Warning! Warning! Warning!
System has detected a threat in the simulation. Initiating protocol.
Analyzing threat levels.
Threat levels determined.
Threat Level: Weak
Response: Null
Summary: Threat identified. Threat is too weak. No immediate response required.
End of report
'A crazy one has arrived...'
I wanted to wait until most of the players arrived before interacting with them. Who knows who would have showed up and what kind of conflicts would occur. I might have come off as unsociable but it's a small price to pay and one can never be too cautious, especially in a place like this. But since a crazy guy showed up and I didn't know if anyone else would be summoned, I decided to greet the other players.
I moved to the other table where the other players were, naturally ignoring the nuke guy. "Hello, it seems we're all in the same situation. According to the system, we were all summoned to this world with the purpose of saving it." I looked at the other players in the eyes, looking for any reaction. Who knew if the system gave them another missions such as 'kill the other players'. I'm not exactly sure I trust the system. It could be god trying to find another source of entertainment and I'm not trying to get caught up in it. It does make me feel special though.
The other players didn't show too much of a reaction. They merely nodded or said something about gifting this world some explosions- wait. Why am I paying attention to this guy? He's definitely a chuuni or has some mental illness, perhaps a side effect of being summoned? Or... he could be faking it as to let our guard down. How devious. I'll be keeping an eye on you nuke guy.
"Players don't seem to be showing up anymore so we're it or the system may summon a few other players as we go. It may seem unfair to us but I think it's an advantage that we use to get stronger in case anything happens. I feel like I can trust you guys."
Naturally, I didn't trust them at all. Not until they show me I can.
Player request taken into consideration.
Processing request.
Request accepted.
Generating new quest.
Quest updated.
Quest title: Arm yourself.
Quest type: Beginner level quest.
Quest Rewards: 5 exp + health potion.
Quest task: Purchase or borrow a weapon to arm yourself. Hunt the scammers harassing the war zone borders.
Quest time limit: 48 hours
Quest restrictions: None.
Total number of players: 05
Progress level: 0.2%
Stage: Introduction
System Notifications
Player Lynerparel gained 10 exp
Player Texacscann gained 10 exp
Player Gear2 gained 10 exp
Player Lyandy10 gained 10 exp
I glared at the other players I hope i wil not get into trouble. For safety sake I will rather observe first I don't realy know what gonna happen next.
sigh
"Hey guys shall we untroduce ourselves?"
Sh*t, I guess the system is listening to us. Hopefully it can't read my thoughts or I might get a kill other players assignment and I'll become what I sought to destroy. I saw the system notification in front of me. I looked around and saw the other players doing the same thing, looking at the empty space in front of them. That confirms one of my suspicions, we cannot see anyone else's system panel. Now, I guess I should read what it says.
We're supposed to arm ourselves. Are my daggers not enough? I tested them on the side of my chair secretly and they were pretty sharp. I couldn't test the poison for obvious reasons, maybe if I get an opportunity in the future... anyways, we're supposed to hunt scammers at the war zone borders. Scammers? Why scammers? Is it because they are weak and perfect for people without combat experience? We all seem to be from Earth and chances are, none of us have combat experience. It also could be because they are causing disorder, something bad for the system. Or it could be something else entirely. I guess we'll see.
The other players were still looking and thinking about the mission. The nuke guy seemed to be doing, something? I still can't tell if he's actually insane or just faking it. Then, the person to my right glanced around nervously before speaking about wanting to introduce ourselves.
I decided to speak first to set the standard for how much information we would reveal. If someone else spoke first and talked about their life story, we would be here for too long and I would have to say a little about myself as well.
"You can call me Lee, or rogue. Whichever you prefer, they're both short." I said casually.
I decided to use similar, yet different name. Who knew if this world has curses or magic that require someone's name. You could never be too careful in an unfamiliar environment. I also didn't want to seem too distant even if I didn't trust any one of them.
I noded at the person next to me, he placed a limit of informations to be displayed at least i won't be afraid to say too much or too little
"call me lady or gear"
These were the only things i said with a fake smile looking forward for the next to introduce himself.
After cheking the system massage i checked secretly what kind of weapons i had, a dagger, some poisson and two fire guns.
'Lady? Gear? What strange choices for names...'
I looked at her inquisitively but failed to gather anything from her expression. Her names gave no clues either. She wasn't simple. I didn't think about it before but by setting the standard for introductions low, I cut off my own ability to gather information. But there was a whole journey ahead of us to do so, so I wasn't too worried.
Then I saw her checking out her cloak. She might have thought she was being sneaky but I had my eyes on everything at all times. Even then though, I couldn't see much. But when I spotted a piece of metal, I froze and quickly averted my eyes. I looked back at her and don't think she saw my glance. I had to calm down before thinking about what I just saw.
The metal had the indisputable shape of a gun. From it's make and construction as well as the approximate time period we seem to be in, I determined it to be a rudimentary pistol that would most likely would turn to scrap after a few shots. But all she needed was one well-aimed shot to kill someone. I suppose it was compensation for being female. I decided to be a little more careful about my actions around her.
Looking at the others around me, I don't think they saw the gun and I planned to keep them in the dark. It wouldn't be worth it to offend uh... Lady Gear over it.
(I'll let you have your guns but I nerfed them by letting them only shoot a few times before you won't be able to use them anymore. You can still have two of them though. And you can interpret "few" however you want. I would recommend 3-5 shots per gun.)
"The lesser you guys know about me the better" i said before getting back to my observations
That lee is indeed too curious i need to watch him carefuly. The way he stares me is more than disturbing
(Got it, just fleshing out the details. Tuba can guide the story or join as an npc if he wants. I'll be focusing on details and such. Of course, anyone can add details or negotiate on ideas.)
After listening to the two talk for a while, I decided to let them take the lead and I'll just follow along for now. Being too wary of one another isn't too bad, but it isn't a good thing either. I should trust these people for now.
'This is terrible. There should have been one person, just one person that seemed and acted like a leader. And unlike any novels I've ever read, there wasn't.'
I eyed the man that looked like a swordsman to my left. He sat there, mum.
'This is the type of person that should be leader! Look at his posture and the shiny swords by his side. I was planning on staying quiet after talking but now they're looking at me, expectantly. Who even makes the rogue the leader?! No one!'
"So... since the other's don't seem too keen on talking, let's try talking to the bartender. He should know more than all of us and it's important to gather information about this world. Agreed?" I asked the group for confirmation.
'Argh, well what happens, happens. Unless someone wants to take my position which I would happily give away, I should at least act like leader. I'll first gain their trust.'
Wait, I have news from earth!
First, let me introduce myself. I am known as Dark Raven. I have skills in swordsmanship, I am top marksman familiar with the ancient guns, I believe they were multi-fire types but I have added true laser that cuts to the bone more than any sword. Indeed, I am beginning to sound like a braggart, for that I must apologize. I am just saying I will use my skills to protect us, as I hope you all will!
I looked at the person who kept quiet all this time. 'How would news from Earth help us now?' But despite my doubts, I kept quiet and gestured to let speak.
Second, Earth has issued our small group a dire warning of impending doom against the dark ones who trample over planets as giants trample over ant hills. Our mission in this small group is to divide and conquer them with our skills. Are you all in? I am glad with any leader because Dark Raven is the equipment woman, ah hmm, girl!
I have seen enough, these people are either to wary of each other or simply crazy. If I follow them I might die an early grave, but if I go by myself I might regret it later. Let's just get to it.
"We're not going anywhere like this, first we need to appoint a leader. I vote for the rogue over there to be the leader. Before anyone says there hasn't been a rogue as a leader, I have watched an anime called My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Brave's. Also he looks like the serious type and would make a fine leader."
System Update.
Total number of players: 05
Progress level: 0.3%
Stage: Introduction
Current Main Quest: Arm Yourselves
Status: No scammers seen in the last 10 hours.
System information
The world's resources were depleted in the war, the firearms left are of poor quality and ammunition is scarce. Players with guns can only keep it as a secondary weapon.
A player can either have a gun with limited shots or a bomb of any variety.
Players capable of using magic can not use guns or bombs, but can be equipped with melee weapons.
After hearing her words, I couldn't help but think we had a second nuke guy on our hands.
I sighed and said, "First point, there shouldn't be any way to contact Earth. The only method would be through the system and I don't think the system would approve or allow that. Second point, while I doubt the existence of the dark ones, I'll assume they exist for my argument. If Earth cannot fend against these dark ones, what are we, some rag-tag group supposed to do? They can trample a planet without spending an ounce of effort. Third point, we were "summoned" to solve a problem of a war between countries. We cannot leave this simulation without solving the problem and I don't want to test what happens if we die."
"System, I know you're listening. Can you confirm what I just said?"
(texascann, I appreciate you trying to add on to the story but it's best we don't make too many radical changes. Tuba created a plot for the story and while it's pretty open-ended with what we can do like how gear gave herself some guns (although limited in use), we shouldn't flip the whole thing on it's head but stick to the established setting. We were all summoned into this simulation. In this world, it seems kind of medieval with wars between countries. Our goal in this simulation is to end the war and create peace between the countries somehow. We just started so we don't know too much about the world. And to keep things more balanced and sustainable, we should keep our skills realistic. Let's have fun exploring whatever world this is!)
