[Acting Lv.23->24]
"Is this good enough?"
I had just finished reading and improvising the lines from the script while Eiko calmly listened and observed me.
"Mmh, your acting is good, even if you aren't following any acting lessons. But this script is... somewhat unfulfilling."
"True. Do you want me to take a look at it?"
"Huh? No, you don't have experience in scriptwriting, do you? This isn't something you can just do one day for no reason."
"Yes, but while scriptwriting isn't my forte, I have a lot of experience in reading and writing. Maybe I can find something that will enhance the overall scene."
Eiko looked at me with skepticism before sighing, clearly exasperated.
"That's rude. I haven't even done much to provoke you... today."
"At least don't lose the papers; they are the only copy we have."
"Sure."
I glanced at the script and could clearly envision the character in every scene—a woman full of passion, indeed. I had to give credit where it was due; she did a great job. Thanks to my level 69 [Writing] skill—no pun intended—I could 'see' the flow of the story, the characters moving in their frenzy, and the emotions filling the air.
From a purely fictional and writing standpoint, the scenes were good, even excellent for such a young girl. But...
"The script is well written and the words flow like a river, but... there's a little problem."
"Do tell, our great prodigy."
I smirked at her playful jab. I was indeed gaining the nickname of prodigy, and to be honest, it wasn't entirely false. But if she wanted a reaction from me, she needed more than just this simple remark.
I was a reincarnated boy with Gamer powers, living in an anime world. I was immune to chuunibyou, as chuunibyou itself aspired to be me.
"It's quite simple, Eiko-chan. Your script is good, no doubt, but it's not suitable for a three-minute short film. While cutting corners could create an acceptable result, neither of us wants a 'just passable' achievement. If we want to aim for the best, we have to... think outside the box."
She remained skeptical. Even though she recognized my talent, she didn't fully trust me—normal, I suppose. She needed to see what set me apart from others.
"Have you ever watched, read, or listened to Laurel and Hardy?"
"Yes, they were the most iconic duo in cinema history. What about them?"
"We'll take inspiration from their works. What do you know about silent films?"
---
It has been a week since my film creation project began, and while everything was going smoothly, I remained a level 1 beginner. However, that was about to change, as it was now time for my official first dungeon run.
My skills, [Mana Sense] and [Mana Manipulation], were at levels 7 and 11, respectively, which were decent enough to start dealing with some zombies. I should also mention two important things about [Dungeon Creation]. First, the names of the dungeons are colored, and aside from a few exceptions, those colors indicate their difficulty relative to my level. As of now, the Zombie Dungeon has shifted from a slightly yellow color (indicating it is slightly dangerous) to white (indicating it is mostly safe). Second, the time dilation factor is based on my level: at level 10, I could use a 1:10 time dilation, and at level 100, it would be 1:100. This applies to both the dungeon and, if I wanted, the settings.
Since I wanted more time to develop my skills, I decided it was time to gain some valuable real-life experience. I took an iron pipe from my inventory, along with enough food and drink to sustain myself. These consumables could boost health, mana, and stamina regeneration, albeit slightly at lower levels. But a boost is a boost, nonetheless.
"Fuuh... [Dungeon Creation]!"
As soon as the dungeon list appeared, I clicked on [Zombie Dungeon] and was immediately teleported. I found myself not in my little room in Kyoto, but in what seemed to be a post-apocalyptic world. I stood in a deserted street, surrounded by rusted light poles and traffic lights, with houses that were either run-down or destroyed, all accompanied by a foul smell in the air.
Not wanting to hesitate, I started to walk around, carefully checking corners for any potential attacks. After about two minutes, I encountered my first enemy.
[Zombie Lv.4]
The zombie resembled a person, but with green skin and various parts of its body melted or liquefied. One of its eyes was detached, hanging loosely by a muscle that was still connected.
Since the zombie was not directly in front of me and I was using [Stealth], it didn't notice me. With it being within range, I decided to use my first mana attack. I took aim and, just like that...
"Mana Arrow!"
At the cost of fifty mana points, a transparent light blue arrow formed before me and shot toward the unsuspecting zombie. I managed to land a headshot, resulting in the zombie's head exploding.
//
You have defeated Zombie Lv.4
+32 EXP
//
The headless body began to vanish in a display of white motes of light, leaving no evidence of its existence. I felt myself relaxing as the tension I had been holding began to dissipate, and I was almost breathless.
Even though I was a Gamer with powers beyond the limits of this world, this was my first serious fight, one that could have serious consequences. Before I could fully relax, I decided to activate my [Stealth] skill, as the noise I had made could attract other zombies.
I wasn't sure how those creatures would behave, and since it was my first encounter with them, it was better to be cautious. The white light didn't guarantee my safety, but it meant that I could enter it without being reckless. A bite in a critical area could lead to my demise, and I wasn't resistant to those attacks yet.
Lost in thought, another zombie suddenly appeared:
[Zombie Lv.3]
I didn't want to exhaust my mana pool, so it was time to test whether this iron pipe would be effective against them.
---
//
You have defeated Zombie Lv.3
+19 EXP
You've obtained 1 Shard
Level up! Lvl 3->lvl 4
+5 free stat points
//
I've had quite a workout. Counting this session and the first one, I've defeated a total of 10 zombies, and I still haven't allocated a single free stat point.
By the way, Shards are the currency used in the [Shop], and I currently have a total of 3. However, that's almost nothing, as the items available for purchase are low-quality, or "trash-tier" as I categorize them.
"Escape Dungeon."
I returned to my room because moving around inside a dungeon doesn't count as being outside of it. It's not the same as the Nether in the Minecraft world.
Afterward, I took a shower, being careful not to wake my roommates, and then I jumped onto my bed, exhausted from the day.
With some free time on my hands, I decided to check my status.
//
Masachika Kuze Age 9
Lv 4
Title: The Gamer, Essence User, Reincarnated, Child Prodigy, Child
HP: 100/100 (+1.0/10min)
MP: 11/120 (+1.1/10min)
Str: 10
Dex: 11
Con: 10
Int: 12
Wis: 11
Luk: 10
Free Points: 15
Skill list:/
//
I didn't open my skill list because I didn't want to face the overwhelming number of skills I have. Seriously, only a game character can maintain a clean and organized skill list with an identifiable build from the start. After all, I've had this character for six years, and it feels like a slap in the face not to have a skill for every possible need.
I mean, I have five unique skills, more than thirty normal skills, and ten under the category of my [Luxuriae Interminabilis]... Ugh, I really don't want to explain that right now.
Anyway, since I have some free points, I need to think about how to distribute them. While most hardcore gamers would scream about "min-maxing the build," it's my life to live, not theirs. Yes, I could wait to use them until after training like a madman to earn additional points in other stats, and that's certainly a smart move...
But that would be treating life like a game—manipulating situations or people for the sake of stats or other benefits—isn't my style. My motto is to do what I want, whenever I want.
That's also why I decided to erase any memories of anime or other influences from this world. A world-destroying calamity? Sure, there could be one, but I don't want that lingering over my actions. Paranoia is a real concern, and even with the Gamer aspect, it's something to worry about.
Or maybe it's because I'm The Gamer that I should be worried...
"Welp! Let's stop these depressing and overly serious thoughts and just put... 6 points into Intelligence and Wisdom, and the remaining 3 into Luck!"
As soon as I made the command, I felt a cold sensation washing over my brain, along with the expansion of my mana pool.
"Ooh, yes~ babe~ that's the way to go."
And just like that, I drifted off to sleep, relaxed by the sensation.