Aggro 4.1

Friday, April 1, 2011

1:22 AM

"Okay… y-you can do this." The words came out slightly shakily, a mix of excitement and actual nerves racing through him. Greg's fingers twitched as he held his arms out at his sides, his torso bent forwards at a near forty-five degree angle.

Yes, he was poised to do a Ninja run. After all, it was scientifically the fastest way to run.

Because science.

Twisting his neck slightly, he shifted his head to the side as he tried to work out a nonexistent kink in his neck. Greg's teeth were clenched down on his bottom lip, his expression warring between eagerness and anxiety. Even then, his little half-smile could be seen beneath his half-mask. After a moment, he let out a long, slow breath. Let's go with Reinforcement again.

A skill that he had gotten shortly a few days after Structural Analysis, Reinforcement was quickly turning out to be one of his favorites. Even though it took him hours of experimenting for him to actually make it…

Well, that wasn't exactly true. The skill itself took him about… what? Fifteen minutes to create, at the most.

Undoubtedly less than twenty. He was sure of that. Anyway, the skill only took him half of half an hour to make. It just took him about two days to realize that he needed to experiment with Will, instead of Mana. Boy, was that embarrassing when he finally figured out that little hitch.

On the flipside, all that practice did net him some more stat points, so… silver lining? (+5 INT, +2 STR, +3 SPD)

Anyway, despite the fact that it cost him both Power Sprint and Angry Straight to make, Reinforcement was now one of his favorite skills.

Why?

Simple, really.

Unlike Power Sprint, which only boosted his speed, and Angry Straight, which only increased his punching Damage, Reinforcement…

Well, It handled everything.

Plenty of Merchants could attest to that.

"[Reinforcement!]"

As he yelled the skill name, the flesh visible around his body, which was limited to the space around his mouth and the tips of his fingers, flared with a yellow light for a single instant.

His expression shifted into a grin and he let out another breath, his breath visible in the cold air. "LET'S DO THIS!" In hindsight, it may not have been the best idea to scream at the top of his lungs in a run-down area like this but self-motivation was important, after all.

Priorities.

Besides, anyone that showed up would get a big hunk of metal to the face, courtesy of his inventory.

Screaming, Greg surged forward toward the alley wall in front of him, running fast enough to outpace any Olympian. Without a moment's hesitation, he jumped forward, leaping several feet into the air. His arc launching him directly into the wall, Greg met the brick feet-first and kicked off with all his might, launching him towards the other wall across from him.

"I do parkour!"

Shouting out his actions as if to remind himself of what to do, Greg contorted his body in mid-air and kicked against the second wall with as much force as he did before, sending him on an upwards path back to the first wall. "Parkour!" Again, he jumped off, leaping with all the force his Reinforced body could grant him.

"Parkouuuur!"

Twisting once more, he made to repeat his actions on the other side of the alley, kicking off the wall again in a move worthy of the Matrix when a piece of cracked brick fell from the wall he kicked off from the moment his foot made contact. "Parkou-nononononoo!"

His kick, lacking the explosiveness of the several before it, didn't so much launch him forward as it did send him sprawling into the air. His eyes widened behind his silvery mask, hands clawing furiously at nothing as he desperately tried to recover in mid-air.

C'mon! Do something! Mana surrounded his gloved hands with an opaque blue aura, his eyes widening even further as he tried to think of something to do with it. Powers or not, he had somewhat of a mild fear of heights and falling was big on his list of things he'd rather not have happen. C'mon!

Arms stretched out to meet the approaching wall, Greg slammed into it face-first, grunting with the impact as his nose met the unforgiving brick with an audible crunch.

-12

"Shi-iiiiiiiit!" His grunt of pain quickly turned into another scream as he began to fall, his fingers buying him precious time as they dug into the walls for purchase as he slid down the wall again. His face scraped painfully against the worn mortar, scraping the flesh from his cheeks with every passing second. If that wasn't bad enough to deal with, he also had to ignore the red dust flying into his eyes, nose and mouth as he did his best to resist the pull of gravity.

-1

-1

-1

-1

Gritting his teeth, Greg spread out his arms, hugging the wall with his body, his hands continuing to scramble for a handhold on the worn alley wall. A moment later, Greg paused, suddenly aware that he was no longer falling, his hands almost stuck to the wall itself. "Wha-"

Skill Gained!

Surface Adhesion Lv 1

You ever wanted to be Spider-Man? Don't lie. Of course you did.

This skill allows you to stick to walls and hang on to ceilings and vertical surfaces without a risk of falling. While not denying gravity, this allows you to adhere to surfaces unaided.

Cost: 2 MP per second Skill Level Up!

Reinforcement (Novice) Lv 12 (XP: 10%)

A discount version of the Kaio-Ken for the squishy wizard.

Increase your effective strength, speed and health by 2% per level with this technique.

Does not increase actual points of vitality or willpower.

Cost: 2 Will per second

Warning: Overuse will lead to HP damage. Ability Level Up!

Acrobatics Lv 4 (XP: 15%)

Parkour!

An ability that enables you to pull off backflips, frontflips and any manner of jumping-based ground-movement technique with greater ease.

Mana Awareness Lv 3 (XP: 35%)

Mana, magic energy, magicka, prana, ether, thaum, spiritual energy, magatsuhi or even chakra… Call it what you want. It's all the same in the end.

You have gained awareness of Mana, the spiritual energy found within the human mind and soul. Gaining awareness of your magical energy has given you some semblance of control over it.

Breath coming in quick, shaky gasps, Greg hung on the side of the building, clinging to the wall with nothing but his gloved palms.

He blinked, watering eyes pushing away the dust that clogged his eyesight. Once clear, those same eyes widened incredulously as he realized that, somehow, he was not falling. His gaze flicked up to the boxes right above him and Greg goggled further, his mouth falling open as the information suddenly dawned on him.

"Holy crap on a cracker…"

Closing his eyes, he let out a relieved breath and slowly, tentatively, peeled off one hand from the vertical surface he clung to so desperately. Simply hanging on for dear life while his mana, the only thing keeping this skill running, slowly drained away was not his idea of a smart plan Hell, he doubted it was anyone's idea of a smart plan. Come on. Let me climb. Let's just get to solid grou… roof.

Yes, the roof was probably better, considering he was much closer to that than the ground.

Despite the resistance he felt, a somewhat enjoyable sensation similar to peeling dried glue off his fingers, Greg's hand eventually came loose from the wall. His remaining arm buckled slightly, straining under the weight of his entire body, and he hastily brought his other hand back to the wall, lifting it above the other as a pained groan spilled from his lips. He repeated the action, ignoring the brief pain he felt as he lifted his other hand a bit higher, his knees clinging to the wall just the same as his hands to provide him some respite.

"So, wall-crawling is kinda hard… but I can stick to walls," Greg thought aloud, tilting his head to the side. "Good enough, right?" He let out another breath, this one slower than before, a relieved laugh spilling out of him as he did so. "Okay… new skill… level ups… wall jumping works, kinda…"

A smile grew across his face, the hint of fear mixing with relief to create a slight mania in his grin, "Let's try that again."

Spoiler: STATUS Greg Lucas Veder Age: 15 (and three-quarters!) Level 7 Experience 1285/14520 Health 365/365 Mana 195/195 Willpower 172/172 STR 31 SPD 24 VIT 22 INT 23 WIS 9(-80%) CHA 15(+9) (-90%) Stat Points: 6 Perk Points: 0 Cash: $562.57 Traits

Nerd-Geek Hybrid: Your obsession with video gaming, computers, fantasy/sci-fi literature and 80’s/90’s pop culture has left you in the rare middle of two circles; the obsessive fandom-loving geek and the intelligent, knowledge seeking nerd. Sadly, your hobbies have left you with an aversion to physical exertion. (50% bonus to INT gains, -50% penalty to STR, SPD & VIT gains.)

Ambiguous Disorder: Ever since you were a little kid, you’ve always been a little bit off. Impulsive, obsessive, socially obtuse and emotionally needy, you’re a bit of a weirdo. It was easily written off as normal behavior when you were younger but now you’re fifteen. Yet, you still come off as someone over five years younger. Maybe Mom should have had you tested like Dad said? (-80% reduction to overall WIS, 90% reduction to overall CHA.)

Casanova Bloodline: As a Veder man, you have a great smile, natural charm and a confident approach to life that draws the ladies in like a moth to a flame. Your great cheekbones don’t hurt either. It’s how your dad got your mom to go out with him while dating at least three other girls and sleeping with two others, at least that’s what he always told you - even when you didn’t ask - all the time. (+9 CHA)

Perks

Lifegiver (1/10) [Ranked Ability]

Health is more than just not getting sick.

Every time you gain a level, you gain an additional 5 HP for each rank of this perk.

Danger Sense (1/10) [Ranked Skill]

My common sense is tingling.

You gain a sixth sense that allows you to sense the presence of incoming danger.

Not Quite Dead

People die when they are killed… usually.

Survive after your HP sinks below 0 and a harmful status effect is active.

10% Chance to recover with full health when HP drops to 0.

Skills

Gamer's Body (Passive) Lv. MAX

Allows you to live life as if were a game.

Sleeping restores HP, MP, Will and removes most negative status effects.

Gamer's Mind (Passive) Lv. MAX

Grants immunity to mental status effects, emotional and mental trauma and severely dangerous emotional states.

Dash Straight Lv 3 (XP: 65%)

Force equals Mass times Acceleration.

You may suck at physics, but you know that much.

By combining Power Sprint with Angry Straight, you smash your fist into a target while moving at high speed. Damage scales based on distance Power Sprinted. (1.25x Damage Cap)

Damage: 60

Cost: 7 Will + 2 Will for every meter power sprinted

Mana Glitter Lv 4

Sparkle like the pretty bishounen you were always meant to be. Or a princess. Or a pedophilic slightly-rapey vampire. Who's judging you?

Release particles of mana from your body in the form of iridescent sapphire sparkles. Max Range increases by 25% with each level. (2.5 meters)

Minor Aerokinesis Lv MAX

All the power of a stiff wind.

Exert the force of your air control over a range of 5 meters. (80 mph)

Cost: 10 mp per second of sustained use

Observe Lv 3 (XP: 65%)

A skill to find out basic information relating to the chosen object.

Cost: 1 MP

Raging Combo Lv 2 (XP: 55%)

A blistering barrage of belligerent blows built to batter baddies.

By repeatedly using weaker forms of Angry Straight, you pummel your target with raw frustration and anger. (6 Hits)

Damage: 60

Cost: 10 Will

Reinforcement (Novice) Lv 12 (XP: 10%)

A discount version of the Kaio-Ken for the squishy wizard.

Increase your effective strength, speed and health by 2% per level with this technique.

Does not increase actual points of vitality or willpower.

Cost: 2 Will per second

Warning: Overuse will lead to HP damage.

Surface Adhesion Lv 1

You ever wanted to be Spider-Man? Don't lie. Of course you did.

This skill allows you to stick to walls and hang on to ceilings and vertical surfaces without a risk of falling. While not denying gravity, this allows you to adhere to surfaces unaided.

Cost: 2 MP per second

Structural Analysis Lv 5 (XP: 35%)

Judging the concept of creation, Hypothesizing the basic structure...

Grants the ability to gain a rudimentary understanding of the internal structure and functional design of simple, non-living objects.

Cost: 2 mp per square half-meter of object.

Weapon Charge Lv 1 (XP: 85%)

Boosts weapon damage x 2 for 1 second.

Length of charge increases by 1 second for every level.

Damage multiplier increases by .20 with every level.

Cost: 8 MP

Abilities

Acrobatics Lv 4 (XP: 15%)

Parkour!

An ability that enables you to pull off backflips, frontflips and any manner of jumping-based ground-movement technique with greater ease.

Awareness: Mana Lv 3 (XP: 35%)

Mana, magic energy, magicka, prana, ether, thaum, spiritual energy, magatsuhi or even chakra… Call it what you want. It's all the same in the end.

You have gained awareness of Mana, the spiritual energy found within the human mind and soul. Gaining awareness of your magical energy has given you some semblance of control over it.

Awareness: Willpower Lv 2 (XP: 25%)

Willpower, ki, chi, qi, stamina, aura, mantra, physical energy, life energy, od, or even hamon… Call it what you want. It's all the same in the end.

You have gained awareness of your Willpower, the physical energy found within all living organisms. Gaining awareness of your physical energy has given you some semblance of control over it.

Basic Anatomy Lvl 5 (XP: 85%)

Anatomy is to physiology as geography is to history.

Gain a basic understanding of the human body.

Increases [Critical Hit] damage by 10%.

Beginner Combat Lvl 3 (XP: 55%)

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

The next level of combat, Beginner Combat is a fusion of fighting and footwork into the ability to learn new styles of combat, fusing them into a novice martial combat capability.

Blunt Force Resistance Lv. 29 (XP: 5%)

Going from punching yourself in the face to actual self-mutilation?

Bold move, Veder. Let's see if it pays off.

Reduce all blunt force damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health.

Breath-Holding Lv 6

Asphyxiation is a terrible way to die.

Increases time able to stay conscious without air by 30 seconds per level.

Bullshitting Lv 3 (XP: 25%)

First, you tell a lie; then you believe it; then you become it.

Increases chances that any lie you tell is successful by 2% with every level.

Cold Resistance Lv 6 (XP: 80%)

The cold never stopped bothering you.

Increases resistance to cold temperature by 1% with every level.

Disarm Lv 3 (XP: 25%)

Take their weapon from their warm, living hands.

Increases chance of disarming the enemy by 2% with every level.

Electricity Resistance Lv 8 (XP: 25%)

Everyone knows electrocution is harmless.

Increases resistance to electrical damage by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (8%)

Kissing Lv 5 (XP: 75%)

Looks like practicing on a peach actually paid off.

Meditation Lvl 4 (XP: 60%)

Breathe in the good shit. Breathe out the bullshit.

By finding your inner focus, you push out all earthly distractions and enter a state of mental and physical harmony, allowing a greater understanding of your mind and body. While meditating, your Mana and Will recover at a rate of 10% faster per level into this ability. You retain this bonus for a period of ten minutes post-Meditation. (40%)

Parry Lv 4 (XP: 60%)

To deflect an attack is a double-edged sword;

Risking more damage for the chance to inflict the same.

Increases the effectiveness of any attempt to divert or deflect a physical attack by 2% with every level.

Piercing Resistance Lv 8 (XP: 50%)

The thrust or stab is risky because it can kill and yet not stop.

Reduces piercing or stabbing damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health.

Reflexes Lv 5 (XP: 15%)

DODGE!

Increases your innate reaction speed by 10% per level.

Seduction Lv 1

I didn't mean to turn you on… or did I?

Manage to draw the attention of a member of the opposite sex using your innate attraction skills. Increases chance of [Critical Hits] on enemies by .5% every level.

Slashing Resistance Lv 6 (XP: 90%)

The cut will stop but not kill.

Reduces slashing or cutting damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health.

Sneaking Lv 1 (XP: 50%)

Ugh… stealth missions suck.

Allows for quieter movement while trying not to be heard.

Stamina Lvl 8 (XP: 15%)

Whatever I lack in talent I have in stamina.

Increase Will by + 5 with every level.

Taunt Lv 2 (XP: 60%)

"And this! Is when I taunt you!"

Draw the attention of a target through nonsensical, idiotic, but occasionally piercing, verbal attacks. Increases chance of Critical Hits on enemies by 2% with every level.

Thrown Weapons Lv 4 (XP: 75%)

Throwing your sword always works. Except, you know, when it doesn't.

Increases the skill, range and force by which items and weapons can be thrown by 2% with every level.