While Keke and Cannoli attended to errands and chores, they insisted I stay on house arrest for the time being. Which sucked. But the last thing I wanted was to lose my place to sleep at night, so I spent some quality time with the iPaw.

I decided to look into the girls’ stats first to get a better gauge of where we were as a party. If we were going to make it to level ten, we couldn’t have another chaotic battle like our previous endeavor. We’d have to work to our strengths.

Keke

Level 3

Combat Stats:

Scout Class Level 3

Health Points: 13/13 (+2 for Scout)

Myana Points: 9/9 (+1 for Scout)

Energy: 30/30

Strength: 2 (+1 for Scout)

Magic: 1

Vitality: 1

Dexterity: 3 (+1 for Scout, +1 for leveling)

Agility: 2 (+1 for leveling)

Resistance: 1

Life Stats:

UNKNOWN

Keke’s were as I expected. But as I looked over them, I couldn’t help but wonder…

“Ai, do we get a [Stat Point] when we level?”

A blank window popped up with Ai’s image. Each letter appeared in succession as if someone was typing the response. “Hello, [User Matthew]—”

“It’s just Matt,” I groaned.

“—You are correct. Upon leveling up, you will receive one [Stat Point] in addition to your [Class Point] to allocate as you see fit. You may have also noticed that each [Combat Class] receives unique bonuses to their [Stats].”

“Yeah, I saw that when I looked at mine.” Even with the [Warrior]’s strength bonus, that damn axe was like carrying a semi-truck.

“Keep in mind that should you change to another [Combat Class], these bonuses will change, and the level of your [Combat Class] will be reset to one.”

So, I’d have to grind multiple classes if I wanted to check them out. Great. I made a mental note to buy a nice cane once I finally reached Nyarlothep. Maybe pick out the plot where they’d bury me. I opened Cannoli’s stats.

Cannoli

Level 3

Combat Stats:

Acolyte Class Level 3

Health Points: 7/7

Myana Points: 17/17 (+2 for Acolyte)

Energy: 30/30

Strength: 1

Magic: 4 (+1 for Acolyte, +2 for leveling)

Vitality: 1

Dexterity: 1

Agility: 1

Resistance: 2 (+1 for Acolyte)

Life Stats:

UNKNOWN

She had fewer [Health Points] than me despite being two levels higher. I really would have to protect her.

“Why can’t I see their [Life Stats]?” I asked.

Ai’s window reappeared. “The [Life Stats] of catgirls are predetermined by a certain age. As you are new to this world, yours will be evaluated on your actions. They will not be permanent until you have reached the [Level Cap].”

“And what level’s that?”

“Base level 50.”

Fifty levels? I swallowed and ran a hand through my hair. I could hear the sermon now. We are gathered here today to mourn the death of Matthew Kelmer…

“Alright. Let’s see what else,” I laughed nervously and returned to the [Home] screen. “Right. [Life Skills].”

Matt

Level 1

Life Skills:

Swimming: 2

Cooking: 1

Fishing: 1

Harvesting: 1

Survival: 1

Crafting: 1

But there wasn’t an option to see Keke and Cannoli’s.

“I can’t see those for the girls either?” I asked.

“No. However, you can ask them to reveal this information themselves.”

“Then, can’t I just ask about their [Life Stats], too?”

“No.”

I frowned. “Why not?”

“They themselves do not have this information to give you.”

Well, that was kind of strange. But then again, I couldn’t have quantified my [Charisma] with a number in my last world, either. Maybe it worked the same way. “Alright.” I minimized the window and accessed the [Combat Skills]. These did give me the option to view the girls’, so I started there.

Cannoli

Level 3

Level 1 Illuminate (Active): Touch any object, and it will glow for 10 minutes, similar to a lantern. 20ft radius from the caster. Costs 1 [Myana Point]. 1 minute cool down.

Level 1 Blessed Light (Active): A sharp flash of light, temporarily blinding any within a 10ft radius from the caster for 5 seconds. Costs 2 [Myana Points]. 1 minute cool down.

Level 1 Stabilize (Active): Stops bleeding and stabilizes a target within two feet to assist in preventing death. Costs 1 [Myana Point]. 10 second cool down.

The first screen only listed the names of the skills and whether they were [Active] or [Passive]. If I pressed on the name, a bubbly overlay appeared with a description of how it performed. Cannoli had used all three of her skills during our battle with the roach. This was to be expected as [Acolytes] in any genre I was familiar with were very skill-dependent.

Keke’s skills leaned more toward the [Passive] side of things.

Keke

Level 3

Level 1 Encroacher Lore (Passive): Basic knowledge of Encroacher background and anatomy. Assists in carves of significant sections and pieces from defeated enemies.

Level 1 Improve Accuracy (Passive): Minor increase in accuracy for currently equipped weapon.

Level 1 Pinpoint Weakness (Active): For 15 seconds, the caster can visually detect the enemy’s weakest points. 2 minute cool down.

I wondered if she’d used [Pinpoint Weakness] during the fight. While Cannoli shouted her moves like a magical girl, Keke had focused in on her target with deadly accuracy. Meanwhile, I’d flailed around like my life depended on it. Which reminded me.

I clicked on my name. No skills were listed, however…

Matt

Level 1

One [Class Point] Available!

“Wait, I’ve had a [Class Point] available this whole time?”

Ai returned, and a new window populated the screen. “That is correct.”

“So, I could have had a skill during that fight?”

“Yes.”

I sighed and leaned my forehead against my hands. Way to rush in guns blazing, bro. Better change your name to ‘Leroy.’ “What are my options?”

The [Warrior] tree appeared with its various branches, but most were greyed out. However, I was able to interact with some options at the beginning of the tree. I clicked through the names one by one.

Level 1 Provoke [Active]: Gains full enmity of a target enemy. Lowers target’s [Defense], but increases its [Attack]. Duration: 30 seconds. 5 second cool down.

Level 1 Axe Mastery [Passive]: Minor increase in efficiency and damage with axes.

Level 1 Increased Attack [Passive]: Minor increase in weapon damage.

Level 1 Adrenaline Rush [Active]: Sacrifices 10% of the user’s [Health Points] for a moderate increase in weapon damage. Duration: 30 seconds. 1 minute cool down.

With Cannoli’s low [Health Points] in mind and my dreams of protecting my catgirls, I took [Provoke] without a second thought. I could worry about other skills later. It appeared beneath my name on the previous screen.

“How does this work, then? Do I have to shout out the skill name to use it?” I asked.

Ai’s text scrolled along the bottom of the screen. “So long as you are focused on a single target and say the name of a learned [Class Skill], it will take immediate effect.”

So I couldn’t just yell “[Adrenaline Rush]” and have it work unless I spent a point and learned it. Good to know. “Sounds good.”

“Do you have any other questions for me, [User Matthew]?”

“Will you just call me ‘Matt?’”

“No.” Ai’s portrait and the window disappeared.

Touchy touchy.

“We should have fish for dinner!” I heard Cannoli’s excited voice outside the door.

“We don’t even know if he likes fish. Besides, your [Fishing] is awful,” came Keke’s curt reply.

“You promised to help me put it up!” Cannoli gasped. “Do you think Matt wants to learn [Fishing]? We should teach him!”

“Quiet! Everyone will hear you!”

I chuckled and switched off the iPaw. It was a lot to learn, and we had a long way to go, but I already found myself getting used to having the two of them by my side.

Way better than becoming a dungeon. Hope you found another sucker for that one, Leiana.