00y:00m:00d:03h:41m Remain until System operations come online.

…………………………………………..

00y:00m:00d:01h:27m Remain until System operations come online.

…………………………………………..

00y:00m:00d:01h:00m Remain until System operations come online.

…………………………………………..

00y:00m:00d:00h:21m Remain until System operations come online.

…………………………………………..

00y:00m:00d:00h:01m Remain until System operations come online.

Systems Functional.

Checking Conditions

Absence of Body Detected.

Psyche implantation Effect in Foreign object Detected.

Full Respawn Currently Impossible Under Current Effect.

Solution Found.

Your Psyche has been split. You have three months to regain the other half.

Attempting to Respawn.

Failure. Psyche Resonance Pulls back at Your Psyche.

Solution Found.

Initiating POND Skipping to most adjacent Earth.

Mental Trauma Extreme has been sealed by The Unyielding. Memories of Recent Traumatic events have been sealed to decrease the mental burden. You will Respawn in 12 hours.

The all-encompassing void dissipated like a fog being exposed to a cloudless summer sky.

"What just happened?" The words falling out of his mouth. Uncertainty and exhaustion being his only companions.

To Drew, a pain not of his body ached. Similar to that of a toothache that had been left untreated for too long, but deeper in a way that he simply could not describe with the limited words in the English dictionary.

He found himself sitting in an armchair without any sort of distinctive features. Wooden and simple with a red pillow to provide the barest manner of comfort.

Around him, a living room he would describe as storybookish was caught in his inquisitive scan.

A fireplace crackled peacefully. The heat it radiated was of the perfect temperature, inducing a sense of calm in the unwellness that stifled Drew's very existence.

Above the mantle, a portrait of his father and mother stared down at him with loving eyes that he had almost forgotten. The similarity was so great Drew could feel his eyes misting up as long stored away emotions began to rise within him once more.

"Mom…. Dad……….." He choked for a split second but quickly regained his bearings. He'd promise himself he was done crying.

Instead, he forced himself to return his muddled thoughts to examining his surroundings. Sitting up on the uncomfortable armchair, Drew noticed an end table right to his side. A small lamp and journal rested on its woodentop.

The lamp's glow was soft like candlelight, quite unlike what one might expect from an electrical appliance but Drew barely paid it any mind. Drew was more intrigued with the leather-bound journal. If he wasn't mistaken, he'd made a similar thing last year, but he hadn't done much more than write on it for a few days. Boredom over the daily task had made him stop, and the journal had been long forgotten. It had been more fun to put the thing together than use it.

He picked it up, running his fingers down the spin finding the initials he himself had stamped on it. A.T.S.

Andrew Timothy Silver, his full name.

It was his journal that he could not deny, but what was it doing in this unknown room, in fact, why was there such a lifelike painting of his parents?

The silt and floating mud in the pool of water representing his mind was quickly clearing as his outlook started to change.

Despite the fatigue, Drew moved to stand using the end table for stability.

The end result was him falling back down. He simply did not have enough energy to keep himself upright.

"Damn." He huffed.

"Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong!" Startling Drew, a grandfather clock he hadn't even noticed rang loudly. The old machine dusty with age but still impressive in its size. Easily standing at 8 feet, the clock had been slightly to Drews's left behind his chair. He'd been too focused and tired to move and look backward, but he could at least move his head enough to catch a glimpse now.

"11?" He wondered whether it was pm or am, but without windows, he had no way of being sure. In fact, looking around Drew could not find the door at all, even though he forced himself to look thoroughly behind the armchair he sat on.

'So this is when I'm allowed to panic?' He couldn't help but chuckle sardonically.

Then he remembered what had happened before he had gotten here.

"The Pale Men got me." Sighing in defeat, Drew somewhat understood his current position. For some reason, he couldn't recall what happened after preparing himself, but that didn't really matter at the moment. He already knew what they did to people afterward.

Psyche Transplant.

Mentalists came in many forms, but one of the rarer classifications was a Psyche Splicer. Unlike everyday mind control, Psyche Splicers could remove the conscious and subconscious parts of an individual and shove them into an object or even another person. They were rarely strong, but they were terrifying nonetheless, and The Pale Men seemed to always do their best to find the rare mentalist and take them under their wing. Allowing their particular type of 'art' to reach its peak.

Drew could remember reading somewhere that they tended to implant the Psyche into a coin, with bronze for the least important up to gold for the exceptional targets.

Even if the body was left alive if the coin was not retrieved, it would be little more than a doll of flesh. It was a good thing that while it was possible to remove the Psyche of a Meta they couldn't put the mind of someone else in the empty shell left behind, as to why it was anyone's guess.

Apathy was creeping its ugly head, Drew could tell. He would have to wait till someone rescued him. He wasn't afraid of never getting out of here. Not when he knew what his great uncle was capable of, but he was worried about how Lia would react to this. She might portray herself as a noble lady, but Drew knew just how bloodthirsty the girl could be when angry.

There was also the entire thing about whether or not he wanted to return to a ruined body. He doubted the Pale Men went easy with him, so he'd be shocked if he wasn't bedridden for the rest of his sad life, even with a powerful healer patching him up.

"Well, guess it's the waiting game…" He worded to no one.

Without anything else to do, Drew decided he'd look through this replica of his journal, maybe laugh at his past self or something.

The hand-pressed paper he had made crackled lightly as he pulled the covers apart to open it.

Blank whiteness looked up at Drew, yet within that emptiness, quiet bellows of rage reached him.

He instantly shut the book shut. His breathing had risen rapidly, a cold sweat rising from his back.

Will has increased by 1! Due to your The Unyielding Title, you gain an additional Will stat point!

"The hell? Is that an RPG prompt?"

The screen that had taken up his view was scarlet. Not quite crimson but softer.

"Menu?" He whispered, his mind starting to wander towards the impossible.

A new prompt popped up and gave him the answer he had long dreamed for.

Menu

Status

Inventory

Skills

Codex

Score

Score Store

Trials

If Drew could have, he would have jumped up into the air and screamed, but instead, he settled for a pathetic fist pump,

He didn't know how or why, but somehow he had manifested despite his lack of the gene.

A corner of his mind tried to pour some cold water over his joy by whispering that this might be some cruel joke by the Pale Men and it was just a fabricated lie, but he quickly squashed the voice. He wanted to believe even at the cost of potential despondency down the line.

Still, the best part about all this was just how on tune it was with Drews's hobby. At home, he played RPGs while at the arcade, he was more of a shooter kind of guy. He'd never heard of anyone getting a power like this, so he wasn't entirely sure how to classify it.

If it truly worked like an RPG, he might be dipping his toes in multiple Classifications or Classes for short. For example, a Bruiser was the combination classification for anyone with both The minimum Base classification of Brawn F- Tier and Tank F- Tier. A tier above the E, which is what most people manifest into, little better than an average person.

More often than not, though, some classifications didn't have a combination and were singular, but powerful Metas could have more than one.

Looking down the screen once more, the Score and Score Store options tickled his impatient mind so much that he moved to tap them.

Further interaction with the System requires the user to be in the physical world. Please wait till respawn in 41m and 17s to access.

"Respawn?" Feeling like nothing but questions were leaving his mouth these last 30ish minutes Drew attempted to access the other options but got the same message again.

"Hmmm, maybe I manifested after my Psyche got removed? Triggered something in my DNA that they couldn't find? Or maybe it's all just some mystical crap that those worshipers of Tiamat always go on about." Talking to himself to push away the boredom, Drew started making plans.

If this respawn really pulled him out of the coin he was trapped in then most of his problems would likely be solved.

Of course, there was still the whole part about getting even. While he was unable to unravel an organization as large as the Pale Men, he was sure with his uncle's help, he'd be able to at least kick their teeth in.

Fantasies of revenge kept him busy until eventually, the clock hit the fog of darkness returned and took him away.

Dusk City 5:40 The Revit District. Wild Boys Territory.

The stench of trash and rot filled Drews's nostrils even worse than what he was used to in the Kinel District.

Pushing away trash bags with rancid liquids dripping out, he surveyed his surroundings, finding the typical back alley drug deals and less than humane events might take place in. It was nothing new to him, but the smell was definitely more pronounced.

'Empty, thankfully.'

Looking down at himself, despite knowing how respawns work in games, he was surprised to find that not a single injury could be found on his body. In fact, some of the smaller scars on his hands had also wholly been removed.

Moving to stretch, he found his body much more responsive and limber than he was used to.

"Menu."

Menu

Status

Inventory

Skills

Codex

Score

Score Store

Trials

The menu appeared just like before. For now, he should check his status as that was probably the most important thing at the moment.

Status

Name- Andrew T. Silver.

Permanent Title - The Unyielding.

Currently Equipped Title- None

Life Points- 30/30

Stamina Points- 35/35

Energy Points- 40/40

Available Extra Lives 0

Stats

Brawn- 23(F-)

Brain- 30(F-)

Tank- 11(F-)

Speed- 26(F-)

Will- 101(E-)/(???(SSS+)Locked)

Regen- 5(F-)

Fortune- 79(F+)

Currently Applied Debuffs-

Genetic Anomaly- Lifespan significantly reduced. Activated Regen abilities are half as effective as it states. This is also true for healing that comes from another source. Reach Regen (B-) to remove this debuff.

Drew felt the chilly winter air shock him, forcing his eyes to leave the window. He had been near a steam exhaust, which kept the small area at a manageable temperature but now that he had gained an awareness of his sickly self, he couldn't help but shiver. Looking around, he found some scraps of fabrics that reeked of musk and wrapped them around himself.

It was disgusting, but it was better than nothing. Returning to the exhaust pipe to prevent the chill from taking hold, Drew returned to his examination.

Split Psyche. Your Psyche has been cut in half. Mental defenses are halved, as well as Energy Regeneration. 97 days until Psyche Collapse.

"That can't be good…." Still, Drew had more to go through, so he put it to the back of his mind.

Instead, he was just grateful that he could finally do something about his body's expiration date. For as long as he could remember his mortality loomed over him but at last thanks to manifesting he could do something about it.

Seeing that there was nothing else under status, Drew reviewed the contents.

'Hmm, these stats are named similarly to the base Classifications. Well besides Will, that one's new.' All his stats showed that he was still little more than an average human with a lot of issues concerning his health, as shown by his abysmally low Regen and Tank ratings.

The Life Points' LP' for short was obvious enough as well Stamina' SP.' The Energy points' EP', on the other hand, was a curveball to him. Was it like mana? He will have to return to it after looking at the other options on the menu.

Initializing Score Tracking. Back Alley Kerfuffle begins.

Main Goal: Defeat all of the Wild Boy's goons.

Bonus Goal-Achieve a 5 hit combo.

Bonus Goal- Lose less than 5 (LP)

"Come on! Now?!." Was all Drew managed to say as three colored bars of Red, Green, and Blue popped up to his side. Looking up, he could see the faint image of the word Score next to a bunch of zeros.

"Oi, kid the fuck are you doing looking like that in our territory." In his early thirties with a large forehead, a gruff-looking man showed up with a crew of 5 similarly-looking men. They looked more like hobos than gang members, but Drew had heard about how certain districts' slum-like conditions made this the only feasible way to dress up to save money.

"Tarzan roleplay?" Drew said, his mind spitting out whatever came first despite the insanity of it.

"Oh, we got ourselves a joker, don't we. Fine, boys, grab him. He'll sell for a good amount even if he's as thin as a twig." The leader who Drew would now designate as Forehead One due to his shiny dome.

"Oh, human trafficking. Well, at least I won't feel as bad about what I'm about to do." Just as the men began to close in on his position, Drew picked up one particularly leaky trash bag and purposely allowed its contents to explode outwards, covering the three nearest goons in filth.

(+25 Score)

Drew ignored the small crimson pop-up, keeping his focus on the now.

"Ah, you fucking rat." Anger radiated off those covered in the trash, but while they had been hiding their eyes to avoid getting anything in them Drew had already moved in.

Going for one of the shorter men, Drew kicked at the man's calf before grabbing the man's face and dropping an elbow on his nose, causing blood to explode outwards.

(+40 Points)

The other goons were already on the move, so moving to finish the goon off, Drew grabbed the man's head and, using the falling momentum changed the angle towards the knee of a charging goon. With another satisfying crunch, Drew was sure the first goon was down for the moment, allowing him to let go and capitalize on the goon who was now in the middle of tripping.

(3x combo 80 points. Takedown 150 points)

Unfortunately, before he could move in, he had to dodge two goons. Dropping down into a roll he felt the trash bags' softness protect his back from the concrete.

The sound of a metal pipe strike concrete reminded him that this wasn't some schoolyard rumble.

Catching the two in the backlines who had avoided his initial attack by surprise Drew went in for the cheap shot to the balls, hitting one and barely missing the other.

(+40 points. Nutcracker Title Acquired)

Rolling behind the hunched-over victim of his successful egg cracking, he used the man as a shield as the two garbage-ridden men came at him.

Thankfully the one with the pipe was stupid and didn't stop to think about his companion, who Drew fully used to block a full swing. The strike made direct contact with the man's temple, entirely knocking him out and forcing Drew to push him forward so as not to be dragged down by the goons' weight.

(+150 points Takedown)

"Idiots, what the hell are you doing! It's just a fucking kid!" Forehead One screamed as he watched on, barely visible to Drew, who was currently hyper-focused. He'd never fought this many individuals at once before, but he'd been taught how to best make use of unorganized attackers.

With two down and the initial rush having ended, Drew was in a more dangerous situation, his breathing was ragged, and while he wasn't near an asthma attack yet the longer this dragged on, the more likely it was to happen. To knock them off their balance, Drew rose his foot and brought it down hard on the goon at his feet, creating a cracking noise that could only be the goon's ribs.

The remaining three men recoiled in horror.

"Just kill the kid!" Forehead One yelled from behind but didn't make a move to join in the fight.

Still, Drew had gotten the opportunity he needed as he lowered his body, lunging forward towards the most dangerous goon. Hitting the man in the chest with his shoulder and forcing the man's lungs to expunge the air within them, Drew ripped the pipe from his hand and turned around just in time to hit his companion's arm, who was ready to swing down on Drew.

(+100 points. Successful Disarm Bonus 40 points)

"Ahh." He screamed in pain as the sickening crunch that came from his arm forced him to drop down. His tolerance for pain unable to keep his consciousness around.

(+150 Takedown)

Two left.

Tossing the pipe into the air the still uninjured goons' eyes went wide, unable to comprehend what Drews's plan was. Which ironically was just that, a distraction.

Using the palm of his hand, Drew struck upwards the sensation of teeth breaking felt through flesh. Continuing forth, Drew whipped around and roundhouse kicked the man in the temple while at the same time barely catching the pipe he had tossed high in the air. Knowing what he needed to do immediately, he turned and hurled the metal at the remaining goon with all his strength, and catching a satisfying "dong!" as it struck him right in the face.

(x5 Combo! +400 points! Sub-Goal reached! Bonus 200 points. Double takedown +400 points!)

Breathing now truly harsh, Drew began moving towards the remaining Wild Boy.

"Stay away! My brother's close with Wild Boy himself! If you do anything to me, you'll regret it!" Shivering like a child about to be punished, Forehead One had his back to the wall, a switchblade knife in hand he waved it maniacally in front of him as though it would be enough to deter Drew.

"Huff, nothing personal but your nothing but points for me at the moment, and I'm sure I'm gonna need a whole lot of them.

With one final burst of speed, Drew rushed Forehead One, effortlessly slapping aside the knife and slamming his head into the brick wall behind.

Forehead Ones whites became visible as he immediately lost consciousness.

(+150 Takedown)

Drew soon followed suit dropping to a sitting position as the steam coming from his body showed just how strenuous the fight had been for him.

"Holy hell, that was so fun!" Despite everything, Drew couldn't help but feel his blood boil in excitement. The fight had been fantastic. Just the smallest mistake, and he would have been entirely overwhelmed, but he had pulled through and somehow won. Sure he was lucky that Forehead One was a coward, as well as none of the goons being Metas, but it didn't take away from the pure adrenaline he had felt.

Back Alley Kerfuffle successful. Bonus Goal Lose less than 5 LP successful +500 points. Perfect! You've achieved all the goals placed before you. Bonus 500 Points. Total Score 2,925.

"I just hope that's a decent amount," Drew muttered.

Looking down at the unconscious figure of Forehead One, Drew noticed something.

"Oh, you're my size?"