[Ding! Current Level: 3 (2/40)]
[Ding! Total EXP: 32]
[Ding! Points: 12]
[Ding! Wallet: $130 USD]
[Ding! Tony Stark Lv1 (0/10)]
"This...Party whatever, how does it work?", Tony asked as the two of us wandered deeper into the tunnel. The stench was getting stronger, making it more uncomfortable to deal with.
"Simple really. I can invite anyone into a Party. It sees me as a Party Leader. From there, you can see your Status Window and what you know. Honestly, this is my first time bringing someone else into this, so I have no idea what it's going to do to you. For now, Try saying "Status".", I suggested. I know I don't have to utter the words, but I don't know how it works for another person.
"Sure?", Tony replied, still looking confused. "Status---!?"
The command actually listened to Tony. What stood before him was a miniature version of himself, information fully displayed. "...Is this supposed to be me?"
"Yep. I'm sure you've played a game or two, right? This is how you can view your present information.", I explained.
"And you're telling me unless I'm in this Party or whatever, this can't happen?", Tony asked.
"Exactly."
"That's a load of bullcrap. I must have drank so much at my party last night that I'm still hung over. Surely this is all a dream.", Tony sighed.
"Believe what you want to believe. But if you go in the wrong direction, don't blame me if you end up getting killed.", I shot back.
"...You're telling me we can die in this place?"
"Of course! We're fighting with our lives on the line. Against monsters. It's exactly how you'd assume a game would go.", I responded. "I've gotten used to fighting in this place. I plan to take everything on myself, I wasn't expecting someone to actually wander into here. You're more welcomed to watch."
"Tch. I hate being handed things, no matter which direction it goes. I'll put in my own share, whatever this is. I'm not a pushover, even though I might act like one.", Tony said, assuring me he would be fine.
"Then let's see what you can do.", I smiled. At the same time I reviewed Tony Stark's Status Window. It actually had a couple things I didn't have, which surprised me.
[Tony Stark's Status Window]
Level 1: (0/10)
Total EXP: 0
HP: 100/100 MP: 35/35
STR: 1 VIT: 1 DEX: 3
INT: 10 WIS: 10 LUK: 1
Points: 0
Skills: Weapons Designer (SS), Fast Learner (S), Lofty Genius (A)
[Weapons Designer (SS)] (NEW)
Tony has the knowledge to craft most weapons, which can be used in battle. This ranges from one-handed weapons to firearms. The list goes on.
Special Effect 1: Dex starts at 3.
Special Effect 2:: +2 Dex per level.
Special Effect 3: Additional properties may get attached to Weapons Tony creates. Uses LUK stat.
[Fast Learner (S)] (NEW)
Tony's learning proficiency is higher than most. He's one of the top-leading figures despite his playful nature and tendency to be the bad guy.
Special Effect 1: Learning proficiency of Skills is doubled.
[Lofty Genius (A)] (NEW)
Tony is known to be a high-end genius whose talent knows no bounds.
Special Effect 1: INT and WIS start at 10.
Special Effect 2: INT and WIS Point Gains are doubled.
What is this!?
I know I was granted two SSS skills and all which puts me on a more even playing field with someone like Tony Stark, but still...
That Weapons Designer Skill is particularly going to be useful to get my hands on. I mean...have a friendly chat with. Yeah, let's go with that. He could be my personal source for really good Weapons down the line. Talk about a stroke of fortune!
"I don't like that smile on your face kid.", Tony said, still looking at me. I saw that I was currently smiling. I scratched my head a bit, feeling embarrassed.
"I told you, I ain't a kid, alright? Anyway, your Status is quite good, Tony. Even if I am the only one who can compliment you on it. For the time being, anyway. I actually do not know if there is a limit to how many can join this Party.", I responded, and shrugged my shoulders.
"Interesting. So multiple people can come into a place like this...", Tony said, going into his thoughts. I could see the greed forming. "Say, Myles, was it? We could turn this into a profitable business. Imagine monster hunting as a form of entertainment!"
Hearing that, I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Yeah, I'm going to stop you right there. I don't care if you're THE Tony Stark. I ain't doing this as a business. End of discussion.", I said, rejecting Tony on the spot. And yet, that only seemed to amuse the guy.
"Interesting. You know you're rejecting a billionaire, right?", Tony Stark. "I'm only giving you this one chance. If you don't take it now, I won't press on it."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry there. Tony's serious about turning this Gamer System business into an actual gig? Yeah, that sounds like him alright. Especially since it's before Iron Man I. Just as one of his Skill names implies, Tony's a lofty one.
Sadly, I couldn't even give another remark about Tony's sudden proposal before we heard more plop-like sounds, making our way.
"Shh. The next wave is here.", I said, becoming serious.
"You really expect me to see some monsters come here---?", Tony tried to say, but even he couldn't finish his sentence before the two of us saw five green balls of slime hop our way. At the same time, I saw their tags above their bodies.
[Slime Lv2][Slime Lv2][Slime Lv3][Slime Lv2][Slime Lv2]
"You've got to be kidding me.", Tony retorted.
"You really want to find out?", I said. Thankfully, these five Slimes were still moving slowly, so it's not like we were in any immediate danger. "I told you, I got this."
"No need to say that twice. Unlike you, I always come prepared.", Tony said, only to pull out an actual firearm from within his clothes. I was surprised to see Tony suddenly carrying a pistol.
"...Is that real?", I asked, becoming surprised.
"Is it really that surprising for a weapons manufacturer to own a gun? Trust me kid, it's fully insured. I never get to use it, since Happy's supposed to be my bodyguard whenever I go from place to place. He takes care of most of the finer details.", Tony explained, shrugging his shoulders.
Now I want Tony's Weapon Designer Skill even more now. Are we really just going to go our separate ways after this Instance Dungeon is over?
Anyway, since I had leveled up again, I decided to have a quick look at my new Status Window, and to spend my Stats. Seeing the Slimes start to level up, I cannot be stingy with them. I mean, if I die now, then what would happen to those unspent points?
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Myles Alexander
Age: 18
Level: 3 (2/40)
Total EXP: 32
Location: San Fernando Valley, LA
Time: March 1st, 2006. 9:00 AM
Weather: Sunny, 48*F
Inventory: Unlocked
Quest Log: Unlocked
-Create A Skill (1/1)
-Create Instance Dungeon (0/1)
HP: 410/410 MP: 35/35
STR: 10 VIT: 3 DEX: 4
INT: 1 WIS: 1 LUK: 11
Points: 12
Wallet: $130 USD
'Put 10 Points into STR, and 2 Points into DEX', I thought, deciding on how I should spend my Points. Instead of waiting around for the Slimes to attack me, it's best to finish them off in one or two strikes. And now that Tony's here, he can follow-up with a second hit after I do the first one.
[Ding! You have used 12 Points.]
[Ding! Your STR has increased to 20!]
[Ding! Your DEX has increased to 6!]
Now let's see what these upgraded Slimes look like. I'm so glad I don't have to waste time using Observe one by one, since it happens automatically. Once their information came into view, I saw another Gamer Notification come through, causing me to smile.
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of Observe has increased.]
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of Observe has increased.]
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of Observe has increased.]
I ignored the rest and let my eyes remain on the new details before me.
[Slime Lv2]
HP: 30/30 MP: 5/5
STR: 3 VIT: 3 DEX: 3
Skill: Gelatinous Strike, Core Reinforcement
EXP: 2 Money $10 USD
[Slime Lv3]
HP: 50/50 MP: 10/10
STR: 6 VIT: 8 DEX: 4
Skill: Gelatinous Strike, Core Reinforcement, Sticky Shot
EXP: 5 Money: $20 USD
'So it's not a flat growth pattern...', I thought to myself.
This Level 3 Slime is much stronger than the Level 1 and Level 2 Slimes. It also has three Skills too. I can kind of take a guess as to what they can do. Speaking of Skills, I didn't review Leg Sweep before I was interrupted by Tony Stark coming into this place. Let's have a quick look at that Skill too.
[Leg Sweep (Active)]
By performing a sweeping motion with your leg, you strike at a low angle to hit enemies within range. Upon contact, the impact will disrupt their stance and apply a moderate amount of force across multiple targets.
Name: Leg Sweep
Type: Active Skill
Rank: F
Level: 1
Proficiency: 60.0%
Range: Medium-AOE
Cost: 5 MP
Damage: Inflicts 110% of Attack Damage onto all targets in range.
[Ding! You may now view your Attack Damage.]
[Ding! You may now view a target's Resistance.]
'As I thought, it's an area-of-effect Skill, or AOE for short. Basically I can hit multiple Slimes in one go. That's why I was able to take all three in the last battle.', I concluded, feeling satisfied.
Plus, I can view my Attack Damage and how much I'll do against my targets. Leg Sweep might be just 110% Damage now, but it will increase the more I use it. As far as I'm aware, Skills cap out at Level 100 if they can Level Up. By the time it reaches that point, it could be over 1000% Attack Damage!
I also learned that Point Doubler affects Skill Proficiency. As it was stated previously, Skill Proficiency is also a form of Points, despite it being in percentage format. How cool is that? I used Leg Sweep twice so far, it gave me 15% each time. Then Points Doubler triggered, and now it's 60%. It's over halfway to leveling up already!
Just a couple more and I'll get to see what a level up does on a Skill. Besides that, I learned one more new thing too. My HP and MP restore every level up.
I can definitely make use of that.
"Anything out of the ordinary kid?", Tony asked me while I checked out the information on these slimes.
"I keep telling you Mr. Stark, I ain't a kid. And yeah, be careful of the one in the middle. It's stronger than the rest. I'll do an attack first. Follow my lead.", I said, and began to do the same motion as I've been doing before with Leg Sweep.
"Got it. Good luck, Myles.", Tony said. Someone like Tony, who is known for being a self-centered, arrogant egotist, is wishing me good luck?
I grinned just like how the Hulk does it.
"It doesn't matter how many Slimes are sent my way. Take this!", I exclaimed. The next battle was now underway!