Authors note: We will be using Deus' POV for a while.
Well.... This is unexpected. What am I supposed to do with a group of homeless people? I don't even want to be homeless in the first damn place! Well.... I don't think I have enough money to actually buy a house but.... whatever. Might as well take things in stride, well,first things first, lets distribute these stat points! Let's see, I have 30, but I don't have a class… well, I think I’ll do it this way, 15 in STR, 5 in AGI, 15 in LUCK. It seems I’ll be roaming the streets for now, so a bit of luck never hurts, might find some cool stuff in the garbage.
I turn towards the homeless. Some of them look happy, finally rid of that oaf. Some of them look scared, probably thought I was the same way. Others just didn't care and were getting ready to start their day. “So uh…. how does this usually go?” I ask.
A timid looking lady spoke up “Um we used to give Big Daddy Earl used to take a tenth of our food for protection against thugs and drunks and mean kids who would throw rocks at us.” immediately I heard whispers behind her “idiot, don't tell him about the food!” “what if he wants more!?”
I sighed. “Listen, I’m not taking any of your food, but uhh... tell you what, you can choose to give me 10% of any money you get and I’ll improve these back alleys. i mean, I’m guessing that the one tent here belonged to -pfft- Big Daddy Earl…. pahahaahahha” I can’t hold it together. I can't seriously call that guy big daddy Earl. After recovering from my laughter, I continue,everyone who actually cares is a little more relaxed after hearing i won't be taking their food but…
“How do we know you won't just take the money and spend it on whores?” Some lady said. Thats actually a pretty good question. I’m not entirely sure how to answer, but I’ll try anyway. “ I can't prove I'm a good guy, but if I do anything like that, feel free not to ever give me money again.” Murmurs run through the small crowd numbering less than two dozen. I never was good at politics, I don't think they'll trust me quite yet.
“Well think it over, I’m about to leave for a sec anyway. Anybody have a map?” It's best not to push them on the idea for now. A young guy around my age hands me a map “ Here you go boss, I still have a few from before the police took down my tour guide operation. Assholes. But why do you need a map? Are you not from here?” He asked, puzzled. I’m not sure if I should just drop the bomb that I’m from another world. In other games, the npc’s can tell that you're not one of them, there may be a reason for that, so I just say ‘sort of’ and quickly exit the alleys.
Wow, I heard all the traffic last night, but this city is huge. They said this was a modern world, but looking at architecture and the vehicles being driven, I’d say it looks more like New York in the 40s. Model T looking cars and shuttle buses are all over the place. I check the map.
It looks like the library I’m headed for is around 10 blocks south. I figure hitting the library would be the best option here, I need knowledge. plus in all my other games I'm usually a mage type. I'm not sure if thats the way I’ll be going, or if its even possible, but keeping the option open is in my best interest.
I begin jogging down the street. Looks like this isnt the best part of town, I see other colonies of homeless here and there, and children not in school, playing in the streets. I go down around 5 blocks, then out of nowhere, I see a fist lash out at me. In the real world I possibly could have dodged at last second, but here I just didn't have enough AGI. The result was that I was knocked off my feet but because of my previous momentum I tumbled another few feet forward.
“Ughh…” That hurt. It seems I have both the daze and the stun statuses afflicting me as well as half my health gone.I feel two sets of arms pull me up and drag me into an alley. The daze status begins to wear off, and I see someone in front of me. Some middle aged pale guy with slicked back hair wearing a homeless man’s attempt at formal clothing. God, he even altered that thin, dingy button up shirt to look like a suit jacket. It may be dark colored but I can still see the plaid, its a knit shirt, I know it is!!!
“Hello, child I am Mr. Vale lord of 92nd street blocks D through G. I heard you injustifiedly deposed a good friend of mine. That has made me literally upset, my boy. Now he never asked me to do this, but he didn't have to, for I am an ultimeous friend. Give Earl his deposition back.You won't like the alterderivative”
… I wanna die of laughter. the only thing keeping me from laughing during his whole speech was this stun status, and now it was wearing off. This guy was obviously trying to put on the most obnoxiously fake “rich english gentleman” accent I ever heard. And every word larger than three syllables, he used incorrectly or made up.While looking down I suppress the smile on my face with every ounce of mental and strength i can muster.
New Stat: Fortitude +10
“Hihihi!” oh god I gained a new stat for it!!! I can't keep it together! I already let out a little giggle. My whole body is trembling. It seems he didn't hear my giggling because he continues: ”I say child, no reason to tremble in fear, its a simple request. You’ll be fine after you do what I say and scurry along like a good little boy, I’ll only hurt you if you don’t do as I say.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Now that’s not funny. I hate being looked down at, and i don't tolerate threats. I’m gonna kick this guy’s ass! Wait, didn't something like this already happen with Earl? I think I have an anger problem… anyway, I just need to stay cool. I still beat his ass, I just have to remain calm, right?
I stand up, still being held by the goons and address this ‘Mr. Vale’: “Sir, I was under the impression that you were a gentleman, and yet this,” I raise my arms showing where I’m restrained, “is how you hold a conversation?”
Vale looks stunned for a moment, then says “Of course, how rude of me, I’m so used to handling these knaves, I have forgotten manners for a moment. Unand him, boys” Oh this guy is so easy. I wonder why he’s so caught up on appearances? Wait is this guy wearing cheap cologne too? No, Focus!!!! I can laugh about him as much as I want.
Now that I am unfettered by henchmen, I begin slowly walking around, under the pretense of stretching. My aim is the stick in the corner near the exit. “Now, Mr. Vale your request has put me in quite the precarious situation, as such swift changes in leadership may leave the people stupefied.” As I thought, my use of a high school level vocabulary is impressing him, as well as causing him to drop his guard.
“I see child, but I’m afraid it has to happen, I can't take no for an answer!” He says, while trying to wear an understanding smile. A rat! That’s it, that’s what he looks like! A rat in a wannabe suit. Now I’m by the stick however. I have no use for this facade. I grab the stick and say “Too bad. I like being the boss, if you don't like it you can go to hell you greasy fake suit wearing vermin” I may not wanna be homeless, but I don't want these assholes to have what they want, fuck them! Wait till I level up,I’m beating all their asses! … Wow, I think I should seriously get this anger thing checked out after I slaughter them all.
Vale looks absolutely livid. “KILL HIM NOW!” he yells at his subordinates. They run at me with their hands outstretched. It actually looks kind of comical, they look like villains on old cartoons. Their levels are 5 and 6, but they're unarmed. And I have the almighty stick!
Strong Stick.
This stick was once used to prop up a small library table, but was later used as a walking stick for a heavily obese man. Its very sturdy.
Durability 69/70
Damage 3-4
I lift the stick and take a stance. It must look right because the goons stop in their tracks and look at me warily. This is kinda embarrassing… but I don't know how to use a weapon. I was taught how to use my hands, and for dire situations, the family handgun.
One of the two attempts to rush me, and I hit him across the face with my stick reflexively. It kinda felt right, so I counter rushed him, and hit him two more times in the face, forcing him to attempt to cover his head with his arms in a sloppy guard. Hey, this weapon thing isn't that hard! I was going to hit him again but then I hear is partner coming at me from behind.
I swiftly turn and hit him in the neck. Then I kick him in the chest. I feel a blow hit the side of my head, and as my body staggers to the left, I see the other goon must have hit me. one hit took around 20% of my life, less than before because I wasn't running into it. It still hurt though, so this one is definitely going to pay.
I act as if I’m going to attack the one on the ground, then when the goon rushes me, I step back and trip him. As soon as he falls I stomp as hard as possible on the back of his neck, breaking it with a sickening sound. The other one sees this, and in his rage attempts to tackle me. Instead of retreating, I step forward and greet his face with a rising knee. As soon as he hits the floor, he leaves the world the same way as his partner.
New Skill: Stomp
Inflicts damage by stepping on your opponent
30% chance to break bones
Base Damage: 20
costs 20 stamina
New Skill: Cane Mastery
You can now wield canes to a better extent.
+15% damage with canes +10% chance for critical hit.
Level Up
Vales voice echoes throughout the alley, though he’s nowhere to be found. “I-I’ll remember this kid! you watch ya back cause I’m comin ya hear?!?” Oh god, I cant hold it in anymore "BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" he forgot to put on his fake voice! I wonder why he left though, to be honest, it was him I didn't want to face right off. His thugs were level 5 and 6, but he was level 11. He must not fight often if he's scared of me, but if he doesn't… how did he reach level 11? Ahhhh oh well, I’ll be back to snap his fragile neck another day. I take off in the direction I was headed to before: the library.