Chapter 4

[You have obtained the Skill Book "Pick Lock"! Would you like to learn this skill?]

I tapped the "yes" button as I idly slammed my mace one more time into my leg, letting out only a mild grunt of pain. I'd grown a tad used to it after spending the past hour or so repeating the action. Plus, raising the "Physical Endurance" skill to new levels also lessened the pain with each one. I think I got it to about level eight so far. My new "Pick Lock" skill, that I got from a small bookstore on the way back to the warehouse, simply increased the chance of successfully picking a lock and decreased the chance of my lockpicks breaking with each level. Handy skill, for a thief, though I didn't feel like I'd really need it. But it is best to have options.

I also found my first theft target after doing a little bit of digging. Some popular Dust shop in the upper commercial district was having a grand reopening tomorrow and even went the extra mile to get some very high quality Dust from the Schnee corporation in order to attract customers. By tonight the shop should be restocked and locked up for the big event tomorrow. There were even balloons and a banner decorating the shop, it was almost a shame I needed to rob it.

Almost.

I even had a nice little plan set up. There wasn't much I could do to sneak in unnoticed the conventional way since the shop was situated around one of the busiest intersections in Vale, even at night, but I could use my newfound cheaty abilities to simply appear to teleport into it. Hell, just in case the Dust was stored inside crates I checked to see if I could store crates full of stuff into my inventory, I had plenty just laying around me after all. And low and behold I could do it too, as long as it's the same crate type, is holding the same kind of stuff, and is not too big that I can't lift it. As long as I could bring it up to my inventory myself, I could store it.

[Quest created!]

Grand Theft Dust!

With your newfound resolve to dig deeper into the criminal underworld, you have decided the best starting point of your new career beyond pickpocketing is Dust robbery!

Requirements to complete:

-Successfully rob a Dust shop and steal any (or all) of the following: At least 3 crates worth of Dust, 6000 Lien

Rewards: 5000 Lien, a new title, skill book "Summon Elemental", 1 large bag of assorted Dust crystals

Failure: Imprisonment, unable to progress in the storyline

[Physical Endurance has gained 1 level!]

Make that level nine. I dismissed the skill level up notification and instead read through the new quest I received. Its rewards were mouthwatering, I didn't even care about the Lien or Dust, though the title sounded interesting, but that skill book was where the money is at. I'd have such a huge advantage over everyone else in this world. Hell, I could even try and convince certain people I was a Maiden, despite being a man, with them and they couldn't even prove me wrong when I'm blatantly doing things that look exactly like magic.

I wouldn't, naturally, as I did not need that kind of attention, but it was a funny thought nonetheless.

I quickly accepted the quest as I picked myself up from the ground of the empty dungeon I created and dusted my pants off, putting my mace back into my inventory. I pulled out my pistol and prepared myself for combat leveling, and I was going to level my Firearm Mastery this time. I wanted to make sure I was high enough in levels just in case there was going to be a surprise during the robbery. It was best to not get caught with my pants down.

One quick exiting and reentering of a dungeon later and I found myself back into the evil atmosphere of a Grimm infested dungeon. I have thankfully gotten used to the evil feeling of the place, being constantly subjected to the feeling has made me quite numb to it. After taking out a cigar and lighting it I walked right out of the warehouse and into the mostly empty streets. Pointing my pistol upwards I fired three shots to grab the attention of every Beowolf around me. Predictably, there were howls echoing through the streets, a small horde rounded a corner, roaring in anger when they spotted me and charged my location.

[You have gained 5 levels!]

[Firearm Mastery has risen by 8 levels!]

[You have learned the passive skill Unarmed Mastery!]

[Unarmed Mastery has risen by 3 levels!]

[Aura has risen by 2 levels!]

I sighed and sat down on a bench in exhaustion the second I left the dungeon, I might have a gamer's body but I still get tired after a workout like that. And boy was it a workout, I was running around killing Beowolves nonstop for hours, a couple hundred at least. I should start looking at training in higher leveled dungeons at this point, the XP I was getting from the Beowolves wasn't enough to level me in a timely manner anymore. Once I get Melodic Cudgel I can get right on that, but I should check out the new title I got from killing all the Grimm.

[Grimm Slayer - Tier 2 title]

Wow, you really like killing Grimm don't you? You are on your way to becoming a true Huntsman at this rate.

-60% increase in damage vs Grimm

-60% increase in defense vs Grimm

-All stats plus 10 when fighting Grimm

I grinned and equipped the new title for the hell of it, I'll be doing some more grinding after I get my new weapon tomorrow anyway. And the title has a tier system in it apparently, as this one was the obvious successor to the "Apprentice Grimm Slayer" title, it makes me wonder what the max tier is.

It had to be around ten at night right now so the store should be closed and empty, I was just glad my exhaustion goes away in like half an hour thanks to my ability, I was still ready to do this. So while waiting for the last of my exhaustion to leave me I opened up my stats menu.

"Status," I thought, the stats screen flashing into existence in front of my face. I dumped five more points into wisdom in order to get the base to a nice, flat thirty and give me a little bit of extra MP regeneration. The other twenty went into intelligence. I felt the power flood into me once I finished allocating my points, my MP bar getting larger.

[By raising INT over 50, you have gained the passive skill "Aura Affinity"!]

[Aura Affinity (Passive) Lv1 EXP: 0.0%]

Aura is a fact of life and has served the needs of man since they first discovered how to utilize the very essence of their souls to survive in this cruel world. You in particular have shown to be especially good at it.

-10% increase in MP recovery rate.

-5% increase in total MP amount.

-5% increase in aura attacks.

-5% increase in aura defence.

-30% increase in MP related skill effects.

I chuckled to myself, a good increase in my stats and I can now learn those two skills I couldn't from before. I pulled the two books out of my inventory and after checking to make sure no one was around to see I tapped "yes" on the aura striking one. The book turned into golden pixel-like light and faded from view.

[You have learned the skill "Far Strike"]

[Far Strike (Active) Lv1 EXP: 0.0%]

Hunters have long ago learnt how to use their aura to strike at foes just out of reach of melee range. But with modern technology making guns easier to use and don't require one to use their own aura for anything other than protection, this skill has begun to fall out of style.

-Cost: 50 MP

-Increased damage based on INT.

-Increased damage based on more MP used than cost.

-Can charge skill in weapon or hands before releasing for increased damage and higher critical chance.

A really good skill if used correctly and leveled up nicely, and I bet if I can get it to a lower cost the overcharging with MP and holding the skill in for a set length of time will have a massive damage boost. To be honest it kinda reminds me of Adam Taurus's semblance. I shook my head and grabbed hold of the other skill, tapping on learn.

[Aura Mend (Active) Lv1 EXP: 0.0%]

"Battle prowess is great and all, but what happens if you're too injured to fight? Declare it a flesh wound and say you've had worse? Now be reasonable and stop screaming already, you're giving me a headache."

Said the doctor to the patient.

-Cost: 50 MP

-Without Dust catalyst: Heals 50 HP, cures no status ailments.

-With Dust catalyst: Heals 50 HP, Restores 50 MP, cures low status ailments.

-Does not regrow lost limbs.

-Some damage can only be reversed with this skill by so much.

The book said it doesn't work without a Dust catalyst, is my ability modifying the skill to suit the gaming ability? I'm glad it does and all, but that's just weird. Being unable to not restore lost limbs or being unable to completely restore some damage deemed too large, but then again if I find myself in that kind of a position I'd probably be nearly dead anyway. I should look for a way to regrow limbs, but not yet as it isn't really an issue for me, I could literally sleep it off as it would be a status effect.

I closed the skill window for now, I'd work on grinding the skill later when I start with more "Physical Endurance" skill leveling. I stretched wide and felt my muscles loosen up, it seemed I was fully rested from my Grimm grinding now. Before I started to leave I pulled out my scroll and saw that I received a message from Marigold.

"Hey, almost finished with your new toy. Come by the shop after noon tomorrow, it should be ready by then. -Marigold"

I grinned in delight as I hopped off the bench and meandered my way across the city, I didn't have far to go since I planned my leveling to bring me to an area close by the Dust shop.

A few minutes later I found myself in an alleyway across the street from the shop, and giving the place a once-over from afar before deciding on when to go in. I just needed to make sure nobody was still inside. After a good ten minutes of just watching the store from the shadows I put my hand up and created an empty dungeon. Quickly exchanging my street clothes for a full black outfit, complete with a classic black ski mask that had forced me to adjust my glorious hair just to get it over my face.

Once I was certain I couldn't be identified with any sort of picture or video capture I used a quick far strike on the dungeon version of the store, shattering the windows. I simply strolled over the broken glass and made my way to the back storage door, easily kicking it down and entering the back room. I yanked a flashlight out of my inventory and left the dungeon.

The back room, as expected, was pitch black and I could not see a single thing. That wasn't a problem for me, thanks to modern technology. I flicked the flashlight on and used the light to scan the room before me, seeing a good number of large snowflake covered crates in the storage area. I walked over to the nearest crate and experimentally tried to lift it, key word being tried, it was really heavy and it made me realize I should invest some training into strength soon, I could barely move the damn thing. I stopped my strained lifting and huffed in annoyance.

[Thanks to your determined effort to lift heavier objects, your STR has risen by 1!]

"Thanks…" I thought to myself as I swiped the message away.

I set the flashlight on top of a nearby crate so that it illuminated the other crate I was going to experimentally look inside. Yanking a crowbar out of my inventory I stuck an end under the lid and pushed down, the top of the crate gave a loud cracking snap and burst up. I grabbed an edge and pushed the lid further up and peered inside, as luck may have it it seemed each crate was filled with smaller snowflake covered boxes. "This makes things a little easier now," I thought to myself.

I did a quick observe on one of the smaller boxes.

[Box of Assorted Dust - Quest Item]

It's exactly what you think it is, a box of dust. How about you stop staring at it and start stealing? Chop chop!

I rolled my eyes at the description of the Dust box, my ability has an odd sense of humor. I stuffed the crowbar back into my inventory and began the process of stuffing every box of Dust into my inventory. I managed to get about halfway through the first box before I heard footsteps. Swearing under my breath I grabbed my flashlight, turned it off, turned off my aura, and activated my Sneak skill before ducking behind some crates just as the door to the storage room unlocked and opened.

"Is someone there?" The new person asked the dark room, some sort of guard, as he scanned his own light around the room. The light stopped at the opened crate and he unholstered his pistol.

I almost snorted at the stupid question, only an idiot would've answered back. The guard slowly creeped into the room, closing the door behind him. It made sense to do so on some level, it cut off whoever was in there from leaving unnoticed. But on the other hand it also trapped him in with an unknown thief, and he didn't know what I could do. Not a smart move.

I silently used observe on the guard.

[Security Guard Lv18]

A security guard hired by a Dust shop. While he is not as strong as an actual Huntsman, not having the combat skill required, he still has aura and is thus stronger than an ordinary civilian. He also has a name, but you don't really care about that do you?

HP: 1134

MP: 1082

STR: (25) 32.5

VIT: (18) 23.4

DEX: (17) 22.1

INT: (14) 18.2

WIS: (8) 10.4

LUK: 10

Status: Active Aura

Mood: On guard, suspicious, nervous

Huh, maybe that was why he didn't have all that great of a plan of action, his intelligence and wisdom stats were pretty low. His luck looked about average but his strength was much higher than mine. I was glad my dexterity and vitality were higher than his, and I haven't even trained those stats yet. I can definitely take this guy no problem, but to be on the safe side I should just sneak attack him. In hindsight I should've started leveling my sneak skill, but no better time than the present.

The guard began his slow circling of the room, moving his light around ever so slowly. I was always moving and keeping behind cover, making sure he stays in sight so I don't end up surprised. I could hear the man audibly gulp and I doubted he was the bravest sort, which might be one of the reasons he couldn't make it as a hunter. After a good ten minutes and a few levels in sneak I found myself close behind the man, I brought up my mace that I took out of my inventory and slowly inched my way behind him.

Maybe he had heard something, or maybe it was just some instinctual aura thing, but he turned around the moment I launched my sneak attack. He shouted in surprise, firing his pistol at me. One of the bullets hit my HP directly before I activated my aura once again, hitting me in the side of the chest. I grunted in pain as I slammed my mace down at the guard, a full on power strike right into his chest. Thanks to the armor penetration I ended up doing a lot more damage than I thought, the guard's armor was cracked and his MP was down by half as he slammed into a wall.

But he wasn't completely down just yet, he rolled to the side just as my second attack came down onto the spot he occupied previously, demolishing the wall even further. He jumped back and tried to kick me in the head, I dodged around the kick and threw a haymaker into his jaw. The guard reeled back in pain and threw his own counter punch at me. We ended up trading blow after blow, blocking or dodging attacks, he seemed intent to not get caught by my mace again, as we seemed able to. The guard even tried to get a few sneaky potshots at me with his pistol every now and again, I had to commend him for that.

We broke off our dance of limbs and he jumped back to gain distance to fire his pistol at me once more. I was a little more ready for that and used my higher dexterity to deflect the projectiles to the side with my mace. I sent a quick and dirty Far Strike at him, catching him off guard in the face and making him stumble back in surprise. However, he only took an eighth of his total aura in damage from that, I haven't had a chance to level it up or charge it yet.

I used his stumbling around as a good enough distraction and whipped out my pistol from my inventory, I gave a few quick squeezes of the trigger. He managed to dodge a few, but was in obvious pain and was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of my shots. I didn't kill him, I didn't exactly need to anyway, he was just doing his job after all. The rounds from my own pistol struck him in the armor and a few non-vital areas, he grunted in pain as his MP dropped to zero and I watched as his aura shattered in a shimmer of sky blue. It looked pretty cool in person, to be honest.

He slammed back first into the wall as I calmly walked up to the down man and kicked his weapon away before he could reach for it.

"Damn, thief. You're just a cancer that's bringing society down the shithole," the man coughed out. I didn't respond and just slammed my foot into his face, knocking the man out. I stared at the unconscious body of the guard for a few seconds before shaking my head and returning to my stealing. He took a good bit of HP from his first shot and my MP was down by a third, I really needed to get some practice in on human combatants.

[You have gained 6,570 EXP!]

[You have gained 1 level!]

Right, I forgot, I was getting close to leveling when I finished grinding today, didn't expect the guard to even give me exp since I didn't kill him. Too bad he didn't drop any loot...

I went the extra mile during my robbery and took every crate full of Dust instead of the required three, it was extremely tedious work and my back felt like it was about to burst apart. Sure, I was a game character now but I can still get sore, it will just go away faster than a normal person if left alone and even quicker if I stretched. My inventory was filled with hundreds of the boxes of Schnee Dust and I could barely keep myself from dancing a little jig in place when I think of the money I can make from it all.

After stuffing the last of the smaller boxes into my inventory and doing some stretches to loosen my back up I charged a Far Strike into my hand and swung it down at the storage room's only door, right into its hinges. The door fell to the ground unceremoniously and I simply stepped over the fallen bit of wood. I made my way over to the cash register near the front door and used my crowbar to pry the thing open, there wasn't much in there, only a few hundred Lien, but it was something.

After destroying the register I looked around the shop's main room, most of it was filled with shelves of various containers of Dust. What use was a bag of Dust? I hadn't a clue honestly. One of the shelves had boxes full of Dust tubes, I remembered them as those storage things from the beginning of RWBY that held Dust in its powdered form. Shrugging to myself and deciding to hell with it, I wandered over to the boxes and ripped open a couple, yielding me with twelve, four in each box.

I could probably get a Dust usage skill if I practice using Dust enough, it might even increase the efficiency in my cane. And sure, I had plenty of Dust from the drops I get from killing the Beowolves, but what fun is it if I don't act like a thief?

I stuck a couple of the storage tubes under the bigger ones connected to the wall, watching them fill up and replacing one when it was finished. Soon enough I filled all twelve and stuck them into my inventory, I was finished here. Now, what's a grand heist without a bit of a dramatic exit?

I flung my arm at the shop's front wall and watched the windows explode out into the slightly busy street, and a gash cut across the unwindowed walls of the shop I was in and the buildings across the street. I kicked the front door down and slowly walked out into the open, civilians scrambling to back away in fear. I took a long and slow look at the crowd before simply jumping into the air and creating an empty dungeon to make it look like I teleported away.

I landed on one of the shorter buildings near the dungeon version of the Dust shop and took my time replacing my clothes with my street ones. Once I was back into my civilian attire a blue window flashed into view.

[Grand Theft Dust! - Quest Completed!]

By engaging in truly unlawful conduct, you have finally dipped your toes into the life of true crime! Now, how about you go take those stolen goods of yours and sell them to some shady guy in an alleyway would you?

Rewards: 5000 Lien, new title "Smooth Criminal", skill book "Summon Elemental", 1 large bag of assorted Dust crystals.

I couldn't take out my new skill book and learn it fast enough. It was gone within seconds and knowledge of how to summon elementals was firmly etched into my brain. I was one more step closer to my goals, I just needed my weapon, somehow find Neo, a get a reputation good enough to attract Cinder and her merry band. But, that's all future me's problem, I was tired and needed to sleep until I picked my weapon up tomorrow at noon.

I walked into the weapons workshop, excited by the fact I'm finally going to get Melodic Cudgel.

The store looked exactly the same as it did before, minus the fact that Marigold wasn't manning the front. I rang the little bell on the shop counter and waited for him to come out of the back. Not even a minute later Marigold himself strolled out of the back room with Melodic Cudgel in his hands. He took his place behind the register and set the weapon down on the counter.

"Here you go, all done," he said, pride filled his voice. "She's a beauty all right, might be one of the best weapons I've ever made."

I couldn't help but agree, "Observe!"

[Melodic Cudgel - Unique]

A powerful weapon made by Marigold, a weaponsmith in Vale. True to his word, his weapons really are some of the highest quality.

Quality: Epic

-Ranged damage increased by 250%.

-Dexterity increased by 50%.

-Blunt damage increased by 100%

-Attack speed increased by 50%

-Upgradeable (0/2)

Holy shit… this is one hell of a weapon. I'm going to keep this equipped at all times for that dexterity boost too. I pulled out the rest of the Lien I owe the man and let him count it, watching as he nodded in satisfaction and gave me an owner's manual for the cane. I'll have to memorize that later. I fanned out an extra three hundred Lien and set on the counter.

"For a job very well done," I said and saluted the man as he gave me a genuine smile at the gesture. I twirled the cane around a finger and strolled into the streets of Vale, I had some time to kill before going over to Junior's. Nightclubs don't open in the middle of the day.

I gotta say, I've just started my third day in this world and it's already been a hell of a ride.

Name: Roman Torchwick

Class: The Gamer

Level: 21 (Next Level: 340/23,100)

Title: Grimm Slayer

Bounty: 0 Lien

HP: 1,330

MP: 1,970(1969.8)

STR: 21 [Base 15 + 4.5(30%) + 1.5(10%)]

VIT: 28 [Base 20 + 6(30%) + 2(10%)]

DEX: 45.1 [Base 22 + 3.3(15%) + 6.6(30%) + 2.2(10%) + 11(50%)]

INT: 82.6 [Base 59 + 17.7(30%) + 5.9(10%)]

WIS: 42 [Base 30 + 9(30%) + 3(10%)]

LUK: 11

Elemental Affinity: None

Attribute Points: 5

Lien: 8580

Status Effects: Inactive Aura(Toggled Off)