Awakening in darkness felt like time stood still. The familiar cold, neglectful emptiness enveloped me, leaving my thoughts to wander. But something felt different.
Surrounded by darkness, I still sensed my surroundings. It was cold, wet, and strange – like a lake. Even in the depths of the lake, light couldn't penetrate, yet it felt unnatural. The lake felt heavy, and moving took effort. Despite knowing I was swimming upwards, I couldn't pinpoint where "up" was. After a few minutes, I realised breathing wasn't a problem.
Losing my sight in this unfamiliar place suddenly reminded me of the voice I had heard before passing out, saying, "I'll be punished." This might just be one of my many punishments.
As I continued swimming, my thoughts kept me occupied. Suddenly, a sharp voice spoke to me, "Yes, you are correct." Instinctively, I looked around, but then I remembered I was blind. Unable to help but ask, "What is it?" As if hearing my confused voice and thoughts, the voice spoke out clearer.
"I am your personal A. You can call me your 2B. I'm your guide system." The voice spoke, becoming my guide. While a helping hand would be helpful, it wouldn't be useful since I couldn't see it. As if having nothing to say, I agreed. This was strange, but okay for now, with what I could work with? The guide system or 2B – there was one question that still lingered: how would you guide me if I couldn't see? I didn't think I'd be able to do anything on my own. As if the voice understood my need, it said, "In advance, a shop was built for this occasion. A set amount of points will be set at ten SP as your current budget." Not expecting to get much with ten SP, I asked, "Do I have options?" The 2B replied, "Would you like to see it?" My question was purely out of curiosity, not expecting to have options with such a low budget. So, I answered yes, please do.
[2B System's Shop]
Skill points: 10
In shock, I couldn't help but be flabbergasted by how expensive some of these things were in the shop. Stunned, I couldn't form a word, but I sensed there was a problem and asked, "What is the problem?"
After recovering from my shock, I told him, "Well, I can't afford anything here." He quickly realised his mistake and reduced the skill prices from low to high. After doing that, there were only a few small skills left in the shop that I could afford. However, one thing stood out: Echolocation. It was affordable.
[Small information]
Skill: Echolocation
[10 skill points]
Details: Your third eye is given to you, allowing you a visual ability to identify any object within thirty metres.
I would be going anywhere without it, metaphorically and physically. I guess I'll take these new eyes.
[Purchase made]
Skill points remaining: 0
Skill obtained: Echolocation
Let's test my new skill's out!
The world around me suddenly lit up, illuminating my surroundings. The light gradually faded, leaving faint outlines of my surroundings in the darkness.
As I moved, small ripples followed me. The floor seemed like water, rippling with each step. These ripples spread across the room, and tiny dots appeared, mostly bugs. However, the most striking feature were the waves. Every step I took, they appeared and disappeared at a specific distance. As I moved further, they reappeared, guiding me and disappearing the further they went.
The waves covered everything, giving me a thirty-second view of the objects. It was like a fleeting stain. The more I explored, I realised I was in a cabin with five rooms.
In one of the abandoned rooms, I found some shades I tried on. Now, they're mine. I know it's stealing, but who cares? The place is abandoned anyway. I continued exploring, avoiding obstacles until I reached a table.
On the table, I noticed a red aura surrounding a card, gloves, and a picture. I picked them up.
[Twisted's starter pack.]
2b: You've obtained a card and your balance in the human world is:
10 million lien
2b: You have obtained MMA gloves.
MMA glove stats:
- Attack: 300
- 120% critical chance, doing double the attack
After reading everything I had, I noticed the photo was missing. 2b, seemingly indifferent, asked, "You've unlocked a voice message. Would you like to hear?" Curiosity piqued, I replied, "Yes, please?"
A familiar, yet unknown voice spoke with joy, "Hey kid, my higher-ups thought it would be a good idea to give you something. So, we gave you spending money in that world. We're not sure how money works for you humans. So, enjoy it while you can? Also, I'm the one who gave you a gift. It's the gloves next to the card. Hope them, and that's all, kid?"
Frustrated by the voice calling me a kid, I decided to let it go, muttering, "I'm not a kid, but thanks, I guess." I tucked the card into my pocket and put on the gloves. As I tried to put them on, I felt something…
Huh?
This feeling?
It's like I'm wearing a suit made just for me. I hadn't even noticed. Let me check it out? As I felt around the suit, I realised it was a tailor-made suit. I could even feel a tie and jacket.
Why am I wearing a business suit? You might ask. I don't know. I've never worn one before.
But that's for another time.
It's best to take off the jacket and wear as comfortably as possible. So, a cape will do for now. Time to venture out into this new world. As I left, I could hear birds singing and bugs moving. It was a bit strange.
[System alert]
————————
Active curses:
- Curses: 4
- Blindness
Reverse sloth sin
Knowing when your family member is near.
Get 100 reps
————————
Okay, thanks. I never needed to know that, but now I do. But what's a reverse sloth? This might become a problem. Anyway, I should be careful in the long run of this reverse sloth curse, but first, show me my stats.
[Stats]
———————
Level: 1
HP [6500 / 6500]
Exp [0 / 100]
Rep [0 / 100]
Stamina: infinite
Attack: 500 [boost: +300]
Def: 600
Critical Chance: 50% [boost + 120%]
Res: 200
———————
It actually worked, huh? Well, that's cool. What's the most common monster's power in this world? As 2B searched the game, he gave an answer: "The most common monster named Grimm's are named Beowolf." Needing more information, I asked what their stats were.
2B: Beowolf's stats
[Stats]
————————
Beowolf's
Rank: H
HP [200 / 200]
Attack: 100
Def: 250
Res: 10
Exp: 1
Bounce: 1 rep
——————————
I guess the most I can handle is one right? There was a long pause until 2B answered, "200 or more." Well, okay, I'm in a forest, so I'll find some of them and test my skills on them.