Stacking My Abilities

Chapter 2 - Fogged Up (2)

[ Attributes ]

Character Name: Jeff Norman

Mana Level: Supernatural - Early 1.5%

Mental (psychic) Level: Supernatural - Early 2.1%

Physique Level: Common - Late 80%

[ Abilities ]

* Haste (Common)

Effect: Speeds up character's reaction speed and movement speed.

Cost: Stamina and mana in accordance to skill activation time.

* Mana Shield (Common)

Effect: Forms a mana shield. (Shield size and strength depends on character's mana input and mental energy input).

Cost: Mana energy and Mental energy

[ Quests ]

None

...

Physical energy: The raw muscle power of the body.

Mana energy: The mysterious power flowing in the ether.

Mental / psychic energy: The reality altering power of the mind.

According to Mage Jeff's memories, in the fantasy world, these attributes could be classified into 3 levels:

Common Level. What an untrained commoner would be capable of doing. (Commoner in fantasy world standards)

Supernatural Level. Those who can wield supernatural powers. Most adventurers have mastered some form of supernatural abilities.

Sage Level. Those who have ascended from the realm of humans. Able to fly. Able to wipe out a city with a single attack. Practically 'gods' in the eyes of commoners.

Just like in video games, the higher the level, the harder it's to level up.

At least that's what Mage Jeff had heard in bars.

"Wait. So you have all my stats and all my abilities as well..." Mage Jeff looked over Jeff's shoulders.

"Looks like so..." Jeff nodded.

Mage Jeff wore a complicated expression on his face.

Jeff nodded in understanding. After all, this mage worked hard for 3 years for these stats. Now, Jeff just got a copy for free.

"Ah. You know what. You are me, and I am you." Mage Jeff shrugged. "It's not like you are a different person or something."

"Hey, I won't take these for free man. Your world is basically an entertainment desert. I'll find some fantasy books, and you'll make a fortune selling those." Jeff offered.

Mage Jeff raised his brows and nodded. "Wow. That IS smart."

"Yes." Jeff nodded as well.

"We can always find ways to help each other." Mage Jeff added. "It's like... Helping ourselves.... Literally."

"Yes..." Jeff slowly nodded. "Say. How do I get out."

"I have some business to settle." Feeling the raw power in his body, Jeff squinted.

Jeff could only hope that it's not too late. His turtle, Lord Rammus was still out there after all. Also, losing consciousness, being defenseless in front of thugs was not the most ideal scenario.

"Those weird dudes huh..." Mage Jeff nodded in thought. "Looks like mere common-tiers to me. Ah. You can squash them with a pinky. Nothing to worry about. Well. Enjoy the hunt."

"But for now, we are stuck here until we wake up."

"So before we leave, let's do something exciting, shall we..." Mage Jeff widely smiled.

With a snap of fingers, a checkers board appeared on the stone table.

Jeff: ...

"I'm so glad you are here. I've been playing against myself." Mage Jeff excitedly sat down. Stretching a little, the dude seemed to be so hyped for this.

'Stop. Please. You sound kind of pathetic right now...' Jeff slowly nodded and sat down as well. 'Guess I'll just have to wait it out now...'

"I wanted to introduce checkers to my co-workers. But they are not interested in learning the rules. All they do is work, eat, sleep alone, or sleep... not alone.'

"I'm so done with this." Mage Jeff made his move. "Finally! Someone normal who can understand me!"

'Well... I'm you... Kind of.' Jeff sighed. 'Can't blame this guy for becoming like this though...'

Taking a review at Mage Jeff's memories, Jeff shivered a little.

Being stuck at a foreign place knowing no one around.

People looked at him as if he's an alien. He was simple clueless of the culture there.

Sleeping on construction sites cause he had no money for rent. Asking restaurants if there's leftover food... Yikes...

It's been... tough. To say the least.

'Well... You've made it out now. Finally a starter adventurer. Congratulations.' Jeff smiled a little.

...

...

[ WARNING! You are very low on health points... ]

[ Converting food energy into health points... ]

[ WARNING! You are very low on health points... ]

[ Converting food energy into health points... ]

...

[ WARNING! Low Food Energy! ]

[ Eat food and rest to regenerate health points... ]

"Huuuhhh..." Jeff gasped.

Waking up with a start, Jeff opened his eyes. Feeling the hard ground, Jeff grunted a little. Apparently, he'd been throw into his entrance closet like a bag of garbage.

Jeff was expecting a headache. However, he was feeling fine. Just hungry. Really, really hungry.

Looking in front of him, there was his character interface.

Under attributes, there was something new.

[ Heavily Injured: You have been injured. Your alertness and energy regeneration is reduced. Eat food and rest to recover health ]

[ Gravely Starving: Food energy is extremely low in your body. Your alertness, thought clarity, and physical strength is reduced. Consume food to remove this status ]

'Gee. Wow. Who could have guessed that eating food eases starvation. I sure didn't know that Sherlock.'

'Close Character Interface.' Jeff commanded in his mind. It's as if he'd done this thousands of times before.

Looking around...

He's back to this grey and dark world. Dim sunlight shined into this room from his windows.

His unhinged door was laying on the ground. Litter everywhere. It's silent around again.

"Lord Rammus. You still here?"

Silence...

Standing up, walking back to his studio room, Jeff's heart sank.

His mattress was torn apart. All the drawers open. His stuff scattered everywhere.

It's the same in his kitchen. A mess. All the cabinets were open. All of his food was stolen.

The utensils were scattered on the ground. Jeff looked around. Nothing here was fit to be a weapon. What could he use, a fork? a spoon? Maybe a butter knife?

Inside his washroom, all of his personal hygiene stuff was gone. Didn't even leave a sheet of toilet paper behind.

Most importantly, no trace of Jeff's pet turtle could be seen!

'Oh. Tss... Those sons of bitches thought I was dead, didn't they!' Jeff clenched his fists.

'In fact, if my body did not become digitalized, I should be dead right now.' Jeff felt rage roaring inside him.

"You guys took all my food, all my stuff... my pet turtle... and almost my life..." Jeff murmured.

Letting out a chuckle, Jeff shook his head. "I'll certainly remember this day."

Jeff's stomach growled. Feeling a sharp pain in his stomach, Jeff curled up a little like a shrimp.

"But first, I'll need to eat something and survive."

Looking around, Jeff still couldn't see a fit tool of self-defense.

A vacuum cleaner? Broom stick? Cheese grater maybe?

Jeff doubted that those could help.

Jeff took a deep breath. Walking up to the sink, Jeff drank some cold water. He felt even more hungry now.

'I need to leave this place. And find some food...'