A / N : *Cough*... It's been 2 months, for that I do so apologise BUT, and this is a capita I'm talking here. I had no pc, now sorry, though I wanted to write I shan't disgrace myself by typing a whole story on a phone. I simply cannot bring forth the effort ! Now I did order multiple parts for my PC and started building it (Around a week ish ago), unfortunately my CPU was seated incorrectly yadayada returned it, bought a new one, built the pc, got my monitor setup only to see a dead pixel. Fucking fuming, returned that and am mid getting one so I whipped out an old screen and got on ! I'm back baby. (Maybe~ Honestly I think it's hard to stick to a specific world for a long period of time so I'm most likely going to add a few time skips or just go off on my own and maybe add some other elements into the stories.)

Chapter 5 : The Show of Power

After everyone had calmed down from the adrenaline pumping event that had just occurred, I 'Re-Saved' my progress, after all I'd rather just skip the whole pointless dick measuring contest with a woman.

As I watched the discussing, and introductions being made I decided to test something. The likelihood of it working was near 100%, but I had an inkling of fear that it wouldn't. The inkling of fear I had instantly dissipated due to [Gamer's Mind], such a broken skill it is. If what I wanted to do didn't work… Well then fuck, but if it did work, yay ? I mean it's most likely going to work, I am the MC of course !

*Bang*

Andrea fell to the floor, a hole in her head, blood pooling out onto the floor. The group flinched at the noise, and instantly snapped their attention to me. Gun in hand, smoke produced from the barrel indicated that it was indeed me that killed her. A weird smile was etched on my face, nothing psychopath-like I assure you.

The group looked on in horror, each cone going for weapons of their own.

Before they could even form a sentence I had sighed in a sort of satisfaction.

[Load Save #2]

I called out mentally.. I watched as the world paused, and seemed to rewind itself in a matter of nanoseconds. Andrea was once more normal, no bullet hole in her head, no blood seeping from her skull.

Everyone was talking, the same talk they'd just had, and all were none the wiser that I had just killed Andrea, before essentially resurrecting her. I say that, I simply reloaded a moment in time in which I had marked as important.

I was tempted to do the same thing again, I mean it's fun right ? Ever played those VR games where you just kill the guide over and over, watching as it respawns over, and over, and over… No? I'm not some kind of crazy person I swear !

Anyways, this was just like that. I could do whatever I want. It's like those new games that were being released in my time, there were multiple choice options, multiple 'paths' I could take. I could become evil, making the worst choices possible and just forcefully push my way through this plane, and that wouldn't be a bad idea.

I could become good, doing everything for others. Or I could do both, which is my preference. I'll act accordingly.

The matter of fact is, If I wanted to I could just save numerous paths ahead. For instance I could spend a year doing whatever I want, save my start there and reload an older save and do something different for that year. I'm unaware if my skills or LVL would also come with me, highly unlikely, but that could be fun.

However, If I want to kill someone, I will. If I want to save someone, I will, I shall tread on a balanced path, a path of both good and evil. I will walk the thin line and become something great.

A ding resounded signifying a quest being issued. As I was about to look it over I recalled the rewards from the previous quest [The Group] still unclaimed. It had only been completed after the whole debacle with Andrea. Still…

+ 1 D Ranked Gacha Token

Skill Gained

[Disguise Self] (Active)

A master of disguise, using the environment as their playground. Blending into the shadows they are what are feared.

I looked over the rewards, the token was solely based on LCK. which was kind of good, but it also had the chance of increasing LCK. For instance if you got an item that you wanted, know what to do with or wouldn't mind having then it'd help your LCK stat due to that item helping you out.

The [Disguise Self] skill was the cherry on top. I recalled something about rubbing walkers' guts on you to mask your own scent, and with this I'll be a natural at disguising myself. I could even create an alternate persona of sorts to do the things that I'd rather not have linked to me. It was confusing that it had no LVL, but then It's not hard to differentiate between terrible and amazing disguises.

With those rewards out of the way I looked at the other Quest that was issued just now.

Quest Added

Greatness

Objective: Ensure you become known throughout your journey, whatever the costs.

Rewards: 1st Verse [The Saviour] Title. 2 + A Ranked Gacha Tokens. 2nd Verse [?]. 3rd Verse [?]

I re-read it before confirming what it was indeed saying. It's asking me to get recognition or at least become world known throughout my journeys. With each one complete a new reward will be unlocked… It's interesting. I looked through my past Quests. [The Traveler] gave a bloodline if I were to save the world, whilst it would only give the Title if I reached the LVL 100 Cap. If I managed to complete both however, I get both the Title, Bloodline and a bonus of 5 S Ranked Gacha Tokens.

I have yet to confirm what a Title does, but judging from the fact that I've (so far) only seen them through challenging quests like these then they give some heavy benefits. I could already presume that the [Multiverser] title allows me to travel freely between my destinations which is pretty grand in itself. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

I glanced back over the Tokens. Now that's something that looks weird to me. If I become known throughout the world in which I'm in I gain 2 A Ranked Tokens, though the very first quest issued would give me 5 S Ranked. It's clear that whatever the Game is doing with it's quests means the future me will run into more difficult things. It's funny, because surely after meeting those things, I could just reload a save point and go through it again.

I internally laugh at that thought, It reminds me of a scene in Doctor Strange, 'Dormammu I've come to bargain' I could essentially do that but instead of them being in the loop it'd just be myself with them being none the wiser.

I looked up from my musing now back in the real world and saw a glen gesture for me to come over. I obliged.

Walking over I leaned on the table, both arms out.

"Ok guys, every geek for miles around heard those shots earlier so we gotta bounce, like now !" Glen states as if it weren't already obvious.

We hear groans and look towards the front of the store seeing the zombies attempting to break in.

"What the hell were you even doing out there anyways !" Andrea bit out.

"Hey, hey, I was just trying to flag the Helicopter," Rick states in self defense.

"Helicopter? Man, that's crap. Ain't no damn helicopter" T-Dog replies.

"Must've been hallucinating it, hoping for one maybe?" Jacqui tries to cut in.

"I saw it." Rick states firmly. The uneasy eyes of everyone makes it clear they don't believe him.

I cut in, "Actually, he ain't wrong, I saw it flying back south when I was driving on the highway"

"Bullshit" Andrea replies.

I glance over her once before resuming my level stare with the rest of the group. "It's not, actually whilst passing by an Army camp I happened upon a map with numerous areas circled, perhaps some kind of safehouses or areas to resupply. That's probably where the helicopter was heading." I explain.

The others look somewhat hopeful at that before it's gone in an instant. It makes sense, not much hope in a world like this. Rick at least looks somewhat relieved that his story is now believed. He looks over and sends a grateful nod in my direction.

Morales looks over to T-Dog, "Hey, try that CB. Can you contact the others?"

The mention of more survivors instantly alerts Rick. "Others? The refugee centre?"

"Yeah, the refugee centre. They got all sorts of goodies for us" Jacqui sarcastically replies.

I sigh, one last time then. [Save #2]

My guns out and I shoot instantly killing Jacqui. Before the others can react I had already called out [Load Save #2]. Instantly it was back, as If I didn't just kill her. Due to [Auto-Loot] I did actually get some money from her after essentially ending her life, but now that I loaded the previous save it was gone, as expected.

As T-Dog fiddles with the device to contact the others a gunshot rings out the area.

Dread instantly fills the group, bar Rick who has no idea what's going on, but he's once more vigilant.

"Come on, let's go!" Glen says before instantly running towards the stairs. I follow suit having no difficulty with his pace. As we were running I picked up Morales muttering about Dixon being a maniac.

Reaching the top of the never ending staircase, Glen charges the door and with little strength bursts it open creating a bang. He instantly runs to the only other person on the roof, the one I identify as Merle.

Another sniper round goes off attracting even more walkers towards the building. Glen finally makes his way over and immediately starts to wrestle the gun out of Dixon's grasp.

"The fuck do you think your doing you lunatic!" Glen hisses out.

Merle, still fighting over his gun buttstrokes glen. The stock instantly smashed into his nose.

Glen lets go crying out as he falls to the ground, instantly grasping his nose.

"What's it look like you stupid Asia-" Merle goes to say before a fast clocks his jaw knocking him to the ground.

I check his stats and note that I'm stronger in every stat, but whilst stats are important a wider skill array could determine the outcome between foes with similar power.

I'm momentarily distracted by the blue screen notifying me of a new skill -

Skill Gained

[CQC] (Passive) - LVL 1/100 [25%]

Allows the user to fight on par with legends within a certain proximity.

2% Increase in STR

2% Increase in END

2% Increase in DEX

As I'm reading over the description, I know stupid during a scuffle, I feel a familiar tingle. [Danger Sense] I twist my body to the left watching as Merle attempts to thrust the rifle into my stomach.

Ding*

[Danger Sense] is now LVL 2

Ding*

[Danger Sense] is now LVL 3

[Danger Sense] (Passive) - LVL 3/100 [13%]

A survivor's instinct. Allows the user to sense when bad things may occur.

3% Increase in WIS

3% Increase in INT

He clicks his tongue in frustration before standing up and swinging the rifle towards my head. I duck under, bringing a knife out from under my sleeve and hold it towards his neck. That happened in moments, I stared into his eyes, and he stared into mine. I directed some of my [MP] into my eyes and watched as my eyes gleamed in his reflection.

Merle, bent knees looked at me with pure anger, the sweat dripping down his forehead confirmed his fears though.

Within that time the rest of the group had already arrived at the top and were watching the scene in front of them. I felt a hand on my shoulder and glanced back noticing Rick standing there, hand-cuffs in hand.

I nodded to his unanswered question and let Merle go, knife retracting back into my sleeve. I watched as he got back up and swung, not towards me, but to Rick thinking that he'd be an easier target. He couldn't have been more wrong.

Though Rick was still slightly injured he had a power, a power over most powers in the world. The power of a Protagonist. He quickly countered blocking the fist with his forearm before grabbing the extended arm and twisting it behind Merle's back, foot stuck out and pushing him over. I watched as Merle fell to the ground whilst grinding his teeth in pain.

Rick on his back already bringing both hands behind to cuff him. All in all, It was amusing to watch.

The mobs in the back were shouting at Merle, whilst Merle was shouting at Rick. All was silent as he responded with a resounding "Enough". I could feel a weird presence wash over me, and only then did I realise that this was his skill in use. It was faint, and it brushed off me, but it clearly took effect on the others. I couldn't see his skills, I was unsure why I couldn't, but it's obvious to guess.

In this world people were normal, obviously, as normal as an apocalyptic, zombie walking world could be anyways, but there was nothing magical, still though obviously people still had skills. Those skills could be related to combat in all forms, useless things like how much you can handle hot foods, cooking, but there are skills for leadership and Rick has possession of one of those for sure. That's most likely the reason people follow him. His LCK is high which is good for a desolated world like this, but his CHA coupled with a skill he has it's obvious why he's a leader.

I could see it in everyone's eyes at that time. Each of their bodies basically screams that they'll listen. Even Merle quieted down and paid attention but the little wiggling still continued as he tried to get out of his confines.. Still they were all suddenly calm, Glen, hand still on nose, looked up, ignoring whatever pain he had previously, the others behind had stopped shouting at Merle and had instead given Rick their full attention. Rick hadn't even noticed what he did, why would he ? They had no way to feel the power of external forces on them.

Notifications rang out confirming my thoughts with a stat increase in both INT and WIS

What I didn't expect was that Rick looked towards me, as if waiting for something. It was then it clocked. He realises that I'm most likely the strongest here, the most versatile, the smartest and he knows that I'm the only one that can get them out of this predicament. Whilst that's not all true what with him having near impenetrable armour, he doesn't know that, thus he looks to me.

Ding*

Due to the protagonist of the story looking to you for guidance and help + 3 CHA + 1 LCK Trait [Untrustworthy] Removed.

I stare at the benefits and gain a glint in my eye. This' been very beneficial. Extra CHA is obvious, the trait removed is beyond amazing. Because the main character of the story trusts me to make some vital choices, how could I be Untrustworthy ? Haha, it's poetic really.

It's clear that things aren't going to go like canon. Just me being here changes a lot, whether that's people's emotions that influence their decisions or me taking something that belongs somewhere else it won't go as the story, but I'm fine with that. With me now being here, I'll simply start a story of my own in this apocalyptic world. I nod back at Rick with a smile, a smirk if you would. This is the first world I'm in, this will be my test, my playground for my powers and I couldn't have requested an easier story.

Name - Altor

Level - 2

Class - Arcane Trickster - LVL 2/100 [78%]

Race - Human

Rank - Mortal

Alignment - True Neutral

HP - 122.4 [24.48 per minute]

MP - 247.2 [35.02 per 30 seconds]

STR - 11 (2% 11.22)

END - 12 (2% 12.24)

DEX - 18 (16% 19.28)

INT - 24 (3% 24.72)

WIS - 17 (3% 17.51)

CHA - 14

LCK - 24

SP - 5

Money - £257.33

MP Regen = WIS X 2

MP = INT X 10

Health = END X 10

Health Regen = END X 2