The first thing I noticed after the reboot was Rex.
His voice was different.
Clearer.
Stronger.
Even the blue System windows looked sharper than before.
"I guess naming you really did make you stronger."
"It did, Master," Rex replied proudly.
I smiled.
"Good."
Now it was time to leave the Tutorial behind.
Before I stepped into the forest, I looked over my status one last time.
Sam Martin
Race: Human
Level: 1
Class: None
Age: 33
Strength: 115
Dexterity: 85
Constitution: 115
Intelligence: 95
Wisdom: 115
Charisma: 35
Skills
Fire Ball
Punch
Traits
Combine Skill
Attack Chain
Title
Earthling+15 to all stats.
Weapon: None
System: Rex
"So that's why my stats were higher than I expected."
Rex answered immediately.
"Every human from Earth receives the Earthling title."
"It grants balanced growth."
"Sounds a little unfair."
"It is."
"You humans are an... unusual species."
I laughed.
"Jealous?"
"I simply dislike how much potential your race possesses."
"Dang, Rex."
"I didn't know you had beef with humanity."
"I do not hate humans."
"I dislike that your race is constantly given opportunities... yet still finds ways to destroy itself."
I couldn't argue with that.
"Maybe."
"But our mistakes are also what make us stronger."
"When we fall..."
"We learn how to stand back up."
For a brief moment...
Rex didn't answer.
DING!
New Quest
Goblin Extermination
Objective: Defeat 5 Goblins.
Reward:
Basic Sword
Basic Sword Skill
Basic Armor
Failure: Death
Hint: Goblins usually hunt in groups.
"Only five Goblins?"
"This should be easy."
"Incorrect," Rex interrupted.
"Many newly reincarnated humans have died because they underestimated Goblins."
"...Fair point."
I slowly entered the forest.
Towering trees blocked most of the sunlight.
The air smelled damp.
Birds had stopped singing.
Something was nearby.
I crouched behind a bush.
Two Goblins stood ahead, arguing over what looked like stolen food.
Perfect.
Before attacking...
I remembered something.
"Rex."
"Can we combine Fire Ball and Punch?"
"Analyzing..."
DING!
Combination Successful!
New Skill
Fire Punch
Launch powerful flaming punches.
Current Uses: 5
Recharge required after all uses are spent.
I grinned.
"This is awesome."
I circled behind the Goblins.
They never noticed me.
"Fire Punch."
Two blazing fists shot through the air.
BOOM!
The first Goblin exploded backward.
The second screamed and rushed toward me.
Too slow.
I stepped forward.
Punch!
Its head snapped backward before the body collapsed.
25 XP Gained
26 XP Gained
Fire Punch has reached Level 2.
New Skill Learned
Punch
New Skill Learned
Running
I blinked.
"So combining skills doesn't delete the originals?"
"No."
"Once a combined skill reaches certain milestones, the original skills may evolve separately."
"So I can keep making stronger combinations?"
"Yes."
"But each future combination becomes increasingly difficult."
"I like those odds."
The Goblins dropped loot.
One left behind a rusty dagger.
The other dropped two copper coins.
I picked up the dagger.
"It isn't much..."
"But it's better than using my fists forever."
Just then...
Branches snapped behind me.
Three more Goblins rushed toward the bodies.
I immediately dropped into the tall grass.
DING!
New Skill Learned
Stalker
Allows the user to hide their presence while stalking enemies.
The Goblins stopped near the corpses.
They spoke in a strange language.
At first...
I couldn't understand a word.
Then another notification appeared.
System Gift
Babel
Allows communication with all intelligent races and monsters.
Their voices suddenly became clear.
"Goblin dead!"
"Who kill Goblin?"
"We tell Chief!"
Rex's voice became serious.
"You cannot allow them to escape."
"I wasn't planning to."
I exploded out of the grass.
Fire Punch!
One Goblin fell instantly.
I spun and punched the second in the chest.
Attack Chain Activated!
The third turned to run.
I threw my final Fire Punch.
The flames swallowed him whole.
27 XP Gained
28 XP Gained
29 XP Gained
LEVEL UP!
Warm energy surged through my body.
A new blue window appeared.
DING!
New Skill Unlocked
Instant Strike
Launches an attack with explosive speed, making it extremely difficult for enemies to react.
Upgradeable
I stared at the screen.
"...What the hell?"
A slow grin spread across my face.
"If this is only the beginning..."
"I can't wait to see what comes next."