The Game Begins

Holding the cup of lemon elderberry tea I sit idly on the chair outside my mother's shop. Taking a drink from the small cup I watch the sun slowly set over the horizon. No matter what life I find myself in, the setting sun still evokes a feeling of wonder within me.

But tonight is special. I'm nearly fifteen since my rebirth in this world and the timer has almost reached zero. The muddled memories of my past life spinning and turning, unclear in their form but giving me just enough to not enjoy my childhood.

[00:00:00:26:47]

I've asked myself thousands of times what it could be. What it could mean. But I've grown bored in my waiting. Five years was enough time to stop focusing on the ever present timer, but as it ticks down with only minutes remaining I can't help but wonder about it.

Instead I'd turned my attention to the blatantly supernatural element of this world I'd arrived in.

Magical Girls, not a foreign concept to me but certainly not something I'd expected to come across in this new reality.

It was odd seeing them act as such public figures while fighting for the fate of the world. Perhaps in due time a villain would uncover their secret identity and-

"Aki, are you brooding again?" I was until my sole companion interrupted me. Ramping up the edginess was a fun pastime while I'd waited for this damn bar to finish its goddamn loading.

"Maybe." This brings us to the short girl next to me. One Hiragi Utena, a huge magical girl nerd, and my only friend.

Truth be told I'd intended to have no friends, the feeling of being reborn pushing me away from all the annoying kids around me. Even if the memories were muddled the inherent displeasure of being among them still present.

Though after I protected her from some bullies she kind of just followed me around. The task was easy as I'd been respectful to my teachers and they trusted me. As someone who'd been to school for so long I knew how hard teachers had it. So when I told them a little girl was being bullied they handled it quite quickly. I'd tried to disappear like a ghost but the girl had spotted what I'd done and wouldn't leave me alone after that.

She gave me huge fail girl vibes and I couldn't bring myself to tell her that she was kind of annoying. Now that she was in middle school however she'd have to face any school related problems on her own. After all, my mother had sent me to a different middle school than the small girl.

If I originally thought the school change would be the end of it, I'd be dead wrong. She'd always show up at the tea shop after school, and made sure to tell me the latest magical girl news.

She grew on me like a mold I couldn't get rid of, and her dumb rambling about magical girls became good background noise for my internal chunni habits. Despite my teasing I cared for her. I'd help her with her studying, and go to the store with her whenever she needed help carrying things.

"-so then Magia Magenta said-"

Nodding along I sipped some more of my tea. Her words blowing over me like the night breeze.

"Akihiko-kun, Utena-chan it's getting late. Walk your friend home and be back by sundown." My mother's voice comes from inside the store and I fall softly from my chair and onto my feet.

She hopped off her chair and started moving after me, her ramblings not letting up one bit as we moved.

"Aki, will you finally tell me which member of Tres Magia is your favorite?" There's that fateful question. Something she asks me every day, and something I've been putting off as the truth is I wasn't a big fan of any of them. Pure and prim girls aren't really my speed. Instead I'd been corrupted by the dark truth that bad girls are the best! Booping her belly button with a finger she lets out an eep.

"You will always be my favorite magical girl Utena-Chan." She blushes and shakes her head.

"I-I wish! Aki, you always dodge the question. Can't you give me a proper answer!"

"That would take the mystery away, I'd have to unveil my dark past and I don't know if you can handle such a thing." She lets out a sigh as I smile. Being chunni is the best defense when you have no answer! A little while later we made it to her residence and I turned to her in order to give my thanks.

"Utena-chan. Thank you for today." Her smile is proud, and it deserves to be. After all, she made this important day go by quite quickly for me. My eyes flick back to the loading bar with a hint of annoyance.

[00:00:00:12:22]

Not quick enough it would seem.

"Anything to teach you the wonders of Magical Girls!" I give the girl a pat on the head as I turn back down the street, choosing to ignore her blush at my action. Middle school girl crushes can wait. I have a timer to brood over.

Sitting on the local park bench I eye the timer once again.

Letting out a sigh I start to jog around the park, past the flowers and on the old paths. My mom already knows about my strange training habits, so she'll expect me in about thirty minutes. The saitama training regime stopped being enough and didn't give me superpowers in exchange for my hair. So I'd had to continue forward in my training without letting up.

[00:00:00:1:03] Can't this damn thing finish up? The sun is already over the horizon and I need to get home soon. Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to wait a while longer. I thought I'd be able to resist the temptation of waiting but when its so close to finishing I can't help but fret over the bar.

I wonder what it will be? Could it be something overpowered? Could it be something useless? Then I hear it.

[Welcome to the Game]

[Please select your class from the suitable options]

[Fighter]

[Rogue]

[Ranger]

[Wizard]

Seriously? The magic option is greyed out? Why can't I pick a wizard? Magic is cool as hell!

[Class Options: Having affinity for a class is vital in its performance. Magic class options may only be chosen if you possess Magic.]

So if I'd been born a girl and become a magical girl somehow then 'd be able to pick [Mage]? That's dumb. This thing is dumb. Budget gamer system- whatever. I've already started being a chunni. I might as well commit. I pick [Rogue].

[Class selected. Initialization complete. Good luck.]

[Status]

Name: Akihiko Inoue

Class: Rogue 1

STR: 14

DEX: 18

CON: 14

INT: 14

WIS: 10

CHR: 12

Skills:

• Stealth I

• Sneak Attack I

That's it . . . it? No Gamer's Body and Mind? My stats are mid as hell and I've got two skills to start? Yaaaay.

[If you wish to get stronger you must complete quests or dungeons, the Game does not give handouts beyond the tools to succeed.]

Well fuck you to I guess. I'm going home and I'm sleeping on this. Then as I round the corner a pale green light presses against me. A portal appearing in the middle of the park, nearly inviting me in.

I'm not going into the mysterious portal at 8 in the evening, that's a recipe for disaster. I stare at the green thing spiraling softly and let out a small sigh. I'm totally going in that direction, aren't I? I can't resist the allure of a magic portal no matter what I say.

[Park of the Dead]

[Many, many years ago a battle was fought here that resulted in a massacre on both sides. Help the dead obtain peace by destroying the Hatred that binds them here.]

[Stage One Unlocked]

[Zombies]

Multi-stage dungeon then. Zombies tend to have bad senses so here's hoping Stealth puts in the work as advertised. I mentally select [Zombies] and enter the portal. The air suddenly becomes heavy and countless dead bodies suddenly fill the park.

What the fuck?

[Clear Zombie 0/100]

[Clear the Zombie Soldier 0/1]

[Secret:???]

ONE HUNDRED ZOMBIES? Are you kidding me? This is- insane. The mounds fester for a moment, and luckily the dead do not rise in the hundreds. Instead only a few zombies rise from each pile. Nonetheless I'm surrounded, and fear turns in my gut. Maybe I should have just gone home. I just need to get out of here.

[Once a Stage has begun it can not be exited until one or more objectives are complete. Partial Completion will result in Partial Reward.]

Calm down Aki. You have to focus. For now let's hide. I feel Stealth activate as shadows coalesce around my being, a small drain on my stamina slowly building. The zombies meander around the area mindlessly as I get a proper look at my surroundings.

There are no flowers; the paths appear fresher in the area. However the fresh paths are stained in blood from the piles. Assorted weapons fill the area, spears, knives, axes, and other forms of blade stab into loose bodies and many lay broken on the ground.

I don't know how to use spears, or swords. Knives are way too close range for me and I don't trust myself throwing one without cutting myself. So I grab a hatchet and lug the thing over my shoulder. Can't believe I'm using an axe as a rogue. This feels wrong. I retract stealth, but prepare to reactivate it at a moment's notice.

To my surprise the zombie's don't suddenly turn to me ready to slaughter. Instead many of them seem to be going down the street somewhere else. My gamer instinct tells me to follow the hoard but my desire to live makes me decide that's a bad idea.

Instead I activate Stealth and walk up to a zombie. I don't recognize the person, but they're quite old. Or were quite old, being a zombie now. The pale skin and pupiless eyes are not reminiscent of standard plague zombies, but instead ones more magical in nature. The disgusting sight makes me nearly recoil back, but I steady myself and crush its head with the hatchet. Darkness clings to the edge and slams out with explosive force at the impact.

A wet crunch echoes out and the body falls, my shadowy Stealth retracting at the attack. Many zombies suddenly turn to me and a thought occurs.

Why didn't I get any EXP?

The shambling masses make their slow approach, so I reactivate Stealth and start picking them off.

Maybe rogue wasn't that bad of an idea . . .

[Warning: Zombies have entered Frenzy. Secret objective failed.]

My eyes widen as the zombies veins bulge outwards with thick black blood surging through them. Horrid screaming echoes out throughout the park as I clench the weapon in my hand.

The creature lunges and I dodge out of the way as my heart slams in my chest. Many more of the fuckers practically dive onto their ally and crush its body underneath their feet as they clamor towards me.

I slam one in the head and get it to back away from me but the thing doesn't go down without Sneak Attack aiding my strike. I activate Stealth as I prepare to retreat, but the burden of activation is much heavier when my opponent is staring me down.

Sprinting down the path the small army keeps chasing me, but I'd run right into a trap.

A horde. A gigantic horde that I'd completely forgotten about. Did I really think that those fuckers wouldn't come back after walking away? This- this isn't good. My eyes split between the pincer attacks coming from the monsters. The buildings!

The drain from Stealth becomes far too much to bear under the current circumstance, and I'm forced to release it in order to regenerate whatever's draining. Would it kill this damn game to give me a Heads Up Display? At least I've figured out how Stealth works. It mutes my presence heavily, but requires more energy based on the less stealthy I'm being.

Searching the buildings I spot a department store, its many glass panes instead of a wall allowing light to creep through. The glass automatic door practically calling my name. I pivot, then I dash as fast as I can.

Barreling into the department store I'm forced to crash through the glass as the automatic doors don't open when I charge at them. The feeling of breaking glass gives me pause and the pain surges along my cut flesh. The movies made this look so easy! At least the supernatural stamina gained from the Game and my constant running while growing up causes me to not bleed out or pass out from the pain.

Hiding behind the large amount of shelves I try to slow my breathing and focus on my current situation. My arms sting from countless tiny cuts, and I'm starting to run out of energy. I don't know if I can count on the Frenzy running out any time soon, so I've got to think of a plan.

First, I need to get my arms patched up. Tearing off my shirt I press it against the blood dripping from my arms. The blood flow slows as my heart slams in my chest. This will do for now, I can't waste precious energy searching for medical supplies in this giant place with zombies on the prowl.

I decided to pull up my objectives again. How many zombies do I need to kill again?

[Clear Zombie 17/100]

[Clear the Zombie Soldier 0/1]

I've only taken down seventeen. My blood goes cold at the realization but a faint hope blooms beside it. I only need to clear one objective to get out of here right? Then if I can take down whoever this soldier is the I can fuck off and go home!

Activating Stealth I cover myself in a blanket of darkness as I creep around. The lights of the store are off, but the moonlight reflecting through the front of the store gives more enough visibility.

Damn it. Where is this soldier? A crash echoes out a bit behind me as a large group of zombies start trashing the store. I flinch at the destruction, and a thought bounces in my head. Maybe all those zombies went to the soldier earlier?

. . . Even if that's not the case it still gets me out of this store with the army of zombies. Plans that succeed even when they fail are the best! Going through some of the broken glass I step outside.

Different zombies are digging through the deceased bodies of their former comrades. I cling to the shadows to avoid the fuckers. I can't believe Stealth is this good, I can only imagine how strong magic would have been.

As I made my way in the direction the zombies had left too earlier. I don't even bother to kill any zombies on my way past them. Experience seeming to just not be a thing with this shitty game. No farming trash mobs to become god I guess.

Whatever, I'll kill that soldier and get home. I need a shower after this mess. Spotting my form reflected across a piece of broken glass I finally get a good look at my current state when I peel Stealth away for just a moment. I'm shirtless and covered in blood, the piece of cloth wrapped around my left arm. My arms tremble as I hold the short axe in my hand. My dark pants sliced up, but luckily my shoes are relatively unharmed.

As I stare at my mirrored form I pause, then I start to continue making my way in the direction I'd hoped the soldier had been. Then my heart practically stops as an arrow whizzes by my head and nearly clips my ear off my body.

STEALTH! I practically scream internally as I throw myself to the side. That has to be the soldier. But where could the fucker even be? Another arrow flies towards me but goes wide, Stealth seeming to inhibit the sniper's accuracy.

There! The figure is a zombie in beaten armor, a massive bow held in its hand as it scans the area with crimson eyes. A blade at its waist untouched. It nocks an arrow from its position in the middle of the street, then it releases. The arrow flies towards my head and I duck out of the way. I can feel my reserves on Stealth rapidly draining, then I feel an idea form in the back of my mind.

I deactivate Stealth and its eyes narrow before nocking an arrow and firing straight at me. I weave out of the way with relative ease and an expression of rage starts to grow on the things face. At this distance no matter how it fires, it's dodgeable as long as I know it's coming. So I slow my approach, dodging the arrows in a rhythm before I end up finding myself a mere 30 meters away from the soldier. Then the soldier smiles, a cruel expression its face as the sound of moving bodies echoes out behind me.

For a moment I peek over my shoulder and see a zombie with an arrow embedded in its head. The thing is crushed but the rest of the horde notices it, then it notices me in the middle of the road with Stealth off.

FUCK. I weave out the way of another arrow by the skin of my teeth and turn back to the soldier. The soldier who is pulling out its blade and putting its bow over its back.

This soldier isn't like the other zombies. It has hints of intelligence, of personality. If I try and run again it most likely won't let the horde move alone this time. I need to take it out right now. Before I get too exhausted. Before I lose this chance. Before I lose my life.

As I dash towards the monster it seems to laugh and it raises its blade high. I clench the shirt wrapped around my arm wound, then throw it as hard as I can. The shirt is stained with blood due to being full of liquid. The soldier's blade is caught on the cloth for a fraction of a second. But a fraction a second is all you need when it comes to a distraction. I activate Stealth in the momentary window, the burden still immense by the darkness warps around me and the soldier loses track of me. I weave behind it as it swings its sword in a circular motion. The slash nearly catches me off guard but an axe to the knee brings the soldier to the ground. Sneak Attack allows me to tear the leg off and completely shatter its knee.

A foot slams into its hand and the sword goes loose. My foot pins his hand to the ground as we both let out inhuman roars. It spins its body and brings me down with it. Our weapons spiral out of our grasp as we fall to the ground.

I can hear the army getting closer, the black tide moving towards us in a frenzy. I punch the fucker in the head, and its teeth rip into my hand. The thought of infection doesn't even cross my mind. I slam my arm deeper into its head and rotate my body.

I just need to grab that axe! But the damn thing is way too far out of reach. The sword too is impossible for me to grab. I search desperately for a weapon and then I get an idea. I reach into the quiver of the soldier and pull out an arrow. Its eyes widen but I hold its jaw tightly with my wounded hand, refusing to allow it to escape.

"Don't bite on something you'll want to spit out." I can't activate Stealth, not like this. The black tide is collapsing on the two of now. About seven seconds until I get crushed alongside this fucker. So I decided to risk it all on a last gambit.

Who said Sneak Attack needed to be from Stealth?

The soldier tries to pull away from me and I oblige it. I push its head downwards and its head slams into the ground beneath us. The stun is momentary, its crimson eyes losing some color from both of our body weights slamming its skull into the ground.

As it recoils in confusion I attempt to channell Sneak Attack, no Stealth involved. To my great relief it works and the arrow barrels through its eye. The combined damage of our brawl, the head slam, and arrow through its now soft skull finally taking the fucker out.

[Clear the Zombie Soldier 1/1. Primary Objective Succeeded. You may Exit at your Leisure.]

The tide collapses upon me, and I look at the bastards in their damnable pale eyes as they crash into the space I once was. My form vanishing, and returning to the park.

The first thing I do is throw up onto the ground. Bile in the back of my throat bursting forth onto the ground from the awful experience. Ragged breaths leave my body as I lay on all fours. My hands tighten against the grass and my bloodshot eyes bulge in my own head.

I almost died. I almost died multiple times.

That was miserable . . . but at the same time exhilarating. I'd been bored in this life of mine. One friend to speak of and no hobbies. Just waiting. So when I'd finally gotten what I'd waited for, the chance to be strong. The chance to feel a rush I never could before . . . How could I not return to it? Turning back to the portal I pulled up my system, what did I even gain from this anyways?

[Status]

Name: Akihiko Inoue

Class: Rogue 1 -> 2

STR: 14

DEX: 18

CON: 14

INT: 14

WIS: 10

CHR: 12

Skills:

• Stealth I

• Sneak Attack I

[For defeating the Zombie Soldier. Gain a compatible Skill. Gain a Skill Point. Gain associated equipment.]

[Performance Reward: None]

[Choose Dash or Dodge]

[Choose to upgrade Stealth or Sneak Attack]

[Choose Hatchet of Pale Blood Soldiers, or Quiver of Red Moon]

I let out an exhausted breath as I looked over what I'd gotten. Firstly I pick to upgrade Stealth. I'd be dead without it and being able to escape tends to be the better option while I think of a plan. Though I am tempted with the other option I choose life over violence this time.

Dash or Dodge? They sound similar, but I can tell the difference. Dash is moving quickly, Dodge is moving with purpose. Dash is definitely important to pick up later, but for now I'd rather take Dodge. Being able to avoid projectiles while lacking a projectile weapon feels like a good plan.

Now for these weapons? Presumably the Hatchet was the thing I'd been lugging around. It was reliable, but I'm more interested in the Quiver. Mostly because it came from the boss, and boss loot tends to be better. Also if I go back into the Zombies dungeon I can probably grab another axe, the Quiver would be way harder to get.

I lock in my choices and feel the changes.

Dodge is a passive ability and I can't pour any 'energy' into it, and Stealth suddenly feels more refined. The conversion of energy being drastically reduced, additionally I can feel my energy grow in size within me. I think I'll start calling it Ki. Lifeforce made manifest. I'd call it mana but I'm not a damn wizard! Yet. Maybe someday I can fulfill my dreams of casting spells.

As for the Quiver I luckily actually get to look at what it does now.

[Quiver of Red Moon]

This Quiver belonged to an unnamed soldier of the Red Moon army. It is enchanted with magic to produce Pale Steel Arrows at the cost of atmospheric mana. The arrows drawn were used by the Red Moon to massacre humans long ago.

Red Moon Set ⅕

One Piece Ownership Benefit: +Damage Against Humans

Well that's not ominous at all. So free arrows, and I'm stronger against people? Running a bloodied hand through my hair I turn down to the bite mark. Considering I'm not a zombie yet I'm gonna presume its necromancy and not a virus then. Also what the hell is the Red Moon army? Did my power make them up or is this some kind of other dimension shit going on?

You know what. I don't care. I'll figure it out some other day, for now I just want to go to sleep. Ah, shit my mom must be worried sick!

Running home I jump over the fence with ease. My new physique doing it with ease. I take a look at my status as I grab the hose. Throwing my clothes off I spray water all over my body and wash the blood out and into the dirt. Mom's garden eating it right up without hesitation. I've never trusted those plants anyways.

During the task I peek at my status again in order to actually analyze my benefits properly.

[Status]

Name: Akihiko Inoue

Class: Rogue 2

STR: 14

DEX: 18

CON: 14

INT: 14

WIS: 10

CHR: 12

Skills:

• Stealth II

• Sneak Attack I

• Dodge I

Equipment:

• Quiver of Red Moon

Claims:

• + Damage against Humans

Does that imply I have an inventory? Picking up the bloody pants from the ground I try to shove them into my equipment area to no avail. Who would have guessed?

With a sigh I trash the damn thing. Can't really hide it anywhere and I don't want mom to think I'm fighting wild animals again. I won't be trying that anytime soon because I've already figured out that experience isn't a thing in my shitty game.

Making my way inside I activate Stealth and as creepy as it is I spy on my mom. She's passed out with a tea recipe book over her face . . . You know what. That actually makes a lot of sense. I hop in the shower and wash the excess dried blood and sweat down the drain. Fuck, I can't believe I have to go to school tomorrow after this.

After drying myself off I wrap my arm in bandage rolls. If anyone asks, it's a fashion statement. I'll worry about the game tomorrow. Those are my thoughts as I roll into bed. As I stare at the ceiling a thought crosses my mind.

Will Magical Girls interact with the Game in any way? Honestly, I hope not. If Utena ever finds out I'll never hear the end of it.

Fuck, I could really go for some tea right now.

AN: Welcome to my newest little story. In this one our chunni protagonist will inevitably become roped into magical girl shenanigans when he just wants to play his own game! Writing what was basically pure combat was quite fun for a chapter, really got my heart pumping.

Thank you for reading and as always please leave comments as they help drive me forward!