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The Most Dangerous Gamer by chimmon
Books » Worm Rated: M, English, Adventure, OC, Bonesaw, Siberian, Words: 431k+, Favs: 3k+, Follows: 3k+, Published: Mar 8, 2021 Updated: Feb 27, 2023
1,306Chapter 2: Thrown Into the Deep End 1
The Most Dangerous Gamer - Thrown into the Deep End
+3000
I smiled. The arcade machine bleeped and pixelized mushroom men danced over my character's head. The high score screen came up, granting me a bonus for each life left. Not my highest score, but it was just something to do while Mr. Price got things ready. "And that's how you do it!"
Nancy rolled her eyes. "Great. THIS is what we're wasting our lunch-hour on?"
Tom chimed in. "Yeah, you said there was something amazing. We've seen the arcade before."
I shook my head. "No this isn't it." Looking towards the back of the store, I shouted. "Hey, Mr. Price! The demo ready yet?"
"Almost." The yelled reply came. "I just have to put everything back together."
"So what is the big secret?" Nancy popped her bubblegum. "A new arcade game? Phone game? Game console?"
I smirked. "You could say that, but it hardly does it justice. Mr. Price made a new console that'll blow everything out of the water!"
Tom shook his head. "I mean, I not surprised YOU are excited about something like that. But Mr. Price? Can he really make something like that?"
"You'll see." I unzipped my jacket, it was kinda hot in here.
Nancy sighed and shook her head. "Look. I'm not into games like you guys. Why'd you even drag me down here?"
"That's exactly the reason." I explained. "Mr. Price let me test 'cause he knows I like this stuff. He wanted some input from people who don't normally go for this kind of thing."
"That's all well and good for you." She smiled as she shoved me. "But what do I get out of it?"
"Trust me. You'll have a blast."
The teen girl crossed her arms. "That's what you said about that old relic you bought. What was it? The 'Any Ess?'"
"That's NES, and I still can't believe you didn't like 'Legend of Zelda'!"
"I can't believe you'd thought I would!"
"Guys, guys." Tom motioned with his hands. "Let's not get off topic here. Kevin, what's so great about this new console?"
"Well... you remember that Earth Aleph movie 'Lawnmower Man'?"
Tom tilted his head. "That one that... uh.. what's his name wrote? The famous horror author?"
"Steven King. And he writes more than just horror."
"Horror?" Nancy asked accusatorily.
"We're getting off the point." I shook my head. "The movie is about Virtual Reality, and that's what the new console uses."
"Virtual Reality?" Tom sounded extremely unconvinced.
"Trust me, trust me." I smiled, barely containing myself. "Everybody's going to want one!" Shoot, once they tried Mr. Price's invention, they'd be thanking me.
Nancy cocked her head. "Hey, do you guys hear..." She was cut off when all the glass in the arcade exploded.
My head swam. My eyesight was blurry. Everything felt fuzzy. There was something hot on my forehead. I reached up to touch it. Ew! It was wet. I pulled my hand down and looked at my fingers. Blood! The world focused on my palm. Blood! My blood. From my head! A sense of terror began to fill me as I watched the tiny rivulets of blood that slowly stretched down my palm. It wasn't until a drop of blood fell from the bottom of my palm that I broke from my stupor.
I took a deep breath to yell, and then nearly choked.
"Just imagine what even a few hundred of them would do in a place like Houston. Even Eidolon might not be able to handle it!" Someone cackled from behind me. I couldn't turn to look. My entire being was now focused on the... thing that loomed above me. It was pitch black. Huge. So. Many. Teeth.
"So, what do you say?"
"What? I could never..."
"Now, I'd reconsider if I were you. You don't really have much of a choice. Let me show you what will happen to you otherwise. Ned, if you'd be so kind."
The thing moved. Crawler. I recognized its description now. I followed capes, which meant that I knew the big villains. Not that there were many in Texas. Not with Eidolon in Houston. I knew the Slaughterhouse Nine though. They were famous, in the worst kind of way.
"Eenie... meenie... miney... mo!" The monster pressed down on Tom's prone body. My friend bulged... and then burst like a watermelon.
Somebody said something, but I couldn't focus on anything but the remains of Tom. My friend. Dead. Pulped. That was until Crawler shuffled closer... and *licked* Nancy. I watched her hysterical laughter turn into screams as she melted before his eyes. I wanted to do the same thing, laugh and laugh at the absurdity of it all. Just like that, we were all going to die. The acid spread through her body. What was once a thin layer of slime somehow grew and grew until she was nothing more than a green puddle. There wasn't anything I could do to stop it. Crawler turned toward me.
My last thought was how reality really sucked compared to games.
...
A worm. A gigantic creature that dwarfed Crawler. Dwarfed the Earth. It was wrong somehow. The way it moved. Shifting in and out of reality.
...
[5 Compatible shards found.
Gamer's Body trait created.
Gamer's Mind trait created.
Observe trait created.
Inventory trait created.]
*Memory Removal effect negated by Gamer's Mind.
*Conflict Drive effect negated by Gamer's Mind.
I blinked. I remembered the worm. I remembered Crawler. I remembered the Slaughterhouse Nine. But I felt... oddly calm.
*Hysteria condition negated by Gamer's Mind.
What?
A blue window hung in the air before me.
[Welcome Kevin Greenhouse! You have been granted the abilities of The Gamer! Upon initialization, you have gained 4 traits. Complete quests and activities to grow stronger and shape the world as you like it.]
*You have 14 unread notifications.
I blinked. Gamer's Body? Gamer's Mind? Observe? Inventory?
At each one of those thoughts a new window opened. Inventory was last, and so was on top of every other floating blue window.
*Inventory. Active. Level 1. You have an inventory you can use to store items. Currently you may store up to your STR x 10 pounds of non-living objects that you touch.
Really? Neat.
Wait.
Neat? Why am I so calm? What was that box about hysteria before?
I focused on the window, and mentally wished it would close. It did.
*Observe. Active Level 1. You may identify seen objects and people.
Ok. Next.
*Gamer's Mind. Passive. Level MAX. The world is a game. Keeps the mind calm. Immunity to mental disorder.
Ah. That explains it. I had to admit that I was definitely mentally unbalanced by the recent events. I could tell that it wasn't normal to watch a single drop of blood slowly make its way down my palm while the world went to hell around you. But at the same time, I just couldn't look away. That need, that exclusion to focus on such a small thing fell away. So did any denial of my situation. There wasn't any point in laughing, screaming, or crying. None of those would let me live. Next.
*Gamer's Body. Passive. Level MAX. Grants a body that allows the user to live in the real world like a game.
Huh. What exactly did that mean? A hit point gauge? Extra lives? Saves? Just how exactly did this work?
*You have 15 unread notifications.
15? Wasn't it 14 just a moment ago? I focused on the popup, and a list began to scroll past my eyes.
*A new quest has triggered: Escape the Nine. Time limit: 42 seconds.
*Due to prior injuries, you have lost 15 HP.
*Due to prior injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to prior injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to prior injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to prior injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to prior injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to surviving losing 10% health in a life or death situation, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*Due to surviving losing 25% health in a life or death situation, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*Due to surviving losing 50% health in a life or death situation, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*Due to surviving losing 75% health in a life or death situation, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*Perception check failed.
*Perception check failed.
*Perception check failed.
*Escape the Nine: Time limit expired.
Escape the Nine?
A new window popped up:
[Escape the Nine
Due to your lucky trigger, all parahumans in close proximity have suffered STUN(irresistible). Capitalize on this and escape!
Success: +1,000 Exp; Follow up quest: Lay low.
Failure: The attention of Jack Slash. Good luck!]
I softly said "Shit."
A voice above him said. "Oh, this is going to be fun. Come on Clay. Time to watch something even better."
*A new quest has triggered: Into the Deep End. Time limit: 10 seconds.
Fuck. Into the Deep End?
[Into the Deep End
You failed to escape the Nine. Jack Slash recognizes you as parahuman. This means he's taken an interest in you, which is bad. Of course, if he hadn't, Crawler would've eaten you, which is worse. Either convince Jack not to kill you (hard), or try to escape from Jack Slash, Crawler, and Mannequin (virtually impossible).
Option 1 Success: +200 Exp; Increased Reputation with the Slaughterhouse Nine; Follow up quests; ?
Option 2 Success: +5,000,000 Exp; Decreased Reputation with the Slaughterhouse Nine; Follow up quests; ?
Failure: Death or worse at the hands of the Slaughterhouse Nine.]
*Extreme Panic condition negated by Gamer's Mind.
Oh God. I thought. I looked at the timer ticking down. 4 seconds left. I couldn't fight the fucking Slaughterhouse Nine. I couldn't run away! What the hell was 'or worse'? 3 seconds left. Never mind, I'd heard the stories. It didn't matter what my particular worse fate was. I knew it was an experience I needed to avoid at all costs. 2 seconds left.
Shit! Why are they here anyways? What was going on while I was bleeding on the floor? Think Kevin, think! Recruitment! Jack Slash was talking to Mr. Price about joining. Could I get that same deal?
1 second left.
Oh no. Oh, hell no. Join? Is that the only way out? Fuck my life. Unless I want to bet on having reloads or extra lives, I have to join. I doubt reloading would work against the Nine anyways - even if I do have a power like that. I mean, the quest said 'or worse'.
I took a deep breath and stood up. Just as the timer reached zero, I turned to the well-groomed man with the razor. "Hey. Is that invitation open to me too?"
The smile of the blond with the razor grew wider and more predatory. "Oh? You want to join? Why should we let someone like you in? What exactly do you bring to the table?"
I resisted the urge to gulp or to look away. It was surprisingly easy. With just a little concentration, I faced the psychopath and spoke. "I have powers." What powers? I mentally reviewed my log. Resist (Physical). +1 Con. Must be short for constitution. They'd improved. My body treated the world like a game. I no longer hurt. "I'm a low-level Brute, but I can improve." Time to make an educated guess. Crawler was behind me. It'd made sense that I might be similar to him. Capes ran in the family, so there was something about powers that matched them up with existing ones. "The more I'm hurt the stronger I get."
* +1 Wis for keeping a calm head and making accurate guesses about your power in a stressful situation.
"That's not all. I can improve in other ways." No, I should NOT let them know I have any kind of Thinker abilities. Nothing that might make me seem like a real threat they should just nip in the bud. They have Crawler and the fucking Siberian. "I can get stronger and more skilled by doing repeated tasks."
Wait. They also have Bonesaw. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Being too interesting would also be a bad thing.
*A new quest has triggered: Bonesaw's Brother
Jack smirked. "Can't we all?"
"Not like me." I kept eye contact with him. It was a little difficult to read the notifications without moving my eyes. However, I didn't want my character to look away. So I didn't. "I think you'll find I improve much quicker than any non-cape." What to do to convince him. Basic psychology is to mimic someone's body language. We'd just had that class last week. I spread open my arms and smiled. "I'm willing to prove it to you. I may not know anything combat related now, but let me practice and I'm sure you'll be... suitably impressed with the results."
*By performing a new task, you have created the Acting skill.
I didn't respond to the notification, but I mentally patted myself on the back for that pause at the end. It felt dramatic. Something that Jack would like. He's all about presentation. Well, presentation and abject horror.
The gigantic black creature behind me rumbles. "Really?" He sounds... excited. Not sure what to make of that.
Jack's smile vanished. "If you want in, you have to pass EVERYONE's tests." His eyes twinkled. "I think I'll go last. Ned? Alan? What about you?"
*Into the Deep End complete! +200 Exp. +10 Reputation with the Slaughterhouse Nine. Access to a new quest.
*A new quest has triggered: The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters
Am I just digging myself in deeper? I am, aren't I? Oh well, lets see what this is. The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters?
[The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters
The Slaughterhouse Nine don't let just anyone in. It takes a certain mindset, a certain 'je ne sais quoi', and a certain power level. No scrubs allowed!
Survive every test 0/8.
Bonus 1: Pass every test 0/8.
Bonus 2: Prevent the full extent of your powers being discovered.
Success: +1000 Exp; Increased reputation with the Slaughterhouse Nine; ?
Bonus 1 Success: +500 Exp; Increased reputation with Jack Slash; Jack Slash might make things easier or harder on you Bonus 2 Success: Reduced interest of Jack Slash Failure: Death or a worse fate.]
A tapping sound came from my left. I turned...
*Surprised has been negated by Gamer's Mind.
...and there stood a 9 foot tall robot. His pure white armor had chains that connected his different limbs together. Mannequin. How had I not seen him? I mean, I know I have a van-sized abomination, a insane slasher, and all sorts of craziness happening around me, but still... he's a frickin' giant!
What had my notifications said? 'Failed Perception check'? That's an understatement.
The tapping sound was Mannequin tapping his chest. He pointed at me, then he pointed at Mr. Price before drawing his finger across his 'neck'. Perfectly silent the entire time.
"Good idea Alan."
Alan? Does he mean Mannequin?
"We have one opening, but two applicants. Having them reduce the numbers themselves seems only fair."
*A new quest has triggered: Mannequin's Choice
Oh fuck. Oh fuck. I got the idea, but let's make sure. I mentally pulled up the quest.
[Mannequin's Choice
Mannequin's test is very simple. Kill Clay Price. (Or be killed by Clay Price - he doesn't care.)
Success: Mannequin's approval; Increased reputation with Mannequin; Increased reputation with Jack Slash; ?
Failure: Decreased reputation with Mannequin; Decreased reputation with Jack Slash; Failure of The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters]
Fuck. I thought I was allowed to fail some of their tests. Not this one I guess. I look over at Mr. Price. He's looking at his arms, they're covered in blood. In fact, he looks really pale. Whatever he was working on is shot. He's a Tinker, without his equipment he's just a person. Shit, even with his equipment he's just a person. He makes video games for crying out loud.
Do I have anything that can help? Resistance? Inventory? Observe? Let's try that, perhaps I'll get a clue.
[Clay Price (Entertainment)
Interface
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: None
Clay Price never was a social person. He was an introvert - preferring to socialize as little as possible. That's why, on a company trip to Newfoundland, he didn't hang out with his co-workers in their hotel after work. Instead he went to his room, put on some headphones, turned down the lights, and played the video game he'd brought.
This caused him to miss hearing the Endbringer sirens when Leviathan attacked. Even though the fighting didn't reach their location, the massive waves did. Clay Price nearly drowned, wet and alone because everyone else had fled. He triggered. He still is an introvert, but an introvert that wants to let people connect (and make a system that will display emergency notifications too).
Unfortunately, the Slaughterhouse Nine learned of his plans and his technology. They seek to corrupt them both. Clay isn't a brave man, but he is willing to die to prevent it.]
Holy shit! That's... that's... amazing! Everyone knows Thinker powers are bullshit, but someone's life story at a glance? I read the passage while slowly walking towards my friend, but I already knew it. As soon as the blue window popped up, I knew everything it said without having to expend any more effort. I now knew more about Mr. Price than I'd ever guessed before. Mr. Price who built an arcade in his hometown, despite it being home to less than a thousand people. Mr. Price who'd let me in on his plans, who let me test his new Tinkertech.
*Paralyzing Guilt negated by Gamer's Mind.
Mr. Price who'd only told one person his plans. One stupid teenager who'd bragged about it online. One solitary person who could've tipped off the Slaughterhouse Nine.
Me. I'd killed him. Just as surely as if I bashed his head in myself. Which I was about to do to save my own pathetic life.
But I still walked forward. I knew what I had done, what I was about to do, and I only felt Calm. Like it was a game. I'm a monster.
*Paralyzing Guilt negated by Gamer's Mind.
I... Fuck! What choice to I have? They'll kill us both if I refuse. Mr. Price is ready to die. I'm not.
I pick up his marvelous gaming console from the table in front of him. He looks at me with bleary eyes and a forlorn expression. The apology I want to give him writhes in my mind. I can't say it. If I say it, the other three monsters in the room will kill me. Hollow words from a hollow person.
-6 HP
-3 HP
-5 HP
*NerveGear Prototype has been damaged.
*You have defeated Entertainment! You gain +400 exp!
*By performing a special action you have gained the title 'Murderer'.
*Mannequin's Choice complete! +400 Exp. +20 Reputation with Mannequin. +10 Reputation with Jack Slash. Your Inventory ability has been upgraded! You no longer have to physically touch an object to store/remove it if it is within 1 ft.
*The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters 1/8; 1/8 *You have leveled up! You gain +5 ability points!
*By performing a special action Gamer's Mind has improved. You may now experience effects 'in character', allowing you to analyze them and react appropriately (if you have the skill).
I let the remains of Mr. Price's work drop to the floor so that the table blocks them from the view of the three 'people' watching me. With a thought, I inventory the murder weapon. Now nobody can corrupt his work. Perhaps I can even make Mr. Price's dream come true one day.
*Your acting skill has increased by +1.
*A new quest has triggered: Passing on the Torch
[Passing on the Torch
Entertainment was killed before he could make the world a slightly better place by the Slaughterhouse Nine. See if you can gain the skills to reproduce his work, or find someone that can.
Bonus: Find the rest of Entertainment's NerveGear prototypes 0/3 Success: +6,000 Exp; ?
Bonus Success: +2,000 Exp per prototype]
I think about the Paralyzing Guilt that was negated. I instinctively know how I should behave to mimic it. I'm not sure I could pull it off. In fact, I'm positive I can't. Even if I could, I doubt that would ingratiate me with the Nine.
* +1 Int for making a rational (if not moral) choice in a high-stress situation.
3 more prototypes? They must be in the locker. I take a step back and look Mr. Price's body up and down while mentally commanding the Inventory to get the NerveGear prototypes.
*NerveGear prototype obtained x2
*Failure to obtain NerveGear prototype. No more space in Inventory.
These things were heavy. I guess my power wasn't strong enough to carry all of them. It was STR x10 right? Ok then. I allocated +1 point to STR.
*Failure to obtain NerveGear prototype. No more space in Inventory.
One more point into STR.
*NerveGear prototype obtained
Looking away from the life I just ended, I walk back and stand in front of Jack. I choose not to say anything. I lock eyes with him and Observe.
[Jacob Roach (Jack Slash)
Broadcast
Gender: Male Age: 36 Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: Slaughterhouse Nine
When Jacob was a young boy, his mother and father rushed him into their bomb shelter one night. He lived there for months with the radio his only contact with the outside world. His father kept telling him about the ongoing war.
Jacob finally ran out of food and decided he needed to sneak out since he didn't want to worry his father. He opened the door to beautiful sunny day. He Triggered and never looked back.
Jacob met King, and joined the Slaughterhouse Nine. He took on the name Jack Slash. Jack didn't like being treated like a pet. He and Harbinger killed King, and took control of the group.
Harbinger left, and Jack began to mold the group into the S-ranked threat it is today. Jack's knack for keeping powerful parahumans in line, alongside his intelligence, proves he deserves to be the leader. Now everywhere the Nine go turns into the apocalypse his father feared, and Jack is never bored for long.]
Probably useful to somebody somewhere, but not to me right now. My character keeps his eyes locked with Jack while I start observing random things in my peripheral vision.
*Overwhelming Sadness negated by Gamer's Mind.
*Your acting skill has increased by +1.
Oh God. Nancy liked me. That's why she came with us. I thought she was into Tom. I know my power is suppressing my emotions somehow, but I still feel guilty. I guess I feel that way in an abstract sense, rather than because of hormones racing through my brain. Makes it feel even less real than if I was playing a game. I usually felt those when I was drawn into the story line. Of course, I always picked the 'Heroic' factions and choices. Ironically, I could never handle playing the 'Villain' before I became one.
Jack keeps on smiling and playing with that razor of his. Should I blink first? I most definitely don't want him to kill me. I don't think I stand a chance against him, and he's (arguably) the weakest member of the Nine here.
*Your acting skill has increased by +1.
Observe. Observe. Observe. What's that? The granola bar refills my HP? Makes sense if this were a video game, so I guess it makes sense for me. I look away, bend down, and pick up the bar. I doubt this is one aspect of my power I'll be able to hide. So it's probably best if I use it and tell them or let them figure it out.
+5 HP
I lost my impromptu starring contest with Jacob - no, I need to refer to and think of him as Jack. If I mess that up, he'll know I have Thinker powers 100%. What's next? It has to be Crawler's test. I Observe him and Mannequin.
[Ned Simpson (Crawler)
Adaption
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: Slaughterhouse Nine
Ned was always a small boy, which meant that he never lived up to his father's expectations. Not that anyone could. The abuse he habitually suffered warped his mind. He began to associate pain with love. Or at least pain with the only person he wished to love him.
As a teenager, this masochistic attitude did him little good. He learned to hide it. As a naturally skinny child, it was simple to get the jocks to beat up the 'scrawny creep'. Playing into the role also made his creep acting a very real part of himself.
It was only when he went too far in seeking pain that he Triggered. A local gang member saw his 'enjoyment' of the beating. The resulting homophobic assault left Ned on the brink of both ecstasy and death. He wished he could experience such a thing forever.
His powers let him do so at first. Near perfect regeneration that lets him improve constantly. He even attacked Behemoth - which resulted in his current monstrous form. Unfortunately for him, the long sought pain he craves is harder and harder to come by as his body gets stronger and stronger.]
[Alan Gramme (Sphere/Mannequin)
Enclosure
Gender: N/A
Age: 44
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: Slaughterhouse Nine
Alan Gramme grew up in England. He Triggered as young boy when he was trapped in a cave for 14 hours. He was surprisingly calm when rescued, feeling safe in the confines.
He grew up, and saw the world turn toward disaster. Behemoth and Leviathan were unstoppable monsters. The term ' Endbringer' was coined, and everyone feared for the world. Alan sought to help people survive by moving them beyond the reach of the monsters.
A new monster appeared. The Simurgh descended on London. It took Alan's wife, child, and sanity. The doctor withdrew into himself, decided he needed to lock out the world. In an awful irony, he did to himself what the rest of the world did to London.
Once he was 'safe', he decided that no one else could be allowed to spread false hope. He couldn't stand so have the world that had hurt him so continue on.
The Tinker Sphere had turned into Mannequin. He sought other Tinkers to kill. Anyone that would improve things was targeted. It wasn't long until he encountered the Slaughterhouse Nine. It was an easy sales-pitch for Jack.]
I feel bad for Alan Gramme, but not Mannequin. Is that my future? Fuck.
Can I Observe myself?
[Kevin Greenhouse
Optimization
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: None
Kevin Greenhouse was born in California, but moved to Texas at a young age. His mother was his father's 3rd wife, and the couple decided that a crowded cities weren't safe any longer. Brooke's Creek was his father's hometown, and the family moved there.
Growing up, Kevin was a quiet and helpful child, the polar opposite of his brother. Kevin was an introvert. He had few friends, but those that he had were very close. At school, he tended to read a book while walking to and from class. This resulted in mild bullying - taunting and laughter. He easily ignored it.
When he was 13, his father died from lung cancer. This caused Kevin to withdraw into himself. He sought escape via video games. His older brother ran away, while his mother became increasingly worried. She took a job as a teacher at the local high school in order to make sure Kevin got a good education.
School came easily to Kevin. He was top of his class, not that his class was very large. Still, even as a big fish in a small pond, his intelligence and rationality were obvious. Upon entering high school, his mother managed to enroll him in AP classes, despite his age and lack of said classes in Brooke's Creek. Since his school's hours don't line up with the AP classes broadcast from Cambridge, they were recorded for him.
At first, he had to watch them in the teacher's lounge, but he was granted permission to do so at home - as long as his grades remained high. This left him more time for video games, but he still maintained his studies. It was what his mother wanted.
Last year, Clay Price moved back to town. The Tinker re-opened the rundown arcade. Kevin now spends most of his free time there, mastering old and new arcade games alike.]
That... seems pretty accurate. Also different information than my power is providing on my 'Status'. That's listing video game stats, but it doesn't have a biography.
A gurgle comes from Crawler. A deep approximation of a voice says. "So you're like me? I want to test that."
*A new quest has triggered: Crawler's Experiment
[Crawler's Experiment
Crawler wants to see if you're like him. If you are, you could grow to hurt him one day. What's more, you could grow with him in a constant cycle. The thought... excites him.
Time Limit: 6 hours
Success: Crawler's approval; Increased reputation with Crawler; ?
Failure: Death]
I nod. "Can we do it across the street?"
Crawler furloughs his... brow? "What's wrong with here?"
"I need mass to fuel my growth." I jerk my head. "The Dollar Store has food."
Crawler makes a motion where his front appendages meet his body. A shrug I'd guess. "Sure."
Jack and Mannequin follow us as we walk the short distance. He begins to make a speech to the people who'd survived the glass. I tune him out, grab a 2 liter soda and chug it.
+10 HP
Observing the food here I pick the highest calorie items. That seems to be the main metric that HP recovery is tied to. Not the only one though, as diet soda still gives half. It looks like those CON bonuses I got for damage thresholds raised my max HP, not current - if I'm judging the gauge I'm seeing correctly. Probably wouldn't have gotten that last one otherwise. I need to examine myself soon, but not with Crawler literally breathing down my back.
Four more 2 liters top me off, and prove that Gamer's Body doesn't have such a thing as a full stomach. I turn to my current nightmare. "My physical resistance is still pretty low. I don't think I'll show damage until I'm almost dead." I start removing my jacket and t-shirt. "As I am now, I'm confident you could easily kill me with one swipe. So let's start off slowly, OK?"
"OK."
-64 HP
*By surviving a single blow in excess of 50% of your total HP, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*By surviving a single blow in excess of 75% of your total HP, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*By surviving a single blow in excess of 90% of your total HP, you have gained +1 Con. (Single-time bonus.)
*Due to endured injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to endured injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to endured injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
"Stop!" I yell. I can hear the panic in my voice. Guess there's no mental debuff to remove, and Gamer's Mind calmness only goes so far. Crawler tilts its head area. I look down at my chest, not a mark to be seen despite my brush with death. "That took more than 90% of my shield." I guzzle down more soda. "Again, same strength please."
-51 HP
*Due to endured injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
*Due to endured injuries, your Resist(Physical) has increased 1 lvl.
"Better" I gasp. "Barely over 50% that time."
Crawler's mouth parts in a smile (or at least an approximation of one). "I hope your strength grows as quickly."
I shake my head. "Not yet, just defense."
The van-sized monster pouts.
I shrug. "I'm sure strength will come. Perhaps it's delayed. Or I might have to do something else. I'm positive it's possible."
The beast perks up, and our grinding session commences over the sound of Jack torturing the other survivors. When the six hours are up (which is when Jack seems to lose patience, and people to kill), I'd gained 29 Con and tons of resistance. Crawler's strikes now are only doing 4% of my HP each. His spit is an acidic, venomous, disease - however that works. One drop did ever increasing damage. I nearly died before my resistance got high enough so that eating could out pace the damage.
On the plus side, I did become immune. That's hard proof that my power works - if seeming invulnerability wasn't enough. I also almost ate every last HP restoring item in the store. Even managed to squirrel away a few candy bars before my inventory was once again full.
*Crawler's Experiment complete! +400 Exp. +100 Reputation with Crawler. Your Gamer's Body ability has been upgraded! Error! Gamer's Body already at Max level. Recalculating... +50 ability points
*The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters 2/8; 2/8
I also had time to look over my own stats while eating and getting burned, poisoned, diseased, and clawed. I have ability points to improve my base stats, but nothing to improve my traits. Getting 50 Con gave me an available Perk, but I don't seem to be able to select it yet.
*New Perk Available: Solid as a Rock
[Solid as a Rock
Reduces damage of any type by 50%. Additional benefits against attacks that bypass HP. Unlocks other Con perks.]
Considering I topped the 4 resistances I was grinding off at 95-100% in just six hours. I'm not that impressed. Really all it accounted for was extra HP. Sure, doubling it would be nice, but I need something with more flexibility and power.
[Kevin Greenhouse
The Gamer
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: None
Title: Murderer (+50% damage to helpless targets)
Level: 2 (400/2000 Exp)
Mover: 0
Shaker: 0
Brute: 5
Breaker: 10
Master: 0
Tinker: 0
Blaster: 0
Thinker: 5
Striker: 0
Changer: 0
Trump: 5
Stranger: 4
HP: 296
MP: 124
Primary Attributes
STR: 8
AGI: 8
CON: 55
INT: 19
PER: 12
WIS: 12
CHA: 9
LUC: 5
Unspent Points: 53
Traits:
Gamer's Body lvl Max
Gamer's Mind lvl Max
Observe lvl 1
Inventory lvl 2
Perks Selected (0/0):
None
Perks Available:
Solid as a Rock
Skills:
Acting: 4
Athletics: 1
Basic Academics: 2
Computers: 1
Damage Resistance (Acid): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Disease): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Physical): 25 - 95.6%
Damage Resistance (Poison): 100 - 100%
Parahuman Lore: 3
Video Games: 26
Ongoing Quests:
Bonesaw's Brother 10/500
The Nine Tests of Highly Effective Monsters 2/8 2/8
Passing on the Torch]
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