What If: A Darker Path I

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APRIL 12, 2011

1:23 AM EDT

The alley was dark, much like the rest of the streets in this part of the Brockton Bay Docks.

Really, it would have been entirely pitch-black if it wasn't for a single light bulb perched high above a door that led to a building owned by whatever unfortunate soul dumb enough to buy property in Merchant territory.

The only source of light in the alley fought to stay on for longer than a few seconds at a time, the thing flickering like a massive firefly. Even then, it might have been better if it just died. While the encroaching blackness that filled most of the Docks at night was more than intimidating enough on its own, darkness warning the decent people that criminals and scum would soon be roaming the night, the barely-there and intermittent illumination the light bulb provided added another level of uncertainty to the entire equation, making this alley a bit more nerve-wracking than most.

The darkness was terrifying, true. Still, light like this only served the purpose of making the things in the dark feel alive, what with the ways the shadows shifted and shook under the unsteady lighting. And as some people in Brockton Bay could attest to in these last few weeks, the creatures hiding in the dark were very much alive.

That didn't seem to bother some others, though. After all, it's well known that in nearly any imaginable situation, there will always be those few that were either too stupid or too optimistic to heed common sense, continuing on whatever their path may be, regardless of whether or not that path put them directly into a dangerous situation.

Case in point, the blond boy walking down the alley right now with a playful rhythm to his steps and a gait far too unguarded for anyone near a gang-held territory of any sort. Snapping his fingers to the beat that pounded through his ears, Greg Veder hummed along to the song on the cassette tape player in his pocket, an 80s antique that his mother had no problem letting him have. His other hand was hidden in the depths of his baggy hoodie's front pockets, a slight bulge showing up around near his stomach on occasion as he played with the object he had hidden inside.

Greg Veder knew, on an intellectual level, that he really shouldn't be in the Docks right now. After all, the PRT had done a very good job in informing the public of the suspected parahuman serial killer going around on a killing spree throughout gang territory. Bloody scenes were found every night with gore painting the floor and walls, bodies torn apart, ripped to shreds, and occasionally beaten to death without leaving a single scrap of evidence that could lead to an identity… a true master of their blood-curdling craft. With a body count estimated to be in the triple digits already, this person would have to be a rather powerful parahuman to accomplish all this in just a few weeks.

Really, any rational person would have felt nervous, scared even, of what this news could mean for them or their family. Rather than feeling terrified or nervous, though, Greg couldn't help but feel a deep sense of interest. After all, how close could the authorities really be to locating the culprit? Hell, would they ever be able to find this guy? The blond seriously doubted it. Man, BBPD couldn't find a twelve-foot dildo if it was shoved up their collective assholes.

Rectal proclivities of the police force aside, Greg really only saw this as an opportunity to farm more experience while the boys in blue were running around like chickens with their heads missing. While aware of how callous that sounded in his own head, Greg didn't really care all that much. In fact, strangely enough, he found himself caring less and less every day about what he did while chasing experience points,

The odd serenity that Gamer's Mind seemed to emanate on a constant basis seemed to come with a side effect that Greg had been doing his best to stave off, a constant feeling of numbness. Almost every smile, every laugh…

Hell, most of the time, nearly every single emotion felt hollow without Greg emphasizing the moment in his head with some sort of skill gain or, on occasion, a fight. It was maddening how pointless doing something like playing a video game felt when it didn't actually do anything for him. Any sense of accomplishment or achievement he felt from beating it didn't really mean anything when he could get that same rush times a thousand from just slamming a hammer down on his thumb over and over and over for the better part of a minute.

Or, at least that used to be the case. Nowadays, a minute was just as pointless as playing the stupid game, whatever type of game it was. It tended to be RPG's, for whatever reason. Those always felt the most boring.

As he neared the midpoint of the alley, Greg paused both his thoughts and his steps, stopping right before the area where the flickering light bulb lit up the brightest. A hand went down to his pocket, clicking the pause button on the outdated music device, and a moment later, he pulled the old-style headphones from his hair carefully, allowing the device to rest around his neck.

He blinked a moment later, eyes flashing from sky blue to a bright gold for an instant, another blink returning his iris to normal. The boy's smile grew into a grin, this time his eyes lighting up in a wholly figurative manner.

"I know you're there."

The alley remained still, silent apart from slight noises that could be dismissed as the scurrying of rats and other pests. In a way, that was true.

"Seriously, there's no point hiding. I can see you." Greg raised a hand, pointing directly at the overflowing dumpster over on the right. "Yes, you, the one behind the dumpster. And you, the one by the empty boxes. Also, you two… seriously?"

Greg's eyes flicked over to a set of discarded mannequins stacked up against the filthy alley wall as he let out a snorting laugh, eyes filled with mirth. "Who do you think you're fooling with that?" His gaze flicked back and forth between the three locations, iris flashing between gold and blue in between blinks, faster than any normal person could catch. "Seriously, did you think I was just going to let you ambush me? Are all Merchants this stupid or what?"

The alley remained silent, leaving Greg looking like a crazy person as he continued to berate the seemingly empty walls with a wide smile on his face. Then, the vague rustling noises shifted into sounds of audible movement, movement of something much larger than rats coming from several different locations.

Huh, six of them? The blond raised an eyebrow. Guess my count was off.

Almost as one, several figures rose from the darkness of the alley, shambling forward like zombies. Considering what they actually were, the phrase zombies wouldn't be too far off. With all the drugs in their system, they were only a little better than the living dead. The six men, all of them in torn, ratty, and just generally filth-covered clothing, stepped into the shuddering spotlight, most of them visibly armed.

Greg's gaze snapped down to the one on the far right, his eyes tracking the rusted weapon in his grip with interest. Wow, a machete. I'm feeling nostalgic all of a sudden.

He raised his head, giving the men in front of him an uninterested expression that seemed to display as much bored contempt as Greg could muster. "Let me guess, you were gonna rob me, beat me up and possibly stab me a few times, weren't you?" He let out a snort, rolling his eyes with expertise. "Merchants gotta merch, I guess. Still, though," the blond paused, raising a gloved hand to cover his mouth as he tried to hide a growing smile, "I wonder what it feels like to be considered scum in a city with plenty of Nazis."

Taunt Lvl Up!

21→22

One of them rushed forward, screaming profanities and invectives at Greg just like he expected. The Merchant in question, an older man with a filthy, matted beard, screamed something Greg couldn't make out and swung a dirt-covered pipe at his head. With supreme ease, Greg leaned back and to the side, watching as the look on the old man's face switched from belligerent to confused.

As he recovered from his confusion, the man swung his pipe again only to jerk to a stop as the bludgeoning tool refused to move. He glanced down at the weapon to see a pair of gloved fingers holding tight to the metal, his gaze tracking the fingers back over to Greg as he blinked in confusion for several reasons.

The hand inside his hoodie tensed as Greg's hand surged from his pocket. Before he could open his mouth again or attempt to strike once more, the Merchant's hands rushed to his throat, red seeping through his fingers as he fell to his knees. Weapon discarded, it fell to the floor with a metallic clang, scattering across the floor.

"Total slaughter, total slaughter.

I won't leave a single man alive."

Greg stepped to the side, continuing to grin at the other Merchants as he brought the blade of his knife down again in a much slower movement, driving it directly into the top of the bearded Merchant's skull. With a sick squelch, he pulled it free and flicked the serrated knife in a blurring movement, blood flying from the blade and scattering against the wall. His smile dissapeared, a bored look appearing on his face again.

"La de da de dai, Genocide.

La de da de duh, An ocean of blood."

Greg took several steps forward, walking towards the now-frightened Merchants as their bearded friend finally fell to the floor in a pool of his own fluids. The blond's disinterested expression shifted into another bright grin, eyes flashing a bright gold and staying that way.

"Let's begin the killing time."

Spoiler: STATUS Greg Lucas Veder Age: 15 (and three-quarters!) Title: Junior Ninja Level 20 Experience 510/22500 Health 1200/1200 Mana 230/230 Willpower 220/220 STR 40 SPD 60 (+2) (+4) VIT 82 INT 50 WIS 18 (-70%) CHA 22 (+9) (-90%) Stat Points: 0 Perk Points: 0 Cash: $58,568.57

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)

Peak Human

What is peak human, anyway?

Somehow, you have surpassed the physical threshold of humanity, surpassing those inherent limits man is beholden to. (Unlocks perks for STR, SPD, VIT and INT once a stat crosses a benchmark of 50 pts)

Perks

Baby Steps (2/3) [Ranked Skill]

With Catlike Tread...

Allows very light movement across surfaces, allowing you to move or stand on surfaces that would normally not support your weight.

Danger Sense (4/10) [Ranked Skill]

My common sense is tingling.

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

Developed Mind (1/10) [Ranked Ability]

I like to think of myself as enlightened.

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

Keen Vision

20/20? That's weaksauce.

The range and clarity of your vision scale with your INT by a ratio of 2:1. (100%)

Growing Will (1/10) [Ranked Ability]

Some people say you're rather willful.

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

Lifegiver (3/10) [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.

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.

Quick Healer

Don't worry, it won't scar.

You heal rather fast, at a rate of a tenth of your VIT every fifteen seconds.

Surefooted

I don't trip.

Allows perfect traction over any solid ground, eliminating the chance of slipping and falling over your own feet.

Swift Learner (1/10) [Ranked Ability]

You're no idiot.

You gain an increased amount of experience, increasing by 10% for each point in this skill.

Toughened Body

Charles Atlas would be proud.

Simply put, you're already tougher than most people. Now, well, look at the title of this perk. All physical damage is reduced by half your level number, in addition to all other damage reduction.

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.

Basic Pyrokinesis Lv 13

Burn, baby, burn!

Generate flames and control them up to a range of 6 meters.

Cost: 30 MP per second of sustained use at max range.

Dash Straight Lv 6 (XP: 35%)

Force equals Mass times Acceleration.

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

Through reinforcing the body, you smash your fist into a target while moving at high speed. Damage scales based on distance moved. (1.5x Damage Cap)

Damage: 105

Cost: 11 Will + 2 Will for every meter power sprinted

Observe Lv 18 (XP: 25%)

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 (Apprentice) Lv 5 (XP: 15%)

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

Increases your effective strength, speed and health by 5% per level with this technique from a base of 50%. Does not increase actual points of vitality or willpower. Improved control means that weaker usages of Reinforcement is within your grasp for lower costs. (75%)

Cost: 5 Will every 2 seconds

Subskill: Burst

Cast from hit points. Yeah, it's one of those skills. A short, yet extremely concentrated and focused burst of reinforcement applied to the extremities for an insane burst of ability lasting 1 second (x 2.5 top Reinforced SPD/STR) Cost: 5% Will, 2% HP Subskill: Layer Reinforcement Increases the quality of non-living items, increasing their sharpness, durability, and hardness. This form of reinforcement can be used on non-living substances for a base quality increase of 250% Each level improves this by 25%. (375%) Cost: 2 Will every 5 seconds.

Surface Adhesion Lv 12 (XP: 35%)

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

Weapon Charge Lv 5 (XP: 75%)

Conceptually do twice as much damage with a weapon. Broken?

What's that mean?

Boosts weapon damage x 2.

Length of charge increases by 1/2 second for every level. (2.5 sec)

Cost: 8 MP

Abilities

Acrobatics Lv 30 (XP: 35%)

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 16 (XP: 15%)

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 12 (XP: 85%)

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 Max (XP: 5%)

Anatomy is to physiology as geography is to history.

Gain a basic understanding of the human body.

Increases [Critical Hit] damage by 10% per level. (100%)

Beginner Combat Lvl 20 (XP: 15%)

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.

Increased bare-handed damage by 2% per level. (40%)

Blunt Weaponry Lv 10 (XP: 4%)

Carry a big stick. Speaking softly is optional.

Measures your skill with using a blunt weapon.

Increases damage with a blunt weapon by 2% per level. (20%)

Breath-Holding Lv 14 (XP: 25%)

Asphyxiation is a terrible way to die.

Increases time able to stay conscious without air by 30 seconds per level. (7 min)

Bullshitting Lv 6 (XP: 15%)

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. (12%)

Disarm Lv 3 (XP: 55%)

Take their weapon from their warm, living hands.

Increases chance of disarming the enemy by 2% with every level. (6%)

Driving Lv 4 (XP: 25%)

NASCAR, here we come.

Measures your skill at operating a four-wheeled motorized vehicle.

Gunplay: Rifles Lv 3 (XP: 35%)

Slightly better than a stormtrooper.

Improves aim/accuracy/stability with a rifle by 5% per level. (15%)

Improves damage with a rife by 2% per level. (6%)

Kissing Lv 15 (XP: 45%)

Looks like practicing on a peach actually paid off.

Represents your skill in the art of smooching.

Knife-Handling Lv 25

Blades are blades.

Represents your martial skill with the art of a knife

Increases damage with a blade by 2% per level. (50%)

Language: Japanese Lv 12 (30%)

Gratuitous Japanese indeed.

Reflects your speaking skill, and understanding of, the Japanese language.

Meditation Lvl 16 (XP: 10%)

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. (160%)

Parry Lv 19 (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. (38%)

Reflexes Lv 20 (XP: 35%)

DODGE!

Increases your innate reaction speed by 10% per level. (200%)

Resistance: Blunt Force Lv. 38 (XP: 25%)

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. (28.5%)

Resistance: Cold Lv 6 (XP: 80%)

The cold never stopped bothering you.

Increases resistance to cold temperature by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (6%)

Resistance: Electricity 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%)

Resistance: Heat Lv 18 (XP: 75%)

"You have to respect anything that can just stand there, on fire."

Increases resistance to heat damage by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (18%)

Resistance: Piercing Lv 28 (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. (21%)

Resistance: Poison Lv 9 (XP: 15%)

I wonder what counts as a poison...

Reduces damage and effects caused by poison by 1% every level that will cause damage less than 100% of your health, in any way, shape or form. (9%)

Resistance: Slashing Lv 19 (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. (14.25%)

Seduction Lv 1 (XP: 5%)

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. (.5%)

Singing Lv 9 (XP: 30%)

Stick to doing musicals in the shower for now.

Represents your ability to hit the correct notes, harmonize and anything to do with the art of vocals.

Sneaking Lv 35 (XP: 20%)

Ugh… stealth missions suck.

Allows for 2% quieter movement per level while trying not to be heard. (70%)

Stamina Lvl 11 (XP: 15%)

Whatever I lack in talent I have in stamina.

Increase Will by + 5 with every level. (55 Will)

Swordplay: Single Blade Lv 25

All swords are the same.

Represents your martial skill with the art of a single blade.

Increases damage with a blade by 2% per level. (50%)

Taunt Lv 22 (XP: 10%)

"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.(44%)

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. (8%)