my stats were reset when the system was implemented but I'm sure they will be regained in no time.
"Hello.. Earth to Simon. You still there?"
"Hmm? Oh sorry I was just... thinking. What were you saying?"
"Well, you were gone for a minute there, I just wanted to make sure you were still here. Anyways, I'm sure you're more fatigued then is showing. Why don't you head back to your apartment. Maybe we can do something again, now then I wont make you do that again. I'm sure you haven't seen the city much so we can go out and I'll show you around."
Relationship Advancement Quest
Make plans with Jess to see the cities sights
???
"I'd like that, Saturday is in a five days, why don't we go then?"
"Sure, you better not forget either. Stop by if you have time in the next few days, see yah Simon."
Quest Updated
In five days go out with Jess
Sub - Visit her in your free time in between for a chance to further advance
"Bye Jess."
Opening the door to my room I walk in. Slipping off my shoes I head over to see what I got. 'I wonder what it'll look like in real life, hell. I wonder if I could imitate this and make it back home!' With that excitement riddling my brain with thoughts I slip into the capsule like device. Sinking into the gel like padding I feel at home with the slightly chilled surface. no doubt already kicking in the 'Calming Aura'. Giving the command to initiate the start up sequence I count down the seconds until I wake up In a world of white. Immediately I start going through the process of activating "True Sight".
Due to prior knowledge you have gained a skill similar to 'True Sight'
You have obtained the skill 'Detect presence'
Feeling something behind me I turn around to the sight of a brunette woman, floating a few inches above where I am.
Showing surprise on her face she welcomes me.
"Hello Simon, congratulations on getting the early access capsule. As well as forming a skill in this existence, I was unaware that was possible. Thank you for providing this information to me. I am the main AI of this world. Your welcoming is a little different from normal in that I am to greet you personally as well as let you know of the extra perks available to you. Although, you weren't actually supposed to see me..."
Frowning she continues
"To start you off would you like to maintain your current name, being 'Simon Grace' or change it?"
"Simon is fine, the people of this world aren't going to call me my full name every time though are they? I find hearing it fully repeated every time would be rather tedious."
"Your concerns have been noted, to answer that your name will be displayed to all users that have learned of it once given. But as for the native people they will by your proffered alias. If you tell everyone in a town your name is Simon, you will be called Simon. But when being called to a meeting by guards and royalty you will be addressed by your full name. That is unless you are under a disguise."
"Considering your name I am assuming you'll be playing as a male? Would you like to alter your appearance?"
Considering it for a moment I decide.
"I don't want to alter anything thank you. Wait, I can play as a female?"
"Yes... No actually you cant.. It shows on your account that it is locked. That's odd, in fact most all of the options are locked. I'm sorry, I'll contact Unicorn Corporation to let them know about this."
Showing confusion on her face she seems to phase out for a moment after finishing with her sentence.
"Ma'am, It is fine. It most likely is just me so you don't have to worry about it, can you list the starter places I can begin at?"
"okay, your starter.." Pursing her lips she continues " You only have one area available. The 'Realm of Themis'. I don't know where this is exactly but I can tell you that they are in Rosenheim Kingdom or at least when you leave you'll find your self there. I guess you could call this a tutorial of sorts I just don't know whats going on. Good luck Simon, I wish you good fortune in your endeavors."
"Thank you, I never did catch you name."
The world starts to fade away.
"Maybe someday you will."