"Phew. That really hits the spot. Voice-activated adjustable temperature sure is a feature alright.", I said, coming out of the master bathroom, feeling fully refreshed and recharged.
I still had that one change of clothes on me, so I proceeded to wear it. A high-end brand black polo shirt and jeans.
The hoodie I previously wore when I first met Tony is now on a hanger, neatly stored away in the walk-in closet nearby. That is also where I have my fancy-looking suit jacket and dress pants, which Tony purchased for me. It's being saved for when I head to Stark Industries later.
Since I am relaxing the rest of the day today, and planning to dungeon dive tomorrow, the visit to Stark Industries will likely take place on Friday.
It is March 1st, 2006. A Wednesday. The time is now 1PM.
The sun is already high up in the skies. Unlike LA, there is much less pollution in the air here.
Thinking about it, I never went in-depth of what I presently look like, did I?
I'm Myles Alexander, a time-traveler who not only time travelled back to 2006 and was brought into the MCU via transference, but also regressed my age to that of eighteen years old so I could skip puberty.
I'm well-built with short, brown-hair. To the point where I don't need to style it every day with hair gel. I'm over six foot three, and was lean and muscular. I've hit the gym before, but I'm not a bodybuilder. I don't have that chiseled-face look, but most body fat is gone, thankfully. Completing that look was a pair of hazel-brown eyes.
I do think my appearance has changed for the better, if I do say so myself~
What, were you expecting me to be one of those isekai protagonists who always seem to have white hair and red eyes? Yeah, no. This is real life we're talking about here. I'd stick out way too much if I had a look like that!
I even had a short-trimmed beard in the making. No mustache though.
While checking myself over, I was greeted with an unexpected Gamer Notification.
[Ding! Through a special Action, a new Field Skill has been generated.]
[Ding! You can now use Cleanse (F).]
[Cleanse]
Rank: F
Cleanses your body and appearance of any muck and grime. Can be useful while in an Instance Dungeon.
Neat.
You know how in some stories mages can cast a spell to clean off any surface, including one's body? I'm assuming that is what Cleanse is.
It's not like I won't stop taking showers or baths altogether. They're great for relieving accumulated stress. I just need to get used to time not passing in Instance Dungeons.
From there, Jarvis stayed true to his word.
Greeting the mechanical arm, it dismissed itself. I didn't just request the pancakes and raspberry lemonade, that wasn't sufficient enough for me.
Testing the waters, I asked for a filet mignon steak, and he actually made one for me! Medium-rare, of course. I do enjoy medium-well, but that has more risk of being burnt. Can't really go wrong with medium-rare.
Making myself at home and now in a relaxing mood, I could be seen at the dining table near the kitchen. It was way too big for a single person, but if I ever have guests over, it'll work out. And was I surprised to see Observe trigger here?
[Ding! Observe has leveled up! 2 -> 3.]
[Jarvis's Homemade Steak & Chocolate Pancakes]
A medium-rare filet mignon steak dabbed in an appetizing gravy sauce. Finely-cooked chocolate pancakes, triple-layered, drenched in maple syrup.
Rank: Blue
Special Effect 1: Restores 50% HP & MP.
Special Effect 2: Temporarily increases Stats by 10% for 24 hours.
[Jarvis's Homemade Raspberry Lemonade]
Freshly-squeezed raspberries blended into a lemonade. Topped off with a cut lemon on the side of the glass.
Rank: Green
Special Effect 1: Restores 10% HP & MP.
Did I see that right? Food really can temporarily increase Stats! I see this happen in some stories, and guess that is happening here. I'll gladly accept that.
I didn't hesitate, and dug into my first home-cooked meal since coming into the MCU. This was Jarvis's idea, so I'm just meeting his expectations, alright? I know I want to create a Cooking Skill soon, but I don't have to do it right away.
Savoring each bite, more time began to pass. I didn't let a single bite go to waste. My compliments to the chef! I still find it weird that an AI made me a meal, but hey, it's free, I'm not complaining, haha!
From there, I saw more Gamer Notifications come through, and I felt my stamina restored.
[Ding! You have finished your meal.]
[Ding! Your HP and MP are already full.]
[Ding! Your Stats have temporarily increased by 10%!]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your Points Gain has doubled!]
Of course Points Doubler triggers there too. If I had to guess, eating food works in the same way Equipment does. Both count as temporary increases, and not a change to my Stats.
[Ding! You have gained a small understanding of the Gamer System.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 1.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 2.]
[Ding! Current INT: 32].
[Ding! Through a special Action, a new Field Skill has been generated.]
[Ding! You can now use Consume (F) - Lv1 (0.0)]
My eyes couldn't help but turn serious as I felt stuffed with steak and pancakes. Another unexpected Skill. This...
This isn't the same Skill I'm thinking of, is it?
You know, the one Rimuru in I Reincarnated As a Slime eventually gets that allows him to learn Skills?
I'm pretty sure that one has a different name and isn't called Consume, but it should have a similar implication to that. I immediately went ahead and checked its details. It's Grade F, so I'm not expecting anything amazing to start with.
[Consume]
You may now encounter beneficial, yet random effects while consuming meals.
Rank: F
Type: Field Skill
Level: 1
Proficiency: 0.0%
Special Effect 1: The rarity of the dish will decide the Gain. Influenced by LUK.
Seeing the details, I sucked in a cold breath of air, even though it wasn't cold. I really can gain something by eating meals now.
As if responding to that, I saw more Gamer Notifications come through, which left me pleased.
[Ding! Field Skill Consume (F) - Lv1 (0.0) has been triggered!]
[Ding! Two dishes have been identified.]
[Ding! Your VIT has increased by 3.]
[Ding! Your LUK has increased by 2.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your Points Gain has doubled!]
[Ding! Your VIT: 15]
[Ding! Your LUK: 21]
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of Consume has increased!
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of Consume has doubled!]
[Ding! Consume (F) - Lv1 (50.0%)]
Would you look at that? It's already halfway to the next level. I was looking to increase my VIT as its base Stat was quite low still. I might have just found a solution for that particular Stat, and perhaps even others.
When I Level Up, I'm really considering placing all of those Stat Points I can use freely directly into LUK. My Attack Power is already handled, and now that I can increase my other stats through Consume and Lofty Genius, that just leaves DEX and LUK. Perhaps I'll split it between the two, we'll see.
When I checked the time, it was 1:30 PM now. I finished Lunch, and now the rest of my day was free.
I didn't have any schedule that I had to follow, apart from Tony coming here tomorrow.
Instead, I wandered out onto the open area of the penthouse where the fool blown pool, jacuzzi, and sauna were located. Sure enough, the pool was running, and according to Jarvis, I can control its temperature too, but my gaze landed elsewhere.
I saw a direct pathway to what appeared to be a private beach.
Not a single person wandered into it, and I have a sinking feeling it's all mine. In the far distance, I could see a large sign that read Rainbow Harbor. Beyond there was a flurry of different buildings. Apartments, restaurants, boutiques, supermarkets, offices. Anything that you can think of, you can likely acquire it here. Quite a good place if I do say so myself.
In the mix of everything that I saw, I managed to spot a comic book store. It was too far away to see the name of it, but that was my next destination.
Some time later, I managed to acquire Bleach's first season. I wanted to buy Season 1 and Season 2, but after seeing the price tag on it being $200, I opted not to. Quite expensive, but it is an import straight from Japan, so I understand why it's priced so high. The dub isn't exactly available yet, so I had to settle for an import of Bleach's Season 1 with subtitles. I don't mind subbed anime.
[Ding! Your Wallet: $290 USD.]
My money...
But it was worth it. I have a hundred-inch TV I can blast Bleach on. Not just anyone has the ability to do that~
I spent the rest of the afternoon watching Bleach, and saw Ichigo get his own Zanpakuto. Compared to him, I have two, so suck it, Ichigo!
And I will get an opportunity to test them out in battle tomorrow.
At the end of the day, Jarvis prepared an exquisite Italian meal that I enjoyed to my heart's content. I won't bore you with the details, but Consume triggered, and sure enough, I get to increase my Stats by eating and drinking. How cool is that?
Instead, I just reviewed what I wanted to review. The juicy Stats that rolled in.
[Ding! Field Skill (F) - Lv1 (50.0%) has been triggered.]
[Ding! Your DEX has increased by 3.]
[Ding! Your STR has increased by 4.]
[Ding! Your WIS has increased by 2.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your Points Gain has doubled!]
[Ding! Consume's Skill Proficiency has doubled!]
[Ding! Consume has leveled up!]
[Ding! Consume (F) - Lv2 (0.0%).]
[Ding! Your Status has been updated and is ready to view.]
Music to my ears~
Even Consume leveled up, even though I just acquired it earlier in the day.
I love you, Points Doubler.
You should know what's coming, right?
Enjoying a nice cup of tea seeing the time 8PM now, I opened my Status.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Myles Alexander
Age: 18
Level: 4 (72/80)
Total EXP: 142
Location: Long Beach CA
Time: March 1st, 2006. 12:00 PM
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 60*F
Title: Money Grubber
HP: 990/990 (660/660)
MP: 221/221 (130/130)
STR: 74 (35)
VIT: 26 (15)
DEX: 26 (15)
INT: 61 (32)
WIS: 38 (20)
LUK: 44 (21)
Boost Gain - Equipment
HP: +50% (+10%)
MP: +70% (+10%)
STR: +110% (+10%)
VIT: +70% (+10%)
DEX: +70% (+10%)
INT: +90% (+10%)
WIS: +90% (+10%)
LUK: +110% (+10%)
Attack Damage: STR + Attack Power + Skill Power
Attack Power: Equipment Power
Skill Power: Skill Damage
Total Attack Power: 1874
Resistance: VIT + External Modifiers
Target Resistance: Target VIT + External Modifiers
Target Attack Power: Target STR + External Modifiers
Points: 0
Wallet: $290 USD
Fast Travel: Unlocked
-Azure Point (Long Beach, CA)
Inventory: Unlocked
-Weapon Slot: Zanpakuto - R
-Shield Slot: Zanpakuto - L
-Left Armguard: N/A
-Right Armguard: N/A
-Left Ring: N/A
-Right Ring: Ring of the Wind Spirit
-Left Pauldron: N/A
-Right Pauldron: N/A
-Left Earring: N/A
-Right Earring: Dragon Vein
-Helmet: N/A
Items:
California Driver's License
California Birth Certificate
US Passport
High School GED
Death Blade x1 (Rainbow)
Beginner's Pack (Level 5)
Large Health Potion x1
Large Mana Potion x1
Quest Log: Unlocked
-Create A Skill (1/1)
-Task 1: Generate a Skill (1/1)
-Create Instance Dungeon (1/1)
-Task 1: Create Dungeon (1/1)
-Task 2: Kill Slimes (20/20)
-Amass Funds (0/1)
-Task 1: Earn $0/$60,000 USD
Relationships: Unlocked
-Tony Stark (Acquaintance)
Field Skills:
-Soul Protection (SSS)
-Point Doubler (SSS)
-Lofty Genius (A)
-Basic Firearms Mastery (E) Lv2 (0.0%)
+11% Firearms Attack Damage
-Gathering (F) LV1 (0.0%)
-Observe (F) Lv2 (0.0%)
-Poison Resistance B Lv1 (0.0%)
-ID Creation Lv2 (0.0%)
-Slime Tunnel Level 2 Cost: 10 MP
-Zombie Street Level 5 Cost: 15 MP
-Wind Magic
-Level: N/A
-Use: 0/10,000
-Cleanse (F)
-Consume (F) - LV2 (0.0%)
Active Skills:
-Leg Sweep
Rank: F
Level: 2
Proficiency: 50.0%
Range: Medium-AOE
Cost: 6 MP
Damage: Deals 120% Skill Power.
-Quick Shot
Rank: F
Level: 2 0.0%
Proficiency: 0.0%
Range: Single Target.
Cost: 11 MP
Damage: Deals 110%, 125%, 150% Skill Power.
Special Effect: If the target dies, it moves onto the next target.
-Pummel
Rank: F
Level: 1
Proficiency: 0.0%
Range: Single Target.
Cost: 15 MP
Damage: Deals 200% Skill Power.
-Multi Shot
Rank: F
Level: 1
Proficiency: 0.0%
Range: All Targets
Cost: 8 MP
Damage: Deals 120% Skill Power.
-Wind Shackles
Rank: D
Level: N/A
Proficiency: 0/10,000
Range: Three targets, nine hits total.
Cost: 50 MP
Damage: Deals 180%, 200%, 250% Skill Power.
-Breath Of the Sun
Rank: C
Level: N/A
Proficiency: 0/10,000
Cost: 100 MP
Range: Entire Party
Damage: N/A
-Flametongue
Rank: E
Level: N/A
Proficiency: 0/10,000
Cost: 75 MP
Range: Medium-AOE
Damage: 250% Skill Power
I think that was some good effort on my first day here in the MCU!
It was well into the night now, so I think it was time to clock out for the evening.
In the buff, I went straight into the master bed.
First time sleeping in a double kings-sized bed, but boy was it worth it.
Also don't question me on my appearance right now. I don't have any clothes to change into, alright? Plus people do sleep in the nude.
And knowing I can freely adjust the temperature of the bed to my liking, I didn't have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat or anything.
Because of that, I had one of my best sleeps I ever had. I slept like a baby all night long~
Before I knew it, a new day arrived!
*
Vol 1 FIN