Mercury - Reborn as a Cat

Chapter 1: Tutorial

This day couldn't get any fucking worse. I'm… a cat. Well, a kitten to be precise. Yeah, something about as harmless as it gets. One with a light gray, silvery colour and very slight, purple, vine-like pattern on its fur. Now, that in and of itself isn't an issue, I'll take a get out jail free card for being an asshole anyday. The real problem lies in my current location. Please imagine the camera zooming out here. I'm on a mountain in the middle of nowhere! Even the echo is bad.

Now, in my limited years of life I've seen a lot of things. I've been on some mountains - albeit not a lot, I wasn't very physically active -, I've thought my fair share of thoughts, too, but never did it cross my mind that I would be reincarnated as a cat. Never been one to believe in religion by the way, so the general concept of reincarnation is weird to me. Oh yeah, I should prolly mention why I reincarnated.

Let's go back in time for a bit, with that wishy woshy flashback effect from cartoons. So, I'm just sitting there, living my best life, typing away at my boring office job, having dropped outta college, when finally the clock hits 1 p.m. and I get to go for my midday break. As any sensible man would, I go to the cafeteria. And just as any sensible man would, I eat my meal in silence. We're not allowed alcohol at work, at least not outside of senior positions and with it being my third year, well, the corporate world had yet to bestow such a position on me. Until I choked on my fries that is. Yeah, I went out like that. I failed to eat a fry, gasped for air, fell over backwards, hit my head and passed out. With the inability to breathe, that seems to have been that.

Or maybe I survived. Then again, if I had, how would I be a cat? Paws don't work for keyboards. Though thinking about one, it sure would make for a good bed…

Which is what brings me back to the present. On this coldass, shitty mountain. As a tiny baby cat. Without a mother. Yeah. I just kinda… appeared. Maybe I was abandoned for whatever reason. Anyways, as of right now, that's where I'm at. Very anticlimactic, huh? Oh well, I suppose that's not very unusual for me. But currently, I'm waiting for something. Oh yeah, you know what it is. See, I was never big on reading, but I had at least a handful of weeb friends. Oh yeah, those kinds of weebs. The ones that never shut up about their anime and manga. And, from what I heard, reincarnation is currently a prominent concept in eastern novels or some shit. Yeah, I'm waiting for the game pop-up.

Sure enough, there it was, a grey box appearing in the air with a mechanical 'ping'.

[<Human: Steve Tasads> has been reincarnated as <Common Mopaaw: |Unnamed|>]

[Partake in Tutorial? Y/N]

A Common Mopaaw, huh? Seems like that's my species. Sounds like a real fancy name for a cat. But for now, I've got bigger fish to fry. Mmmm fish… Ah, no, I have to focus. Yes, I would like a tutorial.

And, of course, an immediate response.

[Individual has accepted the Tutorial. Tutorial will now commence.]

Along with the simple message, there were multiple new pop-ups. Ah, this was really like a game, wasn't it? Of course. But, then again, all the better for me. I am somewhat familiar with those, after all.

[During the Tutorial, the individual will not be subject to outside forces. The individual's thoughts are accelerated. The individual is unable to enter combat. The individual is protected from temperature, hunger and wounds. The individual is unable to earn XP. The individual is now entering the <Tutorial> state.]

So that's how it was. Good, but now to find a loophole. While protected, I should find shelter. Time to head out.

[Warning. Player cannot leave Tutorial area during Tutorial. Reverting position.]

And back I went. Well, shit. No loophole here, huh? Oh well. Time to check on this mess of pop-ups then. At least they're sorted. Now then, focus.

[The system operates on commands. To view your information say "Status".]

"Meow," I say. Oh. Well. I really should have expected that, huh? Though the moment I say that, the Status window still opens, luckily. I suppose it also works with thought commands.

Status:

|Unnamed| [The individual's name.]

Lv.: 1 [The individual's level.]

Species: Common Mopaaw [The species the individual is currently part of.]

Titles: None [Titles the individual has earned through various, personally important feats, awarding permanent benefits.]

Hp: 3/3 [The individual's remaining and maximum life force.]

Mp: 1/1 [The individual's remaining and maximum magical power.]

Sp: 12/12 [The individual's remaining and maximum stamina.]

Strength: 4

Vitality: 2

Dexterity: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 2

Wisdom: 4

Willpower: 2

Luck: 8

Ability points: 0

Ah, interesting. This was my Status window. It seems that there were explanations added during the Tutorial, though those would probably disappear later. Wait. I was too caught up with reading. What is that saying? Are you shitting me? 3 Hp?! How- This was bullshit! How the fuck should I survive like this! Okay. Deep breaths Steve. You're a kitten, of course your Stats are shit, that's to be expected. For now, don't get hit, stay calm and let's continue watching the Tutorial.

[To view your Skills say "Skills"]

"Meow."

And again, a window opened.

Skills:

Active: <Dash lv.1>

Passive: <Fall Damage Reduction lv.1> <Night Vision lv.1>

Unique: <Shop lv.1>

Ah, these were my Skills, huh? Of course. I'm a cat, so I have catlike- A SHOP?! Wha-

[Some individuals have a unique Skill. These can be acquired through extensive training or be innate from birth. To use a Skill, simply speak its name. Passive Skills can also be disabled and enabled by speaking their names. Skills can be leveled up by utilising their effects. This is accurate towards both passive and active Skills. Upon reaching a certain level, Skills may evolve into superior forms. Some Skills do not evolve. Some Skills do not have a level cap. Physical Skills consume SP. Magical Skills consume MP.]

Oh, so Skills in this world were categorized. This system sure requires a lot of reading. Wait, another 'ping'? Jeez, the pop-ups just won't stop…

[New Skills can be acquired through: Skill Shop, Skill Evolution, Skill Acquisition, Skill-teaching objects. In order to see these principles in action, the individual is encouraged to try and gain more information about these methods by staring at them.]

… Staring at them? Seriously? What kind of stupid- okay, no, I really need to stop being so negative. This is my life now. I need to use this to survive. Okay. So, staring at one of those things… Two pop-ups followed immediately.

[Acquired the Skill <Appraisal lv.1> through a specific action.]

[Skill Shop: The Skill Shop is a menu which can be opened by saying "Skill Shop". You can spend Skill Points there to buy new Skills.]

Okayyy… but what are Skill Points?

[Skill Points: Skill Points are a currency gained over time and through leveling up. They can be used in order to buy new Skills in the Skill Shop.]

So they're an additional reward for leveling up. Interesting for sure. Since I just demonstrated Skill Acquisition I don't think I need to look that up. Same goes for Skill Evolution, which was just explained. Okay, so, moving on.

[There are additional Hidden Achievements. These may grant the individual "Titles", "Items", "Skills", "Points" or unlock additional hidden features.]

[The individual has now reached the end of the Tutorial.]

[The individual has gained the Title <Tutorial Completer>.]

Huh? Tutorial Completer? And what the heck does that do? Appraisal, please!

[<Tutorial Completer>: This is a Title granted to those who complete the Tutorial. Upon acquisition it grants 5 Ability Points.]

F-f-f-five ability points?! Status! Status!

Status:

|Unnamed|

Lv.: 1

Species: Common Mopaaw

Titles: <Tutorial Completer>

Hp: 3/3

Mp: 1/1

Sp: 12/12

Strength: 4

Vitality: 2

Dexterity: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 2

Wisdom: 4

Willpower: 2

Luck: 8

Ability points: 5

Holy shit! They're really there! Okay, gotta make sure I spend those well… I think 3 Hp is really a little low, so let's go with… 4 on Vitality and 1 on intelligence! Lock that in! Let's see my new Status then…

Status:

|Unnamed|

Lv.: 1

Species: Common Mopaaw

Titles: <Tutorial Completer>

Hp: 10/10

Mp: 2/2

Sp: 12/12

Strength: 4

Vitality: 2 -> 6

Dexterity: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 2 -> 3

Wisdom: 4

Willpower: 2

Luck: 8

Ability points: 0

10 Hp! That was sooooo much better. Though I really gotta find a shelter and some food now. It might be a good Idea to descend down the mountain then…