( Hours later. )
Shiro still silent, looks so confused after hours long.
" Shiro...? " Akafushi asks as she approaches him.
* Shiro didn't react. *
"( What is he looking? )" Akafushi wonders as Shiro is still silent, looking at something invisible in her very eyes. Meanwhile.
< Welcome Mr. Shiro-Nishino... >
< I am the 'System', entered into your body to the pill the 'Black Merchant' gave you, during your sleep. >
< It happens before he takes you to this place, [Yakujin's New Lair] now resides in the [Thorned Mountains]. >
< If you're wondering about the [Thunder Mist Mountains], well... >
< NOTICE! >
< [Yakujin's New Lair] added into the [Archive: Location] >
< [Thorned Mountains] added into the [Archive: Location] >
< [Thunder Mist Mountains] added into the [Archive: Location] >
< [Archive: Location]: A feature in the [Archive] Menu, a feature that holds every of the User's collected location history. >
The 'System' explains Shiro, explaining how it was made into Shiro's body and how Shiro could see it.
" Ancient... Technology...? " Shiro asks in full confusion.
< Yes, one that the likes of 'Black Merchant' knew. >
< Those who lived even after the destruction of the 'Old Age', the [Ragnarok Event]*. >
< NOTICE! >
< [Ragnarok Event] added into the [Archive: Lore] >
< [Archive: Lore]: A feature in the [Archive] Menu, a feature that holds every of the User's collected lore history. >
" I... I don't... understand. " Shiro asks the System.
< User 'Shiro' will get it soon. >
< But for now, let me relay the User's 'Status', currently examined by the System's 'Scanners' within you. >
< Loading... >
Shiro sees the System's Window, he wonders what his 'Status' would be. Unnoticing Akafushi who walked around and witnessed him talking to himself while doing her work in the Lair.
"( Is he still mourning, or perhaps his memories during Azi Dahaka's possession returned? " she wondered from afar while doing her duties, Yakujin is currently busy ensuring her new status as the 'Thorned Mountains' new Chimera Master.
As Akafushi left.
< Showing the User's Status. >
< [ Menu: User's Status] >
< Name: Shiro-Nishino (Fake Given Name),... >
< Gender: Male >
< Race:Hybrid Vessel, ... >
< Hybrid Stage: '?' >
< Hybrid Roots: '?' >
< Title: ['Chimera Master' Azi Dahaka's Vessel]>
< Age: 13 >
< Rarity: 5th Star >
< LVL: 1 >
< HP: 5.000.000/5.000.000 >
< KP: 5.000.000 (+4.700.000)/5.000.000 (+4.700.000) >
< MP: 5.000.000 (+4.800.000)/5.000.000 (+4.800.000) >
< EXP: 0/5.000.000 >
< Stamina: 5.000.000/5.000.000 >
< ... >
< 'Status': >
< Strength: 111 >
< Agility: 121 >
< Intellect: 50 >
< Sense: 99 >
< Power: 111>
< Soul: 99 >
...
< Skill Unlocked >
< Skill: [Sacrifice Lamb Blood (Passive) -- LVL. Max] >
< This skill makes the User's Blood scent attractive to any non-human beings, this kind of blood could empower or restore the non-human beings' state to their prime, or even make them evolve. >
< Skill: [Impervious Enchanted Vessel (Passive) -- LVL. Max] >
< This skill makes the user impervious to any level of damage, decreasing damage and effect received by 80% >
< "The User as the Vessel will slowly imprint every energy from the Creature Within" -- P.S. Black Merchant >
< Skill: [Mutated Enchant Vessel (Passive) -- LVL. Max] >
< This skill is unlocked after the User's body is mutated, giving the user incredible basic stats. >
< Skill: [Azi Dahaka's Presence (Passive) -- LVL. Max] >
< With Azi Dahaka Within, his presence gives the User a Bonus Ki and Mana Energy, Increasing All of the User's non-physical power capability. >
" Interesting... " Shiro says as he sees this.
" So you had made this into a great value... "
" Can you tell me more in advance, about this...? " Shiro asks as the System continues its explanation.
" So, all of this is currently explained how strong I currently am? " Shiro asks the System as the System tells him back.
< Indeed, for System made these numbers based on the actual things currently happening to your body. >
< For example, try pinching your hand. >
Shiro hears this, and thus tries to pinch his left and...
< HP: -0 >
" Oh my... "
" It doesn't hurt as before, " Shiro asks as he sees the reaction, realizing that the System's reaction is that good or perhaps, accurately detailed.
" Shiro... " a voice calls for him, Shiro looks at it and sees Akafushi already behind him, watching him with a confused look.
" Sister...? " Shiro asks as Akafushi witnesses him while tilting her head right and left.
< Notification (!) >
< Subject 'Akafushi' is confused >
< Scanning the Subject >
< Name: Akafushi >
< Gender: Female >
< Race: Hybrid Monster (Spirit) >
< Stage: Hybrid (Spirit) >
< Roots: Spider Jorogumo, Giant Centipede, etc.>
< Age: Estimated +200 >
< Rarity: 4th Star >
< LVL: 60 >
< HP: 3.000.000/3.000.000 >
< KP: 2.000.000/2.000.000 >
< MP: 1.000.000/1.000.000 >
< Stamina: 3.000.000/3.000.000 >
< ... >
< 'Status': >
< Strength: 37 >
< Agility: 41 >
< Intellect: 55 >
< Sense: 45 >
< Power: 50 >
< Soul: 53 >
...
" Hmm!!!? " Shiro is interested when witnessing Akafushi's Status.
< Subject 'Akafushi'..., High Level! >
< But, User Shiro could still survive, thanks to the user's higher stats. >
< User sensed Akafushi's powerful presence, but can still stand it >
" Mmm... " Shiro sees Akafushi's level, and he realizes based on numbers alone, she should be feared.
* Shiro breathes rapidly, in fear... *
"( What is this..., I never felt so much fear before...? )"
"( Is it just me, or perhaps my senses are sharper than before? )" Shiro sweats as Akafushi holds him, hugging him who shivered in fear all of a sudden.
" Shiro? " Akafushi asks.
" Sister... " Shiro asks as he sees the System's Status Window he sees in front of his eyes.
" Do you see it? " Shiro asks Akafushi while pointing at the Window.
Akafushi sees it and gets confused, she didn't see it, the thing Shiro just pointed at.
" Shiro... "
" Is there another Spirit here? " Akafushi asks while heightening her senses, she thinks there's another Wandering Spirit in the Lair.
* Akafushi begins her search, leaving Shiro behind. *
" She..., didn't see it? " Shiro asks as the System then appears.
< User Shiro... >
< I forgot to inform you... >
< Since you're the User of this System, only you could see this very Virtual Window. >
The System tells Shiro, which makes Shiro sighs as he wonders why he wasn't told earlier.
" You should've told me, I am so confused, you know? " Shiro says to it.
< I know, but I, the System, had only been recently installed for you after all... >
< So don't be surprised if System needs time to operate properly after installation. >
< But... besides all that. >
< System believed it was time to continue to the Main Point of our first meeting. >
< It's time for you to receive your First-Time Rewards. >
< Receiving Reward >
< Item: [Hybrid Battle Technique Manual Scroll (S)] (X1) >
< An item is privately given by Master 'Black Merchant', a VIP Item he wished the User to have. >
< He means it, you know? >
Shiro received it, he saw the Manual Scroll, a scroll that suddenly manifested into him, which he could touch in an instant.
"( It's... real...? )" Shiro could feel it real through his palm, he then proceeded to open the scroll.
" Gah... " he gasps, just after he opens, he feels something enter his mind through his eyes, his mind is suddenly filled with a stream of information.
Words, Visuals...
" Ga...ahh... " Shiro received it all after opening the scroll, his mind received the stream of information without any pause, completely injecting him with every information the Scroll had.
< User receiving knowledge from the Scroll. >
< The Scroll consists of Knowledge, written in a special text and visuals, authored by Master 'Black Merchant' just for the User. >
< Scroll information installing (88%/100%) >
< Scroll information installing (94%/100%) >
< Scroll information installing (97%/100%) >
" Ga... "
"( What is... )" Shiro thinks while receiving it all.
"( Ki and Mana combination, striking from within... )"
"( Hybrid Technique... )"
< Scroll information installing (100%/100%) >
< Scroll information installation complete. >
< User received the Scrolls [Skills] and [Technique]. >
< 'Strength' Status increased +4 >
< 'Soul' Status increased +3 >
" Gah! " Shiro gasps, he sweats all around his body.
" What was that...? " Shiro says it while briefly remembering the information his brain was given right after he opened the Scroll.
" The scroll... " Shiro sees the Scroll, but now it's vanished.
< The Item [Hybrid Battle Technique Manual Scroll (S)] has been completely engraved to the User's mind. >
< New Unlock! >
< [ Hybrid Battle Style: Human Realm (S) ], Skills and Techniques unlocked! >
< The Item was meant to be used only once, since the contents would be installed within the User's brain, making the User automatically remember the contents without having to read it again. >
< Also, the System will put it into the [Archive] >
< Archive: [Hybrid Battle Style: Human Realm ] >
As it happened, Shiro's body began to emit something, something he could feel but immediately understood.
" My Ki... "
" The 'Scroll'... "
" It's knowledge..., it 'armored'... it, " Shiro says to himself and then tries to punch.
" I feel faster... ah- " Shiro says but then, he realizes his punch, unconsciously hitting a wall from his range, somehow making a hole and cracking it.
" Gah..., is that. " Shiro sees it but then.
" Shiro, I heard a commotion, are you- " Akafushi came in and saw Shiro, with her keen Hybrid Nose, she could smell the Ki leaking from his flesh and also, witnessed the hole Shiro just made.
" Shi...ro...? " Akafushi sees him as Shiro gulped.
"( Oh no... )"
_________
Extra:
*[Ragnarok Event].
"The Dusk Epilogue of the Old Age and the Dawn Prologue of the New Age. "
An event that led to the Current World as it is. A legendary story, still debated in the realms, connected by the Gates.
*The Scroll, [Hybrid Battle Technique Manual Scroll (S)]
Is a scroll, crafted with Black Merchant's power.
This scroll was meant to be used once when it was opened by the Reader, engraving all knowledge in an instant into their minds.
A mystical invention made by the Black Merchant, who knows what kind of things he will offer to us.