After strategically investing his 40 points into Magical Power (MP for short), Alex felt a surge of satisfaction. Eager to see the impact, he opened his status window, anticipation brimming in his chest.
『[Status]
[Alexander Touch]
Class: Magic Gunman
Age: 17
Male
「 Rank 1」
Level 5
Experience Value (XP): 30/600
Magic Power: 1050 + 40 ? 1090
Magic: None
Attack: 130
Defense: 115
Agility: 150
Intelligence: 150
Luck: 100
BP: 0
Gift: Two Guns * Semi-sealed*
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Swift Fingers Max] [Presence Detection Level 1] [Throwing knife Level 3]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The one who can't use Magic] [The one whose fingers are faster than Flash] 』
With a satisfied nod, Alex confirmed his stat allocation - 40 BP channeled directly into his newly discovered wellspring of Magical Power (MP). Eager to see the tangible effects, he flicked open his status window, curiosity shimmering in his eyes.
Tomorrow held the promise of another goblin subjugation quest, further fueling his drive to climb the ladder of levels. Faster. Stronger. These became his mantras. Briefly satisfied with his plan, he turned his attention back to the enigmatic Silveria.
"Sil, enlighten me," he began, eager to unravel the mysteries of his class. "What exactly does 'Magic Gunman' entail?"
"Naturally, Master," she purred, amusement tinging her voice.
"Just as the name suggests, it refers to a firearm that operates on magical principles. In your case, your magical power will serve as the ammunition, fueling the creation of bullets within my very essence – yes, I am your magic gun, after all."
A hint of disdain colored her voice as she added, "And in this magical world, we have no use for your Earthly 'pretend' bullets."
The scorn in her voice piqued Alex's curiosity. "Fake bullets? But our firearms can be incredibly powerful! Some can even pierce through tanks!"
Silveria chuckled, a melodious sound laced with a touch of pity. "Perhaps in your world, yes. But here, against mythical creatures and powerful Rankers? Utterly useless, Master. Even your most destructive Earthly weapons – nuclear bombs, for example – pale in comparison to the raw power of magic."
Though he wasn't entirely surprised to hear about the limitations of Earthly technology in this fantastical realm, a shadow of apprehension flickered across his face. He'd initially felt despair upon realizing his Gift manifested as guns, weapons seemingly out of place in this magical world. Now, a new question clawed at him, demanding an answer.
"But Sil," he pressed, his voice laced with wonder,
"How do you know so much about my world?"
A playful glint lit up Silveria's voice as she replied,
"Oh dear, Master, seems your memory isn't the sharpest today. Don't you recall saying you wanted me to help you understand everything? Consider it part of the learning process."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Fine," he conceded, a hint of amusement softening his tone.
"But accessing my thoughts without permission is still off-limits, understood?"
"Absolutely," Silveria purred, a touch of feigned innocence in her voice.
"As I mentioned, it was merely a byproduct of my recent awakening. Rest assured, it won't happen again."
Alex nodded, though a note of caution lingered in his mind. This powerful weapon, despite calling him "Master," held an undeniable mischievous streak.
"Thank you for understanding, Master," Silveria continued, a playful lilt in her voice.
"It truly warms my core… I mean, circuits."
"Cut the act, Silveria," Alex chuckled, the tension easing. "Answer my question about the other weapon."
A flicker of surprise crossed Silveria's ethereal form.
"Ah, yes, your other Gift," she said, her tone more guarded. "Let's just say your 'Big Sister' has a very different personality. But worry not, she won't be a burden."
Intrigued, Alex pressed on. "Different how?"
Silveria clammed up, the playful facade momentarily dropping. "That information isn't currently accessible, Master," she stated firmly.
Alex recognized the finality in her tone. He chuckled instead, enjoying the brief glimpse into her veiled past.
"Alright, alright, keep your secrets," he teased. "But I have a feeling I'll unravel them eventually."
A hint of amusement returned to Silveria's voice. "Perhaps, Master. Perhaps."
They fell into a comfortable silence, the initial tension dissipated. Finally, Alex addressed his earlier question.
"So, about my memories…" he began.
"Ah, yes," Silveria interrupted, her voice regaining its informative cadence. "Our bond allows you to access fragments of my previous owner's experiences. This explains your knowledge of Earth and its… primitive technologies."
A flicker of pride softened Alex's features.
"Primitive, huh? But for a world lacking mana, I'd say we've done alright."
Silveria chuckled. "Indeed, Master. Now, onto your most pressing concern: ammunition."
She explained the MP cost per bullet, the limitations of his current capacity, and the potential for future upgrades as he progressed. Alex listened intently, the information fueling his determination to grow stronger.
Excitement bubbled within him as Silveria unveiled the possibilities of advanced bullets, each more powerful and versatile than the last. His initial disappointment at the MP consumption quickly faded, replaced by a thirst for knowledge and the potential his Gift held.
As exhaustion finally settled in, Alex bid farewell to Silveria for the night. The future was uncertain, but the path ahead was clear: train, grow stronger, and unlock the true potential of his unique Gift. He drifted off to sleep, a determined smile playing on his lips.
°°°°°
Deep within a hidden chamber, an oppressive darkness reigned supreme. Eerie silence clung to the air, heavy enough to make the bravest soul shiver. Suddenly, a sigh, barely a whisper, ripped through the stillness. It was impossible to discern the source, male or female, lost in the inky depths. The sound hung suspended for a moment, then dissolved back into the void, leaving the impression of a fleeting presence, a phantom echo in the abyss. The darkness settled once more, dense and absolute, as if the brief interruption had never been.