"Is this some kind of sick joke?", Pepper responded in disbelief.
"Hey, I said the same thing when I first got this thing. And look at me now.", I said, staying calm. "Well, it is up to you to accept it. If you don't, it'll be like nothing happened. Tony went with the former."
"You're not really giving me an option here. If Tony is doing something and I want to be aware of it, as his secretary, I can only follow suit.", Pepper said, and sighed. She took this moment to calm her nerves.
"I knew you'd come around Ms. Potts.", Tony said. I didn't even have to say anything here. Tony said it for me! "All you need to do is tap the floating screen before you. I am not one to joke during a time like this. It'll work."
"If you say so.", Pepper said. A resolute look appeared in her eyes, and proceeded to tap the screen.
Pepper thought her hand would go right through it, but she felt a subtle pressure press up against her finger. Right after, the screen vanished.
[Ding! Pepper Potts - Level 1 has joined the Party.]
[Ding! Three members are now in the Party.]
[Ding! Pepper Potts may now view her Status Window!]
[Ding! Soul Protection has suddenly triggered.]
[Ding! You have successfully avoided detection!]
[Ding! Your Party has been masked by Soul Protection!]
Someone's poking their nose into places where it doesn't belong again! I'm onto you, Ancient One.
At this rate, I'm going to grow paranoid seeing Soul Protection trigger randomly. Oh god, I don't want that to happen. At the very least, this does confirm one thing. Soul Protection hides my entire Party, not just me.
The Gamer System is an extension of me, and that, in its entirety, is enveloped by my soul. It's still mind-boggling to me that souls are a real thing. To put it simply, it is the embodiment of your entire being. It includes all of one's life experiences. And in my case, it includes the Gamer System!
When Tony Stark approached the Instance Dungeon, he became relevant. While he may have not been in the Party at the time, he became "included" by that hidden effect of ID Creation. That basically gave him an invitation to eventually join the Party, and likewise, join me in clearing it. I just didn't know about the hidden effect at the time. It also explains why only Tony could see it, and Happy couldn't.
Tony Stark is a major MCU character!
Like I said before, this sounds like a load of bullsh*t, a plot armor device if you will. But so be it. I'm not against having an extra layer of protection. I'd rather not have the Ancient One come knocking at my doorstep anytime soon!
I'll give the Ancient One a rabbit hole they can't jump out of. If it looks weird from your perspective, good luck trying to find its source~
As for Pepper, it really is judging her character as part of the major cast.
I'll see if it works for Happy later. He should be able to join the Party, but because I consider him a minor character, he likely won't be able to partake in Instance Dungeons.
I say that, but right now, Happy is a major part of Tony's life. With the passing of time, he might be able to join in on the fun. Until then, the Gamer System is treating him as minor, as he couldn't see the Instance Dungeon yesterday.
"This is absurd.", Pepper said, and frowned. Her eyes wandered toward my direction. Not directly at me, but what stood above. "What is this Level business? I can see a level above your name now."
"To put it simply, it is a parameter to determine your growth. It doesn't account for your life experience all at once. Your Stats will grow into that. The command doesn't have to be spoken, but try saying "Status Window". You'll see for yourself.", I explained.
Pepper nodded her head. She is much calmer now.
"Status Window---!?", Pepper uttered.
In response to that, a blue screen appeared before her eyes. A miniature version of herself could now be seen on her Status Window. Tony saw it, and approaching Pepper's other side, I also saw it. Just like how I saw Tony's Status yesterday, I began to review Pepper's details.
[Pepper Potts' Status]
Name: Pepper Potts
Age: 33
Level: 1 (0/10)
Total EXP: 0
HP: 50/50
MP: 150/150
STR: 15 (1)
VIT: 1
DEX: 20 (5)
INT: 5
WIS: 5
LUK: 1
Points: 0
-Weapon Slot: Fine Crude Pistol
-Shield Slot: N/A
-Left Armguard: N/A
-Right Armguard: N/A
-Left Ring: N/A
-Right Ring:
-Left Pauldron: N/A
-Right Pauldron: N/A
-Left Earring: N/A
-Right Earring: N/A
-Helmet: N/A
Field Skills:
Keen Precision (SS) (New)
Domain of the Sea (S) (New)
Water Magic (A) (New)
Industrious (B) (New)
[Ding! Your Relationship with Pepper Potts has changed.]
[Ding! You have become acquainted with Pepper Potts!]
[Ding! Your Relationships page has been updated.]
[Ding! You have successfully acquired one of Pepper Potts' Skills!]
[Ding! Field Skill, Keen Precision (SS), has been added to your Skills Page.]
[Ding! Your Status has been updated and is ready to view.]
I acquired another Skill, just like that. And am I seeing this correctly? Pepper has access to Magic! This definitely isn't the real world taking into effect here. Pepper doesn't have any aptitude for Magic, so this is something new.
I am quite curious where this will go. And to my surprise, none of Pepper's Field Skills can be leveled up. They're all static.
Nonetheless, I looked at the four Field Skills.
[Keen Precision]
You have a knack for paying attention to the finer details. In battle, you can easily read a target's weak point no matter where you strike.
Rank: SS
Level: N/A
Special Effect 1: Starting DEX is 5.
Special Effect 2: If DEX > Target's DEX, delivers critical blow.
Special Effect 3: Critical Hit Damage no longer has variance. Applies 200% Attack Damage onto target.
[Domain of the Sea]
You feel as if you are one with the sea.
(A/N: Is that you, Mako?)
Rank: S
Level: N/A
Special Effect 1: Starting INT and WIS are 5.
Special Effect 2: Grants Field Skill: Water Magic (A).
Special Effect 3: Water Attack damage +25%.
Special Effect 4: Water Spell Cooldown Reduction -20%.
Special Effect 5: You can now breathe underwater.
[Water Magic]
You can now use Water Magic, and can create Water-related Spells.
Rank: A
Level: N/A
Special Effect 1: Adds a Grimoire Page to your Status.
[Industrious]
You work hard and will strive to get the results you want.
Rank: B
Level: N/A
Special Effect 1: Gain 2 DEX per level up.
Special Effect 2: DEX Gain is doubled.
...!
Holy...
I couldn't help but look up at Pepper, then down at her Status Window Again. Not again at her, but to Tony, and approached him. I then whispered into Tony's ear.
"You know how combat works now, right, Tony? You should know what critical hits are. Pepper has a Skill to guarantee them.", I coldly said. Tony then did the same motion as me, only to look up at Pepper.
Tony then took a few steps back, and I joined him.
"Well, out with it. Is something wrong? I do not know what any of this means.", Pepper said, frowning as she saw the two of us react like this.
"What is it that you are looking at, Ms. Potts?", Happy said. Unlike us, Happy remained confused. He couldn't see the name tags or Pepper's Status Window. He wasn't part of the Party right now.
I then laughed, writing off what we just did as a joke.
"Haha, I'm just joking around. Your Status is quite remarkable, Ms. Potts. You should be able to hold up well in the middle of combat. That is why you have that gun attached to you.", I said, glancing my eyes down toward her waist.
"We...really are going to be fighting something?", Pepper said, frowning again. "Against what, exactly?"
"You're just going along with this!?", Happy exclaimed.
"What's the point, otherwise? It's not like I can tell Tony no.", Pepper said, and sighed.
"It's exactly as Ms. Potts says. Happy, you'll stay here and watch over this location, but you likely won't be able to see what is about to happen anyways. The kid is right to say we won't be going somewhere. You good to open up that second dungeon?", Tony asked, looking my way.
"Before that...just what in the world did you do after we finished the one we did yesterday!?", I asked, becoming shocked again.
Glancing upward, I saw Tony's name tag. It read: Tony Stark - Level 10.
"What? You aren't the only one who puts in work. After heading back to my place at Malibu, I decided to tinker away. It's what I'm good at doing.", Tony said, shrugging his shoulders. "I had Jarvis note down what gave me more experience compared to the last. Before I knew it, I had leveled up to 10. Have a look."
Hearing that, I nodded. Tony's Status received quite the upgrade!
[Tony Stark's Status]
Name: Tony Stark
Age: 36
Level: 10 (0/5,120)
Total EXP: 5,110
HP: 4,375/4,375
MP: 1,061/1,061
STR: 19
VIT: 28
DEX: 23
INT: 50
WIS: 50
LUK: 10
Points: 0
-Weapon Slot: N/A
-Shield Slot: N/A
-Left Armguard: N/A
-Right Armguard: N/A
-Left Ring: N/A
-Right Ring:
-Left Pauldron: N/A
-Right Pauldron: N/A
-Left Earring: N/A
-Right Earring: N/A
-Helmet: N/A
Field Skills:
Weapons Designer (SS)
Fast Learner (S)
Lofty Genius (A)
Observe (F) - Lv15 (0.0%)
Basic Firearms Mastery (E) - Lv5 (0.0%)
Perfectionist (B) (NEW)
Reverse Engineer (C) (NEW)
Basic Hammer Mastery (E) - Lv10 (0.0%)(NEW)
Active Skills:
-Multi Shot
Rank: F
Level: 1
Proficiency: 0.0%
Range: All Targets
Cost: 8 MP
Damage: Deals 120% Skill Power.
Wow! I know Tony likes to goof off a lot, preferably with a random woman of his choice, but seeing as he could access the Gamer System while at his home back in Malibu, he gave it a whirl. And boy, did he give it a whirl alright.
Gaining experience isn't all about fighting. It is one way to obtain experience, yes. But seeing Tony at Level 10 does solidify that I don't have to solely focus on dungeon-diving. Just like how I obtained a little bit of experience while using Consume earlier today during breakfast.
To Tony, creating things was his forte, so that's how he obtained his experience. Neat.
I was curious as to what the future Iron Man would do, considering he can't exactly fight using blasters. They don't exactly exist yet. I doubt he'd bring in a full-blown rocket launcher or something. That'd be way too dangerous against Zombies.
Instead, I saw Tony's path forward. Hammer Mastery!
I decided to have a look at the new Field Skills Tony acquired.
[Perfectionist]
You strive for the best, possible outcome.
Rank: B
Level: N/A
Special Effect 1: Upon creating Items or Equipment, it ranks up one Tier.
Special Effect 2: Any Special Effects become doubled, if possible.
[Reverse Engineer]
You do not need to know how to create Items or Equipment to know how to make them. A blueprint will automatically appear in your mind.
Rank: C
Level: N/A
[Basic Hammer Mastery]
You now have a basic understanding of holding and using Hammers.
Rank: E
Level: 10
Proficiency: 0.0%
Special Effect 1: Deals 20% Attack Damage while using Hammers.
Basic Hammer Mastery works just like Basic Firearms Mastery, but you need to use Hammers. I don't think I need to give any other explanation for that. Tony also has Basic Firearms Mastery, as he used a gun yesterday, so that makes sense.
Perfectionist and Reverse Engineer, though...
Those two Field Skills are basically tailored-made to what Tony does. If he ends up making a Rainbow-tiered Equipment later...would it go beyond that?
Anticipation filled my eyes of what was to come, but Tony definitely improved!
"I see you didn't remain idle with your Stats.", I said, nodding my head in agreement. Tony's LUK is on the lower end, but his INT and WIS naturally gain Points while leveling up, and so does his DEX. I can likely figure out what he's doing with his Points. Almost five thousand HP. Sheesh!
"I know, right? I'm awesome like that.", Tony sneered. "Before I knew it, I became Level 10. What'd you say the recommended level was for this dungeon?"
"Five. You kind of overshot that, heh.", I chuckled.
"Tch. So it may not be worthwhile for me to do anything.", Tony replied.
"I'm still lost. What's this about a dungeon?", Pepper asked, confused.
"Don't tell me you plan to enact the same thing you did yesterday Mr. Stark.", Happy said, frowning.
"You can't see it anyway, Happy. That's why you'll stay here.", Tony said. "It is best just to show you Ms. Potts. Beats having to put it into words."
"I have the same opinion as Tony does.", I added with another nod. "Let's do this. ID Creation!"
[Ding! You have used ID Creation!]
[Ding! You have designated Zombie Tunnel - Level 5. as your Current ID.]
[Ding! The Instance Dungeon has opened!]
[Ding! The Skill Proficiency of ID Creation has increased.]
[Ding! ID Creation has leveled up! 2 -> 3.]
[Ding! A new ID has been registered on your Registered IDs.]
[Ding! You may now challenge Kobold Nest - Level 10.]
Pepper became shocked the moment she saw a starry portal suddenly appear in the lobby of the penthouse. The building was large enough to fit it, so that is why we didn't have to wander outside. Another thing I don't have to worry about~
So Kobolds are next after Zombies, eh? Classic.
With a confused Happy, he just saw three figures vanish from sight, leaving him shocked to his core. Tony urged Pepper inside, and I followed them.
Zombie Street, here we come!
[Ding! Soul Protection has suddenly triggered.]
[Ding! You have successfully avoided detection!]
[Ding! Your Party has been masked by Soul Protection!]
[Ding! As Happy is not influenced by the Gamer System, the piercing gaze did not affect him.]
I call BS on that. Screw you. Did someone try to spy on Happy!?