New Chapter 3: The consequences

Chapter 3: The consequences

Pop~!

The sound of fire brought tranquility to my mind, and staring at it brought me even more peace. I was thinking about the bear I just severed. I didn't even hesitate, not to mention this feeling in my chest! The feeling of true arrogance. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and control myself from doing anything else stupid! 

The previous version of myself, while not caring about killing as I would deem it necessary in this world, I doubt I could do so without any hesitation as I did.

'One thing to take note of from this whole experience was that if the system did give a warning, consider it to be 100x worse.'

Even now I can still feel it. I'm not sure if it's Sukuna's actual will or just the aftereffects of merging with his experiences, as that was what the starter pack entailed which was NOT very clear, but the feeling that my overall being has changed is not pleasant but at least it isn't completely personality changing!

'One character I do not want to become is Sukuna. I really don't want to be any of them! I'm my own person!' 

Fortunately, this fire is helping calm down and helping suppress this inner desire even more than I could do alone. The sound of its crackling and its mesmerizing dance was comforting.

'Every action has a reaction. Even that God said it, the law of equivalent exchange was a law for a reason.'

It was understandable. I unlock paths; in exchange, I get power, but I also have to deal with the cost that comes with it. I'm sure this cost will be easier to withstand the stronger or more I go through the assimilation process. However, starting as Sukuna definitely, while the correct choice, also comes with his overbearing tendencies!

Fortunately, instead of being swallowed whole, it's like a weaker (still stronger than me) will had fused with my will, which I'm assuming was boosted by the system to resist the complete assimilation. Now, I kind of felt like Yuji, except this will of Sukuna's was a mere projection, though of his peak. Yuji got to build up fingers; I got all of them from the get go…yikes!

'This is gonna be tough to manage. I'll need to focus more on mind training than physical training at the moment, but I can't let my body fall behind either! A strong soul needs a stronger body.'

Now that I think about it…

As I activated my Curse Energy, its sickly green hue pulsed around me. I glanced at my wrists, now marked with black symbols reminiscent of Sukuna's. Though not as pronounced, they served as a mark of our assimilation. 

Let me check my status!

[Attributes] 

Cursed Energy(Magic)->D-590

Endurance->C-623

Power->D-501

Agility->E-453

Dexterity->E-455

'Nice but more importantly…'

[Skill Tree]

[Congratulations! You have started down the Sukuna Path. Since you had a starter pack, all skills down this path are given for free! Warning. Assimilation process also includes memories, wills, and other factors. Please be mindful of your mental state before beginning.]

"Motherfucker! You couldn't be this clear before?!"

I cursed. If anything, this system will be the only thing I need to generate negative emotions because it's pissing me off!

[Additionally, Skill points while being obtained through leveling up can also be acquired through leveling up skills as well. The starter pack is an exception; it isn't a starter pack for no reason! Current SP(skill points): 13]

[Skills obtained: Shrine(0/10), Dismantle(1/10), Cleave(0/10), Spiderweb(0/10), Fire(1/10), Reverse Cursed Technique (0/10), Domain Amplification(obtained but locked), Hollow Wicker Basket(0/10), Malevolent Shrine(0/10), and Hand-to-Hand Combat(2/10)]

[The numbers in () are your proficiency rating or levels of the skill. Mastery is 10/10 but that doesn't mean you can't bring the skill to further heights. Also, You have finished the tutorial of the system. No more system prompts, enjoy your life or just kill yourself, whatever!] 

'This damn thing, I swear! It didn't even tell me how to buy skills. I also can't level up proficiency through SP, which is great. If I had the option, I definitely would have abused it, and it would have ruined the fun. Crushing maggots wouldn't be as appealing! Oh shit, it came out on its own.'

No longer being the "tutorial", I spent the next two hours figuring everything out, and to my great pleasure, it was easier doing it on my own without an annoying note or warning that came after I did something.

1st. To buy a skill/Activate the skill on the skill tree, it has to be on an activated branch or the start of a category. For example, every category has one skill that is that branch's initial skill, which can be obtained. Unfortunately, the acquisition requirements aren't listed on skills, so it's either discovered naturally or bought.

2nd. The cost of skills goes up the further down you go away from the initial start. 1 to 2 to 3 to 4, etc. The SP amount is the indicator at what part of the branch I'm at!

3rd. There are non-categorized skills, or better known as general skills. Examples include cooking and other job-like skills. Unfortunately, no uncategorized combat skills; all of them seem to be in the main branch, but those aren't really hard to obtain either as it's pretty simple. Again, these non-categorized skills don't give any points.

4th. Duplicate skills...I'm unsure at the moment. We shall see in the future!

'I also didn't level up from earlier. Will I need a god to update my status if this is truly Danmachi? I really hope not.'

I just realized that nothing explained why I have these markings. 'Is it innate then?' 

Innate Skills: [Heavenly Physique], [Cursed Spirit], [Prosperity]

[Heavenly Physique: reverses the effects of the heavenly restriction. When obtained(heavenly restriction) instead of losing cursed energy you'll keep it! The more energy you have the stronger the physique you'll get.] 

[Cursed Spirit: A soul that has experience with death. Resists Soul Manipulation or the assimilation of another soul onto the main soul. The resistance gets stronger the more it happens. Meaning that when you fuse with new branches of skills your personality won't shift as much] 

[Prosperity: The acquisition of skills gives a recovery boost for 5 secs for each skill obtained. If multiple obtained at the same time grants an additional effect of restoring mental tranquility if no other factors inhibit it. Examples being hunger, pride, lust, etc.]