"Okay, let's figure out these vouchers," he said, and an inventory window popped up. It was like the others - see-through and you couldn't really touch it, but it had a slight tactile feel so he could move it around if he needed to. The inventory was simple, just a bunch of squares, and the vouchers were there, taking up a square. Items were definitely stackable since all five were only using up one square.
He knew that his inventory would get five more squares every time he leveled up, even without using Identify. He currently had fifteen squares, not counting the one being used by the vouchers. At the bottom of the screen, he saw two counters. One was for money, which he didn't have, and the other had "tp" in front of it. He didn't know what it was for, but he figured it probably stood for "tutorial points." He'd seen that in some books before. He looked at the vouchers and cast Identify on them.
Voucher: an item that can be used before or after a tutorial of a newly integrated universe, galaxy, or world. This voucher can only be used within the initiation room and can be exchanged for any skill or item, or to advance any item by one grade.
05:00
You may now submit any inquiries through the designated questions panel.
"Crap," he muttered, checking the latest notification. The vouchers were a total trap – either you used them, or you wasted time asking questions. Who has enough time for all these questions with only five minutes? Plus, the voucher description mentioned a tutorial, so skipping the vouchers would probably mean certain death if he held off on using them.
He figured there were three possible scenarios: battling monsters, fighting other humans to the death, or surviving some insane obstacle course. Things were looking grim, and time was ticking away.
He couldn't freak out now – he had to survive, find his family, and get back home. Using a voucher was the only way, he'd do it quickly and hopefully have time for one question. He grabbed one and used it.
Would you like to begin using this item?
[Y/N]
Zach clicked "yes" and started adding items from his list. He didn't stop until he had used all five of his vouchers. He focused on things he thought he might need, prioritizing utility and survivability. He figured that if he ended up stranded on a deserted island or stuck in a freezing tundra, he'd need help to stay alive – and he knew just what to get.
[Ring of the Eternal (Mythic)] This ring was awesome! It let Zach put stuff in and take stuff out whenever he wanted, from up to thirty feet away. Anything he put in the subspace wouldn't change or get old until he needed it. It had almost unlimited space, but he couldn't put living things (or at least smart ones) inside. Yeah, he already had an inventory, but this one was practically endless! Plus, he customized what it came with. He added water, food, spices, all sorts of ingredients, and even livestock – enough to keep him and probably the whole planet fed and healthy for years. The only bad thing was that he wasn't able to add any ready-made food, fresh or frozen. It all had to be just ingredients.
"And nobody said I couldn't fill it with chickens! Chicky Nuggies, here I come!" he laughed like a crazy person, his stomach growling in agreement.
[Ring of Fortunate Perception (Unique)] This second ring gave him a major boost to all luck-based activities, making sure that everything seemed to work out for him. But Zach didn't know that the ring actually created the illusion that things were going well. It cast a spell of happiness and good fortune over the wearer, making everything seem better than it really was, something like a dreamy felix felicis without the compulsions or luck.
[Genetic Makeup Kit (Rare)] Zach was smart for choosing the box as his third pick; it would optimize his body and genes. This was all about strategy and prepping for any physical challenge he might encounter. Sure, it'd probably make him super fit and attractive, but that was a sacrifice he was willing to make. He nodded grimly but was secretly thrilled about becoming a total hottie. Better safe than ugly, he thought, moving on to the last item.
The next item was a testimony to how cold he was. Would Zach go for it? He remembered he was still swinging in the breeze. He needed a solution, and he needed it now. So, he grabbed a pair of boxers.
[Chameleon briefs (Unique)] These weren't your average tighty-whities; these were boxer briefs, and they were magical. They were indestructible, self-cleaning, and could change color whenever he wanted.
Zach figured clothes wouldn't last in any battles he'd be a part of; they'd get ripped up anyway! So, he went with briefs - they were practical and looked good. He was still single, after all, even with the apocalypse going on.
[Crafting (Master)] This skill was the best of the best and already at Master. It was a super useful crafting skill, improving all crafting and crafts by 5% at Novice and a whopping 500% when you reach Master. It boosted all crafting, and it even stacked with other crafting skills. Apparently, skills utilized grades like items or even his race, which was at H. They likely grew over time with experience, similar to how a class leveled up. He didn't need to level this one up though, since he'd already selected it at Master. He wondered how overpowered that was and how many others used their vouchers to max out offensive or defensive skills. If they did, he'd never have a chance against them.
He finished using the vouchers and making his items, and they all appeared on the table next to his sword. Done for now, he stood up from the chair. Zach snatched up the rings, slipping one onto each pointer finger. Then, with a little hop, he pulled on the boxer briefs. They were a tad loose but not saggy. Ugh, should've made these things auto-size too. Whatever, hindsight's always 20/20, right? At least they fit.
"That would've been a waist," he chuckled to himself in the empty room. I'm so hungry I'm cracking myself up, he thought.
He slapped his hand over the sword and imagined it disappearing into the ring. It vanished, but he could still feel it in the ring, like a phantom limb. The reason he used the ring instead of his inventory was that he had to open the inventory window to add or remove items, which the ring helped him avoid. It was already coming in clutch.
He stared at the last thing on the table, the genetic makeup kit. He didn't have a clue how to use it, so he just tried to identify it.
[Genetic Makeup Kit (Rare)] A single-use item designed to enhance the physical aspects of the user. Upon activation, the condition of the body and overall genetics are augmented to their optimal state.
*To activate, insert mana.*
He smirked at the simple instructions; all he had to do was feed it mana, and it would activate. Piece of cake, he thought, but after five minutes, he realized it was anything but. While casting a spell like mana bolt was intuitive, the system forced him to learn this new skill independently. He just had to take the feeling he got from using a mana bolt and direct that energy toward the tiny box. It took a few tries, but on his third attempt, he got a notification telling him how close he was getting.
Mana control has been acquired.
"Alright, if that doesn't mean I'm close, I don't know what does," he said to himself as he used his new skill. He focused on his inner energy, his mana, and directed it toward the box. This time, it seemed to work; his new mana control skill was pushing his energy into the mana-hungry item.
Would you like to use [Genetic Makeup Kit]?
[Y/N]
"Alright, here goes! PLUS ULTRA!" he shouted out to the ceiling, totally pumped to get started.
At first, nothing happened. Then, all of a sudden, waves of pain washed over his body, crumpling to the ground. He cried out, feeling like he was burning alive for days on end. After what felt like eternity, the agonizing pain finally began to fade, and Zach just lay there, staring up at the ceiling.
"Fuck you system!" he yelled, taking his anger out on the mysterious force. After a moment, he shakily got to his feet, grabbing the chair to stay upright.
The treatment worked! Or at least, he wasn't dead. There weren't any mirrors around to check himself out, but he could feel it. His skin was tighter, his muscles felt stronger, and from the chest down, things were definitely different. Even his face felt different; his jawline was way sharper. The belly fat he'd started to notice last year was gone, replaced by abs! He hadn't expected the extra muscle on his backside, but it was a good thing considering how often he fell on his butt.
He was so busy checking out his new self that he almost didn't realize something was different, missing. Then he looked down at his stomach and noticed that he wasn't starving anymore.
"I'm functional again," he sighed in relief, "and I'm not hungry anymore." He knew the hunger would be back, it was only on hold for now.
You have earned the title "Genetically Modified"
Genetically modified
You are the first in your universe to go through modification +2 to all stats