As I stood alone in the clearing of the lush forest, the beauty of it all hit me like a wave. My eyes widened as the vibrant colors painted the surrounding scene, the gentle rustle of leaves tickling my ears. A sweet scent filled the air, making me take a deep breath, my chest rising and falling in sync with nature. It felt like stepping into a living painting, bursting with possibilities.
I looked around, soaking in every detail. The towering trees seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky, their branches swaying lazily in the breeze. Shafts of sunlight pierced the canopy, creating playful patterns on the forest floor. Birds chirped merrily overhead, their songs blending into the symphony of the forest. It was likely late afternoon, but time seemed to stand still in this magical place.
Excitement bubbled up inside me, and I took a tentative step forward. The soft earth gave way beneath my feet, making me feel grounded yet free. For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the fairy-tale scene. But reality soon nudged its way back in. I had a purpose here, thrust into this strange world by an even stranger system. My mind needed to focus.
“Status Window,” I thought, and a blue transparent screen popped up, listing various choices: Player Status, Weapons, Ammo, Defensive Items, Apparel, Skills, Accessories, Monetary Items, Maps, Tools/Items, Messages, Friends, Online Store, and Guidelines.
The Messages tab blinked urgently. With a quick tap, I opened it to find a single unread message titled “Welcome from the System.” My heart raced as I read the content.
***
Welcome Aoi Player Akira Sakamoto! Here are your Marksman offensive and defensive abilities. Good luck with your quest.
Subclass Gunner
Offensive Abilities:
Bullet Barrage: Unleashes a rapid barrage of bullets, saturating the battlefield with gunfire and shredding through enemy defenses. Explosive Rounds: Loads ammunition infused with explosive magic, causing bullets to detonate on impact and deal area damage.
Defensive Abilities:
Cover Fire: Provides suppressing fire to cover allies, reducing incoming damage and drawing enemy attention away from vulnerable teammates.
***
Yes! This is what I’m talking about!
I clenched a fist, feeling a surge of excitement. Eagerly, I selected the Weapons tab, only to find it empty.
Eh? Where’s my weapon? I patted my pockets, finding nothing. My eyes scanned the surrounding ground, but it was bare.
I quickly checked the Defensive Items tab—also empty. But when I selected the Apparel tab, my heart leaped.
***
Ranger Outfit (Rare)
Description: Can warm you slightly during the night. Auto clean from any stains. Auto dry.
***
With a single thought, my school uniform vanished, replaced by the Ranger outfit. The transformation was instantaneous, and I felt a rush of exhilaration as I took in my new attire. The dark green cloak draped elegantly over my shoulders, decorated with intricate leaf patterns that shimmered in the sunlight. Beneath the cloak, a soft leather tunic hugged my torso, offering both comfort and protection. The boots, crafted from supple leather, fit perfectly, providing a sturdy yet flexible grip on the forest floor.
I couldn’t help but smile as I admired the ensemble, feeling empowered in the rugged yet refined attire. My school uniform now neatly sat in the Apparel inventory, ready to be summoned whenever needed.
“So that’s how it works!” I muttered, delighted by the seamless transition.
Turning my attention back to the interface, I moved on to the Guidelines tab, skimming through orientation details and other information to read later. The various tabs—Accessories, Friends, and Tools—were all empty, mirroring the barren Weapons and Defensive Items tabs. Each void amplified my anticipation and frustration, serving as a reminder of the vast acquisitions and accomplishments awaiting me in this unfamiliar realm.
“This is getting annoying,” I grumbled, shaking my head as I selected the Skills tab. The interface presented a list of potential abilities, each accompanied by a brief description. My eyes scanned the options, trying to decipher their significance.
***
Skills in Use: One
Default Skills: One
Status Sight Level One
(Able to see Player and Monster’s Info. Able to see Item’s info that the player possesses.)
Special Skills: None
***
The instructions clarified that skill levels would increase as I leveled up, and I could activate up to five special skills simultaneously. Furthermore, after selecting a special skill, I needed to wait twenty-four hours before I could switch it with another one. For the default skill, there was no limit.
Reviewing the details, I noted that Status Sight Level One would enable me to see both player and monster information, a valuable tool for assessing my surroundings and strategizing. The prospect of leveling up and unlocking new abilities excited me, yet the constraints on special skills made me cautious. It meant I had to choose wisely, planning my actions and selections carefully to maximize my effectiveness.
Upon selecting the Online Store tab, it informed me that items would become available as I leveled up. The promise of future gear and enhancements was tantalizing, but the current emptiness of the store only added to my dissatisfaction. I ruffled my hair and sighed. “This is driving me crazy!” I selected the Ammo tab, and only one item appeared.
***
Ammo:
(Phrase to load or reload your ammo to your current weapon: Sōten)
Well-sphere rock: Ishi—Available in online store
QTY: 20
***
My brows furrowed. Why give me ammo but no weapon?
“Well, whatever. Just try the command, Kira,” I told myself. “Sōten,” I thought, and felt something solid materialize in my right hand.
“What the heck is this?” I stared at the sturdy rock, slightly larger than a marble. It took a moment for the realization to hit me.
“You expect me to throw this at my opponent?” I shouted at the sky. “Fairness my butt!”
As if in response, noises rustled through the undergrowth. I tightened my grip on the rock, my heart thudding in my chest.
“Who goes there?” I called, trying to keep my voice steady.
A figure stepped out from behind a tree, causing me to jump in surprise. It was a creature unlike any I had ever seen before. Standing about four feet tall, it had a wiry frame covered in mottled green skin, which was rough and pebbled like an alligator’s hide. Pointed ears jutted out from the sides of its head, twitching slightly, as if listening to every sound in the forest. Its bulbous nose, which looked almost comically large for its face, twitched with a menacing curiosity, as if sniffing out my fear.
Tufts of coarse hair sprouted randomly from its head and shoulders, giving it a wild, untamed appearance. The creature’s mouth stretched into a wide, unsettling grin, revealing rows of sharp, jagged teeth that gleamed ominously in the sunlight. Its beady eyes, black and unblinking, seemed to gleam with malicious intent, tracking my every movement.
The creature took a step closer, its movements deliberate and confident, exuding a predatory aura. The surrounding forest seemed to grow quieter, the usual sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves fading into an eerie silence.
My heart pounded as I sized up my opponent, the rock feeling woefully inadequate in my hand. The creature’s eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and malice, and its grin widened as it saw the uncertainty in my stance. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment.
“Stay back!” I warned, trying to inject as much authority as I could into my trembling voice.
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