2 The Awakening
'What's he talking about? I can clearly see the blue 'status' screen only supposed awakened can see. Is he crazy or am I crazy?' Arthur settled down, reading the texts on his status, he pushed his right hand forward, causing his fingers to pass through the blue status screen.
[Name: Arthur Grimm]
[Class: Peerless Librarian]
[Physique - 10]
[Mana - 0]
[Strength - 10]
[Bookmarks - 0]
[Skill(s) - None]
Looking at this status screen, he was convinced he was an awakened but why didn't he have any mana? Why did the system record his full name?
And what was this 'Bookmarks' thing, he'd never heard anything about this before.
"But sir, I can see a status screen? How have I failed?" Arthur asked the white bearded man straight away.
"You must be feeling a bit dizzy young man, because there were no mana readings from your body. Now if you'll please leave, there are more candidates waiting in line." The old man gave him a serious look, gesturing for him to leave.
"But… Okay can I ask a question before I leave?"
"Yes, ask boy."
"What stats does a F Rank Hunter have?"
The old man looked at Arthur strangely, taken aback by his peculiar question. This boy wasn't even an awakened. Why was he asking such a useless question?
'He really must think he still has another chance. People only get two chances at awakening and he's failed both.' The old man thought, his eyes showing disinterest.
"They usually have Physique, Mana and Strength stats in excess of 10. And one last thing boy, I suggest you forget about ever becoming an awakened, every person only gets two chances. Don't bother and just take care of yourself. Please leave the room, and have a nice day." The old man replied, beginning to type away again.
Arthur was left taken back by this course of events. He quietly left the building, opening and closing his status menu multiple times. He also peeked at his body, lifting his T-Shirt, he had abs again? And the strength he felt in his fists as he closed and opened them, it was impossible to imagine this.
He really was an awakened… just without mana? But how is that possible?
Arthur finally made it to the library. He sighed deeply, not feeling tired at all after running back all the way from the Hunter association building to the Metropia library.
'Status Open' Arthur pronounced in his head, causing the already familiar blue screen to show in front of his vision.
[Name: Arthur Grimm]
[Class: Peerless Librarian]
[Physique - 10]
[Mana - 0]
[Strength - 10]
[Bookmarks - 0]
[Skill(s) - None]
He grimaced when his eyesight fell on his surname but he chose to ignore it. After doing some research on his desktop, he found his first few answers. Firstly, the 'Physique' stat showed the overall composition of the body including the stamina, vitality and the body's endurance, all compiled into one stat. Whilst the 'Strength' stat expressed how much power one could exert including sub categories such as punching power, speed and agility.
Classes were a profession/ specialisation that determined one's abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Over 70% of the awakened population would become an awakened with a Class already, whilst the rest were classless. In Arthur's case, his class was the 'Peerless Librarian'.
The main classes that regular people awoke with were 'Wizard', 'Fighter', 'Swordsman' etc. but it wasn't far-fetched for one to awaken with a class known as a 'Unique' class. In fact, the top hunters had these unique classes. This was tricky as Arthur knew nothing about his abilities.
The other theory he found on the WorldNet was that he might have had a premature awakening, causing his mana to not have developed in his body, consequently leaving his mana stat to be zero. There were recorded events of this occurring, although very rare again.
Arthur slammed his fist on the desk out of frustration.
"What does this all mean?" He stared at the ceiling sighing, leaning back on his reclined chair.
'I should just calm down and do my work for the day.' Arthur sighed, picking up the box kept next to his desk. He dropped it on his desk, picking out the books held within.
Just then a blue a sudden notification popped up in front of him, causing him to be startled. He dropped the books out of shock.
[You have gained a Class Specific Skill: 'Mental Library' (D)]
[Mental Library (D) - Every book you read will be stored in the Mental Library. You will never forget anything you have read ever again, allowing perfect recall of stories and books you have read!]
'My first skill is a D Rank skill! It does seem to be quite powerful, enhancing memory is a great skill, but I hoped I'd be a damage dealer, it seems I'm a support type.' Arthur leaned back in his chair once again spinning around in it. He had no answers to help him discover what his class meant, this was he drawback of having a Unique class.
Could it get any worse? He was an awakened with 0 mana, and he knew nothing about his abilities.
His chest heaved up and down, slowly, as he cleared his mind.
He took deep breaths like his grandfather had taught him, getting his breathing into a steady rhythm.
"Fuuuuuu…" Arthur's mind slowly became calm.
If his class was librarian, it would definitely have something to do with books. This was a start, if he kept doing what a librarian does, would he get better skills?
Arthur jumped up organising the books again. He ran down the rows and rows of books and shelves, fixing the shelves and dusting them. Each row held different genres of Fictional Stories.
The Library that he was in charge of held all the mythological stories as well as other fictional stories. It was his duty to ensure that all the books were organised correctly, keep everything tidy as well as tending to customers.
He had to take care of the Library whilst that annoying old woman was away. Arthur scowled, as a wrinkly annoying face appeared in his head, she cackled like a witch flicking through the money in her hand.
'I don't wanna think about that cranky old woman. If she didn't take me in, I would've left this dusty place already!' Arthur cursed in his head, continuing the maintenance of the bookshelves.
After several hours of maintenance work and finishing all his daily tasks, he was finally able to relax again, sitting back down on his desk. However, no new notifications popped up.
Arthur sat at his desk, flicking through the pages of the black book that the red-haired girl had given him; he hadn't realised how long he had been reading the story but he was fully immersed in it, picturing every aspect and detail of the story.
The Story showed how the main character, a female adventurer, stumbles into demon territory in order to save her family members that have been held hostage. She begins her journey dominating small demon camps, raising her strength. Then suddenly, when she's almost about to die to a high level demon, a male adventurer comes to her rescue. The two then continue on their journey together and ultimately defeat the Demon King Asmodeus.
[Book: 'Epic of The Demon King Slayer' has been added to the 'Mental Library']
[You have gained a New Class Specific Skill: 'Librarian's Gift' (S)]
[Librarian's Gift (S): User will be able to choose a story from the 'Mental Library' which they would like to conquer. Once the choice has been made, the user will be transmigrated to that world, to carry out the 'Quest' conditions. In completion of all conditions set, User will receive rewards and return to their world. However, failure to complete the conditions will lead in punishments.]
'A-An S R-Rank Skilll!!!' Arthur fell off his chair, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. He read the notifications over and over again, trying to understand what this skill was capable of. It wasn't a skill that would boost his fighting prowess like how the S Rank Hunters had but it would definitely have some speciality to it right?
Arthur contained his excitement and opened up the status menu. He activated the 'Librarian's Gift'' only to see the book he had read there with several options under it.
[Book Name: Epic of The Demon King Slayer]
[Difficulty: ★★★]
[Quest Conditions: In a world filled with magic, demons and adventurers, you will take up the role as Adventurer John Hart, who will save the female lead from dying. You must accompany her on her journey defeating demons and ultimately kill the demon king.]
[Quest requirements:
'Physique' Stat - 50+
'Mana' Stat - 40+
'Strength' Stat - 50+]
[Rewards:
????]
[Penalties: Failure to complete this Quest once chosen will make you unable to return to your main world.]
[Disclaimer - Dying in this transmigrated world will not return you to your world!]
"Sh*t then." Arthur laughed at the stupidity he was reading. What was this rubbish? He would be transmigrated to another world? And that world was the book he read?
Why would he ever risk his life for unknown rewards?
Arthur let out a chuckle shaking his head.
