「Punisher」Checking In

"Shit, I hope I'm going the right way... Ronan just said to head east and keep checking in, but he's not answering the fucking radio!"

I checked the radio again to see if Ronan was there, but I got nothing. I really wanted to find him because of that server announcement. I want to know how he knows so much about these games and how he killed the boss monster already. I also want to know how he knew so much about what kind of skills I would get.

"Status window."

It was still weird to get used to, but I was glad that the whole system thing that Ronan explained to me navigated like a game UI.

Joseph Young

Race: Human

Class: None

Level: 2 [8/120]

Stats

Strength: 80 (High-Tier)

Agility: 66 (Mid-Tier)

Vitality: 17 (Low-Tier)

Mind: 42 (Mid-Tier)

Spirit: 25 (Low-Tier)

Distributable Stat Points: 0

Skills & Abilities:

Legendary Marksman [Legendary] 

Gun-Fu [Rare] 

Intermediate Firearms Energy [Rare]

Equipment:

M1911A1 Handgun [Uncommon]

I was happy with the way my stats had turned out so far. I didn't even have time to read Ronan's note when I ended up appearing here, but fortunately I got lucky and did exactly what he said without even knowing. A fucking oversized rat covered in moss charged at me before I had the chance to read the system notifications, and my reflexes kicked in.

The next thing I knew, I had killed the little shit and earned a bunch of achievements all at once. First Blood, Headshot, Double Tap, and several other achievements all added huge boosts to my stats. Once I find Ronan, I'm gonna figure out everything that's going on here and how he knew so much about the Verdant Abyss.

"Shit, I hope I distributed my stats right. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing."

I navigated to my skills and selected them one at a time as I walked. I wanted to understand them better so Ronan wouldn't give me any shit when I found him.

Active Ability: Legendary Marksman

[Casting Time: Instant] [Cooldown: 1 Hour]

You're an expert marksman, capable of landing shots any novice could only dream of. For one minute, your aim becomes more accurate, and all damage dealt with firearms increases by one tier.

Passive Ability: Gun-Fu

Your close combat damage is relative to your firearm damage while fighting in close combat with a firearm. You can utilize firearms energy to enhance your close combat damage while holding a firearm.

Passive Ability: Intermediate Firearms Energy

You are capable of infusing energy, also known as aura, into your attacks using firearms. You no longer require ammunition for your firearms, as your weapons now expend aura when fired. The damage and shape of the aura are determined by the user's understanding and experience. Intermediate Firearms Energy consumes anywhere from a small amount of energy to a medium amount of energy. 

View Intermediate Firearms Energy Skills? [Yes/No]

I selected no to view the firearms skills, as I already have a general understanding of how they work. One skill allowed me to fire a spray of bullets, almost like a shotgun. Another skill had a charge and release ability, which made it possible to deal a high amount of damage with a single shot if I built up energy for five seconds or a critical amount of damage with a single shot if I built up energy for half a minute.

The skills were good, and they all allowed me to kill dozens of monsters as I traveled east. I had a close call with a pack of Direfang Wolves, but I killed all of them easily once I activated my Legendary Marksman skill.

"What the fuck is that?"

I pointed my gun at what looked to be a beetle the size of a dog. It was covered in a thick layer of slime and was skittering towards me at an alarming speed.

"Holy shit, it's a fucking goo roach."

I pulled the trigger on my handgun and fired a single shot at the beetle. It exploded into paste after the energy cut through the beetle's outer shell. A soft ping drew my attention to a notification screen that showed me what the creature was called.

Notification

You have slain a Sludge Beetle, Level 1!

Experience +1

"Well, there's a first for everything. Looks like this is Sludge Beetle territory? I'm going to want to get around this; I don't want this goo on my…"

I stopped talking and dove behind a tree. In the distance, there was a monster that kind of resembled a bear, but it was slightly larger and was covered in branches that appeared to be a part of its body.

I whispered to myself, "Shit, what I would give for a Pokedex right about now…"

I jumped as I heard the sound of an explosion of energy and watched as the large creature toppled to the ground. A bald man, probably in his late 40s, floated down from the canopy above. He was wearing dress pants and a fitted black dress shirt.

He landed on the ground and said, "Status window."

He paused for a moment to check his stats, and I watched in silence, hoping that he didn't notice me. I figured that I had nothing to worry about because this man was a human, but there was something off about him. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew deep down that this guy was bad news.

"It looks like I only need a few more, and I'll be at level six," he said. "This place is exactly as they said, one of the best places to farm experience and points."

He frowned and shook his head, looking distressed by something he saw while navigating around the system. "That's a fucking idiot. Ronan Wilde, huh?"

He extended his hand and said, "Summon contract, spirit of wrath."

A transparent ghost of a man appeared before him, kneeling on the ground. "Notify the heads; we'll be killing this Ronan Wilde before his points are collected by the Veldans or Alorae."

The ghost nodded and sank into the ground.