A Quest

The evening has fallen on Twilight City. Just like the previous night, the full moon lit up the clear sky along with the stars.

Rama was at the city library, reading thick books with titles he thought related to his newfound power. But Rama's brain, which he had not used to think hard for a long time, suddenly became overheated. The boy's eyes also couldn't focus on the writing on the sheets for too long.

He had just read the first book but Rama was already feeling very tired. He looked up at some of the books still piled up in front of him and took a deep breath.

'I don't think I can take it anymore.'

There are many things he still doesn't understand about the new power he got. Or rather, he didn't know anything about that power. All Rama knows is the fact that he can use the Supernatural ability he killed and that using that ability drains his Mana.

Rama once heard that magic is a power that cannot be trained, it can only awakened based on talent or heredity and no one has ever awakened a magical talent if he has never had that in his blood.

But Rama's magic awakened last night. Along with the power to use any Supernatural abilities he kills.

What was even stranger about that power was, that he got a blue transparent text in sight when something happened. Rama never imagined that he would see something like that. The text looked similar to the writing on his cell phone when a message came in.

The mystery of that power made him uneasy. How should he use that power? What cost will he have to pay and most importantly, does that power threaten his life or not?

Usually, that kind of power would require a great cost.

Rama let out a growl, showing how helpless he was right now. Unfortunately, Rama is also impossible to ask for help because he has no friends. Or even acquaintances who can help him.

"Hehehe..."

Rama turned his head with an irritated face when he heard the sound of someone chuckling next to him. The last time he remembered that the library was a quiet place but it seemed this person didn't know about those rules.

Driven by an already bad mood, Rama walked over to the bespectacled boy. But, he came to a halt when he was behind him.

The boy was busy playing a game on his laptop. Rama had never had time to play such a game before so he didn't understand what was on the screen.

'Wait... that...' Rama frowned looking at the laptop screen. What was on the screen was almost the same as the text he saw in his vision. Rama saw things like XP, Levels, HP, and so on.

He who originally wanted to scold the boy became interested in asking. Rama came closer and tapped the boy's shoulder lightly.

The boy turned his head. "What?"

"What's that?" asked Rama, pointing to the laptop screen.

"This? This is a game that just came out. Hunter X. You didn't know?"

Rama shook his head.

"Huh? That's weird. Do you live under a rock?" said the man.

"Can I ask you a favor?" asked Rama.

"What?"

"Can you explain about this game to me?"

The bespectacled boy smiled. Then, he happily explained the game to him. The boy seems to have a great interest in the game so when Rama asked, he willingly and enthusiastically taught him like a master who suddenly had a new student.

'So that's how it works. I don't know how there could be technology like that in the cave where I almost died but it doesn't matter.'

Rama smiled realizing the huge profit he had earned. Now he finally knew what the floating text he saw meant.

"Thank you," said Rama.

"You want to play this game with me? I promise to take you to level up together," the man asked with a smile. Rama doesn't even know his name but he seems to already consider him a friend.

"Next time. My name is Rama."

"Anthony."

They exchanged names that night. After that, Rama immediately returned the book and said goodbye to the boy. There was one place he had to go now so Rama went straight to the bus stop.

'What was that again? Stats window?'

Suddenly, while Rama was thinking about that, he saw the same blue text appear in his view.

[ Stats Window ]

Name: Rama Szylomon.

Level: 1

XP: 20/200

HP: 20/20

MP: 10/10

Attribute:

- Strength: 3

- Vitality: 2

- Agility: 3

- Intelligence: 1

- Stamina: 4

Attribute Points: 0

Ability:

1. Soul Fusion Level 1 (20/100)

Grants the ability to absorb the soul, and replicate the abilities of the Supernatural that was successfully killed. (-2 Mana per second)

2. Supernatural Perception Level 1(20/150)

Provides the host with information on weaknesses, HP, and Supernatural names. (-2 Mana per second)

Special Ability:

- Hunter's Mark: Each successfully killed Supernatural is Marked, allowing the host to track their movements.

Skills: (Host will gain Skills when doing certain tasks.)

Equipment:

Inventory:

Quest:

Rama's eyes widened. "Wow..."

He gulped. What Rama saw at this time was really similar to what he saw in the game that Anton was playing earlier.

Rama already understands all that. So he already knows how to increase his level, strength, and skills. Some of the descriptions in the Stats Window are also very helpful.

It so happened that Rama was heading to that place.

But there was one thing that confused him. Why does he have the surname of Szylomon? Even though his name is actually Brann?

'Ah, whatever. That can wait later.' Too excited, Rama decided to put off thinking about that for later.

Bus comes, and Rama goes inside. When he just sat down in one of the chairs that was behind another text appeared.

[ Quest! ]

< Main Quest: Acquire one skill and achieve proficiency of Beginner Level 5 >

< Reward: 180 XP >

Rama smiled. This quest appeared at the right time.

A few minutes later Rama had arrived in front of a large building with a hexagonal shape when viewed from above. Above the entrance was a sign that read: HUNTER TRAINING CENTER.

Rama walked inside. He had practiced at this place many times before but his skills had not improved. Some of the instructors even told him to stop being a Hunter because he couldn't do anything more so he stopped coming.

But from this time everything will be different.

Rama went inside with long strides because he couldn't wait to train himself.

Every Hunter who enters here is free of charge as long as they show their Hunter ID. After passing through the reception desk Rama went straight to the training room.

There, he saw that many Hunters were fighting each other with both real and fake weapons. Rama is often envious of their abilities.

He picked up a short sword that looked the easiest to use. Then Rama walked towards a humanoid-shaped training dummy.

'Do I just have to use this sword casually to get skills? Or should I be trained by someone?'

When he looked around, Rama saw some people whispering while looking at him and laughing. He was sure that there were quite a few of them who had hunted him before and knew how weak he was.

Rama could only sigh now. There's no point in dealing with them.

Rama gets annoyed again. So he swung the sword in his hand with all his might. Each swing shakes the dummy's body. After ten swings without stopping Rama finally saw another text appear.

< New skills acquired! >

< Sword mastery, Beginner Level 1 (1/100) >

Rama smiled wider seeing the text. He was even more enthusiastic about swinging the sword.

Rama did not know how this power worked. Does when his his sword proficiency level goes up his skills will also become better even though he doesn't learn a particular technique? If it's true, it's like he got a cheat.

'Whatever!'

Rama decided not to care about that. So what if he had some cheat tricks if that way he could get out of this tangle of suffering and poverty.

The longer he swung the sword, Rama felt his swing getting lighter. He had always fought with his dagger before because swords were too expensive for him to buy so this was his first time wielding a sword.

At first, Rama found it difficult but now he feels that he is getting used to it quickly.

< Swordsmastery, Beginner Level 1 (40/100) >

After swinging the sword in the same motion for about forty minutes, Rama saw that his skill proficiency in the text had reached 40. Rama was even more excited to swing the sword. This time even he tried a rotating motion. And he could do it effortlessly as if he had been wielding the sword longer than he actually had.

After more than two hours of doing that, another text appeared.

< Swordsmastery, Beginner Level 2 (23/100) >

Rama already found it easier to use a sword.

'I can get stronger by just beating this dummy!'

Rama wanted to use the sword longer but unfortunately, his stamina was not enough so he was out of breath.

'Fortunately, this facility is open 24 hours.'

Rama sat leaning against the wall to recover his stamina. After thirty minutes of rest, he returned to beating the dummy until his stamina ran out again.

< Swordsmastery, Beginner Level 3 (15/100) >

Rama kept doing that for a long time. He didn't even realize how much time had passed when his Skill finally reached Level 4.

Rama returned to his side of the wall and leaned back. Now his stamina is really exhausted. He had already seen a lot of looks from people who saw him train like a madman but Rama didn't care about that.

He got up again and swung the sword. Each swing felt lighter and easier as if the sword had become part of his body.

< Sword mastery, Beginner Level 5 (10/100) >

< Quest Completed! >

< 180 XP earned! >

< You have leveled up! >

Rama fell on the floor as soon as he got the notification. His body limp helplessly but there is a smile full of satisfaction on his face.

~~~