Chapter Text
Usagi was humming when she got home, the milkshake had done its job in helping her recover from the rodent misadventure and Motoki had helped her a little with her homework, Listening to his explanations had even upped her INT by 3 whole points and her WIS by 1. Not to mention her 45 Exp for her homework had come with a bonus 15 for some reason. (not that Usagi knew it was because her work was at least 25% correct.)
“Where have you been Young Lady!?” Her parents both looked upset, Shingo stood in the corner like he was watching a movie that was about to get good.
“At the Game Centre.” Usagi didn't know why her parents were so angry, then she glanced at a clock and had an idea. “I'm sorry I lost track of time.”
“Well you can just march yourself upstairs and get started on your homework, I think you've played enough games for one day.”
“But it's already done.” All three of her family members gave her disbelieving looks. “I did it at the Game Centre while I had a milkshake, Motoki-kun helped me with some of it, he's really good at explaining things. See!” Usagi fished out her homework and thrust it before her parents. There was a pause of several minutes as her parents read over her work, noting the unfamiliar hand written notes through out that must have come from Motoki.
Her parents shared a look.
“Well, I suppose since your homework is done... just don't go bothering Motoki-kun aright?”
“I won't.”
“Alright, go get washed up, there's left overs in the fridge and in the future you keep a better eye on the time, or call us and let us know you'll be so late.”
“I will, I'm really sorry I worried you.” Usagi hugged her parents, pulled a face at Shingo and bounded up stairs to wash.
“Thank goodness it's not drugs.”
“She still might have been replaced by Aliens.”
“Shingo!”
Character: Tsukino Usagi
The Gamer
Level: 3
Exp: 1,185/3,000
HP: 693
MP: 1,444
Stats:
STR: 13
VIT: 21
DEX: 5
INT: 13 (12)
WIS: 8 (7)
LUK: 11
SPD: 29
Status:
The Slacker (-30% Reputation gains with people in 'Authority,' -10% INT, -10% WIS, 50% chance Status Effect: Lethargy), Crybaby (40% Chance Courage Fail, 40% Chance Flinch, 45 % Chance Auto-activation ???????), ??? ??? (Recap Physical Stats +100, Recap Mental Stats +50, +50% Physical Stats when in effect, +25 Mental Stats when in effect), ??? ??? (+100 MP per Level, Recap Mental Stats +50)
Abilities:
Gamer's Mind
Gamer's Body
??? ??? ???
You have slept in your bed: Health and Magic fully restored
Usagi had managed to make it to school early once again, as far as the week was concerned she was three for three.
She listened to the conversation around her with one ear, in her mind she was going over the 'combat protocols' for the game. She now knew (kind of) why she hadn't been very effective against the horde of Mutant rodents in the basement: her STR wasn't high enough.
So how did she get stronger, and how could she get her Dexterity up, her low DEX the day before had almost landed her in a lot of trouble when she'd tripped (several times).
Of course she could always try to find a lighter weapon, but there was no guarantee it would be as strong as the Crowbar and she'd be back at square one. Plus just finding the Crowbar had been by chance and she might not have the requirements for a different weapon.
Maybe if she got her Fury Flail high enough she could do more damage to the higher level monsters.
After School Usagi, Naru and a few other girls from her class headed over to the Crown Arcade for some games. The girls had planned a DDR dance off at school that morning while Usagi had been lost in thought. There weren't enough DDR machines in the arcade for all the girls to play at once so Usagi and Naru ended up watching bags at the table they all claimed for the afternoon.
Rather than watching, Usagi started on her homework. Several minutes in she looked up at Naru who was smiling at her over her own homework.
“What?”
“Nothing really, I'm just glad you're finally putting in more effort into your school work. It's a whole new, responsible you.”
“Not really... Naru, can I tell you something that's gonna sound weird? But can you not think I'm crazy, because I don't think I am.”
“You're my best friend Usagi, you can tell me anything.”
“I woke up on Monday and my life had become a video game. Like an RPG, I get Quests and Experience points and stuff. Naru, I have an inventory. The Game wakes me up, like I have no choice, I'm just suddenly awake with a Quest to get to school on time. Getting there early gets me bonus Exp. Doing my homework gets me Exp. And I kind of need all the Exp I can get because I'm so far behind in terms of levels it not even funny!”
“Wow Usagi, really?” Naru had an odd tone in to her voice, like she wasn't sure to be encouraging or not.
“Yeah, and there's dungeons, I've only found one in the school basement so far but I don't want to find others because I could barely take out the Level 2 Mutant Mice, I barely did any damage to the level 3s.”
“Oh my gosh are you alright? Fighting monsters and stuff! Are you hurt?” Naru glanced over her friend, as though she were checking for injuries.
“No," Usagi shook her head, "I got away without taking damage, I got a trophy for that which increased most of my stats by one. My Dexterity is still pathetic though, but I've brought my Intelligence up by six points since the start of the week and school work is getting a little bit easier.”
Naru smiled at her friend, but Usagi could see disbelief on her face and her own smile dropped.
“You don't really believe me do you?”
Naru tried too hide a slight wince, “It is pretty hard to believe Usagi, but I think that if it's helping you become a more focussed student then it's a good thing right?”
Usagi sighed and gave a nod, Naru might not believe her but she was willing to support whatever method Usagi had chosen to get her self in gear.
“So what level am I?”
“Twelve, Umino's 15, everyone else in our class is at least level 9.” Naru could see her friend deflate.
“And you?” Usagi held up a hand with three fingers extended. “Thirteen,” Naru guessed hopefully, Usagi shook her head. “Three!?” Usagi nodded, morose. Usagi clenched her hand into a fist and straightened.
“But I'm half way to level four and I have something they don't have.”
“What's that?”
“A Combat Crowbar!”
Usagi and Naru were almost finished their homework when the other girls came back, they chose to finish while they others ordered drinks and crowed about who'd won. As they duo were packing away their work Naru noticed Usagi frowning and casting furtive glances at the others.
“Usagi?” Naru kept her voice as quiet as possible.
“I think their Dexterity went up, by like one or two each.”
“Our turn on the DDR!” Naru grabbed Usagi and dragged her over to one of the machines.
Dance Dance Revolution
Provides 8 Dexterity Exp per dance completed
Dancing against someone doubles Exp
“Oh, That's so cool, I didn't know I could do that!” Naru made a questioning noise. “I have a Skill called Observe, it gives me information about things just by looking at them, but I didn't know I could get this kind of info.” Usagi relayed the information about the DDR machine, “I usually just get whole points but in reality, well my new Game reality, most actions will result in Stat Exp, when I reach 100 of those I get a point. The higher my Stat, the harder it is to get the Exp.”
“Alright then, I challenge you to a dance off, on super easy!”
“Really? Alright Naru, you're on!” A few dances later: +1 DEX.
+1 DEX
“Yes! Wow that was tiring, but so worth it. Hey Naru what time is it?”
“Late, we should be getting home soon.”
“Aww, yeah okay,” Usagi pouted slightly.
“We can come back on the weekend and play all day if you'd like.”
“Really?” Naru nodded. “You're the best! Now I just need to find a way to increase my strength.”
“Why do you need to increase your strength?” Naru's brow furrowed as she looked at her friend in confusion.
“So I can fight the Mutant rodents in the school basement! I think they dropped stuff when I defeated them but I was too busy trying not to get hurt that I didn't really pay it much attention, so I want to go back and find out.” Naru frowned, she didn't like the idea of her friend going into danger, but she had promised herself she would support Usagi's methods as long as it didn't hurt anybody.
“Maybe I could go with you to watch your back?” Naru offered.
The suggestion made Usagi uneasy.
“We'd need to find you a weapon, and I'm not sure I like the idea of you going into danger. I have this Ability called Gamer's Body, my body can heal like a video game character. If you get hurt it's for real and I don't have any healing items anyway. Besides I'm not going back until I'm way stronger.”
“I don't like the idea of you in danger either Usagi.” Usagi swept Naru into a hug.
“I'll be careful Naru, I promise.”
Usagi moved the furniture in her room to the edges, making sure she had plenty of space and retrieved her Crowbar. Usagi practised her Fury Flail until her arm was tired, (earning her +1 STR,) then she swapped arms and tried again.
Warning: You do not have Ability: Dual Wield
With out the Ability: Dual Wield attempting to wield weapons or items in your off hand may result in: accidental damage to surrounds, loss of weapon or item, Status Effect: pulled muscles
Usagi tapped the warning screen.
Ability Dual Wield
Requires: Perk: Ambidextrous
Usagi opened her Manual and returned to the section on Perks.
Perks are permanent traits you can select by spending Perk points. 2 Perks are unlocked per level. The Gamer is awarded 1 Perk point per level...
Usagi found the instructions to access her Perks Page.
Perks:
You have 3 Perk Points to spend.
Ambidextrous:
+3 Dex, allows use of both hands equally, Unlocks: Dual Wielding
Talk to Animals:
+10% Exp all Languages, allows you to understand animals of all kinds
Magic Mimic:
Instantly learn any and all Basic Magic Spells you see
Air is for the weak:
Grants the ability to breath (safely) underwater, while buried alive, in poison atmospheres or even no atmosphere at all
Where no light shines:
See in absolute darkness, or even dimly lit areas as if it was the middle of a sunny day
Boo! Imma Ghost!:
Become intangible at will and walk through walls
Well Usagi need the Ambidextrous Perk for Dual Wielding, plus it came with a permanent +3 DEX bonus... and it was pretty dim down in the basement so she'd need the ability to see in the dark.
Usagi selected her two perks and left her third point because she couldn't decide between walking through walls and talking to animals.
She went back to practising her Fury Flail; it took a while for the level to finally go up, Usagi got the feeling it levelled faster against actual opponents. She kept at it until her STR went up by 1, then she stashed the Crowbar and went to wash up.
You have slept in your bed: Health and Magic fully restored
Status Effect: Lethargy (Physical stats reduced by 50%, mental stats reduced by 50%)
Usagi blinked wearily at the notice screen; she felt tired, tired like she hadn't since the first screen on Monday morning. Fighting the tired heaviness in her muscles she got herself ready for school.
“Usagi, are you alright, you were almost late today.” Naru said as Usagi fumbled with her book bag almost missing the hook.
“Status effect: Lethargy, I need caffeine but I don't like coffee.”
“Lethargy?”
“All Stats are halved, 75% chance of giving up on any task, 60% chance of taking a nap.” Usagi wanted to be back at home, in her bed, asleep.
“I'll give you a poke in the side every now and then and help keep you on track.” Naru promised with too much enthusiasm for Usagi's taste.
“Yeah, sure...” Usagi's head descended slowly toward her desk, her arms preparing to cushion it.
POKE!
Usagi squeaked and straightened up, prepared to face another ten minutes of class.
Somehow (with Naru's help in the form of constant poking) Usagi made it through the day with out falling asleep or giving up on her school work, she hadn't paid full attention to class and what she had listened to had gone in one ear and out the other, but she'd made it without angering any of the teachers.
To celebrate Naru dragged Usagi to the Crown Juice Parlour for something sweet to drink. The duo managed to get through their homework but when Usagi failed to show any real enthusiasm for the celebration Naru decided to let her friend head home for a long nap, she'd earned it.
Friday found a Lethargy free Usagi planning the weekend with Naru.
“See the problem with DDR as my only Dexterity increaser is my allowance: sooner rather than later I'm going to run out, and it's not like I get money rewards from any of my quests. Well none so far.” Usagi felt like crying at the new hurdle.
“Hmmm..." Naru tapped her chin as she considered the problem, "DDR is basically just putting your feet in the right place in time to music... what if we taped some squares on the floor and danced to music?”
“...It's worth a shot.”
“I kinda wish I could see the screens just so I could read the manual, maybe it has clues in there on how to increase your stats.”
“... Maybe I could add you to my party like a normal RPG?” Naru nodded, and Usagi went through a few dozen variations on ways to say 'invite Naru.' “Damn it why can't I invite Naru?”
Warning: You do not have the Ability: Guild Master
With out the Ability: Guild Master you can not add people to your Party, keep tabs on anyone via the Map Function or access the Phone App.
“I have a Phone App?!”
“What?” Naru looked confused until Usagi explained the screen. The story of Dual Wielding was shared as Usagi poked and prodded at what looked to everyone else to be thin air.
“Okay so in order to get Ability: Guild Master I need the Perk: Pardy Hardy... which unlocks at level 10. Urgh! At this rate it'll be faster to just copy the Manual out by hand!”
Quest Alert:
Made Manifest
Copy out the Manual for Naru before your Meeting on Saturday
Reward: 100 Exp per section, Increase Naru's Belief in The Game
Failure: Increase Naru's Doubt
Usagi gave the screen a mild glare.
Skill Discovered: through action you have discovered the Skill:
Doom Glare – creates an Aura of malice that weakens a foe's resolve
Usagi face palmed and Naru's query was cut of by Haruna's voice calling everyone's attention.
School Weekly Reward Bonus:
No Tardy: +50 Exp
No Detention: +50 Exp
Double Bonus Reward:
+1 INT
+1 WIS
After class Usagi went straight home and got stuck into her homework.
Then she started on the Manual. She got through the Table of Contents, The HUD basics, Stats and what they were (which did reveal how to level them like Naru suggested), Battle Protocols, Questing and Perks before she had to go to bed.
Surprising to Usagi, the Table of Contents registered as a 'section.'
Discovered new Area: Osa-P
100 Exp
“Wow Usagi, these Battle Protocols are complex, like needlessly complex.” Naru boggled at the pages before her, flipping through them slowly.
“Really, wow, I barely understand every other line of that and I'm finally at 14 base Intelligence.”
“What did you start with?” Naru asked, glancing up at her friend.
“Eight, but my Slacker Status made it seven,” Usagi shrugged like finding that out hadn't sucked.
“Wow, How did you go up so fast?”
“Ummm, I got one point yesterday after school for a Bonus Quest type thing, I got three points from when Motoki helped me with my homework, he's really good at explaining things and I think the 'Tutor' thingy might have been in effect. The other one was for paying attention in class... I think?” Usagi counted the points of on her fingers.
“Huh, you'd think paying attention in class would give you more.”
“Yeah... it seems to be whether or not I understand the information I'm paying attention too.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“By the way Osa-P was a 100 Experience location discovery bonus. You may want to stay out of the storage rooms.”
“............. okay.......... let's try the taped squares thing........”
Naru and Usagi spent an hour dancing to music, using taped outlines as their own DDR pads. Both girl's went up by 1 DEX.
“I don't suppose you have any suggestions to up my Strength? I took it up by 2 the other night by using my Crowbar outside of combat but it took hours.”
“Some kind of weight training then?... Oh I know! My mum needs some boxes moved to the show floor for a new display... but they're kind of in the basement...”
Usagi gave an only half faked sob “...urgh, this is going to suck.”
“aaaand the light bulb blew....”
Quest Alert:
Diamond in the rough:
Mayumi Osaka needs boxes brought out of the basement but the lights are out:
Change the bulb and move those boxes
Reward: Increased Reputation: Mayumi Osaka, Increase Reputation: Osa-P, 150 Exp, +1 STR
Failure: Decreased Reputation: Mayumi Osaka, Decreased Reputation: Osa-P
“Huh, Quest alert, change the bulb and move the boxes, rewards are reputation and 150 Experience points... no mention of monsters, but I'm not sure that means anything. Still if I'm going into a dark basement it's a good thing I chose the Perk that gives me perfect night vision.”
With the fresh light bulb in her inventory – and wow had Naru been made a believer when she saw Usagi do that – Usagi crept into the basement. Everything was outlined with a soft glow, the whole area seemed laden with a luminescent fog that wasn't quite there, it was - as far as Usagi was concerned - a well lit room.
And ridiculously filled with boxes.
“Hey Naru... Which boxes did your mother need?” Usagi's voice reached Naru who was waiting outside the door at the top of the stairs.
“All the ones from Chandele, there should be five of them.”
“Okay... Hey Naru, when you were last down here was everything organised?”
“Not really, I should have warned you it would be a bit messy.”
“Either the Gamer Power messed up the Basement or you and I need to discuss your definition of 'a bit messy.' I think it's gonna be easier if I clear the boxes before I change the bulb, there's a path straight to it but it looks pretty tight and hazardous.”
“Okay, be careful.”
Usagi started shifting the boxes by the entrance first, straightening them and looking for the Chandele boxes.
“Usagi, you okay down there?”
“Yeah, it's just slow going, there's not a lot of space to work...” It occurred to Usagi that she needed a way to move the boxes that immediately cleared space. She picked up a smaller box and tried to put it in her inventory, if her plan worked she could clear the entire room quickly and re-stack everything with ease.
Warning:
Placing Stock Items into your inventory constitutes stealing
Acts of Theft decrease your Trustworthiness and makes strangers and even family less inclined to trust you.
Do you still wish to place this item in your Inventory?
“No...” the hard way it was. “Hey Naru?”
“Yeah?”
“You may want to go do something else, this may take a while.”
“I'll go get the Manual and give that another read through.”
“Kay.”
All of the boxes had a Strength Requirement to lift when Usagi checked with her Observation ability, Most of the boxes needed less than the 15 strength Usagi had but there were a few which required more; those Usagi pushed to move.
It took over half and hour for Usagi to move the boxes into stacks by the entrance sorted by size, during which time she gained three strength points, then she relocated the boxes along the walls according to brand and size, leaving the Chandele boxes by the stairs which took another half hour but netted another two strength.
“Finally!”
“Usagi?”
“I finished the boxes, I am done!”
“...why is it so dark down there?”
“Oh, I still have to change the bulb, don't worry there's a step-stool down here I can use.”
Usagi changed the bulb and brought up the boxes, Naru walked ahead of her opening doors and checking for tripping hazards. The five boxes weren't very large or heavy so Usagi was able to carry them all in one go. Mayumi noticed them placing the boxes behind the counter where the new display was to be set up.
Quest Alert:
Quest Complete:
Reward:
Increased Reputation: Mayumi Osaka, Increase Reputation: Osa-P, 150 Exp, +1 STR
Bonus:
Darkly Backwards: Find the boxes in the Dark – 50 EXP
Tetris master?: Sort and re-stack the Basement – 50 EXP
“Thank you girls, you didn't have to do that”
“That's okay Mama, we were happy to help.” Usagi backed Naru up with an 'uh-huh' of agreement.
“Well alright, but you girls leave the display to me, I want it to look just so.” The girls agreed and headed back upstairs to Naru's room.
“So how did you do?”
“I got 5 Strength moving the boxes plus an extra point in my Quest reward and I earned bonus experience so I only need another... 105 to level up.”
“Oh I know, you said Osa-P was worth 100 Experience points, if you map that you'll only need 5 more points.”
“Yeah, good thinking Naru.”
With the map of Osa-P (and Naru's home) complete the girls were at a loss.
“Five points... five points...” The duo tried to think of anything they could do, or anyone they could see that might prompt a Quest. Then Usagi realised something: no matter where they went or who they went to see she'd be 'discovering a new area.
“That's it! We'll just walk around while I rack up points Discovering new areas!”
“So why haven't you been doing that all week, I mean you pass a lot of places on the way to school and on the way here Right?” Naru asked, frowning again at the seeming discrepancy.
“Huh... Uhhh... hmmm..." Usagi propped her chin up with on hand, assuming a classic 'thinking pose' as she tried to find an explanation. "Oh! I know, the Discovery Alert only pops up when I Enter the actual area, Like the School didn't register until I passed the gates and Osa-P and the Crown Game Centre didn't pop up Until after I was through the doors... or maybe it's only areas important to the plot, the Game's got to have one right?”
Naru shook her head, “I don't think so, the Manual doesn't seem to suggest anything like a coherent Story line.”
“Well darn, so I just have to enter a place; of course I won't be able to get the double points because I doubt everyone would be willing to let me into every corner of their homes or business so let's start with areas I can totally map.”
“How about the Park?”
“Perfect.”
Discovered New Area: the Park
250 Exp
Level Up
Character: Tsukino Usagi
The Gamer
Level: 4
Exp: 245/4,000
HP: 924
MP: 1,786
Stats:
STR: 21
VIT: 21
DEX: 11
INT: 14 (12)
WIS: 9 (7)
LUK: 11
SPD: 29
Status:
The Slacker (-30% Reputation gains with people in 'Authority,' -10% INT, -10% WIS, 50% chance Status Effect: Lethargy), Crybaby (40% Chance Courage Fail, 40% Chance Flinch, 45 % Chance Auto-activation ???????), ??? ??? (Recap Physical Stats +100, Recap Mental Stats +50, +50% Physical Stats when in effect, +25 Mental Stats when in effect), ??? ??? (+100 MP per Level, Recap Mental Stats +50)
Abilities:
Gamer's Mind
Gamer's Body
??? ??? ???
“So?”
“I just levelled up... The park was worth 250 Exp, that's more than twice the Game Centre or Osa-P, I wonder why it's so high.”
“Maybe because it's so big?”
“Maybe.”
“So... what are the new perks you unlock at this level?”
“Uhhh...” Usagi opened her Perks page, her eyes widened to an alarming degree and her hands flurried in the air. “Getting those!”
“What, Usagi, what did you get?” Naru really wished she could see the 'screens'.
“New Perks: Happy, Shiny People – Gain one extra Perk Point every second level. Level the Playing Field – Gain Experience points by Levelling up your Skills. Good thing I had a spare Perk Point.”
“Those will be really useful,” Naru gave a small nod of approval at Usagi's choices.
“Yeah they will, okay so... let's explore the park and I'll use my Observe to level it up.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Usagi's Observation skill went up by 2 levels, she unlocked and levelled a new skill (Botany) and when she and Naru took a break and mucked about on the playground equipment she raised her Acrobatics skill another level and unlocked Climb.
Going on a boat to map the small lake granted her the skill Sea Legs, falling in near the dock and getting a fish stuck down her shirt opened Swimming and Fishing skills. The soaked duo headed home after that.
In addition to the 250 Exp for mapping the park the skills netted her a further 450 Exp.
It was, in Usagi's opinion, not a bad day despite the drenching. Plus she'd figured out more ways to increase certain skills for free.