Chapter 2: Figuring Out the Gamer System.

Advanced chapters on P@treon.com/Rentakun.

-X-

I was suddenly swaddled and placed into the arms of a woman who gently rocked me from side to side. The sensation was surprisingly comforting, almost enough to lull me into sleep, but I kept my focus. After all, I was still a grown man, and there were priorities to consider. Looking up, I caught a glimpse of my mother's face. "He's got your eyes," I heard her say in awe.

My limbs were too weak to move, but I needed to interact with the system that had just appeared before me. I concentrated on the blue screen hovering in my vision and mentally commanded it to display my skills.

[For thinking about a logical solution to a possible problem, your Intelligence has increased by 1 point!]

A quick check confirmed that my Intelligence had indeed increased. Just like that, my stats were already improving. The power of the Gamer system was clear: a significant initial boost, with the potential for exponential growth if utilized properly. Most fanfictions I'd read about the Gamer either rushed the protagonist into the main plot or forced them into a time crunch, limiting their growth. But I had something most of those characters didn't—time.

Determined to test the system further, I wriggled against my mother's grip, straining my infant muscles.

[For trying to escape the grasp of a far stronger opponent, your Strength has increased by 1 point!]

[For moving your body under great restriction, your Dexterity has increased by 1 point!]

[For understanding the proper way to apply the Gamer system, your Wisdom has increased by 1 point!]

It became clear that physical stats like Strength and Dexterity could be improved by pushing my body to its limits, even with something as simple as struggling against a stronger force. Wisdom and Intelligence, on the other hand, seemed to increase through understanding and applying knowledge. Vitality would likely increase from enduring damage or exertion, and Luck might improve through risk-taking, though I had no intention of testing that theory in combat just yet. A coin flip would suffice for now.

[For creating a long-term plan on how to maximize your personal ability, your Intelligence has increased by 1 point!]

The system rewarded me again, this time for strategic thinking. Whether it was mocking me or genuinely recognizing my planning, I couldn't be sure. But I had time to figure it out as I grew older. While others might dread being reincarnated as a baby, I saw it as an opportunity—a chance to grow stronger, to fully exploit the Gamer's potential.

Satisfied with my preliminary tests, I turned my attention to the skill tab that had opened, revealing two skills: Gamer's Mind and Gamer's Body.

[Gamer's Mind (LVL MAX) - Passive

1) Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through.

2) Grants a peaceful state of mind.

3) Immunity to psychological effects.]

Gamer's Mind was a blessing. Without it, I'd likely be overwhelmed by the sheer strangeness of my situation. It also promised immunity to psychological effects, which was crucial. I had no illusions about my own cowardice, but this skill might help me keep my head in dangerous situations, preventing me from freezing up.

The One Punch Man world was perilous, and while the Gamer system thrived on combat, it also demanded careful strategy. I couldn't afford to be careless. The second skill caught my eye.

[Gamer's Body (LVL MAX) – Passive

1) Grants a body that allows the user to live in the real world like a game.

2) Sleeping in a bed restores HP, MP, and all status effects.]

This skill was straightforward, with implications of near-invulnerability and rapid recovery. The downside, however, was the risk of pushing myself too far, unaware of how close to death I might be until it was too late. I would have to monitor my health carefully.

If I fully utilized the Gamer's potential, I could easily gain the power King was believed to have in the canon. But power for its own sake was meaningless. I had no desire to disrupt the main plot or play the hero. The inhabitants of this world were fickle and lazy, from what I'd seen in the series. I didn't want a harem—this wasn't that kind of story. Testing my strength against increasingly powerful monsters might be appealing, but eventually, even that would lose its thrill.

Then, it hit me—there was one being in this world who would always be at the top, beyond any rules or limits.

---

**Quest Unlocked!**

**Defeating the One Punch Man**

**Objective:**

Defeat Saitama after he has broken his limiter.

**Rewards:**

Title: "The Strongest in the World"

15 x 10³⁰ XP

**Failure:**

?

**Accept (Yes/No)**

---

A beautifully impossible challenge. The thought of facing Saitama, the invincible hero who had yet to meet his match, filled me with excitement. Could I be the one to finally give him a good fight?

---

**Quest Updated!**

**Defeating the One Punch Man**

**Objective:**

1) Defeat Saitama after he has broken his limiter.

2) Give Saitama a good fight that will alleviate his apathy.

**Rewards:**

1) Title: "The Strongest in the World"

15 x 10³⁰ XP

2) Title: "The World's Penultimate Being"

8.3 x 10²⁴ XP

**Failure:**

?

---

A smile crept across my infant face, coming out as a strange giggle. The idea of giving Saitama a real challenge, of being the one to break through his boredom, thrilled me.

I had always admired characters who were so powerful they could change the world with nothing but their strength and will. Saitama was a tragic hero, too strong for his own good, trapped in a world that could no longer challenge him. I wanted to be the one to change that, even if it meant losing everything in the process.

But for now, I needed to focus on growing stronger, preparing for the day when I could finally stand before the One Punch Man and give him the fight of his life.