Let the culling begin
1430 Words
[ Begin Random Extraction? ]
[ Cost: 10 Evil Coins ]
I read the familiar options once again before I willed ‘Yes’.
[ Ten Evil coins deducted ]
[ Random Extraction in Progress… ]
[ Random Extraction Successful! ]
[ 1x (Talent: Glacial Touch) Gained ]
…
[ Glacial Touch ]
[ Type: Talent ]
[ Grade: Uncommon ]
[ Description: Allows the user to instantly flash-freeze any non-magical liquid or moisture upon direct physical contact. The freezing speed and structural density of the resulting ice scale directly with the user's input of raw Aether. ]
…
It took all I had not to jump up and scream in joy. For a moment, I forgot that this was a life saving skill in an apocalypse and not a gambling game played for fun.
‘Dante, you lucky bastard!’
The skill was limited to touch, sure, but it was extremely practical and very useful in the right circumstances.
‘With this, I don't think I have to worry about attack potency in case anything like monsters show up.’
‘Would have been nice if I gained a slight immunity to cold though.’ I sighed a bit in frustration, not minding my greed.
This was because for the chosen trait in the starters pack, I've set my eyes on two in particular.
[ Silver-tongued ]
[ Type: Trait ]
[ Grade: Common ]
[ Description: +2 bonus to the Charisma stats. The user's words gain an ethereal allure, making it significantly easier to bypass mental guards, persuade skeptics, and smoothly manipulate targets without raising their suspicion. ]
…
[ Cold Resistance ]
[ Type: Trait (Passive) ]
[ Grade: Common ]
[ Description: +2 bonus to Constitution stat. Optimizes the wielder's internal thermal regulation to resist sub-zero environments. ]
…
These two traits couldn't be any more different from each other, one would make my life in this frozen hellhole easier, the other… would also do that in a way, so I guess that point is moot.
The cold resistance was essential, even with three layers of clothing, I can still feel the cold continuously bypassing my skin and sinking into my bones.
It was unnatural, and if my guess is right, it would get worse.
I can't even imagine how terrifying that would be, but I'm sure there will be clothing apparels and armor with cold resistance.
Silver-tongued on the other hand will increase my most lacking stat, charisma. Unfortunately, charisma is extremely important for my skill set, and if there was a way to increase it, I would jump at it.
After all, my entire profession is built around it.
‘Moreover, with increased charisma, my chances of successfully planting Seeds of Desire and Evil in people will be significantly easier.’
Charisma stat affects presence and every other thing that has to do with influencing others psychologically, which means that my insults would hit harder, and Vicious Mockery will become even more effective.
‘It would also be easier to woo…’
Heat rushed to my face at the thought.
‘I guess it's decided then, Silver-tongued it is.’
If it's effective enough, I won't have to worry about freezing to death. I'll have beautiful ladies warming me up with their succulent bodies.
Without knowing, my dormant carnal desires were beginning to bloom.
‘Now that I have everything sorted out, I guess it's time to make the purchase.
Once again, I willed with my mind and the system listened to my desires.
[ Purchase Basic Starters Pack (Common)? ]
The notification popped up in confirmation. I affirmed my decision and a string of notifications filled my ears.
[ Ten Desire coins Deducted ]
[ Basic Starters Pack Purchased! ]
[ Opening Basic Starters Pack ]
[ Basic Starters Pack Opened ]
[ 1x Skill: Basic Appraisal (Common) Gained ]
[ 1x Skill: Aether Flow (Common) Gained ]
[ 1x Basic Clothing Set (Common) Gained ]
[ Please Select the following: 1x Skill (Common), 1x Weapon (Common), 1x Trait (Common) ]
I quickly briefed through the list of notifications before transferring my selections to the system.
Immediately I did, a few more strings of notifications popped up in my vision.
[ 1x Skill: Vicious Mockery (Common) Gained ]
[ 1x Weapon: Leaf-headed Spear (Common) Gained ]
[ 1x Trait: Silver-tongued (Common) Gained ]
…
I felt a strange flow surging within me, it was warm yet cold at the same time and eerily soothing.
It lasted for almost a minute, and I felt the urge to moan out loud. Unfortunately, it didn't last longer and came to an end.
I opened my eyes, everything looked normal yet it felt like everything was different. The blacks were blacker, the blues were more blue…
It was surreal.
‘I almost can't believe that the apocalypse has begun.’ I thought to myself.
With a thought, I willed my status panel.
[ Name: Dominik Darnell ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Profession: Overlord (Mythic) ]
[ Level: 0 ]
[ Exp: 0/100 ]
[ Rank: Lord (F-Rank) ]
[ Talents: Architect of the Wasteland (Uncommon), Carnal Revenue (Epic), Eye of Transgression (Rare) ]
[ Sinner(s): Dante Eyodoro (F-Rank) ]
[ Skills: Glacial Touch (Uncommon), Vicious Mockery (Common), Basic Appraisal (Common), Aether Flow (Common) ]
[ Traits: Landlord’s Decree (Uncommon), Silver-tongued (Common) ]
[ Stats: Strength (5), Speed (7), Dexterity (6), Constitution (5), Intelligence (10), Wisdom (6), Charisma (3) ]
[ Inventory: Land Lease (rare), 1x Clothing Set (Common), Leaf-headed Spear (Common) ]
[ Currency: Desire Coins (0), Evil Coins (10) ]
[ Access System Market ]
…
I curled my lips, feeling giddy at how much better my status panel looked.
‘I should practice how to use these skills.’ I thought, but a grumbling sound and an aching feeling surged through me.
‘Ah, I'm famished.’ I picked up my wallet, staring at the little cash in it.
The pitiful state of my wealth made my mood sour, and just thinking of having to scrimp by made my heart throb.
Then suddenly, it occurred to me,
‘It’s the b****y apocalypse! In a few days to a week, money would be the least of my problems. This might become nothing more than toilet paper even.’
Without further ado, I got up from bed and headed out the door.
‘I’ll collect more cash at the machine and eat my fill. One thing I'll need for sure is energy.’
…
A few streets away from Dominik's apartment, inside a local convenience store.
People of all gender and age trudged in and out, carrying varying sizes of loads. The staff went about their daily business like it was any other day.
“Tch, I can't believe that my pompous brother is at home enjoying warmth while I'm here in the cold, working.” One of the cleaners, a young man with black hair and a goatee, complained.
Beside him was a pretty girl wearing a facemask and long socks. She shrugged, replying in a placid tone.
“What do you expect? This is a convenience store, if every job closes down, we'll probably remain open.”
‘Moreover, that's the least of my problems.’ she thought inwardly as she recalled a certain embarrassing moment from school.
“Still, I can't help but be jealous of the bastard.’ The young man clicked his tongue.
“Lou, why can't you be like your brother? Lou, come here let me show you how it's done. Lou, you'll never be handsome and have six packs like me.” He mimicked in mockery.
“Tch, what a showoff.”
Lou walked to the end of the row and opened a door there to store the mop case.
When he did, his eyes bulged in shock and horror. His breath caught in his throat, and his limbs went weak.
The mop slammed into the ground just before Lou's leg gave out and he slumped down, staring up with horrified eyes.
“Lou?” The girl called out, immediately noticing the strangeness, but Lou didn't utter a reply.
She took a step forward to check what was going on when her eyes caught sight of a blur.
A thin line appeared around Lou's neck and his head soon fell off, leaving behind a b****y stump that spurted up a fountain of blood.
The girl's cries shook the convenience store, just before everyone else received a notification that sent shivers down their spine.
[ Announcement: Earth is no longer a safe zone. Hunting season is here. ]
[ Let the culling begin. ]
- Writer
