The day starts as usual. While eating breakfast I think about what I want to do next. For one, I want to try the insect dungeon, but I would need a group for that. Plus, I should practice using my powers before getting into a situation where I actually need them.

I also want to learn more about [Aspectian] and my aspects, specifically what I can do with them. I have a decent idea on how to improve the affinities, and the rest will be experimentation. Ideally, I need someone to help me with that.

First off, though, I am setting up a YouTube channel for (Monster) Hunter stuff. Or rather, repurpose my current, unused one.

Just short of an hour after finishing my breakfast I have changed the channel to reflect what I intend to put on it. I also uploaded a minute-long channel introduction and a five-minute video I titled “5 minutes about the [System]”

Ignoring my so-so naming sense, the video mentions how to unlock the system(and a couple of easy abilities to achieve that), the biggest changes the Upheaval brought(read: monsters) and a little bit of general information about sub-abilities and ability levels and such.

The final part of the video is about where you can learn more, ‘links in description’ and all that, and showing some pieces of my armor as well as some of the easier to handle abilities.

While YouTube processes the videos I don my armor and backpack and start jogging around the grassy area outside the apartment. With the regular gear plus two large bottles filled with water, the total weight of my gear is easily more than five kilos.

The point of this exercise is to check out just how much my stats affect me. In addition, I will get more used to moving my body and utilizing those stats. Also, it’s, y’know, exercise. I’ve rarely exercised beyond walking or cycling to get to places, so my shape is so-so.

The result of experiments are as follows:The stats affect me a whole lot.

Unequipping all stats and classes is possible, but not advised. If I do that, I will reduced to my ‘baseline’ stats without the system assist.

My ‘baseline’ stats seem to have improved a little, though that might just be because I’ve properly warmed up. Also, I can’t remember the last time I did some real exercise.

The mental stats are… unpleasant to change beyond a certain amount. When I unequipped everything, My body felt heavy, but my mind felt like when you wake up after all-too-little sleep with the added bonus of the sluggish dizziness that comes with severe lack of sleep.

It took a minute or two to shake that feeling, so it’s good I tried that in a non-hostile situation. Though to begin with I would never unequip everything in a fight, only swap things around.

“I also did some stance and swinging practice with the pickaxe for a little while, and here we are.” I say, finishing my recap.

The one I’m speaking to is the woman I met when I was experimenting with the half-mist form. She lives here after all, and saw me messing around.

“Geez, I asked ‘What are you doing?’, you didn’t need to tell me your life story.”

A while later we’ve eaten a simple bread lunch in my apartment, during which I told the (not so) grand tales of my exploits.

I also showed her my general crafting method, to which she pointed out a couple small improvements I could make. Currently, we’re in front of the computer.

“When did you say you uploaded this?” She asks, tearing me out of my bafflement. The video was super quick’n’dirty, but…

“Just before I went out… About four hours ago. How the hell did it get almost twenty-thousand views in this short time?”

We glance over the comments, it seems split between people saying it’s a hoax and people being overdramatically amazed, with a small group of people already knowing this stuff pointing out how I oversimplified several things and answering questions.

“…I might have to make another, better video, because this was not meant to be shared with thousands of people.”

She chuckles at that. “You do realize you’ve basically made a ‘[System] for dummies’ video that will let just about anyone unlock the system?”

“Well, that was the point.” I say sarcastically.

“Let me rephrase that: You made a video that lets anyone become superhuman with just a little bit of time, and demonstrated just a couple abilities that should be impossible.”

“Even with magic after the Reveal I don’t think anyone has done anything nearly as complex as what [System] abilities can do, at least not as easy, and shared it.”

“Oh.” Is all I can say to that. “I guess I did open the floodgates. Eventually it would become common knowledge, though.” I catch myself: “…eventually.”

“Ahh, well.” I let out a breath and continue: “No matter, if it follows anything like tropes and/or templates, we’re gonna need as many people as possible to be at least at a baseline level.”

“Anyway-” I turn my swivel-chair and face her directly. “I’ve been wondering for a little while, but aren’t we supposed to at least tell each other our names?” I quickly add: “Lars, by the way.” and hold out my hand.

The blonde grins and grabs the hand I hold out. “Kaja. You didn’t think of introducing yourself earlier? I meant to introduce myself, but then you started telling me your” She makes air quotes “life story.”

I look away, as if embarrassed. “AAAAAANYWAY, did you adults decide whether or not I can teach your kids about magic?”

She shakes her head. “Eirik, the man I was with last time, and I want our kids to learn magic. They’re probably going to, anyway, better have knowledgeable and responsible adults around.”

“We haven’t gotten to talk properly with the other parents, but for now they’ve said no.” With a slightly raised eyebrow, she asks me: “And are you not an adult?”

I take a deep breath. “Well, I’ve never seen myself as one. Legally, yes. Mentally? Mmmaaaybe?” I accentuate the last, drawn-out bit with a shrug. “I couldn’t see myself as an adult when I was living with my parents and not working.”

“That’s right,” she says with an ‘Aha!’ tone. “You moved in this winter, didn’t you?”

I nod, but as I am about to speak, she interrupts me. “You’re living on your own now though. Still jobless?”

“I just finished my bachelor’s degree. I have a few potential places to work in mind, and are in contact with a couple. Though with the Upheaval and stuff I might end up earning money via the [System].”

I elaborate on my plans: “Either as a tutor, or as a monster hunter. Not sure if the latter is viable yet, or will be. I suppose that’s why most ‘the world now has a game system’ stories are very apocalyptic and/or start after such things have been established.”

“Enough about that, though, I have a few things I want to test with my abilities, which I think I’ll need help for. But you said you needed to pick up your kid by three, which is in forty minutes.” I point to my wristwatch.

She understands the underlying question. “I could help you for about ten minutes. What is it that you need help with?”

One explanation and two sets of stairs later, I am in half-mist form and Kaja is moving a plank around where my legs would be.

“There really is just mist there!” she says, swishing it back and forth. “What if I move it up?”

“Ahh, pull it out!” I scream, hovering away from the offending piece of wood.

“What happened?”

“I can sense things in the mist, right?” I wave an arm at the light fog covering an area of about five-by-five meters. “The sensation gets stronger in the mist that is-slashed-were my legs.”

“The feeling is strange, to say the least. When you lifted it up, however, it got much stronger. And stranger.” I pause for a moment, thinking about how to word the next part.

“In half-mist form, the mist feels very familiar, like I know it very well, kinda like the neighbourhood my parents’ house is in. The leg-mist feels kinda like it’s a part of me.” I stare her in the eyes.

“I’m not gonna lie, I obviously have no clue how it is to have someone, y’know, stick their thing in you, but… err… Yeah. I hope for all womankind it’s nothing like that.”

An awkward silence reigns for a moment, but I decide to break it with a false cough. “ The next part is changing when something is in the way. Use one of the small, thin pieces.”

She holds the little stick where my legs would be while I change back to normal.

“Huh, the mist just sorta moved. Try with a proper plank.”

…

“Same result, huh. What if I move right over the ground instead?” I do as I say, and lo and behold! “Now I can’t change back. I assume that means something like a net could stop me from shifting as well. That’s one potential weakness I must avoid…”

I check my watch, before reverting to my human form. I point out the time and Kaja excuses herself.

I grab my backpack and put on my gear, including the helmet, then get my bicycle. On the way to the forest I stop at a convenience store to buy some dinner..

The bulletin board still has the warning, but there is no person standing here today. Actually, a bulletin board acting as a quest/info board would be good. ‘Beasts of type X have been spotted by Y’ and that kinda things.

There are maps and information boards here and there, mostly by the larger roads. I suppose I could suggest it to the people of the Old Sawmill. It would be helpful for hunters and non-hunters alike. That’s how Adventurer’s Guilds are started, isn’t it?

Ah well, I continue towards the café, thinking about what kind of gear I could make or get to be stronger. A small-ish gun or hunting crossbow comes to mind immediately, though I can’t currently obtain one legally.

Well, with magic powers being both stronger and easier to hide, there are talks in several countries to just lift bans on owning guns. Hmm, what if I made a magic gun? That’d loophole the law, wouldn’t it? I might just be able to make one.

Hmm, yeah. Let’s make that my own personal quest: Make a magic gun. The objectives would be… Find out how to make a magic gun, experiment with making a magic gun and make a magic gun that I’d want to use in a combat situation.

Quest rewards… I guess I’d ‘only’ get the experience and whatever I craft, since the system doesn’t give quests.

Personal Quest set: Make a {magic gun} Objectives:

Find out how to make a {magic gun}

Make a prototype {magic gun}

Make a real {magic gun} Rewards:

Experience gained

Anything crafted

[System] recognition of weapon class {magic gun} increased

Meta-ability: [Quest Giver - Rank 1] Quests A Quest is a task or group of tasks, that has been recognized by the [System].

Depending on the Quest, the [System] might give rewards beyond what the quest giver offers, sometimes even special [System] rewards.

I almost ride into a ditch at the sudden notification. The system actually recognizes Quests? I thought of it as a Quest because I found it fitting, but I’ll take it. Also, if I finish this I can give quests to others? Yes, please.