System Fall

As the laughter echoed through the dungeon, it seemingly came from everywhere at once. The sound made three members of our group flinch. A black substance began to accumulate on the ground from the remains of the slain salamanders, eventually forming a fleshy ball. In an instant, a burst of light transformed the ball into a floating orb that emitted a soft, sunflower yellow glow. It was Zagrid.

"[Greetings, adventurers! How did you like my joke?]" The voice was youthful and cheerful. I fought the urge to strike its smiling face with my baseball bat. I had thought it was a Wandering Witch or a Disembodied Banshee that had appeared and almost lost my life attacking it.

Had these entities always been like this, and I had just not noticed it before, or was my behavior influencing them in some way? "[No response? No feedback? Not even a 'That was a good one!' or even a 'Please don't do that again, Zagrid!']" Its voice sounded genuinely sad, and the girls in the group made sympathetic expressions from the corner of my eye.

I bit back my tongue. "Why are you here?" I asked, even though I already knew.

"[Well, Nick Vandal, you are among the first few people to advance to a more difficult area! You are currently a Rank F player inside a Hidden Dungeon. If you need to check how rankings work again, you can revisit the pro tip I installed on your profile.]" Zagrid stated, addressing the others as well.

"So? I’ve found a hidden dungeon. I hardly think you're here in person to congratulate me for that."

"[You're right!]" Zagrid bobbed up and down in the air. "[In accordance with our policies, you are one of the few eligible for a bonus! Which skill would you like to unlock? Keep in mind that I can only provide you with skills that do not exceed a rank of D.]"

"Wait, what do you mean, 'a few'? Shouldn't everyone be able to receive this bonus?" Willow furrowed her eyebrows.

Zagrid tilted its head 30 degrees to the side, its way of expressing a quizzical gaze. "[Why would it be? That’s just silly isn’t it?]"

"Well, that would be fair, wouldn't it?" Willow crossed her arms.

Zagrid spun around on its axis, as if rolling its eyes. "[It wouldn't be a bonus if we gave it to everyone, now, would it, Willow Stevenson?]"

"I mean, the world's already in chaos. Why make it even harder for everyone?" Willow persisted. “You’ve already made it a game, shouldn’t there be rules and standards?”

Zagrid's laughter echoed once more, the same laughter that had accompanied its arrival. "[The world was already in chaos! What part of System Fall makes you think it's equitable in any aspect? Your world was already unfair?]"

This silenced everyone, and Zagrid continued to speak.

"[Even before that, were things really fair? No. All we’ve done is change it so that everything is more interesting. And things are always more interesting when everyone has a fighting chance. What matters now is your mind. Did you not notice how your [Strength] was lower than most of your male companions? Or how, conversely, your high academic potential gave you high [Mana]? You’re one of the few people who didn’t even have to unlock it. You started with an advantage. Is that fair?]"

A shadow fell on Zagrid's face, making it appear quite intimidating. Though it was barely larger than a bowling ball, Willow instinctively stepped back.

"Never argue with these things," I muttered trying to get Willow to drop it.

I turned towards Zagrid, "What kind of skills do you have?" I asked instead. The bot shifting its focus away from Willow.

[Oh, right. I actually still have a job to do, unlike you people,] Zagrid said. [How about something like a [Fire Affinity] or [Ember]? Your display with the Molotovs was quite impressive. I personally enjoy a pyromaniac and it could go very well with that achievement you got. Surprise napalm is quite effective.]

The skills were weak, but potentially useful. A Fire Affinity would make learning Fire Element spells easier, while Ember was a spell capable of generating small flames. If I played my cards right, Ember could be leveled up to Fireball, but my immediate need was for something else, and I was looking towards the end game.

I needed to think of a way to get the best outcome.

Zagrid watched me intensely. Caution was essential.

"I can create fire if needed. What other types of skills exist?"

[Very well. Think of [Skills] as superpowers of any kind. I can’t grant you flight at D Rank, but perhaps something like [Float], which enables you to cancel your weight and become airborne. Understand now?]

I saw an opportunity.

"I think I understand what you mean. For example, are there skills to cancel other skills?" I asked innocently, hoping it would work. If Zagrid grew suspicious, it didn't show.

[Of course, there are! Why, your history indicates that you didn't acquire Poison Resistance. That skill can not only negate weak poisons, but also counter players who possess Poison-based skills. Say, why didn't you equip that?]

Alvin, who had obtained that skill, narrowed his eyes at my back. The bot questioning me only solidified Alvin’s belief that I was concealing something significant.

"Well, what if I had transformed into a monster? That would have technically made me resistant to poison as well," I responded. "I didn’t trust it."

Zagrid paused briefly before it bounced against the floor, emitting cheerful laughter.

[Bwahahahaha! My, oh my, what a cynic you are! Should we include a feature like that? Maybe we will. I’ll call it the Vandal manuever.] Zagrid loomed near me. [But no. You would have remained human. Pity. Have a little faith next time. What kind of skill do you desire?]

"I want something that can cancel magic. It doesn’t have to be much. How about Magic Resistance? Something that grows. It doesn’t have to be that good,"

A tense silence followed. The other three stared at me in astonishment. I wasn't sure if their surprise was due to my defiance of their expectations or my casual interaction with the bot.

[Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a sword first?] Zagrid, which had been very forthcoming earlier, suddenly began to deflect.

I shrugged. "I can find a sword anywhere. These guys found some by the entrance. How difficult can it be?"

[And here you are very optimistic. Curious, indeed. But you're correct. A skill like that does exist, and it can be sufficiently weakened to suit someone of your standing,] Zagrid reluctantly conceded.

"Well, that’s the skill I’d like then?" I inquired.

A small orb, resembling a marble, materialized, and it dropped towards my feet. I caught it with swift reflexes. The orb seemed to be made of glass, with smoke trapped inside.

'Huh. Fancy.' At least it wasn't a pill or candy that I had to ingest.

[Orb of Magic Resistance - Growth Type: You will gain the ability to nullify Mana proportional to the strength of this skill. Crush the orb to attain the skill.]

How does resisting magic differ from resisting poison? Since magic is a brand new concept, resisting it operates by nullifying its effects - essentially creating an invisible armor against it. This armor works by negating the damage and the impact that magical spells or attacks might have. This mechanism wasn't introduced during the initial phase of the new world system because magic was slower to roll out, but I knew it was coming and would be a bigger deal, and when I actually needed protection against magic, if I started now, it would be a powerful ability by then.

With ease, I crushed the orb and gained the skill.

[System Fall Notification]

Title: You Have Been Granted A Bonus

Skill Acquired: Magic Resistance

Type: Growth

Skill Slots Utilized: 1

Current Magic Resistance: 1.00/????

This skill nullifies damage and effects of magical attacks. As the skill level increases, your capacity to resist magic enhances. Its limit? Only time and your determination can reveal that.

Would you like to accept this skill? Yes/No?

The other three watched me as I acquired a new skill.

"[And with that, I've shared everything you need to know for now.]" Zagrid's metallic tone echoed in the space between us. "[You've been given tools and a bit of guidance. The rest is up to you. The path to survival... or perhaps demise, depends on your actions.]"

Its mechanical eyes twinkled, humor laced in its words, "[Perhaps the dungeon will be your stepping stone to greatness, or perhaps you'll be stepping stones for the dungeon. A morbid thought, but it's only fair that both possibilities are put out there.]"

With a swift spin, the bot propelled itself upwards, crashing into one of the overhead lights outside the convenience store. A spark ignited, and the light began flickering erratically, casting flickering shadows on our faces.

"[Remember, in this new world, everything is in constant flux. Learn to adapt or perish.]" The bot's voice echoed, lingering for a moment longer before getting drowned by the hum of the damaged light. “[Until next time humans!]”

“Did you know this would happen?" Alvin accused.

I pretended to be surprised, I turned to him. "I'm just trying to do what I can before I die."

"Yeah, right."

Well, this is going wonderfully, I thought.

Trying to get them off my back now would be counterproductive. But I wasn't going to explain myself to them either. If needed, I could handle them.

Their bristling and suspicious glances were irritating. How would they like being hurled off a cliff by an irate Wind Mage who decided that one of them was cheating? What if they had stepped onto a teleportation array and ended up in the underworld or submerged beneath a dark lake, disoriented and lost?

I frowned, recalling that harrowing experience. Merely surviving it had been reason enough for me to make me understand how valuable non-combat abilities like [Homing Beacon] could be. Thankfully, I had more foreknowledge and experience to guide me now.

With that in mind, I strode forward, my thoughts naturally drifting to the world's chaotic state. Anarchy reigned outside, and my companions had no reason to assume that just because we had once been university friends, I would protect them.

From my perspective, twenty years had passed since I last encountered them. Delving deeper into the station, we came across some Skeleton Spiders that zipped past us horizontally, attaching themselves to pillars and walls, never reaching the ceiling or floor.

Though small and numerous, their rigid trajectory through the air made them easy prey for someone with my reflexes. The Siphon effect on our weapons proved useful against these creatures, and any Skeleton Spider we struck became sluggish enough for us to finish off.

Despite my muscles catching up to my experience, my perceived Agility remained unchanged.

"I’m not really feeling the difference," I mused.

On the other hand, my growing Strength felt as if I had cast off some of gravity's burdensome constraints, like heavy chains no longer weighed me down. I noticed my companions growing bolder in their movements, leaping higher, attempting more elaborate stances with their swords, and exuding excitement.

I had observed that Alvin was competent enough to take care of himself, but his lack of skill with a sword was evident. He compensated for his inefficient movements by using his enhanced Agility and Strength. I noticed that he also kept glancing at me, forcing me to divert some of my attention towards him, my heightened perception picking up his mild hostility.

I wasn’t reckless enough to think he wouldn’t do anything stupid.

Willow was just as skilled, but she spent most of her time watching the backs of her comrades, primarily May. The girl in question was panting heavily, refusing to give up. Her Dexterity gave her an edge in close-quarters combat, but when the monsters zipped past her like arrows, she had a hard time reacting in time.

We overcame these challenges as well, eventually making our way to the final level of the dungeon. This was where the platform was located, but the lights illuminated only the pedestrian areas. The train tracks and the tunnels they led into were shrouded in darkness.

Like the first level of the dungeon, there were weapons near the entrance for our use. This time, however, they were not all the same. My eyes lit up when I finally found a weapon I felt drawn to. Faster than anyone else, I rushed over and picked it up.

[System Fall Notification]

Title: Named Item Acquired

Name: [The Cursed Valkyrie]

Type: Danish Two-Handed Sword

Special Attribute: Cursed - A unique magical aura is detected within the weapon. The specific nature of the curse remains unknown, further analysis required.

Note: The wielder may experience unknown side effects due to the curse present in the sword.

Disclaimer: You've acquired a Named Item. This item is unique within the context of System Fall. Unlike typical Earthen items that have been scavenged or used, this is meant to be utilized specifically within the mechanics of System Fall. Exercise caution and understand the implications of Named Items.

A Danish two-handed sword. I grabbed the hilt and easily lifted the sword as if it were a feather, brandishing the almost five-foot blade with ease. The cross-guard was curved, and the blade was slim. Upon unsheathing it, I discovered that the gleaming steel was double-edged, sharp on both sides.

It looked brand new, which puzzled me, considering its name. What kind of curse did it harbor? Cursed weapons were rarely, if ever, a positive for the wielder. I utilized my Magic Resistance skill and detected that some kind of magic was indeed present within the sword. However, I could only weaken it, not analyze it.

I grinned. It was perfect for me. This early on, whatever curse would be more manageable, and I could use the constant effect of the curse as a way to strengthen my Magic Resistance. It was a win-win situation for me.

I tossed my bat, which had surprisingly lasted so long, next to the pile of weapons. I had no need to carry it around any longer, securing the sheath of my new sword at my waist.

Willow picked up a spear for herself, which she hefted easily given her frame. It was a fauchard, about two feet taller than her, with a curved, black blade.

Alvin selected a naval cutlass that was a little longer than his previous sword. He seemed to find one-handed swords more suitable for himself.

May chose a pair of Dao, twin Chinese swords which she hung on her back. Given her unlocked Dexterity, I found myself subconsciously nodding in approval at her choice. They would suit her nimble approach quite well.

Immediately after, as though prompted by some unseen cue, the earth trembled once we had all gathered our new weapons, and before any of us could speak. From a distance echoed a sound reminiscent of an old, steam-powered train chugging along wooden tracks. The station's pillars bent outward and the floor skewed, causing everything to slide toward the encroaching darkness.

With nothing to hold on to, the four of us began to slide down toward our imminent demise.

"What the fuck?!" Alvin exclaimed, his composure nowhere to be found.

"Is everyone safe?" Willow shouted.

"Barely!" May managed to respond.

As I clung to the sloping platform, I muttered to myself, A death without monsters, but from a long drop or a collision with a train. Is the [Admin] trying to Isekai us when we're already in a world we know so little about?"

I laughed. "That’s a train, not a truck." The [Admin] would have to do better.

Racing down the platform, I managed to grasp onto a pillar. My companions followed suit just in the nick of time, as dark yellow beams became visible beneath us.

The platform continued to tilt until we clung to our supports with our arms above our heads, our feet now perpendicular to the tracks. The roof of the oncoming train was beneath us, spewing smoke that stung our eyes and obscured our vision.

Had we not hurried down, the height would have been too great for any of us to drop safely, even with our enhanced strength.

It would have been a pathetic way to die. Our bodies, after all, were still human. It would be some time before any of us were more than that.

Feeling the thrill of danger getting my heart rate up, I couldn't help but grin. I let go of the pillar, plummeting past a stunned May.

"The train's here!" I called out as I disappeared into the darkness below. My tone suggested, 'Aren't you going to join me?'

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have made it seem like we were welcome aboard.