Watching Gloria carry Cole while Vee limps behind them, a series of translucent screens appears in front of me.
Congratulations! You have successfully repelled your first Invader!
Calculating results:
--Dungeon rating: E
--Intruder rating (as all current intruders are operating as a singular group, rating is based on their average strength): D = Bonus for defeating superior enemy (x3).
--Intruder gains: Healing Potion (low quality), Capture Ball, Mana Potion (low quality) = Low quality items increase rewards by thirty.
--Intruder progress: 100% = Increase of one-hundred-percent for a successful invasion.
Rewards: 100 DP x 2 x 3 + 90 + 100% = 1380 DP awarded.
…
Congratulations! You have obtained the following gains:
--Bullet casings! Intruders have left behind discarded bullet casings. [Bullets] option has been added.
--Option for [Metal] and [Earth] Magic Orientation.
--[Corrupted/Mutated Human] Templet
…
Congratulations! For achieving your first complete invasion, you have achieved Level 1 as an Invader!
...…And that's it. A battle report I've seen before, a notice about some new options unlocked, and a single line about me now being level one…
Since there doesn't seem to be any further explanation as I dismiss the screens, I turn to Alice beside me. "Level one?"
Alice looks at me and tilts her head in confusion. "I believe I've mentioned repeatedly how you will increase your power and level as an Invader."
"Ye~ah, but…Is there an actual level system? Do I have stats? What does 'being level one' mean?"
"Due to the game-like nature of the system, the one who created it designed a level system. However, the idea of applying numerical stats to physical properties is just unrealistic, difficult to properly quantify if not applied to all entities bound by physics, and just outright ridiculous."
I can't disagree. I've read stories that use stats. They're fun, but either pointless to the story after a while or just don't make sense. How do numbers translate to how fast you can run? How much you can lift? At what point do high numbers mean you have ridiculous abilities? And, does your body reflect your stats or is a scrawny weakling the same as a massive body builder?
"The level system featured by the system is more of an achievement indicator to monitor your growth in power and as an Invader."
"Do I get anything?"
Alice's blew eyes look to the ceiling as she thinks about it. "The first level is more of a tutorial, but you do receive one-thousand DP and use of the gacha."
"Wait, you mean there's a roulette?"
"Mhmm," Alice nodded. "One use per level. To access it just press that button, there." She said this while pointing one of her little fingers at a small button on my DC.
One either side of the invader logo, there were two small buttons. Alice pointing to the one on my right, I press the button.
My TV screen goes dark for a moment before an image of three columns appear in the middle resembling a slot machine. On either side of the columns is black, but on one side there was a lightly flashing 'X' icon to indicate for me to press the button.
"So, now, I just press the button, it rolls, and I get…whatever it gives me? Any idea what?"
"That's correct, and no. It could be anything. It has its own randomized methodology based on a six-by-six-by-six format. Abilities, items, traits, skills, subordinates, etc. Anything from a half-goat eaten can to something that capable of altering reality."
"Seems a bit…excessive. Not that I'll complain. But if this were an actual game, the chance of getting something MAX level when you're still a noob seems…like a bad design."
"Fortunate that this isn't a game then. Besides, the randomization it uses makes getting anything of that caliber rather difficult."
"You mentioned it uses some sort of triple-six method. So, it's like rolling three dice to decide certain metrics? Like, one for what type of item, one for rarity, and one for…I don't know, to fuck me with?"
"Something like that, yes."
"Okay…"
"So? What will you do now? Use your newfound DP to make changes to the Dungeon? Use your new options to create new Units? Use the Gacha?"
Alice seemed to get more excited with each question. She began moving toward me with an expression of curiosity and eagerness. She was now practically pressed against me with her little fists raised in determination.
I'm sorry to disappoint, but…
"Nope."
Alice blinks at me before a look of befuddlement crosses her face. She slowly backs away from me while lowering her hands. "What?"
Using the DC, I manage to make my way back to the main system screen. Then, I press the button to repair the Dungeon and receive a prompt to spend over four-hundred DP to reset everything which I accept. My balance drops from thirty-three-ninety to twenty-nine-seventy-seven. Like this, all my Units are back and the treasure chests are restocked.
Glancing at Alice, it's kinda adorable how she's looking between me and the system screen in complete confusion.
Trying to keep myself from laughing at her, I take a deep breath before explaining. "I'll get to that stuff, but later. As eager as I am to explore new options for the Dungeon, possible combinations with Units, and whatever, all of that is next step stuff. I still need to work out how to use Layfon's magic energy and stuff. Besides, I want to keep Vee and the others coming around. If the Dungeon keeps changing, they might decide it's not worth the risk. No harm in familiarizing myself in what I can do before taking a step forward."
Alice didn't say anything. She just sat herself down and looked forward with a disappointed pout. Cute.
Smirking at her, I lean back against my couch.
Now, back to what I need to do. If I'm not going to take advantage of whatever new options I got and am going to focus on myself, I need to actually think about what I am actually going to do. I still need to work out how to sense Layfon's magical energy. And, after that?
Much as I'd like to just sit around and let everyone else do the hard stuff, there's no way I can really avoid getting involved with the conflicts to come. So, I'll need to gain some combat experience. For that, I'll need to talk to Robert about accessing some Dimensional Fields.
Thing is, that will likely mean getting involved with the Gregory Group and the main cast. While the Drogo Family handles 'foreign affairs', the Gregory Family is more domestic. Getting close to them might not be a bad thing, but I can also completely side-step the whole thing and just deal with Rosabel's parents.
Then there's this 'gacha' thing. Tempting. I could get something super cool. Like an epic sword or ability. But that's all the more reason for me to adjust to the power I already have. Figure out what I can do now. If I get garbage, it won't matter, and if I get something epic, then I'll need to know how to use my powers as is. Plus, there's the whole 'Doru-bloodline' I don't understand. I can add a new power to the mix and start figuring out a combat style then.
For now, the Dungeon can just kinda stay the way it is. Like I told Alice, as interested as I am in exploring the new options, I want to keep Vee and them coming back. Until that little project is more developed, I should just focus on myself.
Huh. Actually, now that I think about it…
I turn to Alice. "By the way, what was that thing Gloria picked up from the last treasure chest? It looked like a healing potion, but it wasn't the right color. Was that the Mana Potion the report talked about?"
The still pouting Alice perked up at my question. Switching from 'childish-mode' to 'encyclopedic-assistant-mode', she turned to me with a nod. "That's correct. Like a healing potion, it is an elixir that will help restore an individual's magical energy or Aura."
"Right," I nod slowly, but something bothers me. Going over my knowledge of the story, something is missing. Adding to it the memories I got from Layfon, and something begins to stand out. "Except…this world doesn't have mana potions, right?"
Another nod. "That is correct. Once individuals manage to gain magical energy, their bodies naturally begin to generate it as they would their regular bioelectrical energy. Like physical stamina, it would recover over time. However, stimulants to hasten the process are nonexistent. Due to the foreign nature of magical energy on Earth, there is no such method. On Alber, there are meditative practices to absorb ambient energy, but no method of extracting that energy into a consumable form."
"Magical energy requires some form of vessel and cannot be contained in a pure state. For example, you can extract moisture from air to gain water, but you cannot drink air. Magical energy is just air in its natural state. The closest thing that exists is a form of pill that when consumed gradually diffuses into the body as it is digested – transferring the magical energy it contains into the user."
"But that takes a few hours to kick in, isn't immediate – restoring, like, let's say ten units a minute for the next hour –, and can't be used in excess. While this mana potion…" I trail off as I wait for Alice to fill in the rest.
"Like the healing potion, its effects are instantaneous, restores a small percentage of the users magical energy or Aura, and has no such health risks."
"Uh…huh…" If they figure out what they have…the healing potions won't even be considered by them anymore. If nothing else, it'll ensure they keep coming back. But what if they become too invested in the Dungeon…Eh, I'll cross that bridge when it comes. If they start camping out in it, I'll have to change my plans.
Huh…Maybe I can scare them into thinking that the Dungeon is reacting to intruders so they have to stay out or risk it changing?
That out of the way, I figure I should get back to my efforts to gain magical powers. I.E., back to made-up yoga and meditation.
About an hour passes like this.
I've virtually given up as it is and start to have a conversation with Alice about half-an-hour into it. Since it's just a casual thing, Alice switches back to acting more like her child-like appearance would suggest.
I began by asking about the options we gained – trying to gain more info about what to expect.
Alice just brushed it off saying that she only knew the 'expected' effects and not what would actually happen. Like, making Units that are metal or earth aligned. It would make them metal or earth aligned, but she did not know what that would entail, how it would affect the units, etc.
Alice then decided to counter by pointing out all the effort I was making in trying to utilize my magical energy, if I used the gacha, I might get something that could help.
Mildly interested, I asked if there was a way to guarantee or influence what I would get. Was the gacha so convenient that it generated things that could help me overcome whatever trials I had in front of me, or could intense concentration on what I want influence the result?
The answer was a straight, "Nope." That the gacha is completely randomized and is free from any external influence. The only possible influence is a higher being directly accessing the result, but if such a thing were to happen, why would they not just give me what they want to give me and make me use up one of my rare gacha spins.
Though disappointing, I was treated to the adorable image of Alice pouting when I used this to refuse using the gacha. "Then, why should I use it if there's a one-in-infinity chance of me getting something that could help me learn magical energy?"
Things were a bit quiet after that. I might ask a random question, she responds in a short, pouting response.
That is when there was a knock at my door.
It was the maid I sent off earlier. "Master Layon? I have finished running your errand."
I go to the door and open it just enough to interact with the maid while keeping Alice out of sight. Gotta be tedious having to disappear every time I open the door for two minutes.
"Here you go, sir." The maid gave a light bow as she handed me a small bag.
I don't say anything as I accept it. I just nod and send her off.
Closing the door behind her, I walk back into the room while observing the bag I was given. It's just a plain, brown cloth bag held close by a drawstring. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a bag of marbles.
Pulling the bag open, I let it sit in one hand while I fish around inside it with the other. I pull out one of the small stones contained inside. Holding it with three fingers, I roll it around. Unlike actual marbles, it's covered in facets and edges – not smooth at all. Just a generic magic stone, it's dull in color but at its center was what looked like a glowing orb. The light contained within just made me feel like I could sense the power.
That said, isn't this thing a little big!? I'm supposed to swallow this? It's bigger than any pill I've ever had to take when I was sick. I know Layfon is rich and strong, so this is probably on the larger end of the spectrum, but seriously. They expect ten-year-old kids to swallow this stuff?
Maybe that's why everyone is so slutty. You'd have to have ZERO gag reflex to swallow something like this.
I set the bag down on a table and make my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
Taking a sip to wet my throat, I quickly put the magic stone in my mouth and try to swallow it while drinking the rest of the water.
It goes down surprisingly easy. Despite being able to feel my throat swell from taking in such a large object…I guess doing this as long as Layfon has, he really has destroyed his gag reflex.
Maybe that's a slogan somewhere? 'Key to unleashing your true power, train away your gag reflex!'
Now I should just need to wait for my body to absorb it.
To help speed things along, I start doing some exercises – pushups, jumping jacks, toe-touch, etc. Get the blood flowing and the body active. Plus, hopefully I'll be able to feel when the energy starts flowing.
Another hour passes and I'm just impressed at the fact that I could keep going the whole time. My old body started failing after half-an-hour. Though, I suppose it was due to lack of effort really.
However, that is when I begin to feel something.
Jumping to my feet, I stand still as I can feel…SOMETHING! Kind of like a tingling all across my skin? Or a warmth radiating throughout my body? I can't quite put it into words. Like feeling the warmth of a nice summer's day permeate your body but at the same time that feeling you get when you drink a nice, cold soda and it hits you just right. Aagh! Whatever, point is, I think I'm getting a feeling for it!
I breath deeply and can feel the energy within me move with it. I try moving my body and even trying that made-up yoga from earlier. I can feel the energy within me shifting around and moving as I do.
This feels amazing. I'd take this over fucking Zoey any day. No wonder people are so desperate to gain power or become addicted and desperate if they get a taste of it.
Speaking of, I gotta keep a cool head. If I get lost in this feeling, I might screw myself…Let's try some magic.
Yeah, since I can use my magic now, let's use some magic!
Okay, let's do something simple.
I look around the room and my eyes fall on the DC. I go through some motions like some bad Tai Chi to get the energy moving while focusing on the DC. My goal is to extend my magical energy to it, grab it, and bring it to me.
Moving slowly, I press my hand out toward the device!...And, I blow up.
I'm dead…
Adventure over…
Book end…
Season finale…
…Bleh…