The First Step #3

'What are the available starter classes, system?'

I asked as I agreed to choose my starting class, and a new window appeared.

[Available starter classes: (Fighter) (Acrobat) (Thief) (Gunman) (Duelist)]

...

[Fighter (Max Level 10)]

[The class comes with three stat points, three stat points for every level, and the Brawling skill]

[Brawling: call it fighting, martial arts, fisticuffs, or flailing your arms around wildly, this skill covers the art of using your hands and other assorted body parts to hurt your fellow man (or critter) and avoiding such punishment yourself]

...

[Acrobat (Max Level 10)]

[The class comes with three stat points, plus three stat points for every level, and the Acrobatic skill]

[Acrobatics: the favored skill of cheerleaders and circus performers, the ability to perform tumbles, somersaults, and other such maneuvers; You can use it to dodge attacks, climb obstacles, and achieve similar feats of agility. Acrobatics can replace Crime when trying to move silently (use the higher of the two skills when attempting to sneak around)]

...

[Thief (Max Level 10)]

[The class comes with three stat points, plus three stat points for every level, and the Crime skill]

[Crime: breaking and entering, pickpocket, lock-picking, skulking around, lifting evidence—if it's illegal, this skill covers it, with two exceptions, computer hacking uses the Computers skill, and conning people the Influence skill. You don't have to be a criminal to have this skill; cops, private investigators, and other honest but street-wise folks have it as well]

...

[Gunman (Max Level 10)]

[The class comes with three stat points, plus three stat points for every level, and the Gun Mastery skill]

[Gun Mastery: This skill covers your basic things that go "bang" — shotguns, pistols, and the like]

...

[Duelist (Max Level 10)]

[The class comes with three stat points, plus three stat points for every level, and the Medieval Weapons Mastery skill]

[Medieval Weapons Mastery: When a fist is not enough, it's time to bring out some old-fashioned sharp metal whatsits and start a-hacking and a-slashing. This skill is used for all archaic weapons, from swords and quarterstaffs to crossbows and throwing axes]

...

'Are those all the classes available to me? And how come they all have only one skill?'

I frowned at the lack of options and the lack of accompanying benefits.

[Those are all the classes currently available. They only come with one skill because they are starter classes designed to provide a reasonable means of survival and growth until the host familiarizes himself with the world]

'Then when will I get more classes?'

I asked, getting straight to the point. These classes looked like a beginner tutorial or an initiation of sorts, which is fine, but I needed the power to survive in this world, and I needed it quickly.

It goes without saying, the skills and classes available to me right now weren't nearly enough to rival any of the ridiculously overpowered individuals in this world.

[The host will be able to choose new, better, and more specialized classes once he unlocks the option to adopt a suitable archetype]

[The starter classes are a means to sustain the host until he is familiar with the challenges he will face and his needs to enable the host to choose the perfect archetype]

'That's... surprisingly thoughtful...'

Though I hated to admit it and wanted to argue, there was a sense in the system's reasoning. Oh well, then I'll have to wing it and make do, for now, I guess.

'When will I get to choose an archetype? And what will the archetypes available for me be?'

I asked, unable to hold my curiosity.

[The host will have the option to adopt an archetype once the host raises at least three of the starter classes to the maximum level]

[Other information about archetypes is restricted until you unlock the option to adopt one of your own]

So, in other words, an archetype is something like a theme or an original model that all future available classes, or so I concluded after some thought. But I suppose I wouldn't know for sure.

'Just gonna have to wait and see then...'

I nodded, sighing as I turned to the available classes tab. It was finally time to choose my starter class.

By process of elimination, Duelist and Gunman were already a no-go, as I didn't have access to any weapon, modern or otherwise. And I didn't have the money to acquire any either.

That left me with Fighter, Acrobat, and Thief.

I wasn't an expert martial artist, but I had some kick-boxing classes and knew how to throw a punch when push comes to shove.

'I wonder if my past life experience will translate into the skill...?'

I mused, feeling tempted to pick the Fighter class just so I could test my theory, but I pushed down the urge.

Gotham City is a dangerous place. Kicking and punching and any form of direct confrontation with anyone worth their salt will only lead me to an early grave as I am right now, which only left the Acrobat and Theif classes.

The Acrobat class will give me a means of dodging danger and avoiding conflict, which I imagine I'll be doing a lot until I grow strong enough, but it wouldn't do much else.

The Thief class would give me the tools to earn a steady, if dishonest, source of income to get out of this shit hole while avoiding conflict altogether direct or otherwise as long as I play my cards correctly.

And if I play it smartly and mix it with my inventory, I'll never be caught, not red-handed at least, since there won't be any evidence. I'll still have to be careful of people who wouldn't care much for evidence and put a bullet in my head just for good measure. But I'll have nothing to fear from Gotham City police at least.

'Thief it is then.'

There was no perfect starter class as far as I could see. But I needed money more than anything else right now.

Although the Fighter would give me a way to get money by beating up thugs and stealing their money, it would only lead me to an early grave if I bit more than I could chew, voluntarily or otherwise. And I had a feeling that a certain caped crusader would have something to say about such activities.

On the other hand, Acrobat will enable me to swiftly and stealthily navigate the city through parkour. It will also make it easy to access secured buildings. But it wouldn't help in any other way unless I planned to make money by becoming a street performer.

[You have gained a new class: Thief]

[You have gained the skill: Crime]

[3+ stat points!]

Name: Grayson Whitlock

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 17

Class: Thief (level 1)

....

Stats:

Body: 10

Mind: 10

Spirit: Locked

Stat Points: 3

.....

Skills:

[Crime: breaking and entering, pickpocket, lock-picking, skulking around, lifting evidence—if it's illegal, this skill covers it, with two exceptions, computer hacking uses the Computers skill, and conning people the Influence skill. You don't have to be a criminal to have this skill; cops, private investigators, and other honest but street-wise folks have it as well]

....

Perks:

[Dormant Metahuman: you have the Metagene, the source for all Metahumans' powers. However, it lies dormant for now]

...

Inventory: [Quarter Dollar Coin]

...

Quests: None

...

I froze as information flooded my brain; how to pick a lock, pickpocket someone, and other assorted illegal wisdom, all imprinted in my mind as I closed my eyes and held my head.

It took several seconds for the information to settle in my brain and the headache to fade away, and I sighed in relief as I opened my eyes, turning to inspect my new character screen.

'New class, check. Stat points, check. New skill, check.'

I nodded in satisfaction at my newly gained knowledge and skills.

'System, what do the Body and Mind represent? And why is the spirit stat locked?'

[The body attribute represents the host's physical prowess. It includes, but is not limited to; the host's stamina, toughness, strength, agility, and speed (average humans have a body score of 10, while competitive athletes have a body score of anywhere between 13-15 depending on their respective fields)]

[The mind attribute represents the host's mental prowess. It includes but is not limited to; the host's wit, intelligence, acumen processing ability (Average humans have a mind score of 10 while geniuses have a mind score of anywhere between (15-20)]

[The spirit attribute is locked with no available information until the host adopts an archetype]

'So I only need to spec my three stat points into the body attribute to gain a competitive athlete's physique...?'

As tempting as the notion may be, I pushed it down yet again in favor of getting more information before hastily investing my stat points.

'Can I increase my stats with training, system? And how do I increase the mind attribute if that's the case?'

[The host can only increase stats to the maximum human limit through regular training (increasing your attributes beyond that point is also possible, but it requires special equipment and training methods)]

[The host can increase your mind attribute by partaking in activities that will stimulate your brain]

'I might as well hang on to my attribute points until I know how efficient regular training will be then..'

And now for the final question before calling it a day.

'How do I raise my class level?'

[The host can raise his class by increasing the levels of skills (every two levels in a single skill equals one class level)]

[The host can increase the level of skill by practicing it or gaining a mentor to further educate the host in said skill]

'I can definitely work with that...:

I mused as I threw myself into the bed, relaxing my body as the fatigue of the day, both physical and mental caught up to me.