GAMBER - Mind over Monster, Unconventional Journey

I am Jonel Cunanan, 23 years old, a black hair but dyed to brown and brown-black eyes, physically fit body, I consider myself handsome. Who on earth wants to be called ugly?

I was an avid sleeper before I passed the civil service exam just last year. Due to my new life as an office worker, things have changed, but it makes me ponder: my mother is a sage, then what am I?

The news suggests it's a lineage, so what possibly is mine? Mage? Sorcerer? Wizard? Herbalist? Hmp! Let it be!

Many days later, I'm still as unmoving as a stone. I don't work; I only mourn.

With a thousand news about the system's penalties to people circulating, random penalties become apparent.

As I look at my system, I learn a few "commands" like:

\[ status \] - checking the stat.

\[ Attribute \] - adding level points to designated stats like strength, agility, vex, luck, etc.

\[ skill \] - checking and editing skills.

But I don't know; my system is weird. It's like it's alive. 'Can I talk to it?'

"Well, better to work after, as always, in office works,"

I think. I want to go back to my normal life.

"Master, you can't do that; you must become a player!"

"Why? Do I have to participate?"

'As I think carefully, there is no advantage if we die; then we die!'

\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]\[ error \]

"What the freak!" I was shocked that the system is on error.

Better to let the system rest. We better talk in the next few days.

After a week, I accept my mother's death. The system never responds to me until I mention that I will go.

[ "Thank you, Master." ]

This system of mine is so cunning. It keeps showing an error when denied.

Always hearing the news today, monsters appear, and new lands are more and more discovered by the people, assisted by the government, but some information is manipulated. The population of the fantasy world is spreading.

There is a country where a community is made all of trees, like an elf house. In another country, it is a castle, but the trending is walled city.

Also, the government, royalties, and other leaders are creating a name for people with powers; they decide to call them adventurers as the standard fantasy. But they don't know the end.

Sigh*

"Why would I know the ending?" i play the game of reference of this world too but i never i finish it, it just i know someplot but i can't do it cause i did it too in a hundred tries. 

if i did it like that i'm like a crush tomato from truck wheel.

'i better not try, item is usually pay 2 win but never finish it too'

life is hard

"Master, you can go directly to take the dungeon."

"How would I know the dungeon? I am in the game but don't know in real life. And the world is so big; even if I walk for a year, I can't go to a country separated by water!"

"Master, I recommend the beginner nearest to you, and Master, don't assume you will go to another country for a dungeon if your level is weak. I recommend you to collect 10 orbs for the key to the next step of the mission?"

"Mission?"

'What, in the world, is this system talking about?'

nice we have a source!

"Yes, there are 6 objectives, Master. First is to decode the celestial policy, but I already decoded it. Second is getting the 10 keys uncovering the simulation system origins. Third is the alliance must be created around the world. Fourth is retrieving the artifact of the lost artifact. Fifth is creating an army and forming a party for challenging the demon king and defeating it."

"Okay, that's the last!!! Right?" as a confirming system urges to continue.

"Sixth, find demon god king-...."

"What!"

how a game have a double boss? is that a secret ending or something?

'Better to enjoy my life; I have only 20 years. Should I look for a wife and have no children?' This is the best idea in my life. Should I write it before I forget it?

"...-through demon king and challenge and defeat him. I estimate that this can be finished by 10-12 years... Master, read what I am saying to you! And don't write it with the title bucket list."

Wait, what! The hell, half the time limit?

"How?" That's the only question that exists in my mind.

"Because that's how it is, Master?"

Why do I feel that your last answer is making me look like an idiot?

___________________________________________________

JONEL point of view

After registering my name in a new established law that all people should be registered with the national authority.

[Looking at my rank, it is E] Below average.

"System? What dungeon are we going?"

"Beginner dungeon with 10 floors and should be at level 1-10."

"What level am I?" With the red window system, my status shows up.

what! why im level 3? not level 1

Status – Level 3 

STR, - 2 (strength)

DEX, - 3 (flexibility)

CON1 – 3 (defense)

INT, - 3 (mana capacity)

WIS, - 3 (casting spell)

CHA2 – 4 (luck)

Skill: None.

Title:

Can't be received due to can't connect to the main server.

Buff:

Beginner's buff 10% all-up stat. -2 years remaining.

Sage blessing 50% experience gain – permanent.

"Can I have skills?"

"Skills can be bought/exchanged with monster points."

"Why is the price so high?"

I have 4000 monster points, and the exchange is 200K. That's not the highest but the lowest?

[INERTIA skill - casting to an thing and or living make a continues momentum]

[Clover Skill - can use basic elements]

only 2 i can buy in 200K better not to look at other skill next time or next life.

but

"How can I buy skills?"

It really hurts me. Maybe I can really buy the skill, but maybe next time I really need it. But if I can't win with basic, why not just use basic.

I'm going to buy equipment for the next few days for a better start to a new life as an adventurer!

_______________________________________________

JONEL POV

As I ready my equipment, which consisted of a knife and a rope, preparing to enter the dungeon, I walked to my living room. As I was about to step outside, I noticed something unusual.

My reflection in the mirror showed me in a T-shirt and shorts, but I changed my mind and my clothes.

This is better.

In the mirror, I saw myself in a black T-shirt, pants, and protective shoes used in construction.

pants is better than short which short shows a lot of skin as vulnerable.

As I walked into the heart of the Beginner Dungeon, it is a cave, I noticed a mark on the floor before entering, something I initially thought was just a design.

"Nice design for a dungeon," I thought.

However, I felt my movements were slow and cumbersome. As I stopped, I noticed the mark illuminating. It seemed like a debuff for adventurers. Suddenly, a rat, the size of a cat, emerged from a rock.

Observing it, I wondered, "Is that a monster or a normal animal? Is it edible?"

The rat walked over the mark, and after stepping on it, nothing happened. However, when it left the marked area, the floor began to shine. and make rat slow but not slow still i can see the effect.

"It was a debuff mark, not just a design. Better not to step on those," I concluded.

"I thought it was part of the dungeon design!" I exclaimed, and the system responded with its eerie window.

["Master, dungeons are dangerous, and everything here serves a purpose."]

i experiment of drawing the it. it shine 3 times flickering but like it was nothing and normal. then i throw slowly and careully rice with size of hand and place to the middle. 

and another rat show up, it was smaller. 

and watching if was a trap, looking left and right but it give in after. observing it in minutes. it step to the mark i draw! it shine but i think it got slower? like yes, but i can't see well. rats movement but it was more slower like? 

as i turn my head to go inside the dungeon. 

I found a wolf-like creature and checked its information on a mini window.

"so the wolf hunt these rats"

[Warewolf Shadow]

"System? What is that?" 

name shadow but it has also a shadow?

"Better use my system to scan, or I won't know what that monster is."

["Warewolf Shadow – a demon monster that can disappear or reappear in the dark, attacking its prey with sharp claws that are impossible to see. As they say, if you can't hear it, you're dead; if you hear it, it must not be attacking you."]

"How the hell can I win against that? I thought the first floor would be like slimes and goblins."

With no extraordinary abilities but armed with quick thinking, I surveyed the dimly lit cavern where the Warewolf Shadow lurked. I noticed another intricate patterns on the cave walls, reminiscent of ancient runes. An idea sparked in my mind.

As the Warewolf Shadow lunged towards me, I deftly dodged its attack and quickly sketched a simplified version of the runes on the ground with a piece of charcoal. To the monster, it might have looked like random marks, but to me, it was a clever trap.

Feigning vulnerability, I lured the Warewolf Shadow closer to the marked area. As expected, the creature attempted to use its vanishing act to reposition for a surprise attack. However, the moment it stepped onto the runic symbols, its movements became erratic and slowed than before you can see the effect well.

"This is what you call summoning magic!"

I seized the opportunity, swiftly grabbing a nearby rope I brought and expertly crafting a makeshift lasso. With the monster momentarily disoriented, I skillfully tossed the lasso, catching the Warewolf Shadow off guard. The creature struggled against the enchanted markings, giving me the chance to tighten the noose.

Despite its supernatural abilities, the Warewolf Shadow couldn't escape. It was a strategic trap. Exhausted and outsmarted, the once formidable monster succumbed to my unconventional tactics. As the cavern echoed with the defeated monster's fading roars, my mouth grinned, almost ripping my cheeks. It was a victory that marked the beginning of Jonel's unconventional journey through the dungeons, showcasing that sometimes, a clever mind could be the most potent weapon of all.

"Information is ancient and unchanging, the best weapon even through generations; everyone knows its value."

Before facing other monsters or demons, I decided to drag my first prey to the city monster office. I was exhausted pulling the rope; this monster was too strong. 

'im hungry' as i said those but the real thing is im scared i almost die.

Arriving at the office, I marveled at its construction. Were the gods behind this too? The staff spoke in a robotic manner, saying the same things as if they were programmed.

"Hello, welcome to our office. Register or exchange?"

"Exchange," I said to the staff.

"Please leave the monster in the area for retrieval, and we will process it."

After following her instructions, she informed me,

"It was 3223 pesos in exchange for the Warewolf Shadow. The fur is perfect, no damage. Next time you exchange, just write a name on paper and leave it in the monster retrieval area. The other staff will handle it, and I will give you the money after the appraisal."

being have a money like this in just half a day is too good! 

as i look the money in my hand, this is really!

"high risk, high return"

tommorow, i will get some group with me better than dying alone.