Chapter 2 - The Discovering
Next day. I entered the capsule and was welcomed by an expanse of stars and by a reverberating rhythm that I so often relaxed to, a variation of Asian music.
I inwardly cringed at the memory of yesterday, events still fresh in my mind.
That's what one would call a -" Shameful display... " I said out loud.
-" Command not supported. " Replied a secular and indifferent voice of the female sounding AI.
That comment inadvertently brought smile to my face. It reminded me my long time answer to all the whiny whispers I got in games.
-' Command not supported - Cry. ' An uncalled smile bent my lips.
-' Ok, this time I better make sure that I set my priorities straight as not to repeat yesterday's mistake. My pride as an Iron Game Master would not bear it. '
To renew my resolve I uttered final words spoken by Almisha at the end of combat. -" You fought well, I shall break you slowly~. Enter world ArCiel! "
-" Executing Transfer. " Ai answered indifferently.
With a flash I was enveloped by the void again...
* * * *
After regaining my senses I found myself in a simple, wooden room. It was an Inn to which I was led to yesterday.
-' Lets re-assess the available options. '
-" Show Status. "
Blue letters appeared before my eyes:
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Name: Almisha
Alignment: Neutral
Race: Half-Elf
Profession: None
Title: None
Level: 1
Fame: 2
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Health: 50
Mana: 100
Strength: 5
Agility: 15
Vitality: 5
Wisdom: 10
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 16
Luck: 10
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Magic Resistance: None
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Skills:
-Art of Conversation(Passive) - B1 - You are skilled in the art of affecting others with words.
Improves your negotiation, barter and charm skills.
-Charm - B1 - the power of delighting, attracting, or fascinating others.
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-' What the Fu... ' I fumed. -' The damn system arbitrary improved my Agility and Charisma at the expense of Vitality and Strength. Also, while I can understand this Art crap, where the flippin fck did Charm gotten into play?! '
-' Ok, calm down, its not a loss... ' I took a deep breath to calm myself down. -' I received one point increase in Charisma. From what I remember, if you do something related the stats will be raised accordingly, but in a limited manner. It’s a really hard work to actually get the stats maxed out that way. Not to mention that you get ten stat points to distribute during a level up. '
Suddenly I had one of my usual surges of inspiration...
-" Wait, Wait, Wait! What's going on... " I said while focusing on my thought process. -' Why am I so damn giddy and irritable, its so not like me at all! '
-' How can I be so far off my game? ' Suddenly, I remembered half sentence uttered by AI during character creation.
-' Please be aware that in concern for your wellbei... ' Was what the Ai said when I was picking the gender.
-' Is that really it? Is this game so deep? ' I wondered in astonishement.
-' Are the changes really rooted so deeply?'
-' . . . '.
-' . . . '.
-' It certainly looks like my usual, indiffrent calm is gone... ' For the first time in my life I was baffled beyond belief. Even in my wildest dreams I had not imagined that such a turn of events was possible.
-' This must be tested thoroughly. ' I thought as I said. -" System Action. Log out to the lobby. "
* * * *
Back in the starry space I focused on my body. It seemed to be nothing more than some kind of blurry dark smoke, which roughly resembled a human shape.
-' Though it certainly feels real and also appears to match my original body as far as I can tell... Lets check if the idea I just had can be executed. '
-" System, can you import my character into this space, without excluding any physical or bodily parameters? " I said curiously.
-" Due to compatibility and psychological concerns above action requires System Administrator’s permission, also... ".
-' But I am a bloody administrator of this capsule! ' Is what I wanted to say, but I remembered that among other things that I had received with the capsule there was a Master Password stick.
* * * *
[ After going out of the capsule to insert the datakey. ]
* * * *
Back in the starry space.
-" System Action. Activate Master Password. Keyword alpha, capital quebec, dollar, equation mark, epsilon, number four, capital foxtrot, quebec, number seven, tango, hash, at, capital zulu, sierra, number five... " I said, somehow managing to memorize the unlock sequence for the key. For security purposes it had to be imputed manually by the user.
-" Master Key Detected in external slot, Decoding . . . Master Key Activated, validating Master Key with Certification Servers . . . . . . . Successful ".
-" Administrator Rights Granted. " Informed the AI.
-' Finally. ‘ I thought. -" Import character profile with full immersion included. " I said.
-" Import successful. " Said the voice and in that moment I suddenly felt both smaller and different.
-" I was bloody hell right. " I screamed in a high pitched voice.
-" Request Parameters Undetermined pleas... " I was immediately chastised by the Indifferent AI.
I pitched into a middle of the AI’s speech.
-" Be silent, do not react until System Call is issued. " I said vehemently and started, or rather tried, to think.
-" This avatar... It is definitely a different experience. I wonder... I have always been unfeeling, but now out of the sudden I am all giddy. "
-" Pity I can have only one character. I wonder if I would feel this much emotion in a male avatar as well, though that would mean that my original body is quite far from the norm. " I asserted thoughtfully, wondering about my vivid emotions.
Contemplating my state didn't take me long and soon I decided to just accept it and move on to physical experiments, I tried switching between both avatar's few times while doing basic Katas and exercises.
I concluded that there was a vast gap in strength and agility. It was a first time that I actually managed to do a full split, also breasts were not as uncomfortable as I feared initially. -’ ...probably since its something small, like A size… ‘ I shook my head strongly. -'Lets drop that subject! I do have some common decency.'
-"To sum this up... I have become a girl..." I facepalmed myself instantly while thinking on how stupid and embarrassing that was.
-" ...still do not underestimate the power of the Game Master, I will do it like a ma… girl. " Another facepalm followed.
-" This is not gonna work, is it? " I whispered to myself desperately, then took a long deep breath and tried to relax listening to the music permeating the space.
-"Ok once again... "
-" I am Almisha, the girl with great ambition and charm ... (persevere, I can do this!), currently trying to live and raise to power in The Kingdom of Gis. I am weak and fragile, but also agile and outspoken (gods what have I done to you, WhY!). " I cursed my fate, though it only fueled my challenger's spirit.
-' Pff, I am alive ', I thought while looking at the endless starry void around.
-" ...And I well bloody hell am going to toy, rip apart, exploit and break anyone who gets in my way, and this is who I am! Intransigence is the Word! ", I screamed vehemently, with high pitched voice, as to make up for my embarassement.
-' And I will be damned if I get embarrassed over this shi* again! ', I made my resolution and damn it was the hardest one I did ever do.
-" System Action: Enter World ArCiel. " I said, familiar flash and subsequent darkness followed.
* * * *
Back in the room I actually calmed considerably, after all it's a rare chance at role playing - especially the option to do it as someone of a different gender? -'It's a golden opportunity! ' I resolved myself and took a deep breath, before focusing on the game.
-' Ok, special skill on '
-' Assets. Money, two silver and twenty copper coins, two hands, passable attire, charisma… Almost the same as at a start minus the *clone garb*. '
-' Facts. If you work (as a girl) you get embarrassed badly, if you do things you get stats and skills, you can have up to ten free skills that are separate from your class, you can't leave the city for almost a month from the start, usually you need to gain ten levels to receive a class, at which point you revert to level one, though you keep ten levels worth of stats... ' I blinked, surprised. -' Hmm, actually noone mentioned what happens when your level resets after gaining the class... well, whatever. ' I disregarded the issue.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
-' Target. Screw this, I have fifty ideas for power use without money, but I can't think of one with no power, no money and no influence. So it’s best to go for skills. ' I decided.
-' Methods. I could try to be a thief, but I have no combat potential for contingencies so it needs to wait... '
-' Hmm, there's a cheap method of gaining some combat power, a Training Center. Though I certainly won’t be spending unfanthomable hours swinging at a scarecrow, still getting some weapon proficiency won't hurt. '
I quickly assembled simple advancement plan and went downstairs. Where I ordered some stew for breakfast by spending my hard earned coppers, though at least the food was passable. -’ You can't go wrong with a stew as one’s cooking skill must be atrocious to fumble it. ‘
I thanked for the meal and departed for the Training Center. Also, I made a detour to get some water from a well. I can't get around the idea of taking water from the fountain, to which people tend to do (clean) many atrocious things.
When I entered the Training Center I noticed that it was mostly empty. -' As usual people prefer to avoid tedious activities. ' I smirked. -' It’s also largely because training in the Training Center is deemed rather ineffective in a long run, as it's all basics.'
As per my expectations a muscle bound idi… instructor could be easily found inside. He grinned broadly when I entered.
-“ Young adventuress! " The instructor exclaimed. -" Have you made your choice to become one of a respected professionals that offers her blade in a service of the Kingdom? " He continued in an elated manner.
-" Not exactly, Mister ... ? " I replied in a deadpan voice.
-" Oh, silly me, pardon me Miss. My name’s Gerhard and I am instructor in this fine establishment " He replied with a sliver of embarrassment.
-" I see, Mister Gerhard. I am called Almisha and I was entertaining a possibility of learning on how to use a blade, could you assist me with that? "
-" Of course Miss. “ His face lit again despite my matter of factly attitude. -” Please do grab a training blade from that barrel over there and come here. " He said while moving to the nearest scarecrow.
A condescending tone sounded in my voice as I thrown a barby statement at the instructor. -" I am sorry, but I do believe that such a BIG blade would be ill suited to my small physique." I said while heavily accenting a particular word, which evoked strange reaction from the instructor. -" Wouldn't it be possible to use something much more manageable in size, like a training dagger, instead? " I gave the instructor a cold look.
Hearing my words the instructor went bright red and flustered. After a moment he managed to answer with a cough. -"*Khem* Y-yes, the training daggers can be found over there. " He said and pointed to a barrel on the other side of the hall.
-' Interesting. ‘ I thought. -' Why would he get so flustered all of the sudden. '
I picked a training dagger and went back to the instructor.
-" You see this scarecrow, try *cough* stabbing it with the dagger, so I can assess your skill. " He quickly added, while being flustered for no apparent reason.
I extended a blade in front of me in a way that I was taught by my father's friends a long time ago. With basic position secured, I made a step forward and stabbed straight up aiming for a place just below a jowl. If it was a human the blade could easily penetrate the brain. If I buried the blade to the hilt that is.
-" That's a very vicious strike Miss. Um, Could you try again and hit something else? " I complied and assumed the same initial position. I made a fluid step forward launching a small, arcing lunge that aimed for the left side of the scarecrow’s chest.
-" Um, Miss, could you try yet again and… and some other place? " He said, out of a suddenly uncertainty crept into his voice.
I complied by repeatedly stabbing the scarecrow in a quick succession. I could remember quite a lot of weak spots: an eye, a jugular, a left armpit artery, a diaphragm, a right leg artery, a kidney, a lung…
-" T-that's quite enough Miss. " The instructor exclaimed in a pensive voice. -" I do not know where are you coming from, but please be sure that I have nothing to do with Assassins Guild. Please do tell me what have I done wrong and I will be sure to not get in your way in the future? " Out of a sudden he seemed intimidated.
-' What?! The Fck?! I do know the anatomy, I have read some medical books with exactly that kind of knowledge in mind (its one of the top ten skills of a combat GM after all) and my father’s friends gave me some good advice on survival fighting, but the fck is this?! I know where important bits are, but I have no confidence in fighting! ' I was thinking fervently.
I conspicuously taken a quick look around to see if there's anyone nearby before responding. -" I have not come here on the official business. Honestly. I was only trying to ascertain some things. Therefore do not fear, as I only wanted to ask about your honest thoughts on my ability to wield the blade ".
Instructor looked relieved upon hearing those words, but still he kept his guard up.
-" Honestly Lady, I am at a loss. Every strike you have shown me seems like a deadly one and your stance seems solid, though I cannot tell how you would fare in an open combat, which I will respectfully decline. " He refused before I could ask him for a sparring session.
-" I shiver to think of your skills if they were applied during an ambush. Isn't it the assassins way? " I had mixed feelings when I looked at strange mismatch between his overwhelming physique and body language signalling anxiousness.
He likely imagined what would happened if he was walking down a street and gotten attacked in such a way out of a sudden. Not to mention that he took me for a full blown assassin disguising for an adventurer for some reason.
-" Thank you, Mister Gerhard, for your honest opinion. And rest assured I bear you no harm, but please do be silent about today's matters. "
-" Most Certainly Lady Almisha. " He said as he bowed. -" Please do excuse me as I have gotten thirsty out of a sudden. " He said as he retreated. -" Please use these humble facilities as you see fit during my absence. "
-" . . . " I watched silenty as he escaped through the door in the back. -' Well that was unexpected. ' I thought to myself as I opened the status window:
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Name: Almisha
Alignment: Neutral
Race: Half-Elf
Profession: None
Title: None
Level: 1
Fame: 11
———————————————————————————————
Health: 50
Mana: 110
Strength: 5
Agility: 16
Vitality: 5
Wisdom: 11
Intelligence: 11
Charisma: 17
Luck: 10
———————————————————————————————
Magic Resistance: None
———————————————————————————————
———————————————————————————————
Skills:
-Art of Conversation(Passive) - B2 - You are skilled in the art of affecting others with words.
Improves your negotiation, barter, intimidation and charm skills.
-Charm - B3 - the power of delighting, attracting, or fascinating others.
-Intimidation - B2 - the power of frightening, daunting or alarming others.
-Anatomy(humanoid) - B3 - Ability of discerning vital points of the humanoids.
-Dagger Mastery - B1 - Ability of wielding short bladed weapon.
———————————————————————————————
-" Ok, this is officially retarded. " I unconsciously said that out loud.
-' And what's with a retarded speed of the Charm skill up, is it a bug? Also, I guess that getting first few stat points in abilities must be really easy since I got five free points already, not that I feel much difference from the fact. '
-' Oh well, that's enough for now. I will log out and eat something, then we will see what's next. ' I thought to myself as I started looking for a decent place to log out...
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Hey~, Author's here~ - I do claim this best space for myself and wont give it up!
Anyway, I am seriously broken after reading what I have written so far. I even put dreadful psychological tag on my work and started to cry.
Please do let me know what are your thoughts on this chapter cos while writing it I got seriously broken few times and I will explode if I wont know how good it really is - yes, Iam broken like that too.
I hope you will enjoy this,
Cheers!
Ps I added 500 words to the promised 2k
Ps2 Hypenosis is real, just close your eyes, listen to the music from the lobby and repeat
- one more chapter
- one more chapter
NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 3 - The Beginning