“Wow! This is amazing it feels so real, almost lifelike.”

After the amazed comment by Tessa; Marc slapped Kai on the back.

“Owww, what the hell was that for?” Kai’s angered expression, nearing payback, was interrupted by Marc’s reply.

“Sorry man, I just wanted to know if this was real ha-ha…”

“Both of you are acting like kids. You're making a fool of yourselves in front of all the others.” Tessa stated, while looking over at Sedric but then suddenly blushes and diverted her gaze.

“No need to worry we’re all friends here. I'm sure everyone would like to give Kai a nice old slap too.” Sedric laughed.

‘Um, what?’ Kai's back tensed.

Everyone stared at Sedric thinking practically the same thought as Kai, however that comment completely blew past Tessa.

Finally after a couple of minutes of chatting and amazement, Kira appeared with backpacks filled to the brim containing survival supplies and rations. She then welcomed them to the world she calls, “Hulea”, the name given to her from the deceased Kellan. Before any bad memories returned she diverts everyone's attention. Kira placed the backpacks around her and brought one for everyone.

“Now if you will please come up and grab a bag, each of you will manage your own supplies and food. Also, if you haven’t noticed, there's an implemented interface system. All you have to do is focus on wanting to see a panel and one will appear before you. No one else will be able to see what you see personally. The information will be different for each individual. The general template will however be the same. As time goes on the system may develop accordingly and additional prompts will become available. For now only one prompt is displayed, that being your personal status window.”

Kai focused on his status window along with everyone else after retrieving their backpacks.

Kai ArzeilTitle: NoneClass: ScholarLevel: 1EXP: 0%HP: 69 / 70Mana: 100 / 100Defense: 12Strength: 8Stamina: 10Luck: 5Agility: 9Intellect: 23Wisdom: 11

Crit Mod: x 1Magic Crit Mod: x 1Resistance: 10% Mental-Based AttacksSkills: Critical Thinking(Passive); Reality Comprehension

‘Whoa! What is all this, it’s incredible.’

‘Hmm Scholar, I guess that makes sense. I did just graduate with a Bachelor’s in Psychology.’

‘Wait…, Why am I hurt? Did Marcs slap seriously reduce my health...’

‘Let’s see skills? I wonder what those are about?’

Focusing on the skills an additional prompt appeared with the details listed.

- Critical Thinking(Passive)[Lvl:1]: Allows the ability to concentrate during tense moments and grants minor resistance to mental based attacks.

- Reality Comprehension[Lvl:1]: By focusing on objects or materials, additional information will be displayed via prompts. Consumes one mana per use.

In amazement Kai tested his newly acquired skill by focusing on Sylvia.

- Currently hostile towards you, beware.

Sulking and before using [Reality Comprehension] on anything else, Tessa along with the rest of the group minus Kira, shout out in surprise.

“Wow, it say’s I’m a Cleric!” Tessa stated and at the mere utterance, baffled Kai. ‘A healer class!? She’s more suited for inflicting pain or a brawler class then one that heals others.’

Continuing from Tessa everyone stated their classes out loud. Sedric and Sylvia being Specialist’s gained a mixture of fighting and magic. Relanis and Helena both got the Magician class with unique magic. Relanis being able to reduce minor damage dealt by creating a magic shield in front of him. While Helena got the skill Empathy, which allows her to feel certain emotions from anyone she focuses on.

As Marc states his class is Fighter, Kira interjected “That’s great! Currently you seem to be the strongest with Sedric not too far behind. It must be due to your innate athletic nature. The Polaris Engine will boost the user's ability enough to cope with the dream world, so generally everyone will start out with high stats. Since we will need someone to take the front; would you mind telling us your stats and skills?”

“Yeah, no problem.” Marc replied enthusiastically.

Reading off his status window, everyone can only be somewhat amazed.

[tr]

Marc RigelTitle: NoneClass: FighterLevel: 1EXP: 0%HP: 250 / 250Mana: 210 / 210Defense: 18Strength: 26Stamina: 32Luck: 10Agility: 25Intellect: 7Wisdom: 10

[tr]

Crit Mod: x 2Magic Crit Mod: x 1Resistance: 10% Physical-Based AttacksSkills: Toughness(Passive); Initiative(Passive); Devastating Blow; Counter Defense; Willpower

‘No way, that's not fair at all…, even in a dream, life is still cruel!’

‘Why does he get such a hack sheet while I’m left with the wimpy student role.’

“Oh my, even better than I imagined. Even though I’ve been here before, my class is Craftsman and I have accumulated experience boosting my skills and stats, however I guess it can’t compare to a Fighter class. If you don’t mind would you want to take the lead during combat and monster encounters?”

“Yes, I-”

“There are monsters here? I believe you forgot to mention that to us.” Kai said, interrupting Marc.

“I’m not quite sure if there are. However, if this is anything like the first experience I had then, we will be in trouble unless we prepare. Just to make sure, I would like to head to a certain area first.” Kira stated, realizing the area they started at feels very familiar.

Having never said his class, Kai was forgotten about, by everyone’s own amazement. On their way to Kira’s destination, Kai used [Reality Comprehension] on random objects varying from trees, rocks, and birds passing overhead.

- Dying and will wither away in a few years. (Tree)

- Abundant energy will live for a long time. Taking all the nutrients from surrounding trees. (Tree two)

- Migrating to the south for warmer weather. From it’s view everything looks calm in the vicinity. (Bird)

‘This ability is so humiliatingly useless, all it does is spit out random information, ugh...’

‘Since I got it I’ll at least test various instances.’

Reaching down and picking up a fist sized rock, he activates his skill in succession.

- Very old gray rock.

- Has survived through weathering and animal crossings.

- Minerals unknown at present.

- Leftover residue of feces still attached.

‘Ewww’ Kai tosses the rock instantly and noticed several points.

‘Information gets more detailed after continuous usage of the skill on the same object. The detail also seems to correlate to the skills current level. As for the last piece of information, it’s almost as if the skill has a temper or mood. I wonder if it’s just using my own mind against me?’

After using his skill on many random objects until it returned without further information, Kai gained a skill level up.

- Reality Comprehension [Lvl:2]: Increased detail in the objects focused on.

In addition to the level up a new skill appeared in a prompt.

- Self-Reality Alter [Lvl:1]: Able to alter how others perceive you by editing your own description prompt. Restricted to small objects. Disabled if you touch the affected opponents or the illusion is destroyed. Duration 1 minute, consumes 20 mana points.

‘Wow, I wonder how that works. I’ll be sure to test it later, but for now I’ll focus on my first skill some more.’

Kai turned his sights towards the group. He decided to view everyone with his newly leveled skill excluding Sylvia. The order at which he decided to look was Marc, Tessa, Sedric, Relanis, Helena, and Kira.

- Dangerous up and coming new warrior.

- Worrying about when or if he will ever see pizza bread again. (Marc)

- Head over heels for Sedric.

- Debating whether or not to continue viewing his backside or to talk to him. (Tessa)

- Notices Tessa, deciding whether to continue ignoring or start chatting.

- Interested about Kira’s location of interest. (Sedric)

- Status affected by minor hangover.

- Relaxed since Helena has paused her continuous advances. (Relanis)

- Currently feeling down and avoiding Relanis.

- Activating her new skill has shown things in a new light. (Helena)

- Steady increase in heart rate, tightly grasping onto the two objects within her hands. (Kira)

‘What’s got her in a fright? I wonder what those objects in her hands are.’ Now curious and worried, Kai tried to activate his skill again until a prompt window appeared.

- Mana:0/100 Skill cannot be used. Mana recovery rate plus one every 10 minutes, faster when resting or standing still.

‘Crap! I forgot about my mana...’

In deep thought about what to do, on whether to confront Kira or to ask the group for a short break, Tessa appeared at Kai’s side.

“Hey, Kai you never told us what your class was.” Forcefully interrupted mid way with a hand over her mouth.

“Shh, keep it down…”

Pushing his hand aside they trailed towards the back of the group.

“What's wrong?”

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone or laugh… Do you Promise?”

“Uh… yeah, tell me.”

“M-My class is Scholar…” Kai awkwardly stated.

*Pftt* "That's so like you."

"You just laughed didn't you..."

"Of course, should I give you some homework for the weekend as well?"

"Thanks..., I'm glad I told you." Kai sarcastically replied.

“Wait, I’m sorry. Perhaps the title of the class is the only thing that’s bad. How are your stats and skills?”

“The thing is my stats are dirt poor compared to everyone else’s. All my skills are completely random and basically useless.”

Before waiting for an obvious response to ask what they do Kai explained.

“The first one I got is a passive skill that lets me stay focused in a tense environment plus giving me minor resistance to mental attacks. As for [Reality Comprehension], after testing a few things. It gives random information about what I focus on, displayed in a prompt window. After using it for a while I got a new skill.  I haven’t used it yet, but the title seems like it will allow me to alter the perception of how I’m viewed, into any small object I choose.”

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Tessa stared at Kai oddly for a moment before continuing.

“That’s quite strange it’s almost as if you got what you wanted.”

“What do you mean, I didn’t want to be a weakling especially in a dream…”

“If you look at it compared to the real world. The reason you majored in Psychology was for the reason to be able to figure anyone or any situation out by your surroundings. So, in a sense, you got what you wished for.”

“Yea, but-” Kai hesitatingly responds before getting stopped.

“Look! Whatever’s done is done. You can’t change it, so quit acting like a baby and focus on what you have… Now, I’m guessing since you used your skill enough to gain a new skill and when I approached you, you weren’t looking around as much as before. You ran out of mana didn’t you?” Tessa suspected while looking at Kai wide eyed.

“Uh Yeah, I was about to ask for a break, so I could recover some mana points faster.”

“There's no need, I have just the thing! You see my class is cleric and along with a healing skill, I’m also able to grant increased mana regeneration. Right now it's only four mana points per second but it should help you out. Want me to use it on you?”

“Only!? Yes, definitely that would help.”

After thanking Tessa, he remembered the last prompt from Kira. Kai looked in her direction and noticed a pair of glowing lights through a bush beyond her. Focusing on the light Kai inadvertently activated Reality Comprehension.

- Wild Animal: Currently stalking prey and awaiting for the right time to strike. Danger!

After reading the prompt Kai shouted, “Watch out, Kira! There's something in the bushes ahead of you!”

Having heard this Kira with a puzzled expression looked over at Kai. Turning her back on the bushes, a figure of a large snake with fangs overextending from within its original jaw structure lunged for a death strike.

*DAAAT*

Striking the oversized alien looking snake was a rock thrown by Marc. A direct hit to the side of the face. Falling back from the impact the snake hisses and scurried away after losing its opportune first strike.

“Are you alright Kira?” Sedric said.

“Yeah, nice reaction time Marc.”

“Anytime, it was thanks to my new passive skill [Initiative]. It allows me to react fast to combat related instances. However, if Kai didn’t shout it out I would have never known.” Marc stated as he and everyone else turned to Kai.

‘Damn it, I attracted their attention. Should I lie about my class?’

“So, how far is it till this place you want to visit Kira? Also don’t you think we should take a short break to prepare some type of self-defense? Also is anyone else getting a bit hungry or is that just me?” Kai attempted to divert the question from himself and successfully grabbed their attention with the self-defense and food part. For self-defense Marc walked over to several trees and broke off branches the size of large walking sticks. He handed one to everyone for them to use. After everyone received their first weapon, they all thanked Marc. For the next question they all turned to Kira.

“I thought this was a dream, so why are we getting hungry. I thought the Polaris Engine would heal and give us nutrients so we would be maintained within this world for a long amount of time.” Relanis asked with a worried expression.

“Yes, well this has to relate with our minds that are accustomed with eating, so even in a dream we will feel hunger. Although, you are correct and the Polaris Engine will prevent any issues. However, it will be best to eat and satisfy your hunger, else it will hinder your overall performance just like in real life. I have prepared for this in advance and within your backpacks are rations that will last for several weeks depending on how you use them. After that we will need to be able to get our own food.” Allowing everyone to take a break and eat Kira settled down on a rock to focus on the seal.

Marc grabbed his food out of the pack and starts eating while going over to Tessa and Kai. “This isn’t half bad she actually prepared a pizza flavored meal. It can’t compare with my favorite pizza bread, but not bad.”

‘Is that due to you not having the pleasure of taking off half the toppings?’

“You just thought something bad didn’t you…” Marc replied as if knowing a tell that states whether Kai is harboring evil thoughts.

“Maybe, but don’t you think it's weird that the first thing we do once we get here is head to a destination, instead of figuring out exactly who else may be within this dream. Seeing as there's monsters lurking, wouldn’t that point to other beings. Maybe even other humans and things we can’t even begin to imagine existing as well?”

“In short you want information on this world. I understand what you mean, but if Kira wants to go somewhere first, it's not like any of us would object.” Marc reluctantly answered.

“Anyways stop trying to divert the attention away from yourself. What’s the deal, how were you able to know that there was a snake in the bushes?”

Before Kai could answer, Tessa not able to stand staying quiet anymore told Marc everything about his class and skills before giving Kai a chance to.

“A scholar? That’s a joke right? What are you going to do, read to them until they get bored and leave? Ah, wait you don’t have a book so recited from memory?” Marc responded similar to kicking a man while he’s already down.

“Tess! This is why I told you not to tell anyone, such a pain. This humiliation is unbearable…”

Already gone from the scene to avoid Kai’s anger, Tessa is seen eating her food and joining up with Sedric into a conversation. Knowing he went too far, Marc attempted to console his friend.

“It’s no big deal man, if you look at the class from another perspective since you got such a crappy class, maybe you will gain stat points and skills faster than others. Also you were the one who allowed us to prevent the danger. If it wasn’t for you who knows, Kira might of been woken up from this dream and back in the real world for dying. Haha-”

“I don’t think thats something to laugh about and crappy…, Well you may be right, after just using my first skill a few times I already got a new skill and leveled up the other one.”

“See!... Well, I’m going to sharpen this branch so it’ll be more useful in combat. Don’t let it get you too down.” Marc replied while leaving to find an object to sharpen his branch with.

‘Ah! That reminds me I found out something weird with Kira and was going to look further into it until that snake appeared.’

Focused on Kira, Kai saw her with the seal in hand and then some sort of magic manipulation occurred. Kai decided to use Reality Comprehension to figure out what’s going on.

- Creation magic currently activated, something is being formed.

‘Huh, that doesn’t make any sense, let’s try it again.’

Focusing specifically on the seal Kai activated his skill again. Instead of viewing a typical prompt, Kai is overwhelmed with massive amounts of data streaming through his mind that seemed to be never-ending. After seizing for a moment Kai went unconscious and hit the ground.

“Kai!” shouts from Marc and Tessa can be heard first followed by others gathering around.

"Hey, he's waking up!" Helena said.

“Argh, What happened?” Kai said as he put his hand to his face, rubbing as if to rid a headache.

“You tell us. One moment you're fine, then the next you're eating the floor.” Marc replied.

“I don’t know what happened…” Remembering what occurred Kai looked for Kira who was nowhere near him.

“Ok well, just take it easy we can stay here for a while if you need.” Helena stated with concern.

“No, I’ll be ready in a few minutes. We should get going before it gets too late.”

‘Damn, what was that? I remember focusing on the object within Kira’s grasp and then… Where did the thing go, did she put it away? Hmm, Where did she get those glasses from?’

Kai walked up to Kira and asked “Where did those come from? I thought you couldn’t bring non-biophysical matter from the real world here.”

“Oh, yes. Well, with my class and previous experience I made these through creation magic by using and manipulating the energy within an object.” Kira replied without bringing the object out of her backpack. Just before Kai could ask about the object Tessa interjects and added.

“Isn’t that amazing, she did that during the ten minutes your were passed out.”

“Wow, so if it’s made from magic, does it have any extra uses compared to a normal set of reading glasses?” Kai asked full of curiosity.

“I’m surprised you caught on. Yes, in fact it allows me to view information on objects and items that can be used for crafting. Another weird thing I noticed aside from that, is it also points in a direction as if a tracker of something. I’m not quite sure what it’s pointing at however.” Kira responded in an informative manner.

‘Just like my skill but with a higher level and limited to crafting materials only.’

“You gave everyone quite a scare. Is everything alright? If you think it’s a side effect of entering the dream world let me know right away, ok?”

“I’m alright. I don’t think its related.” Kai ended his questioning there and didn’t ask in more detail about the seal. To avoid explanation of his class and skills, Kai decided against it.

Continuing on to Kira’s destination they arrived at the place during mid day, after two more hours of walking. During the trip Kai ended up raising his skills with the help of Tessa’s mana regeneration skill. [Reality Comprehension] rose to level four, granting increased detail of information and now displayed monster levels. Coincidentally his passive skill [Critical Thinking] raised to level two and boosted his mental resistance to twenty percent. Kai also tested his new skill [Self-Reality Alter] bringing it to level three. The skill lasts for five minutes and now he is able to change the description of his appearance into a medium sized object, one by one meter big. The ability worked by effecting a single target he changed his perspective for and not everyone viewing him. The mana cost also decreased from twenty to twelve.

“This is where you wanted to go?” Sedric asked.

Viewing the area is what seemed to have existed over a decade ago, some type of human settlement. Ruins of burnt wood and large vegetation was grown over everything in excess. Walking further in, the group reached a large crater smothered with residue ash. With the seal in hand Kira started to feel very faint, remembering what happened here last time. Going up to it, Marc touched the surface of the crater.

“Ow!... Damn it’s still hot. What's going on?”

While Marc backed away, Kai focused on the crater.

- Trap activated, seal detected teleportal beacon activated. Target set: seal and the object with it, all else will be ignored.

Instead of shouting to back away Kai acted first and believed the so called seal is the object Kira was currently holding and what made him pass out. Running up to Kira as fast as possible and snatching the seal from her grasp Kai pushed her back.

The surrounding ash collected and formed into a dark blob the size of a beach ball. The darkness instantly beamed into Kai and forcefully knocked him back into the grasps of Sylvia. Upon hitting them the shadow enshrouded both their bodies. Accompanied with yells of fear, a large flash of light occurred leaving only pieces of backpack, along with their walking stick’s torn to shreds.