Theodore, ignoring the System's judgmental commentary, walked over to where Alcina, Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela were huddled around a computer terminal, deeply engrossed in learning about investment banking and modern culinary arts.
Marika sat nearby, calmly reading a thick textbook on 20th-century American history.
"Hey, ladies! I'm about to jump into a new world—it's called Nier: Automata. Super cool, lots of giant robots, epic swords,"
Theodore announced excitedly.
"Want to jump in with me? We could use a team of awesome vampires."
Alcina looked up from a spreadsheet on business zoning laws.
"Theodore, while we appreciate the invitation, my focus must remain on the Dimitrescu Gallery and Curatorial Services. I have a meeting with the city planning commission tomorrow. We need to secure the warehouse space."
"Yeah, sorry, Theodore,"
Cassandra added, not looking up from a recipe for sourdough bread.
"I'm busy learning about yeast activation. We need to master this 'pizza' thing."
"Plus, we've only had one driving lesson,"
Daniela said, frowning at a diagram of a multi-lane highway.
"We must not lose our newly acquired 'licenses' by crashing one of these fragile metallic carriages."
Theodore slumped slightly.
"Right. Fine. Work and bread are apparently more important than saving a post-apocalyptic world."
He turned to Marika.
"Marika? Do you want to come along for some high-stakes philosophical warfare?"
Marika smiled serenely, closing her history book.
"My love, after millennia of being the central, tragic figure in a grand drama, I find immense peace in the quiet domesticity of this hub. I intend to remain here. Someone must ensure your newly adopted family does not accidentally declare war on the local PTA."
She paused, her gaze softening.
"Besides, I find I rather enjoy being a 'stay-home wife,' even if you are not yet my 'husband.'"
Theodore's cheeks flushed slightly.
"O-kay, noted. Have fun with the zoning laws and the marital ambiguity, everyone. I'll be back when I save the world."
Theodore walked back to his console, ready to dive into the next world.
He accessed his full stat reset screen, knowing that to survive the Machine Lifeforms, he needed a focused, non-magical build.
The initial stat screen appeared, reflecting his starting parameters for the new run:
He mentally distributed his 24 points:
==={Status}===
Name—Theodore Mayer
Level 12
Job Gamer
STR 1
VIT 1
AGI 1
DEX 1
INT 1
LUK 1
Free Stats 24
==={}===
* STR: 9 points
* AGI: 9 points
* DEX: 6 points
* INT, VIT, LUK: 0 points
The console instantly processed the allocation:
==={Status}===
Name—Theodore Mayer
Level 10
Job Gamer
STR 10
VIT 1
AGI 10
DEX 7
INT 1
LUK 1
Free Stats 0
==={}===
The system flashed two notification boxes reflecting the new stat thresholds:
[Agility reaches 1st threshold (AGI 10)]
[You gain Skill: Wind Walk]
[Effect: +50% speed]
[Duration: 60 seconds]
[Cooldown: 120 seconds]
[Strength reaches 1st threshold (STR 10)]
[You gain Skill: Giant Strength]
[Effect: +50% strength]
[Duration: 60 seconds]
[Cooldown: 120 seconds]
Theodore nodded, satisfied. A strong foundation for speed and melee combat was crucial for this run.
"Alright, System. Forget the pervert commentary. Load World 48. Let's go give 2B a hand."
[System Acknowledgment: Parameters confirmed. Loading World 48 (Nier: Automata). Commencing Infiltration.]
The light in the Hub intensified, surrounding Theodore. He vanished, ready to face the world of desolate ruins and philosophical androids.
Theodore materialized with a sharp intake of metallic air, landing with a slight thud atop the broken remains of a colossal, circular factory building.
Below him, the world was a sprawling ruin of cracked highways, overgrown skyscrapers, and rusting metallic forests. The sky was an endless, pale gray.
[Mission: Infiltrate the Machine Lifeform Network]
[Objective: Locate YoRHa Unit 2B]
Theodore, feeling the raw, foundational power of his Giant Strength and the light, agile grace of Wind Walk flowing through his veins, looked down at the silent, ruined landscape.
"Phase one: Locate the tragic heroine,"
Theodore muttered, adjusting the grip on Ascalon sword.
"Phase two: Smash some robots."
He took a deep breath of the desolate air and prepared to leap into the fray.
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