Another Beginning

"Good question…!" (Ed)

"… are you just going to stop there? Hurry up and explain!" (Daniel)

"Alright, fine! Your dog was given a choice on where and in what manner to get reincarnated, and he chose 'at the outskirts of the world' and 'a system'.

You know, he was so idiotic that he forgot he asked for a system!" (Ed)

"Sounds like him. Anyway, what can you do, Ed?" (Daniel)

"Many things." (Ed)

"… that's it? Not going to explain any further?" (Daniel)

"I'm a system. I can do many things. There, I've explained further." (Ed)

"… you really know how to get on people's nerves, don't you?" (Daniel)

"Hahaha! I was just pulling your leg. Lucky it wasn't your third one. Anyway, on to my functions.

While I can't give you any fancy anime powers, I can learn about anything just by looking at the object.

Basically, I'm a portable game system that allows for appraisal, storage and fast learning of skills and abilities." (Ed)

"Sounds sweet, but isn't that a bit too little? Is there no lottery, or any 'sudden strength gain' tags on any of your functions?" (Daniel)

"Now that you mention it, I do have a lottery! Tehepero~! I forgot!" (Ed)

"Wah! Stop! Don't even try to imitate that with your mechanical and manly voice! Now I want to puke!" (Daniel)

"Go ahead, I'm waiting." (Ed)

I could almost feel a disdainful gaze that was looking down on me from Ed's response. Damn system! Why is he so sadistic?

"*ahem* Don't I get a starter pack or anything?" (Daniel)

"Ah… I forgot again." (Ed)

"Who's the stupid one now?" (Daniel)

"Bloody Dumb Idiot!" (Ed)

"… can't disagree with you there." (Daniel)

"Anyway, here's your starter pack.

[1 x Bone Manipulation (Skill)

5 x Lottery chances

10 levels.]

That's all." (Ed)

I guess that's good enough, right?

"What's the Bone Manipulation skill?" (Daniel)

"It allows you to summon and shape bones as you like. You can change their density, their properties, everything!" (Ed)

What's with this super powerful skill? Should I really be getting this skill in my starter pack?

Anyway, I guess I can get real strong real fast. I have all my knowledge of fighting from my previous two lives as well… speaking of which, I wonder what my body is like right now.

'Here, your status.' (Ed)

'Wha! Did you just read my mind?' (Daniel)

'… I am a part of you… I can read your mind and speak directly into it as well!' (Ed)

'That sure is convenient. Actually, tonnes of systems can do something like this, so why am I all surprised?' (Daniel)

'Probably that dog of yours influencing you.' (Ed)

'Shut it!' (Daniel)

[Status:

Name: Daniel

Age: 14

Class: None

Level: 0 -> 10

STR: 24

VIT: 5

AGI: 16

DEX: 31

INT: 12

Skills: Bone Manipulation]

I checked my status, and it seems like it was pretty good. Although… my vitality is really low. Just what did my dog ask for? Actually, I'm already level 10 and my vitality is only at 5! Then what was it when I was level 1??

'It was 0.1. I'm actually surprised you could handle speaking to me in that state.' (Ed)

'Fufufu. I wasn't an Immortal Cultivator for no reason! Hahahahaha!' (Daniel)

'What does that have to do with vitality?' (Ed)

'Eh? You don't get it? So much for having a comrade…' (Daniel)

'*ahem* unlike you, I have none of those 'urges' that humans possess. Naturally, I can't connect with your joke like that.' (Ed)

I guess that's true.

Now that I notice it, my status has no HP or MP value, so maybe it was like in my first world where we have to find out my limits.

'Oops. I forgot again.' (Ed)

'Can you remember the important stuff next time??' (Daniel)

[Status:

Name: Daniel

Age: 14

Class: None

Level: 10

HP: 58/58

MP: 120/120

STR: 24

VIT: 5

AGI: 16

DEX: 31

INT: 12

Skills: Bone Manipulation]

Hmm… so it seems like HP is STR and VIT added together then multiplied by two, while MP is just INT multiplied by 10.

One thing I am curious about though is my skills. From Ed's explanation, this Bone Manipulation might be really handy.

[Bone Manipulation: Summon bones and shape them in any way you want. Change its density, sharpness, composition, anything you want! The amount of mana consumed depends on the quality of the initial summoned bone and the number of changes.]

Let's see here. Can I make a gun in that case? I need more mana though… eiih! I'll leave that for later.

Right now, I really need to do something about my body. I've been sitting here for almost a day now with no food and water. The sun is way too hot!

Seeing as how Ed did not have any of his usual retorts, I got up and started walking.

I should say though, what I'm wearing really isn't suited for treks in the desert.

My upper body is being covered by a flimsy piece of cloth that blows around in the wind. Seriously, I may as well not wear anything! The sand gets onto my body way too easily. For my lower body, I have some hemp shorts. At least they aren't pants. The fabric feels really rough though, so I might get a rash before I manage to get some new clothes. For shoes... let's just say I have them, alright?

Ah! I see some water! Running towards the pond, I spot several beasts within the vicinity.

I am extremely weak right now, so I really don't want to provoke them. If it was in my previous lives, they would be dead with a glance.

I crept closer to the beasts, and it seems like they haven't noticed me yet.

This must be their natural habitat, right? Only beasts that feel at home would have such low sensitivity.

I managed to sneak past them and approach the pond. Despite being in the middle of the desert, the water was surprising clear.

I gulped down a few mouthfuls, and it tasted deliciously sweet. Is there a secret in the water that makes the beasts want to live here?

'Ed, can you appraise that water?' (Daniel)

'Sure can!' (Ed)

[Holy Spring Water:

Water that has absorbed the divinity of a god. Replenishes stamina and mana. Drink enough and you can become susceptible to a god's or goddess's blessing.]

Holy moly! Isn't that some good stuff?

I really want to make this my base for now. But first, I need to deal with these annoying beasts.