Chapter 2: Necromancer System!
After finding nothing but this simple note from his father, it wouldn't be a lie to say his mood worsened. However, he listened to what he had to say and began to read it aloud. Grasping the small red pendant in his hand, he slowly read the words inscribed upon the paper: 'System'. Upon the mentioning of that word, the pendant began to glow and a sharp ringing sound could be made out.
"What's.. going on!?" he panicked.
He threw the pendant across the room, causing it to make contact with the wall and landing on the ground with a small thud, but for some reason he cursed his action and ran to grab the pendant once again; it was almost as if it was calling him.
Upon putting the pendant around his neck, a monotone voice echoed in his mind.
[Initiating Necromancer System]
[Registering User...]
[Welcome Darius to the Necromancer System]
"Necromancer.. System!?" he had no idea what was going on and tried to take it off, but his urges wouldn't allow him.
[The Necromancer System is a computational assistant that will help you in becoming the strongest entity and obtain a foothold in the cosmos.]
"You mean.. I can be stronger?" he proceeded.
[Ding! That's correct user]
[Simply say 'Status' to view your current capabilities]
After hearing this, he complied and muttered the following phrase: "Status".
[Status:
Name: Darius Acker
Age: 16
Race: Human
Abilities: None (Active & Passive)
Strength: 7
Endurance: 15
Agility: 5
Stamina: 4
PSI (Pychological State/Mind): 15
Achievements: None]
Reading this, it instantly hit him how weak he actually was and raised questions in his mind. How could he get stronger? What was this system for? Necromancer? He decided in asking the System in accordance with his questions.
"How can I improve my stats..?" he apathetically asked, expecting the same response he would usually recieve: Train, which was difficult for a Regular like him. He had already tempered his physcial state to the max.
[By leveling up, you gain additional stat points that can contribute to your overall stats, in turn making you stronger. There also quests that can provide rewards such as stat points, artifacts, exp, and abilities.]
His eyes shot up.
"Did you say.. abilities!?"
[That would be correct, user].
"So.. how do I get one of these quests then?" he asked.
[The System will provide 3 choices for you to pick from after completing each quest with no time limit to complete: they vary in difficulties which correspond to the rewards.]
He began pondering on the idea, walking back and forth his small apartment. He could become the strongest, no he would become the strongest. All the people who looked down and ridiculed him, they would soon be the ones in his position. He chuckled menacingly.
"Kekeke I'm ready to pick a mission".
The System began displaying his choices on an almost holographic screen that appeared before him and explained each one thoroughly.
[Quest #1: Training!
Good Ol' exercise to keep the body in shape.
Objectives: 100 Pushups, 100 Situps, 10km Run.]
[Quest #2: Public Embarrasment!
WARNING: User may die from embarrasment.
Objectives: Go to school naked, and publically expose yourself infront of your classmates.]
[Quest #3: Guardian.
First steps on the path to a Guardian.
Objectives: Clear an F ranked rift.]
Reading the second option, Darius cringed and cursed the System for proposing such a quest. He thought he could hear a faint chuckle from inside his head, but denied it. The third option was impossible, without an ability fighting against the monsters would be suicide, even with his physical state. The first option was the obvious choice, and so he clicked it without wasting any time and it displayed the following message:
[You have chosen Quest #1. Keeping fit is the key to a healthy physical and mental state! No time limit has been set.]
....
It had been 2 hours and Darius had just yet to complete his final 5km. He had already envisioned his future as the strongest Guardian and following his parents' footsteps to defending against the rifts. However, he needed to train first and become strong enough. If his PSI stat wasn't as high as it was, then he probably would've chosen Quest #3 and died instantly. His mind wavered at the very thought.
[Quest #1 Complete, rewards generating...
x5 Stat Points.
Level Up!
First Quest Bonus: x1 Bane of Venom (Rare Artifact).]
He immediately assigned his stat points equally in the following areas: STR, AGI and STA. His new status was displayed infront of him.
[Status:
Name: Darius Acker
Age: 16
Race: Human
Abilities: None (Active & Passive)
Strength: 10
Endurance: 15
Agility: 6
Stamina: 5
PSI (Pychological State/Mind): 15
Achievements: None]
After enduring the stressing workout, he immediately collapsed on his bed and fell asleep, not even bothering to turn off the dim light that constantly flickered due to the state of his rundown apartment.
He now possessed the opportunity to grow stronger and rise above his peers in levels, becoming something greater and more powerful. The higher the level and rank of a Guardian, the more society values them, but this wasn't Darius' end goal. It wasn't to simply be recognised, he wished to rise above them all and be a guidance for humanity, where nobody could every ridicule him again.