— - —
Given your completion of the [Tutorial], you have unlocked your
[Attributes]. Please see the following informational message
before you allocate any points.
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— - —
[Attributes]
~ [Attributes] are the foundation of the Game, and they'll shape
every aspect of your journey. They define your abilities, from
raw combat power to social finesse, and determine how you
interact with the world.
Think of them as the framework of your
potential—every point you allocate brings you closer to
mastering your chosen playstyle.
Careful allocation is crucial, as many advanced skills and perks require minimum stat thresholds to unlock. Want to wield a legendary weapon, master an intricate sword form, or charm your way out of danger?
You'll need the right combination of attributes to do so. Without
meeting these requirements, certain abilities, items, or story paths may remain out of reach.
~ Your [Attributes] will also dictate how you overcome challenges, adapt to your surroundings, and grow over time.
Will you focus on raw power, precision, intellect, or a mix of all three? Remember, each point counts, and your choices wil ripple through every aspect of your gameplay.
Choose wisely— the world won't wait.
— - —
— - —
[STR] or [STRENGTH]:
~ This stat represents your raw physical power—your ability to lift heavy objects and build muscle. This stat will also increase your max weight lifted and your overall muscle density.
Increasing your [STR] boosts your damage in combat, allowing you to deal more damage with melee attacks or physical
abilities.
[VIT] or [VITALITY]:
~ [VIT] determines how much damage you can take before being knocked down or defeated. It also affects your resistance to poisons, diseases, and other harmful conditions.
[DEX] or [DEXTERITY]:
~ [DEX] is what gives you that quick reflex and flexibility. It affects your reaction times, how fast you move, and how well you can perform precise tasks—like catching a ball, threading a needle, or landing a perfect kick.
[INT] or [INTELLIGENCE]:
~ This stat measures how quickly you can grasp new concepts, think logically, and apply knowledge to real-world situations. It also impacts your ability to pick up new skills—whether that's learning how to play an instrument or understanding complex strategies in battle.
[CHA] or [CHARISMA]:
~ [CHA] is about how well you can persuade, lead, and even manipulate others. It influences how people perceive you, whether it's through charisma, confidence, or the power of your words. It's also crucial for things like negotiating deals, winning hearts, or making a lasting impression.
[WIS] or [WISDOM]:
~ This stat represents a person's prudence and street smarts. It directly impacts your ability to manage mana—both in terms of how efficiently you use it and how much you can store.
Higher WIS lets you conserve mana during spells and abilities, reducing the cost of using magic, while also increasing your total mana capacity.
[LUC] or [LUCK]:
~ Luck can boost a variety of events that have very low probabilities of occurring; landing a critical hit in combat, finding rare loot, or getting a good deal when shopping.
— - —
I read each stat and its following description, nodding to myself slightly. Again, it was what I'd expected, more or less. The Game seemed to follow a rather basic RPG format—not that I was complaining, of course.
It seemed like a good thing to have so far. It also meant that my multiple playthroughs of Skyrim, in direct opposition to what my stepfather, Gabe, said, helped me in the real world after all.
I winced slightly when I got to my [CHA], though.
I guess if I'm being honest, it does kind of track. At the least, it explains why every girl at my school avoids me like the plague. And here I was this whole time, thinking it was 'cause I hung out with Grover so much. Well, that probably doesn't help my case too much, either. It's like putting a hat on a hat.
The words shifted. There was more ?
— - —
[REP] or [REPUTATION]:
~ Reputation reflects how others perceive you—whether they
admire, trust, fear, or despise you. It's a reflection of your actions, behavior, and relationships with those around you.
A [REP] of 0 is neutral, meaning you're generally unknown or indifferent to others. Negative [REP] indicates that you've made enemies or caused harm, leading to mistrust or open hostility.
The higher your [REP] is, the more influence you have over others. A positive [REP] makes it easier to form connections, gain allies, or persuade people to help you.
~ In some cases, a high [REP] can even open doors to romantic relationships, favor from powerful individuals, or access to exclusive opportunities that might otherwise be closed off.
~ In romantic or intimate contexts, a high [REP] can open the possibility of love or deeper connections with others.
Conversely, a low or negative [REP] might cause misunderstandings, jealousy, or even full-on rejection from those you seek affection from.
~ Your [REP] can fluctuate depending on your decisions, actions, and how you treat those around you. Help people, complete quests that improve others' lives, and show kindness, and your [REP] will rise. Commit crimes, betray allies, or treat others poorly, and your [REP] will plummet.
— - —
I was drawn out of my thoughts as a glowing number ten at the top
right of my screen bounced a few times.
That's right—I had points to spend. Ten attribute points, if I remember correctly.
I thought about it for a moment. I was tempted to put most of my points into [CHA] but I also didn't want that to come back and bite me in the ass. As much fun as it would be to go around charming cute girls, I think I'd be better off banking these things into something that can actually help me save my mom.
— - —
~ Before you view your attributes, you have a notification.
Would you like to view it?
— - —
"Sure," I muttered. "Why not, at this point?"
— - —
~ You've been granted a gift: {Lunar Veil}
~ {Lunar Veil} is a starter pack, full of basic-level perks and skills to kickstart your journey. With a balanced mix of utility, charm, and luck, this bundle is crafted to enhance your early gameplay and make sure you don't, well, die immediately. Every perk in {Lunar Veil} is aimed at helping you navigate challenges and uncover new opportunities as you begin your journey.
— - —
The game shifted. The list of attributes became smaller and halved in size, rolling to the background of my vision, right on top of the strawberry fields.
It was replaced by a massive tree with hundreds of sprawling branches, their intricate patterns stretching out below. The screen zoomed in on the very top, where seven hexagons hovered, their names written in bold.
A silver laurel wreath encased them. In neatly written cursive, the
words Lunar Veil were branded on the wreath, alongside a crescent
moon. Every letter glowed brightly as my eyes glossed over it.
All in all, {Lunar Veil} was full of five perks, all of which seemed to hinge on some of the base stats of the game. From left to right, they were [Alexander's Might], [Athanasia's Will], [Lunar Veil], [Scholar's Instinct], and [Gilded Tongue].
Curiously, I clicked on each of the small hexagons, one by one.
They hopped up and down in place for a few moments before expanding outwards, growing exponentially in size.
— - —
[Perk]: Alexander's Might
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: STR
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Unleash the power of a conquering ruler. Gain [+5] [STR] starter boost and a [20%] fluid boost to your [STR] attribute while actively involved in a combat scenario.
— - —
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[Perk]: Athanasia's Will
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: VIT
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Inspired by the goddess of immortality, you defy death's grasp. When your [HP] falls below [10%] you regenerate health [50%] faster and gain [35%] damage mitigation, drawing on an unwavering will to survive.
— - —
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[Skill]: Lunar Veil
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: DEX
[Level]: 1
[Description]: This perk is the centerpiece of the pack. Bathed in the moonlight, you move with ethereal fluidity. Receive a [+5] boost to your [DEX] and learn the [Lunar Veil] kata, a sword form that mirrors the elegant and elusive nature of the moon, allowing for rapid and unpredictable slashes.
— - —
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[Perk]: Scholar's Instinct
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: INT
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Like the great scholars of ancient Greece, you possess a natural affinity for learning. Absorb knowledge [1 x your current INT]% faster and gain deeper insights when reading.
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[Perk]: Gilded Tongue
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: CHA
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Your words weave magic and attraction. Gain [+5] [CHA] and a [1 x your current CHA]% boost to charm and persuasion when speaking.
— - —
Okay, so that leaves my current attributes as:
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[STR]: 10 [+5]
[VIT]: 9
[DEX]: 17 [+5]
[INT]: 12
[CHA]: 8 [+5]
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
— - —
Hm. How do I want to play this? I can't tell if these starting attributes
are good or not.
My rule of thumb when it comes to video games is to wait and see what kind of play style seems the most fun, and then build around that. I don't know how much that really applies here, though, because this isn't exactly a videogame, where I can die over and over until I figure something out It's my life.
Pretty sure I just get one of those. Maybe I'll test that out sometime down the road, but for now, I think it's in my best interest to play it safe for a while. At least until I can figure out what seems to work for me.
Let's see…I have ten attribute points, right? Maybe I'll spread them out a bit.
— - —
[STR]: 11 [+5]
[VIT]: 12
[DEX]: 17 [+5]
[INT]: 16
[CHA]: 10 [+5]
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
— - —
Not bad. With my perks and everything factored in, I'm still pretty balanced so far, with a bit of focus on the speed and motor skills department.
I kicked the blanket off my lap and stood on the porch, enjoying the
small creak it made as I stretched out the various kinks in my body.
Ugh, those pops and cracks sounded like music to my ears.
It felt like I'd been asleep for ages.
Quietly, I made my way over to the other side of the porch. Two men
sat across from each other at a card table. There was also a blondhaired gir —the one who I think spoon-fed me popcorn-flavored pudding—leaning on the porch rail next to them.
I checked each of them out discreetly before I fully stepped over.
The girl was looking out at the groups of kids who were walking around, all wearing the same orange shirt as she was.
[Ping!]
What now? I already looked at you, for like, ten minutes, Game!
— - —
~ By observing the girl, you have created a skill!
~ Skill generation is an important part of the game. In this system, skills aren't just given—they're earned. The Game's mechanics monitor your actions, reactions, and even your thought processes to identify patterns and moments of significance. By repeatedly performing a specific action or
triggering a key event, you unconsciously lay the foundation for new skills to form.
[Examples]
[Everyday Actions]: Routine movements, techniques, or behaviors can evolve into skills if used frequently or creatively.
For example, repeated dodging at just the right moment might unlock a skill, while consistent observation of your surroundings could lead to another.
[Triggered by Mechanics]: Skills can also be generated through pivotal moments. A sudden burst of creativity or focus might spontaneously create a skill. Repeatedly trying out a new form may result in the generation of a skill to make it easier to use.
Once a skill is generated, it becomes part of your arsenal, ready to level up through continued use.
— - —
[Skill]: Observe
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: INT
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Use this skill to scan targets and extract critical
intel.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], this skill, reveals the target's level and basic stats as long as the target is within [10] levels of you. As the skill levels up, you'll unlock deeper insights and uncover hidden details about characters and objects in the world.
— - —
This thing is getting cooler and cooler by the minute! I blinked a few
times and looked at her again. My eyes burned and watered.
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Thanks again for reading! As you might notice, my chapters are usually quite long. To make them easier to read—and to keep a steady upload schedule—I sometimes split a single chapter into two, three, or even more parts. Don't worry, though, you'll always get the full content; it's simply divided into smaller, more manageable sections.
Remember, there will be three to four updates per week, and for every 300 power stones, I'll release an extra chapter as a bonus. If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to add it to your library so you won't miss any updates.
And, as always, thank you for your support—it truly keeps me motivated to write more.