“So, I’d like your guy’s opinions on something important. I have one open skill slot; I’ve saved it for 17 years in case of an emergency like this. I’ve also acquired a skill fusion option for one combination that I’m not sure what to use it on.”

This gets a few looks.

“Hmm what about something for problem solving? It could help organizing and coming up with plans? It might even combine with study to help create something even better.” Saya brings up a good point that would allow me to plan and it would be invaluable in future worlds if I can study right away quickly and understand whats going on around me more quickly.

“Maybe martial arts and combine it with your swordsmanship? I feel like that would let you become much stronger individually to better survive out there.” Saeko Also has a point individual power would also go a long way. It would also help me in the future being able to combine both sword and martial arts styles into something stronger.

“Hmmm what about medicine or treatment? You could treat wounds more quickly and we might need more practice without many doctors and more survivors we will start running into health problems.” Shizuka comments from the side.

“Well, that’s something I didn’t even consider. I forget sometime how often people get sick or how easily.” It’s been so long since I’ve even had the sniffles so that problems just been out of mind.

“That’s something I could just pick up with my opened skill slot though after fusing so that wouldn’t be a bad choice. I was studying to be a doctor anyways.” She nods hearing my reasoning.

“But what if it combines with disease resistance to let you treat others. You might be able to cure all diseases that your resistant to.” now THAT is a good point.

“So, my options are better leadership, better power or care for the people in our group… This is a tough choice.”

“Yeah, I agree that Treatment should take the free slot after fusing though. That’s pretty smart Shizuka you’re not as ditzy as I thought.” Saya actually giving a semi complement to someone else about having a good idea? Never thought I’d see the day.

“Hmm I suppose the other points have merit too after all we don’t know what the future holds for us and without antibiotics or heat the upcoming winter is going to be harsh.” Its spring right now so we have time but shes right winter will be coming and I doubt the power will stay on for long past then.

“Not to mention that without world order all the nuclear facilities will soon start failing, there might be radiation leaks in the water, and we need to stay clear of any places that have a facility like that, or water lines connected to them.” Damn the more that’s being said the more it makes sense that I get something that improves studying and observations. There are too many variables to account for. I’m sure that if we search deeper there are even more things, we arnt considering that are essential.

“hmm I think I’m going to go with Saya’s proposal, after all if I’m able to plan out routes and understand things more carefully I may be able to prevent more death or harm to our people then being able to treat them would. I also don’t think my disease resistance will cure the current virus. So even if I mix it with treatment I may just end up with a skill that dilutes the two options rather then improving a synergy between them. It may also specialize in treating disease and I’d be unable to treat those without disease which is the problem I’d run into on the day to day while general treatment may let me treat all things a bit better.”

“Hmm good points, lets just hope it works out how we are expecting. What sort of mental skills are available?”

I finally press on the select skill option for my final slot and start scrolling.

“Hmm theres, planning, tactics, leading and organizing. There are several others that are similar but these are the ones that stand out the most to me.” Saeko just cuddles up next to me no longer trying to drive me crazy as I pen through an invisible list in front of me. Saya sits on my other side and tries to reach out and touch what I’m seeing. That’s when I feel the cushion behind my head… soft.

“ooooh can we touch it too?” Shizuka leans in trying to touch the screen too but their hands just pass right through it.

“Ahem no um your guys hands just pass right through. So, any opinions on the one to merge? I kind of like the idea of planning but I think everyone got some good points.”

“Planning is a good one, tactics sounds like it has more to do with organizing an offensive which we may have to do a lot for going on missions into the city for supplies.” Saeko still a fan of the more offensive options.

“Planning sounds good but I think organizing is probably better then tactics after all if everything is set up more efficiently then we can get by on lower resources and not need to search for supplies. Also supplies will dwindle if we start our own farms, we need to organize resources and distribute labor.” Saya has a much more business-like mind. Likely from her upbringing and her parents success.

“hmmm leading would let people follow orders right? Won’t that help people follow a plan better? No matter how great the plan sometimes people just don’t listen.” Shizuka has a bit more experience with actual leadership which is eye opening.

“Damn another tough choice. I wish I could take two if possible, I’d like leadership and planning then combine those instead of study. I don’t regret my choices though, without them I would have died before now.”

“Leadership sounds good on paper, but I don’t know how I feel about that, since it sounds like it may make others listen to you and that sounds a bit too much like controlling others to me.” Saya moves a bit uncomfortably a bit.

“Hmm I guess it would make you feel uncomfortable if I had something that manipulates those I lead to like me more. That does feel a little slimy. It depends on if it just improves my ability to lead or makes those I lead follow my orders against their will.”

“I don’t think its worth the risk. I love you and I trust you, but I want to make my own decisions.” Saeko says from the side.

“Okay leadership is off the table, sorry Shizuka but that was a good opinion.” She pouts a bit but seems to understand the logic. I get a bit distracted at the idea of potentially using leadership in the future though in another world. It could benefit larger forces or larger communities. I may test it depending on how many lives I live through.

“Hey are you listening Haru?” Saya pokes my face.

“hmm yeah um I think I should probably go with planning. It seems like a good middleground between organizing and tactics to let me plan defensive strategies or potential attacks ahead of time for long term problems. It seems the best for approaching many different problems instead of being great at offense and war.” This would likely let it keep many of the abilities that would be helpful for early in life like schoolwork and stuff like that.

“Yeah, that’s probably for the best after all we won’t always deal with zombies. Eventually if we have a defensible position and supplies a small community can probably survive without interacting with them. Espeshally if we manage to develop a cure. From those your system thing gave you.”

I make the choice feeling a bit of weight drop from my shoulders but then another as I’m leaned into more.

Skill: Planning lvl 1

Description: While planning have a better understanding of potential weak points to the plan. Extra points of potential failure are based on the quality of foreseen problems already considered.

That’s interesting so rather then make me better at planning it makes me more aware of potential points of failure? Let’s look at study first before anything else.

Skill: Study lvl 74

Description: When attempting to learn a subject increase comprehension by lvl %

Lvl 25: When studying a subject read lvl % faster.

Lvl 50: when studying gain a slight understanding of if your impression of something is correct or not.

Hmm if I combine the two right now it would become level 37 which would be below the lvl 50 bonus ability. I could level it up a bit while its still in the early stage to decrease the difference a bit.

“Hey if it’s okay I think I’m going to delay getting treatment for a bit. When I combine the skills it takes the average level and the first couple levels are much easier to get then the later ones. I’d rather increase them a bit now while its easier rather then when it takes forever to gain any levels. I’ve been at lvl 74 in study for years. Though with the introduction of higher stakes with zombies my skills have started increasing rapidly.” I have this feeling, a tingle in my mind as planning is working already looking at the possible problems with delaying the fusion and acquiring treatment now. I feel like from what I know though its worth the effort.

“Makes sense, we aren’t on a large scale right now, so planning is less essential to success when we arnt making any large moves.” Saya the voice of reason and business.

“Now, I should probably ask since it looks like you know already. How do you feel about me and Izuka?” Shizuka sits down in front of me still not wearing much with a pouting face.

“Haa well, honestly I think Auntie is amazing and you’d be lucky to be with her. I don’t really have anything against gay rights or anything. I thought it was weird that Auntie never had a boyfriend or anything. But whatever makes you two happy I guess?” I look to Saya and Saeko. Both look a little surprised by the idea that they might have an actual relationship, but they also don’t seem to really have any strong feelings about it. Auntie raised me and over the years she never had any boyfriend or anything. I figured it was because she just didn’t find anyone. I suppose Gay rights aren’t really super prevalent here in this time zone so its better to be quite and not open about it. Well, I’m glad shes found someone.

“Hmm that went better than I was expecting” she just taps her chin a bit. “She was fantastic too. Maybe I’ll just keep giving her all of your prizes then~” She walks off likely to go find Auntie. I feel the weight off my shoulders as that’s one less person that might attack me now. Also, I’m glad that Auntie might be happy with someone, but it seems like Shizuka is a bit flirty so hopefully it will work out?