Wolf

"Hey Wolf!" I hear someone shout from behind me as I walk through the automatic doors of the Engineering and Research Building into the cold night air outside.

I turn around to find my friend William hurrying to catch up to me with his hand raised in a friendly wave.

"What's up?" I ask as I stop walking to let him catch up.

Quiet chatter fills the area around us as people walk in and out of the building - likely to take their final exams just like I just finished doing.

It takes a second, but the man catches up to me whilst slightly short of breath before he says, "I wanted to ask you about how you did on your Algorithms final!"

I take a moment to ponder as to whether I should comment on his obvious exhaustion before deciding not to. William is a rather cheery guy in general, but he can be a little talkative at times.

The man is about the same age as me, with a short beard, brown hair, and equally brown eyes. And - while I wouldn't exactly call him overweight - he is definitely pushing it in that area.

Hence him being out of breath.

"I felt okay on it, but I could probably have done better," I answer him in my usual brief tone as I turn around and continue my way out of the building with him following closely behind me.

The smell of the winter air mixed with the light crunch of snow under my feet helps me relax as I walk in the direction of the parking lot.

No more tests for the semester.

"Really?" William asks in surprise. "I would have thought that you'd have studied to the point of perfection for the final!"

I send him a brief glance before noticing someone approaching quickly to my right.

As if on instinct, I move backwards while reaching into my pockets, only to find my old knife missing as someone runs past us.

Oops.

I kind of wish I would stop doing that, but old habits die hard.

After mom and dad had that job go horribly wrong a few years ago, they decided to end our 'family business' as assassins for the government and stopped training me and my sister.

Despite us stopping the training, the habits that I built up from it never really left me.

Which isn't exactly very helpful for an engineering major. After all, there isn't much combat involved when you are sitting in front of a computer programming.

"Wolf?" William asks me, confused by my sudden silence as we approach the large parking lot.

I turn my attention back to him as I say, "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"Again?" he says with a shake of his head before breaking off from me with a wave. "Anyways, my car is this way, so I'll see ya next semester!"

I lightly nod my head before facing forward again as I continue my way towards my car at the back of the lot.

Thinking back on that test, I really should have studied harder for it.

But in hind sight, Algorithms was a pretty damn difficult class to say the least.

I sigh in relief as I finally reach my car before reaching into my pocket and grabbing my keys.

"That aside, at least I only have one semester left until I graduate," I mutter to myself as I unlock my car door and step inside.

It takes me about fifteen minutes or so, but the driveway to my house comes into sight as I drive down the last stretches of our neighborhood into the little cul-de-sac that contains my family's home.

The home itself is a two story building made up of white bricks with a triangular roof. Meanwhile, the drive way is perfectly straight and currently has three different cars parked on it.

I guess that means everyone is home.

A neighbor walks out of their house to grab a package as I pull into the drive way and park my car. They wave towards me as I get out of my car and lock it before I wave back and start towards the front door.

I reach into my jacket pockets to find my keys before pulling them out of the pockets of my light black jacket.

Mom gets onto me for wearing nothing but a light jacket despite the freezing cold weather outside, but I do it anyways.

I love the cold after all, so why should I bundle up?

Anyways, I unlock the door before putting my keys back into my pocket and opening it to hear the sound of Katie - my younger sister - complaining to mom and dad about how long it's taking me to get home.

I raise an eyebrow in amusement as I step out of the cold winter air into our annoyingly warm house before closing the door behind me.

For some reason that I will never understand, everyone else in my family has a severe dislike for the cold, so they keep the house really warm despite my complaints.

The complaining suddenly comes to a halt as I begin to chain the front door closed before I hear running coming from the living room in my direction.

I turn around from the door to find Katie already only a couple of meters in front of me as she yells, "Wolf! Why did you take so freaking long to get home!"

My brows furrow in confusion as I answer, partially in question, partially in statement, "Because I was taking my last final exam?"

Katie looks frustrated for a moment before she fails to find any fault in my answer and says, "Well, whatever! Have you made any plans to meet with Aidan over the break?"

Both of my eyebrows raise in surprise as I walk past her down the hall towards the living room.

"You're still infatuated with him?" I ask her in surprise before turning into the living room to find both mom and dad looking amused as they sit on the couch next to the Christmas tree.

My mother has the same brown hair and eyes as me, except with her hair falling down to her shoulders. She is wearing a light gray hoodie, with a pair of sweat pants and slippers. On the other hand, my father instead has black hair, with the same blue eyes that my sister has. He is wearing a simple black suit, with a slightly undone tie.

My question makes Katie shut up before she suddenly becomes shy and mutters, "I don't know what you mean."

I roll my eyes at her answer before opening my mouth to say something, only to pause as a strange blue box suddenly covers my vision.

System Notification

This is a warning to all inhabitants of the galaxy known as the Milky Way.

This galaxy has been selected by an Administrator to be initialized into the System and therefore, all of the intelligent inhabitants of this galaxy will be reappropriated to a new planet specifically designed for this initialization.

You will all have twenty seconds to prepare for any danger that you might face before you are reappropriated.

What the hell...?

The strange box vanishes just as quickly as it had appeared before an equally strange timer appears in the corner of my vision.

This looks like something that you might see in a video game...

Dad suddenly claps his hands and shouts, "Snap out of it! Ignore how strange the menu is and go find something that can be used as a weapon! Now!"

His shout snaps me out of my stupor as I quickly rush over to the kitchen and grab the two nearest kitchen knives as the countdown reaches ten seconds.

When I turn around again, I find mom holding the western-style sword that was hanging on the wall, with Katie having a kitchen knife of her own, and dad holding his old military grade combat knife that he really shouldn't have on him right now.

Mom notices this as well and glares in his direction.

Assuming whatever this is doesn't harm or kill us, there is no way that she is just going to let that little detail go.

The countdown reaches three seconds remaining before mom says, "Stay safe no matter how strange or bizarre this may seem!"

All three of us nod our heads before a bright flash of light envelops the entire room the moment the countdown reaches zero.

By the time I can see again, I find myself in a completely empty, white room in the shape of a cube.

"This is not what I expected to happen when I woke up this morning," I mutter as I carefully put the kitchen knives in my pockets.

It's unfortunate that we didn't have enough time to grab our emergency bags, otherwise we would probably be better equipped for this.

Another blue box suddenly appears in my vision.

System Notification

You will now be assigned a soul-bound ability.

This ability will be created based off of your personality, interests, talents, and the System's choice, and it will grow in strength along with you as you level up.

Ability? Does it mean some sort of magical power, like what you would see in a video game?

The box disappears a few seconds after I finish reading it before a loud chime rings in my head and another box appears.

System Notification

You have gained the soul-bound ability: Ice Reaper

Ice… Reaper?

Is it just me, or does that sound a little ominous?

If that was created based off my personality and interests, then does this System think I am some cold-blooded killer or something?

I can understand some of my talents giving me an ability related to a reaper of sorts, but seriously!

Or maybe it just chose it itself?

Another box appears in my vision before I can continue thinking about my new ability.

System Notification

Now that you have been given your soul-bound ability, the System Tutorial shall commence.

Well, at least we aren’t just being thrown into this.

Although I still don't know what this is.

A new box with a slightly different appearance this time appears in my field of view, taking up about the same amount of space as the last one did.

Tutorial Notification

Step 1:

Think the word ‘Status’ in your head or say it out loud.

Note: Swipe this box to move on to the next step.

O o o

It wants me to think status?

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Name: Wolf Adler

Soul-bound Ability: Ice Reaper

Species: Human

Level: 1

EXP: 0/100

System Points: 50

Skills List

Inventory

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My eyes widen in surprise as a strange flow of words appears next to the tutorial box before the box shrinks in size to accommodate.

So, this really is like a video game then?

I can work with this.

It said to swipe the menu?

Like you would on a touchscreen?

I reach out towards the menu and swipe it with my finger before another one replaces it.

Tutorial Notification

Step 2:

Mentally select the Skills List tab.

You will already have the skills for the three things you are the most skilled at.

Skills come from Tiers 1 all the way to 10. You can raise the Tier of a skill by raising its level to ten and paying System Points to promote it.

When you are finished, return to the Status menu by mentally selecting Return.

Note: Swipe this box to move to the next step.

o O o

Okay then. This is getting really weird.

Then again, it’s also pretty interesting.

I focus on the words 'Skills List,' only for nothing to happen.

What does it mean by 'mentally select?'

I try several more things until something finally works and a new flood of words replace the Status menu.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Skills:

Stealth – Tier 3 – Level 2

Knife Mastery – Tier 2 – Level 5

Unarmed Combat – Tier 2 – Level 8

Return

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Okay then, so I just have to focus on it and think 'select?' Not really sure why it didn't just tell me that in the first place, but whatever.

I read through the skills and quickly find that they are all combat related skills.

Is it possible for me to get a description of what these skills do?

I play around with the menu, 'mentally selecting' everything until another menu finally pops up as I select the names of the skills.

Surprisingly, the new menu actually appears below the current one instead of straight up replace it.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Knife Mastery

This skill raises your proficiency when using short blades such as knives or daggers by 15%.

Close

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Nice!

So I can get a clear description of what each skill does just by mentally selecting the name of the skill like I would a menu?

It’s surprising that the Tutorial doesn’t tell you this.

Maybe they want us to figure it out for ourselves?

Regardless, I close out of the skill’s description before selecting the return button and swiping at the tutorial notification again.

Tutorial Notification

Step 3:

Mentally select the Inventory tab.

Select the Tutorial Starter Kit to take it out of the inventory.

Take everything out of the box and place them back into your inventory, aside from the stamps.

Once you finish this, stamp each and every item you have on your person in order to give it a tutorial enhancement from the System; thereby turning it into a System Item.

To identify an item, you must have it in your inventory before you mentally select it while thinking ‘Identify.’

When you are finished with this, return to the Status menu by mentally selecting Return.

Note: Swipe this box to complete the System Tutorial.

o o O

Okay, guess it's time to check out the inventory.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Inventory:

Tutorial Starter Kit 1x

Return

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Looks like what I would have expected, considering the other menus so far.

I select the starter kit and a plain gray box appears in my hands.

Okay, this box looks a lot plainer than what I was expecting.

Then again, it’s what’s inside that really matters.

I open the box and begin to take the items out one by one before placing them all back into the inventory, aside from the stamps.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Inventory:

Player’s ID 1x

Tier 1 Healing Potions 3x

Tier 1 Stamina Recovery Potions 1x

Tier 1 Bandages 5x

Return

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It wants me to stamp everything on me?

Because that's not weird at all...

Regardless, I begin taking off my clothes so that I can stamp all of them.

This takes me a couple of minutes to do before I put my clothes back on and carefully pull the two knives out of my pocket to stamp them with the last two remaining stamps.

Huh, just enough stamps to stamp every single one of my items.

I store my jacket and one of my knives into my inventory before identifying both of them out of curiosity, causing two separate flows of text to pop up side by side underneath the inventory menu.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tier 1 Starter Black Jacket:

This jacket gives the wearer an extra 5% resistance to both the elements and physical damage.

Note: The elements refers to nature and weather, and not magic.

Close

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tier 1 Starter Kitchen Knife:

This kitchen knife gives the user an extra 5% pierce and 10% physical damage to any enemy this is used against.

Close

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Those don’t look half bad,” I mutter before closing the menus.

I mentally select the return button to go back to my status.

If this worked on the skills, maybe it will work here too…

Instead of finishing the tutorial, I mentally select my new soul-bound ability; Ice Reaper.

Surprisingly, another flow of text shows up right below my status.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Ice Reaper

First effect:

This ability allows the user to create and manipulate the ice element within a certain radius determined by the level of the user.

The amount of ice element that can be created and manipulated is also limited by both the level of the user and the user’s own stamina.

Second effect:

Locked

Third effect:

Locked

Fourth effect:

Locked

Fifth effect:

Locked

Close

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

That’s… a lot of locked effects.

Do I have to reach a certain level to unlock each effect?

Or maybe I just need some sort of item?

I sit there for a few minutes as I ponder what I might need before shaking my head and deciding to figure it out at another time as I close the menu.

There shouldn’t be anything else that I need to look at right now, that I know of at least, so I go ahead and close my status and swipe at the tutorial box.

The box disappears before another blue one replaces it.

System Notification

This is a notice from the Administrator who has nominated this galaxy for the Initialization:

Congratulations on completing the System Tutorial, you are now an official player of the System!

Here is some basic information that you will need on the new world you will be sent to!

-----------------------------

First, I should explain some details about the new world that you shall be transported to.

This world was created by the System to hold the intelligent inhabitants of the Milky Way Galaxy. You, along with every other inhabitant, will be teleported to one of the safe zones based off of your location upon completing this tutorial. Within these safe zones will be shops where you may spend your System Points on anything from skills to items.

However, I should warn you.

Don't be fooled by the term 'safe zone.' All it means is that you can't be harmed by non-players within it, so any player can still do whatever the hell they want!

Now, you may be wondering, “What do you mean by non-players?”

Well, that question is a simple one.

Monsters, of course!

Just before the Initialization, dungeon entrances were placed throughout the entire planet, spawning monsters everywhere along with them!

And just so you know, this planet has a diameter of 1,274,198 km.

-----------------------------

Now, I should also explain what a 'level' is.

Every time a player gains enough EXP, they will 'level up,' and every time this happens, everything about their body will improve. Whether that is their physical abilities, mental abilities, stamina, self-regeneration, magical strength, life span, or anything else that you can think of!

Don't worry though, for it will not affect your thoughts or individuality.

-----------------------------

Next up are System Points!

These are extremely important!

They are also commonly known as SP, and you will need to kill monsters to get them!

Each monster will only give you one SP, and that’s only if they are the same level as you or higher! Any monster of a lower level than you will not give you any SP!

-----------------------------

Now, pay attention, because this next part is extremely important!

Yes, I know that I have said this before, but I'm saying it for a reason!

After three days' time, every single player on the planet will be given a choice between three different classes that will be decided upon by various different factors including the player's personality, ability, actions since the Initialization, skills, and what sort of job they would be most suited for.

These classes will be extremely important, so make sure that you choose wisely at that time!

-----------------------------

Last but not least - out of the information I am not required to say that is - is that you do not have any sort of numerical value for your health or stamina as some of your gamers might wish to believe.

If you ever hear these terms stated, then the System is just referring to the state of your bodies’ exhaustion level, physical health, and ability to continue using your powers.

If you play video games, then you can treat the System as if it is some sort of new video game that you are trying out.

Except that if you die, then you die.

-----------------------------

Now, this particular bit of information is something that I am required to tell you.

One thousand of you lovely new players will be randomly selected to compete in the Administrator Dungeon to become Administrators yourselves; but don’t get your hopes up just yet!

Not only are your chances preeetty slim of being one of the competitors, but there will also be one thousand floors in this dungeon that you must clear without dying!

What’s more is that you must also place in the top three finishers to become an Administrator!

Oh, and did I mention that you will be broadcasted live to every single player in existence?

Because who doesn’t like being watched for entertainment as they are trying to fight for their lives!

This is your friendly Administrator, Astaroth, signing off!

Try not to die out there, folks!

PS: Using your ability should come naturally to you, so don’t fret about that!

I silently stare at the blue box for a few seconds after I finish reading before it disappears.

That’s one eccentric Administrator…

Although at least he explained things to me in a much better way than the System did.

Another System Notification pops up as I try to digest all of the information.

System Notification

You will now be teleported to safe zone 52 on the planet Aegis.

“Well, here goes nothing,” I mutter as the same bright light from earlier begins to envelop the room.

That strange Administrator said that we would be teleported to safe zones by location, so I hope I end up in the same one as my family.

The last thought that I have before the light fully envelopes the room is, 'At least I won't have to go back to college next semester.'