“Status”
Player : Zane Black
Race : [G - HUMAN]
Level : 1
Health : 50/50
Stamina : 50/50
Mana : 50/50
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
ATTRIBUTES
Physical [0] :
[Strength] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Dexterity] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Constitution] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
Mind [0] :
[Intelligence] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Willpower] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Capacity] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Free Main Attribute points : 1 ]
[Free Sub Attribute points : 1]
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Classes :
[]
Skills :
[]
Achievements :
[]
Affinities :
[]
Talents :
[]
Now that I have a free point, it was time to figure out the details of the status page.
If you’ve played RPG games before, the fields listed here were quite straightforward.
There were 2 main attributes, [Physical] and [Mind], The wording made it obvious to any competent person, as they each governed the body and magic respectively. Adding points to one of them would raise all sub-attributes below it by 1, meaning that each main attribute point equals 3 sub-attribute points.
There were fields below the numbers: Classes, Skills, Achievements, Affinities, and talents. Classes and skills were obvious, Achievements were special titles given by the system when a player does something it deemed to be extraordinary, Affinities were tied to a player’s elemental connection to the universe, and Talents were extra gifts rewarded by the system once a player has reached a certain level.
Unfortunately, the information that was beamed into me wasn’t complete, since I was clueless about the details of how the fields affected my overall power. How much does 1 point of strength increases my power by, for example, remained a mystery.
I spent less than a minute deciding where to put my attribute points on.
While magic sounded absolutely fascinating, there was no reason to put any points in the mind category at this moment. From what I know, players primarily used the mind stat for magic - which was neat, but I didn’t have access to any magic to speak of.
[15 minutes before tutorial begins.]
“Here I go..” I allocated 1 Main Attributes point into the physical category. I twitched as a small surge of electricity coursed through me, injecting me with power; Every single muscle tissue and my joint felt tighter and lighter, giving me that all too addictive feeling of getting stronger.
Then, I put a sub-attribute point in [Dexterity] preferring speed over strength. But a balance of both was usually the best.
Looking at the status page again, I was satisfied with my decision.
Player : Zane Black
Race : [G - HUMAN]
Level : 1
Health : 60/60
Stamina : 60/60
Mana : 50/50
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
ATTRIBUTES
Physical [1] :
[Strength] - 1 [base : 1] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Dexterity] - 2 [base : 1] [sub + achv : 1] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Constitution] - 1 [base : 1] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
Mind [0] :
[Intelligence] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Willpower] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
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[Capacity] - 0 [base : 0] [sub + achv : 0] [equipment :0] [bonus 0% : 0]
[Free Main Attribute points : 0 ]
[Free Sub Attribute points : 0]
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Classes :
[]
Skills :
[]
Achievements :
[]
Affinities :
[]
Talents :
[]
So, points from constitution add 10 points for both health and stamina.
The shining figure quietly watched me from afar. Perhaps it found the way I acted to be interesting. “Also, As a welcome gift, the system will reward you with a few starting items.”, It summoned a backpack from his outstretched hand and threw it at me.
A few box messages appeared as I caught the bag.
[1x Enchanted backpack acquired.]
[3x Minor healing potion acquired.]
[3x Ration acquired.]
Cool. I checked the bag’s contents one by one and all the description matches what was inside the bag. I could only assume that healing potions were rare, so I’d better use them sparingly.
The enchantment on the bag also matched the enchantment on the spear. They could repair themselves as long as they were not destroyed, which was tremendously handy.
“Do you have other questions? After the tutorial starts, you will not see me again until you or your group finishes it.”, It crossed its arms.
Questions… What more do I want to know?
“If it follows the rules of the games back on the earth, then I need to kill things to level up, Is that right?”, I derived my speculations from the memories of my past.
“The system has its own way of measuring one’s progress towards the next level. It was never disclosed in a detailed way, but your statement is most correct.”, The figure answered. “Also, you won’t be able to track your progress towards your next level unless you have the specific skill for it. Do you have any more questions?”
Honestly, his answer didn’t clear things up at all. All this system stuff sounded so fuzzy at times.
“What about affinities, Talents, and Achievements?” Opening the status page, I watched the empty fields that were listed below them.
“The system will provide enough explanation once you’ve gained them. Explaining it here is only a waste of time.”
Again, that’s so vague. I shrugged. Complaining wouldn’t do much, anyway.
“Alright… Then… I have something that I wanted to ask… But it’s not a question.” I said, glaring straight into the figure’s eyes. “Can we spar? I want to get used to this new feeling.”
“Spar..”, The figure cocked its head. “Do you wish to fight me?”.
“That’s right.”, Lifting my spear towards the figure, I said. “I know that you’re unimaginably stronger than me, so let’s not make this a fight of life and death. I just wanted to familiarize myself with this spear.”
With a nod, the figure summoned a spear made of light, similar in shape and length to mine, and whirled it around with its right arm. “I understand the concept of sparring, Zane. And yes,”. It paused. “I am significantly stronger than you are. You are free to begin.”
With a lunge, I dashed as fast as I could towards the figure and launched a simple thrust. To my surprise, I did the whole motion cleanly, with little to no awkwardness. The movement I made was so much swifter than I expected.
The figure simply turned its body sideways, avoiding my spear elegantly. “Are you surprised?” It said, noticing my inner thoughts. “The system’s attributes are now applied to your movements and strength. You should feel stronger and faster than you were before.”
Just from a single point in strength, I felt a noticeable increase in my power, and with 2 points in dexterity, my speed was perceptibly faster. “I thought I’m just imagining things.”
“Your race is weak by default. So the system’s attributes will have a lot more impact on you than the other races.”
So there are other races? I concluded, pulling my spear away. “You said other races, so that means that there are elves and dwarfs, then?”
“Yes. And many more.” The figure responded with a quick thrust, from which I bobbed away. “Good reactions.”
“Thanks.” I felt the adrenaline flooding my system.
“Then let me stretch you to your limits. Do not worry, I won’t hurt you.” It moved its left hand in a straight line horizontally. The figure’s body then faded, replaced with copies of the humanoid creature forming across its sides.
I rubbed my eyes and clenched the spear I was holding. Is it Magic? I thought, amazed by the spectacle.
“Try to avoid all my attacks.” All the copies of the figure spoke. I counted five of them around my position. “Here I come.”
The first attack came from the copy behind me. My eyes flared as I twisted my torso downwards, avoiding a nasty thrust straight at my head. I couldn’t relax yet, however, as the second attack came from the side. This time, it swung its spear from below, aiming to wipe my feet off the floor.
With a grunt, I used my free arm and steadied myself. When the swing was about to hit, I pushed my legs off the ground, performing a somersault backward. The momentum pushed the spear that was above away from me, and I landed between two of the copies beside me.
They both immediately attacked. The one to my right jumped up while the other one attempted to grab me. Meanwhile, the copies that had attacked dissipated into the air.
The grab was too quick for me to dodge and it held my torso between its arms, putting me into a choke hold. Desperation struck as I tried to free myself, but the strength of its arms far overpowered mine.
Looking up, I noticed the one that jumped pointing its spear toward my chest. With no options left, I gambled, pulling myself downwards in hopes of catching the one that held me off-guard. The copy didn’t expect the shift of the momentum, and the spear that was aimed at me plunged its head instead of mine. Both the copies dissipated as I rolled away, free from the grasp.
One left.
I focused my sight on the sole figure standing a few feet away from me. It gawked at me for a brief second, then lowered its spear. “Enough. That is commendable.”, It spoke, waving the spear into thin air.
Panting, I ask another question, “Who are you?”, There was no doubt that he was holding back.
“There are a few ways to answer that. First, I am the Administrator chosen to monitor the Tutorial in this sector. My responsibilities include supervising the players before and after the tutorial concluded.”, He answered. “I have no authority over the Tutorial events, before you ask any further.”
“And also, I am a God, at least, I am one according to the system’s label.”
“A god? Like Jesus?”, I said, slightly confused by his statement. “But the way you said it made it feel like the system is above you.”
“The system is above everyone, Zane.”, It stated. “We all bow under the system’s authority. And yes, just like Jesus, if that makes it easier for you.”
I hoisted the backpack onto my back, tugging at the straps a few types to make sure it won’t fall off. “From where I come from, a God is an absolute being..”, I trailed off, my expectations warped after the figure’s statement.
“That’s not how it works in here.”, The figure spoke. “Godhood is purely a title. A badge of honor and strength. Only those who have proven themselves worthy of the system’s blessing can achieve godhood.”
[Tutorial begins in 1 minute.]
“Our time is over. I hope you clear the tutorial, Zane Black. You’re an interesting player to see. Once you’re in the tutorial, I would recommend leaving the starting zone as quickly as possible.”, It said. “Also, do not trust anyone but yourself.”
With that last sentence, the figure dissolved into the empty air.
“Don’t trust anyone, huh? I’m used to that..”
[Tutorial begins in 10 seconds.]
Before, I was living in limbo. Stuck with no purpose and no desire to continue.
[Tutorial begins in 8 seconds.]
I gripped the spear tightly in my right arm. Flashes of my old life flickered in my head. The fights, the struggle, the pain, the losses…
[Tutorial begins in 6 seconds.]
All the things I did to support her.
All the lost years of my life.
All of it went to waste.
In the end, all my efforts were in vain.
[Tutorial begins in 4 seconds.]
Could this tutorial give me a new purpose in my life? I don’t know yet.
[Tutorial begins in 2 seconds.]
I suppose we’ll figure it out over there. Wherever it is.
[Tutorial begins in 1 second.]
[Teleporting player to sector #78904]
[Good luck, Zane black.]