14 The Starting Line!

Kai pointed to the top of the ability tree for Zero's new system - it said '2 Skill Points Available!'

"Whenever you win a system by beating a player, you get the system at the same level that they last had it. So if it's a Level 5 system, it comes with 5 available skill points to use immediately. In this case you have 2 since it's a Level 2 system."

"Interesting." Zero said looking at the list of unlocked abilities. "How do you know all this anyways? You haven't been here much longer than me."

Kai had a confident air to him as he replied, "Easy - I spent the entire first week exploring and learning from the citizens of this world. They can be surprisingly helpful."

"Wait, there're people who LIVE here?" Zero asked shocked. He was sure this was some random empty world that they decided to have this death tournament at.

"Yep. You'll meet some when we get to Capital City. How else do you think people trade goods and such? Not all of us have a cooking system."

"I guess that makes sense." Zero turned his attention back to the skill tree for his new Darkness Manipulation System. Just like his Culinary System, this one had two separate paths: Stealth and Master of the Dark. After skimming a few abilities Zero saw that the Stealth side was more focused on concealment while Master of the Dark increased what he could do to others. The latter having more abilities on the tree than the former.

"Now, before you choose think about what you're already capable of and what abilities can compliment that. Don't just choose randomly." Kai stated.

"I wasn't going to." Zero curtly responded. "I do know a few things about games y'know." He appreciated Kai's help, but he didn't need to be overbearing. Even before now, he knew how to figure things out for himself.

"Oh." Kai said, almost taken back. "Apologies, was just trying to help."

Zero chose the first ability on the Stealth tree to start out with:

[Ability: Shadow Cloak

Allows player to shroud themselves within a dark area and remain unseen. Ability will end if player is attacked, activates another ability, or if the darkness goes away. ]

"My current skill set requires me to be a bit crafty - so having the element of surprise is definitely helpful." Zero explained. 

Kai nodded. "I agree."

Zero decided to use his second skill point on the first ability under the Master of Shadows tree:

[Ability: Alone in the Dark

Inflicts Darkness on an enemy through physical touch. Effect lasts 30-45 seconds. Requires invocation.]

This was the skill that Wylder had used on Zero during that fight - he already knew that this was a very effective option for someone lacking offensive firepower.

Kai rubbed his chin. "Darkness is definitely a nasty effect. But...nevermind, this will work for now."

Zero gave Kai a quick side eye. I didn't recall asking for your permission, he thought. But...he is being helpful I suppose. He then flipped back to his Culinary System to spend his new skill point. Kai looked over his shoulder at the available options and raised an eyebrow when he saw fine text near the top.

"Bonus recipes?..." He mumbled. "You have three bonus recipes it looks like. So that's how you were able to make that chicken soup."

"Yeah. Speaking of which, why don't I get a bonus with my other system?"

"Well, that's actually something I don't know. I know that some systems give out bonuses to certain users but I've no clue as to why. My system gave me a bonus to the amount of energy I can generate at one time."

"Wow, something you don't even know?" Zero let slip when he meant to only think that.

Kai didn't seem bothered. "There's a lot to this world that I'm not sure of."

Zero looked away and picked one of two abilities branching from the first one he chose(Stunning Meal) on the Debuff tree:

[Ability: Starvation

Adds the following effect to a prepared food - increases hunger/thirst by 50%. Adds 'Drained' debuff that will remain until that person consumes a different food item.]

"This will come in handy I'm sure." Zero said. He looked to Kai, but he had already walked away. He stood over by the other floating red sphere where Jacob's body once was.

Kai stuck his hand through the sphere and the holo-screen appeared. However, within seconds Kai had already pressed an option and the orb broke apart.

+150exp

Zero walked over to Kai. "So was it just that hammer system or whatever that he had?"

"Who knows. I just declined it." Kai responded flatly.

Zero raised an eyebrow. "Huh? But you only have one system right?" He couldn't understand why Kai wouldn't want more options. After all he had just helped him set up his new system.

"Yeah and I plan on keeping it that way for awhile. Plus I just got enough experience by declining it to level up my current system." Kai waved his hand to bring up his HUD. "Think I'll go with...this one."

[Passive Ability: Crescent Strike Plus

Adds 30% damage to Crescent Strike.]

Zero was still confused however. "Why not choose a brand new system though?"

"I'll explain another time. Just know more systems aren't always the answer." Kai said as he brushed off Zero's question. "We need to get going before more players show up."

He didn't like Kai withholding information from him, but he nodded his head in agreement. Zero already felt like he had more knowledge swimming in his head than he wanted for one day.

They left behind their first battlefield as a team and headed further down the North trail toward Capital City - the first city that many new players visit to get their footing in this new world. It would be here that Zero would truly learn how unmerciful this world truly could be.

Zero has officially passed the starting line into the deadly game of Final System!