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The System: Book 1-[Initiation]
Chapter 2- [The School Error]

Chapter 2- [The School Error]

I just arrived at the school and have met the guard, hope it isn’t anything bad that awaits me. It makes me wonder, do guards during this untimely apocalypse still have to stand up straight for hours?

Chapter 2- The School Error

After being ushered into the school grounds by the not so friendly guard, I was left in a room along with a few others. They said that we are to wait for an interviewer so we would be put into respective jobs. The wait lasted for a few minutes when someone entered, a middle-aged lady with brown hair and small eyes wearing a wrinkled suit.

“Good afternoon fellow survivors, welcome to Tree Peak High School! I am May and I would help you with your assignments since our community is lacking in workers currently. Please fill up these forms that are being passed so we could assess you well.” The speech ended quickly followed by the presentation of said forms.

That was very confusing and interesting, is the manpower really that low? Where is the military when you need them? Well, I could contribute at least nothing wrong with doing that. Hope my job doesn’t concern people, those jobs are really annoying.

As I was wondering where all the military went, I was constantly answering the questions in the paper. The questions where something you would expect to see in a gamer resume. Some are such: “What level are you?” which I answered with 3. The next questions were something in the line of “What could you do?” these I didn’t answered directly since I figured that what class I currently am would surely cause a stir that I wouldn’t like to be in.

After the exam portion we were told to wait for the results in a dimly lighted room complete with an air conditioner. It made me wonder where they got the electricity running everything around. Generators maybe?

You see these past few years Philippines have finally catch up with the leading world economic statuses. Crimes were not that often and the poverty has finally toned down to the bearable level. Even farms are now done in spiral like buildings to conserve water, space, and energy. This caused the everyday life to be generally better and welcoming. Guns became uncommon soon after. As a big plus, basements could now be made without much fear, since flood routes have been secured and a simple draining system in your basement would be good enough to remove unneeded water.

After another few minutes of the agonizing wait I have to go through the evaluation have finally ended. The same lady, Denise, entered and told us our assignments. It seems I would be put in the support group who assists both the manual labor and the intellectual work. That seems fine, I think.

I went around the base in the few hours that have past. I helped Eric, a college student I’ve met in building his assigned structure, a simple bunker. We had about an hour before I even have to leave so he have told me a lot about what happened to him in this untimely apocalypse.

The next person I helped was named Emily; she is assigned at arranging the files in the temporary office that was built. The job was mostly boring since all you would have to do is put this file in that case. Make sure that that case is only filled with this file, and so on. She was fairly interesting to talk to; she has this sense of humor that makes fun of the apocalypse itself.

After the tasks I was assigned I went to my designated bunker which I coincidentally shared with both Emily and Eric. That night we shared a few tips about the apocalypse, I for the fact learned that mana and health potions do exist as drops and shop items. However, they mostly cost silver. I told them about the [SP Gem] and how you obtain a class, to become an official player. The night ended with these types of talks, we all slept like a bear afterwards.

-Timeskip 5HRS-

DING!

System Notice

Tree Peak High School has been turned into an [Imprisonment] dungeon! It would be impossible to get out unless the [Dungeon Boss] is defeated or a span of 2 weeks has passed. Sorry for the inconvinience and good luck!

Due to the presence of unique class holders, the absence of the necessary seals, the population of above a thousand, and the [Mana Basin] underneath, the territory encompassed by the school has turned into a dungeon. Due to the presence of abundant weaponry the monsters had been custom fitted to be stronger than usual. Be noted that the monster spawned by the dungeon are not encompassed by the population count of the actual numbers of the outside world. Tree Peak High School dungeon has been named: [Beginner Dungeon of Grave Dwellers].

Advisable Level: 5.

Crap! Why the heck would I cause this! I was not even here for a day! The level isn’t even low; it is 2 levels higher than mine. Maybe I could find someone with a gun and ask for their help? But the system said that the monsters have been custom fitted for fighting against guns right? Or is it just guns? To hell with this I’d just wake up Emily and Eric first.

“Eric! Emily! Wake up! The school just turned into a dungeon! We need to get out of here fast!”

“”Huh?!”” came the two disheveled voice of my roommates. They were probably wondering what the heck is happening right now.

“The school just turned into a dungeon and the monsters are probably more effective against guns compared to the ones outside. We need to quickly get out of the school and probably rescue some people on the way.”

The two were just starting to get fully conscious when they realized the full weight of the situation. They immediately panicked as I tried to calm them down so I could talk to them in a bearable level.

“Constantine, we need to get out! We are gonna die here! Level 5? That is simply insane for us who didn’t even have yet killed our own monsters!” cried the startled lady who just fell down from her bed.

“Get your shit together Emily. We would get out of her alive we just need you to be perfectly sane and going. ‘Kay? How about you Eric are you fine?” I asked as I kept my hands pressed at Emily’s shoulder.

“I don’t think I have any injuries, maybe just a bruise here and there but otherwise I think I’m fine. Thanks for the concern, we should go to the house I’m building first I have tools to make improvised weapons there.” He suggested with a hint of worry and fear in his voice.

“Then that would be our first priority, you both could at least hold weapons right? Here’s the plan, we get to the house Eric is building, make weapons, equip you both, and get the hell out of here. I’ll act as your guard; just make sure nothing sneaks up on us. We would also rescue anyone we could on the way, you fine with that?”

Both confirmed their agreements by a nod and started taking anything that might prove useful in the bunker. In the end we set out with a rope and lock, a piece of wood, and my trusty [Cutlericious Butcher Knife].

A few minutes went by and we were already past our halfway milestone when we heard a cry of terror and a shriek of hunger. We streaked straight to the place where the sound was coming from. There we saw a teenage girl about my age, wearing a simple white tee and jeans. She was holding onto a piece of hollow block presumably broken by being smashed into the monster’s head.

Speaking of the monster, it was not that different from normal zombie. With a few patches of skin missing and chunks of meat falling to the ground, it really is no different from one until I saw its info.

Hunger-driven Corpse LV. 7

HP: 436/500 MP: 1/10

Those words made me stop in my tracks. Not only it was level 7 it also had a high amount of health, even if the girl already smashed its most vulnerable spot with a block. Thinking that I may be able to at least save the girl, I ran forward and swung down my knife with a mediocre force not wanting it to lodge to the corpse. The simple swing I did took out the remaining 36 HP till it hit 400.

Obviously the corpse retaliated with fury. Doing something a corpse monster like him shouldn’t, he did a noticeable jab followed by a kick and a whip of his claws. Those moves terrified me; it also hurt a lot by the way. The final attacks brought down my health to 42HP, a staggering half of my life.

His combination made something happen to status now that I could see it, his MP now reached 0. Meaning that an attack of those kinds cost an MP at least. With the battle fury continuously increasing, I attacked him with [Retaliation], this one hitting him directly in the head. Inflicting the [Slowness] debuff on him.

It took it down 379 of its HP a good sign for me; this freak isn’t immune to knives. With only an 11 of its HP remaining it entered a mode that I haven’t yet seen. Probably gone berserk I think. Its attacks became more vicious, fiercer, faster, and a hell lot scarier. Unfortunately for him, a single swipe to the head was all it took to take him down.

You will be awarded for slaying a/an

<1> Hunger-driven Corpse LV.7

Rewards Received:

·         Skill Book [Feeding Frenzy]

·         Rotten Tooth

·         13 Copper Coins

·         168 XP

You have levelled up x2!

That one brought up my XP by a lot. Could have been an easier fight if someone had helped, I almost died! Speaking of help what happened to those two? As I turned around I saw nothing, on second thought I see both running as fast as they could to the direction we were from.

Damn, those two just ran while I was fighting to death. A bit of help couldn’t have hurt. Can’t blame them, they were scared after all. Just as I was about to turn back to the girl I helped, I saw a figure jump out of a ditch to latch onto Emily.

This caused Eric who was running beside her to stumble and fall to the ground. With my reflexes kicking in, I ran to their position faster than they did. I stabbed the [Zombiefied Human] to the death with my knife. This left me time to assess Emily.

She was bleeding from her neck and would probably die soon if no medical attention is given. Her body also has some scratches from the zombie that tried to kill her. A few twitches were happening in her arm as I saw mana I think? It pulsated in her veins, which looked oddly purplish.

“Please… kill me… I feel something changing me… from the inside… ugh… please….” continued her begging as I tried to help her. She once again moaned and begged to be killed.

Looking at her situation once more, she really looked like one of the undead already. The missing chunk on the side of her neck was really convincing to just do as she wishes. With a suppressed choke, I brought down my knife to her head finally killing her.

You will be awarded for slaying a/an

<1> Emily Hearth LV.0

Rewards Received:

·         Skill Book [Filing]

·         Golden Necklace of Regret

·         1 Copper Coin

·         1XP

·         Quest [Back to School]

Eric saw what I did and started screaming and shouting at me for being a murderer and killing Emily. Those were the final nails to coffin and I already needed to puke for what I did.

“Eric!” I shouted out to emphasize my point, “I’m not a fucking killer! She asked for it and I gave it to her! For fuck’s sake she looked to be in so much pain, what are you gonna do, talk her into being fine?! Goddammit, you left me alone while I was fighting to death for the both of you yet talk shit about me! Fine! Leave! I don’t fucking care about you anymore!”

“We could have done something about it! We- we could probably get a health potion or two to save her!”

“You fucking bastard don’t you see what is happening?! Every kind of shit hit the fan and we couldn’t do anything about it!”

That ungrateful bastard! He’s even got the nerves to talk to me like that after what I’ve done for him! You ran as I tried to save her yet you spout this bullshit?!

That conversation left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. Surely, Eric wouldn’t last for an hour in here. What with all this monsters that could kill me in two full attacks, he’d probably encounter something that would be his death.

Now that the anger and battle fury has toned down, I began to feel my injuries. A huge gash in my arm, again, and a large bruising in my chest; I sat there waiting for my regeneration to put me back to full health. I checked my loot and status after I’ve decided I’ll be waiting for too long.

Rotten Tooth

This tooth could use some brushing. May be used for necromancy, witchcraft, and alchemy.

Skill Book [Feeding Frenzy]

By turning 75% of your satiety your strength, vitality, agility, and speed by 35%. During skill duration your intelligence and wisdom would drop by 70%.

Duration:10s CD: 5Min

Skill Book [Filing]

This book grants the ability to instantaneously file and retrieve information perfectly from your mind. Speed of information retrieval is based on your mastery of the skill.

Current Speed: 20sec CD:0s MP Cost: 5

 Golden Necklace of Regret

A golden necklace formerly owned by Emily Hearth. This necklace has been blessed by a soul full of regrets, guilt, and fear.

Effects:

·         Halves the stats of someone who willingly puts it on.

·         Gives the debuff [Times of Regret] to someone it has been forcefully put on.

Name: Constantine (Remnant) Riposte

Class: Champion of Vengeance

Level: 5 (3/200)

Stamina: 37/130

Health:42/110

Mana: 1476/1500

Titles Equipped: Remnant, Sole Survivor, Glitchbane, Mana Overloaded

STR:9

VIT:8

AGI:9

SPD:8

INT:10

WIS:9

CHR:2

LUK:9

STATPTS:25

MNAREG: 1/sec

HPREG: 0.0016/sec

STAREG: 0.016/sec

[Retaliation Beginner Lv.1 7.3%]

[Book Comprehension Beginner Lv.6 75.6%]

None

It seems I’ve levelled up two times again, my stat points are being piled up to a quite huge number right now. Should I use some to raise my vitality? I need the regeneration after all might as well spend 5 of them into vitality. After spending 5 points into my vitality I checked my status again.

Name: Constantine (Remnant) Riposte

Class: Champion of Vengeance

Level: 5 (3/200)

Stamina: 37/180

Health:42/135

Mana: 1476/1500

Titles Equipped: Remnant, Sole Survivor, Glitchbane, Mana Overloaded

STR:9

VIT:13

AGI:9

SPD:8

INT:10

WIS:9

CHR:2

LUK:9

STATPTS:20

MNAREG: 1/sec

HPREG: 0.0041/sec

STAREG: 0.041/sec

[Retaliation Beginner Lv.1 7.3%]

[Book Comprehension Beginner Lv.6 75.6%]

None

Ahhhh… I felt a whole lot better after that upgrade. The stats have immediate effect it seems. The experience points required to level up is starting to get steeper now and I’m still at level 5 how much would I need when I reach the hundreds? Or is level 100 the level cap?

And finally, the quest I’ve got is suspicious. Isn’t a quest supposed to be given by a person at least? Then why did the system handed it out to me just like that? I hope nothing big is supposed to happen here. Deciding to just damn it all, I opened the quest.

“Open Quest!” silence, okay I think that was the wrong way.

“Open Quest Log!” I shouted again hoping it would open up. Sadly it didn’t. As I remembered the same thing that I did with they [Inventory], I thought of opening it, more like, willed it to open.

System Notice

Congratulations for opening up the [Quest Log]! The [Quest Log] is the list of quests you are currently doing. By accessing this system you have been given the ability to assign quests. Quests you assign may or may not have a reward, any reward failed to be given will cause the quest giver to be punished severely. There are two types of quests, a [System Quest] and a [Job Quest]. [System Quests] are given by the system itself and is usually rewarding. Meanwhile, a [Job Quest] is given by a person/group that has access to the system.

Good luck, and don’t die!

Quest Log

[Back to School]

Objective:

·         Rescue 750 or more people and kill 500 undead

Or

·         Kill 500 humans

Rewards:

·         100 Gold Coins

·         50000XP

·         ???

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

·         (Reward depends on taken route)

The other objective drained me of life. Kill… 500 humans? Would I be able to even do that? I just killed Emily yet the system is asking me to kill again? Is the fucking system itself kidding with me?! And from the objectives, it seems that it is even encouraging me to kill?

A near-silent sob was heard. Not from [Weepy Zombies], but from the girl I tried to help.

Finally behaving myself again, I set forth to helping the girl that I nearly forgot in her corner. Rushing back to the same spot I killed the [Hunger-driven Corpse], I saw her still in her spot, shaking.

“Are you okay?” Quickly followed up by, “Do you need any help?”

A sob was all the answer that I heard as an answer. After that answer from her I just tried my best to console her and coercing her into not crying. Few minutes passed and the final sob was heard, she could be talked to again.

With a runny nose and red eyes she said, “Huu… Thank…hic… you for saving me; I would have died if not for you…”

“Don’t sweat it; I did something that everybody is supposed to do. I just helped after all, nothing big there.” I tried to liven up her mood with those positive words; at least they were positive for me.

“Anyways, we need to get out of here fast. Monsters would soon be crawling around here with all the shouting me and that ungrateful hypocrite did.”

“Okay.” was all she replied with.

Another few of my precious minutes were spent trying to find an easily defensible place. In the end all I landed in was an enormous basement-bunker like place under a newly configured old stock room near the edge of the school grounds. Was this a bomb shelter?

I lit a candle I found in a cabinet in the place with its matching lighter. These were probably left by the owner who is either already dead or stuck somewhere else in this huge school. With the light illuminating the whole place I saw everything around in here.

There is a small window the size of a monitor just enough to let the light in by the door side. The cabinet I have beside me west of the door; plus an earlier tenant of the room somewhere in the middle. Did I already say he was huge, heavy, and undead?

A savage howl originated from that hulking mass of dead flesh; it was posed as if a gorilla, presenting itself as a very strong opponent. The very sound instilled fear into me, confirmed by the system even.

You have been inflicted by [Fear of Corpse] debuff. Stats are temporarily halved and you will be stunned for 5 seconds. Due to the level difference, debuff has been activated to fullest power.

A groan was all I could do. I hopelessly watched as the lumbering giant walked in a gorilla-like manner towards my position. The timer ticked as the pale-skinned giant inched closer to me. 5 seconds, the giant still hasn’t advance that much. 4 seconds, it is already moving at a considerable walking speed. 3 seconds, I could already feel the tremors generated by the weight of the monster even with the considerable size of the room. 2 seconds, I could hear it groaning already making the same sounds as any other undead. 1 second, it was already in front of me readying to raise its arms the size of a barrel.

BLAG!

The timer has already reached zero and I was making a mad dash to the door.  A crater was all that was left were I was once was. The lumbering brute unleashed another cry, this one not the same as earlier but something of annoyance due to the escaping prey.

I slammed the door as fast as I could once I reached it when I heard another sound coming from the same basement again.

“HELP!!” cried a distinct female sound, I nearly forgot her because of that roar. I need to go and help her but what about the brute? Could I even possibly kill it? Its health is probably in the thousands and I still haven’t regenerated my health to max after the last fight.

Another loud cry of help was heard and I decided to just go and save her. Before I went in though I saw a shimmer that caught my attention; the stock room held all kinds of goodies that we didn’t manage to salvage due to rushing in straight to the basement. Another idiotic mistake of mine; which I’d probably need to fix if I wanted to survive.

The shimmer that caught my attention was actually an axe. Maybe left here by one of the previous janitor which was used for clearing out tree branches that fell from the huge mango trees the school have planted. I grabbed it and went back to that dark place again, illuminated by only a single candlelight that I hope hasn’t died yet due to the situation.

The girl isn’t dead yet luckily. But she is currently in a corner again, she likes corners doesn’t she? The dead brute is in the middle again walking forward in a leisurely pace. I finally managed to focus enough to try and see the giant’s status.

Gargantuan Bloke + LV.15

HP: 1375/1375 MP: 0/5

Why do I meet all monsters who seemed to be always several leagues ahead of me? My luck was high as stated by the system even before the system appeared. Maybe that was just dumb luck factored in too, so it became that high.

A plus symbol besides its name isn’t probably a positive sign. As I could guess it probably signifies it as a rare monster, a miniboss, or even the boss itself. Anyway, it probably is a bad omen.

I charged the now identified [Gargantuan Bloke +] with my axe posed above my head. The brute was slow in everything it did so I was able to pitch in a [Retaliation] to its head before it was even able to whack me with its giant arms.

The strongest attack I have hit its head directly. However the damage was not that high compared to his health. It only took out a measly 246 of its HP, that was high for other undeads but not for him it seems. The gargantuan was already facing me at this point and I already had to backpedal to avoid being smashed.

Again, the ground shook with the impact of his arms. Making me nearly lose my balance and stumble to the ground. It started to walk towards me in its leisure walking pace, filling me with dread as it imposed the aura of a true murderer.

It stopped halfway through, and then punched its arm to the ground so hard I thought the ceiling may collapse. It took a chunk of the floor! Why the heck do I feel that he is about to throw that at me? Of course he does, and I try my best to avoid being a mere decoration in the wall.

The cooldown for [Retaliation] was already up but I still need a little more kick to my attacks… Right! The [Feeding Frenzy] skill book I got! How could I forget about it, which would probably increase my attack, but would cause me to become an idiot?

I opened up my inventory and took out the skill while keeping an eye on big guy. I willed myself to learn the skill book hoping for the [Book Comprehension] skill I got to study it for me. Successfully the confirmation screen popped up again.

Do you wish to study [Feeding Frenzy] with the [Book Comprehension]?

Yes/No

I answered yes and the book vanished into nothingness the same as what happened earlier. Another window popped up in front of me.

You have learned the skill [Feeding Frenzy]!

[Feeding Frenzy] Active CD:5Mins

By turning 75% of your maximum satiety into energy, your strength, speed, and vitality would increase by 35% for 10 seconds. Your intelligence and wisdom will drop by 70% during skill duration.

There, the extra kick I’ve been waiting for. But would the satiety drop make me really hungry? Plus the temporary debuff of idiocy, that’s what I would call it, cause me to become an idiot? I hope so because that isn’t gonna help fighting that gia-

BLAG

Another piece of the floor smashed the nearby wall, why isn’t the place collapsing yet? As I was wondering on how an underground room like this is strong enough to withstand that damage, the giant was readying its fists too take another chunk of the floor.

Using the opportunity of the idiot raising its arms, I charged to his front and activated [Feeding Frenzy] and felt my strength and speed rise considerably but I felt that I forgot some memories too. Shrugging of the strange feeling of memory loss, I attacked with a [Retaliation] hoping to damage the beast.

The strike connected, this time to its face, it even caused him to have the debuff [Slow Attack]. It caused the beast to drop the boulder it was holding a few centimeters from my back. The attacked surely damaged him for good if not kill him. The idiotic hope that he was dead was immediately removed, however.

The box signifying its health flashed and showed that it still got 377 HP. The beast moved with a faster pace this time. It swung its arms towards me; my only chance of blocking it is by accepting the damage with my axe.

I fortunately put the axe in front of me in the nick of time. Sadly, that isn’t enough to block the whole blunt impact. The metal handle of the axe snapped, making me hold two pieces. I flew back across the room and smashed into a wall.

It hurts a lot, but I didn’t die. Thanks to [Feeding Frenzy] still active, my vitality is a whole lot a higher than normal so it didn’t kill me. The bloke dashed towards me in a jogging speed. It looks like I’m about to really die. I can’t walk yet; my arms are a bit numb from the impact.

Sigh… Well, looks like this is my limit. At least I got the chance to see this brand new world.

PLONK

Huh? What is that? Isn’t that the girl? Why does it look like she just threw something? And why is the bloke burning? Holy shit! The bloke is burning! She must have thrown the candle! I need to get out of here!

Struggling with all my effort, I was able to stand. I limped to the left to avoid the giant trashing about. Thinking of something I could use to fight it, I remembered that I am still holding the broken axe.

With all the strength my arm could produce from its injured state, I threw the edged end with [Retaliation]. I don’t know what miracle even happened but it lodged on the brute’s side. Gouging a huge part of his huge torso and also inflicted [Cleansed]; this caused the damage of 1% HP/sec plus reduced speed.

The giant was down in less than 20 seconds due to the fire and the damage [Cleansed] caused. Another new notification would probably pop up from this but I really need to sleep, I passed out after those thoughts not even able to see the notification that popped up.

-Timeskip Unknown Time-

I woke up to a comfortable feeling, like I was sleeping in a pillow but this one’s a bit warm. Fresh from the laundry maybe, well anyways what could be the breakfast today? An omelet with vegetables, yeah that will be the breakfast for today.

After those thoughts, I tried to stand up and open my eyes, just doing that made my body hurt. Suddenly, I remembered what just happened. I remembered that I fought that mountain and miraculously won. But that still leaves the question, what am I sleeping on?

As I flicked my head about I finally understood why it was warm. I was sleeping on a girls lap… Holy shit! I’m sleeping on a girl’s lap! Ughh, my body still hurts. A voice rang out, obviously concerned about my groan.

“Mister, are you okay? You passed out after that fight so I let you rest on my lap first. You slept for at least 2 hours; the sun is already up right now.”

“Thanks… the bloke is already dead right? Did anything else happen after it died?” I asked the girl worrying if I might need to fight again.

“The giant is already dead you would be able to smell its body even from here. And yes, something did happen. A glowing crystal suddenly appeared in the middle of the room, and I became initiated to the system after I helped you kill it. Thank you for saving my life by the way, my name is Aria.”

“Morning Aria, I’m Constantine. Please help me sit.”

She helped me sit up after that, a disappointing thing I might say. Her lap was a comfortable place to sleep on. Leaving my delusional dream aside, I tried to see if could open up the pop-up windows that I didn’t see.

You will be awarded for slaying a/an

<1> Gargantuan Bloke + LV.15

Rewards Received:

·         Skill Book [Bulwark]

·         Dead Man’s Demi Gauntlet

·         1 Gold Coin

·         5 Small Health Potion

·         2371 XP

·         Access to: [Novice Champions’ Shop]

·         Access to: [Elite Auction]

·         Control of [Safe Zone]

System Notice

For killing an elite-class monster and having a unique class, you have been granted access to [Elite Auction].

The [Elite Auction] is a pocket dimension that connects multiple universes; there you may sell your goods or drops from monsters you have defeated. The [Elite Auction] is open only one day every three months and can only be entered while not in combat.

Time till next opening:86 Days

System Notice

Congratulations for taking control of a safe zone. This is done by slaying the elite-class monster guarding the area. As the current owner you may choose who you would let to enter or evict. Your ownership may be challenged in a duel either by one-on-one or by group battle. Losing a siege battle for the safe zone would cause the safe zone to be destroyed.

A safe zone is an area where monsters would not spawn. Safe zones will also double the regeneration rates of someone inside.

System Notice

Congratulations for unlocking a [Special Store]. Here you may use stat points to buy items not usually sold in common shops. [Special Stores] are usually guarded by elite variations of normal creatures so beware. Please note that [Special Stores] only appear in a place heavily controlled by the system, such as a dungeon.

You have levelled up x4!

That was a large boost to my XP, 4 level ups were nice for me. And finally! I have unlocked the shop I’ve been waiting for, the one where you spend stat points to buy something. I checked my status and the loot by routine.

Name: Constantine (Remnant) Riposte

Class: Champion of Vengeance

Level: 9 (649/750)

Stamina: 210/210

Health:112/150

Mana: 1500/1500

Titles Equipped: Remnant, Sole Survivor, Glitchbane, Mana Overloaded

STR:10

VIT:16            

AGI:10

SPD:8

INT:10

WIS:9

CHR:2

LUK:9

STATPTS:40

MNAREG: 1/sec

HPREG: 0.0056/sec

STAREG: 0.056/sec

[Retaliation Beginner Lv.1 16.9%]

[Feeding Frenzy Beginner Lv.1 4.6%]

[Book Comprehension Beginner Lv.6 78.7%]

None

Skill Book [Bulwark]

By using 100 Stamina and 500 Mana your defense would increase by 35% for 30sec. Effects would be increased based on the mastery of skill.

Duration: 30Sec. CD: 1Min.

Dead Man’s Demi Gauntlet

Damage:0-40 Durability: 206/250

A demi gauntlet made of the mithion alloy, 5% mithril and 95% iron. This gauntlet has been inside the arms of an elite-class undead monster for a long time. The mana residing in the monster’s body has been continuously corrupting the gauntlet, due to the high mana compatibility of mithion, due to this it gained a few new effects.

Effects:

·         [Corrupted Aura]: Prevents neutral undead from attacking you unless they were provoked. Steals mana from undead hostiles at the rate 0.50Mana/sec around 5Meters.

Small Health Potion

A small health potion of average effect. It heals 50HP per bottle.

The descriptions left me speechless, probably even more so than the store unlocked. If I remember correctly, mithril is a very rare metal in fantasy. Even if mixed with something as common as iron it would probably still be stronger than most. Its description even said so.

Of course, I also learned the skill book. Additional defense wouldn’t hurt me.

I probably looked crazy since Aria is looking at me with a stupefied look on her face. I couldn’t help it; these items were probably going to save my life at some point. That kind of feeling washing over you is uncontrollable.

I explained to her why I looked like that, this seemed to earn a comprehending look from her. She even went as far as asking if she could stay with me. She saw the notice relating to me being this place’s owner; she said something along the lines that she was told to ask permission from the owner to stay. Which in this case the owner was me.

Obviously I answered yes, rationally speaking; it would be a mistake of mine to let her leave without even being able to be of use to me. Saving her life, not once but twice, was a very hard job especially if you had to fight monsters almost twice your level. It looks like she have deducted that already and would try her best to be seen as useful, based on how she moves and even speaks.

“Umm, why don’t you,” she stopped for a moment and then continued, “I mean we check the shop over there?”

“Sure, we don’t have anything to do anyway,” I tried to think if she got anything remotely close to a reward from the help she gave me in killing the bloke “Did you get anything from the bloke? You should have probably gotten a reward from that kill.”

“Yeah, I got 50 silver coins, 572 XP, an [SP Gem #0432219454], and finally a [Damned Bastard Sword]. It says here that I levelled up 5 times too.”

She got nothing but a share of what I got but that level up really was nice. I could have used something like that to boost mine when I was starting yet; never mind, getting upset at something like that wouldn’t get me anywhere productive.

“Could I have those coins? I really have a freaking good guess that we would need that to buy something even remotely close to useful.”

She readily agreed with what I have told. Living here is more important to her rather than a few silver coins, that’s where she is wrong. Those few coins could buy her some very useful items from a shop even if not these one. But I couldn’t really blame her on that, I’d be scared to if I have to fend for myself out there with nothing but a few coins.

“Use that [SP Gem] you have. Tell me what you would get.”

She proceeded as my orders. The [SP Gem] flashed into multitude of colors again and it was gone. I opened my mouth when something unexpected happen.

Aria Winston wishes to show you her Class and Skill Screen

Do you accept?

Yes/No

Sharing like that was even possible? It really is starting to sound a like a full-blown game to me. Nevertheless, I accepted it.

[Firebug Sustenance]

[Firebug Sustenance] is a magic-support class mainly suited for battle assistance. [Firebug Sustenance] class-wielders employ a diverse collection of skills mainly related to fire that focus on giving aid to allies during and after battle situations.

[Minor Phoenix Flames] Active CD: 1S

Using 100Mana you are able to heal your allies in 1Meter radius for 50HP it also clears the mind of the intended target depending on the situation intensity. This skill damages undead for 20HP and debuffs them with [Cinder Belle] if they are within the spell radius.

A fire-related support class due to her helping me with fire; the system is very easy to predict in these parts but why did mine turn out like that? Vengeance? In what way did I kill for venge–

|[Sealed Fate] Activated|

Huh? Did something happen? Anyways, we walked towards the center where the crystal was located. I’ve seen the extensive details dawning on it once were close. It was full of intricate patterns, both straight and curve lines were present. The said lines also change every few or so seconds with even a different color. I stretched out my arm to try and trace the patterns when a new screen popped up and startled me.

Welcome to [Novice Champions’ Shop]

To buy simply think of purchasing the selected item and any system-acknowledged currency would be deducted from your total holdings.

Enjoy Shopping!

Large Overdrive Health Potion (1 Gold)

Large Overdrive Mana Potion (1Gold)

Scroll of Home Portal (50 Silver)

Skill Book [Sustained Antagonism] (10 Status Points)

Skill Book [Unrelenting Warrior] (10 Status Points)

Skill Book [Blood Debt] (10 Status Points)

Armor of Sovereign Retribution (50 Status Points)

Expeditious Boots of Mental Sluggishness (10 Copper Coins)

Keroth’s Tome (50 Status Points)

Scroll of Hopeful Reunification (1 Gold)

Medium Health Potion ( 5 Silver)

Medium Mana Potion (5 Silver)

Coppard Barricade (1 Gold)

Food Provision 1Person (5 Copper)

Bag of Great Stowing (1 Gold)

Bloodied Broadsword (50 Silver)

Flannel’s Lost Legacy (1 Gold)

The list was underwhelming at first seeing it was so small. The prices got me to change my mind very quick, however. The prices were above the roof, both the book and the armor. 50Stat points and above is very expensive! Does that mean I’d have to spend 10 levels without spending any stat is as much as worth as those things?!

This does really suck, seeing those exorbitant prices would deter anyone from buying anything. Keep note too that this is nothing but the novice version. How much more would the elite one cost?! As I was ranting curses in my mind directed towards the system, Aria patted my arm asking for something.

“I have a problem,” she said. “The system says that I would not be able to access this shop. Does that mean anything?”

“Nah, nothing at all,” I paused trying to find a better word, “this shop is exclusively for the classes with something related to being a champion.”

She stopped questioning after that. I used the silence she gave me to think of a better choice on what to do. Would I spend immediately for the instant boost or invest for the armor later on? That is quite a hard choice, but thinking over it again, living for today would give you a chance to live for tomorrow right?

Proceeding just to do it, I thought of purchasing the skill book [Blood Debt]. If this is what I’m thinking of as a DOT or buff for me then this would work well. The skill book appeared in my inventory, a system message even notifying me about it and saying thank you about purchasing the item.

I willed it to be inspected while inside my inventory along with the new sword I bought. What I got was something even better than I expected.

Skill Book [Blood Debt]

At the rate of 5Mana:1HP per second you could heal yourself by stealing blood from your surroundings. For each point of life you heal, 50ml of blood is lost from your opponent.

Duration: Indefinite CD: 0s

Flannel’s Lost Legacy

Damage: 0-75 Durability: 17/100

The prized sword of Unvirtuous Flannel, it was sold by him a few moments from his death. The sword was infused with Flannel’s soul through the continuous use of soul bond. Some effects are locked due to requirements.

Effects: [Soulbound]: This item could be recalled by the user from any point in 1000 mile radius once a day. Any unauthorized attempts to wield the sword would shock the soul of the said person. This item cannot be stolen by any means.

 [Ravenous Chef]: The sword could be repaired using soul essence.

[Avaricious Merchant]: By putting coins into the hilt, the sword would grant its user increased speed. The higher value, the better.

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

The skill was basically a skill that heals me for the damage I cause to my opponents, a template spell already. Very useful indeed, but the cost would deter anyone possibly trying to use it, if that person was not me. As of now I was pretty sure I have a very high amount of mana. Near the end of my contemplation she asked how much mana I have, I answered truthfully; confused why she would even think of asking that. My confusion was quickly cleared up as she answered when she showed a look of surprise and told me that she only has 200Mana, enough for a two uses of her spell.

The sword was a big catch too. It’s giving me the feeling that it is very strong later on, especially when I unlock all those effects.

Titles do make up a portion of a person’s fighting power. A heavily correct conclusion I got from what she said. Now that I think about it, those titles were really overpowered, but well, why bother when they were very useful.

It’s not like there were no drawbacks. The permanency of my mana regeneration was very sad. I could no longer spam fireballs in battle of resilience like they were made from thin air as I imagined. Hopefully, that could be changed guessing from the description. The only thing I would be able to do in the near future where everyone has an insane amount of mana regeneration is to spam few spells every time my mana gets full enough to attack.

Not that bad, I might say so. But we need to be done with what we already have; no use in crying over spilled milk. I proceeded to buy 6 Food provisions which cost me 30 Coppers. The purchase lowered my current money to 49 Silver 91 Coppers. I gave three food provisions to Aria and kept the other three to myself. She quickly opened up the surprisingly Styrofoam food holder completed with plastic utensils inside, and on a side note,  a colorless drink that would taste anything we like as long we have already tasted it, in a Styrofoam cup , and started to eat. And on a side note, the viand was the undying birthday party food, fried chicken.

“You know,” she stopped to swallow the food inside her mouth, “this apocalypse is really tiring. You’d have to ready to be ready to fight, run, and kill at a moment’s notice. I already miss my old boring life…”

“I agree with you on that, but shit already hit the fan, there’s nothing we could do except survive and possibly save a few.” I told her my only known goal as of now, not inspiring but it will do for now.

She grew silent after what I said; only opting to continue her meal. Now that she said that, it made me contemplate of my real goal. I really could save a few people as I am now; the problem is that if I save them would they be able to survive afterwards?

Damn, trying to save all of the people I could wouldn’t do good. Maybe saving a lot but not all? No, what about the others I couldn’t save? This situation frustrates me; all this power I currently have and I couldn’t even save anybody except for her. What would happen to me by the end of this apocalypse?

After our meals I told her that we should take anything remotely close to useful from the stock room above. We got a few hammers, different kinds of saw, a sledgehammer, and many more others. Among them was a list long of materials like wood in different sizes and plastic chairs similar to the ones found in classrooms.

The most I was thankful for however were the mattresses we found. They were a bit old and dusty with a few bite marks here and there but they were good; probably from old beds from the school clinic. We arranged the beds, which thankfully fit the door, to the far end of the room. The patches on the ground caused by giant were covered using some plywood lying around. The hole in the walls were a tad bit harder to fix, we had to use some huge nails we found to plant the plywood into the wall.

Another few hours were spent trying to fortify the place. It was almost noon when we were done; a makeshift barricade was placed to the door leading to the basement. We also arranged the bigger furniture to be easily movable to block the doorway should anything unforetold happen. Waving through all those mess was a very difficult job; but that cleaning at least gave as a bit of semblance to how our past lives.

We stopped to take our lunch and talked for a while on how we would proceed now that we’re done with arranging stuffs. It was set that we would head out after resting for an hour, to look for survivors. We just finished our meal when a new notification popped up.

3 Unknown/Unauthorized Personnel Wishes to enter the safe house

Would you like to grant them access?

Yes/No

Looks like our first visitors have turned up; better check them out whether they could be acceptable or all of them are assholes.

A/N: 7979 Words, maybe... Twice the words of the previous chapter; hope that nothing went wrong with this one, writing out this one while clipping errors both from the system and the story itself is very hard. Thankfully, I’ve got a whole lot better at writing from this experience. For those who are really wondering about why the stats turned out like that for Constantine, it will be explained in the next chapter. Remember, Constantine does not have the same status as other due to titles.  

Name: Constantine (Remnant) Riposte

Class: Champion of Vengeance

Level: 9 (649/750)

Stamina: 210/210

Health:112/150

Mana: 1500/1500

Titles Equipped: Remnant, Sole Survivor, Glitchbane, Mana Overloaded

STR:10

VIT:16            

AGI:10

SPD:8

INT:10

WIS:9

CHR:2

LUK:9

STATPTS:40

MNAREG: 1/sec

HPREG: 0.0056/sec

STAREG: 0.056/sec

[Retaliation Beginner Lv.1 16.9%]

[Feeding Frenzy Beginner Lv.1 4.6%]

[Blood Debt Beginner Lv.1 0.0%]

[Bulwark Beginner Lv.1 0.0%]

[Book Comprehension Beginner Lv.6 78.7%]

None

Currency: 49 Silver 91 Copper