I stared, bewildered. What?
I blinked rapidly, but the floating screen didn’t vanish. Reaching out a vomit-stained hand, I gently pushed against the translucent grey surface. My fingers phased through it, as if it wasn’t there.
A word stuck out to me in general.
Crest.
Not Earth or any other known country.
I couldn’t help it, a laugh bubbled out of me. It was dry and excruciating yet filled me with a sense of hope.
A fresh start. Away from everyone I knew and hated. I refocused, a faint smile lingering on my face.
How do I access my stat sheet?
Just as I thought those words, another sheet of grey materialised in the air.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i0fwGz1Pi
Name: Alicia Mire
Class: Unassigned7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R34HPRUmK
Attributes:
Constitution: 8
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 6
Power: 107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUHf3BzrlV
Passive Skills:
Active Skills:7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NCppHqkeM
The numbers were rather… underwhelming. Whilst I couldn’t be considered the most athletic, I felt like I deserved more than a 6 in my strength and dexterity. Though I didn’t have a baseline for what was “normal”, having only a single number in the double digits seemed less than stellar.
Especially when the attribute was something I didn’t understand. Constitution, strength and dexterity were rather self-explanatory but power was an extremely nebulous concept.
Power could be applied to many things, physical or not.
“Can you give me more information on power?” I mentally asked the screen,
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEKcXwRR5F
[Power is the number representing how much energy is stored in your body. This energy can be used to boost various aspects of your body or mind. A higher statistic represents a higher capacity and potency. Completing binding and assigning your class will change this attribute.]
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqJW0o5Rlm
“Binding?” I croaked, a sudden pain lancing through my throat.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TEBdiC8n9
[Binding is the act of connecting an object with your soul. When binding, it is recommended to have at least 50% compatibility with the object as binding to an object that doesn’t align with yourself will affect your mental state. Binding unlocks new system features.]
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlSAsQezhA
I gave the text a once-over, my dry throat sticking as I swallowed.
Binding sounded ominous, an object permanently changing myself, my soul. It was no question, I had to take this “binding” seriously. Careful deliberation and selection was required.
But did I have time? The intrusive thought snuck into my mind. There are likely hundreds of murderous spiders lingering, if I didn’t have power, I would die painfully.
No, I shook my head, as if trying to rid the thought. I would rather die than lose myself to some incompatible object.
“How do I bind?” I questioned the interface.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAAg4mMHkd
[Scanning for compatible catalysts in the immediate vicinity...]
[Scan complete. One compatible object detected:]
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[Object: Worn Nylon Backpack]
- Description: A mass-produced container covered in dirt and worn from use. Holds sentimental value.
- Compatibility: 51%
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQOYIdKlmw
Oh.
A 51% compatibility. Barely, just barely over the recommended threshold. In any other context, it would be a failing number. Binding to the backpack was a massive risk that was practically guaranteed to warp my soul in a way I didn’t desire.
It was no question. I couldn’t bind to it. But, how would I be safe without the power binding brought?
Sitting up, I began to assess what I had. Around a liter of water remained minimally contaminated in my bag. An extra shirt and shorts was also inside, as well as a shattered phone that refused to light up. Digging around, I found a tattered music score and a pen, remnants from the rehearsal I did days before my “eviction”.
That was it.
The contents were mostly useless but the water could stop me from being dehydrated or dying until I found a refill. Or civilisation.
I leaned back on the wall, closing my eyes.
My breath caught in my throat as my body lurched further than expected. A concussive boom echoed as my head slammed into the ground, forcing my eyes open
Annoyance and irritation flashed through my head as I stared upwards. I swear there was a wall behind me, did I miscalculate–
Auburn wood panelling ran across the ceiling.
Not stone.
[You have entered the dungeon: Auditorium of the Fallen]
[Difficulty Level: ☆]7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSBF1dKTGi
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.